Initial thoughts of Minibrute 2

Less than two weeks into 2020 and I have already bought four new synths. Three software synths and one analog. Software synths were on sale and addition to that I got extra discount when bought more than one at same time. I could have bought them last year but there were reasons why postponing buying to this year made more sense. And those brought something new to my setup. So this didn’t change my plans for 2020. Minibrute 2 was more impulse buy but I have considered getting it for two years since it was announced. My eurorack system was in Rackbrute case which you can connect to Minibrute 2. Getting it fit to my plans for 2020. Watching too many Korg Arp 2600 videos made me want to have keyboard to eurorack system. Minibrute was obvious choice since eurorack system was already in Rackbrute. Price was also better than when synth was launched.

Minibrute 2 is replacement of original Minibrute but actually it is love child of original Minibrute, Microbrute and Keystep. Minibrute was hugely popular analog synth which is big reason why we have so many analog synths without complete midi control. Microbrute was Minibrute’s little brother with eurorack compatibility. Keystep is industry standard sequencer and midi/cv controller. When someone is demoing synth which doesn’t have own keyboard they are more often than not using Keystep. Minibrute 2 got synth section of Minibrute with some changes. It expanded patch bay of Microbrute to become fully semimodular synth. Addition to that it has sequencing features of Keystep.

I have played with it for one evening. Should have got it earlier. I was hesitant getting it when I already have Minibrute and Microbrute. But having complete setup in one package improved whole system more than I expected. In the other hand this doesn’t make Minibrute or Microbrute redundant. Minibrute 2 doesn’t have similar saturation as previous models. It is not as wild as them. Arturia could still sell old version too. Minibrute 2 is improvement and step to different direction. Arturia have counted Microbrute is enough to give wilder side of brutes. Minibrute 2 is better synth than Minibrute but original still have its uses.

I generally like Minibrute but there are couple things I wish it had. Both are related to using it with Rackbrute and eurorack modules. First I am not sure which this should replace and I assume this was on table when instrument was designed. I wish it had mix of Osc1 output in patch bay. You can get individual waves and noise but not the mix. If you want to get mix of them to use in other modules you have to use mixer module on your eurorack. I like to mix with Minibrute’s faders. Second is you need two power cords when you use Minibrute with Rackbrute or when you use system with two Rackbrutes. I wish Rackbrute had power out which you can use for powering Minibrute 2 or another Rackbrute. That would get rid of another power cord and make it feel more like complete system.

Return of Fun with Minibrute

There are musical parts after the drone part at beginning. I didn't realize how long drone part was before I watched the rendered video.

We had winter for little over a week. It included only one weekend. The one when I made first fun with Minibrute movie. I would have shot winter video then if we has sunny day then. We didn't and I waited for next weekend but we didn't have winter then. We might still get winter enoung to shoot winter video. Last weekend wasn't that weekend.

Next time I use both Minibrute and Microbrute in same video I have to have then next to each others. Microbrute sounds quite static without tweaking in during the song.

Fun with Arturia Minibrute

This video was inspired by Arturia's Minibrute 2 announcements. Can wait to get this oscillator and filter in semi modular architecture. I have already preordered Minibrute 2S. You can expect to hear it here on March or April when I get mine.

Everything comes from Minibrute. Native Instrument Replika XT and Valhalla Vintage Verb give delay and reverb with some automation. Sequence comes from DAW.

Arturia Minibrute 2S is it

I planned to not buy synths this year. That plan is gone now. I preordered Minibrute 2S. If I sell MInibrute this could count as upgrade but I am probably not selling it. With this and Rackbrute with few select modules I get most of what I planned getting from bigger eurorack. That sequencer looks amazing. I hope you can use additional tracks even when you take notes from midi. Might not be possible since they share patch bay slots with aftertouch and velocity. 

Rackbrute with Wogglebug, couple envelopes and mixers, SEM filter and additional oscillator would be good start. There is still room for other modules. I haven't checked what I could have with 6U Rackbrute. I don't need much more to have everything I want from eurorack. Some more modules from Make Noise and probably some Erica's Fusion modules if there is enough power and space. Minibrute will come first. Rackbrute or new eurorack have to wait.

Minibrute 2 announcements inspired me to make Minibrute video. You will hear few reasons why I am so excited by these new synths. They are what I wanted improved in Minibrute and much more. I hope there won't be coming too many new as interesting synths from NAMM.

Minibrute 2 announced

I thought there weren't any really interesting synths on market and I didn't have temptations to buy more gear. Then this thing was announced. At first I was like shut up and take my money. Now I am not so sure. I have Minibrute and Microbrute. This video didn't sell me the synth. I wouldn't be surprised if I have this by the end of this year.

I plan to get bigger eurorack next year. This would fit to that plan with eurorack connectivity. I also like how this didn't make original Minibrute obsolete. It can do some things this can't by itself. With eurorack this can do much more. If you think this as eurorack module it is reasonable priced. It is reasonable priced as individual synth but more so as eurorack module. It is good package of analog and modular.