The simplify I've decided to start this thread. I may have to edit this post, but it is a start. I own the MiniBrute and am not sure the Micro is for me, but hey, it's Gearslutz. Arturia product page
Arturia - Musical Instruments | Intro
Let the fun begin

How do I make the title Bold?

It is bold for anyone else who hasn't read the thread. Also you might want to just read and post in the existing threads about Microbrute

I have subscribe to those threads and receive instant emails. My intention is to make things easier for those that don't want to skip over all the pages of what will be Arturia's next big surprise and to make it easier for those new to GS and are searching for MicroBrute threads

I think this is worthwhile thread. I know I want to keep up on the bug issues before I pull the trigger on one. My top 3 Mono picks all are dealing with buggy OS issues right now.

The only "bug" I encountered is that when the sequencer runs, each note seems to have a low level pop to it, even with all the waves turned off. Maybe it's due to the filter design and biasing, not certain. I'd be curious if others have noticed this.

Aside from the pitch and mod wheels slightly tapering in towards each other, nothing of a show stopper nature to report. Everything works.

I'll keep an eye on this thread too...

Definitely going to be one of my next buys! Personally, I'm more excited about them than i was about the Minibrute!

I tried one out at GC the other day. Very cool. The sequencer was fun to use and I think very useful in practical application. The layout of the panel is simple, but has an immediacy that makes it very playable.

The downside is the construction quality is not the same as the Minibrute. It's made of plastic. It feels sturdy, but it doesn't approach the impressive, tank feel of the Minibrute's metal construction.

I have microbrute connected to boss dr110. The 110 trigger accent out will play one note on the micro,but the sequencer on micro will not sync to that same trigger. I'm latching the micro by wedging a business card under the key.

Anybody can help with the seq sync?
Thanks

haha, i have wedged a hosa patch cable to latch the key--that sw connect will be a welcome addition

i am using midi clock for sync...haven't had a chance to really explore syncing yet. it seems to sync but have not spent a whole lot of time really measuring it

sounds great w/drum machine + 303 emu--very jiggy if that makes sense.

re pop, is that even w/lfo amt turned all the way down? ahh i hear what you mean. very light.

Do you have an official soft drink, for this official MicroBrute thread? Can I recommend Reed's Original Ginger Brew?

Is it possible to take the main CV out on the back of the microbrute and patch that into the CV filter in at the mod matrix? Would this automate the filter if the sequencer was running? This will be my first piece of CV equipment and I'm excited about the possibilities to say the least.

I asked this in the other thread to no reply..somebody's gotta know!

You know I didn't think about that, however I "Officially" welcome your suggestion
Since the MicroBrute is starting to arrive at some Forumites doors we can now hear hands on impressions and all the other goodies people share. Hopefully there isn't many QC issues or they sort it all out.

I am really interested to know if this works too.

Thanks for starting this thread - was sort of getting lost in the Maxibrute thread.

Mine arrived Friday but haven't had time to un-box it ...or more accurately, haven't had time to get lost in it, so it remains in box 'til such time as I have time to amuse myself...

Love my MicroBrute. Happy to say I can drive with it with IPad running GEO as a controller going out of IPad into the USB input of the MB.

What's the word on the software I've heard reviewers mentioning in the demo videos? Has it been released yet?

There is a switch to sync the LFO to the sequencer. Then route the LFO to filter, and then it's "automated".

I don't believe a lfo modulated filter would sound quite the same as a step sequenced filter, even if it's tempo synced.

I don't know what your top 3 are, but the FutureRetro SX is an AWESOME monosynth, and it too has modular CV options (more than the Microbrute of course), but it certainly is costly in comparison. But it is really an awesome synth.

interesting idea--yes it does!

Awesome! Thanks for doing this!
I think this would be useful with another sequencer. A eurorack 8 step sequencer receiving gate from the microbrute and sending cv to microbrute's filter in, this would be cool! You could even do this with two microbrutes and create some really interesting polyrhythmic sequences.

Thanks! It sounds like that filter is having some really dirty fun.

Nice work, crufty. That sounds great.

I can hear a very slight bit of noise when the envelope is in "envelope" mode, but I get a really loud and pretty annoying click when it's in "gate" mode. I'd like to be able to put it in gate mode so I can free up the envelope for just the filter but the clicking on note releases kind of kills it for me. Is that normal on synths that have a gate mode for the envelope?

The software has indeed been released: Arturia - Musical Instruments | Resources

I haven't yet tried it tonight, but I will, and report back. It really adds some nice wrinkles to the functionality, like allowing you to trigger a sequence and not keep pressing the key, or having sequences complete when you switch between them for smooth transitions.

This thing...it is a BEAST. The mod matrix really makes it shine, especially when you get an adapter, and say, route LFO to multiple destinations, etc. That's a tiny example, too. For the money...ridiculous. The keys are...meh (though proportioned well), and the build quality isn't as good as the mini, but it's still good. I can't believe it is this cheap. WOW.

i have had a lot of fun w/the micro, and recorded several wanks which i'll spare everyone

it is a perfect one osc synth for me; i have two setups, a 'studio' setup...and a 'jam' setup.

the micro is in the jam setup. That said, I did play around with it from a daw...the usb to midi was super handy in that case. really nothing else is required -- at first I was thinking, i need a 2x2 usb to midi...then thought...no...this thing HAS usb on it! so that was pretty sweet. usb to daw, headphone out to line in. BOOM, integrated.

in terms of jams, this thing is really a versatile tool, the onboard sequencer just rocks my socks off...it is hands on, and small.

for me, i have a 909, tt 303, fr 777...and a micro. it fits in the mix really really easily and has perfect spot on the jam table ( a small portable table).

before, i was using a tribe to sequence a fr xs and it was not nearly as expressive (although the xs is of course a deeper machine). my jam setup doesn't stay out permanently, it gets put away. so the micro small form factor really helps there.

i would post demos except they are mostly me exploring it and a not making actual songs. i need to update the firmware for hold mode on the sequencer.

keys...yeah, this is not what I would call a 'players' synth...but i am good w/that. it doesn't have "that" sound that many one osc synths have...a GOOD thing (a lot of one oscs get very recognizable in the mix).

Yeah this synth is making it harder for me decide between it and the BS2. I did not feel this way with the Mini.

yeah mini was not on my radar

what about both--bs2 has patch memory, two oscs and nice filters. can't go wrong w/that! sonically and feature wise i look @ bs2 & micro as apples and oranges. bs2 has patch memory, that is an ENORMOUS feature that neither micro nor mini have....if anyone does studio work, that is SO convenient.

think of it like this (USD):

$500 - bs2
$300 - mini
$150 - volca keys

boom! thats some shiz right there.

I am realizing how convenient patch storage on the BS2 really is while multi-tracking(though the brutes don't take long to dial in). The kicker is the micro's step seq. can be saved to disk via editor there is no dump option for this on the BS2 until a possible firmware update. 4 vs 8 locations. This is huge. Sure you can "record" in a DAW but it really isn't the same. Sync issues on the BS2 and start stop from DAW is another concern. I throw this out there as some more considerations between the two.