I've owned my Polybrute for about a week now and I keep coming back to this video to learn how it works. Your videos are just SO frigging perfect, Loopop, the entertainment of an excellent review and the usefulness of a tutorial, all in one. I've said it many times before and I'll say it again, thank you for all the amazing videos you make.
@@MusicZeroOne but the statement wasnt which is cheapest. The statement was that the polybrute is the most advanced analog synth on earth. I think the moog one has that one in the bag. I don’t own a moog one and likely never will unless I win the lottery but it sure is the most advanced synth on earth, and some of the sounds out of it are insane. 3 polybrutes isnt a moog one, thats not how synthesis works, 3 polybrutes is 3 polybrutes, and would sound like 3 polybrutes. I have a prophet 12, a prophet 8 rev 2, a pro 2, an analog four, an as1, i also have ableton and serum. I had a moog minitaur but gave it to my mate. But i would still love a moog one. More likely to get a sub 37 though.
If anyone's wondering, this'll cost $2899. Thanks for the fantastic video, Loopop. Always a review and a thorough tutorial. Your videos are just so essential to the synth lover.
@@ChrisWilliams68 Maybe, but it's $2899 from Arturia. www.arturia.com/products/hardware-synths/polybrute/overview I can see Arturia having to drop the price due to slow sales. 6 voices is going to be a hard sell, especially considering this is an Arturia, not a Sequential or Moog.
tdzucker I‘m intrigued by the digital control offered on today’s analogs. As someone who’s always preferred digital for ease of programming and syncing I’m more and more interested in getting an analog like this.
@@DFunct905 Im actually intimidated by a piece of gear like this, I would never buy it. I'm at a point that I want a limited control set so that I don't induce choice paralysis. Especially since I don't make electronic music so much as I play rock/pop/funk/jazz and love synths. So something like this is maybe not as suited to me as something by Dave Smith, or a Behringer clone. If i was a sound designer, or professional blip blooper, or any kind of film/electronic composer I would definitely save for one of these.
tdzucker i agree it’s smart to not buy something more complex than you’re comfortable with. Dreadbox makes some good simple analog gear if you want something easier to master.
@@tdzucker I get the point but you also pick up on knowledge while playing so for me its more important how intuitive and how good the complexity is presented. And i totally dig the matrixsystem. Also for the sequencer which actually i might use for the first time with a synth. And dont let yourself be fooled by the cheapprice of a Behringer - when talking about Poly's i assume you think of the Deepmind. The Deepmind is called Deep for a reason because it has a very complex modulation capacity but all accesed through jus as deep menuediving which absolutely did not work for me. I try my luck w/ the Polybrute now (also it sounds so much better then the Deepmind. Deepmind can sound good but a lot of times it reallysouns a bit... cheap.) @Dox Fill Dreadbox has no Poly out by now as far as i know. But im completely with you concerning The Monos like the Typhoon for example. Easy to access and to just have fun with and sounds great! And great effects too!
@@tdzucker I feel this, I have a Behringer odyssey that I figured out in a week and got cocky so I got a Matrix Brute and immediately realized I was way in over my head
I tried really hard not to make immature jokes about it. Regardless, it looks pretty nice. If I had one, I'm sure I'd make an entire album of wobbly warbling tunes full of gratuitous morph-e expression wiggling. Maybe it'd be the album no one knew they wanted. :P But for now, I'm still stuck with a Microbrute instead of a flagship synth like the Polybrute. It's okay, but I definitely run into its limitations every time I use it. So I've been trying to decide what to upgrade to.
@@ToyKeeper Expressive E Touché SE adds that sort off control as well to synths that support it 😂 Honestly the most affordable way forward is software. Soft synths are just so much more flexible than any non-flagship hardware is. And even more flexible than a lot of expensive hardware. Less fun though...
There is some great synth software out there. I want an instrument though, something tactile I can play with my hands, something which doesn't need security updates or defragging, something which will "just work" for as long as I decide to keep it. I make computer operating systems for work, and I don't want to deal with any of that stuff while I'm taking a break to create music.
Nice in depth review as is usual Loopop. Note my AN1x and EX5R Yam's both have a true morphing feature using the 'SCENE' function: "Pressing both [SCENE] switches simultaneously activates the Scene Control function, which lets you "morph" between Scenes ...." (actual Parameters altered). Also my Yam MODX in new OS has the Smart Morph feature for the FM-X engine, using machine learning between selected FM patches A > B, which provides true morphing capability of FM Parameters via touch screen.
I don't think that's quite correct. From what the video says, it's not a crossfade where the audio itself morphs, but rather a morphing of the analog knobs and faders.
Excellent work once again loopop; the fact that you really emphasize honest pros & cons, including offering reasonable firmware/software related improvements to help the product shine is incredible! I will take my time to listen to the patches you go through! It certainly sounds expressive, I am interested in smooth other worldly sonics at the moment, I have got traditional synth patches covered through other gear. Once again, great job!
Each synth, analog especially, has that “certain sound” and this definitely has that signature Arturia sound. I actually like it. Personally, I’m partial to the “Korg sound” but then again some people hate Korg.
I am star struck. The holy grail has arrived. I had an Oberheim OB12 It had the morph thing and it's Ahhhmazing...................This has even more than my Andromeda A6
Great review, Ziv. Thanks. Clearly a fantastically capable synth. Trying to decide which hardware polysynth to invest time and effort into (no great rush for me). Your reviews (the benchmark for quality IMO) definitely help. It seems to me that Arturia have been working hard on their brand, to create musical, useful products (which was always the Roland philosophy). It’s easy to get ‘preset fatigue’ watching reviews across across a number of competing products, and I can see more than ever that the presets need to be seen as a demonstration of what can be possible if you work to master the instrument, especially a complex, flagship polysynth.
Loopop: I really like your videos, very well organized, comprehensive, AND with a sense of humor. Love it! Disclaimer: I own a MatrixBrute. I love it and I am keeping it. If my impressions sound (spoiler) negative it is not because I don't like the company or the efforts they have made. I really like Arturia gear. With the release of the PolyBrute I was hoping for a polyphonic MatrixBrute, but alas this isn't. First off, the control panel does not tilt, and with such a complex interface it would have been more practical for those of us who like to sit, play, turn knobs and actually see what is written on the front panel. With a fixed flat interface you will need to sit at a particular angle and your hand placement low, not comfortable for me. At least Arturia made sure to put the writing below the knobs (unlike another manufacturer who made the mistake of placing them above the knobs, ouch!). Second the presence of a screen and menus, Why Arturia? Why??? ;) One of the awesome features (or lack of) on the MatrixBrute is the absence of menus. One knob/slider/button per function. Third the matrix now has less buttons, this limits information and visual feedback for step sequencing, presets, and of course modulation matrix. I prefer the full size matrix on the MatrixBrute. Another solution would have been a 14" touch screen and expanded the Matrix and solved a lot of "real estate" issues. And last but definitely not least, the 6-voice limitation, with such long and amazing effects, and they really do sound amazing, there will be a lot of voice stealing, the PolyBrute should have been an 8 voice (or more) synth instead. I would have gladly paid $3200 instead of $2800. Now onto the "cool" features. The morph knob IS gimmicky, it is essentially a macro knob on the MatrixBrute. If you really know your MatrixBrute and modulation routing you can do it. The morph knob is cool and easier to use, but I feel it is gimmicky. The ribbon: I always though ribbons were gimmicky, I am not sure what a ribbon can do that a mod wheel can't. Did I mention the 6-voice limitation? I welcome the added presets, but I was hoping for a longer sequencer. Hopefully a new firmware release can address that. Am I going to buy a PolyBrute? I am not sure yet. I can't help but compare it with my MatrixBrute which I still feel is Arturia's pinnacle product. To me the MatrixBrute was a no-brainer, as soon as I was able to afford one I went and bought it. Although the PolyBrute is a polyphonic awesome sounding synth, it is limited in the polyphony department, and there are other less expensive options out there. I can think of the DSI Rev2 (16-voice analog), or even the really inexpensive Behringer Deepmind 12 (12 voice analog). I am really glad that Arturia is making hardware synths, they have released some great products really. I think these people have punched a big hole in the synthesizer universe, but I think the product manager needs to understand what features in their prior products made that particular product unique, and this requires feedback from reviewers and customers.
This is a fucking dream come truth !!! i went from classical 40 pieces orchestra music writting to a analog synth awakening in the last few months thanx to the covid...now im waiting for this to come in...!!!!
The morph knob should be on every synth. The Octotrack's scene crossfader is the thing that makes me love it so much and the morph knob seems very similar.
@@zerocrossing I think I have a problem. Last night I dreamed there was a mother cat and three kittens stuck inside the drain of my sink, there was water in the sink! I drained the water and pulled them out, I don't know how it was a dream and the mother cat was bigger than the drain opening. Oh it didn't stop there! I gave them to a guy and followed him to his place of work to make sure he spayed and neutered them. He had security, a guy with a badge, come out and tell me I couldn't see him! LOL This is all true. Is it cat scratch fever? LOL!
Prior to visiting the music store, I watched a bunch of videos about different synths to narrow down my favourites. This review - and subsequently playing the thing - showed me that the PolyBrute was the synth for me. Now I need to rewatch this video about once a week to properly learn how to get the most out of it! The sounds you wrangle out of the PolyBrute, Loopop, are sensational!
You're making some of the best videos on UA-cam these days! Would you ever consider making a video about your video-making process? Lighting, sound, editing, etc...
Wow, me neither. I hope I have the cash for one. The Matrix is a brute in my kit. Does it cost less than selling one of your kids? ‘Sorry little Debby n Johnny this is your new mommy, daddy wants a new keyboard’ 😂
Andrew Cecka 🤣🤣 myself included, but it’s an awesome mono. I don’t feel bad at all...ok some 🤨😉 This shares a lot of those characteristics but it tweaks them a bit for poly which is way different in application play.
This video is about to get a whole lot more important to me in the next couple of days, my Polybrute is currently on route to my house. :D Thanks for this awesome video, Loopop.
Arturia looked at SugarBytes Factory and went: we'll take that morph feature, thank you very much! Stunning machine. All the controls you want are hands on and the mod matrix is so fast to use. This is the new default for mod matrixes. Please everyone and especially Roland: watch and learn! This just firmly bumped the MatrixBrute from the top of my "would I love to have these synths" list :o
@@SyntheticFuture Latch or Snap, you mean when turning the knobs ? You can either set the knobs to Jump, Hook or Scaled. Scaled mode is pretty smooth, it updates parameters in the direction where you turn but progressively catches up between the knob position and the value you hear
@@Diayse exactly. Scaled sounds really nice. That's probably even nicer to use than what Roland calls 'latch' (that's Arturia's 'hook' I think) :D I hate it when parameters jump, often sounds very jarring =)
The Yamaha DX200 groovebox had a morph function, too, which IIRC was not just a fade between the two sounds. I do remember it was one of my favorite features of that strange box.
Thanks, I was going to chime in with this. I kept mine and 3rd party editors for it have finally emerged. They’re really necessary to get to the parameters, much more convenient despite the knobular interface, which is useful for performance but not so much for programming.
The mod matrix is amazing. the fact that one can see all the modulation occurring at the same time makes it a standard option for future synths. Would buy this just cuz of the mod matrix. Fantastic synth.
With only 6 voices of polyphony, I think of the Polybrute as an extended version of the Matrixbrute. If I had a Polybrute, I would still want another polyphonic synth with much higher polyphony like 12, 16, 24, or more voices, and use the Polybrute more like a monophonic synth, with the other higher polyphony synth handling most of my polyphonic needs.
So very unique in its execution. A 21st century approach to an early 80's idea. This beauty in a desktop / module version and it's a no-brainer for me.
Yet another excellent review. Many of the features, the matrix, the controllers and especially the morphing are really nice. The cool panning tricks remind me of my long deceased and terribly missed OB-8. The Polybrute does sound very good. But at first listen, it doesn't seem to sound quite as complex or rich as the UDO Super 6, which seems like it's direct competitor. I'm probably not the only person on here hoping you'll get your hands on a Super 6 soon.
Yeah it's in a great spot. You can probably download a touch midi controller app on your phone and just have it right there for instant expressive playing.
look at the Oberheim/viscount OB12 for the morph and other functions. I think its great that someone actually took the ideas from that synth and made it work! Excellent demo :)
Fantastic beautiful sounding synth. The big question now is where and how can I get my hands on about $3,000 by the end of November? I can see me making great use of this. If it just had 12 voices, thee oscillators and a choice between dB/octave slopes on the filters I could see it as a do all synth. I’d be willing to pay an extra $1,000 for those additions.
Thank you for the extra effort put forth in this review. Arturia are not recognized for great preset patches. Unlike Dave Smith whose sound designers deliver stunning patches every time. But all-in-all, this synth sounds good. I too am very disappointed at only 6 note polyphony. And it looks like they should definitely change out the morph knob to something different. The morph knob seems to get a lot of action. It would be nice to draw attention to it just as they have done with the master resonance knob. Especially since it is one of the most distinguishing features of this synth. I have a pile of monophonic synths and desperately want a poly ... but I’m not sure this is the one with it’s limited voicing. I don’t know ... I’ll have to watch this and see if it grows on me over time or not. Once again, thank you for all you do for the synth community!!!
The big difference is that people then actually made music with it… and probably earned it back. Nowadays we have a million options, very time consuming jobs, and endless GAS.
Am i missing something about this synth? It seems undervalued by thousands of dollars??? I expected something like this to be around 6-8 thousand dollars?
Nord Modulars (G1, Micro, G2) all have multiple morph groups. The range for each source linked to a morph group can be defined and the range changes relative to the source's initial value, which appears to be the same behaviour as described on the PolyBrute, though perhaps slightly different implementation.
Omg!!! Finally a new synth!!!? I haven't even watched the review yet and I'm still PUMPED!!! Here I was thinking it would be sequential releasing the next poly this is way out of left field and extremely welcomed!! Ok watching your review now mr loo.
The way the poly brute does it is slightly different, with more options (and also more chances to get lost or confused), but I found it strange that the reviewer started out by calling it a “unique” feature, since Nord has been doing it for years.
Man, you've outdone yourself in this video! It takes quite some time and effort to get your head around a beast like this, and it's a totally wonderful experience to see you present it so well. If I were Arturia, I'd hire you right away! Of course, the bad thing about your videos is that they may eventually empty my bank account ... ;-)
Deepmind has a similar sort of thing in the companion app with the XY patch fade thing? And the 3rd party Peak editor has this function as well! Unless I’m misunderstanding?
@@querydelacroix2919 Marc's is an instrumental. love it. You know for how crazy the World is right now..Videos like Loopop and Marc's etc are super cool and inspiring. Even if one can not buy the newest piece of gear, just knowing there are other Music freaks out there making magic helps me make magic.
Had a matrix brute, sold it. One of the heaviest but funnest synths I ever had. You could get lost in the matrix but playing it just felt good and the sound was honest. Dam you for posting this video! Looks so tasty!
I don’t collect synths, don’t have the space and I wasn’t recording much with the matrixbrute. Would make patches and explore the sounds, it was a beast. But after a few months, I didn’t find much integration into what I was making at the time. So nothing to do with the gear, more with the user.
many here are justfying their purchases... To say this sounds bad... and some things they mention are just but an opinion that relates to choice... This synth is the first synth in a decade ive actually considered a buy. And the ones that people say are better , ive tried....and wouldn't buy. This , as a package, is a monster....
Lovely review, top class as usual! It seems like a massive poly-tank-synth :D ... really nice sounds and performance controls too esp touch and the morph knob, loved that. This is what we need in the modern day big polys, good job by Arturia.
Great review, awesome features but strangely unexciting sound. In contrast to Matriarch or Udo Super 6, nothing I hear actually makes me want to own it.
It sounds good, but not 🤯 good. Plus last year I dumped a small fortune on a Moog One & last week I got a Viscount/"Oberheim" OB-12 + Korg Wavestate. My synth fund is severely depleted .💸 If I'm gonna drop $2,500 on another synth, it's gotta be a 🤯 synth. As nice as the Polybrute is, IMO it's not a 🤯 synth.
Yeah I want to like it but I feel like it’s not as aggressive as the matrixbrute. Sound it almost too clean. Maybe things aren’t driving as hard to leave room for polyphony?
spot on. I own a Matriarch and OB6 and this thing sounds 2d in comparison unfortunately. Still, can't wait to play one at the local store and see if my opinion changes!
Morphing in various modulation is on the Emu Morpheus, but that's back in the day, z plane filter and such. I don't know whose doing that now but what I see here, that's cool. I didn't even know Arturia was coming out with this, but here we go.
@@millenniummastering maybe I'll do a video with a few synths that can do something close! Deepmind, nord lead 2...hell an ableton macro could get you close on anything with midi parameter control!
Denon DJ CD player 2500F led screen had the words "REMAIN SINGLE" to remind the DJ ... that the player shows the remaining time and is going to play a single track.
gjc82071 Yeh, love my Virus Ti's I have a Ti 2 61 Key and a Ti desktop, would never not have them in my studio, wonderful synths, but you are right, Polybrute does sound good.
I very appreciate your tutos ! would you mind to make one only in the goal of using this Polybrute in a DAW (Logic, Cubase...etc) to show us what the Pros and Cons are, is there a way to save the "Morphée" activity, is the sequencer well in sync with the DAW, do the sounds mix well with our Libs ? and so on... what are the best routines to use this "incredible" synth in a DAW... I am certain, lots of musicians would appreciate a review like that. Thanks for your VERY good job.
Do wish they put in a more “classic” vintage poly filter like the 3320 or SSM rather than the ladder, but this has the best features of any analog poly, ever. Definitely has a unique sound.
Great review. Condensed information on a very good new synthesiser. The Morph feature is superb. The first synthesiser that I purchased was the Roland D-50 in about 1987. Cost around $3000 in those days. Could have bought a nice second hand car for that cask outlay. I still have the synth which is still an amazing musical instrument. I planned to buy a new keyboard in 2020 but after looking at what was on the market, and going through numerous reviews I was becoming more and more conflicted. What in the hell do I buy? I know that I want a device that has a strong sound synthesis rather than extra features like sequences and samplers. There are workstations that are absolutely incredible these days. Living in Australia, I recall the invention of the Fairlight computer based musical system. Well ahead of its time. And ridiculously expensive. In fact the system cost about the same as a what an average home cost in Australia. Around $25,000 in the late 1970s. That pretty much shut out everybody apart from the the very successful Bands or large recording studios. The guy doing this review is excellent - had to subscribe Cheers (In Australia this synth is retailing for about $AU 3,999)
I've owned my Polybrute for about a week now and I keep coming back to this video to learn how it works.
Your videos are just SO frigging perfect, Loopop, the entertainment of an excellent review and the usefulness of a tutorial, all in one.
I've said it many times before and I'll say it again, thank you for all the amazing videos you make.
It's incredible when a company that makes virtual synthesizers makes the most advanced analog synth on earth
the most advanced analog synth on earth? Seems a bit like hyperbole, no?
Completely agree, when it finally dawns on you what you can do with this thing, it's mind blowing!
More advanced than a moog one? Perhaps not.
@@davidthompson9141 Let’s consider price, you could slave 3 PBs for the same price. It wouldn’t even be a competition.
@@MusicZeroOne but the statement wasnt which is cheapest. The statement was that the polybrute is the most advanced analog synth on earth. I think the moog one has that one in the bag. I don’t own a moog one and likely never will unless I win the lottery but it sure is the most advanced synth on earth, and some of the sounds out of it are insane. 3 polybrutes isnt a moog one, thats not how synthesis works, 3 polybrutes is 3 polybrutes, and would sound like 3 polybrutes.
I have a prophet 12, a prophet 8 rev 2, a pro 2, an analog four, an as1, i also have ableton and serum. I had a moog minitaur but gave it to my mate. But i would still love a moog one. More likely to get a sub 37 though.
If anyone's wondering, this'll cost $2899.
Thanks for the fantastic video, Loopop. Always a review and a thorough tutorial. Your videos are just so essential to the synth lover.
More likely $2499 at retail.
@@ChrisWilliams68 Maybe, but it's $2899 from Arturia.
www.arturia.com/products/hardware-synths/polybrute/overview
I can see Arturia having to drop the price due to slow sales. 6 voices is going to be a hard sell, especially considering this is an Arturia, not a Sequential or Moog.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH also thanks loopop
Arturia reminding us that we live in the golden age of analog synths.
tdzucker I‘m intrigued by the digital control offered on today’s analogs. As someone who’s always preferred digital for ease of programming and syncing I’m more and more interested in getting an analog like this.
@@DFunct905 Im actually intimidated by a piece of gear like this, I would never buy it. I'm at a point that I want a limited control set so that I don't induce choice paralysis. Especially since I don't make electronic music so much as I play rock/pop/funk/jazz and love synths. So something like this is maybe not as suited to me as something by Dave Smith, or a Behringer clone.
If i was a sound designer, or professional blip blooper, or any kind of film/electronic composer I would definitely save for one of these.
tdzucker i agree it’s smart to not buy something more complex than you’re comfortable with. Dreadbox makes some good simple analog gear if you want something easier to master.
@@tdzucker I get the point but you also pick up on knowledge while playing so for me its more important how intuitive and how good the complexity is presented. And i totally dig the matrixsystem. Also for the sequencer which actually i might use for the first time with a synth. And dont let yourself be fooled by the cheapprice of a Behringer - when talking about Poly's i assume you think of the Deepmind. The Deepmind is called Deep for a reason because it has a very complex modulation capacity but all accesed through jus as deep menuediving which absolutely did not work for me. I try my luck w/ the Polybrute now (also it sounds so much better then the Deepmind. Deepmind can sound good but a lot of times it reallysouns a bit... cheap.)
@Dox Fill Dreadbox has no Poly out by now as far as i know. But im completely with you concerning The Monos like the Typhoon for example. Easy to access and to just have fun with and sounds great! And great effects too!
@@tdzucker I feel this, I have a Behringer odyssey that I figured out in a week and got cocky so I got a Matrix Brute and immediately realized I was way in over my head
Respect to Arturia for creating such a great analogue synth. Bit out of my price range butt really hoping to afford it one day.
Let's go in on it
1. see really awesome synth
2. look it up
3. see price
4. cry
Not entirely sure what justifies the price vs a 16-voice Novation Summit - only real material difference might be the quality of the analogue filter.
Waits for the Behringer Clone.
@@gershon2481 35 or 40 years , if you'r young be patient
Welp, that price is DSI territory.
Pierre Hansen Let’s see. 40 years... Dead. Shocking that I can’t wait four decades any more.
1 hour review... this is like going to the movies but better... with synths.
hi
Move over Spielberg. You can't compete.
Agree, i feel like playing Gershon Kingsley - Popcorn '69 should be included :)
I can confirm that this movie even has a better love story than Twilight.
Pass the popcorn...
"Capacitive touch wood" is not a feature I ever expected to see on a synthesizer.
The feature no-one knew they wanted xD
I tried really hard not to make immature jokes about it.
Regardless, it looks pretty nice. If I had one, I'm sure I'd make an entire album of wobbly warbling tunes full of gratuitous morph-e expression wiggling. Maybe it'd be the album no one knew they wanted. :P
But for now, I'm still stuck with a Microbrute instead of a flagship synth like the Polybrute. It's okay, but I definitely run into its limitations every time I use it. So I've been trying to decide what to upgrade to.
@@ToyKeeper Expressive E Touché SE adds that sort off control as well to synths that support it 😂
Honestly the most affordable way forward is software. Soft synths are just so much more flexible than any non-flagship hardware is. And even more flexible than a lot of expensive hardware. Less fun though...
There is some great synth software out there. I want an instrument though, something tactile I can play with my hands, something which doesn't need security updates or defragging, something which will "just work" for as long as I decide to keep it. I make computer operating systems for work, and I don't want to deal with any of that stuff while I'm taking a break to create music.
@@ToyKeeper might want to look into the DSI pro's 😁
Nice in depth review as is usual Loopop. Note my AN1x and EX5R Yam's both have a true morphing feature using the 'SCENE' function: "Pressing both [SCENE] switches simultaneously activates the Scene Control function, which lets you "morph" between Scenes ...." (actual Parameters altered). Also my Yam MODX in new OS has the Smart Morph feature for the FM-X engine, using machine learning between selected FM patches A > B, which provides true morphing capability of FM Parameters via touch screen.
The first synth they did a real morph funktion was the original Nord Lead back in 1995 and it sounds incredible. Nice to see Arturia's take on analog.
8:42 "That ain't no crossfade" epic! 😄
It'll look at home in your studio Marshal. :-)
Seems like with the morph function you have an analogue synth that can behave similar to a wavetable synth, that's pretty awesome
I don't think that's quite correct. From what the video says, it's not a crossfade where the audio itself morphs, but rather a morphing of the analog knobs and faders.
Excellent work once again loopop; the fact that you really emphasize honest pros & cons, including offering reasonable firmware/software related improvements to help the product shine is incredible! I will take my time to listen to the patches you go through! It certainly sounds expressive, I am interested in smooth other worldly sonics at the moment, I have got traditional synth patches covered through other gear. Once again, great job!
I have never been too fond of the Arturia sound. But this is definitely still flagship material.
In the beginning, every new thing is great, but after a while you read:For sale:-).
Yeah besides the morphing features I don't hear anything that knocks me out tone wise.
Each synth, analog especially, has that “certain sound” and this definitely has that signature Arturia sound. I actually like it. Personally, I’m partial to the “Korg sound” but then again some people hate Korg.
M H To me, Korg is the all rounder.
I am star struck. The holy grail has arrived. I had an Oberheim OB12
It had the morph thing and it's Ahhhmazing...................This has even more than my Andromeda A6
This is the sexiest looking synth I've seen in recent years
I bet it’s expensive
You deserve an international prize for the best Analysis & Reviews of all human history.
Great review, Ziv. Thanks. Clearly a fantastically capable synth. Trying to decide which hardware polysynth to invest time and effort into (no great rush for me). Your reviews (the benchmark for quality IMO) definitely help. It seems to me that Arturia have been working hard on their brand, to create musical, useful products (which was always the Roland philosophy). It’s easy to get ‘preset fatigue’ watching reviews across across a number of competing products, and I can see more than ever that the presets need to be seen as a demonstration of what can be possible if you work to master the instrument, especially a complex, flagship polysynth.
Loopop: I really like your videos, very well organized, comprehensive, AND with a sense of humor. Love it!
Disclaimer: I own a MatrixBrute. I love it and I am keeping it. If my impressions sound (spoiler) negative it is not because I don't like the company or the efforts they have made. I really like Arturia gear.
With the release of the PolyBrute I was hoping for a polyphonic MatrixBrute, but alas this isn't. First off, the control panel does not tilt, and with such a complex interface it would have been more practical for those of us who like to sit, play, turn knobs and actually see what is written on the front panel. With a fixed flat interface you will need to sit at a particular angle and your hand placement low, not comfortable for me. At least Arturia made sure to put the writing below the knobs (unlike another manufacturer who made the mistake of placing them above the knobs, ouch!). Second the presence of a screen and menus, Why Arturia? Why??? ;) One of the awesome features (or lack of) on the MatrixBrute is the absence of menus. One knob/slider/button per function. Third the matrix now has less buttons, this limits information and visual feedback for step sequencing, presets, and of course modulation matrix. I prefer the full size matrix on the MatrixBrute. Another solution would have been a 14" touch screen and expanded the Matrix and solved a lot of "real estate" issues. And last but definitely not least, the 6-voice limitation, with such long and amazing effects, and they really do sound amazing, there will be a lot of voice stealing, the PolyBrute should have been an 8 voice (or more) synth instead. I would have gladly paid $3200 instead of $2800.
Now onto the "cool" features. The morph knob IS gimmicky, it is essentially a macro knob on the MatrixBrute. If you really know your MatrixBrute and modulation routing you can do it. The morph knob is cool and easier to use, but I feel it is gimmicky. The ribbon: I always though ribbons were gimmicky, I am not sure what a ribbon can do that a mod wheel can't. Did I mention the 6-voice limitation?
I welcome the added presets, but I was hoping for a longer sequencer. Hopefully a new firmware release can address that.
Am I going to buy a PolyBrute? I am not sure yet. I can't help but compare it with my MatrixBrute which I still feel is Arturia's pinnacle product. To me the MatrixBrute was a no-brainer, as soon as I was able to afford one I went and bought it. Although the PolyBrute is a polyphonic awesome sounding synth, it is limited in the polyphony department, and there are other less expensive options out there. I can think of the DSI Rev2 (16-voice analog), or even the really inexpensive Behringer Deepmind 12 (12 voice analog).
I am really glad that Arturia is making hardware synths, they have released some great products really. I think these people have punched a big hole in the synthesizer universe, but I think the product manager needs to understand what features in their prior products made that particular product unique, and this requires feedback from reviewers and customers.
Karim, Deepmind 12 and DSI Rev2 are DCO synths while the PolyBrute is VCO, and new DCO synths are always less expensive than VCO it seems.
My man, just make a video already.
Also, wouldn't the text be better above the knows? Or why not?
I like the formatting of your sections and how you stay pretty consistent in your videos. I always can easily find the areas I'm most curious about.
I would say: Synthesizer of the year 2020. Thank you for this great presentation! :)
Ou-of-this-world quality review 👍😎 Best on the Internet!
this is absolutely crazy... I want it
This is a fucking dream come truth !!! i went from classical 40 pieces orchestra music writting to a analog synth awakening in the last few months thanx to the covid...now im waiting for this to come in...!!!!
The morph knob should be on every synth. The Octotrack's scene crossfader is the thing that makes me love it so much and the morph knob seems very similar.
That's it. I am getting Prophet 5 rev4.
This. Channel. Is. Amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your passion with the world. You are so good at what you do.
I wasn't expecting to like this thing but wow! The GAS is real.
Now I can collaborate with my cat, she'll play that little pad for sure.
Thinking about it too
Hm. Someone needs to make a cat toy modulation device... maybe I’ll attach my Hothand USB controller to a stuffed mouse. 😂
@@zerocrossing I think I have a problem. Last night I dreamed there was a mother cat and three kittens stuck inside the drain of my sink, there was water in the sink! I drained the water and pulled them out, I don't know how it was a dream and the mother cat was bigger than the drain opening. Oh it didn't stop there! I gave them to a guy and followed him to his place of work to make sure he spayed and neutered them. He had security, a guy with a badge, come out and tell me I couldn't see him! LOL This is all true. Is it cat scratch fever? LOL!
Wow! Looks and sounds good!!! Thanks for the demo Loopop!
Prior to visiting the music store, I watched a bunch of videos about different synths to narrow down my favourites. This review - and subsequently playing the thing - showed me that the PolyBrute was the synth for me. Now I need to rewatch this video about once a week to properly learn how to get the most out of it! The sounds you wrangle out of the PolyBrute, Loopop, are sensational!
You're making some of the best videos on UA-cam these days! Would you ever consider making a video about your video-making process? Lighting, sound, editing, etc...
Thanks! It would be pretty embarrassing - a lot of duct tape and editing out nonsense... if people knew the truth you'd see mass unsubscriptions
Wow didn’t see this one coming 👌
Wow, me neither.
I hope I have the cash for one. The Matrix is a brute in my kit.
Does it cost less than selling one of your kids?
‘Sorry little Debby n Johnny this is your new mommy, daddy wants a new keyboard’ 😂
SAME THING
Seriously. Literally JUST bought a MatrixBrute. 😭
@@BlasphemousButler Still a cool synth!
Andrew Cecka
🤣🤣 myself included, but it’s an awesome mono. I don’t feel bad at all...ok some 🤨😉
This shares a lot of those characteristics but it tweaks them a bit for poly which is way different in application play.
Your expertise with synths qualifies you to work with a big company one day and build your own synth.
This video is about to get a whole lot more important to me in the next couple of days, my Polybrute is currently on route to my house. :D
Thanks for this awesome video, Loopop.
Arturia looked at SugarBytes Factory and went: we'll take that morph feature, thank you very much!
Stunning machine. All the controls you want are hands on and the mod matrix is so fast to use. This is the new default for mod matrixes. Please everyone and especially Roland: watch and learn! This just firmly bumped the MatrixBrute from the top of my "would I love to have these synths" list :o
Quick question: do the parameters latch or do they snap?
28:52 that's exactly what Factory does :D Blue for positive, purple for negative. Small blip for little modulation, big blip for a lot of modulation.
@@SyntheticFuture Latch or Snap, you mean when turning the knobs ? You can either set the knobs to Jump, Hook or Scaled. Scaled mode is pretty smooth, it updates parameters in the direction where you turn but progressively catches up between the knob position and the value you hear
@@Diayse exactly. Scaled sounds really nice. That's probably even nicer to use than what Roland calls 'latch' (that's Arturia's 'hook' I think) :D I hate it when parameters jump, often sounds very jarring =)
How do these people get to know these things so well so quick? Impressive demo. Amazing synth, I will be buying.
You just flow
Nord Lead series has featured Morph as a core element for decades.
And sounds better.
Nord Modular as well (4 morph groups).
Not analog like this though, and there's so much more tactile freedom imho
Great Review as always, Arturia is giving big leaps and listen to customers. So inspiring Synth. Thanks Loopop for your work and demonstration. :)
45:00 through 45:28 was so nice. It sounded like an orchestra warming up, very random but relaxing.
Gorgeous Synth and review as always.
The Yamaha DX200 groovebox had a morph function, too, which IIRC was not just a fade between the two sounds. I do remember it was one of my favorite features of that strange box.
Thanks, I was going to chime in with this. I kept mine and 3rd party editors for it have finally emerged. They’re really necessary to get to the parameters, much more convenient despite the knobular interface, which is useful for performance but not so much for programming.
And the An200 and an1x 👍
The mod matrix is amazing. the fact that one can see all the modulation occurring at the same time makes it a standard option for future synths. Would buy this just cuz of the mod matrix. Fantastic synth.
I too find the mod matrix VERY appealing!
It’s about the only thing going for this synth, since the Hydrasynth Deluxe emerged …
This synth have all the features I need for sound design. Can't wait to own one.
That looks a lot of fun. :)
This is just amazing. If I had the money there would be no question as if i'd buy it or not. Poly and matrix? WANT
I like that handy cutting board on the left!
At first view, I thought it was a wireless mobile phone charger!
With only 6 voices of polyphony, I think of the Polybrute as an extended version of the Matrixbrute. If I had a Polybrute, I would still want another polyphonic synth with much higher polyphony like 12, 16, 24, or more voices, and use the Polybrute more like a monophonic synth, with the other higher polyphony synth handling most of my polyphonic needs.
Best sounding and featured synth in a long time!
Insane. I love this. I don't love not having money.
Earn it
@@DayflightTrok Wow! What great advice! /s It was a joke. Lighten up. 😂
So very unique in its execution. A 21st century approach to an early 80's idea. This beauty in a desktop / module version and it's a no-brainer for me.
With the size of the panel I doubt a module is in the works.
What a SUPERSYNTH. I ordered mine today but have to wait until januari for delivery. Thanx for this fantastic demonstration
Yet another excellent review. Many of the features, the matrix, the controllers and especially the morphing are really nice. The cool panning tricks remind me of my long deceased and terribly missed OB-8. The Polybrute does sound very good. But at first listen, it doesn't seem to sound quite as complex or rich as the UDO Super 6, which seems like it's direct competitor. I'm probably not the only person on here hoping you'll get your hands on a Super 6 soon.
I like the cell phone holder below the mod wheels ;-)
its a wireless charging pad haha
Yeah it's in a great spot. You can probably download a touch midi controller app on your phone and just have it right there for instant expressive playing.
Dan S. the soap dish?🤔
The mod matrix is revolutionary. Looks really intuitive and versatile at the same time. I also love that it doesn’t have wires for routing.
look at the Oberheim/viscount OB12 for the morph and other functions. I think its great that someone actually took the ideas from that synth and made it work! Excellent demo :)
As a Matrix owner, Wow! The possibilities here. Mmmmm 🥰
I can appreciate this beauty!
My wallet just fell open.
Same here... 💸💸💸
Sam Sarmento
It’s about $2500, that’s less than I figured, well worth it.
I’m already looking,
@@bauhnguefyische667 I agree it's less than I anticipated as well. Fair price for the quality, no doubt.
My knickers just fell down and I'm gripping my ankles firmly. :o
Fantastic beautiful sounding synth. The big question now is where and how can I get my hands on about $3,000 by the end of November? I can see me making great use of this. If it just had 12 voices, thee oscillators and a choice between dB/octave slopes on the filters I could see it as a do all synth. I’d be willing to pay an extra $1,000 for those additions.
Thank you for the extra effort put forth in this review. Arturia are not recognized for great preset patches. Unlike Dave Smith whose sound designers deliver stunning patches every time. But all-in-all, this synth sounds good. I too am very disappointed at only 6 note polyphony. And it looks like they should definitely change out the morph knob to something different. The morph knob seems to get a lot of action. It would be nice to draw attention to it just as they have done with the master resonance knob. Especially since it is one of the most distinguishing features of this synth. I have a pile of monophonic synths and desperately want a poly ... but I’m not sure this is the one with it’s limited voicing. I don’t know ... I’ll have to watch this and see if it grows on me over time or not. Once again, thank you for all you do for the synth community!!!
My pleasure - thanks for the comment
fully agree on nowadays a "flagship" should have an additional third (digital) oscillator for wavetable/sample
those that say this is expensive probably never bought a synth in the early 80's. Choice then was decent newish car OR a synth.
The big difference is that people then actually made music with it… and probably earned it back. Nowadays we have a million options, very time consuming jobs, and endless GAS.
Am i missing something about this synth? It seems undervalued by thousands of dollars??? I expected something like this to be around 6-8 thousand dollars?
Maybe if it sounded good, it would cost a lot more?
Just played around with one of these at Guitar Center. Yup, it’s everything you imagine it to be.
Well thought out and executed review. It's nice to see a guy who's actually done his homework before posting the review!
Please make a Demo of the UDO Super 6 Poly Synth!!! Would be awesome...
Yes :)
I second this.
i third this! (if that's a word) :)))
id def take the polybrute over the super 6. just my thoughts.
I fourth this
What's hidden in *this* headphone jack? I'm thinking a 16-track reel to reel recorder 🤔
took me a minute to get this. still waiting for my microfreak vocoder to ship
Or maybe a real plate reverb? 😃
lolllll
Nord Modulars (G1, Micro, G2) all have multiple morph groups. The range for each source linked to a morph group can be defined and the range changes relative to the source's initial value, which appears to be the same behaviour as described on the PolyBrute, though perhaps slightly different implementation.
Omg!!! Finally a new synth!!!? I haven't even watched the review yet and I'm still PUMPED!!! Here I was thinking it would be sequential releasing the next poly this is way out of left field and extremely welcomed!!
Ok watching your review now mr loo.
Clavia’s Nords also had morphing from the beginning. Seems like swedes are into shifting shapes.
Yep. Use that on the Nord 3 all the time.
The way the poly brute does it is slightly different, with more options (and also more chances to get lost or confused), but I found it strange that the reviewer started out by calling it a “unique” feature, since Nord has been doing it for years.
Well the major difference is analog oscillators - regardless of whether they are vcos or dcos, they sound great
Bromeliads I called it unique to analog (to my knowledge), and mentioned the Octatrack and Maschine have this feature in digital form
Great, just what I needed right now, 12 months of GAS.
Man, you've outdone yourself in this video! It takes quite some time and effort to get your head around a beast like this, and it's a totally wonderful experience to see you present it so well. If I were Arturia, I'd hire you right away! Of course, the bad thing about your videos is that they may eventually empty my bank account ... ;-)
Thanks very much! Re Arturia or any company hiring me - I'm glad my Patrons and viewers gave me a job already ;)
@@loopop Win-win! :-)
My man said Lex Luthor Saw. I respect you so much.
Supersaw's greatest enemy
Deepmind has a similar sort of thing in the companion app with the XY patch fade thing? And the 3rd party Peak editor has this function as well! Unless I’m misunderstanding?
I KNEW THEY'D DO IT. THEY FINALLY FRICKEN DID IT, BUT THE QUESTION IS, DO I WATCH BOBEATS OR LOOPOP FIRST?!
it was LOOPOP first for me....then Automatic Gainsay
never even heard of bobeats lol
@@SparklesofGold I didn't see Marc had one, but now that's on the list, along with SonicState. And I had plans for this evening.
@@StormBurnX He's this cool Swede. You should check him out.
@@querydelacroix2919 Marc's is an instrumental. love it. You know for how crazy the World is right now..Videos like Loopop and Marc's etc are super cool and inspiring. Even if one can not buy the newest piece of gear, just knowing there are other Music freaks out there making magic helps me make magic.
Had a matrix brute, sold it. One of the heaviest but funnest synths I ever had. You could get lost in the matrix but playing it just felt good and the sound was honest. Dam you for posting this video! Looks so tasty!
Sounds like you really liked your matrix brute. Mind sharing why you sold it? It's been on my short list for years now.
I don’t collect synths, don’t have the space and I wasn’t recording much with the matrixbrute. Would make patches and explore the sounds, it was a beast. But after a few months, I didn’t find much integration into what I was making at the time. So nothing to do with the gear, more with the user.
@@hasan7786 thanks for the reply
I almost bought the Matrix Brute, but I honestly like this better. I can't explain why.
@46:00 blaaaade ruunnner patch!!! you the best loopop, incredible review and demo, and incredible synth!
48:48 Sounds just like a DX7. So strange hearing that from an analog. The tonal palette on this thing is huge!
many here are justfying their purchases... To say this sounds bad... and some things they mention are just but an opinion that relates to choice...
This synth is the first synth in a decade ive actually considered a buy. And the ones that people say are better , ive tried....and wouldn't buy.
This , as a package, is a monster....
I also have the feeling of very extensive timbral possibilities and that is what I am looking for.
@@Rhythmattica Matt, you are so right.
I never liked their softsynths at all, but their hardware synths are rather impressive.
I quite like the soft synths, the biggest flaw is CPU Usage they eat CPU like it's a buffet
Their soft synths took me to winning awards. I think their hardware is very same-same sounding and way less interesting than other synth makers
@@illford i have had good results comparing their current draw to others like u-he or xils lab
pigments 3 is an excellent additive synth.
Their soft synths are the best out there I think.
Lovely review, top class as usual! It seems like a massive poly-tank-synth :D ... really nice sounds and performance controls too esp touch and the morph knob, loved that. This is what we need in the modern day big polys, good job by Arturia.
Dayum! Good work Arturia. 🔥🔥🔥 And kudos to loopop for the amazingly detailed and engrossing synth review as always. Thanks! 👍
The Nord G2 has a more advanced morph function, it is a very very special way to morph between two presets, but it is a digital synth :)
This seems like an excellent budget alternative to the Moog One
Yeah right
Wow, it sounds really good! Thanks for the review and demo, great introduction!
Re Parameter Morphing - Intellijel Shapeshifter is a Eurorack VCO based around that concept. Very cool.
1:02:10 - I am not Commander Shepard and this is my favorite patch in the Citadel
Sounds like a mass effect!
Great review, awesome features but strangely unexciting sound. In contrast to Matriarch or Udo Super 6, nothing I hear actually makes me want to own it.
oh good, i’m not the only one who thinks this.
It sounds good, but not 🤯 good. Plus last year I dumped a small fortune on a Moog One & last week I got a Viscount/"Oberheim" OB-12 + Korg Wavestate. My synth fund is severely depleted .💸 If I'm gonna drop $2,500 on another synth, it's gotta be a 🤯 synth. As nice as the Polybrute is, IMO it's not a 🤯 synth.
Yeah I want to like it but I feel like it’s not as aggressive as the matrixbrute. Sound it almost too clean. Maybe things aren’t driving as hard to leave room for polyphony?
Yeah. I see all the capabilities and start to really want it. Then I am listening to the sound and I am suddenly turned off.
spot on. I own a Matriarch and OB6 and this thing sounds 2d in comparison unfortunately. Still, can't wait to play one at the local store and see if my opinion changes!
Again you are the Boss of synth reviews loopop,it it so good and detailed,and what a fantastic synth this is :)
Morphing in various modulation is on the Emu Morpheus, but that's back in the day, z plane filter and such. I don't know whose doing that now but what I see here, that's cool. I didn't even know Arturia was coming out with this, but here we go.
Deepmind 12 desktop editor can morph between 4 patches in an xy grid!
WOW! Thanks for that. Got to try it!
@@millenniummastering maybe I'll do a video with a few synths that can do something close! Deepmind, nord lead 2...hell an ableton macro could get you close on anything with midi parameter control!
57:30 Gamma Goblins
This...teamed up with a Waldorf Iridium...
its crazy how much great information we can learn for free these days, watching advertisements is the exchange.
18:30 Preset 6A4 looks funny on that screen 😅
🤣🤣🤣
Denon DJ CD player 2500F led screen had the words "REMAIN SINGLE" to remind the DJ ... that the player shows the remaining time and is going to play a single track.
Arturia: Our new Polybrute is out look at what it can do! My Access Virus Ti2: Hold my beer!
😁 I have an Access Virus Ti2. (desktop) It's awesome. Beautiful sounding synth. But this POLYBRUTE seems pretty sweet, too.
gjc82071 Yeh, love my Virus Ti's I have a Ti 2 61 Key and a Ti desktop, would never not have them in my studio, wonderful synths, but you are right, Polybrute does sound good.
Speechless 😶 what a beauty !
I very appreciate your tutos ! would you mind to make one only in the goal of using this Polybrute in a DAW (Logic, Cubase...etc) to show us what the Pros and Cons are, is there a way to save the "Morphée" activity, is the sequencer well in sync with the DAW, do the sounds mix well with our Libs ? and so on... what are the best routines to use this "incredible" synth in a DAW... I am certain, lots of musicians would appreciate a review like that. Thanks for your VERY good job.
Do wish they put in a more “classic” vintage poly filter like the 3320 or SSM rather than the ladder, but this has the best features of any analog poly, ever. Definitely has a unique sound.
Yeah, the sound is ‘unique’, alright …
That "one" knob that you'll know won't work when getting an used unit...
Truth
It used to be the filter cutoff knob.. I guess this allows for some variation :)
The Lexicon Vortex rack unit was one of, if not the, pioneers of the "morph" function. It's the sound of Daft Punk's Homework
Great review. Condensed information on a very good new synthesiser.
The Morph feature is superb.
The first synthesiser that I purchased was the Roland D-50 in about 1987. Cost around $3000 in those days. Could have bought a nice second hand car for that cask outlay. I still have the synth which is still an amazing musical instrument.
I planned to buy a new keyboard in 2020 but after looking at what was on the market, and going through numerous reviews I was becoming more and more conflicted. What in the hell do I buy? I know that I want a device that has a strong sound synthesis rather than extra features like sequences and samplers. There are workstations that are absolutely incredible these days.
Living in Australia, I recall the invention of the Fairlight computer based musical system. Well ahead of its time. And ridiculously expensive. In fact the system cost about the same as a what an average home cost in Australia. Around $25,000 in the late 1970s. That pretty much shut out everybody apart from the the very successful Bands or large recording studios.
The guy doing this review is excellent - had to subscribe
Cheers
(In Australia this synth is retailing for about $AU 3,999)
В России он продается по цене около 5,5 моих месячных зарплат ))