Arturia MatrixBrute Review - Sonic LAB

We take a look at the Arturia MatrixBrute new analog monster mono. its BIG....
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[@VickersDoorter]

This chap nails concisely and eloquently within the first five minutes, what all other YT videos of the MatrixBrute fail miserably to do. As a result, this is certainly is on my wishlist.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

Same here. This bloke knows what he's doing and how to really show off what is of interest and what needs to be known.

[@arachnidiscs]

Previously I'd thought "The Matrix is more synth than I need" but now I'm thinking "I need more synth."

[@OscillatorCollective]

This would be a great synth to have as a center piece learning tool… If this was the first synth I ever saw or played, I would be a synth addict for life.

[@shookstylez]

I pressed the like button without even noticing I hit the like button already. I was like, let's like this video, but subconsciously I already liked the video! Oh my! Having said that.. NICK BATT FOR PRESIDENT! AND THE MATRIXBRUTE IS MASSIVE! Huge respect for Arturia for pulling this off!

[@MySugarWallz]

Just your intro is the best I've heard it sound so far.

[@slavtrash]

MySugarWallz sounded like he tweaked main synth melody from Roygbiv by boards of canada

[@InXLsisDeo]

Go watch the videos by yusynthman, they're by far the best ones on this synth, and literally the only ones on YT that really showcase the sound design capabilities of this synth.

[@craigshaw141]

Mmmmm. Some nice deep analogue goodness. It almost seemed like detune was coming from aftertouch.

[@fretnoize]

Thanks for the great reviews, not only this one but across your channel! It has become my go-to for any gear I'm interested in. You sold me on this one, mine should be arriving in a few days!

[@davidbenasulin]

loved this review!! thank you for the wonderful and clear explanation tour around this amazing and complex synth!

[@TheSlowGrowth]

wow, what an impressive feature set! I'm liking the sound of as well. What a bold machine.

[@Asmotiv]

I saw hundereds of Matrixbrute videos and most of them let the Matrixbrute burb and fart. Two days ago i saw this vido and today i bought one of these beasts. Thank you Nick !

[@macronencer]

Best review I've found so far. Thank you! You really cover pretty much everything :)

[@SoundsandImages]

Great review as always Nick! Some impressive sounds coming out of it in your capable hands, big and warm for almost any kind of genre and application. Not much to dislike at all.

[@TheFragile79]

Tried it at the music store. Even if it's one of the most intimidating synth at first sight it's impressive how simple and fun it is to get into and how its workflow is so natural. I think Arturia has really become the king of delivering the best user interface. Or, better, the user interfaces that people actually want. The sound is incredible, it seems like a vintage synth but from another futuristic planet (if that makes sense). I've always seen myself spending the range of 2k for Moog/DSI only and this is the first exception for me. If I had the money I'd go buy it in a minute, it really got me more excited than the matriarch and the prophet 6. And god, I crave those synths. Only con: it's built like a tank (20kg!) but the keybed didn't feel on par with the rest, way worse than the one on the sub37/grandmother

[@kierenmoore3236]

Yeah, the keybed receives a lot,of criticism … same with the Polybrute’s … Fortunately, I don’t think much of its sound, either … so that’s that … !!

[@automaticgainsay]

Just stopped by for a moment... I never watch other demonstrations of synths I'm going to demonstrate before I demonstrate them... but I did stay long enough... with envy... for the opening melody you played... and I think it says everything. Absolutely exquisite. I'll watch yours after I've done mine... but I don't have it yet!

[@stillvisionsmusic]

AutomaticGainsay I look forward to the breakdown you'll do and the awesome sounds you'll make with it!

[@automaticgainsay]

Thanks, Kevin!

[@TheJonHolstein]

Some nice youtube hours to look forward to =)

[@sonicstate]

+AutomaticGainsay Thanks Marc, looking forward to yours....

[@halcyondaystunes]

Great review as always Nick, and what a synth!!

[@teashea1]

As always, you do great videos. I have had mine for about a week. What a solid piece of work. Excellent quality control. Mine is flawless. The sound is beautiful. So many possibilities.

[@russellbutterfield1419]

Ive got one, and I tell you what, there are a lot of sweet spots, you just got to search for them, yes it can sound huge, bloody huge!!!!

[@Wagoo]

What a beast, great review Nick!

[@AnalogMonoxide]

Great review as always, Nick. Thanks.

[@therealborischang]

Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day...

[@maxheadrom3088]

e-ink displays require energy only when changing the image and therefore they generate less noise - something important on an analog synth.

[@Flohr]

Best video of this by far. Great work as always!

[@johanvancauteren6203]

Another brilliant demo Nick!

[@seeyouintheeighties]

Outstanding review as always

[@umusachi]

excellent review as always! thanks guys!!!

[@cray56]

Having bought and played on many of the classic synths during the 90's Xpander, CS80, Prophet5, Jupiter8 etc and not really been interested in "keyboard synths" anymore, I am huge into Buchla, euro etc, This is really going to be a future classic synth. Such a huge sound and so much sound sculpting options. Like a Minimoog meets a VCS3 and much more! Only Nick could do such an in depth review. Well done Nick and well done Arturia!

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

Yeah i think so too. ESPECIALLY for the massive routing matrix. I don't think i have seen THAT amount of routing freedom so far on a analog monophonic keyboard synth. The only other keyboards that come into my mind would be the classic Alesis Andromeda A6 and Behringer's DeepMind 6/12, even though both are polyphonic analog synths. And yes, Nick really made me drool for the Matrix Brute while most other folks who showed it off made me look at it like "Yeah it's quite nice but.. do i really need one?". I might sell my Roland Gaia to make room and also get back some of the investment for this bad boy here. Even though i'm not a fan of Arturia's Filters and Oscillators, this thing here sounds way more like what i want while the Gaia (as much fun as it is) sounds just a little too thin and the digital filters are just wayyyyy too prone to clipping.

[@MinusNoir]

One of the most understated synths ever.

[@MatheusLeston]

wow. that's a massive review for a massive synth. congrats for the amazing work again, nick! i got very intersted in the mod routing. the example you did really got me curious. could you show a little more? perhaps some strange patches?

[@Sonakinesis]

As always, thanks very much for this review!

[@ppilasiewiczz]

Great review, many thanks. Very inspiring, fantastic patches. Would be great to look inside them :-)

[@NedBouhalassaVideos]

Thanks for the fine review, Nick. While there are some limitations, the timbral and modulation possibilities are pretty outstanding. The fact the the instrument is of high-quality build-wise is also a very good thing. I just picked mine up yesterday, and am chomping at the bit to finish my soundtrack work so I can really dig into this super mono!

[@GangiFilms]

step aside moog. i am sold on matrix brute

[@MadelnMachines]

Yessss Finally! This is the one i've been waiting for! Thanks

[@plasmaforce11]

Beauty machine. And that sequencer 😊 Tangerine dream Wicked

[@Lexcoaster]

This thing sounds immense!

[@tim789jesus]

As soon I as saw that guys face I knew it'd be a cracking review. Monster sounds!

[@RockyMountainSounds]

Just got this and wow- what a massive beast!

[@co.agmusic]

This looks and sounds incredible synthesiser would take some time to get your head around it all

[@therealborischang]

@CO.AG Music That’s what I love about instruments like this. That you can spend years (if not a lifetime) getting your head around it. Sort of the antithesis of a kazoo.

[@NuisanceMan]

@@therealborischang No kazoos here

[@JeffSepeta]

Brilliant review.

[@MrKKmusic]

Well done. Very grateful!

[@8bitDude0]

This thing is a beast.. speechless!!

[@teashea1]

Fifth time I have watched this video ------ you do a great job presenting and dissecting synths. Thanks. It helps me use my synths better.

[@mfb5642]

This is like Reason Thor in hardware mode. I think I love it. Gotta try it.

[@inthefade]

A lot of criticisms from Nick, but somehow I found all of them to be simply "quirks" of the synth; Good to know going into it, but nothing that I would consider a deal-breaker. That being said, despite how much this gets me excited, I can't picture getting one unless I had a roadie to move it and set it up at gigs. The thing is a monster! Very unique sound as well, and sure to go down as one of the notorious mega-synths. Good job, Arturia.

[@daikuone]

Nick, They should have given you one of these to create some presets for them. Great job!

[@rhardy1965]

Great demo Nick as always.Just something I have been trying to find out,does this work as a polyphonic midi controller like the old Bass station used to ?

[@eddraper]

Magnificent synth! Love it!

[@rain_irl6460]

this is a midlife crisis synth if ive ever seen one

[@rodzeroher]

mmm, no, quite cheap for that. A modal would be.

[@ogasi1798]

hahahaaa, yeah its more like hey i have got a teeny one but who cares? look at my synth :-)

[@rain_irl6460]

when youve got a micro you need a matrix ;)

[@dukeofpearl]

jamie munro ha ha ha! Yep! I have one........and own one! Ridiculously immense synth!!!

[@ogasi1798]

dukeofpearl it's lovely mate , bravo 👌🏻

[@davidviner4932]

God that sounds good, like I've travelled back in time, 30 years

[@skyreadersociety6183]

was very sceptical, but this review changed my mind. Makes me also looking forward to Arturia's first poly!

[@Pulse2AM]

WANT! I remember when the Andromeda (I think that's the name) came out, this reminds me of that Bigly synth.

[@annother3350]

It sounds alive!!

[@YOtuamigoelpuma]

One beast of a synth !

[@petersirca223]

In 10 years The MatrixBrute may be remembered or it may be not, who knows. But one thing is certain, i will remember this mesmerising melody of yours for a long time. This is true Quality, as in "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" :)

[@amillionorangedolphins9663]

Great demo as always! Thank you! Seems like the Matrixbrute got some curious limitations thuogh among all its capabilities. I could almost hear you were superimpressed? I've tested it a couple of times my self and is quite ambivalent.

[@tomphillpotts]

Nick's keys playing is really nice

[@graviton9282]

6:00 preset sound Awesome! so textured. And of course the very first personal preset was a very massive sound. Love it!

[@Zinfidel1]

My jaw! It's on the floor! Also, 5:50 Silent Hill/Akira Yamaoka patch. o_o

[@NonLocalYokel]

'I like pulsewidth modulation'. Nick Batt, Bristol, 2017.

[@testohtoby]

I ❤ PWM (Nick Batt, everyday, everywhere, ever and ever)

[@ZogarSag]

"It's no secret: I like pulse-width modulation."

[@basverhage]

I would like to hear a side by side comparison of the matrixbrute and the MFB Dominion-1. I know that there are quite a few differences, but both have amazing modulation possibilities. Thank you very much for the clear review, loved it!

[@kixxalot]

Bas Verhage I own a Dominion 1. It has much more of a vintage sound than the Arturia, which sounds similar to the minibrute: kind of harsh and metallic. The Dominion can do harsh and brutal, but it can also do a wide range of juicy vintage sounds.

[@InXLsisDeo]

I've never heard a metallic sound from any MatrixBrute demo. The ladder filter can sound pretty much exactly the same as a Moog Subphatty, there is a video from Flux302 that compares the two side by side, and not only they sound the same, the waveforms through an oscilloscope are almost identical, showing that the Brute can output the nearly same sounds as the Moog.

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@InXLsisDeo🤣😂😅🥲☺️

[@rodzeroher]

I am getting one, no doubt.

[@terrymacklin5935]

Thanks for keeping it real Nick. Let's hope the Matrixbrute is just the beginning for Arturia. I am not a massive fan of softsythns but I do find myself using them a lot. Arturia are brilliant for producing this real thing! I would like to think that that USB socket will be used for updates and sequencer programming and DAW things. Just started using my 35 year old Korg Mono poly with a Beatstep with Cubase and I'm like that a lot. Heaven know the possibilities the Matrixbute bestows. It would have to work with DAW to drag me in. Arturia's next NAMM release The Arturiadaw like a bridge over troubled audio. I do like Arturia stuff especially my Keystep!

[@ChrisSmout]

"LOOK AT MY SYNTH" - and a new meme was born. Excellent review as always Nick

[@lbsmoothmusic]

Hi Nick, I'm really struggling to decide between the D1 and the Arturia Matrixbrute. Hard question I know but which one would you grab first? your advice would be most appreciated

[@VioletSepe]

Hey nick, I have a question about the sequencer--- just as you can change the sequence length, can you change the sequence start point? Srry if you mentioned it in the video, I might have missed it

[@maestromike8694]

Played one at a local music store. Great keybed, solid controls, and it definitely has a flexible sound. It's a bit like a voyager meets a pro 2.

[@Bigmojo75]

I’d go with that. I have a pro-2 and love it but this has a different sound and the interface is totally different.

[@marcopulega7036]

Compared at Pro 2 and overall Sub 37 (that i own), very distintictive and beatifully sonding , for me Matrixbrute lacks personality, it has an unconvincing sound , common.. Beatifully sinth but now not few person sell out it .. overall Arturia is born producing software version of vintage old big sinths.. I dream of Moog or ,Dave Smith or Oberheim that realize an hardware like Matrixbrute but with their sounds and filters (probably more expansive).

[@kierenmoore3236]

The keybed receives a lot of criticism … same with the Polybrute’s …

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@marcopulega7036 Agreed. If it has a character, it’s some kind of dirty, grainy, industrial sound. So, unless I become a hardcore German techno artist, or something, there are about 1,000 synths, higher up on my list … Which is fine: whatever distracts others from buying the synths I want … 😉

[@Mark_Ocain]

This thing is set to takeoff in a big way! Brilliant kit!

[@geecen]

Nice layout. Emphasises how cramped most Euro is in knob spacing.

[@SCOREWIZARDSMUSIC]

best demo of MatrixBrute so far

[@InXLsisDeo]

You need to watch the videos made by yusynthman.

[@qwestt1304]

king of reviews

[@gaiusgrdn]

I saw those pads and thought, "Did they shove a whole Push in there?" Love the combination of digital and analog controls, though. I really dig hybrid synths

[@mk1st]

Brings tears t'my eyes

[@mikesavi5081]

When I listen to an SH101 I can hear character immediately. The desirable qualities of those sounds are so obvious and apparent. I search for that magic in the new analog mono synths and i just can't seem to find it. Great review, Nick! Love your channel.

[@marcus268]

have a listen to dreadbox synth, they have a lot of character, and possiblities.

[@blakecasimir]

I feel the same - love the SH-101 sound, just a bit of env mod + low cutoff + adjust filter decay BLISS - and agree with your sentiment. Also agree with Marcus: try Dreadbox. Also BSII has some of that character and benefits from some chorus...

[@mikesavi5081]

Marcus Sannig I agree. I've spent quite a bit of time with the Erebus, and it sounds great. My comment was in regard to new analog mono synths with keys. I agree Dreadbox is making great stuff

[@mikesavi5081]

BlakeCasimir I actually had a BSII for a while and I thought it was great. I think Novation did a great job with it. There have been so many new analog mono synths lately. I still would prefer the 101 over all of them, though. That thing is exceptional

[@blakecasimir]

I really wish Roland would have made a proper analogue 101 Boutique.

[@psilocybin3819]

he loves this one

[@Psychlist1972]

Nick overwrote the "on the run" preset for that intro sound. :)

[@sunilsolanki]

I have to say it looks and sounds fantastic. And man. 16:50. Pure Orbital vibes there...

[@setphaser]

More lovely music Nick!

[@Interstellarsun]

man do I miss this

[@famoustvstarr]

Nick, excellent patches you made. Can you show us on another video, how you made them? Thanks.

[@MarshalArnold]

It looks like a tank! lol Nice review! Dig the Sweet Dreams part at 5:34 :)

[@PeterStuart0]

A beautiful synth & review. not sure if I want to trade in my MFB Dominion1 to get it though.

[@cray56]

I have played/ programmed on it for 3 days now and a few things I would love to see added. 1. LFO pan of sound 2. Option to set filter post fx 3 random patch. 4 expression sequencing. I dont mind the FX they are vintage-ish sounding slightly dull but do have their place.

[@kierenmoore3236]

Yeah … the FX are analog … which sounds more vintage, by definition …

[@NicholasBryantBonzaiSequoias]

Good review. It certainly sounds lush! Just occurred to me.. what is the resolution of the matrix modulation control.. how many steps? Is there a coarse and fine mode (it would be nice to add in a software update if possible)?

[@sonicstate]

+/-99

[@cookiekixx]

When i'm curious about a new synth this is the first place I go to

[@thecasualreviewer2148]

I see they fixed the gate problem the MiniBrute had on the Arp. That's nice.

[@mxdbld7100]

amazing... i did try the filter tracking on the unit they had on display at Synthfest last year and indeed it was tracking poorly hardly a deal breaker on such a powerful beast, but still a shame

[@nightyoung4729]

That introduction :D

[@InXLsisDeo]

Firmware update 1.1 adds real time sequencer recording, a 16 step Matrix arpeggiator, and it corrects a few quirks like the noises between presets.

[@electroinblack3322]

does it allow the sequencer to control the upper part of the keyboard in split mode.

[@jeffpedlow5049]

I came to see Nick tell us about his love of PWM, did not disappoint.

[@seek4truth]

Awesome demo! One question: which one do you think is more versatile in terms of sound design: matrixbrute or hydrasynth? Thanks!

[@maedaeburning]

Hydrasynth- more fx, more voices, crazy oscillator types and modulations, etc. The question is moreso what are you looking for sonically, and if it is purely versatility the hydrasynth wins.

[@Crucial_Realm]

“‘look at my synth!” LOL!

[@noiselabproject9659]

Great review as always Nick. Out of my price range but I think that it`s a hell of a piece of hardware and would prob cost another £1000 or more if anyone else had made it !

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

Oh definitely. This thing being under 2 grand is quite a fair price. Out of my range too but still considerable once i can justify the expenses.

[@episnod]

Bravo!

[@timothymcjury72]

I know this won't happen but I would be interested in a polybrute Arturia....just saying

[@testohtoby]

I'm dreaming a Polybrute one day 🤭🤭🤭

[@SorchaSublime]

@@testohtoby or even a twinbrute (similar design to the microbrute but with one longer keyboard and two of everything else except things like the sequencer)

[@testohtoby]

@@SorchaSublime we need a solid 2 vco 1 filter 2 lfo 2 adsr 1 loopable ad/r synth with maybe 6 or 8 voices (that won't cost a kidney...)

[@charlesrochfort1228]

Amen !! What a beast that would be. Perhaps with some nice digital onboard fx. 🤪

[@moonsofjupiter]

Very powerful and fun to sample into my MPC and play polyphonically:)

[@tomgibavitch1]

It's got the appeal that I experienced when discovering the Spark C.D.M.

[@jetlag1488]

Finally!

[@monomakes]

"Look at my synth!" Yes mate!

[@freesolja1]

what a beast

[@trevor4835]

i think this is the coolest looking synth ive ever seen :'(

[@K0r0n1s]

1:34 "Isn't flimsy in any way." And the first thing that catches my eye is the misalinged fader of the ladder filter envelope generator (sustain, I believe).

[@AndreaPessino]

I’ve had mine for a while now, totally in love with it - it is such a unique beast and an total joy to explore, it is capable of some incredible sounds and it is actually amazingly intuitive to use. Also worth mentioning that since this review Arturia has added both real-time recording to the sequencer and a new cross-octave manual mode to the arpeggiator they call the “matrix arpeggiator.”