New DrumBrute Impact Review and Full Sound Test

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Timeline:
0:00 Intro sound
0:55 Analog vs digital
1:25 Overview
2:35 Impact vs. Drumbrute
3:05 Accents and colors
3:30 Kick sound test
4:15 Snares
5:25 Tom, cymbal, cow
6:25 Hats
7:15 FM drum
9:05 How patterns are organized
9:30 Step sequencing
10:20 Swing and random controls
11:05 Ratchet options
11:30 Quantized and unquantized recording
12:00 Looper and roller functions
12:50 Distortion
13:20 Mute and solo
14:00 Polyrhythms
14:50 Songs
15:40 Pros & cons
REVIEW
The DrumBrute Impact is new smaller and less expensive brother to Arturia’s DrumBrute. It’s an analog drum machine that packs a punch at an aggressively low price point for an analog synth. My video review shows you what it can do, and discusses its pros and cons.
ANALOG VS DIGITAL
First, and most importantly, the DrumBrute Impact is an analog drum machine - which means it doesn’t work based on playing back samples, but rather there’s a physical synth circuit behind every one of its instruments. This is not to say that sample based machines are bad, just very different in how they make sounds. There are things sample based machines can do that analog synths can’t, and vice versa.
BIRD’S EYE VIEW
There are three core sections to the DrumBrute Impact - sound synthesis, sequencing and performance. The sound synthesis section contains 10 different instruments, with adjustable parameters, and color function to add a little spice to each sound.
Sequencing is simple and straightforward based on a 16-step/bar, 4-bar per pattern and 16 patterns per song hierarchy.
Performance functions include a looper, roller and distortion, swing and randomness settings and the ability to mute and solo tracks.
For the full text of the review click here: loopopmusic.com/arturia-drumb...
NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any what by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.

[@ramsessingeling8405]

'How it's made' for synths, borderline therapeutic. Love it.

[@olGrandpaby]

So true. I often fall asleep to tutorials I’ve already seen for gear that I don’t own.

[@JH-lo9ut]

A little trick I discovered that is not mentioned in this review: When using the step repeat bar, you can hit any step in the sequence and it will repeat from that point. So if I want a snare roll, I don’t need to shift to the roll function, I just hit step repeat 1/16 and step 5, or wherever I know there is a snare hit. Not exactly the same, but pretty useful.

[@triandgle]

▲ thanks a lot for this little-known but useful trick!

[@qndj6449]

Every single time I consider parting with some devices I discovered through your unvaluable channel, I first watch your review again and decide to keep it for all the good reasons you so pedagogically give. Thanks!🤗🤩🙏🏻

[@ldp7090]

Just bought one today and watched this instead of reading the manual 😂 Thank you! very informative time to drop the beat

[@michaelzoltan7988]

Thank you loopop for all your reviews/tutorials/demos, keep up the good work man.

[@andrewlarking7492]

This is a really nice overview, showed things I’d struggled to find elsewhere. Also convinced me to buy. Thanks for posting.

[@andrewprice6605]

Brilliant review. Straightforward, comprehensive.

[@paul_bismuth]

Thank you, your reviews are always very clean.

[@ogasi1798]

as usual, great delivery, hats off great little product too - neat tricks

[@markeast634]

Always great breakdowns of new gear from you, keep it up 👊

[@johnny711]

dude your videos are perfection. machine is a beast guys you totaly have to try it to say the least. congratulations to Arturia this was an achievement.

[@MaynardAndEuniceShow]

Once again thank you for a great demo! It's on order! Yessss!

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

Forget the Tr-08 and 09, this is what you want and it is even reasonably priced.

[@gctechs]

Tr 08 and 09 are having full MIDI CC in/out parameter control, in other words a proper MIDI implementation

[@shaft9000]

Ahem, not with an un-tunable snare and a single woolly tom (never mind 808 conga/bonga/rimshot/clave it doesn't have, either) ....it helps to understand the basics of drums before thinking you've 'got it all' :P

[@mikedegrazia]

As far as having a really cool analog drum machine, capable of amazing pristine 808s that can be pushed into peaking with either color or distortion (basically any 808 sound you would ever need...why buy sample packs?) Then your able to get really usable fm synth tones for stacking on samples to build fat sounding drums that SHMACK and an easy to use sequencer that ratchets on the individual pads...this is a more than capable machine built for a specific purpose...it does not do everything but when coupled with say my mpc one( especially after 2.10)....this thing was hard to beat. I paid 100 bucks for something that was built (LIKE A TANK) for trap style beats, that is basically infinitely useful for sampling some amazing beats and sounds.....try running it through some analog effects and then resampling it...i need to see if i can control the actual device through automation on the mpc like i can do with my minilogue....I guess if your a purist who needs specific things i get that. But hell im going to use the crap out of it...haters be damned...

[@mikemeengs5720]

I have the Drumbrute, but I'm thinking TR-6 next. Pricey though for a "cutdown" unit.

[@stephenstrang590]

Are those even analog sounds?

[@michelnassarofficial]

Beautiful review as always!!

[@a_nick_t]

I’ve watched several of your videos recently. Well done and very helpful. Thanks! 😎👍🏼

[@frankschneider7190]

Simply excellent explained. Thanks

[@nomchomsley854]

Just got one. The interface is what really sold me. This video is very helpful in understanding it so thanks for making it!

[@powermix24]

I walked into a pawn shop here in town and I wasn't going to buy anything music-related was looking for tools and behold I saw the Drumbrute Impact on display in mint condition and I glanced at the price and I couldn't resist @ 148$ Steal Deal. SOLD! what a drum machine, it's got thick sounds and even for 299$ it's totally worth it. thanks for this review!

[@kenadhitya]

Awesome deal! How is it keeping up?

[@powermix24]

@@kenadhitya working good!

[@mikedegrazia]

Just bought one from a friend for 150.. 😎

[@chrissearle23]

You have just sold another one for Arturia! Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks.

[@jordanbenson2980]

Just got mine. It's superb

[@Claidheambmor]

This is the first analog synth I've heard where I adore the sound of the snare. I mean seriously, it sings!

[@kmontzka]

Thanks for another great video! I always wish my DrumBrute were smaller, and then here comes it’s little brother....with cowbell and distortion. Nice...

[@DeBanked]

Exceptional videos always. It sounds great also

[@jimivandebeek]

This is the best quickstartguide I’ve seen!

[@LouisSerieusement]

The cymbal/hats are way more musical than on the drumbrute and the clap feels really awesome ; I'm sure this piece of hardware could do really well free party music, with a big saturated kick and weird FX, it definitely has enough punch to do that ;

[@niklassilen4313]

Great video as always! Cheers!

[@Godmesser]

Best review so far! :)

[@gianfrancobianchi1835]

Excellent review, as ever! tks

[@tuneboyz5634]

awesome review, awesome synth!

[@psmaulehlien]

Thanks as always for the great info

[@hafstrat]

Great review. Best so far.

[@ericfricke4512]

This machine looks perfect! I already play a ton of different instruments, so I like this nice, simple, bared-down, analog drum machine. And the polyrhythm functionality looks incredible for working on modern jazz rhythm chops.

[@concorde__]

Bear down?

[@stoatystoat174]

Fur? ​@@concorde__

[@micklbx9125]

best demo i've seen thank you ;)

[@OneWithTheDark]

Outstanding review! I have been looking for something that can be used in a live setting. This looks like it would fit the bill nicely!

[@SpectrumDIY]

That was a really awesome review! I just ordered one for my rig... I'm glad you did this video as it was really relieving to have bought this one over the original, not that there's anything wrong with the original, but it felt like it wasn't punchy enough, this sounds the part! So I'd say it's a trade off depending on what you're looking for. This meets my EDM/Hardstyle needs quite nicely, though if say reggae, would love to own the original for that purpose :D

[@esthermoonmusic]

Love the beat at 0:56, reminds me of Guild by Earl Sweatshirt! This has some great sounds and I just might have to buy one

[@Yosser70]

That fm drum is a real plus for this. I like heavier stuff, so sending that out through the individual out and into some effects could be interesting.

[@salamandersm]

Fantastic video- thanks so much for posting. I'm sold :)

[@pvpatel230]

Oh man what a beautiful instrument

[@m.castillo2757]

Thanks as always for the comprehensive review! I'm very excited about the polyrhythms. This will be a great companion for my Subharmonicon, DFAM, and Keystep/Neutron team.

[@christopherpederson1021]

Flex much?

[@m.castillo2757]

@@christopherpederson1021 Haha! I figured Loopop would appreciate the sort of rhythmic screwiness that will ensue. Would it be less of a flex if I admitted the absurd amount of debt I've taken on to gather this stuff?

[@russellwoodstechno]

i’m in the market for one of these atm but i’ll be watching your vids just to learn some things for a long time.

[@sprungingforvoltage]

this machine sounds good!

[@lumicon9]

great beginners tutorial thank you!

[@Dogboy73]

This is a winner. Very nice. Was interested in the Drumbrute. But a little pricey? Quite large? This is absolutely spot on in terms of size & price.

[@MrAntonmo]

Very nice review. I don"t actually like big drum brute, but this thing have perfect sound for it's size and price.

[@juhoturunen]

Once againt a top quality review and in depth analysis. Never change!

[@loopop]

Thanks for taking the time to write!

[@juhoturunen]

@@loopop Do you think you will review Behringer RD-9 at any point?

[@loopop]

@@juhoturunen no, I don’t think I will review it.

[@speedingjet]

Sold. Thanks - best review out there. But that's typically the case. Great work.

[@bosslife_bangin]

I appreciate this video so much thanks man.

[@saardean4481]

Oh my God I have watched so many videos of instruments, samplers, groove boxes ..... I realize that the workflow and ease of use is becoming more important by the minute for me. I mean the way you programmed the polyrhythms at 14 min in the video makes so much sense and looks so intuitive. This machine looks more attractive to me the more I watch relevant videos. If I had to wish for something , the only thing and I mean the only thing would be t one a blue to import samples. Like I want EXACTLY this machine and workflow but being able to import any drum sound I want. This for me would be the ultimate "keep it simple thus have more time for the important stuff" groove box

[@jakeconibeer]

Not precisely the same, but using a Beatstep Pro to control a sampler would do a lot of what you're asking. Pretty much has the same interface as the Drumbrute Impact. Plus you get the bonus of two mono sequencers too.

[@d3maccus]

exactly .. I have it....best workflow, sequencer, and setup of any drum machine ive ever had. and the random is FANTASTIC. Its not sample based, though, its analog soundscaping. you can map it to samples in your daw and control with the DB over midi, though.

[@saardean4481]

@@d3maccus i hear ya. Well the mapping of the daw is what i want to avoid. Its not like i cant program polymeters in 5 minutes in ableton. It is the whole „contained“ experience i try to practice more. Less posibilities , more concentrated to the sound itself. I have a similar feeling about my tr6s. Its a wonderous little machine. If it was a bit bigger and and had a bit longer sampling capacity it would be perfect. The tr8s is too big for my current space restrictions i have and also has the same storage as the tr6s. But it is „business class level complaining“. All of these machines are so freaking good already

[@dvdny]

Great, detailed video as usual, thanks for posting! The 'color' function, step nudging, non-quantized recording and poly betray its very approachable street price. Sounds great and looks like a lot of fun, they'll sell a lot of 'em.

[@KorhanErel]

Poly Betray would make a great experimental techno project name :D

[@dvdny]

Agreed, now that you mention it. It's all yours :-)

[@KorhanErel]

Dreux Donelan please, sir, it is your invention and yours to use. :)

[@francescomarzotto]

Thank you! Super nice and useful video :)

[@k5r2d2]

Drum Brute Impact sounds great and the interface is so intuitive I think this video is about all I would need to start using it, chapeau for this great review. The immediacy of the TR-08 with a bunch of Arturia goodies thrown in. Cowbell? Your Masterpiece is perfect ; )

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

but it is made in china crap

[@disarmsox]

@@GuitarsAndSynthswhat isn't?

[@benjaminbrodie9801]

Just purchased a Drumbrute Impact and your review helped seal the deal. You provide excellent in-depth reviews and tutorials as always. I'm going to start calling you The Professor....

[@setphaser]

yeah i’ll be interested to see how diverse it can sound. i want something portable that i don’t have to think too hard about... but i do need some versatility

[@lawrencegreenwood4002]

It's really cool that analog synthesis is getting cheaper and maintaining quality. Digital interrupted the process of the cost reduction of analog in the 80s, but it wasn't necessarily better. Now that we're now returning to it, I'm hopeful of the great sounding and engaging future of synthesis in general. The future looks bright, we should be grateful, the inverse is horrible. The cheapness and sonic quality of the Behringer gear is blowing my mind. I own a Moog Model D and have played around with the Behringer Model D and I'm not ashamed to say it sounds every bit as good, just ever so slightly different. Pumped.

[@robelghiorghis3610]

Thank you so much.

[@Garethduffy707]

Super video, gonna go get one of these now 🤗😎

[@christianlwensprung2722]

Epic stuff. Ty

[@Shoggy56]

Nice video. Thanks

[@ShiftaelV2]

I just want one that could do gabber, 90's era hip hop beats and maybe Frenchcore

[@xXkupsuXx]

great vid as always. keep it up. this will be the companion to my microbrute. this will fit just perfect i think. maybe there is chance for a small video with both machines until i get mine😜

[@loopop]

I don’t think so because I have a ton of other things in the near term pipeline... but the microbrute is a little beast ;)

[@acefstripe]

wow still learning features to this machine. Polyrhythms is nice!

[@modgrip805]

Just ordered one ☝️

[@MickBenjamins]

Love the intro! :D

[@ArcticAnalysis]

intro is insanely good, loopop obviously prides himself on knowing his technical shit, and his ability to laymanise it, but this opening groove shows he has deeper musical instinct, amazing, just keep playing that opening... "there’s a new kid in town..." Epic!

[@TweakerRay]

Great Video !!! And what a cool machine !!! Thanks !

[@youtubewatcher3467]

a good video that makes me want to buy it.

[@aleksandrlukin565]

Great machine. Totally great for techno

[@psicosomaticmen9836]

I was gonna ask something that you already covered. Nice vid man! keep it up! PS: subscribed

[@Old_Man_Jay]

This video helped me decide that I need to buy one today! Thanks!

[@loopop]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@Old_Man_Jay]

@@loopop unfortunately I couldn't get one where I live and I really didn't want to wait the long shipping times (I'm not in the states at the moment) but I DID get a minilogue xd and MAN! it is AWESOME! I can't get enough if how easy and flexible it is!

[@ymcaka]

thanks. very clear and helpfull

[@benjaminjohnson8431]

Thank you

[@samshow2595]

Good video. Thanks 1000

[@johnlowe3050]

Thanks...very clear and instructive....apart from use with a daw this is great for learning and experimenting ...fun as well.

[@valdiskrebs566]

Great demo, as always! Really like the FM drum and the overall interface - good for live jamming. Which track drives the clock/midi out?

[@clausbergmann882]

Nice!

[@theartofdiaspora]

I've got this practically new for 200€, and it is the best drum machine you get for the price by far.

[@SandcastleTheory]

That roller strip though... Sketchy!

[@davidgoode7416]

I want one now, thanks...

[@detrechter5416]

Looks interesting and - as always - Loopop delivers a great video. I would really like to hear a comparison between the Impact and the original Drumbrute. Do they sound different? That' the question.

[@stoatystoat174]

Have got one. Is nice using the Accent most of the time on Kick and Snare. You can then use use the slightly quieter regular sound for kinda Ghost beats in between. Thanks for the guide :)

[@korhansoydan]

Very nice review! Im new to drum machines and this one seems really productive, would you advise this for a starter on drum machines? Or should I go for some other, then dig in to this?

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

Would look nice next to the minibrute

[@marlonjarek9071]

Great video as always. Did you ever consider doing these reviews for older synths? After this Video the tempest comes to mind...

[@loopop]

Thanks! I did consider the Tempest but it’s too expensive for now... if I found one used at a good price I would consider it

[@andreagalluccio314]

Great Vid. Thank! :-)

[@TheMCCraftingTable]

Found a local seller listing it for US$260 near mint/used once. But I think I prefer to get the volca drum... More versatile for my taste

[@iasonpassaris]

Thanks for a very well structured overview! I was wondering whether the randomiser functions like a probability on the steps that you’ve already set in the sequencer or whether it effectively adds steps in? Thanks for clarifying!

[@hafstrat]

Convinced me. 🎹🎼👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👍🏼

[@maxmartinez6430]

great vid.....finally it has a good sounding kick

[@cuba1956]

Kick in original Drumbrute is great.

[@soundfx68]

I didn't like it either, too woody / thunky for me. I prefer this. Still, we all have different tastes eh.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

but the claps still suck

[@jm6734]

Yeah, claps and cymbals are weak. Love the sequencer, not so much the sound. A pity as I really wanted to want it.

[@stephenkyburz6529]

Yeah that was the repulsive aspect to the older version. this seems to be an affordable good analog drum machine. But when it comes to analog kicks I wouldn't trade my JOMOX MBASE11 for nothing else ! :P

[@matturmy]

@loopop Have you explored how this synth interacts with the Keystep Pro? For example, can the KSP's sequencer communicate back and forth w/ the Impact's? Curious how these two will play together given they have the same sequencer engine. Great video, as always!

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

Best review on KZbin, thank you! Your channel continues to improve, I like the fact that you are self-aware and can better yourself, congratulations. I think this beat box will be sought after at the same level as the MIcroBrut, it is another amazing product from Arturia that will turn the industry on its ear. I have always contended that electronic circuits, firmware and plastic need not cost thousands of (insert money here) to be fabulous, just highly usable on a very focused level.

[@KorhanErel]

Lovely review as usual. Thank you. I see this as a very very good alternative to the Tanzmaus, which I am not sure I like anymore. Yes, it has parameter locking, but that is more or less the only plus when compared to this drumbrute, which is more immediate, has racheting, probability, has actually limited but powerful parameter locking (accent and color) that is programmable on the fly, unquantized recording/ability to nudge steps left or right AND an FM drum. Who does not want an FM drum? :) If I do not decide to go for a larger drum machine like the TR8S then I will definitely replace the tanzmaus with this.

[@KorhanErel]

but then... why a useless cowbell sound? useless because it is not editable in any way. After watching a few other videos, I have a feeling that this particular drumbrute is geared more towards hiphop producers. I can see it in a studio where there is a lot of production going on and there is always a place for that other drum sound, but I think I will change my mind about it being a replacement for the Tanzmaus (though I won't change my mind about being disenchanted with the Tanzmaus)

[@timgarratt249]

i'll buy your tanz

[@KorhanErel]

Tim Garratt I will let you know when I am 100% sure about selling it.

[@TylerSmith-wm7hn]

I need more moneyyyy

[@thom-alphaxiii-5106]

Almost perfect, just wished a way to automate pitch and knobs etc like novation did with the mono-station , or a patchbay .....but for the price.....great

[@Jewdly]

THOM AlphaXIII could the beatstep pro be used to sequence parameters?

[@JoelMartinez]

@@Jewdly No ... unfortunately. That would definitely have taken this to the next level ... but I still adore my impact, it sits right on my desk next to my laptop

[@randomcat1]

I guess I’m in the minority here, but I really dig the roll ribbon thing that Arturia uses. Reminds me of the roll system that the Kong Monotribe used. I always thought that was one of its best features.

[@DjGorgo]

also the color function adds distortion to individual pads/steps. So you know and dont force use the external outputs ;)

[@soyallergy]

great review, as always. the price difference between original drumbrute vs impact doesn't seem like a big deal at this point since used drumbrutes seem to now be going for around $300-$350. i feel like it'd only make sense to get this over the fully-feature drumbrute is if you need something more compact and don't need mind accessing some parameters with that color button. the new features (distortion and fm drum) didn't impress me all that much to justify all the other tradeoffs.

[@josephwright5140]

soyallergy i disagree i feel the snare and hats have improved considerably. as an owner of the original I've been toying with selling it for a year now for these reasons - half the sounds i need are garbage! this seems like a costless improvement for someone in my position

[@soyallergy]

oh i didn't notice because i still felt a little underwhelmed by those sounds on both versions but never actually HATED the snare and hats on the original lol. but i guess if that's a big deal for people, that could be worth it.

[@sensemusicofficial]

great tutorial since i just got this unit and was wondering how to do some things.. this video helped alot .. although its a straight forward unit it can be quite deep and interesting.. one thing you didnt mention is the sync modes :D

[@loopop]

Thanks and which is the reason it’s good we have a comment section

[@sensemusicofficial]

@@loopop :) I ended up using midi sync because I honestly can't work out how to use it slaved to a daw over usb using bitwig

[@sensemusicofficial]

also have NO IDEA how to save a pattern :)

[@loopop]

senseTUBE I highly recommend reading the manual after you buy something. I don’t cover everything in these videos you know

[@rednax3333]

Excellent and extremely informative vid as always Loopop! 😃👍 I’m grabbing one of these this week- it’s replacing my TR8S. I totally prefer the sound of the Brute machines and the performance-geared tweaking on this new Impact are scratching an itch quite nicely! 😎👌

[@whitenoisefromelectronicto1728]

why are you ditching a TR8s?

[@munkejens]

Hey. Thanks for the really nice review. If the Impact is getting a "clock in" from another device, will the exact tempo still be visible on the display? I'm thinking about connecting my the Arturia Beatstep Gate Out to this. And since the (regular) Beatstep doesn't have a tempo display, the Impact would display the tempo?

[@modularnepl900]

beast