MiniBrute 2/2S: Here are 6 ways to play them paraphonically and polyphonically

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One of the most frequently asked questions I got after my reviews was: can they play douphonically? The new Arturia MiniBrute 2 and 2S synths have two VCOs, however, there's no out-of-the-box capability to play paraphonically or polyphonically, other than the sequencer on the 2S.
Luckily, the extensive patch bay allows a lot of place for creative manipulations.
In this video I show not one but six different ways to play polyphonically and paraphonically on the MiniBrute 2 series, whether just using the patch bay, or for more flexibility, using external "helpers".
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.

[@BoBeats]

The EXT keyboard polyphonic mode was really clever! Learned a lot!

[@loopop]

BoBeats thanks Bo ;)

[@jlavere]

The key to completely independent duophonic voices using the minibrute 2s is using the 4 track sequencer and the track mute function to sequence separate voices on the same pattern. Track muting will allow tracks 1 and 2 to be inactive while tracks 3 and 4 are active on the same step and vice versa. Tracks 1 and 2 will sequence one of the VCOs while tracks 3 and 4 can be programmed to provide timing, pitch and envelope for the other VCO. In this scenario, the patch bay must also be used to decouple one of the VCOs from the rest of the synth, provide pitch and envelope data from the Midi patch bay, connect that VCO eventually to the VCA, and then output to the Master. Sequencer tracks 3 and 4 can be repurposed to provide LFOs, Envelopes, and various CV signals. In conjunction with selective muting, there is no need for external hardware to achieve a fully duophonic patch. These options appear to be designed to offer options for sequencing a second independent voice regardless if it is internal or external, midi or cv controlled.

[@saardean4481]

Arturia bring out a Polybrute . 6-8 Voices for 1100-1200 and i am yours

[@TROGULAR10000]

And they probably will. Hopefully it will be capable of sounds similar to the Behringer Deepminds but lack a screen (with all due respect to people who have the patience for screens). As it probably won't include effects it would be nice to connect it to modular gear like Make Noise Erb Verb and the new delay module by Strymon. But then that would be really expensive. My guess is Arturia will be making modular units in the future too.

[@lambertlambert7076]

Saar Dean, the Arturia polysynth already exists at the price you are hoping in second hand market. It's called Matrixbrute and it's capable of playing three voices at the same time.

[@flower-fauna]

Lol well that prediction was a bit too cheap

[@saardean4481]

@@Juicegoose5752fan hahahahha.... "News" after 3 years.... Just kidding. Yeah i saw it myself. Cheers

[@blakeiscool87]

@Mat Chocoboye except the price part.. :/

[@ShoutingAtSpiders]

You can get two more independent Oscillators by using tracks 3 and 4 as LFO tracks with sequenced values in the audio range and routing their output (from Mod 1 and Mod 2) to an audio path (Master or Ext etc). You can do the same with LFO 1 and 2, although you can't change their pitch without using the rate knob, but this could be good for underlying drones.

[@johnnymidnight2982]

Analog polyphony is kinda tough, but I think I figured it out: What you need to do is find a quick and innovative way to generate a large income. I suggest designing a ponzi scheme. After you have amassed great wealth with that, you will be able to afford a spacious studio space and foot the electric bill. Buy the new Moog One polyphonic and connect it to your favorite Eurorack. Now you can enjoy 16 + voices of analog polyphony and have plenty of automation whilst both of your hands are free to massage one keyboard.

[@chrismoon2961]

Ext kb polyphonic @ 6.40 is a great way to turn the MB2 into a 2 vco / 2 envelope module. Pitch and Gates both coming from eurorack, Outputs from AMP and VCA going back into eurorack (instead of sending VCA to Ext In.) My frustration with the MB2 was not knowing how to send VCO1 & 2 to different envelopes. This fixes the problem!

[@WxkR]

Thanks for the very useful ideas and the great videos! Arturia is definitely taking the lead. Not only the MiniBrute updates are superb but, also, the brute modular system idea is bright. Unlike with other gear updates, I cannot see many brute users not buying into it. On top of that, there are many potential customers wanting to go into modular who will see Arturia as the best (most affordable and trustable) path.

[@TROGULAR10000]

Yeah Arturia products just make so much sense. Their new 3 filters and 3 preamps software are incredible. And so is the V-collection. Relatively affordable too. It'll be interesting if they do Eurorack modules. The case system might be a sign...

[@joninio6542]

Great video! I just shared it with Arturia support who seem to be convinced that the MB2S is a mono synth ;) Keep 'em comin'.

[@loopop]

Thanks! It is technically a mono synth, but there are ways around that... they're right not to represent it as a poly synth, these are just some fun "tricks"

[@MichaelRohaly]

Here's a three-oscillator video with unfortunately bad lighting. The AD envelope is going into the metalizer, and the pitch (the descending sequence at the beginning) is being controlled by an LFO track on the sequencer, hitting the trig IIRC. Mono, no effects, sounds meaty. There are better ways to do this I think, but I was just trying the thing out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGawqHWJr72FlcU

[@SkinnyVampiress]

Last part was cool! What if you modulate that sinewave to make a kick drum, and tweak noise to sound more close to snare and hi-hats.. than add some badass bassline with main osc ^^

[@loopop]

Skinny thanks and yes that would certainly be doable!

[@SkinnyVampiress]

That makes 2S way more interesting than the keyboard version..

[@muhandas6524]

Thank you! Your videos are extremely helpful. Kudos.

[@TheWorld_2099]

Dear Loopop, now that you’ve had a chance to work with both, what are your thoughts about the Minibrute 2S versus the Behringer Crave? I’m specifically asking about the oscillator section...it seems the Crave makes these gorgeous full bass sounds that I’m not quite hearing on the Mini. I’d love your honest opinion

[@gru_day]

Ok. But how to do other way - cv to midi? I wuld love to sequence my Monologue with Mono Station. Such a shame that osc2 sequencer in MS affects sound in monophonic mode. Why Novation, why? Help, please. I do not want to sell my Monologue :(

[@stpixie70]

I was looking for this on my Minibrute 2s. Thanks. :)

[@Rollur1234]

Should i have seperate vcas for multiple oscillators to avoid this? I have sign in and out +/- for a simple dual circuit. Is that causing feedback?

[@guillll]

Hey, have you heard of the Mutable Instruments CVPal ? It's a cheap DIY midi to cv box that apparently has a duophonic mode. I didn't try it but it might work.

[@johnsterthemonster9181]

I didn't realize how much I wanted to hear Sigur Ros played with a minibrute 2 until I saw this

[@lambertlambert7076]

Nice job Arturia, but still we are not satisfied. We are all waiting 2020 when the Polybrute will roll out ! ! ! !! ( Let's dream )

[@Rollur1234]

Why does my filter feedback when i max the resonance? Is it because its cheap? Or is it because of voltage?

[@Rollur1234]

I spent all my time on the digitakt to achieve polyphony with a hack with a midi hub. It wasnt worth it :) wish i had learned more on the func no/ctrl all function before i sold it

[@larspanky]

Great Video! I am late coming to this one, the best I got while watching is. iRig Keys plugged into the computer. VCV Rack MIDI sending CV and Gate out to channel 7 and 8 on the ES-8. Patched back into the MiniBrute, AD Trig, and VCO1 Pitch. "Simpler" than what you described by 1 piece of software. :) Love the channel mate!

[@rommelrivera1186]

Holy crap, this is so sick! I just ordered a KeyStep to pair it up with my MB2S. You're a genius! Thank you.

[@m.ercancelik8907]

Is it possibble to play melodies or chords with keystep while 2s is runing a sequnce

[@tibbarnogard8404]

Why is no one plugging the lfos into the master?

[@Sinesquares]

Great demos! The MInibrute 2 sounds amazing, I'm a very satisfied Microbrute owner and this seems to be the ideal upgrade!

[@ogasi1798]

keep the micro and have a 3osc brute

[@Sinesquares]

jamie munro Hmm sounds even better

[@lensmusic98105]

Micro + 2s

[@Sinesquares]

ZeroEmotion 831 Yeah I agree on everything. The 2S seems way better. And you can just buy a Keystep to use it exactly like the 2 if you want to. I’m not selling the Microbrute, we’ve had a long way together so it is certainly staying. Unfortunately sometimes is not easy to be patient haha... Especially on synths!

[@lucasthelemur7606]

thank you for providing index on the side

[@TheRealHucasys]

I'm picking up my Minibrute 2S in 2 days, thank for this!

[@saardean4481]

since the moment i saw the Prologue price and realised i don`T have this kind of money anytime soon and saw the Minibrute 2 anouncement and videos for some reason i find it incredibly tempting. The sequencer in the 2s with the synth engine,,, really a very nice surprise this synth is. Seems like 1000% "Power on and Go!" And relatively affordable

[@saardean4481]

btw very nice video

[@Nuke_Skywalker]

protip: i just did the part with the EXT keyboard with a launchkey mk3 and the midi to cv algorithm from the disting mk4. hook it up the same way, and use midi control center to tell it to prioritise the notes from the minibrute as low. no adjustment for the midi keybard needed.

[@GeneralJoystick]

9:22 Does the midi controller need to be an Arturia product for this setup to work? For example I'm trying this with a King Korg, which has CV/gate out. So I have MIDI and CV plugged in as shown, but I'm not able to set the King Korg's note priority because it does not show up in Arturia's MIDI control center. I can't seem to get this to work.

[@dkupka2]

Thank you for the video(s) on your channel! I recently got a minibrute 2, and the videos have been super-helpful! Also, at 0:36, is that a nod to Sigur Ros' first track off the ( ) album, by chance ?

[@loopop]

yes - those sometimes sneak in....

[@O1O1OO1]

True. And right after it sounds like the band Air!

[@mewantgoodmusic]

The trick im using is the niftycase

[@johnrichardson3297]

Bitwig Studio w/ an Audio Interface. Why not either use Microbrute 2S with: Moog Subsequent 37 CV OR Oberheim TVP w/ Doepfer A-190-4; Ornament & Crime Harrington; Roland A-01; and that Moog Modular App? Would it work? OR would it be easier to get the SV-1, Mother 32 and 2s to work polyphonically with the Moog Subsequent 37? I have no idea. All the work with Sum Outs into a Mixer OR ADSR's seems like so much work... can't somebody narrow down something with the least amount of work/purchases?

[@LegendPhase]

Just bought a noir Version !

[@maydaygoingdown5602]

Hi mate, could you tell me if you can connect the Minibrute S to an external hardware synth via midi port and play the minibrute S on the external keyboard whilst the minibrute S records the sequences you play?.

[@bryanhundven4511]

The Novation SL MKIII has 2 CV Out/Mod/Gate and a Clock Out, not cheap... but if you already have one ;)

[@sentokan]

Great video! Could you tell me if you could record on step and realtime recording on the 2S using the midi keyboard to insert notes? Thanks a lot!

[@johnstewart8132]

Thanks for the video as this is my new toy and I was kind of a bit lost- anyway brilliant video-really needed this peace, now I just need ore videos like this and to learn to save ??

[@nigelrogers8690]

Minibrute golden nuggets 👏🏾👏🏾Thanks for sharing 🙏🏾

[@neomono2303]

How about the poly end poly 2... could that be used to make this poly with just a cheap midi keyboard?

[@christoroppolo8742]

Great demo! I think the two s has one simple advantage over the keyboard version or the key step that I sent back after starting to want to smash it to bits because of shift commands. That version at least gives instant visual feedback on a very easy to read and understand screen.unlike the worthless piece of shit key step that so many seem to like except me. 🧐🛸👍🏻✌🏻👽🎶Christo

[@loopop]

Christo Roppolo thanks. - and regarding the keystep - it’s in half my videos I think.. can’t live without it...

[@aubreymcgee8230]

Silent Way, CV Toolkit & Reaktor 6 are good softwares with Expert Sleepers Disting mk.

[@Rollur1234]

In my eurorack module

[@zibbybone]

You can use the old Roland MPU-101 to take a MIDI signal and send it to up to 4 different monophonic synthesizers.

[@loopop]

zibbybone I was looking for something cheaper but if that’s around the house then yes cool thanks

[@chitlun]

That last trick... Woah! I've just come back from the ether, it's mighty fine up there :-) Thank you sir, Peace :-)

[@johnsterthemonster9181]

Sigur Ros lol. Respect.

[@justintonation9726]

I jumped in the deep end and bought a Polybrute as my first poly synth. I’d like to get into semi-modular gear and potentially eurorack eventually. I see a few options in this space like the Minibrute 2S, Mother-32, some Behringer (I’m not crazy about their products or business practices and probably wouldn’t buy one.) What synths do you think occupy this space best? I recognize there’s some redundancy with the Polybrute, but you can patch this into so many modules, other modules which the PB can’t. What’s your current favorite single and dual osc analog synth? I could see a Moog Studio Bundle 3 paired with a Minibrute 2S in a Rackbrute being a pretty sweet setup once you get an ES-8 and some of the appropriate utilities.

[@wrenchposting9097]

Yeah what you described sounds great. I have a Neutron (at least it's not a clone) talking to a Minibrute 2 and there are all kinds of possibilities. I have a friend with a Polybrute but I haven't tried it out yet.

[@atomicwatts]

I'm trying to get the keystep to work over midi as described at 9:30 and I'm setting the note priority for each device in the midi control center - but won't play as demonstrated.. Cables are hooked up correctly, Keystep is note priority high, 2S is set to low. Not sure what I'm missing.

[@atomicwatts]

Fixed, hah. Had to set the correct MIDI input channel on the 2S. 🤦‍♂️

[@andreasgravdal882]

Sigur Ros - Vaka @ 00:38! ;)

[@mikebuchanan8647]

I was gonna say!

[@andrzejolejnik991]

Pleasr explain, which one is better to buy _ Novation Mono Station or Minibrute 2s? I really like Mono Station's coz, it's kind of automation :) Minibrute 2S also seems to go deep into indeed. It seems to be a hard choice to me ...

[@loopop]

Duuuddeee if there was one answer I'd make a simple channel that had one video that would say "buy this synth" - unfortunately you need to make the decision based on where you want to go (sounds, presets, eurorack connectivity, etc etc...) - watch the videos and see which one speaks to you more - the price of a mistake by the way is only the difference between buying new and selling used, and zero if you buy used.

[@leonmccormick2909]

Really want to join your patreon but I won't put my cards online at all. Willing to do by phone. Very interested in your book also. I'm old school lol. Because I'm old..

[@loopop]

I really appreciate the intent! No phone option unfortunately, but thanks. BTW my mom is 79 and she's shopping online quite confidently without any issues. Frankly any bad experience I've had with credit cards is shady 1-800- vendors on the phone...

[@DiastroYT]

Are those braided patch cables? Anyone know more? Looks cool!

[@loopop]

They are the ones that come with this synth

[@DiastroYT]

@@loopop Thanks! I'm not sure if I want a Minibrute, but I'm looking to get some braided cables to replace the ones that come with Neutron. Thanks for all the great content!

[@RasTuft]

Genius!!! Thank you very much.

[@dynatwenty]

Arturia is love ❤ Great tips like always!

[@arborealsquid2380]

Great video, I might be getting one soon and this gave me a lot to work with to get the most out of it.

[@leonmccormick2909]

Wow that was so cool. And yes I learned a lot. I'll be experimenting with that shortly. Thanks again!! So you have a book out? If so how do I get it.

[@loopop]

Thanks and yes I do, it's on my Patreon patreon.com/loopop

[@stuffingpicturmotion7726]

just got the 2s great videos you made on them. i wonder if you can see this for me, i conected the drum brute sync to the s2 and i wanted to side chain the s2 to each 1/4 tempo, for that i used the lfo to triger the ad envelope and pass it thru the inverter so i would have the side chain efect. but the inverter seems to just atenuate the signal and is not working as desired. am i missing something ? thanks anyway!

[@stuffingpicturmotion7726]

i can use the attack to make the effect for this specific situation but still isnt the inverter suposed to invert any signal? 🤔

[@lex666pl]

Please make one with the microbrute as a third oscillator and get some pad action going on ;)

[@loopop]

Kosma Czerw ha! That’s certainly possible ;)

[@lex666pl]

loopop it is basically the only thing that holds me back from pre-ordering I love arturias approach to analog synths but I want a poly synth for chords / pads and it seems very counterproductive to set it up like that, all prepping and no playing. That's why I'm torn between minibrute2s and deepmind12. But if you can show me how it's done, maybe it will blow the doubt away

[@loopop]

Kosma Czerw hey - what I am doing here is a fun hack to play douophonically - if you want a truly polyphonic multi voice synth, this is not for you. The DeepMind is a great choice, and if you have a bit more of a budget take a look at Peak or even Rev2

[@SynthieFlowers]

Liked the video as soon as you started playing untitled 1

[@loopop]

will Philip now you see why I had to make it polyphonic ;)

[@SynthieFlowers]

loopop it's the first song I play on any instrument! If it can't play Vaka, it's not worthy.

[@Flohr]

To your final question, CV.OCD. cheap and great midi to CV, doesn't need a computer or to be racked.

[@loopop]

Flohr thanks very much! I will look into it

[@krism6279]

Late to the party, but I was going to suggest it, too. I used an eBay 15% off sale for mine :D

[@paulsarodh5460]

Rockin

[@yonataneliraz6770]

Nice video!!

[@terrys101]

Aren’t you showing enough Arturia products? I almost blew coffee out my nose!

[@loopop]

Dude your question got me thinking so I checked. Am I over indexing Arturia? I try to made videos about topics people care about. 2 out of the top 15 best sellers on Reverb for 2018 are Arturia products. That’s around 13%. Then I counted - I made 16 videos out of 121 on Arturia products. Don’t do the math, it will really blow coffee out your nose. PS my count doesn’t include the KeyStep, which I never made a video about but it’s everywhere because it’s the most useful little keyboard on the planet

[@ForSynthsSake]

Can these things be achieved on the matrixbrute?

[@loopop]

For Synth's Sake I don’t have one but from what I’ve seen yes!

[@bombshelboy]

I realize this video is a few years old now, but I never saw the "and I'll make that video if I need to" video and was wondering if that ever came out. I do want to know what you were doing to make that patch and try to adapt something similar. I currently have the Minibrute 2s, the Keystep Pro, a Moog Werkstatt, and a midi keyboard and am trying my best to get polyphonic 3 voice going :D

[@loopop]

I made a few other videos with the 2S, not sure what you're referring too as indeed this was a while ago

[@bombshelboy]

@@loopop you had a poly patch done with dc coupled interface and software which you didn't want to explain unless you had to. Thanks for even replying however! I'm very new to semi modular and am excited to figure it out ;)

[@loopop]

@@bombshelboy oh I actually did make a video about that - please search the channel

[@bombshelboy]

@@loopop I see it! Thank you! I was looking for Minibrute in the title and completely overlooked it. Now I have to decide if I want to go the DC Coupled route or not :D

[@48cloudpierre48]

picked the 2s up recently and love it. i'm new to semi modular and have been loving the patchbay .. but i hate how the external input is useless with my outboard gear because the volume is so low (i'm guessing it's designed for modular gear with hotter signals? ) . is there any way around this limitation other than buying a pre amp? i want to connect my cell phone or bastl kastle to the external input for instance

[@loopop]

Some VCAs also amplify but I didn’t check of the one on this does. You might want to try that

[@48cloudpierre48]

@@loopop it didn't work but thanks for the idea! have you personally ever used a behringer mx400 ? would it be enough to amplify my signal ? do you have any cheap recommendations to amplify line level to external input of the minibrute 2s ?

[@loopop]

The cheapest option I know is SBG from ALM though I am sure there are cheaper ones. Unfortunately that would force you to go into modular but with the 2s you’re probably doomed to do that anyway :)

[@48cloudpierre48]

@@loopop yeh it sure is tempting to pick up the rackbrute and jump into the rabbit hole. i'm already having too much fun with the minibrute 2s simply combined with the kastle . thanks for the replies! great vids too

[@TheParanoidAndroid79]

You set the note priority for the Minibrute via the Keystep? What sorcery be this?

[@loopop]

no, using the companion software

[@TheParanoidAndroid79]

@@loopop Yes. I should have clarified. I think Arturia allows the software to be downloaded by anyone. I'll check out the layout of the GUI.

[@stpixie70]

i will learn more tricks so go on!

[@h.o.t.f.i.x]

Kapton tape.

Nice

[@alexanderskrabacz3277]

[@aaroninja1]

Du yu now da wae? 2:08

[@MrSkyzof]

I can't open the Midi Control Center if my Minibrute or my keystep are already connected to a DAW or a soft. If i want touching the velocity or the sync , for exemple , i must closing the Daw. With Keystep and MCC i can changing my sequence in real time , but i can't to hear the sequence exept if i plug my MB. I'ts absurd , the problem has been fixed with this ?

[@loopop]

Marcel Dubois yes - you only need to make this setting once, they remember it.

[@MrSkyzof]

So , the answer is no (I'm sorry , i fight with my basic english and G. translate ), i can't open the MCC if the MB is already plugged to any software. I don' t understand this limitation , mostly with the V collection in the catalog. Thank you.

[@loopop]

Marcel Dubois right. I think it’s a general hardware limitation overall. I’ve had that with other keyboards

[@MrSkyzof]

Ok , I understand better Maybe a little DIN box with the right CC for the parameters. Have a nice day.

[@olivierdelhomme3922]

Hi Marcel, Windows doesn't implement multi-client for MIDI, so only 1 software can use a product's MIDI port at once (whatever the brand) With Mac you could have MCC and a DAW opened and do what you describe. FR: Il s'agit d'une limitation de Windows, un port MIDI ne peut être associé qu'à un seul logiciel, peu importe la marque utilisée. Sous Mac, votre installation MCC+DAW serait possible.

[@pablospace]

Nice!

[@GemExperience]

Hello, I'm from the future.

[@loopop]

Torben Scharling you went back too much - fast forward to late February but be a friend please leave some stock tips below

[@shitmandood]

Does anyone know how, or has anyone tried, to call the MiniBrute 2S sequencer to start/stop/play the sequences on the MiniBrute 2S from another sequencer via MIDI CC? I've been unsuccessful at finding it fully explained in the manual or seeing someone else do it. The idea is to get the 'brain' to just use CC to get the MiniBrute 2S to play its sequences while it does other things, rather than program all of the sequences from the 'brain' itself (so features in the 2S sequencer can be utilized on its sequencer).