MINIBRUTE 2 REVIEW - Everything You Need To Know!

This is my review of the new Arturia MiniBrute 2 which is the follow up to the massively successful MiniBrute. Arturia sent me this synthesizer early to check it out and this is hopefully the only review you will need. If you like what I do and want to support head over to / bobeats
Minibrute 2
EU: thmn.to/thoprod/535509?offid=...
US: imp.i114863.net/Ao9yMN
US: bit.ly/3YEVCbM
(in this review I have it positioned on a CremaCafè Spike XL - do note that it does not really suite the Mini 2 and the stand was used more to get a good viewing angle)
My Keystep review: • Arturia Keystep - Firs...
My DrumBrute review: • Arturia DrumBrute Revi...
My MatrixBrute "review": • Why I Bought The Matri...
CONTENT
☀NEW CIRCUIT PACK! isotonikstudios.com/product/c...
☀Circuit Patches: isotonikstudios.com/product/c...
SOCIAL MEDIA
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Presets & samples: store.bobeats.tv
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BUSINESS INQUIRY
bonurmimusic ( at ) gmail.com

[@JiggyWig]

Darn! I promised NO MORE SYNTHS this year. How am I going to keep that promise now?

[@dennisristow2102]

I was just saying the same thing 3 days ago!!!!

[@Trovarsi]

Is going to be tough! NAMM is only a couple weeks away. A lot of amazing stuff is going to be released soon! Can't wait to see the Arturia booth.😎

[@Unifono2012]

January :D

[@306980891]

hahahahaha, so am I ,just got model D ,3days ago

[@teslafreak]

JiggyWig Why would you do that to yourself this early in the year?

[@fantasyproduct1042]

Do I need this? No. Do I want this. YES!!!!!

[@coskuarsiray]

I have one of these. do i love it? No. i really dont know why i bought this. only positive thing is the fatar keys. not much else for me.

[@TenisDimants]

I like how Arturia is doing theyr own stuff, making new original things happen, and incorporate more creative features in these products. Good job showing it also Bo.

[@Captain2VCO]

Cool gear ! Thank you Bo for the review. BoBeats = my favorite Synths channel !!! Keep the good work ! Cheers from Belgium ;-)

[@stefandorr3623]

i´m getting closer to buying my first drum machine and you really help me choose which one to buy. your videos are so nice, you´re such a calm dude and you explain very well. thanks and keep on the good stuff :)

[@MarshalArnold]

Love the Metalizer! Great review Bo!

[@Individual_two]

Excellent review, Bo! This is a nice step up from the Micro/Mini, but not quite as hard core as the Maxi. Looking forward to seeing this in the wild!

[@xcomadrejax]

i just love your reviews man, im new to synths so your vids have been the best! i already bought the circuits rythm just cause your reviews of it.

[@spartahill]

Thanks for the timeless Minibrute-2 episode. My new, i.e., used Minibrute-2S, is arriving five years after its release tomorrow. Thanks to your well-explained review, I am acquainted, excited, and confident about getting the most out of this awesome device.

[@XanderEwald]

Awesome! This one goes straight to the wish list. Sold my MB a while ago and really hoped they would come up with something new to bring back that Brute flavor to my pallet. Thanks for the great review!

[@BoBeats]

Thanks Dacci!! I fear this will get more use than my Matrix :O

[@discophone_6214]

Very comprehensive review. Great job.

[@emokarlffm]

On first sight it looks like everything one could wish from an Micro/Mini-Brute update! Detunable 2nd oscillator, 2x LFO, 2x ADSR, a lot of patchpoints, keyboard playable formfactor, keystep style sequencerand a price that feels just right! WOW. I'm kind of hyped about this one!

[@primitiveT]

That was very cool. I've got one in the mail. I am now very glad I do. More than I was.

[@kozmicstreamz]

Great review Bo of Sweden ... You explained all of the functions very well. If I was just starting out I would definitely be interested in this.

[@HotStrange]

I mean it’s a great synth whether you’re just starting or not

[@ednasdiscomachine6049]

I'm loving the resonance modulation! Also, this interests me much more than Behringer creating endless clones of classic synths. Something new is what we need.

[@BoBeats]

I agree. This is definitely quite fresh!

[@jthunter4933]

Yet another great Video..... Nice review... Makes me want to get more into sound design .. :)

[@joeSeggiola]

Stunning, thank for the in-depth review! But, question: is it possible to use OSC2 as sub-oscillator octave(s) lower like on the original Minibrute? I can't see the the -1/-2 octave switch here.

[@davidbaadermixing]

Nice Review, Bo!

[@floydartx]

This looks absolutely amazing! Now I want one to run alongside my MS20 mini

[@AveMcree]

Man this video is amazing... Never knew it was coming out.. The body reminds me of the drumbrute..

[@BoBeats]

:-D yeah its been real quiet about it

[@MrChillacher]

Thanks for the review :D

[@ADDMIKEIX]

Good job on the review !

[@BoBeats]

Thanks!

[@roccoharris]

okay, that musical moment leading up to about 4:44... wow!! bravo!! thanks for this video. both informative & inspiring. yaaaay!!

[@michaelevan9184]

Great review

[@anglosaxonking]

BO!!!! We need the follow up on the routing options man!!! Great video!

[@BoBeats]

Cheers mate!

[@HotStrange]

It’s fairly simple actually.

[@Werede]

That SonicState reference was genius XD

[@giuseppeagosta4380]

Hello Bo, I understand you prefer the Minibrute 2 because of the keyboard. But if you get the 2s and connect a keystep wouldn't that be pretty much the same with the extra benefit of more sequencing power?

[@anderslenart8355]

Bästa syntrecensionerna på nätet. Starkt jobbat, mannen. Lite avis på alla syntar du får leka med... Nåja, får gå tillbaks till mitt Excelark innan chefen kommer.

[@ShimanskiBeats]

thanks for the extensive presentation (and thanks Arturia for providing Bo with a demo piece ;) ) Seems to have most of the things I was missing at the Microbrute and Minibrute 1, so indeed a very interesting machine

[@jesserickard1041]

So cool I'm buying this thing like tonight instead of the minologue Xd. Which I was going to get but for almost the same price i found this. But actually I just realised I'm thinking of the S version with the step sequencer. Although other than that is there really much difference?

[@grantburnham5370]

About time Nick made cameo appearance on BoBeats lol!

[@greedydotmf]

Nice homage to Sonic State at 7:20 Long live Nick! In PWM we trust! Nice review as well.

[@jojeemojee4471]

Now I know, what I will get this summer!

[@UlfTheWolf]

Damn, that's on my wishlist now!

[@vmitchell1131]

Great review. Would like to see that patch point vid.

[@BoBeats]

Thanks! Planning it as we speak

[@djalexia]

Quest, can you record either the performance and midi cc in your DAW.? thanks.

[@brothamo30]

Dope video! Who made that little animation in the beginning??

[@ubiquitousreverser]

Great Review BO!! Congrats on your award! I’m torn. I love the options and the patch bay but I stepped over to a Sub Phatty from a minibrute b/c I don’t have the time to create patches everytime I use it. It would be nice if they could do some sort of patch mem. I know that would cut off the patchbay, but I’m sure you could save great patches w/out it and then have that as a random creative source. If they release a poly synth they might get my money. Matrix is beyond me, and no patch mem mono’s are 2 time consuming. But I do love the sound of the Brutes.

[@teashea1]

very good review

[@KahroSynetic]

Can you please do a vid on the patchbay ?

[@tomgreaney1901]

sounds really good!

[@benoitpeeters7511]

Hi there! I'm going to buy my first "real" synth (I use mostly VST and now I wanna feel some real knobs in my hands!)... I'm in a struggle here choosing the one... I'm now between Korg Minilogue XD and this Minibrute... Could you give me your insight? (if possible unbiased hehehehe)

[@danieldemayo6209]

Can you do some stuff running the drum brute through the filter of this with the brute factor cranked up? I wanna know what that sounds like and why they didn’t include it....I’m guessing it sounds bad...and not in a good way haha I’m also assuming you could do some interesting things with the drum triggers controlling things on this guy? Could be kewl ;)

[@insomniamachine8452]

Thanks for the review! This synth is really powerful. Which one should I choose among ms-20 mini, mother 32 and this one?

[@BoBeats]

I would actually say this one. M32 is close but I feel like this just have a little more functions for about the same price. Unless you really dig the M32 sound which is slightly "warmer".

[@ghostexits]

should have used a different filter on this one; looks almost perfect, but it sounds just like the Minibrute. what do I do with 2 minibrutes?

[@EarmonkeyMusic]

"The Minibrute is too big to fit on camera" Bo... what do I do with my Montage? LOL. Really nice video though and I will definitely be checking this bad boy out in couple weeks at NAMM. Seems like Arturia took all the best of the things they've been doing over the past few years and crammed it into an extremely compact and affordable package.

[@gitzo]

The Minibrute is the one synth I have found that can create an almost realistic flute sound, from the breath of the flautist to the end of the sound.. You can not create this on a Sub37 / Phatty, etc.. I have tried to. Each synthesizer has their own special characteristics and the Minibrute does not disapoint. I am super impressed with the updates for the Minibrute 2 and can't wait to get my hands on one.

[@michelnassarofficial]

Amazing job

[@danielgreen2348]

Hey Bo, what are you using for a stand?

[@roccoharris]

wondering... did you ever wind up doing that in-depth vid in the patch bay?

[@gamma_noize]

I already loved the MicroBrute and i guess i'll freakin adore the MiniBrute 2. It has everything, that I felt, was missing on the MicroBrute!

[@HotStrange]

Keep in mind it does lack a couple of features, too. And the oscillators, filter, brute factor, etc all sound a bit different. So don’t buy it expecting to get the same sound the Minibrute has. It will be similar, but some patches will not be possible on the MB2 and vice versa.

[@VTOLKits]

I like the PWM joke with Nick Batt.....hahaha....

[@AndyVonal]

Wow! This is the first i have heard of this! Cool!

[@BoBeats]

Yeah its been a well kept secret! More secrets coming today too ;)

[@WhiteWulfe]

How's the keyboard on the MiniBrute 2? Is it sturdier than the original one?

[@Dogboy73]

Awesome. Do the knobs / sliders send MIDI CC? I don't think they did on the original. Would be nice to have to use as a controller. Or control externally if the parameters responded to incoming MIDI CC.

[@BoBeats]

No, the knobs does not send or recieve midi CC but I think some of the keyboard stuff like the mod wheel and aftertouch does so you could use it as a midi keyboard.

[@patrickseurinck3470]

No midi control? That's a shame, some extra digitakt control and LFOs would have been great.. Sounds great though!

[@tekrahmuzik2119]

Damn i was going to spend all my money on the Elektron analog 4 MK2 now i am confused...i guess i have to wait till the end of the NAMM 2018 then decide...prob i will still go with the Analog 4 MK2, but this synth looks fun! Bo what do you think?

[@BoBeats]

man so hard to say... The A4 is a much much deeper synth with a ton more options. However the raw sound of the Mini 2 is really cool imo. If you are just planning to use it as a module and/or can interface it using CV with other gear then Mini 2. Otherwise A4 mk2.

[@PaladinGunn]

now, that's what I call a nice surprise!

[@PaladinGunn]

to be fair, I half expected it, with Your Arturia T-shirt and the patch cables laying on the table, but I was expecting something else than the Minibrute 2 :D

[@PaladinGunn]

Pretty smart of Arturia to situate this little beastie between the first Minibrute and the Maxibrute. Seems like they took the most logical path after producing the Maxibrute. Also, it's functionalities it makes it useful wether you have the Maxi or not, or if you plan on doing modular or not. Very happy that the sequencer is basically the Keystep's.

[@PaladinGunn]

also, pretty intrigued by their "it's not alone" line on the website, and the fact that they're keeping the best for last :D I guess something wicked this way come :D

[@HotStrange]

Mathieu Laurent I mean it’s literally the title of the video? Lmao.

[@jerrykelley9266]

HOW DO YOU GET IT TO WORK WITH LOGIC PRO X?

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

Nice video, are the keys the same size as the Matrixbrute?

[@BoBeats]

Yes it is the exact same keybed according to arturia

[@HotStrange]

Great overview of a great synth! The biggest con, imo, was not adding a couple of mults in the patchbay.

[@chrisstevens8087]

please make the video going into detail on the patchbay?? thanks!

[@blakeiscool87]

could you potentially use this as a midi controller in lieu of a keystep?

[@michaellyle8769]

Oh yes. Getting one.

[@Three77Sparks]

You know, it looks amazing. I was so close to buying a Minibrute this past week, but all of the horror stories regarding the keys falling off scared me away. Hopefully, Arturia have learning their lesson when it comes to build-quality because I'm probably going to buy this thing. Good review.

[@BoBeats]

Thanks mate! I do feel that the build quality is at least on par with the MatrixBrute.

[@michelnassarofficial]

The Keybed is the same as MatrixBrute, with Aftertouch!

[@ThePeibol99]

how this synth compare with some others like the ms-20 mini , Moog Sub Phatty, Behringer Deepmind 6 ? what would you recommend for a beginner ?

[@dastrio8435]

Minilogue 100% if you want a poly. Mother 32 if you're more into modular

[@222bharris]

Hi Bo - if you already have the Minibrute 1, in your opinion is the 2 different enough to have both? In addition, are the different features of 2S vs. 2 worth getting the 2S instead of, let's say, a Eurorack sequencer module?

[@BoBeats]

Hmmm, very difficult question to answer... to integrate with a eurorack I think the 2S is super strong!

[@222bharris]

Thanks!

[@1980alsful]

Nice nod to Nick Batt during the PWM demonstration

[@lucasthelemur7606]

this is #1 on my wishlist right before arturia sparkle

[@rorybaker5799]

the oscilation goes one oscilation too long, how do i cut that off? also, i noticed that the speed of it changes like its going with a wave? anyone know how i can change that? sorry i dont really know much about it myself I cant seem to explain it any better.

[@northerntao]

Kind of a bummer that mod wheel and aftertouch can't be used at the same time. Maybe there's some patch bay workaround, or CC 1 maybe? I don't need this, but I thought about getting a Mini to keep my Micro company.

[@anonymousbrowser4448]

Did you try some crazy sound design using the matrix and the minibrute too in chain ?

[@BoBeats]

not yet :)

[@NEOREV_MUSIC]

Nice Nick Batt PWM shout out @8:10

[@powers_media]

great review! it's a shame there isn't any poly functionality given the depth of sound design capabilities. other than that this thing is damned amazing.

[@Naumachia]

I just bought the Korg Monologue.... My wallet's gonna hate me. Damn you Bo!

[@martinmohyla]

Good choice, though. I love the Monologue!

[@Naumachia]

Me too!

[@mrfeenix1]

Nice one!!

[@liveinparis8418]

This one had me in doubt at first probably because it doesn’t have much ‘built in’ expression and the sound is very tidy and slightly insipid mids. Well do not worry it’s absolutely SUPERB and does what other synths don’t quite do for you or at least require intense processing for. I ran it through Boss bass cosm - that’s great but you could comment that the cosm isn’t in the same sound league...!

[@ababyalbatross9016]

Re: The mod wheel / after touch. Does the fact that it has that toggle mean you can only use one function at a time? Eg. if you have it selected to after-touch the wheel just does... nothing? I'd love to have after touch effect one thing and the wheel effect another

[@BoBeats]

No the wheel still affect the ATT: Cutoff if aftertouch is set to say CV mod.

[@cresshead]

how do you set the midi channel with this? do you need to use a computer like the minibrute?

[@BoBeats]

yes it seems like it is the only way

[@cresshead]

ugh that sucks..i have a minibrute and dread the day the app is not supported and refuses to work, then i'm stuck on whatever i leave it at.

[@BoBeats]

yes... that IS annoying

[@mildred714]

@@BoBeatssoesnmocrobrute need computer

[@thedrumunkey8582]

Can you / how hard is it to redirect the keyboard's midi out? For instance, is it as simple as holding shift and choosing output channel or something like on miniLab?

[@BoBeats]

Unfortunately you seem to do it in the software. I cant see any way of doing it from the unit itself.

[@thedrumunkey8582]

**grmble** That's kind of a bummer... Could have been a good way to have a decent master keyboard... Oh well... Thx for response!

[@BoBeats]

yes, I would really like them to add midi channel switch on the keyboard itself

[@shitmandood]

This thing is awesome. I feel this system might be my gateway into the world of Eurorack. I hope you gave a review on the patch bay because it seems nobody has really messed with it, other than with itself. I'm interested in seeing how it sets up with a Eurorack. In other words, if you have something like the Minibrute, does it cancel out a whole ton of Eurorack modules that become irrelevant? For instance, if you have the sequencer in the Minibrute 2, would it be pointless to get another sequencer to use inside the Eurorack or pointless unless you plan on running 5 rows of Euroack?

[@BoBeats]

The MiniBrute 2 sure adds several functions to a eurorack: a mixer, attenuators, a voice, keyboard, sequencer. However I feel like it doesn't replace modules. Eventually you will switch out of the MiniBrute 2 I think. OR keep it and stay "hybrid". But if you go full into eurorack at some point it will likely be switched out

[@shitmandood]

I've noticed this with other KZbinrs as well. They start with something like a Mother-32 & then they sort of abandon it after a year which makes you wonder if it's worth having considering the expense. $650 could be used to buy 1 or 2 higher end modules. I've also noticed that it seems, at least on Amazon here in the States, that the sequencer version is selling more than the keyboard version & I haven't figured out why that is. Maybe the target market already has a keyboard controller & having the beat step variant adds more mileage to the Minibrute, thus keeping someone into staying "hybrid" instead of switching it out? Otherwise, I haven't yet figure out why the 2s is selling more than the 2.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

This looks like the best way to get into modular without going broke. Would you get the Minibrute 2 or 2s and why?

[@BoBeats]

I have a video talking about this :-)

[@RedMeansRecording]

03:48 - what a beast

[@BoBeats]

When I clicked your time stamp it took me to my face... :-o

[@orateusdijin6557]

Red loves Bobeats!!

[@Wanttoknowabout]

Ok, I will subscribe to one more channel :) Very nice review!

[@BoBeats]

Welcome here! :)

[@NU__SKY]

hey mate. is there only step-sequencer or it can record what you play in realtime (like korg monologue) ?) thanks in advance

[@BoBeats]

You can click record, and then play the notes you want in a sequence, then hit play to play them back. And you can "overdub" live while the sequence is playing.

[@NU__SKY]

so, can is recording the melody in real-time if you start with empty pattern?)) your answer looks like 'no', but i did not completely get it......

[@NU__SKY]

for example : i play live with my Korg Monolog , the play button always on. then i start to play bass-line in real-time and hit the RECORD button > the machine recording what i'm playing and starts repeat it. can Minibrute 2 do this or not ?)) sorry to much questions, but i really need to know this part.. thanks again

[@NU__SKY]

i've just read the manual - unfortunately it can't normally record a sequence.. only normal realization of step-recording (i never understand what for.. for an 'acid-like' short sequences LOL ). arturia still releasing unreasoned products. thats pretty stupid. by the way - Korg Monologue can do that normally, but there is a different problem - there are just 16-steps seq... 😏 the only device i found can do this thing normally - Beatstep Pro

[@BoBeats]

Yes, you can't do live recordings UNLESS there is already a sequence. So you can overdub in real time recording. Say you record a 16 step pattern then you can real time record OVER that pattern.

[@saardean4481]

you lucky b...rd!! How do you get all the cool things? :-) Btw it can fit the camera if you move back 50 cm :-) As for the synth. Looks pretty very fantastic! Even 2nd Osc with a Sinewave! wow. btw are the sidepanels real wood or fake like the Minibrute SE? Arturia has to make a 4-6 voice out of this already!

[@BoBeats]

Thanks! I can't tell if the side panels are real or not. They feel similar to the Matrixbrute

[@MediaMusik777]

actually its a 3 lfo synth and 2 vco......the question is can you send the lfo to audio in and then use as a 3rd osc.... also the filters i believe the hp is 1 db and lp is 12 db and the bp is 6db i think

[@thebaggytrouseredone]

Is there an audio input for processing external signals?

[@BoBeats]

yepp, I think I mention it that you can route it thru either the whole circuitry or just to the master outputs. It is on the patchbay

[@thebaggytrouseredone]

That’s great Bo, thank you, I must have missed that part. Running a Guitar, Bass or Percussion through it could be fun.

[@brusprojects2100]

Wöööw! I'll get one for sure.

[@jamesl5944]

I interrupted a movie ad about a talking, crime fighting dog for THIS!? Actually looks awesome, will work beautifully with the modular I'm building.

[@BoBeats]

Now you got my all excited about that talking crime fighting dog!

[@jamesl5944]

BoBeats clearly a track is in there somewhere :) thanks for the great review!

[@brianreilly6545]

Please help me understand WHY they put only AD on the amp envelope? (I can understand elsewhere, but the amp???) -thx

[@nabooka316]

Great review - All the S2's new feautures makes sense, except for the omission of the KBD filter track knob in favour of res mod!? I think the sound of the Steiner Parker filter is an aquirred taste that teleports you back to French 70's Elektro🗼🎶👾

[@BoBeats]

Well shouldnt it just be a matter of setting KBD out from the patch panel to the cutoff or filter mod? :)

[@nabooka316]

BoBeats Yep - but i liked the knob ;-)

[@thsmchnslrnng]

Awesome!

[@DrCatalinIlie]

Thank you!

[@Kkidzz]

Bo, hi. Just a little touch of constructive help: would have been nice to have seen a framed direct overhead shot( camera squarely above) of the interface starting @ 5:14 . Perhaps it's not physically possible with your current setup...? That aside, thanks for this nice review.

[@BoBeats]

Yeah I am working on a much better overhead rig. Its just not very practical to do it with the current setup. But its something I really want!! :)

[@HotStrange]

You do realize you can go on Arturia’s website as well as any retailer website and get up close and personal with the interface right? 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@finimokieribo8988]

Bo Beats..you beauty!!!

[@BoBeats]

[@machiwoomiapoo]

Sweet!

[@MrGeoffashley]

Could you do a video (even if it's a short one) with the Mini Brute 2 patched to the MicroBrute?? I've seen videos hooking up a MicroBrute to the original MiniBrute through the connections in the back and it created some amazing sounds...I could only imagine the madness of patching the Micro with the Mini 2

[@BoBeats]

I do not have a Micro :-(

[@guilhermerocha1555]

Which one do you prefer: Bass Station 2 or Minibrute 2 ?

[@BoBeats]

BS2 for ease of use and more standard stuff. Mini2 for versatility and the patch bay as well as the sequencer

[@thebaggytrouseredone]

More on the patch bay please Bo.

[@ProckGnosis]

Good job Bo and good move on Arturia's part, coming up with something occupying more of the middle ground. Have to say it sounds pretty sweet, but hopefully they fixed the old Minibrute tuning scaling problem.

[@BoBeats]

Thanks! What was that issue? I havnt used the Mini 1

[@percussionboy4357]

fwiw, I found the original MB benefited from being calibrated, using the two little screws on the back ... PITA but helps the synth track accurately. Loved the Prockgnosis abyss vids btw.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

percussion boy Can you tell me which of the 2 screwholes does what . Are they v/oct scale and initial tune ?

[@percussionboy4357]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6fbnYVrfrGce8k Hey Adamski ... The youtube above demonstrates the tuning procedure for the original MiniBrute ... takes a little trial and error, but it works. Whether this speaks to the exact issue ProckGnosis mentioned, I don’t know. This youtube is in French, but you can see what to do by watching Franco tune his Brute. There is also a tuning PDF Arturia can send you, I think, but you have to ask them for it. Hope this helps.

[@ProckGnosis]

Out of the factory, the Minibrute 1 was scaled where it was only playable (in tune enough) for about 2 octaves. Outside of that range, most were just be too out of tune. You could adjust some screws in the back of the unit to help improve the scaling, but I never got around to trying to adjust it (bought my first Dreadbox not long after, and I was distracted by that a bit more). As Percussion Boy has already posted, there was a great video showing how to adjust it, the only drawback is it's in French (Et mon français est très mauvais) , but it still gives a good overview.