PolyBrute - Full Review - Sonic LAB

There were rumours, but nothing concrete until - wham! There’s the PolyBrute. The 6 voice analog poly synth based on the MatrixBrute architecture.
Poly synths are like cars, you expect a steering wheel, indicators and other regular features that make it recognizable as such. And Arturia went for that but also added some interesting features we’ve not seen on a poly before. Including what I would say is the PolyBrute’s super power: true, modulatable, patch morphing. This can be controlled with the other unusual feature - the Morphee - it's an X/Y pad with a Z axis as well. Looks a bit like the Touche, but it's quite different.
We also get the 8x12 Mod matrix with 4 pages of routings, each dialed in via the main data knob - like the Matrix. And three high quality digital FX and a ribbon controller. 5 octave Fatar keybed with channel aftertouch wraps things up. Build quality is good. The panel doesn't flip like the Matrix, but I’m not missing that tbh, it feels solid and well constructed.
#soniclab
#arturia #polybrute
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00:00 Intro and Morphing
04:01 Oscillators
07:39 Simple poly patch
08:39 Filters
11:50 voice pan
12:25 Effects
13:53 Ribbon
16:40 Patch example + Mod section
20:50 Mod matrix
23:08 More sounds
24:20 Motion Record
26:29 More sounds - split and sequencer
29:37 extra morph settings
30:42 Not Jump and stereo filters
32:00 FM
33:35 Filter tracking
37:34 Sequencer and parameter recording
40:00 Wrap, price and playout
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[@JustinKahrs]

You take your time, Nick, don't let "official launch deadlines" dictate your style. We're going to watch regardless :)

[@sprungingforvoltage]

yes! this right here ^^^^^^^

[@BromeliadBro]

I also like that he doesn’t go “feature by feature” (as he puts it).... there’s already another much-viewed reviewer that does a very thorough job of that, it’s more interesting to watch a varied demonstration like this.

[@Seadogstudio]

Because I am going to rewatch this 6 years later when I am pulling the trigger.

[@tic2datoc]

exactly!!!

[@jazzjeffjazzjeff]

"Official launch deadline"......yeah, still not available in the US!

[@DavidLee07]

"Maybe add a bit of reverb..." That's the Nick we know and love!

[@ewanstefani]

Loopop gives us the details; Sonicstate gives us the passion and inspiration. Great to have you both!

[@julianhigginson5946]

Loopop is a synthetic 😂

[@frankschneider7190]

perfect comment!

[@McEnroe911]

Loopop when I’m too lazy to read the manual. Nick when I want to know if the synth is actually good or not.

[@Michael_Smith-Red_No.5]

@@julianhigginson5946 He prefers the term "artificial person." His reviews are very good, and I like them for different reasons, but always as an adjunct to a SonicState review.

[@julianhigginson5946]

Michael Smith ahh i see. We only ever see his hands they are very realistic would be interest to see what’s attached to them one day

[@YanivhmTube]

Nick is the best synths reviewer by far! I enjoy watching him every time.

[@NuisanceMan]

He's great and lovable. Loopop is also consistently excellent.

[@eskimotionmusic]

You're always the first person I come to for synth reviews Nick. Great job as usual!

[@555atU]

Nick please don't worry about launch dates. Get your arms around stuff and give us another one of your great reviews.

[@mclarensmps]

Beautiful sounding Synth. Your reviews are still my favourite :)

[@sikdrumz5752]

Wouldn’t have gone anywhere else for my first look at this 🙏 Cheers, looks and sounds amazing!

[@scottharris7222]

Always love your take Nick. Your sound design ear always come through in your reviews/previews. Well done.

[@MrKayMrKay]

So glad you took your time, it seems like there are a lot to say about this beast of a polysynth! It sounds huge and really complex at the same time, the kind of synth which kind to nearly everything properly used. I'm really impressed by the quality of the bottom end for a poly. Thanks again for giving us the best review on the web

[@mossgraber]

Always take your time for a proper review! This one got me hooked. Damn :-)

[@crosswick]

Nick's playing is improving impressively, great. Great (form of) review too

[@halcyondaystunes]

Adding that brute factor around 9 mins seriously had me chewing on my gums and pulling bass face😆😆 love this thing and want one. Great review as always Nick.

[@denverm4x]

Showing out for Arturia! Love their stuff and this is exciting. You look like you are having fun.

[@jerrycornelius9329]

sweet review, I like how you tweek things up! well done.

[@stevedenny3547]

Wow what a synth,as always expertly reviewed .

[@matteogazzolo1]

What a review! What a synth! I enjoyed each!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

The king of synth reviews👏🏼👏🏼 I have not been this excited for a synth a long time, awesome review and amazing sounds!

[@CommunityGuidelines]

Solid review Nick, you gave a good sense of the myriad PolyBrute possibilities. Sounds great, too! Arturia have created something special, once again.

[@kevinnolan3592]

Fantastic review - thanks a million!

[@Jimbo386000]

"What a synth" - Nick Batt, 2020

[@libla-music]

Great overview about the features. PolyBrute mod matrix is the best routing interface I have ever used.

[@agerven]

What a surprise at 31:05 ! Sounds very nice actually. A very complete, relaxed and fun demo Nick, thanks man! So far, from all the arturia hardware synths, this one appeals most to me. Apart from the pandemic, the new millenium synths are unexpectedly exciting. i'm really considering cleaning my studio out and restarting with some new. Only the D50, Microwave 1 and Hydrasynth will stay i guess.

[@johnhawkins191]

Nick, you are a master. I love all your patches you capture on the fly with all these different synths and you seem to come by them almost completely intuitively. If you ever make presets of r the Polybrute, I will buy them. Sonicstate is one of my favorite channels and a "go to" resource before I buy. I bought the OB 6 and the Pro 3 and the Sub 37 based on your word. I love the way the synth sounds in your capable hands.

[@pizzagogo6151]

Never been interested in an Arturia synth before this, because just haven’t thought much of the basic sound....but this sounds brilliant!! Don’t like the form factor much (& it’s certainly priced at the high end) but it is undoubtedly a hugely impressive instrument, well done Arturia for doing something new & innovative with analogue. Thanks Nick for the great review.

[@VincentPresley]

Yeah, I got a Microbrute when it came out and hated it so much that I didn't give the company a 2nd chance for a while. The Drumbrute Impact and the fact that someone from Arturia is behind the Hydrasynth made me take another look. This is definitely their masterpiece.

[@Psychlist1972]

Great review, Nick

[@danielfeatherstone674]

Awesome review. Inspiring synth

[@dwaynecarroll6098]

Amazing sounding powerful synth! I want one!!!

[@intheblink]

Yay, finally the review I’ve been waiting for :) you guys really do it the best!

[@benjaminbrodie9801]

Thanks you.

[@Hummelsbusch]

Great demo, Nick! Mod-slots!

[@denniscrosbymusic]

Nick has the most incredible content, including the podcast...but my favorite thing is that dirty ol’ white IEC cable being used on state-of-the-art gear haha Keep up the good work, man!

[@blindianajones]

Well done demo. I'd rather see a demo such as this vs a rushed review pushed out at a deadline. I feel like there was more time spent on the unique and important bits.

[@grigioviola8523]

Lovely review like ever you do

[@KacyDennis]

Another great review by Nick. He reviews these instruments much like most of us probably do in making our buying decisions.

[@valdiskrebs566]

Wow! Looks like you have your Friday Fun machine for the rest of the year... 😎

[@DABUAS69]

I bought the MatrixBrute after watching Mr. Nick Batt review it. I'm now buying the Polybrute! Keep up the great reviews Nick!

[@jamesmurray8101]

How is it compared to the matrixbrute mate ? I don't know which one to get, I'm thinking the matrixbrute and a deepmind 12 or just the polybrute,

[@DABUAS69]

@@jamesmurray8101 the Matrix Brute is a “Programmers” Monosynth, the Deepmind is a Polysynth and very different beasts. The Artiria MatrixBrute and PolyBrute have their own vibe and my MatrixBrute is heavy and very well built. Worth the money for sure. My opinion is the Arturia Synth are excellent and the way to go. Good luck Sir! Cheers!

[@SuchaDoofus]

You sir clearly have much space and cash.

[@richardsmithson4453]

Great review and sound design

[@rickk4990]

I waited for Nick's review!

[@Nonpartisanmusic]

That matrix thing should be a standard on any synth, it's amazing. would buy this synth just for that... might actually put some money aside for this beautiful synth

[@jontip]

Wonderful bit of kit

[@theaudioeng]

Cheers Nick, nice longer review time there - veeerrry nice poly (not sure I can stretch that far at the mo' though ...!) 😷🎹🎶👍🍻

[@vjmacintyre]

LOVE your videos!!!

[@DanielPerryMusic]

Nice one. Loopop made me very interested, hearing this has made me really want it. Proper BATTed it out of the park with this one. These videos are better after you have had some time to play with it

[@Soundsauca]

Thanks Nick, really enjoyed your creative presentation in action. It’s out of my reach unfortunately but I appreciate the amazing possibilities it offers. Maybe one day!!

[@JacobPadlock]

That patch at 12:30 knocked me out of my chair. What a heavenly sound.

[@dvo8412]

Love sonic state reviews! ❤

[@vprice509]

6:19 I can't get enough of the hairy triangle.

[@robertsyrett1992]

Phrasing!

[@evanstevens8021]

This is simply too cool what a pleasant surprise!

[@dan55ellis]

It's brilliant and so are you a perfect match

[@davebellamy4867]

I like it when Nick says "Ooooh, it sounds better" 24:55

[@thefishdog]

This could be synth of the year?nice interesting take on a analog poly

[@robinr22]

But, it's basically it's a matrixbrute with three extra voices and some minor changes for over a *grand* more. Absurd.

[@thefishdog]

@@robinr22 so how much should it cost extra than its older sibling? It's not a berhingher with big factory doing bulk orders.

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

@@robinr22 three extra voices? this is 6 voices, thats filtersand oscilators PER voice, the matrixbrutes three VCO's and one filter section is HARDLY three fewer voices then the polybrute. Also, the Matrixbrute is $2000, the poly is $2500.

[@JBrm]

Really cool video as always :) Since you were asking why the effects section does what it does in split/layer: fx are after the mixer, so they're not per voice any more like e.g. enveloper and filters.

[@Shadowbait]

I watched the other guys’ videos and thought “okay, cool, but it’s not for me.” I watched yours and now I want one.

[@X22GJP]

Which probably means you’ll suffer buyers remorse if you do buy one.

[@Shadowbait]

​@@X22GJP I think you're right. I think it's more a credit to Nick's patch design than any unique must-have feature of the Polybrute.

[@jamessisson3703]

This thing sounds incredible (in your hands). At times, it's sounding very CS80 which I've only ever heard in recordings but sounds very expressive just the same.

[@ozorg]

quality review! great stuff - wish it had 8 voices ... cheers!

[@station2station544]

Great review. Dreamy beast.

[@alternatingbitmusic]

Superb review (as always). I'm curious, what happens if you change knob/slider settings when the morph mix is in the middle? Which parameters are you then affecting, a combination of A&B?

[@zipnone1996]

great for ambient noodling, no question. I think keyboardists with strong musicianship will get a LOT out of this, as long as their synth programming is decent too :) nice review!

[@NOLNV1]

god, I intend to one day own a big poly like this but all the current variety makes it hard to figure out which one to get. Features wise this one sure seems special and that ladder filter is really nice

[@SyntheticFuture]

Just the intro. Instant thumbs up.... chilling, beautiful!

[@andrewkealaher4688]

When watching most reviews of this-I was quite underwhelmed-even though I have a Matrix Brute. After watching this I now understand the possibility’s potential and power of it - and probably have to get one!

[@graphene1487]

Looks like a holy grail synth 😮😃

[@cresshead]

superb review

[@TamarinPamarin]

Excellent video

[@pittan86]

Very impressive piece of machinery there.

[@philreeves7361]

I am smitten, What a lovely bit of kit.

[@LesterH25]

Something beautifully melancholy about the tone of this beast. I've played one. It is wonderful. Can't afford one...........yet!

[@fortheloveofnoise9298]

Sounds great!

[@gatorgoforth3097]

That filter pan got my eyebrows up

[@davidsolus9410]

I wanted one. After hearing things rattle in the background, I now REALLY want one.

[@InkyDaCaT]

Thanks Nick

[@joeyxl3456]

Thanks Nick!

[@GeirOpdal]

As usual, great review and demo. One thing Iam still wondering though. How does the knobs work after you morph to another sound? Are they take over, fade in.. how do they work? Thats an important point for me being a tweaker.

[@lokologico]

very cool! wish they made just a module of it, or if this version had the lift up option like the matrixbrute

[@N-trepid1]

17:20 "Its very easy to go dreamy" - pause - Nick jams some funk. This thing sounds good.....

[@intheblink]

I’ve had this thought with the Mini, micro, and matrixbrute before, but now with this one out, I really do feel like Arturia is one of the newer manufacturers who really seems to capture the tone of the 70s in their synths. It just has that kind of feel to it for me. Really desirable tone!

[@kierenmoore3236]

The 70s - is that what that sound is … ?!

[@NicoHolloman]

"Does the world need another massive polysynth?" Hell yes! I feel like the market for really high end, characterful, VCO polysynths is dishearteningly sparse tbh. I'd love to see more analog polys with polyphonic aftertouch and a long ribbon controllers to create as much room for human expression as possible. I wonder why Fatar and other big keybed manufacturers aren't offering more MPE feature options in their keybeds; I would gladly pay the extra cost. This synth is still awesome though. I love the MS-20 growl of the first filter and how it can be coupled with the creamy ladder filter. And the blend knob + morphee pad are sweet too. And most importantly, it sounds good!

[@danielclifton3319]

I completely and wholeheartedly agree!!

[@NicoHolloman]

@Donal Finn I completely agree. I sometimes joke that I wish I was in charge of overseeing the design of everything on Earth because manufacturers so often skip over the things people actually want in an effort to make what they think people want. Like you said, someone needs to tell synth makers to go back to the essentials of an instrument: sound quality, expressivity, musicality, fun to use, reliability, etc. For example, the prophet 5 rev 4 was just announced, but they gave it a single mono output, no poly aftertouch, no ribbon, no pan spread, only 1 LFO, and I'm baffled by all the missed opportunity there. Again I'm sure Dave Smith thought people wanted something true to the original, but what people actually want is the sound quality to stay the same with more options for expressivity and experimentation.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

You mean you don’t want another mono synth with a 24db analog filter and simple 101-style setup?? How about a wavetable synth with digital filter? No? 😂

[@BURG]

Question: can you load any preset to the A or B morph position and morph between the sounds or do you need to create the other morph position based on the other one as template? Big thanks for the great video and walkthrough as usual, cheers

[@sonicstate]

You can load from the patch library, or copy between also

[@BURG]

@@sonicstate that is sweet, much thanks for the reply!

[@BURG]

@Trololo Inc ® hahaha, you are so very generous my friend 🎹🙃🎹

[@elekktrikk_home_video]

So far I didn’t like the sound of Arturia, neither in their drumbrutes nor their VA stuff. But this one sounds really nice. Thank you for so much sound in the demo :)

[@montazownianr1]

I only like Microbrute sound. This synth is not for me.

[@gooberthoreau]

I actually thought this sounded a bit like a VA synth. At least after the KZbin translation.

[@LaurentDiscShowMan]

Muy bien very good como van las cosas..animo con todas las cosas y vayamos con alegrias

[@Tibbon]

How do you feel the MatrixBrute fares with this out? They seem pretty different, but obviously there's overlap too.

[@The_Invisible_Man]

This is actually the best video on the polybrute so far

[@AngryPhotoGuy]

I was done with the GAS. I had everything I could want and more.... sigh.... It sounds so wonderful.

[@ToyKeeper]

@Andrew Mwah Have been seriously considering a Hydrasynth module. It's relatively inexpensive, can do damn near everything, and has a decent interface. I'm just not sure if I want to get that deep into patch design, or if I'd be better off with something which prioritizes performance features instead of engine flexibility. So I'm trying to decide between Hydra or Pro 3. Would love to hear more thoughts on the Hydra.

[@xoio]

What an excellent synth. On a side note... Morphing between 2 scenes was something the Yamaha AN1x could do 23 years. -And by morphing it wasn't crossfading, but actually interpolating between parameters. - Of course this is analogue, as opposed to VA.. Glad it's making a comeback..

[@kierenmoore3236]

PRO 3 does it, too.

[@pricejoss]

Having been looking for months at synths in the £2k price range, the PolyBrute seems the most interesting and sonically pleasing by far. It's probably sacrilege to say but personally I'm bored of the classic sounds from makers like Roland, Moog etc.

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

Considering the morph, I think of it as 12 voices, although not technically 12 voices, but my sound design mind goes off into 12. Another truly great synth from Arturia. from MicroBrute to PolyBrute, not a weak link in their chain. So glad to have Arturia as a choice in the big arena of Roland/Korg/Yamaha!

[@danselmix]

to be 12 voices the morph should be a crossfade instead, so you could mix between 2 sounds...this just makes a third one in each given point of the morph range

[@thehowlingterror]

'The hairy triangle' I'm having that one Nick.

[@rogerlegends166]

Hairy triangle works best with a soft flange .

[@Bendy2K]

@@rogerlegends166 New EP title?

[@kierenmoore3236]

Gotta catch ‘em all!!

[@ppilasiewiczz]

Great review, thanks🤍🙌🏽🎶🔥

[@synkuk]

Well thankyou very much ... really noticed the differences from the matrixbrute.. so many things missing ... BUT so many things added.. and SO .. now I'm toying with adding another arturia monster to my studio ... wonder if I'll ever get out of debt :D .. only dissapoinment is this one doesnt have the hinge ... which is something I love about the matrixbrute

[@KelvinHemas]

Great review as always. Im really missing wavefolding on synths, why its almost impossible to find beats me

[@EannaButler]

Agree!

[@Tolognabullets]

Wish I could upvote twice

[@sub-jec-tiv]

It doesn’t sound great on chords. (Opinion)

[@gnarlysoundscapes7210]

32:51 That's a great sound.

[@my4trackmachine]

This sounds insanely thick. I love the control and structure.

[@wedream2]

Do to the lack of polyphony on the Matrixbrute, I was forced to "morph" sounds using foot pedal, modwheel, or macro knobs for the lead part in split mode. So, with the left split playing a sequence, I morphed the right split into different sounds to expand the pallet. The dedicated morph knob on the Polybrute is a nice feature, but really not necessary since the same thing can be achieved with modulations programmed in the matrix.

[@jeffg4686]

Great video. How about one of these synths use vocals (live) as a modulator - any have that capability? Another thing that would be coool would be to have the keyboard auto-play back (macro) to give you two hands control of the synth knobs, buttons, sliders, instead of having to touch keyboard at same time.

[@spankenheim]

this one really does it for me, its going in my rig right above my other 6 voice (Jupiter 6) which I just got back from repair, I think they'll get along just fine. Only question is when they will ship.

[@philipd2252]

As a Matrixbrute owner i would like to see the "morphing" comparison. The MB has the capability to change every parameter with the 4 programmable modulation knobs to create multiple sounds A and B in a patch, v2 added a additional 12 free to chose destinations. What is the difference, besides the polyphony, between Morphing idea and the Matrix modulation using the 4 M knobs. Are the PB sounds in line with the MB filters, MB has 3 VCO, noise and external input in the mix. Looking forward to play PB and find out if the 2 can coexist in the same setup without sounding alike.

[@atozee1500]

I know it has probably been asked before but what software is that your using for the frequency spectrum/oscilloscope?

[@davebellamy4867]

31:42 The warmth really comes in, with long release time? Or reverb?

[@Bananskuden]

It really sounds as good as the classic polys. Best new poly in decades?

[@kierenmoore3236]

Doubtful - Sequential/Oberheim exists …

[@final_mile_music9713]

I finally succumbed. What a synth!