Arturia PolyBrute - 6-Voice Analog Powerhouse - SonicLAB Review

[@DavidLee07]

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

[@eskimotionmusic]

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

[@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.

[@DominicTic2daTocBazile]

exactly!!!

[@jazzjeffjazzjeff]

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

[@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

[@libla-music]

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

[@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 … ?!

[@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.

[@mossgraber]

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

[@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!

[@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? 😂

[@vprice509]

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

[@robertsyrett1992]

Phrasing!

[@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?

[@Bananskuden]

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

[@kierenmoore3236]

Doubtful - Sequential/Oberheim exists …

[@valdiskrebs566]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@LesterH25]

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

[@davebellamy4867]

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

[@matteogazzolo1]

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

[@synthplayer1563]

Very well done Arturia. Very good sounding analogue OSCs, 2 very good sounding analogue filters, brute factor, bi-timbral, real morphing, 5 octaves, aftertouch, ribbon, very good UI, ... . I'm very, very impressed. But why only 6 voices, no poly aftertouch, no endless encoders with LED. Then it would be absolutely killer.

[@richardstevens8839]

If you really want more voices then you can spend £7000 on a Moog One

[@maydaygoingdown5602]

Led encoders, ribbon controler, poly Aftertouch, more poly voices,...sounds like you would be more interested in the Hydrasynth.

[@kierenmoore3236]

There’s a 12-voice Polybrute coming soon, apparently …

[@jppagetoo]

So much to like. But... every day I play on another polysynth and I see I am using up 8-10 voices. That means the six on this one is going to change how I need to play. That could be just fine, maybe I would adapt, but it's not insignificant.

[@davebellamy4867]

I just went straight from this at 18:00 minutes to the j3p0 prophet-5/10 reissue and the difference in timbre was total.

[@gatorgoforth3097]

That filter pan got my eyebrows up

[@Nomo_Popo]

Cool but I'm still stanning Udo Super 6

[@N-trepid1]

I was a solid Super6 guy--until Nick got his hands on the Polybrute. Im gonna keep my powder dry for a bit. I really love the Poly's morphing knob, morphee, ribbon & 61 keys. Sounds fantastic-even on KZbin. Emailed Arturia re: MPE. Suggestion forwarded to developers. Super 6 is already MPE compliant. Cant go wrong with either synth. Surprisingly, leaning towards to Polybrute now.

[@Psychlist1972]

Great review, Nick

[@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 :)

[@Bananskuden]

I agree, although the Drumbrute Impact is actually pretty good sounding too.

[@dan55ellis]

It's brilliant and so are you a perfect match

[@halodust1304]

The first morph doesn’t work properly! At 3.01 patch B has changed to a square wave - but the init patch is a sawtooth on both patches A and B and Nick has only edited patch A. So what happened?

[@grigioviola8523]

Lovely review like ever you do

[@MinusNoir]

If there's a ''Monster Synth'' in existence, this is the one. And btw, Nick your synth reviews are still the best out there. I always go first here.

[@ewanstefani]

This sounds like how the Moog One should have sounded

[@syntheticmoment9994]

Where do you get your crack?

[@montazownianr1]

Both sounds unimpressive for me.

[@ewanstefani]

@@syntheticmoment9994 I'm not telling; it's all mine ;)

[@koalahabits3605]

Is there a vst synth that does a similar morphing function?

[@evanstevens8021]

This is simply too cool what a pleasant surprise!

[@zerocrossing]

“I SHALL NOT PLAY THE JUMP RIFF!”

[@ZethKeeper]

And he didn't!

[@YomYestreen]

@@ZethKeeper "I SHALL NOT EVEN REFERENCE THE JUMP RIFF!"

[@InkyDaCaT]

Thanks Nick

[@TamarinPamarin]

Excellent video

[@JeffreyFournier]

Why is there a section that says SYNC I\O on the back?

[@Jason75913]

analogue clock sync, a very practical feature growing in popularity

[@atozee1500]

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

[@cresshead]

superb review

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Anyone care to comment on how well these oscillators and filters compare to the Modal 008 (the best analog synth I've heard)?

[@1soto1972]

The morph knob should be red in my opinion.

[@mehdi-lp6kd]

Hi , great contents , where can i start learning these things? Thanks

[@darrenweight5972]

I might sell my Pro 3 to help pay for one of these. I love the Pro 3 but the built in effects are garbage. The Pro 3 sounds very monaural. I have to run it through external effect to get anything not sounding dead center.

[@schragemusik]

I bet they're not as bad as the Matrixbrute :-) This, on the other hand, sounds nice.

[@vr4ever645]

@6:00 Is "Ouf" deeper than "Oomph"?!😉

[@AGVersace100]

has it poly aftertouch?

[@gooberthoreau]

Would have referred a poly brute at or just under 1k and without the elaborate stuff that seems more like window dressing.

[@inthefade]

Literally just made the same comment. I love my microbrute, and just having patch memory would make it 10x better, but a simple synth like that with 6 note polyphony and patch memory would have been... More uh... up my alley. As in, something I could afford without selling a kidney and my first born son.

[@anthonyalexander7246]

Bass is deep but lacks organic intricacies. Compared to pro 800, or nina.

[@apache5098]

Check those ears mate.

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

What does the Matrixbrute have that this doesn't? the 3rd oscillator?

[@saifeek]

Also lot of CV in/out which this is missing.

[@Bananskuden]

Some parallel/serial options for the filters.

[@PaulGBass]

Much bigger matrix, two or more times the number of matrix buttons

[@YanivhmTube]

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

[@RadicalCaveman]

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

[@303machine]

Daniel Fisher also.

[@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.

[@markparker4362]

Super easy Numanesque soundscapes...(amongst countless other wonderful possibilities.) Morph control should be the largest knob on the synth. Can the morph be pedal controlled?

[@sonicstate]

Yep there's two expression pedal inputs

[@sub-jec-tiv]

The morphee is the biggest control on the synth... and that is normalled to the morph control.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@555atU]

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

[@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

[@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)

[@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.

[@s.kxx1956]

Very intrigued by this synth, however given the 5 octaves and the price i think this should be atleast 8 voice. I can imagine this being great for big soundscapes especially with the morphing, but i worry the 6 voices will be a limiting factor and cause voice stealing. I have an ob-6 (6 voice) and as soon as you even think of a long release sound it will voice steal and infact bypass the envelope all together.

[@SpacehotelMusic]

This is why I sold my P6 and OB-6 and bought a Prophet 10 rev 4 (over the 5) 10 is perfect! Gorgeous sound too (much better than this Polybrute imo), my Korg Prologue 16 takes care of the rest of my poly needs.

[@Andronty]

@@SpacehotelMusic Yeah, but does it MORPH?

[@MobiusVideo]

Sounds like I’ve just stepped through the gates of heaven. 😇

[@sikdrumz5752]

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

[@crosswick]

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

[@Jimbo386000]

"What a synth" - Nick Batt, 2020

[@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.

[@spazkong]

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.

[@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.

[@notsure1135]

I would buy this over the moog and get a minilogue xd

[@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.

[@Digiphex]

5:40 what is wrong with that saw? You don't see it?

[@sonicstate]

We often find that waveforms aren't perfect, there can be imperfections without it being "wrong"

[@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

[@CO5MA]

The best review :) Should I preorder..... huumm

[@CO5MA]

Trololo Inc ® already received 😍

[@jazzjeffjazzjeff]

UDO is also great! Completely different, great in unique ways!

[@PLA.net-DANTE]

@@CO5MA damn , so jealous right now...if I wouldn't save my money for the pulsar 23 , I definitely would do it for the UDO . Awesome Wavestate Patches , by the way😉

[@CO5MA]

DVTUR4 MUSIC thank you very much :) Oh my... Pulsar 23 is also on my wish list.... too much temptations...

[@marcusfreeweb]

yes :)

[@lokologico]

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

[@davebellamy4867]

There's almost too much on this synth but a lot of it is one control per function but there's a lot more too. Sounds quite irresistible to me in many places. 26:30

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!!

[@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.

[@comfysynth]

This is a really nice sounding synth with loads of capability. And Nick clearly loves it. But.... ... I think I am ever so slightly better off with my Rev 2 16 voice. The effects are obviously better on the polybrute but the Rev 2 has it all over the brute in voice count and the stability of the analog DCOs. The modulation on the Rev is almost as good and the LFO count is higher. No ribbon on the Rev though.

[@maydaygoingdown5602]

I'm really struggling to decide on this poly brute or the Rev 2. I've watched so many damm video's on them both and still can't decide. I like the tonal aspects of the Rev 2 along with those 16 voices, but I also like the sonic capabilities of the ploy brute. Just can't decide, close to just giving up on trying:).

[@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

[@jmcoffin1]

If only it supported MPE☹️. I’ve got a seaboard and I’ve preordered an Osmose , so MPE is now a must for me... otherwise it looks great! I’ll probably go with a Super 6, unless Arturia adds MPE to PolyBrute in a FW upgrade soon.

[@N-trepid1]

Not currently. Nothing official, but Arturia did respond (within 1 day I might add) to my MPE inquiry. The request has been forwarded to the development team. I was thinking the exact same thing (Super 6 cause of MPE). Going to see what Arturia does re: MPE....and what Dave Smith has up his sleeve.

[@jmcoffin1]

James Hall Thanks for the info. I am also waiting to see what Dave Smith has up his sleeve… I am hoping it’s a polyphonic version of pro 3 that supports MPE. Please post any response you get from Arturia...thanks!

[@mclarensmps]

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

[@BucF16]

I almost feel like you could have spent 20 minutes on the ribbon controller alone, except that most of us aren't even sure what we CAN do with it yet.

[@thaneco]

It has a weird buzzy noise in the background of some presets. I wonder if it’s the oscillators or some kind of weird effect

[@Sentientfx1]

Great concept and execution. It sounds a bit cleaner than the Matrixbrute to me..

[@reaktiv1408]

Seems kind of a more tamed sound overall indeed. The brute factor is more gentle sounding. I still enjoy my wild matrixbrute though! They'll compliment well I guess

[@somnaut]

Is it weird if i got excited when he said “hairy triangle?”

[@danselmix]

I think this is the first time I disagree with Nick about a synth. Anyway, the review is great (as usual).

[@anteeko]

Daniel Anselmi in what way you disagree?

[@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!

[@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.

[@davebellamy4867]

20:14 I got the exact same with my Prophet-6, only a little. It's still a little looser than the others maybe - but it's now my special voice. Calibrating the synth ten times at different temperatures or days sorted it out. On my P5 revision 2, one voice or at least one oscillator on voice 2, could be a whole semitone out, at any time.

[@ozorg]

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

[@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.

[@williamgeorgefraser]

When you consider this costs £1000 less than a Minimoog. I think I will save up and consider getting one. I just need to ask my cats if they will go on a diet.

[@fantasyproduct1042]

Eat the cats will save you the price of your own meal never mind there's ;)

[@theaudioeng]

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

[@christianthompson1473]

While nick is getting excited about this polybrute, I'm feeling the same thing about my asm hydrasynth which arrived yesterday 🙃

[@BucF16]

I'm seriously considering buying both...not either...both

[@jazzjeffjazzjeff]

Both, yes, that’s my goal as well!

[@SuchaDoofus]

The Hydrasynth is brilliant. But this... This is fucking spectacular..

[@jerrycornelius9329]

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

[@kgbinfo]

Would have been nice to have the morph control on something other than a little knob. Maybe a DJ style fader like the one on Octatrack?

[@sonicstate]

You can use the Morphee though? or the ribbon or mode wheel or anything you care to route.

[@kgbinfo]

@@sonicstate right, I wasn't thinking about controlling it with something other than the knob.

[@davidsolus9410]

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

[@symbiat0]

Arthuria just keep putting out one great thing after another, each one with great improvements. It’s a shame this costs more than the Rev2 even though that has many more voices 🤔

[@Jimbo386000]

Rev2 has more voices, but it doesn’t do the same stuff. But I see what you mean, the rev2 is a good synth. Honestly though I think I’d take this over the rev2.

[@final_mile_music9713]

I’d have this. I sold my 16 voice rev2. It was warm, but a bit characterless for me. I just didn’t get on with it. I prefer my little minilog XD.

[@symbiat0]

Andrew Hearns There’s no denying it does sound great. I DO want one but I also know it’s gonna be awhile before I can afford to buy it 😔 I have the Minilogue XD and a Microfreak.

[@julianhigginson5946]

I’ve been stalking the poly synth offerings the rev 2 is nice and classic but much more going on with this poly brute more potential- I’m going to try and not buy one 🤩

[@gnarlysoundscapes7210]

32:51 That's a great sound.