Arturia minibrute, User Manual

Page 1: ...USER S MANUAL Arturia MiniBrute User s Manual 1 ...

Page 2: ...ual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on behalf of ARTURIA The hardware unit and the software product described in this manual are provided under the terms of a license agreement or non disclosure agreement The license agreement specifies the terms and conditions for its lawful use No part of this manual may be produced or transmitted in any form or by any pur...

Page 3: ...lter 23 4 1 3 2 Filter types Low pass Band pass High pass and Notch 23 4 1 3 3 Resonance or emphasis 25 4 1 4 Amplifier 25 4 1 5 Modulators 26 4 1 6 Player interface 27 4 1 7 Inputs and outputs 28 4 1 8 MiniBrute diagram 29 4 2 Front Panel 30 4 2 1 The oscillator and its signal mixer 30 4 2 1 1 The waveforms 30 Saw and Ultrasaw 30 Square and Modulated Pulse 30 Triangle and Metalizer 31 The sub osc...

Page 4: ...8 3 Octave 40 4 2 8 4 Brute Factor 40 4 2 8 5 Phones 40 4 2 8 6 Master Volume 40 4 2 8 7 Fine Tune 41 4 3 Rear panel 41 4 3 1 Power supply 41 4 3 2 USB 41 4 3 3 MIDI 41 4 3 4 Gate Source 42 4 3 5 AUDIO 42 4 3 6 CV GATE IN 42 4 3 7 CV GATE OUT 42 4 4 Configuration software MiniBrute Connection 43 5 Using your MiniBrute 44 5 1 Let s create a basic sound 44 5 2 Sound modulations 46 5 3 External sound...

Page 5: ...RIA has received acclaim from players and reviewers alike for designing state of the art software emulations of the venerable analog synthesizers from the 1960s to the 1980s From the Moog Modular V back in 2004 to Origin a modular system of a new generation that we introduced in 2010 from Analog Factory Experience the first hybrid synthesizer ever debuted in 2008 to the Oberheim SEM V released at ...

Page 6: ...ose work spans three decades Besides being a talented researcher in bio molecular microscopy his clones of the Moog modules as well as ARP or EMS and own designs are highly renowned in the modular world and continuously produced under license by specialty manufacturers What s more he s always willing to share his considerable experience and pass along his knowledge to others All his schematics sta...

Page 7: ...ire in designing innovative musical instruments and Yves deep knowledge and experience the MiniBrute analog synthesizer has its roots in the 1970s yet incorporates the best of the 21st century The ARTURIA MiniBrute analog synthesizer Arturia MiniBrute User s Manual 7 1 Introduction ...

Page 8: ...tivity and the experience of playing an instrument that is fun physical inspiring and satisfying What s more with its compact 25 key keybed MiniBrute is ideal for the mobile and desktop musician Not only will it give you solid basses amazing effects and screaming leads but give you sounds no other synth on this planet can make As everyone knows analog synthesizers are expensive to produce But what...

Page 9: ...serve all safety markings and instructions that accompany the accessory products SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE The information contained in this manual is believed to be correct at the time of printing However ARTURIA reserves the right to change or modify any of the specifications without notice or obligation to update existing units IMPORTANT Always follow the basic precautions listed below t...

Page 10: ...s or vents of the instrument these locations are used for ventilation to prevent the instrument from overheating Do not place the instrument near a heat vent or any place of poor air circulation Use only the provided AC adapter as specified by ARTURIA see chapter 4 3 1 for more details Make sure the line voltage in your location matches the input voltage specified on the AC power adapter Do not op...

Page 11: ... to the section My Registered Products and add the MiniBrute synthesizer by entering its serial number as printed on the sticker located under the machine 2 3 Connecting the MiniBrute to the World Always power off all audio gear before making any connections Failing to do so may damage your speakers the MiniBrute synthesizer or other audio equipment After completing all connections set all levels ...

Page 12: ...ernal 2 1 mm external 5 5 mm 2 4 Warm Up and General Tuning As with all other true analog synthesizers after being powered on the MiniBrute needs a warm up period of approximately five to ten minutes The allows reaching a stable operating temperature which insures accurate oscillator pitch Warm up time depends on the external temperature a colder ambiance will require longer Arturia MiniBrute User...

Page 13: ...e desired pitch The MiniBrute has been designed for rock solid pitch stability when operated in normal temperature and humidity conditions at external temperatures between 20 C and 32 C in temperate areas In practice the MiniBrute provides satisfactory operation over a much wider temperature range although extreme external temperatures or fluctuations can lead to longer stabilization time or errat...

Page 14: ...rols with and as well as Fine Tune Set the rear panel Gate Source switch to the KBD position see chapter 4 3 4 Set the FILTER section s Mode switch to LP and the ENV Speed switch to Fast Set the CONTROL section s Aftertouch switch to Off and MOD Wheel to Vibrato Set the VIBRATO switch to the position Set the LFO section s Clock switch to the Free position Set the ARPEGGIATOR section s Hold On Off ...

Page 15: ...heel this will add some vibrato to the sound Return the Modulation Wheel to minimum position Set the CONTROL section s Aftertouch switch to the Vibrato position Now play the keyboard and when a key is down press down on it further This triggers vibrato modulation on the note you re holding so you can add expressiveness to your playing Raise the Sub Osc switch to the position and the Octave to the ...

Page 16: ... changing the other parameters Attack Decay Release we can control how the sound fades in sustains and fades out Increase the AMPLIFICATION ENVELOPE section s Attack slider to its middle position then press a key Now the sound rises slowly up to the sustain level As soon as you release the key the sound stops abruptly Raise the Release slider and the sound will fade out to its minimum level when y...

Page 17: ...the slider you ll hear short percussive sounds Now that we ve covered amplification envelope basics let s check out something even more fun 3 4 Meet the LFO Once again in the AMPLIFICATION ENVELOPE section raise the Decay slider to maximum and set the other envelope sliders to minimum In the FILTER section set the Cutoff and the Resonance knobs to their middle positions and set the Mode selector o...

Page 18: ...tuate it Be cautious you ve just entered the Dubstep realm 3 5 Create arpeggiated sequences While still in the LFO section set the Clock switch on Arpeg The Rate red LED should now blink at the same tempo as the Tempo in the ARPEGGIATOR section as both clocks are now synchronized Now in the ARPEGGIATOR section set the Hold On Off switch to Hold Here s an overview of the patch Arturia MiniBrute Use...

Page 19: ...g tweak the Octave knob to extend the octave span also tweak the Mode knob to alter the arpeggio s direction In this chapter you ve been introduced to just a few of the MiniBrute s sonic possibilities But there s much more in the following chapters we ll cover Complete details of the different sections that make up this fantastic instrument More tips on how to use these elements to build you very ...

Page 20: ...tors 4 1 1 1 Pitched signal generator oscillators This device also called an oscillator produces an electronic signal characterized by a repetitive shaped pattern called a waveform The number of times this pattern repeats in a second determines the signal s frequency which determines its pitch For example a pattern that repeats every 2 27ms corresponds to a fundamental frequency of 440 cycles per ...

Page 21: ...ms PWM Ultrasaw 4 1 1 2 Unpitched signal generator Unlike the previous category an unpitched signal generator also called noise generator has no regular periodic pattern the signal s amplitude is always changing randomly Therefore it has no fundamental frequency hence no pitch and its harmonic spectrum consists of a nearly infinite number of frequencies that have no harmonic relationship Such sign...

Page 22: ...tween the time the waveform is at maximum or minimum The square wave corresponds to a 50 PW The pulse width can be set over a wide range 50 to 90 making it possible to create a wide variety of woodwind instruments The Metalizer takes the basic triangular waveform and warps folds it to create very complex jagged waveforms that are rich in high harmonics This results in metallic pitched sounds that ...

Page 23: ...nses In the MiniBrute the filter can operate either as a low pass filter a band pass filter a high pass filter or a notch filter In low pass mode the spectral contents below a given cutoff frequency shortened to cutoff remain unchanged while partials above the cutoff are attenuated The attenuation is a function of the frequency where the higher the partial frequency the greater the attenuation In ...

Page 24: ...d strongly In high pass mode partials above the cutoff frequency remain unchanged while the partials below the cutoff are attenuated In notch mode or rejection filter the cutoff frequency becomes a band s center frequency partials within this band are attenuated while partials above and below this band remain unchanged Arturia MiniBrute User s Manual 24 4 General description ...

Page 25: ... creating a peak in the spectral response This parameter can be increased up to a point where the filters no longer acts like a mere filter but starts to oscillate on its own 4 1 4 Amplifier The amplifier generally follows the filter and determines the signal s overall amplitude Its gain is controllable through various modulation sources such as an LFO envelope generator or some kind of external c...

Page 26: ...e various waveforms at sub audio frequencies 0 05Hz up to 100Hz In general the waveform options are sine sawtooth square random steps and random waves These waves amount and polarity i e whether they go positive or negative can be controlled before being fed to the target devices Contrary to an LFO an envelope generator or ADSR generator for Attack Decay Sustain Release does not provide a repeatin...

Page 27: ...veness Aftertouch generates a signal that corresponds to how hard you press on a key after it s down You can use this signal to modulate vibrato filter cutoff and other parameters Velocity corresponds to the dynamics of your playing and similarly to aftertouch can modulate multiple parameters Transposition allows shifting the keyboard s note range over six octaves The pitch bend wheel allows addin...

Page 28: ...evices like an analog step sequencer or MIDI controller e g a MIDI drum pad or wind controller or even audio signals from an external sound source such as a microphone or electric guitar The means to control other instruments or be controlled by other instruments is provided by the collection of inputs and outputs such as MIDI in and out an external audio input and CV and GATE inputs and outputs A...

Page 29: ...4 1 8 MiniBrute diagram Arturia MiniBrute User s Manual 29 4 General description ...

Page 30: ...lain saw that are independently phase shifted using their own LFO The phase shift of one copy is modulated at a constant rate 1Hz while the second copy s phase shift modulation rate can be controlled with the Ultrasaw Rate knob from a rate of 0 1Hz tick 0 for slow beating frequency effects to 1Hz tick 13 for chorus like effects to 3Hz tick 15 for house like supersaw effects and up to 10Hz tick 18 ...

Page 31: ...Wave switch selects the sub oscillator s waveshape which can be either a square wave grinding sub bass sounds or a sine wave deep mellow sub bass sounds The Octave switch sets the sub bass to either one octave 1 or two octaves 2 below the oscillator s pitch Noise The signal mixer also provides the control of other signals which aren t generated by the Oscillator The Noise slider potentiometer adju...

Page 32: ...adjust a sound s brightness As an exercise set all the oscillator mixer slider potentiometers to 0 lowest position Adjust the NOISE generator slider to midrange then set all the filter envelope 4 2 2 7 and amplifier envelope 4 2 3 1 sliders to 0 Move the amplifier envelope SUSTAIN slider to its highest position Set the filter mode to LP turn the ENV Amt knob 4 2 2 4 to 12 o clock and set KBD Track...

Page 33: ...ow mode the ADSR curves can be very slow making them suitable for slow evolving sounds like pads 4 2 2 7 Filter Envelope In normal mode the Filter envelope is triggered by the keyboard GATE signal It can also be triggered by other GATE sources such as the Arpeggiator clock 4 2 7 or the rear panel s external GATE IN jack 4 3 6 Note that depending on the position of the GATE Source switch located on...

Page 34: ...ts the duration of the envelope s first stage Depending on the filter section s ENV Speed switch 4 2 2 6 the Attack time ranges from 1ms to 1s or from 10ms to 10s The Decay slider sets the duration of the envelope s second stage Depending on the filter section s ENV Speed switch 4 2 2 6 the Decay time ranges from 1ms to 1s or from 10ms to 10s The Sustain slider sets the level of the envelope s sus...

Page 35: ...es for the pitch to glide from one note to another when notes are played on the keyboard or by the Arpeggiator With this knob fully counter clockwise there is no glide and the note pitch transitions instantly to the next note Turning this knob clockwise increases the portamento effect At the maximum setting it takes approximately 4s to glide from the lowest C of the MiniBrute keyboard to the highe...

Page 36: ...et to Arpeg see below 4 2 6 3 Clock The Clock switch sets the LFO rate s operating mode It can be slaved to the arpeggiator tempo clock Arpeg or set to Free mode i e the LFO rate depends solely on the Rate knob setting 4 2 6 4 Modulation routing PWM Metalizer The PWM Metalizer knob controls the amplitude and polarity of the LFO signal that modulates the oscillator pulse wave Pulse Width and the Me...

Page 37: ...lockwise below the 0 mark the Amp knob sends an increasing amount of the inverted LFO signal When turned clockwise beyond the 0 mark the Amp knob sends an increasing amount of the normal LFO signal 4 2 7 Arpeggiator The arpeggiator offers a way to sequence notes that are played on the keyboard It can create simple arpeggio patterns as well as complex intertwined patterns 4 2 7 1 Hold On Off The Ho...

Page 38: ...4 2 7 4 Swing The Swing switch sets the swing amount applied to every even note in the arpeggio from a strictly mechanical groove to one that s totally off the tempo 6 positions are selectable with swing values varying from 50 position 1 to 75 position 6 4 2 7 5 Step The step selector defines the tempo subdivisions to be used 1 4 quarter note or one note on each step 1 8 eighth note or 2 notes per...

Page 39: ...The current Tempo knob position represents the MIDI defined general tempo moving the knob increases or decreases tempo MIDI clock control resumes if you release the Tap pad so the MiniBrute immediately gets back in sync with the general groove 4 2 8 General controls 4 2 8 1 Keyboard The MiniBrute keyboard covers a two octave range which can be extended using the Octave Down Up buttons 4 2 8 3 The ...

Page 40: ...synthesizer that connected the headphone output to the external audio input The result is a kind of feedback loop that s ideal for raspy and grungy sounds This patch has been implemented internally to the MiniBrute and is controlled by the Brute Factor knob This knob s normal position is fully counter clockwise which disables the Brute Factor turning up the knob gradually adds distortion to the so...

Page 41: ...e power on off 4 3 2 USB The USB outlet interfaces with a personal computer It can be used for MIDI communication as well as editing some of the synthesizer internal parameters such as MIDI channel or velocity curves or updating the arpeggiator firmware through the MiniBrute Connection software 4 4 4 3 3 MIDI The MIDI Out and In jacks let your MiniBrute communicate with other MIDI devices The Mini...

Page 42: ...io cable to an audio mixer a computer s sound card or directly to an audio amplifier The Master Volume knob 4 2 8 6 controls the output level You can connect any audio source synthesizer pre amplified guitar output of a mixer etc to the AUDIO In jack and process the incoming signal with the MiniBrute filter and amplifier The AUDIO In signal can also trigger the MiniBrute envelopes if you select Au...

Page 43: ... synthesizer comes with a software allowing various configuration tasks such as Global settings MIDI channel selection Velocity curve selection Aftertouch curve selection Audio Input gain selection LFO re triggering Play mode Legato activation Arpeggiator mode Maintenance Firmware update The MiniBrute Connection software and its dedicated User s Manual are freely downloadable from the ARTURIA webs...

Page 44: ...sound As shown below turn the Ultrasaw Amt fully clockwise This transforms the sound as if there were two or three slightly detuned oscillators which creates a slow beating effect where the oscillators interact with each other Now turn the Ultrasaw Rate knob fully counter clockwise the beating becomes very slow and creates a slow sweep Push the OCTAVE Down button once to obtain very deep lively br...

Page 45: ...wn below As you turn up the knob the sound becomes richer by adding more partials and evokes metallic sounds like metal plates or metal strings The sound acquires a clangorous nature but remains in tune Try out various settings of the Metalizer knob Next let s control the harmonic content of these basic pitched waveforms by using the filter Return to our initialized sound as shown at the start of ...

Page 46: ...at unless you want to produce weird space sound FX For more pronounced modulation effects we ll use the LFO which provides six different modulation waveforms These waveforms can modulate most of the other MiniBrute sections the PWM and Metalizer oscillator pitch filter cutoff and eventually the sound s amplitude Let s have fun modulating the OSCILLATOR pitch Set all sliders pots and switches as sh...

Page 47: ...t the OSCILLATOR MIXER s Audio In slider to the desired level When using an external audio input select a GATE Source setting that corresponds to how you want to process the external source To trigger the envelopes with the keyboard set the GATE Source switch on the MiniBrute s rear panel to the KBD position To hear the external source continuously and process it select the Hold position To trigge...

Page 48: ...nted by the FCC to use the product IMPORTANT When connecting this product to accessories and or another product use only high quality shielded cables Cable s supplied with this product MUST be used Follow all installation instructions Failure to follow instructions could void your FFC authorization to use this product in the USA NOTE This product has been tested and found to comply with the limit ...

Page 49: ...distribute this type of product If you cannot locate the appropriate retailer please contact ARTURIA The above statements apply ONLY to those products distributed in the USA 6 3 Canada NOTICE This class B digital apparatus meets all the requirements of the Canadian Interference Causing Equipment Regulation AVIS Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le...