Superbooth 24: Arturia Polybrute 12 takes the original Polybrute polysynth to a new level of expressivity with more analog voices and FullTouch keyboard.
My first look video with a deep dive into the new FullTouch technology is out now
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Article From May 14th, 2024
The Polybrute is Arturia’s flagship analog Synthesizer. It was released in 2020 and was Arturia’s first analog polysynth. One of the biggest projects the team created at the time. Since the leak at the beginning of the year, it’s not longer a secret that a new Polybrute is on the horizon. It was only a matter of time before the synth was released.
The perfect moment has now come to be unveiled: Arturia is celebrating 25 years of company existence, and this week is Superbooth 24. Say hello to the new Arturia Polybrute 12.
Arturia Polybrute 12
Polybrute 12 is a new polyphonic analog Synthesizer that builds on the analog engine of the original Polybrute from 2020. Many features are well-known, but some major new ones turn the synth into a new instrument.
First, the look. The Polybrute 12 is bigger and now has five air outlets on the top. Also, the color has changed. It is moving away from gray towards beige. Or, as a press colleague said, hospital beige. This is an unusual color for a polysynth but one that stands out.
More Voices For A Set Engine
The Polybrute 12’s analog engine is 95% the same. But as the name suggests, the analog voices have increased from 6 to 12. Now, you get twice the amount of analog goodness. This also means it now hosts more filters and VCAs.
It remains a bi-timbral synth with sound morphing capability and the same voice configuration. Each voice features two analog VCOs (saw, triangle + metallizer, square) with pulse width, sub-oscillator, linear FM, and hard sync. Plus, it has a morphable noise generator.
In a dedicated mixer section, you can mix the oscillators and noise and decide how they go into the filters: 12dB/oct multimode Steiner Parker and 24dB/oct ladder filter with distortion.
The modulation engine, with its hands-on 12×32 modulation matrix, is also unchanged. It includes three multi-wave LFOs and three envelopes with looping capability.
At the end of the signal chain, Polybrute 12 also hosts the beloved stereo digital effects available in three slots: modulation, delay, and reverb. Each with various algorithms: hall, plate, spring, shimmer, BBD delay…
Yes, the 64-step polyphonic sequencer with three automation tracks and arpeggiator of the Polybrute 12 are also onboard.
Arturia Polybrute 12 FullTouch Keyboard
The photos reveal that the innovative X-Y-Z controller Morphée has also been included in the Arturia Polybrute 12. It combines pressure with position for unique multi-axis control over your sounds. Exactly like the fun, mappable ribbon controller above the keyboard.
Let’s stick with the keyboard. This is the second big highlight of the new souped-up version. Arturia incorporated a new keyboard with FullTouch technology in the Polybrute 12. More precisely, it’s a 5-octave 61-key polyphonic aftertouch keybed with three modes, extending the polyAT idea.
Besides classic monophonic and polyphonic aftertouch, P12 offers three alternative modes called FullTouch, allowing for aftertouch expression across the entire key movement range. The slightest touch (trigger) on the keyboard in these modes produces an aftertouch signal.
It is a fascinating way to create very organic sounds. Arturia says:
From the most delicate touch to dynamic forte keystrokes, this pioneering keybed gives you the ability to modulate and shape notes independently, with unparalleled sensitivity.
Polybrute 12 has 768 preset memories, including 480 ready-to-use sounds arranged in 8 banks of 96. These have been completely reworked for polyphonic aftertouch.
According to Arturia, the Polybrute Connect software, the standalone and plugin editor, has been completely revised and is now compatible with the 6 and 12 versions. You can find Polybrute’s 12 front panels here, replicated in a software editor for your DAW.
Every parameter change, either on synth or software, is mirrored by the other, allowing you to craft new sounds in every situation. Plus, it handles the preset management of the synth.
Connectivity
Finally, the connectivity on the Arturia Polybrute 12 has also remained the same. It has a stereo output, MIDI and USB I/O, analog clock I/O, and three pedal inputs (2x expression and 1 sustain). It also has an internal power supply.
First Impression
So this is the Polybrute 12. It is now official. A very powerful polyphonic analog Synthesizer. I find it exciting that they have taken the idea of polyphonic aftertouch further with these new modes. The engine is not new but has proven successful in the past four years. So why should you change them?
The 12 voices make the synth shine with an even better sound. If you need a more affordable Arturia analog poly, the Polybrute 6 stays in the market.
Arturia Polybrute 12 is available now for 3999€.
More information here: Arturia
Don’t own a polybrute but played with one and it’s a great synth. This looks interesting although not sure about the colour.
Yeah, that color is a ‘fireable’ offense! 🙂 Thankfully, I have an OG Polybrute to keep me happy. I might consider this when the Noir edition comes out. 🙂
I think it’s a great color, very unique. Kinda harkens back to the old Oberheim as which were white. There is something mysterious and vintage about the beige color.
The color is excellent!:) Once again, Arturia steps into the shoes formerly filled by Yamaha, Roland and Korg and delivers an amazing, real analog polysynth with polyAT…what?! And what a sincere disgrace that neither Americans nor Europeans can ‘assemble’ an instrument like this…never thought I’d say it, but thank you, China.
MOOG assembled in the USA. Sequential Cirquit assembled in the USA. 3rd Wave assembled in the USA. Iridium keyboard made in Europe. Quantum and Iridium made in Germany. And so on.
It is made in China for profit, not for some unique technology.
china build
euro price
Arturia is from Grenoble France. Thank you Europe!
Nice, but very expensive…