At SynthFest France 2025, I interviewed Yves Usson (Yusynth), the creator of the Arturia Brute synthesizers MiniBrute I and Microbrute.
The French company Arturia began as a software company and published Storm in 2003, their first title. This was followed by synthesizer plugins such as the Modular V.
They took their first steps into the hardware synth world with the Origin in 2009, which failed to take off. Their first analog synthesizers, the Minibrute and Microbrute, were more successful, however.
Since Arturia had no experience with analog technology up to this point, they collaborated with French developer and analog synth expert Yves Usson (Yusynth). He designed the circuitry for the MiniBrute 1 (2012) and later the MicroBrute (2014) for the company.
Yves Usson Interview
At SynthFest France 2025, which was a few months ago now, I met Yves Usson for an interview. We talked about his beginnings, synth developments, and the history behind the first Arturia Brute synthesizers.
He provided insights into the development of these synthesizers, including the specifications Arturia created and the unique features of the Brute synths.
We also discussed the excellent hacks available on his second website, “Hack A Brute”. You can, for example, turn the MiniBrute 1 arpeggiator into a sequencer with a simple SySex message.
As an extra interview goodie, he explains how to solve the well-known sticky problem of the Minibrute/Microbrute series.
More information here: Yusynth/ Hack A Brute / Arturia
love my microbrute in babyblue.
Ordered one of the New Limited full black ones.