

Although I had some trouble actually getting the device to download the update, Arturia had a nice ”Help” button there, which took me to a website that had all the answers to my problems, and I was able to get things up and running within minutes. One last thing about connecting DrumBrute to the computer: as soon as I connected my machine to my iMac and launched the software, a warning greeted me that a newer Firmware version was available (apparently from about a week before the unit was even on the shelves). My recommendation is to connect your DrumBrute to the Arturia MIDI Control Center as soon as you can and go through the settings, altering whatever may improve your workflow. Everything is right there in front of you and easy to change with the click of the mouse. This opaque layer disappears when you connect the device to your computer. That said, there are certainly areas that include some hoops to jump through in order to change their settings on the hardware (I’m looking at you, metronome subdivisions). But, of course, you won’t let that happen, will you? This means that you don’t have to worry about losing all your hard beat-making work if something happens to your DrumBrute.
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One of my favorite features of the Control Center software is the ability to save and load patterns and songs, both individually and in bulk.

(But for the record, I think you’d be crazy to choose this input method over the other playing methods available.) That said, the lag is not horrible, and if you enjoy programming rhythms on your computer screen over a piece of hardware, you may want to check it out. Inputting rhythms this way, however, is not completely seamless there is a lag while the machine gets information from the computer. Not only can you tap out your beats and program them using the step buttons, but you can also click around in a sequencer on your computer display, as you may be used to in your favorite DAW. This is the third method of beat-creation I told you about earlier. Arturia have taken their years of experience making analog keyboards and controllers, and applied all that knowledge into their newest performance instrument. It feels (and looks) better than Roland’s Aria-series TR-8 nice and heavy, with knobs that feel strong, and pads that seem like they can take a beating, DrumBrute is a device that will live on a stage just as easily as in a studio. No need to affect the entire kit.įor a piece this inexpensive, one would be forgiven for thinking corners must have been cut on build quality, but that is not the case here. For example, if you want your kick to have the crunch that only a distortion pedal can give it, then simply run that one channel out to the pedal of your choice. Of course, this will go over well for studio musicians as well, but I can see this being a really excellent feature to have on stage. If you really want to get the most out of this beast in a live situation, you can run each and every instrument out to its own effect or channel on a mixer. Although they are mini-jack outs (and you’ll have to buy special cables for them), something is better than nothing. This is a feature which modern drum machines by and large tend to omit, but Arturia have proudly (and smartly) kept. You will need to read the manual!įinally, before we leave the world of DrumBrute’s features, there is one more thing to discuss: the unit has individual outputs for each sound-twelve of them, to be exact. I do wish the toms would have decay knobs as well, as I enjoy adjusting the decay of my tom drums, but this omission is not a deal breaker.Īlthough DrumBrute is a bit more difficult to master than most drum machines, the work you put into learning its inner secrets will be well-rewarded in the end. Most of them have pitch knobs, and a couple have decay. The tambourine, shaker, rim shot, congas, and toms are all really well-made percussion sounds that fit seamlessly into any mix, and work within multiple genres of music. Some of my favorite sounds in DrumBrute are the percussion (non-standard drum kit) instruments. Sure, the ”Cymbal” can make a crash cymbal sound, but it can also be adjusted to be so short as to mimic a closed hi hat sound.

It’s best if you approach the sounds with an open mind, and not worry about following the labeling on the unit so much.

After playing with DrumBrute for a few days, what I came to love is just how versatile this machine is.
