One of the best synths money can buy. Hugely expressive PolyBrute engine expands to 12 voices with the same beguiling combination of FullTouch keyboard, Morphee control and ribbon strip. Immense

Supplier's Notes:
Unleashing the full power of PolyBrute

Continuing the legacy of its predecessor as one of the most powerful and expressive analogue synths ever made, PolyBrute 12 goes a step further.

A multi-faceted tool for musical expression, PolyBrute 12 lets you seamlessly evolve and control any parameters while playing. The input-perfect sensitivity of the keyboard, the bi-timbral morphing presets, the multi-axis Morphee controller, the Ribbon controller - all work in perfect harmony so you can breathe vitality and intricate dynamics into your sound.

PolyBrute's in-the-moment sonic display would not be possible without the raw energy of its Brute oscillators and dual enhanced classic filters. This, combined with its intuitive interface, elegant modulation Matrix and advanced software companion make PolyBrute 12 a synth for the ages - a matrimony of Brute force and human touch.

Full touch, full control

Discover a next-generation keybed and new aftertouch modes that bring you into a direct and tactile connection with your sound.

PolyBrute's patented FullTouch keyboard provides the exact position of every key across the entire range of movement. This not only allows for precise and dynamic aftertouch expression but it also puts versatility at PolyBrute's core - allowing you to go from regular playing modes to exceptional aftertouch and envelope control at the touch of a button.

You can also use PolyBrute 12 to control any MPE-compatible VST. If you don't have a MPE compatible DAW, you can still record expressively using MIDI 1.0, although at a lower resolution.

Mono Aftertouch

In this mode, the note is triggered by regular keyboard velocity and the classic aftertouch area corresponds to an assignable aftertouch signal, where all the voices receive the same level and amount of expression. Great for applying a unified modulation effect to a chord or phrase.

Morph between sonic worlds

Seamlessly blend from one patch to another and find that perfect middle ground

Each preset is made up of two sonic states, A & B. A dedicated Morph knob lets you seamlessly explore a continuum of sound between them. This, combined with the Morphee controller and PolyBrute's keyboard, paves the way for endless patch evolution and expressivity.

Analogue heart, seismic sound

PolyBrute's sound begins with two analogue VCOs sharing much of the same sonic architecture that has made the Brute family renowned.

Each oscillator generates sawtooth, triangle and square waves simultaneously, and you can mix between them to shape just the right signal source and timbre.

Dial in VCO 1's Metalizer wavefolding to escalate from pure to punchy. Bring in VCO 2's sub-oscillator to add an extra lower octave and some added rumble.

Dial in edgy FM effects by modulating VCO 1's frequency with VCO 2, or subtly alter a continuous range of harmonics with soft or hard sync.

1 VCF 1 Steiner

A 2-pole 12db / octave Steiner filter design with continuous sweepable slope types, as seen across the Brute range. The addition of the proprietary Brute Factor feedback control lets you add anything from subtle warmth to a electrified growl.

2 VCF 1 Ladder

Inspired by Dr. Bob Moog's legendary 4-pole 24db / octave ladder design. A low-pass classic, with added gain compensation and asymmetrical distortion to add upfront grit to your polyphonic patches.

Modern modulation sources

Modulation has always been essential in animating synth sounds.

PolyBrute weaves a web of envelopes and LFOs that's intricate and unpredictable in equal measure - a dynamic display of sonic motion.

Three Envelope Generators

PolyBrute's VCF and VCA have velocity-sensitive ADSR envelopes hardwired outside the Matrix for instant gratification. The third Envelope Generator features a delay stage (DADSR) and can be assigned to sculpt any Matrix modulation targets. Use the various repeat and loop modes to add complex movement to your patches.

Three Envelope Generators

PolyBrute's VCF and VCA have velocity-sensitive ADSR envelopes hardwired outside the Matrix for instant gratification. The third Envelope Generator features a delay stage (DADSR) and can be assigned to sculpt any Matrix modulation targets. Use the various repeat and loop modes to add complex movement to your patches.

Three LFOs

PolyBrute's three syncable LFOs span an extremely wide range - facilitating anything from beautiful evolving soundscapes to clangorous audio-range modulation. Options for waveshaping, polarity and retriggering let you take your sound way outside the box. Experiment with Matrix routing and tempo / MIDI sync for hyper-rhythmic effects.

Enter the matrix

The flexibility of modular patching combined with digital precision and analogue richness makes for a transcendent polysynth experience.

32 target parameters, 64 connections in total. Rearrange PolyBrute's signal chain with the touch of a single button. Dial in positive or negative amounts, intuitively assign one or more destinations via any relevant controls, instantly route PolyBrute's array of performance controllers and advanced modulation sources to influence just about anything in the instrument's chain - all without a convoluted array of wires.

But the Matrix doesn't just take care of PolyBrute's all-encompassing modulation routing - it's the centrepiece of every aspect of its architecture. In Presets mode, use the Matrix to select any of the 768 patch memory locations. Morph mode accesses advanced morph state editing. Sequencer mode transforms the Matrix into an intuitive visual pattern editor.

Main Features

61-keys with FullTouchr MPE Technology keyboard
Pitch Bend, Mod Wheel, Ribbon controllers
Morphee touch and pressure sensitive 3D controller
Osc and Noise Mixer with Filter routing
12dB / Oct Steiner Parker Filter

Continuous LP>Notch>HP>BP morphing
Cutoff, Resonance, Brute Factor

24dB / Oct Ladder Filter with Distortion
Three Envelopes
Looping capability
Two ADSR
One DADSR
Three stereo digital effects
Modulation FX : Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, Ring Modulation
Delay : 9 algorithms including BBD, Digital delay
Reverb : 9 algorithms including Hall, Plate, Spring, Shimmer
Distortions : Subtle Tape, Classic Distortion, Soft Clip, Worn Out Tape, Germanium, BitCrusher, DownSampler
Arpeggiator, Matrix Arpeggiator, Sequencer
Stereo audio output
2 expression and 1 sustain pedal inputs
Two Analogue VCO's
Saw
Triangle + Metalizer
Square + Pulse Width
Sub
Linear FM
Hard Sync
Noise Generator
Continuous tone from rumble noise to white noise
Three LFOs
LFO1 and LFO2 with waveform selection
LFO3 with waveform shaping using Shape and Symmetry
Rate control & Tempo Sync
Various retrig options
480 presets and 768 preset slots
12x32 Modulation Matrix
Notes, Accent, Slide per step
3 tracks of automation
MIDI and USB I / O + analogue clock I / O

Platform specifications

Windows
Win 10+ (64bit)
4 GB RAM
4 cores CPU, 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo-boost)
3GB free hard disk space
OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
ARM processors not supported on Windows

Apple
Mac OS 11+
4 GB RAM
4 cores CPU, 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo-boost) or M1 CPU
3GB free hard disk space
OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU

Required configuration
Works in Standalone, VST, AAX, Audio Unit.

Work with ASC
An elegant and simple solution to help you install, activate, and update your Arturia software instruments.

What's in the box

Box content

PolyBrute 12 Unit
Power Cord
User Manual
Registration Card

Instrument dimensions
Size : 38.3 x 17.1 x 6.1 inches (972 x 435 x 156mm)
Weight : 50.7lbs (23kg)