My husband bought the PB and didn’t like it. I’m a church keyboardist, and I prefer workstations until I started to play with the PB. This synth has taught me so much about sound design and I’ve purchased a Sub37 and Peak since then. It’s still my go to synth. When I play it in church, I’ve always get the one person after church asking me about ‘that sound’ I was playing. Love your channel.
Subbed. 10th polybrute video in a row and you are the first person not just babbling on about irrelevant stuff and you’re actually making the synth sound amazing. Keep up the great work 🎉
I have a PB and it's currently my favorite synth...I literally go to it daily. The P6 is a great synth as well. So weird how there are consumers waring and insulting over brands of synths, Groove boxes, etc... If you are one of these people evaluate your life.
TBH, I always see this. I bought Microfreak last year and saw so much hate for it on the internet, I myself started hating it and all I saw is flaws (They do get in your head). Once I learned how to deeply use and manipulate the Matrix, I just wouldn't believe how lazy and stupid some people are. This thing blew me away. I made Jupiter & Juno patches myself on a Microfreak!! not sample based, but based on Microfreak oscillators and Matrix. Polybrute is on another level.
I think people who don't like the Polybrute are similar to the folks who don't like the Moog One. They both don't try to emulate our favorite synths of yesteryear. Instead, they offer a new direction built on just enough familiarity to allow us to journey into some new sonic territory.
It’s all snobbery. It’s like a cult. Only vintage recreations are apparently worth our time and money. And that’s nonsense. I have a Prophet 10 for vintage and then a Polybrute and Moog One for more experimentation.
Or maybe they just don’t like the sound of it! It doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with snobbery. I think it’s a great synth but why read anything much into any of it?
@@kingtrance307 it’s the whole digital vs analog nonsense that makes me think of snobbery. It’s like the only thing that’s worth our time is something that sounds like the 80’s. It reminds me of cork sniffers.
I own this synth. I love this synth. The gainstaging alone with the drive on the ladder and brute factor on the steiner, already made it (somehow) rival Sub 37... but in a six voice. Being able to record the morphie pad is mind blowing. That is some functionality that I hadn't even discovered yet. Well done, and thank you for pointing that out!
Very interesting comparison. I am a scientist and P12 owner considering the Polybrute as well. Here to learn from this beautiful channel, not testing my opinion. Very much appreciated 👍Don't let negative thoughts influence you💪
As a P12 and Polybrute owner I can assure you they fill different sonic spaces and compliment each other beautifully. I expected to replace the P12 with the Polybrute but there's no way as they just sound very different to each other ... but the two together is as addictive as crack cocaine ... I've had the P12 for nearly 9 years now and was starting to become a little jaded as I'd done all I could with it, but the PB reignited my love for the P12, they're the perfect combination.
Surely the true value of a synthesiser is it's ability to give the user as many instant sonic flavours as possible. A piece of paper and pallette that allows you to paint anything you can feel and dream up. Does it inspire you every time you switch it on and lead you to new places on every journey. I owned a Jupiter 8 in the 80's and the adrenalin flowed every time I looked at it let alone played it. The Polybrute and the Hydrasynth Deluxe are really giving me that same vibe and hopefully I'll get a chance to play them and possibly buy one of them soon. 😎
@@JamesonNathanJones oh, yes, that's what I was referring to! loved your example there with the pad controller... bananas inspiration, so many possibilities... now I want one, dammit
Motion record makes it a 4 dimensional -synth- , edit: modworld. X, Y, Z, and, a slice of Time. But, they need more, and longer, Motion tracks. A DAW could do that of course, if set up correctly.
Well done. I am still exploring my new PolyBrute. I think that using the touch controllers as a sort of variable state gate switch may not be a SUPERpower, but it's definitely a power and it was cool to me that you seem to have noticed that too. During the comparison video, which I think was fair, there were some places where I said "wow okay, the prophet sounds phenomenal" but then shortly afterward I said "well... shoot the Brute sounds fantastic too; it doesn't sound -bad- in comparison to the prophet, just different." Great vid
I love the Polybrute I’ve had mine for a while now. It sounds so much better in person, it’s like TH-cam compression and audio sucks the life out of the sound. It’s extremely expressive. He didn’t even get into the vintage options on the synth which can give it even more character.
Agreed; there's so much to it a video could run an entire series. The vintage modes as well as the EQ curves from the most recent update are also good at helping to shape the overall sound to more closely match vintage instruments.
What an amazing instrument! I can see that it is just scratching the surface of what you can do with it. Very musical and expressive. This shows that interface design is so crucial and defines the our interaction with instrument! If this was done with a lot of menu diving and a few knobs, with the same synthesis possibilities - it wouldn't be fun. Thank you!
I have all three,,, Pro 3, Polybrute, and P-6... Thank God these are not clones of each other.. Is one better than the other???? I think if you have to ask that question, your understanding of what makes something special is your lack of acceptance of differences... Being different is a great thing.. Great video. Good demo.
Your videos are great, hope to binge watch most of them soon (on a snow or sick day). I wanted a Polybrute, I think it is a great value. If it had a one wavetable oscillator and the front panel tilted like the Matrixbrute, I would have done it. Honestly decided on Hydrasynth Deluxe on sale for $1500, it's all digital, has insane mod-matrix and 6 octave poly-aftertouch and ribbon to control GX-80.
The PolyBrute is fkn amazing! It’s just a ‘what if…’ dream, and really fun. For making music, it’s good, but there’s a lot of competition (Prophet 6, Super Six, Jupiter XM, etc)… but for synthesis/sound design for the sake/fun of it, the PolyBrute is in a class all of its own. You can do similar things with softsynths, but it’s analog nature and hands-on feel is untouchable.
Really enjoyed this video and the comparison between the polybrute and the prpphet 6. Whilst the prophet 6 sounds great, its lack of modulation abilities next to the poly, for myself, makes it far less attractice than the brute. Very thoughtful and well put together comparison. I really value the level headed approach you brought to this discussion
That grid really caught my attention on both the MatrixBrute and the PolyBrute, I thought what can be more cool. Then I found the Sequential Pro 3. It has a mod matrix, but you can't see it because it's even more intuitive. But with the PolyVrute, you can see how everything is mapped when opening up a preset and seeing exactly how it works. On the Pro 3, I have to menu dive to find those mod settings. But doing those on the Pro 3 is just so easy, can to them quickly while playing live, in the dark, barely looking at the synthesizer.
Your knowledge of the modulation is impressive, I think you are one of a few TH-camrs that would be able to create a complete guide to using this increadable synth, along with how to use the sequencer and ARP, I have tried but failed to grasp syncronising the arp to studio one, seems there is no information anywhere on such a seemingly simple function, this synth is very under represented in terms of helpful tutorials, this one is great but a more useful one for me would be showing at a more basic level as how and why certain functions can be modulated, I know I am asking a lot but hey, you have the knowledge and are good at teaching as well, just thought I would make a request, Cheers Jameson. Thanks again for this gem.
I think the realm of possibilities with the PolyBrute is incredible. I anticipate a steep learning curve for me, but one very much worth the time and patience.
I just got pb 12, love it. It has a great sound for the work i am doing. Appreciate the vid still havent dug into the matrix yet. But this gets me more excited to do so. I really just wanted mpe analog. Everything else is icing
Thanks. Good video, from which we can actually learn, while having a laugh. Compared to this exact same video, I think this one is your best. Love my Polybrute, an infinite playground for the synth newbie I am.
IMO, the polybrute and the expressive e osmose are two of the most groundbreaking synthesizers in the past decade, a huge part of that being their expressive interfaces. There’s a LOT to be said for that. (Just read about how the expressive interface on the yamaha cs-80 was received by and influenced Vangelis, one of the most influential synthesists of all time). I’m a proud prophet 5 rev 4 owner, its an absolutely beautiful and incredible sounding synth. However, there’s ALOT it can’t do, and synths like the polybrute fill in the gaps left by vintage synths.
Thanks for a great tutorial. Always subscribe to guys like you doing a service to the general synth community.👍 I’ve said before the Polybrute is greater than the sum of its parts. Not as fat as my Matrixbrute but perfect in the mix. And the randomiser is incredible! One I got was a detuned honky tonk piano like sound that morphed into a cello and to a fat bass. All in the one patch! Rock on.💪
I didn't have an analogue polysynth so I compared all of the analogue polysynths I could find before buying one. I didn't realise until this video that that was internet controversial. That synth has been missing in the post since Monday by the way. It's not playing on my mind or anything. I'm definitely totally chill with that situation
@@simonrigby2776 Nope! Still waiting! Still waiting... From what I can tell, it hasn't actually gone missing, but the delivery company is only contactable throught the shop I bought the thing from. There has been a lot of "your parcel is out for delivery" from the couriers, but it always ends with "Oh, you weren't in" or... nothing. Then I look at the log and find that my driver's name was "Dummy Driver" or the picture of the delivery attempt was a terraced house when I live in the countryside. TLDR, same as last week, but maybe slightly less chill, all told
I've enjoyed your commentary on many of the synths I've heard you talk about. Especially about the Prophet 12. However knowing what you said about the P-12 being digital and analog you understand the limitations of analog. However for the most part I haven't heard you say too many nice things about the Polybrute. The PolyBrute is analog and what it can do being analog is incredible! You have a few videos dealing with the Polybrute. Even when you have something good to say about it, you still sound like the compliments are forced.
I had a Polybrute, traded it in for my Prophet 6. The experience was soured for me when I tried to connect it to the Polybrute Connect program and the synth kept freezing up. Thomann told me it wasnt a faulty unit, and Arturia told me they knew about the issue but didn't understand why it happened. I was told to just wait for a bugfix essentially. Sold it and bought a prophet 6 again.
I loved the Polybrute for the exact same reason you did. And I love the P6 for the same reason you do. In the end I sold the poly and kept the P6 because with the polybrute I mostly ended up making patches and not really recording music, which is what I like to do. With the P6 I usually end up quite quickly with something song worhty. Seeing the polybrute now though, I'm kinda missing it. Would love to just fiddle around with it again
I get it. Some people want sweet spot machines with nothing BUT sweet spots and the sweetest sweetness available. And if you're one of those people, that's fine. But exploration is ALSO a huge part of synthesis, so maybe when that's the aspect up for discussion, let it happen.
In my opinion the DS OB-6 is better than the Prophet 6. I spent a lot of time deciding between the two, and chose the DS OB-6. But I also own the Polybrute, and in my opinion, the Polybrute is 3 fold more versatile, more straight forward to use, and easier to do a deep dive. And that versatility inspires me to write. It's really that simple. I'm probably going to get an OB X8, and the DS OB-6 will obviously be the gear I sell to get it, for what I think are clear reasons. The OB is fatter than the Polybrute, but you generally have to lose some of the bottom to fit it into the mix otherwise it takes over. This idea that the Polybrute sounds like crap is complete wrong. People that say that probably don't own either one.
It doesn’t sound bad, but the other synths you mentioned have a more characterful & pleasing tone to my ear. (Not concerned about things being too fat) I am not that concerned with deep mod matrices.
Schmidt, Solaris, and Moog One all have the strongest raw sound quality, and each has incredible modulation options beyond that. But starting with quality sound is always better...
I’m pretty sure can actually get your first Polybrute polymode LFO example to work on the prophet 6 by sacrificing an oscillator and using it as an square shaped LFO affecting the pitch on the Prophet
My only issue I've got with the PolyBrute is that I can't turn down the strength of the LEDs. When I'm sitting in my studio at night with the lights dimmed, it's super hard to see the small rings next to some of the buttons indicating there's a sub menu to explore... Apart from that, it's a marvellous synth and the VST integration makes it very versatile to use in the DAW too.
Wait... so I could FM modulate the Morph dial, right? Muahaha! (So, um yea, this thing is def on my, "If I can manage to afford it." list.) One of my favorite simple patches on my Pro3 is my "FM the Shape" patch. Only Osc1 is up the mix, shape modulated from Osc2. [My first intro to mod matrices was the ESQ-1. I miss that thing.]
Well, kind of…. It’s worth noting that unlike the Pro3, you can’t set custom mod sources, only destinations. The sources are fixed along the left side of the matrix. You could use one of the lfos at audio rates to modulate the morph knob though.
Aw... so it just dropped back off of my "buy" list... Can you not do an "Env Amt >> +08 >> Env Decay" to get a curve? One of my favorite controls.. Bummer [Edit4:] Though you could maybe use a down-sloping note-retriggered LFO to affect the decay slope... (?) (I want more curved envelopes, if u hadn't noticed.) - [Sry, I don't have one to check.]
What an awesome video. Or as you'd pronounce it, "Whhat an awesome video." :D You sound a lot like Billy Bob Thornton. Likely my favorite southern accent.
I also wanted to say thank you very much for demonstrating the mod matrix, here. I've watched a few videos on it, and it never quite clicked for me before. This time, the functionality of it is sticking with me, and now I feel I can approach it more confidently. You made it clear for me, brotherman.
I'm watching this video over and over. The sounds blow my mind. Quick question, can we automate the morph knob, in the Polybrute sequencer or in a DAW?
I’d assumed that if patch B contained a variable that A didn’t, then morphing would just ‘fade that variable in’ (ie dial it up from 0 to whatever level you set it at in latch B) - or something like that … … … but, the PB doesn’t work like that?!
This thing looks and sounds cool but it's such a huge monster it would never leave the studio. I'm looking for something small and "live gig-able." I actually sold off my Take 5 and Pro 3 because I didn't feel like lugging around two medium-small keyboards.
I have a thought, I think you need a trigon 6. P.s. you can expand your p6 lfo story with either the LFE (low frequency expander) , phone app (midiLFOs) with camera connection kit cable from apple, or a DAW. The LFE is for both p6 and ob6, maybe p5/10 now too. Obv this is not per voice lfo, but can open doors once locked. Awaiting that trigon review ;p
If you’ll send me one I’ll be happy to review it :) It does seem to have essentially the same modulation options as the P6, but a third oscillator would be nice.
The irony is your videos are the reason why I'm not getting one. The ceiling on the poly brute is way too high for a n00b like me. The stuff you're doing really makes me see the Polybrute as a dynamic instrument that requires a high level of skill.
That shows a great level of self-awareness. Maybe start with something smaller that has a mod matrix you can learn with. Even a free VST like Vital is great for learning how to set up mod routings in a very visual way. Polybrute is pretty intuitive, but I totally understand where you’re coming from here.
@@JamesonNathanJones yeah, I'm somewhere between wanting something more than my Juno 60 in terms of flexibility but nowhere near a Polybrute level. I'm just getting back to writing music after years. Your channel has been an inspiration. Thank you for that.
@@hamsterbrigade Have a look at the Behringer Deepmind! It's pretty cheap in comparison and has a very nice mod matrix and lots of modulation sources as well. Sure, there are more menus but it's not too bad actually.
The Sequential Take 5 might be a great compromise for you. I bought one to fill the "basic analog polysynth" role, which it does wonderfully, but I was surprised to find out it has a 16-slot mod matrix that lets it enter PolyBrute territory. It doesn't have many of the advanced features (only one filter, 2 envs/lfos, no morphee or ribbon) but it's half the price and a lot more approachable to someone that isn't a synth programming pro. And most importantly, it sounds incredible!
Wait till you get a Moog One, that makes the PB vs Prophet 6 tribal spats seem minor usually from all the people that seem to hate it for being either expensive (elitist) or not a clone of the Memorymoog. I have both the M1 and the PB, but I must admit that I haven't used the PB since I got the M1 however this video reminded me why I still keep it and why should get the thing wired up again :-)
It really comes down to a design decision by the manufacturers, but since most synths have a very limited number of voices (notes that can be played at once), there’s less emphasis on having a full range keyboard. Synths usually aren’t played in the same way a piano would be either, maybe more similar to an organ, which consequently also have only 61 unweighted keys. There are octave switches on shorter boards that allow you to reach those extended ranges if you need to.
I cannot even imagine how synth-lovers are insulting each other over synths. Like...gamers insulting each other over their favourite console, ok. But not Synth-lovers!!
Business and Marketing 101: The average human is much dumber than you think. Proof: 2024 Every instrument serves some purpose, if not practical then sentimental. And the proposition of value is always personal. People who pay $250,000 for a car, to me, are insane but that car serves a purpose to them that I don't share. Does that make them wrong? No. Your videos are great, JNJ, don't let internet dumb dumbs dissuade you.
@@JamesonNathanJones ah! I’m new to the channel… i asked that not really doing my research on your channel. I end ed up watching some of you older rev2 jams dope stuff btw. It seems like to me the rev2 can do some pretty similar things as the polybrute just not as easily accessible perhaps, either way great content!
At the risk of getting clipped and shipped, you can mod the Polybrute all you want, it won't match the character of a P6. It still sounds like a generic bread-and-butter synth like the Prologue or Rev 2 to my ears. It's only superior to either of those because of the modulation and interface options. Sonically, I don't think it's much better than either. It just seems to want to blend in. (Lacks brightness. Maybe it's just mid-heavy?) I don't even hate the Brute. I was really interested at first (and still kinda am) for the same reasons you like it. I only formed any sort of negative opinion after listening to demos. All that said, I wouldn't be surprised if the only thing the Brute needed to match the P6 was an EQ, which could probably be said for most synths, but then the rest of the inherent benefits of the Brute's interface would really count for something.
I hate to be THAT Polybrute owner, but generic is the exact opposite of what the Polybrute is. Has the most character and personality of any synth I’ve ever played and that has nothing to do with modulation. The oscillator and filter sections just allow for a near infinite variety of tones. There is a bit of a learning curve in grasping which combination of all those continuous controls results in certain sounds, but once you get familiar with it, it becomes this incredibly versatile tone-shaping sandbox. And it sounds absolutely glorious in person, actually makes other synths sound generic, to be honest.
There are 7 eq presets in the FX section that have a pretty big effect on the sound. Also, worth noting that you can make your own curated version of the vintage knob using the Voices source in the matrix or the “Analog Accuracy presets in the settings. In the latter there are mild, medium and wild changes to pitch per voice and mild, medium and wild changes to parameters in the envelopes, filters, pulse width, LFOs and more. This gives you a ton more flexibility that you would get with a vintage knob that affects pitch and other parameters.
@@JamesonNathanJones Except it does have eq. But it’s early days for you, and I don’t mean that in a condescending way. When I was 3-4 weeks in, I liked it, but I didn’t have the absolute gear love that I have now.
I have a Polybrute and a P6. Both are beautiful synths but a single LFO on the P6 is almost laughable these days. The Polybrute pours out beautiful sounds with extreme subtlety to gut ripping rawness, there is no other synth that comes close to what the Polybrute is capable of. The Polybrute makes the P6 look positively anaemic with features.
I couldn't agree more - stop being tribal, especially when it comes to brands. There's no need to dismiss the PolyBrute because the Prophet 6 sounds better. It doesn't make the PolyBrute rubbish, it just makes it sound not quite as good. If I wanted to, I could say that the Prophet 6 is rubbish because it doesn't come close to the PolyBrute in terms of modulation possibilities - but then I'd be sounding like a little kid. Everything has it's place and for most of us we need to make an informed decision as to which synth we buy, because most of us can't afford more than one (looking at you @JamesonNathanJones).
"Bro how can yoi compare if one of them have keyboard and other don't?!11!? Also Arturia is much bigger and have LCD display!1 Or course they different!" - hater says 😏
Everything that comes out of the poly brute just sounds ‘brown’ to me. Other synths don’t remind me of colors just this one… just a big old bucket of brown…
I thought it sounded bland at first. But after getting one it sounds a lot better in person. TH-cam doesn’t do it Justice, also it’s a lot different making your own patches and not just listening to what someone else likes.
Seconded to the comment above, the Polybrute in person is much better than crappy YT compression videos I’ve seen in demos. It’s a very classy sounding machine and most demos don’t do it justice. I own a P6 so can comment about both. The P6 has more low mid out of the box and a bit more presence in the higher frequencies but less of the subtleties of the PB, the P6 comes across better on YT through phone speakers. It only takes a bit of EQ to achieve very similar overall sounds. All I can say is both are amazing machines but the Polybrute is much, much more flexible.
The possibilities are almost endless. The people caring are few 😂 so many of these complex soundscapes are realistically unusable in the context of a song.
Sematones ??? "LFO 1 is going to control in sematones". What the f**k is a sematone? Maybe I need a serious ear cleaning job but I don't seem to be the only one. 👂
I also own the PolyBrute, and it can pretty much do anything. When you want a pure, big tone like a Prophet, Jupiter or Obie, you have to be really careful and subtle with the modulation and don't max out the OSC and filter levels to leave some headroom for the dynamics required. It can do this plus all kinds of crazy modular stuff too, which is why people say it's a future classic... check out how it compares to one of the greats from someone who understands programming classic tones: th-cam.com/video/DK3Phm-7O_c/w-d-xo.html
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My husband bought the PB and didn’t like it. I’m a church keyboardist, and I prefer workstations until I started to play with the PB. This synth has taught me so much about sound design and I’ve purchased a Sub37 and Peak since then. It’s still my go to synth. When I play it in church, I’ve always get the one person after church asking me about ‘that sound’ I was playing. Love your channel.
Intrigued by the church with a PolyBrute
Subbed. 10th polybrute video in a row and you are the first person not just babbling on about irrelevant stuff and you’re actually making the synth sound amazing. Keep up the great work 🎉
I have a PB and it's currently my favorite synth...I literally go to it daily. The P6 is a great synth as well. So weird how there are consumers waring and insulting over brands of synths, Groove boxes, etc... If you are one of these people evaluate your life.
Agreed. Just love what you love. The reality is, pretty much ALL of these devices are amazing.
TBH, I always see this. I bought Microfreak last year and saw so much hate for it on the internet, I myself started hating it and all I saw is flaws (They do get in your head). Once I learned how to deeply use and manipulate the Matrix, I just wouldn't believe how lazy and stupid some people are. This thing blew me away. I made Jupiter & Juno patches myself on a Microfreak!! not sample based, but based on Microfreak oscillators and Matrix. Polybrute is on another level.
I think people who don't like the Polybrute are similar to the folks who don't like the Moog One. They both don't try to emulate our favorite synths of yesteryear. Instead, they offer a new direction built on just enough familiarity to allow us to journey into some new sonic territory.
Exactly this. And also the same people that hate on VSTi's because they try to emulate those favorite synths of yesteryear.
Yes!
It’s all snobbery. It’s like a cult. Only vintage recreations are apparently worth our time and money. And that’s nonsense. I have a Prophet 10 for vintage and then a Polybrute and Moog One for more experimentation.
Or maybe they just don’t like the sound of it! It doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with snobbery. I think it’s a great synth but why read anything much into any of it?
@@kingtrance307 it’s the whole digital vs analog nonsense that makes me think of snobbery. It’s like the only thing that’s worth our time is something that sounds like the 80’s. It reminds me of cork sniffers.
I own this synth. I love this synth. The gainstaging alone with the drive on the ladder and brute factor on the steiner, already made it (somehow) rival Sub 37... but in a six voice. Being able to record the morphie pad is mind blowing. That is some functionality that I hadn't even discovered yet. Well done, and thank you for pointing that out!
Im classically trained and I gotta say this is my favorite synth to perform on, so many levels of expression
I agree 🙌
I've had this synth for a year and I'm just getting my head around it though it is easy to get going with it. I learn something new with it each week.
Very interesting comparison. I am a scientist and P12 owner considering the Polybrute as well. Here to learn from this beautiful channel, not testing my opinion. Very much appreciated 👍Don't let negative thoughts influence you💪
As a P12 and Polybrute owner I can assure you they fill different sonic spaces and compliment each other beautifully. I expected to replace the P12 with the Polybrute but there's no way as they just sound very different to each other ... but the two together is as addictive as crack cocaine ... I've had the P12 for nearly 9 years now and was starting to become a little jaded as I'd done all I could with it, but the PB reignited my love for the P12, they're the perfect combination.
Man I was very committed to buy a Polybrute. You, my friend, have made me a poly fanatic.
Surely the true value of a synthesiser is it's ability to give the user as many instant sonic flavours as possible. A piece of paper and pallette that allows you to paint anything you can feel and dream up. Does it inspire you every time you switch it on and lead you to new places on every journey. I owned a Jupiter 8 in the 80's and the adrenalin flowed every time I looked at it let alone played it. The Polybrute and the Hydrasynth Deluxe are really giving me that same vibe and hopefully I'll get a chance to play them and possibly buy one of them soon. 😎
Polybrute + Matriarch + Pro 3 are the Future Classics....Great work explaining what makes this special.
Agree completely. Much appreciated man!
100% 👏
+ UDO Super6 and MiniFreak, oh and Iridium, Summit, and Digitone, damn, there are so many great synths out there....
I really think the top two poly synths of this generation of music are the polybrute and the novation summit
That motion record feature is an absolute killer. Phenomenal creativity all round, kudos!
Agreed! Especially when applied to one of the real-time controllers 🙌 Many thanks!
@@JamesonNathanJones oh, yes, that's what I was referring to! loved your example there with the pad controller... bananas inspiration, so many possibilities... now I want one, dammit
Xactly
Motion record makes it a 4 dimensional -synth- , edit: modworld.
X, Y, Z, and, a slice of Time.
But, they need more, and longer, Motion tracks.
A DAW could do that of course, if set up correctly.
Well done. I am still exploring my new PolyBrute. I think that using the touch controllers as a sort of variable state gate switch may not be a SUPERpower, but it's definitely a power and it was cool to me that you seem to have noticed that too.
During the comparison video, which I think was fair, there were some places where I said "wow okay, the prophet sounds phenomenal" but then shortly afterward I said "well... shoot the Brute sounds fantastic too; it doesn't sound -bad- in comparison to the prophet, just different."
Great vid
Beautiful playing and sound design
Thanks man!
Great content man! This video made me drool for the polybrute even more… 🤯 so darn cool/expressive
Just discovered you and you are a wise one and class act. I resonate with your thoughts. Great content and thank you.
I love the Polybrute I’ve had mine for a while now. It sounds so much better in person, it’s like TH-cam compression and audio sucks the life out of the sound. It’s extremely expressive. He didn’t even get into the vintage options on the synth which can give it even more character.
Agreed; there's so much to it a video could run an entire series. The vintage modes as well as the EQ curves from the most recent update are also good at helping to shape the overall sound to more closely match vintage instruments.
What an amazing instrument! I can see that it is just scratching the surface of what you can do with it. Very musical and expressive. This shows that interface design is so crucial and defines the our interaction with instrument! If this was done with a lot of menu diving and a few knobs, with the same synthesis possibilities - it wouldn't be fun. Thank you!
I have all three,,, Pro 3, Polybrute, and P-6... Thank God these are not clones of each other.. Is one better than the other???? I think if you have to ask that question, your understanding of what makes something special is your lack of acceptance of differences... Being different is a great thing.. Great video. Good demo.
Your videos are great, hope to binge watch most of them soon (on a snow or sick day). I wanted a Polybrute, I think it is a great value. If it had a one wavetable oscillator and the front panel tilted like the Matrixbrute, I would have done it. Honestly decided on Hydrasynth Deluxe on sale for $1500, it's all digital, has insane mod-matrix and 6 octave poly-aftertouch and ribbon to control GX-80.
I'm no longer torn on what synth to buy. Thank you. Great video
Thanks for reminding me how insane my own synth is - never thought to automate the Morphe with the record function, very clever!
So many interesting sound design ideas in this. Thanks for the inspiration!
The PolyBrute is fkn amazing! It’s just a ‘what if…’ dream, and really fun. For making music, it’s good, but there’s a lot of competition (Prophet 6, Super Six, Jupiter XM, etc)… but for synthesis/sound design for the sake/fun of it, the PolyBrute is in a class all of its own.
You can do similar things with softsynths, but it’s analog nature and hands-on feel is untouchable.
Great video - incredible example of what this synth can do. Also great commentary.
Really enjoyed this video and the comparison between the polybrute and the prpphet 6. Whilst the prophet 6 sounds great, its lack of modulation abilities next to the poly, for myself, makes it far less attractice than the brute. Very thoughtful and well put together comparison. I really value the level headed approach you brought to this discussion
That grid really caught my attention on both the MatrixBrute and the PolyBrute, I thought what can be more cool. Then I found the Sequential Pro 3. It has a mod matrix, but you can't see it because it's even more intuitive. But with the PolyVrute, you can see how everything is mapped when opening up a preset and seeing exactly how it works. On the Pro 3, I have to menu dive to find those mod settings. But doing those on the Pro 3 is just so easy, can to them quickly while playing live, in the dark, barely looking at the synthesizer.
Your knowledge of the modulation is impressive, I think you are one of a few TH-camrs that would be able to create a complete guide to using this increadable synth, along with how to use the sequencer and ARP, I have tried but failed to grasp syncronising the arp to studio one, seems there is no information anywhere on such a seemingly simple function, this synth is very under represented in terms of helpful tutorials, this one is great but a more useful one for me would be showing at a more basic level as how and why certain functions can be modulated, I know I am asking a lot but hey, you have the knowledge and are good at teaching as well, just thought I would make a request, Cheers Jameson. Thanks again for this gem.
The Polybrute is phenomenal 🤎
I think the realm of possibilities with the PolyBrute is incredible. I anticipate a steep learning curve for me, but one very much worth the time and patience.
so many wonderous synths,. so little.....thanks for the close up!
I just got pb 12, love it. It has a great sound for the work i am doing. Appreciate the vid still havent dug into the matrix yet. But this gets me more excited to do so. I really just wanted mpe analog. Everything else is icing
Thanks. Good video, from which we can actually learn, while having a laugh. Compared to this exact same video, I think this one is your best.
Love my Polybrute, an infinite playground for the synth newbie I am.
IMO, the polybrute and the expressive e osmose are two of the most groundbreaking synthesizers in the past decade, a huge part of that being their expressive interfaces. There’s a LOT to be said for that. (Just read about how the expressive interface on the yamaha cs-80 was received by and influenced Vangelis, one of the most influential synthesists of all time). I’m a proud prophet 5 rev 4 owner, its an absolutely beautiful and incredible sounding synth. However, there’s ALOT it can’t do, and synths like the polybrute fill in the gaps left by vintage synths.
Nice hearing you on a polyphonic synth.
Your piano playing style comes out.
Excellent video and taste in sounds/chords. Tasty.
Thanks for a great tutorial. Always subscribe to guys like you doing a service to the general synth community.👍
I’ve said before the Polybrute is greater than the sum of its parts. Not as fat as my Matrixbrute but perfect in the mix.
And the randomiser is incredible! One I got was a detuned honky tonk piano like sound that morphed into a cello and to a fat bass.
All in the one patch!
Rock on.💪
This mod matrix is really easy to manipulate and i like to spend hours just for the pleasure! Thank’s alot for this review 👍
Awesome video thank you! Subscribed! Nice playing and quality information!
Great video, thanks for uploading. I have the polybrute but I havn`t explored it much yet, so this is very encouraging.
Man, you make it sound so good.
You have unlocked the gears in my mind for how I can have the Osmose translate the per note pitch bend to the polybrute!
Nice video. I get some Venus Theory vibes from this :D
I didn't have an analogue polysynth so I compared all of the analogue polysynths I could find before buying one. I didn't realise until this video that that was internet controversial.
That synth has been missing in the post since Monday by the way. It's not playing on my mind or anything. I'm definitely totally chill with that situation
and .. did it arrive?
@@simonrigby2776 Nope! Still waiting! Still waiting... From what I can tell, it hasn't actually gone missing, but the delivery company is only contactable throught the shop I bought the thing from. There has been a lot of "your parcel is out for delivery" from the couriers, but it always ends with "Oh, you weren't in" or... nothing. Then I look at the log and find that my driver's name was "Dummy Driver" or the picture of the delivery attempt was a terraced house when I live in the countryside. TLDR, same as last week, but maybe slightly less chill, all told
@@tome753 ah man .. hope it comes through. Crazy hey
I've enjoyed your commentary on many of the synths I've heard you talk about. Especially about the Prophet 12. However knowing what you said about the P-12 being digital and analog you understand the limitations of analog. However for the most part I haven't heard you say too many nice things about the Polybrute. The PolyBrute is analog and what it can do being analog is incredible! You have a few videos dealing with the Polybrute. Even when you have something good to say about it, you still sound like the compliments are forced.
Great video thank you.
I bought the PolyBrute...............................I sold my other synths.
go team music. Yeah, good job man, thanks for the videos
I had a Polybrute, traded it in for my Prophet 6. The experience was soured for me when I tried to connect it to the Polybrute Connect program and the synth kept freezing up. Thomann told me it wasnt a faulty unit, and Arturia told me they knew about the issue but didn't understand why it happened. I was told to just wait for a bugfix essentially. Sold it and bought a prophet 6 again.
Yeah those kinds of bugs are incredibly frustrating for sure.
I loved the Polybrute for the exact same reason you did. And I love the P6 for the same reason you do. In the end I sold the poly and kept the P6 because with the polybrute I mostly ended up making patches and not really recording music, which is what I like to do. With the P6 I usually end up quite quickly with something song worhty. Seeing the polybrute now though, I'm kinda missing it. Would love to just fiddle around with it again
Well said!
Own one and love it
I get it. Some people want sweet spot machines with nothing BUT sweet spots and the sweetest sweetness available. And if you're one of those people, that's fine.
But exploration is ALSO a huge part of synthesis, so maybe when that's the aspect up for discussion, let it happen.
You're the best. Keep it up!
In my opinion the DS OB-6 is better than the Prophet 6. I spent a lot of time deciding between the two, and chose the DS OB-6. But I also own the Polybrute, and in my opinion, the Polybrute is 3 fold more versatile, more straight forward to use, and easier to do a deep dive. And that versatility inspires me to write. It's really that simple. I'm probably going to get an OB X8, and the DS OB-6 will obviously be the gear I sell to get it, for what I think are clear reasons. The OB is fatter than the Polybrute, but you generally have to lose some of the bottom to fit it into the mix otherwise it takes over. This idea that the Polybrute sounds like crap is complete wrong. People that say that probably don't own either one.
It doesn’t sound bad, but the other synths you mentioned have a more characterful & pleasing tone to my ear. (Not concerned about things being too fat)
I am not that concerned with deep mod matrices.
I really don’t like the sound of the Polybrute, lol … but then, I don’t really like the sound of any Arturia hardware synth …
@@kierenmoore3236 Vive la différence!
Great video man! You make’r shine!
Schmidt, Solaris, and Moog One all have the strongest raw sound quality, and each has incredible modulation options beyond that. But starting with quality sound is always better...
I’m pretty sure can actually get your first Polybrute polymode LFO example to work on the prophet 6 by sacrificing an oscillator and using it as an square shaped LFO affecting the pitch on the Prophet
Love my Polybrute. Super fun synth. AND... I also love my Prophets... AND my Hydrasynth. It's all good.
My only issue I've got with the PolyBrute is that I can't turn down the strength of the LEDs. When I'm sitting in my studio at night with the lights dimmed, it's super hard to see the small rings next to some of the buttons indicating there's a sub menu to explore... Apart from that, it's a marvellous synth and the VST integration makes it very versatile to use in the DAW too.
Meanwhile you can dim the LED brightness 👍🏻
@@andydutchman1970 Yeah, that was one of the best features in the new OS that eventually came out :D
Ohh the Pro3 is my fav synth of all time as well. I had wished they made a poly version but I suppose the price point would not be an easy sell.
3rd Wave is basically a 24 voice Pro 3 :) 3 guys from Sequential broke off to make it
Wish I had the space for one of these - that morphing function looks insane!
It is a hefty chunk of synth 😅
You make space for something like this lol.
Wait... so I could FM modulate the Morph dial, right? Muahaha!
(So, um yea, this thing is def on my, "If I can manage to afford it." list.)
One of my favorite simple patches on my Pro3 is my "FM the Shape" patch. Only Osc1 is up the mix, shape modulated from Osc2.
[My first intro to mod matrices was the ESQ-1. I miss that thing.]
Well, kind of…. It’s worth noting that unlike the Pro3, you can’t set custom mod sources, only destinations. The sources are fixed along the left side of the matrix. You could use one of the lfos at audio rates to modulate the morph knob though.
Aw... so it just dropped back off of my "buy" list...
Can you not do an "Env Amt >> +08 >> Env Decay" to get a curve?
One of my favorite controls..
Bummer
[Edit4:] Though you could maybe use a down-sloping note-retriggered LFO to affect the decay slope... (?)
(I want more curved envelopes, if u hadn't noticed.) - [Sry, I don't have one to check.]
What an awesome video. Or as you'd pronounce it, "Whhat an awesome video." :D
You sound a lot like Billy Bob Thornton. Likely my favorite southern accent.
I also wanted to say thank you very much for demonstrating the mod matrix, here.
I've watched a few videos on it, and it never quite clicked for me before. This time, the functionality of it is sticking with me, and now I feel I can approach it more confidently. You made it clear for me, brotherman.
Just finished the video. You're going to climb in subscribers really quickly, you're REALLY good at this.
Really appreciate that man 🙏
I'm watching this video over and over. The sounds blow my mind.
Quick question, can we automate the morph knob, in the Polybrute sequencer or in a DAW?
Thanks! Yes to the onboard sequencer. I would have to check the manual to see if the morph knob is midi cc assignable but I’m guessing it is.
@@JamesonNathanJones thank you and keep up the great work!
I’d assumed that if patch B contained a variable that A didn’t, then morphing would just ‘fade that variable in’ (ie dial it up from 0 to whatever level you set it at in latch B) - or something like that … … … but, the PB doesn’t work like that?!
This thing looks and sounds cool but it's such a huge monster it would never leave the studio. I'm looking for something small and "live gig-able." I actually sold off my Take 5 and Pro 3 because I didn't feel like lugging around two medium-small keyboards.
Yeah definitely wouldn’t want to lug around a Polybrute 😅
I have a thought, I think you need a trigon 6. P.s. you can expand your p6 lfo story with either the LFE (low frequency expander) , phone app (midiLFOs) with camera connection kit cable from apple, or a DAW. The LFE is for both p6 and ob6, maybe p5/10 now too. Obv this is not per voice lfo, but can open doors once locked. Awaiting that trigon review ;p
If you’ll send me one I’ll be happy to review it :)
It does seem to have essentially the same modulation options as the P6, but a third oscillator would be nice.
If you need multi-voice LFOs on the P6, you can use OSC2's voices with Polymod to achieve this. The con is that you do have to give up an oscillator.
Nah bruh. I’m buying this just because of what I heard at 5:32.
My good friend, what do you happen to use for your main desk, is it from a brand or a custom made one?
It was custom made by a friend
I did not even know its duophonic aftertouch, TNX! ... but please don't tell this to my PB, because owner also need to be equipped with skillz :)
Wud this synth be comparable to the polybrute 12?....shud I go straight to the polybrute 12?
22:10 and on sounds real 80s FM to me for some reason
The irony is your videos are the reason why I'm not getting one. The ceiling on the poly brute is way too high for a n00b like me. The stuff you're doing really makes me see the Polybrute as a dynamic instrument that requires a high level of skill.
That shows a great level of self-awareness. Maybe start with something smaller that has a mod matrix you can learn with. Even a free VST like Vital is great for learning how to set up mod routings in a very visual way. Polybrute is pretty intuitive, but I totally understand where you’re coming from here.
@@JamesonNathanJones yeah, I'm somewhere between wanting something more than my Juno 60 in terms of flexibility but nowhere near a Polybrute level. I'm just getting back to writing music after years. Your channel has been an inspiration. Thank you for that.
@@hamsterbrigade Have a look at the Behringer Deepmind! It's pretty cheap in comparison and has a very nice mod matrix and lots of modulation sources as well. Sure, there are more menus but it's not too bad actually.
The Sequential Take 5 might be a great compromise for you. I bought one to fill the "basic analog polysynth" role, which it does wonderfully, but I was surprised to find out it has a 16-slot mod matrix that lets it enter PolyBrute territory. It doesn't have many of the advanced features (only one filter, 2 envs/lfos, no morphee or ribbon) but it's half the price and a lot more approachable to someone that isn't a synth programming pro. And most importantly, it sounds incredible!
Wait till you get a Moog One, that makes the PB vs Prophet 6 tribal spats seem minor usually from all the people that seem to hate it for being either expensive (elitist) or not a clone of the Memorymoog. I have both the M1 and the PB, but I must admit that I haven't used the PB since I got the M1 however this video reminded me why I still keep it and why should get the thing wired up again :-)
I wish it were a MM, as that synth has the ballz that the One seems to lack in raw tone.
I will buy one too😝
...and then I imagined recording .wav and manipulating it in my granular synth engine! :D
What’s the music starting at around 0:20 in the intro? Did you publish it somewhere? Sounds great! Would like to listen to the full track!
open.spotify.com/track/5PhhffPSjGz8TR0w7FkzFG?si=IP9DNw7qT5emYJ829IHT1w
:)
@@JamesonNathanJones 😀👍
I love mine. I’ll never sell it.
If you could own just one synth would this be it?
It would probably be the Pro3 for me, but if you could only have one poly and you’re really into sound design I think Polybrute is a good option.
@@JamesonNathanJones I am a noob, can you explain why synths generally go under 88keys and why some even twice as less?
It really comes down to a design decision by the manufacturers, but since most synths have a very limited number of voices (notes that can be played at once), there’s less emphasis on having a full range keyboard. Synths usually aren’t played in the same way a piano would be either, maybe more similar to an organ, which consequently also have only 61 unweighted keys. There are octave switches on shorter boards that allow you to reach those extended ranges if you need to.
Seeing Thumbnail I fear that you are becoming more and more like every other youtuber. Don’t follow the beaten path, find your own way.
I cannot even imagine how synth-lovers are insulting each other over synths. Like...gamers insulting each other over their favourite console, ok. But not Synth-lovers!!
Oh, it definitely happens. 😂 Any time there’s a potential “side” to be chosen I suppose it should be expected. It’s unfortunate.
I need to start leaving dumb negative comments on your videos so I can get my comment in 'em.
😂 They will be censored though because no free shoutouts unless you’re Ricky Tinez apparently
What in the H is a sematone?
It’s the same as a semitone, but you’re from Mississippi
IMO the PolyBrute is the most powerful and important analog synthesizer since the Oberheim Xpander.
Business and Marketing 101: The average human is much dumber than you think.
Proof: 2024
Every instrument serves some purpose, if not practical then sentimental. And the proposition of value is always personal. People who pay $250,000 for a car, to me, are insane but that car serves a purpose to them that I don't share. Does that make them wrong? No. Your videos are great, JNJ, don't let internet dumb dumbs dissuade you.
Keep in mind that the people that can afford this are not poor.
Are you not a rev 2 Fan?
Love the Rev2. Had one for years.
@@JamesonNathanJones ah! I’m new to the channel… i asked that not really doing my research on your channel. I end ed up watching some of you older rev2 jams dope stuff btw. It seems like to me the rev2 can do some pretty similar things as the polybrute just not as easily accessible perhaps, either way great content!
At the risk of getting clipped and shipped, you can mod the Polybrute all you want, it won't match the character of a P6. It still sounds like a generic bread-and-butter synth like the Prologue or Rev 2 to my ears. It's only superior to either of those because of the modulation and interface options. Sonically, I don't think it's much better than either. It just seems to want to blend in. (Lacks brightness. Maybe it's just mid-heavy?) I don't even hate the Brute. I was really interested at first (and still kinda am) for the same reasons you like it. I only formed any sort of negative opinion after listening to demos. All that said, I wouldn't be surprised if the only thing the Brute needed to match the P6 was an EQ, which could probably be said for most synths, but then the rest of the inherent benefits of the Brute's interface would really count for something.
You’ve basically made all the points from my last few videos on it. Haha I agree.
I hate to be THAT Polybrute owner, but generic is the exact opposite of what the Polybrute is. Has the most character and personality of any synth I’ve ever played and that has nothing to do with modulation. The oscillator and filter sections just allow for a near infinite variety of tones. There is a bit of a learning curve in grasping which combination of all those continuous controls results in certain sounds, but once you get familiar with it, it becomes this incredibly versatile tone-shaping sandbox. And it sounds absolutely glorious in person, actually makes other synths sound generic, to be honest.
There are 7 eq presets in the FX section that have a pretty big effect on the sound. Also, worth noting that you can make your own curated version of the vintage knob using the Voices source in the matrix or the “Analog Accuracy presets in the settings. In the latter there are mild, medium and wild changes to pitch per voice and mild, medium and wild changes to parameters in the envelopes, filters, pulse width, LFOs and more. This gives you a ton more flexibility that you would get with a vintage knob that affects pitch and other parameters.
@@JamesonNathanJones Except it does have eq. But it’s early days for you, and I don’t mean that in a condescending way. When I was 3-4 weeks in, I liked it, but I didn’t have the absolute gear love that I have now.
I have a Polybrute and a P6. Both are beautiful synths but a single LFO on the P6 is almost laughable these days. The Polybrute pours out beautiful sounds with extreme subtlety to gut ripping rawness, there is no other synth that comes close to what the Polybrute is capable of. The Polybrute makes the P6 look positively anaemic with features.
Nothing laughable about a single LFO, as long as the raw tone is characterful. Take the Prophet-5 as a great example.
Ultranova novation x ever
I couldn't agree more - stop being tribal, especially when it comes to brands. There's no need to dismiss the PolyBrute because the Prophet 6 sounds better. It doesn't make the PolyBrute rubbish, it just makes it sound not quite as good. If I wanted to, I could say that the Prophet 6 is rubbish because it doesn't come close to the PolyBrute in terms of modulation possibilities - but then I'd be sounding like a little kid. Everything has it's place and for most of us we need to make an informed decision as to which synth we buy, because most of us can't afford more than one (looking at you @JamesonNathanJones).
Liked because you made a good video of what the PB does extremely well, and also because now you have 666 likes. Mwahahahahahaha
"Bro how can yoi compare if one of them have keyboard and other don't?!11!? Also Arturia is much bigger and have LCD display!1 Or course they different!" - hater says 😏
it has more modulation but its wonky as hell , I would take rev2 over it any day.
Had my Polybrute for a year, never had any issues with it👌
@@Aaa-pz6nh its just its character , its a feature not a bug ..
Controlling and design are amazing, the sound is just boring.
Prophet 6 desktop is so much easier to throw.
Everything that comes out of the poly brute just sounds ‘brown’ to me. Other synths don’t remind me of colors just this one… just a big old bucket of brown…
I thought it sounded bland at first. But after getting one it sounds a lot better in person. TH-cam doesn’t do it Justice, also it’s a lot different making your own patches and not just listening to what someone else likes.
Seconded to the comment above, the Polybrute in person is much better than crappy YT compression videos I’ve seen in demos. It’s a very classy sounding machine and most demos don’t do it justice. I own a P6 so can comment about both. The P6 has more low mid out of the box and a bit more presence in the higher frequencies but less of the subtleties of the PB, the P6 comes across better on YT through phone speakers. It only takes a bit of EQ to achieve very similar overall sounds. All I can say is both are amazing machines but the Polybrute is much, much more flexible.
So if an analog synth is doing stuff that sounds digital, then it's ... Virtual Digital? Hehe
The possibilities are almost endless. The people caring are few 😂 so many of these complex soundscapes are realistically unusable in the context of a song.
Sematones ??? "LFO 1 is going to control in sematones". What the f**k is a sematone? Maybe I need a serious ear cleaning job but I don't seem to be the only one. 👂
Polybrute always across as ... really...dull or flat...in all demos, to me Maybe YT , explains it...
Just sit down with one and you’ll see why so many people say it’s one of the best synths ever created and that’s coming from a P6 owner.
@@Kung_Fu_Jesus quite possible...youtube makes weird stuff regarding the sound of synths...
I also own the PolyBrute, and it can pretty much do anything. When you want a pure, big tone like a Prophet, Jupiter or Obie, you have to be really careful and subtle with the modulation and don't max out the OSC and filter levels to leave some headroom for the dynamics required. It can do this plus all kinds of crazy modular stuff too, which is why people say it's a future classic... check out how it compares to one of the greats from someone who understands programming classic tones: th-cam.com/video/DK3Phm-7O_c/w-d-xo.html
@@discombob93 thanks!