
The MiniBrute's filter also eliminates the technical limitations of more common filters, which tend to have a single mode. However, at the insistence of hardware designer Yves Usson, Arturia chose to depart somewhat from these vintage synthesizers by using a modern modification of a 12 dB/octave Steiner-Parker multimode filter-like those found in rare Steiner-Parker Synthacons-rather than emulating those used in more popular machines, which were often 24 dB/octave to produce a "beefier" effect. Also like the SH-101, the MiniBrute gives the option to mix pure analog waveforms to generate unique shapes. The MiniBrute uses a single oscillator, which is reminiscent of synthesizers such as the ARP Axxe of the 1970s or Roland SH-101 of the 1980s. Despite this, Arturia invested resources in the unit's build quality and produced a fairly large first run. New analog monosynths were not common at the time. There was some uncertainty about whether or not a monophonic synthesizer would sell well compared to contemporary digital and analog competitors, which were mostly polyphonic.

The release of the MiniBrute was first announced at the 2012 NAMM Show.

Usson designed schematics for the circuitry of the MiniBrute and helped troubleshoot technical problems. In June 2010, Arturia reached out to synthesizer designer Yves Usson of YuSynth in order to gain insight into the production of analog hardware. Following the 2010 NAMM Show, Arturia CEO Frédéric Brun began to receive word that American customers were interested in small, low-cost analog synthesizers, which were not available at the time. The MiniBrute was the first piece of hardware manufactured by Arturia. These were generally faithful software emulations of classic analog synthesizers, such as the Moog 3C and Moog 55. The synthesizer uses a single, highly shapeable oscillator, which can be processed through a multimode Steiner-Parker filter and multiple LFOs.īefore releasing the MiniBrute, Arturia was known for its affordable software synthesizers. However, it also incorporates modern technology to increase its versatility, stability and depth of sound. The MiniBrute takes some cues from vintage monophonic synthesizers, such as the Roland SH-101 and Minimoog. Although the MiniBrute was the first piece of hardware created by Arturia-which had previously exclusively marketed software synthesizers-it generated strong sales. The Arturia MiniBrute is a synthesizer manufactured by Arturia.
