Dear Musician… thank you and congratulations on becoming the proud owner of a MatrixBrute.
The team at Arturia has had a lot of fun designing it and we’re delighted by the outcome. We hope you are too.
This page will help you getting started with your MatrixBrute from its registration to the discovery of its fundamental features.
Log into your MyArturia account
In order to register your product, you need to be logged into your “My Arturia” account.
Please click here to either log in to your existing account or create a new one.
Register your instrument
Click here to go to the product registration page. You will need to be logged to access this page.
Select the MatrixBrute, then enter the Serial Number and Unlock Code found on the QuickStart sheet.
Registering your MatrixBrute will entitle you to our online services including technical support.
Installation of the MIDI Control Center
The MIDI Control Center (MCC) is a free utility that will give you access to the advanced settings of your MatrixBrute as well as a convenient way to manage and store your presets.
Select the appropriate version according to your OS in the list below:
The MIDI Control Center will allow you to update your MatrixBrute.
We recommend you regularly check for the availability of new firmware versions. These updates will add new functions and bring various improvements to your MatrixBrute.
Updating the MatrixBrute firmware
Updating your MatrixBrute firmware requires your unit to be connected to a computer on which the Arturia MCC is installed.
- Connect your MatrixBrute to your computer via the USB connection. Make sure you not to use a USB hub.
- Launch the MCC.
- If it is not immediately displayed, select the MatrixBrute in the “Device” drop-down list in the top-left corner.
- The firmware section (just underneath) indicates the current firmware version and, if you are connected to internet, the latest firmware available.
- Click on this button to launch the update process:
- Launch the install
Your computer is connected to internet:
1. click on the button “Download latest”. The MIDI Control Center will automatically download the latest firmware version.
2. After a validation from your part the firmware installation will debut
Your computer is not connected to internet:
1. First download a firmware file right here
2. Click on the “Upgrade” button
3. Select the firmware file on your computer
4. After a validation from your part the firmware installation will debut
- The first step will update the main board of your MatrixBrute. The progress is displayed through the progress bar.
- Once this part is done you will be asked to reboot your MatrixBrute.
- As asked, wait 5 seconds before clicking on the “OK” button. This will start the sub-boards update.
- At the end of this process a last reboot will finalize the firmware update process.
You now have all you need to start using your fully updated MatrixBrute.
Let’s start a quick guided tour of this exceptional instrument
The sound of MatrixBrute
The Oscillators
The MatrixBrute uses three analog oscillators as the starting point of its sounds. Two of them offer a sub-oscillator, mixable waveforms and modifiers.
Use them to build the foundations of your sound. Whether you want to create soft or harsh sounds, the MatrixBrute oscillators will grant you an unparalleled freedom.
The oscillator section also integrates a noise generator and an Audio Mod section to apply audio-rate modulations to oscillators or filters.
Last but not least, in addition to its standard monophonic mode the MatrixBrute has a duo-split mode and a paraphonic mode.
The Filters
Once you’ve got your sound from each oscillator you can mix them and route them to the two filters of MatrixBrute. Why two filters? More variety, flexibility and the ability to sculpt your sound in the greatest details.
The Steiner Parker filter will be the choice tool to chisel fiery and cutting sounds while the Ladder Filter invented by Bob Moog will naturally carve out a warm and fat sound. Each of them has its own drive control and Brute Factor.
The Effects
Far beyond simple finishing works, the built-in effects will be an inescapable step of your creative process. The key idea of MatrixBrute remains “no compromise”, the effect section is fully analog.
A mono and a stereo delay, a reverb, a flanger and a chorus, all being able to be finely tweaked. You are going to be amazed by the diversity they can add to your patches.
Even by staying at this stage the MatrixBrute would be already an outstanding instrument but as you can guess this is just the beginning.
The Modulation Matrix
Here is the core of the beast. The modulation Matrix allows you to links 16 modulations sources with 16 destinations of which 4 are customizable. Make the links by simply pushing buttons to set a modulation amount for each of them and watch the storm rising.
A lifetime may not be enough to entirely explore the MatrixBrute’s potential of modulation. Your journey starts now.
The Sequencer & Arpeggiator
MatrixBrute integrates a powerful 64-step sequencer with all the functions you might need to compose impressive sequences. In Duo-split mode the sequencer is applied to the left part of the keyboard leaving the other part free to play a lead for example.
We supposed you would always appreciate some extra modulations so we added in the sequencer a modulation track.
Of course, an arpeggiator is also on board with a set of parameters and patterns.
The Connectivity
Although we are ready to bet that the MatrixBrute is about to become the star of your setup, keeping the rest of your gear close to it could also make sense. The MatrixBrute can connect and make the most of them.
Wanting to affect an external signal with the MatrixBrute? The Audio In will lead any sound straight to the modulation section. Wanting to augment your control over the beast? Connect one sustain pedal and up to two expression pedals. Wanting to interface with your modular system? The 24 CV connections plus Gate In and out shout meet your needs.
The Presets & MIDI Control Center
To give you an overview of the possibilities of this phenomenal instrument, we asked some of the best sound designers in the world to create 240 factory presets. You can easily browse them thanks to the matrix.
The MIDI Control Center (MCC) will allow you to manage your presets easily and efficiently. But that not all it can do. It also opens the doors to the advanced settings of your MatrixBrute including functions such as the “Pot Mode”, the “Local Control” and “Sequencer/Arp Sends Notes”.
Manuals
Need more help
If you have further questions about your MatrixBrute, be sure to have a look at our dedicated FAQ Page
It includes useful information as well as few interesting secrets.