Steiner-Parker Filter

So what does MicroBrute sound like?

MicroBrute embeds the legendary Steiner-Parker multimode filter.

Introduced for the first time in the Synthacon synthesizer back in the 70’s, this marvelous filter not only gives you a Lowpass mode like most other synths, but also Bandpass and High-pass, making it a highly versatile and acclaimed boutique filter.

The MicroBrute filter is based on the core of the legendary Steiner-Parker multimode filter and has been enhanced to deliver an even wider range of cutoff and resonance. Nyle Steiner himself has validated and approved these enhancements.

Many synths at well over twice the price of MicroBrute come with only a single low pass filter and many modular synth companies sell their version of this classic filter for more than the total price of the MicroBrute.

Brute Factor™

The Brute Factor™ was inspired by a patch made on a famous vintage synthesizer.

Users would connect the headphone output to the external audio input, resulting in a kind of feedback loop that is ideal for raspy and grungy sounds. This patch has been adapted and implemented internally first in the MiniBrute and now in the MicroBrute.

With low Brute Factor™ settings, you will hear a gradual depth and roundness to the bottom end. When turned up above about 65% however, the MicroBrute can go berserk and produce barely controllable, crazy feedback sounds.

Note: the Brute Factor™ feature alters the filter characteristics, so expect highly unpredictable results at extreme settings. You have been warned!

Microbrute as an Audio Processor?

MicroBrute is more than a synthesizer.

It allows a return to audio experimentation by giving you the ability to process external sounds through it. The MicroBrute has an audio input with a pop-up trim pot for level controls on the rear panel. This will allow you to process any other sounds like voice, guitar or other synths through the MicroBrute’s filter, Brute Factor™, and final output stages.

The step sequencer allows for eight different sequences. These sequences can have up to 64 steps each and are stored in internal memory so that when you power down, they are retained.

You input the notes that you want one at a time and can insert rests using the TAP TEMPO button to create rhythmic patterns. Once you have your sequences, you can choose between many different ways to trigger and play them.

Note On or Continuous Play modes allow you to choose whether the sequence will only play when a key is pressed or to start immediately when the control switch is moved to PLAY.

When you change sequences while playing you can specify whether the new sequence will play immediately or wait until the end of the current sequence before changing.

There are even more controls accessible via the free editor software that allow you to tailor the sequencer to your working style.

So what happens once you have your eight sequences and you want to make more, but you don’t want to lose your current sequences? Simple. Using the editor software you can import and export your sequences to your computer for archiving.