Arturia PolyBrute 12: Morphing Analog Power Meets FullTouch Expression

Arturia introduces the PolyBrute 12 as a morphing analog synthesizer that pushes the boundaries of expressivity in hardware synths. Building on the foundation of the PolyBrute 6, this new flagship doubles the polyphony to 12 voices and incorporates the innovative FullTouch MPE keyboard, aiming to deliver a more immersive and dynamic playing experience. The video sets the stage by highlighting how these enhancements open up new possibilities for intricate chord progressions and richly layered textures, all while retaining the core Brute sound character Arturia is known for.

The PolyBrute 12’s expanded voice count and expressive controls are positioned as a major leap for musicians seeking both depth and immediacy in analog synthesis. Arturia’s approach here is to combine tried-and-tested analog circuitry with cutting-edge keyboard technology, resulting in an instrument that’s as much about tactile interaction as it is about sonic power. The overview promises a synth that rewards both detailed programming and spontaneous performance, with the FullTouch system at the heart of this evolution.

The FullTouch MPE keyboard is the PolyBrute 12’s defining innovation, offering polyphonic aftertouch that goes far beyond traditional monophonic implementations. Each key is equipped with its own pressure sensor, allowing for independent modulation on every note—a significant leap for expressive performance. The video details how the aftertouch button cycles through three modes: mono (classic monophonic aftertouch), poly (true polyphonic aftertouch routed via the modulation matrix), and an alternate mode that unlocks the FullTouch MPE algorithms.

Within the alternate mode, players can select from FullTouch Envelope, FullTouch, and FullTouch+Z algorithms. These modes allow for nuanced control over both amplitude and filter envelopes, with the keyboard responding to the velocity and pressure of each finger. Notably, notes are triggered instantly upon touch, enabling subtle and intimate playing techniques that aren’t possible on standard keybeds.

Arturia demonstrates how these aftertouch modes can shape both volume and timbre in real time, making the PolyBrute 12 uniquely sensitive to a player’s dynamics. The FullTouch Envelope mode, for example, routes pressure to both VCA and VCF envelopes, while FullTouch+Z splits the aftertouch signal for even more granular modulation. This level of control positions the PolyBrute 12 as a serious contender for those seeking maximum expressivity in an analog synth.

PolyBrute 12’s morphing engine allows users to blend seamlessly between two distinct sounds—A and B—within each preset. Each sound has its own set of parameters for filters, envelopes, and LFOs, and the dedicated Morph knob lets you traverse the sonic territory between them in real time. This feature, exclusive to the PolyBrute series, is designed for dynamic sound sculpting and live performance flexibility.

The morphing system is further enhanced by the Morphe controller, which enables multidimensional morphing along both level and pitch axes. As you turn the Morph knob or move the Morphe, parameters shift gradually from one state to another, allowing for evolving textures and complex transitions. Arturia’s approach here is to make deep sound design accessible and performable, with morphing stored per preset and ready to be recalled at a moment’s notice.

PolyBrute 12 rounds out its feature set with an intuitive polyphonic sequencer, a versatile arpeggiator, and a suite of digital effects. The sequencer supports both real-time and step recording, with up to 64 steps available for building intricate patterns. Arturia demonstrates how sequences can be looped and tailored with tempo and gate controls, while the matrix arpeggiator combines sequencing and arpeggiation for more advanced pattern creation.

On the effects side, PolyBrute 12 offers digital delay, reverb, phaser, chorus, flanger, and several distortion algorithms for adding saturation and colour. These effects can be fine-tuned via dedicated parameters, providing plenty of scope for shaping the final sound. The combination of sequencing, arpeggiation, and onboard effects positions the PolyBrute 12 as a self-contained powerhouse for both studio and stage, ready to inspire new workflows and sonic adventures.