Arturia DrumBrute Review – “There’s Nothing Like Straight-Up Analog”

In this video, Corry Banks of BBoyTechReport shares his thoughts on the new Arturia DrumBrute drum machine.

Banks is impressed, calling the DrumBrute ‘certified dope’, ‘a good buy’ and adding that “there’s nothing like straight-up analog’.

Pricing and Availability

DrumBrute will be available November 17 for 449€ / $499. More information is available at the Arturia website.

33 thoughts on “Arturia DrumBrute Review – “There’s Nothing Like Straight-Up Analog”

  1. This sounds so incredible, i love the splat of the kick, its also good that the highs are so extremely piercing, its frequency response is kinda U shaped, i for one dont like too much body to my sounds, so its good to see a brand empty out that body to make space for other things.

    1. Totally Bro, The only thing this drum machine is missing is the airhorn sample! As rad as this thing is I think that was kind of an oversight on their part.

  2. Could be cool. But that clap is so weak. Hats are a downer too. The other sounds seem usable. Overall this machine’s got a weak sounding noise engine. Fuzzy, but no balls. Shame…

    1. Yes, I agree. If the base noise was a bit sweeter and heftier, that would make the snare, clap, hats and cymbals much more usable. But also sound straight up 808/909. I’m sure someone will mod the noise section as soon as it comes out.

    2. Listening to the video demos, the Hi-Hats — https://youtu.be/GBcI6kvRjPA?t=10m — sound just like the hats on my old TR-606; it’s a sound I do not care for myself (there’s a reason I sold that 606, and there’s a reason the Hi-Hat is one of the first sounds Roland digitally recreated in their drum machines), but if you want that 1981-1982 pre-909 Roland hat sound, the DrumBrute nails it.

      The clap — https://youtu.be/GBcI6kvRjPA?t=8m53s — is a little more full-bodied sounding a bit less piercing than it is on the old 808. It’s a little different, yeah, but I don’t think Authuria is trying to make a component for component copy of an early 1980s analog beatbox from Roland.

      If anything else, this is a good compliment to the Korg ER-1, which has a good kick, hi-hat, and clap, but is very weak on the snare front.

        1. Correct, Jim. However, I guess I should have clarified what I meant by ‘spread’. I wasn’t so much speaking in terms of stereo width, I was referring to a parameter found on other analog drum boxes where ‘spread’ refers to the space between claps. For example, the ‘clap’ parameter on the Vermona DRM, or the ‘spread’ parameter on the M.P.C. Electronics ‘The Kit’. I believe the Elektron Rytm also has ‘Rate’ and ‘Number’ parameters for the clap sound that in conjunction, work similarly. These parameters basically adjust the number of claps (or the space between them) to make the clap sound either tight and punchy, or more ‘ragged’ sounding, like several people clapping slightly out of time.

          1. Yeah, it was also my first impression that this parameter is missing in the DrumBrute. I had an MAM ACM-2 Mini Syncussion (still regret so much that I sold it) that had this parameter also. It was just called “clap” if I remember right.

  3. This is a good demo and this dudes high bpm beats are really pretty good especially near the end through the modular. It kinda showed me this instrument in a new light, though i’m still a little unsure about the sounds.

  4. I think in todays world the word analog is getting overused
    this looks cool specially price point but let’s be honest
    how many of these new analog gear coming out is really blowing you away like the old Roland Drum and Synths from yesteryear .

    1. well the roland stuff from yesteryear was cheap in the first place. And it worked. Blown away is kinda wrong. Nobody cared about analog or digital back then. Except in general digital was considered better, but more expensive.

  5. I like the look of this….a lot. Especially as i can drive my vermona drm with its midi out for even more possibilities. Cant decide on wether to get shot of my tr8….which ive never been totally happy with, but i love the liquid open hi hat which the drumbrute doesnt have.
    I suppose the drumbrute is to the classic analogue drum machine what the minibrute is to the classic analogue synth. At less than 400 quid there is literally nothing to complain about.

  6. I really don’t care if its analog or digital if it sounds good. To be honest, I’m most excited about the individual outs. And while the Kick and Snare are the sun and moon of a drum machine, the Hats are the stars–and these hats are kinda clunky. They sound good in hi pass, but I wouldn’t want to hog the filter by only having hats on the master out. I’m sure they could be helped with a dedicated eq on the board.

    I was an inch away from finally getting a TR-8, and I think ACB modeling is completely fine. I just want those sounds on individual outs for performance so I can use an effects eurorack without destroying or burying the entire beat.

    1. Mod #2: button on the filter to process the hats only. 🙂

      Can use the external outs to fix up the hats, to be sure. Kind of a pain in normal usage but it’d work. It would obviously raise the price but it would be __sweet__ if the outs were inserts instead.

  7. Remember the price though, folks. This is an amazing deal and it gives you the option for individual processing of drum parts anyway. I think all around, it’s an incredible product even for double the price. So many modern drum machines don’t have the pattern sequencing and stuff that this one has.

  8. Only stores pattern not patch data ? Fail sauce …

    Waldorf need to make rack attack 2 in a blofeld / pulse 2 sized case.

      1. Controls fail – That’s why it’s best to avoid analog controls. What’s the use of a 17 part instrument that you can’t instantly change the sounds of at the press of a button? Not much use for a live performance unless you either keep the drums the same or slowly evolve them. Boring, limited… That’s why I had to get rid of the Minibrute.

        Fair enough if you just want to jam about at home

  9. Think the thing this is most doing for me is making me reconsider the value proposition of the MFB Tanzbär Lite and the MFB Tanzmaus. They’re not much more expensive than the DrumBrute. Fewer sounds and missing some sequencing features but they have full MIDI control of all parameters and the internal sequencer has parameter locks.

  10. Sure, it would be great to have parameter locking like the Elektron stuff and loadable drum kits like the Tempest; no question. Be mindful of the price – this thing is full on analog with some very cool sequencing as well for $500. It’s pretty insane and groundbreaking! I, for one, will be getting one.

  11. :/ If you want stereo spread, go individual out through an effect and create your own. If you’re crafty you’ll prefer the results. You’ve got options now. Take control of your life and DIY.

  12. I do not own a Drumbrute but have been considering one for a while. The price is very low for such a machine. Some have lacked the fact parameters cannot be automated. This is a creative tool which makes you perform. The original TRs did not have automation and how many hits have you heard them on? The individual outs are worth the price alone.
    From what I’ve heard on you tube etc. the sounds could be better but again, having the outs will make you experiment. I understand that everyone will not have a mixer but even those these days are pretty cheap. I think it could become the Drum Machine of choice for many and have just talked myself into a purchase…..ps the polyrhythms are a great asset also.

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