‘SkiniBrute’ Turns Arturia MiniBrute Into A Desktop Synthesizer

skinibrute

GMUSynth Woodworks has introduced ‘SkiniBrute‘ – a wood panel conversion kit that turns the Arturia MiniBrute keyboard into a desktop synth module.

The SkiniBrute mod holds the synth’s panel at an 11.25° angle, providing clear and easy access to the controls. The case’s side panels are modeled after the original MiniBrute design, including the multidimensional slopes and bevels. 

skinibrute-back

A solid wood front piece fills the gap left by missing keyboard, and a new metal base plate with rubber feet and hammer finish completes the case.

The kit includes all panel mounting brackets, spacers, and screws required for installation. No synth repair or electronics knowledge is required to install, and assembly instructions are provided. And the conversion is non-destructive and completely reversible.

The kit is available in a number of domestic and imported hardwoods including Cherry, Walnut, Maple, Oak, and Mahogany.

The SkiniBrute case mod kit is available for US $95 at GMUSynth. Note that the kits are made to order and can take up to 6 weeks to ship.

via Dave Strength

41 thoughts on “‘SkiniBrute’ Turns Arturia MiniBrute Into A Desktop Synthesizer

  1. This is dope.
    I’ve dreamed of this.

    Could whoever did this do it for a Microkorg.
    I’d do it myself, but I’am years from knowing how.
    Thanks in advance.

    Again. This is dope.

    1. THIS!
      I would so love to turn my microkorg to a desktop synth – I would have such an easier time justifying the desk space for it

  2. That actually looks brilliant!

    Have a look at thier site- these guys do amazing looking work. Wish them much sucess.

    How do you take the keyboard off???

  3. Great product! I thought about doing this to my micro brute. I would by a kit it for sure. Could be a good option to get the kit without wood so I could choose my own wood and finish.

  4. I wish all the recent mini-synths with limited mini-keyboards shipped as modules – like the Roland Boutique series for instance. They’d all be cheaper, take up less space, could be USB-powered, and it would drive better MIDI implementations.

      1. He did not say: “I wish all the recent mini-synths with limited mini-keyboards – like the Roland Boutique series for instance – shipped as modules”, he said “I wish all the recent mini-synths with limited mini-keyboards shipped as modules – like the Roland Boutique series for instance.”. Get the difference? Now stop correcting him 🙂

  5. This is pretty darn cool, though at first glance I thought it looked like a new access virus synth, obviously not, but hey what the heck happened with the access company and the virus serries!?! They like… Dropped off the face of the earth.

    1. Access is now to busy with the Kemper guitar modeller to make new synths. They really missed the boat on synth development. VSTs caught up to them years ago and I’m not sure they will garner much attention with any more purely digital Virus synths.

  6. Interesting – I’ve just measured my Microbrute and it looks like it could be modded in a similar way (but destructive) to fit in a Eurorack case!

  7. Looks awesome. I hate the minibrute keyboard. Im not gonna pay 100$ to get rid of it though. Maybe of there was a cheaper plastic option.

  8. only a musician would pay almost half the cost of the instrument itself as an upgrade to downgrade it, cos it looks nice.

    Get a grip people.

    1. I think most are excited about it because they don’t like the keyboard and it takes up valuable space. It’s very hard for me to buy any synth with a superfluous (for my purposes) keyboard, which has kept me from buying a Bass Station II, for example. Personally, I returned my Minibrute pretty quickly, mostly because I hated the keyboard. If Arturia offered a module of it, like this, I would probably buy it again, but can’t imagine buying one, then paying more to turn it into a module.

  9. 95usd for a pair of wooden sidepanels..lol
    if you buy cherrywood or walnut and drill 6 holes yourself it costs a quarter of that, if not less.

    1. Not everybody is a master woodworker, or has the tools (or time) or know-how to take on such a project. After figuring out measurements, cutting, drilling, sanding, etc, (plus the time I’d have to take to go buy wood) I’d rather spend the $95 and not have to think about it.

    2. There’s always one. Take a look at the 3rd and 4th from the last photos on the page and think about whether or not Joe Synth owner has the tools, skills or time to make those pieces.

      I do but it would take me at least 5 hours to source, measure, cut, sand and finish it and it wouldn’t be this good. That’s 20 bucks an hour (not including parts or paying for the design). This is a great deal.

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