Arturia DrumBrute Review With Mad Zach

In this video, Mad Zach shares his thoughts on the new Arturia DrumBrute drum machine.

The DrumBrute is an analog drum machine that offers 17 distinct, fully analog drum and percussion instruments, an intuitive sequencer, comprehensive connectivity, a two-mode Steiner-Parker filter, and dynamic performance controls.

Pricing and Availability

DrumBrute is available now with a street price of US $449. More information is available at the Arturia website.

29 thoughts on “Arturia DrumBrute Review With Mad Zach”

  3. There’s a few really nice features, and the price is very good. But I’m just not excited about this drum machine… i think the sounds are just a bit boring. i’d rather have a 4 voice drum machine with more in-depth drum synthesis than 17 drum sounds nearly identical to all the other roland style drum sounds out there.

  5. I really wanted to like this. But it sounds like a wet blanket covers the sound. I hear this aspect in other demos as well. Not vibrant, sizzling and clear like other classic analog drum machines. Sad, because the unit looks very classy.

    1. Agree. The interface, sequencer, wood panels, controls and overall feel of the unit are looking very good, the ability to use polyrhytms and swing is also nice, but when it comes to sound….its very disappointing. To my ears, its better to use some nice VSTs then this. Very sad.

    2. Functionality is cool…I could imagine the sounds coming to life more using the individual outs to lots of outboard gear, but that’s a lot of work for a drum machine. It’s been a while since I used a Beatstep Pro, and I didn’t use it for long when I had it, but it seems like the sequencer is essentially the same here? If one likes the sequencer functionality of the BSP, but the sound of the DrumBrute leave you dry, the BSP / Nord Drum 2 combo is a better bet, for just a little more money. The Vermona DRM1 MkIII can also be had for around $650 used, and has a lot more personality and tweakability than the DrumBrute.

      1. Agree. Vermona DRM MkIII is a great and really underrated piece of gear. Tons of tweakability and great punchy sound! One of the best and interesting clap sounds i ever heard.

  7. I just got a drumbrute, they sound awesome. Especially for the price. No drum machine makes bangers straight out the box, you have to add your own effects, mic pres, etc.. BTW, this is coming from someone who has the tempest, analog rytm, jomox xbase 999, acidlab miami, acidlab drumatix, nord drum 2, MFB Tanzbar, Roland TR-808 (and all the usual roland suspects), MPC 3000, MPC 60ii, and Just about every Eurorack drum module available….that’s all I can remember off the top of my head…….. Anyways, I usually don’t like any of the Arturia stuff, or at least prefer other synths/items instead, so I thought it was my duty to commend them on this product. Awesome that you can get an analog 17 voice drum machine at guitar center for $450 in this day in age! I know I sound like an advertisement, I basically am, I want this to be successful so others follow and create more cool gear.

    Mario

    2. Dude seriously? you have all those drum machines (Tempest, Tanzbar, 808 etc) and you need ANOTHER drum machine? none of them are fulfilling your requirements? Thats a real 1st World problem eh. You know, there are children starving in Africa….

  10. It has that tinny, click-click, book-book kind of character like old organ accompaniment drum machines have. The kick, in particular, is really lacking in balls. It’s better sounding that the Rhythm Wolf/Tom Cat and the Volca Beats but only just. Think I’d stick with the Roland TR-8 over this. Awesome price and great feature set though.

      1. no – a vacuum cleaner is a completely different machine.

        The TR8 is a 16 step drum-machine. This is a 16 step drum-machine. They both have multiple drum sounds available. They both have a 16 step interface. They both have knobs on the front panel to edit the sounds.

        They are very similar indeed. You cannot deny that in any rational way.

  13. I played with this at the Brooklyn Synth Expo and, I have to say, it sounds NOTHING like this video. I don’t think heard a single video that does it justice. Once you hear it in person, comparing it to the Timbre Wolf is just laughable (having also tooled around with that sad sad box). I will say, I was a bit disappointed with the snare. Arturia didn’t allow you to push the parameters far enough and it just sounds a bit weak. The rest, however? Large. All I’m saying is don’t trust any of these videos – they all sounds terrible.

  14. All is in the mix and since the Drumbrute doesnt have “predefined” sounds like a TR8 or others it needs more works to achieve a good sounding pattern.
    The majority of the demos i heard (like this one from Mad Zach) the bass drum is too low and is not well balanced vs the other instruments and the “not well perceived” hi hats are way too loud in the mix of many demos.

  15. Good point jfmagnet – it is difficult to appraise the sound when the demo is just from the master mono out. One of the features that really appeals to me is the separate outs. With some Eq and the odd bit of compression and effects I think this machine would really shine. The separate outs, knob per function do to my mind make this a very tempting piece of kit, I’ll also chuck in a mention for the Cyclone 606 which looks intriguing….

  16. Dear demonstrators,

    would you be kind enough to show drum machines in a musical context. After years of shortage in analog/seperate outputs, it would be pleasing and usefull to actually hear drum machines through mixers, eqs, and resampling. Not just DRY AND STEREO!

    thank you very much, from a boom tschak lover

    1. Totally agree. I’m going to upload a vid on my Youtube channel soon of my Drumbrute going through a small Mackie and into an Analog Heat. By the way, i saw you play at Maniac Love in Tokyo years ago and you absolutely blew the roof off. Thanks for a good night!

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