The PolyBrute sequencer-arpeggiator is powerful and deep. It has three modes:
- Sequencer: Full-fledged polyphonic sequencer capable of either real-time or step recording.
- Arpeggiator: Imparts a choice of patterns to any held notes.
- Matrix Arpeggiator: Hybrid mode that generates arpeggio patterns, then lets you edit them like steps in a sequence.
Press the Sequencer button on the Matrix Panel.
Any recorded steps (including if the current Preset has a stored sequence or arpeggio) will be shown by buttons lit in red.
Any recorded steps (including if the current Preset has a stored sequence or arpeggio) will be shown by buttons lit in red.
Real-time recording is like tape or a DAW: What you play is what you hear back.
Step recording registers each event as an event in a series or grid. Events start out being equal in length.
You can then edit them, add rests, tie steps together for sustained notes, and more.
Step recording registers each event as an event in a series or grid. Events start out being equal in length.
You can then edit them, add rests, tie steps together for sustained notes, and more.
Press the Record button then the Play button in the transport area.
Pressing them both at the same time will record-arm, causing recording to begin when you play your first note.
Pressing them both at the same time will record-arm, causing recording to begin when you play your first note.
Press the Record button but not the Play button, then start playing notes.
Polyphonic events are recorded in both real-time and step modes, up to six notes of polyphony.
The PolyBrute sequencer also records velocity.
The PolyBrute sequencer also records velocity.
64 steps. Steps 1-32 are shown by default. Press Assign button 2 to switch the Matrix to show steps 33-64.
Yes, any you choose from one to 64 steps. Simply hold Seq Length, then press the Matrix button corresponding to the final step in the sequence.
Prog rockers and Brubeck fans should feel right at home!
Holding Seq Length also brings up a menu where you can select lengths of 8, 16, 32, or 64 steps. The Expand option doubles the sequence length and copies the original sequence into the second half.
Prog rockers and Brubeck fans should feel right at home!
Holding Seq Length also brings up a menu where you can select lengths of 8, 16, 32, or 64 steps. The Expand option doubles the sequence length and copies the original sequence into the second half.
Look at them as four groups with three rows of eight buttons in each group.
In each group, the bottom row of buttons shows note events. The middle row shows accents. The top row shows slides.
Notes, accents, and slides for each step can be turned on and off by pressing the corresponding Matrix button.
What are accents?
An accented step plays at maximum velocity. An unaccented step plays at the velocity at which it was recorded.
What are slides?
With a slide active, that step will pitch-bend up to its note value. The time this takes is determined by the Glide knob.
In each group, the bottom row of buttons shows note events. The middle row shows accents. The top row shows slides.
Notes, accents, and slides for each step can be turned on and off by pressing the corresponding Matrix button.
What are accents?
An accented step plays at maximum velocity. An unaccented step plays at the velocity at which it was recorded.
What are slides?
With a slide active, that step will pitch-bend up to its note value. The time this takes is determined by the Glide knob.
To add ties, hold the desired keys on the keyboard, then press the Matrix buttons for the steps you want the notes held over.
To add rests, press note event buttons without holding any keys.
To add rests, press note event buttons without holding any keys.
Yes. Press and hold the Sequencer button on the Matrix panel to access a menu of sequence management tools.
Here, you can copy a sequence, then paste it once you have selected a new Preset.
There are also options to paste with and without automation, erase notes, erase automation, and transpose.
Here, you can copy a sequence, then paste it once you have selected a new Preset.
There are also options to paste with and without automation, erase notes, erase automation, and transpose.
Yes. Hold any active step button in the Matrix for a second to bring up step edit mode. Now, you can:
- Switch the active step by pressing other step buttons.
- Play one or more keys to replace or add up to six notes to that step.
- Use the amount knob to change the duration of that step.
Yes. You get three “lanes” to record three different controller movements in both real-time and step mode.
While in the Sequencer view, press Assign 4 for Modulations.
While in the Sequencer view, press Assign 4 for Modulations.
Because holding a note in the lower zone of the keyboard can transpose the sequence so you can solo over it in the upper zone.
You can set the split point by holding the Timbrality button and pressing a key on the keyboard. The sequence will now play in any key you hold in the lower zone.
You can set the split point by holding the Timbrality button and pressing a key on the keyboard. The sequence will now play in any key you hold in the lower zone.
The range is one to four octaves. Hold the Play Mode button to display the play modes, which are:
- Up: Plays lowest to highest notes, then repeats.
- Down: Plays highest to lowest notes, then repeats.
- Inclusive: Up and Down, repeating the end notes.
- Exclusive: Up and Down, not repeating the end notes.
- Order: Mirrors the order in which you played keys on the keyboard.
- Random: Plays all held notes randomly.
- Pattern: Generates patterns with a selectable number of steps via Seq Length, up to 32. The default is 16 steps.
Yes, there’s a “Copy to Sequence” function to do exactly this. Press Assign button 8 on the Matrix panel.
This is a powerful hybrid of the Sequencer and Arpeggiator, generating patterns of up to 16 steps. While in the Sequencer view, press Seq and Arp together to enter it.
The Matrix buttons now show the following:
Each step in the pattern can be polyphonic, with the overall six notes determined by the chord you hold and the notes per step set by the blue buttons.
In the GIF above, step 1 is playing a full six-note chord; steps 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8 are playing two-note intervals in that chord, and steps 5 and 6 are playing single notes.
Note: The number of active steps in a Matrix arpeggio is set by the Seq Length button. Hold it and press the final step desired in row C.
The Matrix buttons now show the following:
- Rows A, B, and C are slides, accents, and note events, respectively, just like in the Sequencer.
- Rows D-I show up to six notes for each step. D is the highest and I the lowest.
- Rows J, K, and L act as octave shift buttons across a three-octave range.
Each step in the pattern can be polyphonic, with the overall six notes determined by the chord you hold and the notes per step set by the blue buttons.
In the GIF above, step 1 is playing a full six-note chord; steps 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8 are playing two-note intervals in that chord, and steps 5 and 6 are playing single notes.
Note: The number of active steps in a Matrix arpeggio is set by the Seq Length button. Hold it and press the final step desired in row C.
Yes. If the Polybrute detects incoming MIDI clock via the USB or MIDI IN port, it will automatically synchronize.
There are also manual menu options (Settings > 5) to set the sync source.
There are also manual menu options (Settings > 5) to set the sync source.
Yes, which means you can capture the results in a DAW and apply them to other instruments.
Settings > 7 > 4 gets you to this menu; "ON" is the default behavior.
Settings > 7 > 4 gets you to this menu; "ON" is the default behavior.
Watch our tutorial video with sound designer Matt Pike.
If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us.