Arturia Forums

Hardware Instruments => MiniBrute => MiniBrute Technical Questions - FAQ => Topic started by: AndyLoxton1 on June 05, 2013, 03:44:28 pm

Title: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: AndyLoxton1 on June 05, 2013, 03:44:28 pm
Hi,

It appears that the pitch bend wheel on my minbrute is completely dead, it is having no effect on the sound played. The bend range knob is also having no effect. I have tried the re-calibration procedure, to no avail, so have opened a support ticket (129830).

As an analogue noob, I was wondering if there is anything I may have overlooked that could be causing this behavior?
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: AndyLoxton1 on June 05, 2013, 05:14:13 pm
All fixed. Looks like the calibration didnt work properly, as it fixed the issue this time!! Very prompt response from David on the tech team. First time I have ever had to raise a tech support request & am impressed with the response time!! Thanks Guys!! :)
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: AndyLoxton1 on June 27, 2013, 05:39:07 pm
It appears that the pitch bend is again not working & the calibration procedure is not fixing the issue. I have re-flashed the firmware, but still the pitch wheel isnt working?
Any ideas?
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: Thunderroad75 on June 27, 2013, 07:37:36 pm
Have you opened it up to see if the there is a cable loose inside from the pitch wheel?
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: AndyLoxton1 on June 27, 2013, 07:58:44 pm
Hi Thunderroad75,

Doesnt appear to be anything loose inside the unit, so have drawn a blank on that one. Strangely, when I turn the Bend range Knob, I get random pitch changes. Pitch works on the LFO section though....thoroughly bewildered!!LOL!
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: Thunderroad75 on June 28, 2013, 08:19:30 pm
If you haven't had it long I would get an exchange from where you purchased it. You paid in good faith for the item and any store with a descent aftercare service will make sure your sorted out.
 Hope you can get it sorted quickly  ;)
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: AndyLoxton1 on July 01, 2013, 09:00:17 am
Had it just under a year, I think!! Need to locate & dig out the receipts!! Still havent heard anything from Arturia Support, this time around. Primarily they were good, however this time they are shocking...48+ hours & zero response. Makes you wonder what they're SLA is on support times....a month or so...perhaps!!

Very Poor.
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: AndyLoxton1 on July 01, 2013, 05:27:01 pm
The shop I bought it from has agreed to courier the unit to Arturia for repair. I wish I had taken them up on they're original offer of a replacement (as when I got the unit a key weight was rattling around inside it & the wall plug was bent out of serviceability!), but as Minibrutes were hard to get hold of in September last year, I hung onto it!! Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but at least its going to get sorted!!
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: Thunderroad75 on July 01, 2013, 10:52:03 pm
Good to hear your getting it sorted. I don't know if your in the UK but I am and you have certain rights regarding electrical or any goods for that matter must be fit for purpose and last a resonable time, as long as the item is looked after. As an example I purchased an LG TV in December 2009. In January 2011 the screen started to fail. I phoned the shop I purchased it from and was told as it was over 12 months warranty I would have to pay to get it fixed! Wrong answer!....

  I contacted trading standards and they told me to write a letter explaining the sale of goods act and the item should last a resonable time and be fit for purpose. Meaning you don't expect to have to replace your TV every year! They gave me a reference number and I sent off the letter.

 Low and behold the shop I purchased the TV from picked the TV up and repaired it free of charge  ;D

So it's irellevent if its a TV or a synth YOU HAVE RIGHTS  ;)
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: AndyLoxton1 on July 02, 2013, 08:46:01 am
Yeah, I'm in the UK!! Had to do exactly what you are saying when I bought a dreadful akai mpc500 from a shop. The unit had severe issues with midi timing and was generally not fit for purpose. The shop refused to give me a refund, when I sent it back, so I quoted them the trades descriptions act and the sale of goods act in an email to them & lo & behold they refunded my money (Which I went out & bought Spark with lol!!!). Yeah I agree we do have rights, its just a shame that few people exercise them!!! ;)

Got brute withdrawal symptoms already...might have to use the Minitaur to compensate!!! ;D
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: Thunderroad75 on July 02, 2013, 06:13:52 pm
You have minitaur? I'm envious  ;D I thought about buying one but didn't have enough dosh for the brute and the Mg so got the brute purely cos it is more versatile.
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: AndyLoxton1 on July 02, 2013, 08:13:11 pm
Yeah (Smug Smile!!!) LOL!! The Brute is definitely more versatile and lends itself to more experimental stuff etc, but c'mon, Mg bass, thats where its at!! Although, it did have its teething issues. Seems stable with the latest os though. Loads of people slate the Minitaur. They say its a sub standard, poor quality Mg that is unstable and cant even do (Sine) sub bass...I just say, its a Mg, it does what it does & if it makes the house shake, then thats enuff bass for me!!! LOL! Thing is though, I originally bought the two to play together via CV, but they just didnt sit happily. So gave up trying to make them!!! So, I then bought a NanoZwerg as the Minibrutes second OSC, and again CV just didnt work properly. Methinks, I had a duff unit from the onset, but we will see as she is off to be repaired as we speak!!! ;D The Nanozwerg is also a really good piece of kit...crap build, but the sound is awesome!!! ;D
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: Thunderroad75 on July 03, 2013, 12:08:30 am
Thats interesting cos about 2 years ago I had an MFB synth 2. Really versatile fully analog synth, build quality poor! Sent it back. I just thought if I hang onto to this for a couple of years it's gonna start falling apart. Real shame cos it did sound very nice.

In 1985 I bought a Mg Prodigy off a school friend of mine for £130. It took 30 mins to get in tune but it sounded so raw and powerful. The oscillator sync sound through my delay pedal sounded incredible. Wish I still had it.  :'(

I waiting for the Novation Bass station 2 to come out. Im gonna sell my DSI evolver desktop soon to pay for it. Great sound but I had the fact it's soooo time comsuming coming up with new sounds. I need knobs god damn it!!!!!!!! oooh errr missus.

Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: AndyLoxton1 on July 03, 2013, 08:42:14 am
Yeah, MFB do a rather nice looking analog sequencer too, which does keep tempting my wallet, but gauging by the build quality of the Nano, my money stays where it is!! LOL!

I bet you are kicking yourself. You got rid of a legend there. Sounds like the tuning was a pain though!!!

I would have gone for the Bass Station 2 & the new MS20, but figured that these synths have been (Original Bass Station) on loads of records by loads of artists, which got my whole "Innovate dont Emmulate" thing going on in my mind, so I went for the MiniTaur & Brute.

I know what you mean about hands on. I bought a TI Snow when they first came out. Love the sound, but the front panel is so Knob-less that you have to go through the software & create patches ala softsynth, which isnt ideal. Hindsight dictates I should have gone for the Polar or Desktop, I prob will chop it out one day, but am frantically buying compressors currently!! LOL!!:)
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: Thunderroad75 on July 03, 2013, 05:39:54 pm
This is the dogs nuts! http://www.thomann.de/gb/mfb_dominion_x_sed.htm (http://www.thomann.de/gb/mfb_dominion_x_sed.htm) If I had the cash I would definately get this beast. Youtube demos are awesome ;D
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: AndyLoxton1 on July 03, 2013, 08:26:28 pm
Ok, now I'm drooling!!! ;)
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: AndyLoxton1 on July 03, 2013, 08:28:14 pm
That thing sounds Awesome!!, but then look at the pricetag, I guess it has to!!! ;D
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: Thunderroad75 on July 03, 2013, 09:30:57 pm
Yeap great synth indeed. I remember about 15 years ago people where saying, " oh there will never be anologue synths again cos there too expensive to make, can't get all the old chips etc. Now we are in a very, very exciting time with anologue synths. Companies like Korg, Mg, MFB, Arturia, Novation, Doepfer etc are making really great synths that actually surpass the old greats from the 70s early 80s.

 One major drawback though.............................My pockets aren't deep enough!  :(
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: AndyLoxton1 on July 12, 2013, 04:54:19 pm
Well, I got it back today, & it sounds totally different, a lot thicker, so something must have really been up with it!! Haven't had a chance to play with it properly yet, but in the half hour I had, everything seems more snappy & Pitch bend is now working!!

I know what you mean about the analogue synths & needing deep pockets!!

I had a look at the Volca range by Korg. Analog Drum synth for around £100 is pretty amazing, although, its only audio connection is a minijack, which kind of puts me off as the Montron delay has the same connection and is VERY (White)noisy!!
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: Thunderroad75 on July 14, 2013, 09:29:03 pm
Korg are really impressing at the moment. They are putting alot of tiime and effort into their new anologe range of synths and drum machines. I to have looked at the volca range and they seem impressive for the cash. I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 and I downloaded this app,
 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.singlecellsoftware.caustic&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5zaW5nbGVjZWxsc29mdHdhcmUuY2F1c3RpYyJd

This is open ended so you can load your own samples into the drum machine and the pcmsynth synths. I downloaded the Roland CR-78, TR-808,909. Korg KPR etc samples and loaded them into the drum machine. It is awesome bit of kit and it's free to download. You only pay to unlock it but all that means is you can save your songs. The app is completely usable without paying for the unlock code.

 It has kept me amused for hours, put it through your mixer and speakers................it will blow you away with it's quality and depth.  ;)
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: MarctheDarc on July 19, 2013, 09:09:41 am
First off; nice that it came back much better than before. When the sound and everything is so much different i would say there's been damage to the print and/or components - atleast by my logic. So you're in for a lot of fun, i'm loving my Brute!

As to the analog discussion, i would actually argue that Korg is far from impressing. So far all their new ventures into analog has been limited, cheaply designed, poor quality and shown a complete lack of creative drive. Not to mention the absense of anything new or even remotely groundbreaking.

The Mono-series are all extremely limited, nigh unplayable (no MIDI, USB or CV/gate without voiding warantee) with only that touchstrip, built in speakers and poor output ruin the signalpath.

Volca-series have improved the interface/control and has MIDI-in (compared to Monos), but with only headphone out and built in speakers, they're looking to be just as ruined in the signalpath as the Monos. More over the cosmetics seem plagiarised from Rolands old machines - so not even there do they show any intent to do something new and exciting.

MS-20 mini is just a cheaply made reissue of their 35 year old synth, with no attempts at improving or refining their original recipe. People have been asking for this for too long for it to even be called timely. Korg have been dragging their feet, arriving late to the party (let's be realistic; they only started planning the MS-20 mini AFTER Arturia announced the MiniBrute), and used absolutely no money or effort to make the new 1 a quality product - it was slapped together in all haste with cheap components to the extent that the sound came near enough the original.

If you want a nice and exciting analog for the 21st century, you need to be looking at companies like Arturia, Doepfer, Vermona (check their Mono Lancet), DSi, MFB (crap build but good sound indeed), Mg and even Waldorf is doing something more inspired than Korg. And that's not even going 'round all the modular and boutique stuff.

Korg doesn't in any way deserve the praise they're getting for making analog, it's just not nearly good enough compared to the competition. Not to mention they are notoriously bad at maintaining software support for their gear - i have returned more than 1 piece of Korg gear to the store because they dropped support of the very necessary software within 1 year of launch.
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: Thunderroad75 on July 20, 2013, 12:20:54 am
 :'( oh boy what have I said now?  ::)
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: MarctheDarc on July 22, 2013, 04:46:20 pm
Nothing in particular, i just respectfully disagreed with your positive position towards Korgs recent analog strategy.

On an update; today i had the chance to compare the MS-20 mini head to head with the MiniBrute, right next to each other. They are worlds apart - and that's not a good thing for MS-20 mini!
It's even more cheaply made in all aspects than i had ever imagined! All plugs and pots felt loose and poor quality. Some of the 1/8" jacks wasn't even the correct size, so the plugs didn't connect properly or stay in place. The main output apparently had a lose connection. The side panels are the cheapest plastic ever, and was already loose and coming off.
Furthermore the VCOs doesn't sound nice, especially the triangle wave was way off, and sounded more like a squashed sawtooth. Tuning was all over the place, with VCOs jumping in octaves at random, and sometimes cutting out individually for no apparent reason. The overall sound was extremely muddy and gritty (not in a warm and/or musical way). Clarity was nowhere to be found, and the scope of possible sounds seemed very limited by this fact.
Only real plus was that the filter sounds very good at high resonance settings.

My local gearstore where this transpired told me that the unit had only been there a few days, had not suffered any damage during that time, and was in the same condition as when it arrived. Said store is high quality with pro staff, so this is really out of place.
Personally i think it's a bold move to put a unit as dodgy as that 1 on display; they must really rely on the MS-20 name to sell it for them.

For me, it killed whatever little doubt that the MS-20 might've been a eligible choice.
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: Thunderroad75 on July 22, 2013, 10:58:43 pm
I respect your point of view, as we all have one, but I don't think you can really aim so much negative critiscim towards them. After all they are doing something in the right direction even if you feel the quality is not there. I don't see Roland or Yamaha doing the same thing. Roland bought out the Sh-01 Gaia, nice idea, retro style, crap plastic look and dull sound! Still they did try  ::)

Korg are a business after all and need to make a profit on products that sell. From what I see the Korg MS20 mini is doing just that.

So I still stand by my original comments. Korg are doing good things especially with the volca range.

Come on Roland I want to see the SH-2 updated to 2013. ;D
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: MarctheDarc on July 22, 2013, 11:50:26 pm
Fair enough, i will agree that Roland and Yamaha should wake up and revisit/reinvent some of their classic stuff. There's plenty of great stuff to build on. Though i dont think the Gaia SH-01 counts, because it really wasn't that good (even for a digital). Then i actually prefer the SH-201 that came before, it wasn't competing with real analog, but it had some nice tricks up its sleeve.
But so far, i'm not so sure Korg is any better from a consumer standpoint. To turn a quick profit, they're doing well enough, but i doubt people will stand for their complete lack of dedication, innovation and quality in the long run...
No doubt my negative stance is born from a couple of rude awakenings - luckily for me, each time Korg have been so far out of bounds, they've violated danish law, and i've been entitled to a full refund. Otherwise i would've been seriously angry. Atm i'm just at mildly annoyed... Just seems silly to me, to come up with such great ideas, and then fumble them in the actual execution.

I am actually quite interested in seeing how the Volca series turns out, but i dread that it's yet another place where their incessant built in speakers are promising to ruin the signal path, and leave a great idea utterly destroyed. Also i think it's a cheap trick to dress them up like Rolands classics. Beyond that i have my fingers crossed that they turn out better then i'm expecting.

At the top of my "dream come true wish list" is a Roland VP-330 remade, properly.
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: Thunderroad75 on July 24, 2013, 12:22:14 am
Still waiting for the Novation Bass station 2 to finally hit the stores. I have an idea it will be awesome!
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: beefinator on July 24, 2013, 02:47:19 am
All the demos I've heard have been terrible, but I'll give novation the benefit of the doubt, because it seemed that the guys they had showcasing it knew nothing about how to use it, how to show off its features without making just a mess of everything distorted.

But the part that really makes it a no for me are the multi-function knobs.  Sure the bassstation (awkward name...   ::) 3 s's if you write it out, and you can't really abbreviate it...)  has presets, but I love the minibrute for its totally knob-per-function interface.
The bassstation has at least twice the number of parameters accessible via the front panel than it has actual physical knobs.  Just my preference, I wouldn't want to deal with that.
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: MarctheDarc on July 26, 2013, 12:57:49 pm
I'm very curious about the BassStation as well. Hereby suggesting abbreviating it BaSta ;-)
Actually Thomann.de has it on short deliverytime (2-5 days). Sadly can't afford to try it out for a while.
Just used my budget for the coming months on a Steinberg UR28M soundcard.

Must say that i'm no big fan of shift/function buttons etc. but i prefer it to computer editors. Since, be it 6 months (korg) or 10 years (or anything inbetween), eventually the manufacturer will cut support for the editor. And at some point an update to your OS will render your editor software useless, cutting you off from editing these things in your hardware, unless you maintain an old computer to do these edits.

That said, i still feel the MiniBrute is the more interesting design of the 2. So personally i'll probably be saving for a poly of sorts.
Title: Re: Pitch Bend Wheel Dead?
Post by: Thunderroad75 on July 27, 2013, 12:39:22 am
I am looking forward to the Bass Station 2. Got my deposit down and I'm ready to go when it hits the shops. I personally don't mind a bit of menu diving as long as the main parameters are to hand. To be honest the amount of features the Bass Station 2 offers far out weighs anything that old analogue synths could offer. I think these days with so much on offer we expect so much from synth manufacturers.
 I loved my old Mg Prodigy. It was one of the later models with filter in and s-trigger. Very basic but what it did do, it did it very, very well. I have never heard any other synth that has oscillator sync sound as raw and exciting as the Prodigy.

 I hope the basic sound of the BS 2 will have that?