French company Arturia was founded in 1999 by Frédéric Brun and Gilles Pommereuil, both students at INPG, Grenoble Institute of Technology, France. The company was aimed at producing affordable synthesizers while focusing on analog path. Arturia was equally successful at hardware synths, software and controllers embracing surely the whole music market. The virtual workstation Storm became the first move by Arturia.
TAE (True Anаlog Emulation) brand technology developed and used by Arturia became one of the main innovations introduced by the French company while creating electronic instruments and willing to emphasis the quality and authenticity of analog sound.
The collaboration with Robert Moog, the founder of the brand producing legendary electronic musical instruments, brought fame to the company. In 2003 Modular V modular synthesizer came out. The instrument included a new patented Arturia technology of analog sound generating - TAE. Modular V has 9 oscillators based on original Moog ones, 3 filters, 2 virtual LFOs, VCA emulator, step sequencer (24 steps), virtual 61-note keyboard which ensured almost unlimited possibilities for composing. Modular V’s memory offered more than 400 presets. Moog wasn’t the only brand Arturia used to cooperate. Many successful products ensued from joint projects together with ARP, Roland, Sequential Circuits and others.
In 2007 the company developed the software for Analog Factory synthesizers which included more than 2000 presets. The ability to run the soft on the notebook made many live performers happy. But Arturia just couldn’t get enough. The new elaborate Analog Factory Reloaded version was released featuring +1000 patches. Analog Experience MIDI keyboard followed Analog Factory release – there were 49- and 61-key models. These are the MIDI controllers of high efficiency featuring a semi-weighted velocity sensitive keyboard with aftertouch. There’s a special mode allowing you to produce different voices simultaneously. MIDI keyboard can function with any soft on. The sufficient number of pads and knobs simplifies the operating process.
Origin (Desktop), a virtual analog synthesizer, came out in 2008. The instrument comprised samples of the popular synths of the past and a nice interface in order to control all the sound manipulations. Anyway it didn’t appear to be a commercial success – and it might be because of its price tag – though it still gets updated and has its own target audience. Arturia began launching Origin Keyboard version which incorporates Origin module and a 49-key MIDI controller, plus the folding-like casing comes in handy.
MiniBrute, an analog monophonic synthesizer, was released in 2012 and became a market hit at once. Brute series introduced all the technologies the company had ever developed and was the unique instrument starring on the shelves as Arturia’s first independent product. The synthesizer offers 1 VCO, 3 LFOs, 2 ADSR envelope generators, 25 velocity sensitive keys with aftertouch, MIDI ins/outs and MIDI USB. The instrument enclosed Steiner-Parker filter giving MiniBrute the biggest sonic palette – indeed no alternatives.
Brute Factor function alters filter character completely which conduces to creation of absolutely new sounds. The instrument is equipped with a 4-mode arpeggiator supporting MIDI sync for making perfect arpeggio patterns. Arturia released an updated MiniBrute version - MiniBrute SE the main distinctions of which were the enhanced design and a step sequencer instead of arpeggiator.
MicroBrute – a stripped down version of MiniBrute – was launched. The instrument is rigged with 25 velocity sensitive mini keys with synth mechanics, one-step sequencer. The oscillator is capable of generating several waveforms simultaneously allowing you to adjust the value of each one. The instrument retained the abilities of its predecessor – it still offers Steiner-Parker filter with Brute Factor function. MicroBrute SE was launched having its design and features improved.
The development of the company kept on growing fast – the new product, 100% analog Arturia synthesizer MatrixBrute was announced in 2016 combining MiniBrute possibilities with the modular synthesizer approach – it has a peculiar matrix, the matrix which drew anyone’s attention for sure. Plus to the Steiner-Parker filter the synthesizer included Moog-like filters. The machine features a 49-note velocity sensitive keyboard with aftertouch and standard MIDI implementation. It also allows syncing sequencer and arpeggiator. MatrixBrute is a true French device: it’s chic and lovely, even more – it features a Moog style front panel.
Besides software and hardware synthesizers Arturia produces MIDI controllers of high quality – of course, you know these BeatStep Pro, MiniLab and KeyLab series which offers 4 MIDI keyboards of various size - KeyLab 25, KeyLab 49, KeyLab 61 and KeyLab 88. The French company has also conquered the audio interface segment with its AudioFuse device.
The company collaborates with researches and institues which helps the developers in creating popular and advanced electronic musical instruments as well as software. Arturia became truly famous on the music market. The company started out as a software developer which is into supporting virtual synthesizers – it became so successful that now it decided to pay attention on music fashion and show its might in the hardware market section featuring its products in many soundtracks and hit songs.
