Arturia RackBrute 3U, RackBrute 6U USER’S MANUAL

USER MANUAL

Special Thanks

DIRECTION

Frederic Brun Nicolas Dubois Adrien Courdavault Philippe Vivancos

ENGINEERING

Valentin Lepetit

Nicolas Dubois

MANUAL

Gert Braakman Florian Marin

DESIGN

Sebastien Rochard DesignBox Sylvain Missemer Morgan Perrier

BETA TESTERS

Chuck Capsis

Terry Mardsen

Marco Correia

www.arturia.com

Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Arturia. The software described in this manual is provided under the terms of a license agreement or non-disclosure agreement. The software license agreement specifies the terms and conditions for its lawful use. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any purpose other than purchaser’s personal use, without the express written permission of ARTURIA S.A.

All other products, logos or company names quoted in this manual are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Product version: 1.0

Revision date: 17 January 2018

Benjamin Renard

Luc Walrawens

Adrien Kanter

Jean-Philippe Gross

Ken Flux Pierce

Victor Morello

Andrew Capon

Gert Braakman

Tom Hall

Reek Havok

Randy Lee

Thank you for purchasing the Arturia RackBrute!

This manual covers the features and operation of Arturia’s RackBrute 3U and RackBrute 6U.

In this package you will find:

• RackBrute 3U or 6U unit with power supply

• 15V-3000mA Power supply + power cord

• Link fixing system: Handle + 4 screws

• Extra screws and washers + rubber pads

Be sure to register your RackBrute as soon as possible! There is a sticker on the bottom panel that contains the serial number of your unit. This is required during the online registration process. You may want to record these elsewhere or take a photo of the sticker in case it becomes damaged.

Registering your RackBrute allows you to receive special offers restricted to owners of the RackBrute series products.

Special Message Section

Specifications Subject to Change:

The information contained in this manual is believed to be correct at the time of printing. However, Arturia reserves the right to change or modify any of the specifications without notice or obligation to update the hardware that has been purchased.

IMPORTANT:

The product, when used in combination with an amplifier, headphones or speakers, may be able to produce sound levels that could cause permanent hearing loss. DO NOT operate for long periods of time at a high level or at a level that is uncomfortable.

If you encounter any hearing loss or ringing in the ears, you should consult an audiologist.

NOTICE:

Service charges incurred due to a lack of knowledge relating to how a function or feature works (when the product is operating as designed) are not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, and are therefore the owner's responsibility. Please study this manual carefully and consult your dealer before requesting service.

Precautions include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Read and understand all the instructions.

2. Always follow the instructions on the product.

3. Before cleaning the product, always remove all the cables. When cleaning, use a soft and dry cloth. Do not use gasoline, alcohol, acetone, turpentine or any other organic solutions; do not use a liquid cleaner, spray or cloth that's too wet.

4. Do not use the product near water or moisture, such as a bathtub, sink, swimming pool or similar place.

5. Do not place the product in an unstable position where it might accidentally fall over.

6. Do not place heavy objects on the product. Do not block openings or vents of the product; these locations are used for air circulation to prevent the product from overheating. Do not place the product near a heat vent at any location with poor air circulation.

7. Do not open or insert anything into the product that may cause a fire or electrical shock.

8. Do not spill any kind of liquid onto the product.

9. Always take the product to a qualified service center. You will invalidate your warranty if you make changes to it. Improper assembly may cause electrical shock or other malfunctions.

10. Do not use the product with thunder and lightning present; otherwise it may cause long distance electrical shock.

11. Do not expose the product to hot sunlight.

12. Do not use the product when there is a gas leak nearby.

13. Arturia is not responsible for any damage or data loss caused by improper operation of the product.

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of the Arturia RackBrute!

The RackBrute is an adjustable Eurorack housing system that will store, protect, and power your Eurorack modules. The RackBrute Link System allows you to combine units that are Link-enabled such as the MiniBrute 2 and 2S and the RackBrute 3U or 6U.

We are excited to bring you this powerful and well designed Eurorack case. It is the culmination of many years of research, and is the perfect combination of our passion for the Eurorack world and our deep appreciation for music it helps to create.

Be sure to visit the www.arturia.com website and check out our other products, tutorials and FAQs.

Musically yours, The Arturia team

1. Bridging the gap ........................................................................................................................................................... 2

1.1. The Eurorack standard ....................................................................................................................................................... 2

1.2. A fascinating adventure.................................................................................................................................................... 2

2. RackBrute Overview.................................................................................................................................................. 3

2.1. The RackBrute Link System............................................................................................................................................ 3

3. The RackBrute Case .................................................................................................................................................. 4

3.1. Viewing angles........................................................................................................................................................................ 4

3.2. Assembling your system................................................................................................................................................. 6

3.3. Rails............................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

3.4. The bus board ........................................................................................................................................................................ 7

3.5. Understanding power requirements....................................................................................................................... 8

4. Installing modules...................................................................................................................................................... 9

5. The RackBrute and other Arturia products ................................................................................................ 11

5.1. RackBrute & MiniBrute 2 and 2S................................................................................................................................. 11

5.2. RackBrute & MiniBrute..................................................................................................................................................... 14

5.3. RackBrute & MatrixBrute................................................................................................................................................ 15

5.3.1. The MatrixBrute as a Control Voltage Mixer............................................................................................................................................. 15

5.3.2. The MatrixBrute as a Scene Creator ............................................................................................................................................................. 17

5.4. RackBrute & BeatStep Pro ............................................................................................................................................ 18

5.5. RackBrute & DrumBrute ................................................................................................................................................. 19

6. Declaration of Conformity ................................................................................................................................. 20

1. BRIDGING THE GAP

In the past decade Arturia spearheaded the revival of the analogue synthesizer with some very advanced products such as the MicroBrute, the MiniBrute and the magnificent MatrixBrute.

During that same decade many musicians embraced the Eurorack standard. Not surprising: what makes the Eurorack environment so popular is that it enables you to create a unique individual sound. Whether it's EDM or complex Ambient music, you'll find Eurorack modules to match your music style.

With each new product generation Arturia added interface options that made it easier to connect its product range to a modular rack. In recent years the BeatStep Pro has become the controller of choice for many musicians in the Modular world because it features Gate, Pitch and Velocity outputs you can use to control external oscillators. In addition it has eight Drum gate outs that you can use to trigger Eurorack drum modules.

The MiniBrute 2 and the RackBrute take that integration a full step further. The MiniBrute 2 is an advanced analogue synth with an integrated patchboard that enables you to create complex connections between all of its components and your Eurorack.

It doesn't stop there; Arturia has now created a high quality Eurorack case: the RackBrute. The RackBrute attaches to the MiniBrute 2 and MiniBrute 2S but can also be used as a standalone unit. As such you can use it with all Arturia controllers that feature Gate, Pitch, and Velocity outputs.

1.1. The Eurorack standard

In 1996 Dieter Doepfer created a case based on the 19-inch rack format which was (and still is) a common format to store effects units and other studio gear. He also set the standard for the power supply and the bus boards in which you plug your modules. It was to become the standard of what we now know as Eurorack.

After a slow start his Eurorack format quickly gained momentum: the modules were low cost and very compact. In the years to follow the number of available modules grew exponentially. This phenomenal growth is easy to understand: as a musician/sounddesigner you can now create your own customised instrument.

1.2. A fascinating adventure

As soon as you start filling your case with modules, you'll be faced with an endless stream of questions: What kind of modules do I need? Why are certain modules so popular? Do I go for a standard setup with analogue oscillators, or is it better to go digital? West Coast synthesis or East Coast synthesis?

The answers to these question come slowly: by reading forums online, comparing user experiences and most importantly, by diving in. And if you're not happy with the choices you make; there's a thriving secondhand market for used Eurorack modules where you can sell your modules if they don't deliver what you expect.

Whatever you do, take the time to get to know the modules you currently own inside out. It will help you to avoid a situation where you sit in front of your system tweaking knobs randomly, without understanding what's happening, but hoping that something magical will happen. This a certain recipe for losing interest very fast. To sustain the fascination you feel, learn the functions of a module one by one and test your knowledge continuously. It's the only way to experience the reward that comes with be able to create the sounds as you imagine them.

Arturia - User Manual RackBrute 3U & 6U - Bridging the gap 2

2. RACKBRUTE OVERVIEW

The RackBrute is an adjustable Eurorack housing system that will store, protect, and power your sound modules. It consists of a rail-based rack in boat format, a solid power module and a bus board that offers you plenty of space to plug your modules in. LEDs on the power module will signal the status of the power lines that feed your Eurorack modules. The RackBrute comes in two sizes: 3U and 6U.

2.1. The RackBrute Link System

Whether you prefer to patch your modules facing up on your desk, at an angle while standing, or face-on while performing, RackBrute has you covered. You can even fold down the system for safe travelling or storage.

More importantly the RackBrute link system allows you to combine units that are linkenabled such as the MiniBrute 2 and 2S and the RackBrute 3U or 6U.

Linked to compatible systems

Linking multiple cases Folding option

3 Arturia - User Manual RackBrute 3U & 6U - RackBrute Overview

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