The Arturia Micro Freak is an exceptional synthesizer that serves an interested musician to satisfaction. Its features blend perfectly on wavetable and digital oscillators with its unique flat keyboard. It is a revolutionized instrument that varies from the usual plug-in provisions.
Besides the analog monosynth options, digital modules might become your favorite, leaving slim chances for hardware synths that are hands-on instruments. Analog synths are efficient and pocket-friendly, including Arturia’s.
Trying a new keyboard is intriguing, especially for people who travel a lot and love music. The mini keyboard does not require much power, and the USB power is sufficient, unlike the analog Type. It is very light, meaning it takes minimal space, you don’t have to worry about breaking keys, and it can double up as a controller keyboard instead of a USB.
Arturia Micro Freak Specifications
- Keys: 25
- Key Size: Standard
- Keyboard Type: Touch-Sensitive
- Polyphony: 1
- Input Ports: Midi In, Clock In (3,5 mm TS)
- Output Ports: 3x CV (CV, Gate, Pressure), Midi out, 1 Headphone Line Jack 6,3 mm TRS
- Sequencer: Yes
- USB connection to host: Yes
- USB connection to the device: No
- USB midi: Yes
- Colour: Black
- Contents: MIDI to 3,5mm, Adaptér, manuál
- Package Contents: 2x MIDI to 3,5 mm, Adapter, Manual
- Width x Depth x Height: 311 x 233 x 55(mm)
- Total Weight: 1.02 kg
- Adapter included: Yes
- Length: 233 mm
- Origin: China
Arturia Micro Freak Features Review
The Micro Freak keyboard is simply a touch of madness as its creators opted for capacitive keys instead of the regular shifting ones. It has ‘Grain de folie’ on its front panel, explaining why it is peculiar to any other, making it quirky.
Its keys are mounted on a PCB panel with exposed nodes and an underlying matrix to sense any external contact. At the top are shallow ridges, and separate white keys while the black ones are connected to a house of several touch strip sensitive arp and sequence controls.
It might take a new user time to get used to, but bear in mind it is susceptible and fast; thus, you can play the notes swiftly since there is no travel! Besides speed and sensitivity, the velocity and aftertouch data are also generated by the keyboard.
in the area of connection, firmness, and stability, the keys will detect pressure from your skin. Pressing harder with your finger flat will get you a higher value, while the latter guarantees a more expansive contact zone.
Get Your Digital Freak On
The MicroFreak is not only a revolutionizer but a mutiny with 12 varying algorithms on its digital oscillator. It is an assembly that provides a wide range of sonic raw materials providing the world with an analog filter and VCA. It has a built-in chorus in some algorithms and a functioning generator that can work with the primary envelope or LFO.
The Freak has 256 memory slots that are pre-populated with synthetic sounds and templates for a start. The best part is that you can overwrite and customize it. The factory preset on the synth picks on patch 1, and it may not amuse you. However, you can do random twiddling to get subtle results. Anytime the knobs are not correctly syncing, the output might not be pleasant, but you will get used in due time.
Sound Engines
The Digital Oscillator is where you can select and adjust the sound with the four orange encoders. The first one will choose an algorithm while the remaining three select Wave, Timbre, and Shape, and their naming is arbitrary to change the sound in various ways according to Type. For instance, the initial kind is Basic Waves, where the algorithm wave encoder smoothly translates from a square wave while Timbre changes symmetry, and the Shape knob allows for a mix in the sub‑oscillator.
Superwave is for classical dances, and four variants can detune and harmonize mixes. Wavetable has 16 different tables with 32 waveforms in module position and an additional synth, Harmonic.
What qualifies the Arturia MicroFreak as an attractive entry is the seven synth models they have implemented with success. Its sound generators are of a complex design but fitted with a reasonably sized control panel.
Filter, VCA & Paraphony
The MicroFreak’s SEM-style 12dB/oct filter is analog with modes ranging from low-, high- and band-pass making it a fantastic option to shape and smooth digital sources. There is a knob from the main envelope that modulates and filters sound for the synth.
You can use the main envelope generator and control the VCA or complex gate from the keyboard. If the Paraphonic button is off, it works like a regular monophonic synth thanks to its analog VCA. However, engaging the Paraphonic mode switches the synth to four independent digital VCAs through the primary envelope contour.
Conclusion
The Review- Arturia MicroFreak is small in size but fierce in performance as it is a compact instrument that is purely in sync with magic, skill, and deep passion. Its physical model, wavetable synthesis, and virtual analog make it an exciting oscillator available. Although it sounds like it is too good to come by, you can go ahead and explore the small synth and test your creativity while you satisfy any curious buds you may have.
Read more: Yamaha P71 – Piano – Full review
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