Arturia - MicroFreak Synthesizer Keyboard - 25-Key Hybrid Synth with PCB Keyboard, Wavetable & Digital Oscillators, Analog Filters Blue

Product Information

OLED display is very Crisp and sharp but a bit small for my eyes, but then almost everything in print is too small for my eyes. Willit let you be expressive? Of course, it’s not only pressure-sensitive but also offers poly-aftertouch. This means each key can control parameters in a different way depending on how much you touch. For me it's comfortably and fun to use. And it's really expressive. I'm sure, this flat keys better, then cheap keys with bad velocity control or without it.

This section is where you will make changes to the global controls of the synth such as the volume, a patchbay routing matrix, and utility options. Frequency Modulation (two operators) – a method of synthesis where a wave modulates the frequency of another wave, Once the MCC has updated by itself, and that your MicroFreak is connected to your computer, you'll be notified that a new firmware update is available. A digital synth like no other, MicroFreak is a peculiar, exceptional instrument that rewards the curious musician. It blends wavetable and digital oscillators with analog filters. It features a unique poly-aftertouch flat keyboard. It adds controlled randomness to sequences. This isn’t a revolution, it’s a mutiny. Un Grain De Folie / A touch of madness Firmware V4.0 elevates this hybrid desktop synthesizer's status as a sound design powerhouse even further:As well as the pseudo-dual‑oscillator Virtual Analogue model, there's a wavefolding/shaping triangle for West Coast flavour. In a more traditionally digital vein there's a two‑operator FM model, and a granular formant synth. The Chord synth is lots of fun, generating 12 different one-finger chords which can be progressively transposed and inverted (great for anything from textured washes to bouncy chip‑tune sequences). Speech is an old-school speech synthesizer based on classic 8-bit speech synth systems like the Texas Instruments Speak & Spell. This has several modes with different sets of vocal sounds and words, a parameter to scan through the sounds, and control of formant. It works slightly differently to the original Plaits equivalent, in that the words are always played in full and a single knob affects both formant and speed. In Plaits you can actually scan through the words.

The MicroFreak has three basic sections which include Master Controls, Synthesis Controls, and the Keyboard. You can further edit a patch’s behavior in the Preset options located in the Utility menu. For an in-depth look at each function, refer to the owner’s manual. Also, be sure to visit the MicroFreak cheat sheet for all of the device shortcuts. However, the real magic lies in the combo of all these together, making this odd little beast far more than the sum of its parts. MicroFreak should be top of your ‘must try’ list. Keyboard might feel a little weird at first, but it has it's pros - it features aftertouch, you can assign it to control other parameters depending on how you use it, it has hold function that comes in handy while playing live or tweaking with sound texture. It's also super responsive. Another huge asset to this Synth, instead of replacing it with a newer model, AKA MicroFreak MK II,Arturia has taken the position to continually Upgraded the Firmware adding new features, factory sounds, wavetables, functionality, a Vocoder and more. With Firmware V5 they really pushed the boundaries by adding a New sampling engine so you can Manipulate and trigger recorded audio using MicroFreak, 3 new granular engines: Scan, Cloud, and Hit modes for granular exploration more New Factory Presets, and now using MIDI Control Center, you can import your own samples, up to 24 seconds long and then send them to MicroFreak.The hybrid nature of the MicroFreak Stellar allows you to blend digital sound engines with a resonant analogue filter inspired by the classic Oberheim SEM. Experiment with low-pass, band-pass and high-pass modes to make your synth sounds whisper, scream and launch into self-oscillating orbit. Complex Sound Design Possibilities

MicroFreak’s Buchla Easel-style 25-key capacitive keyboard is an interesting addition in both looks and playability, encouraging a different kind of performance. Unlike regular keys, these PCB flat strips are covered in copper dots that respond to the amount of surface your fingers cover, resulting in the output of gate, pitch and pressure (or velocity) data that can be assigned to any parameter via the Matrix. Polyphonic aftertouch is possible, and various responsiveness options can also be adjusted in the Utility menu, too. For note bends, there’s a bipolar Touch Strip that lets you ‘punch in’ and scan specific jumps or slides below and above the current pitch. For more performance possibilities, the synth features an Arpeggiator: engage it with the Arp button, set Rate and Division, set an Octave range between one and four, then hold down a chord to cycle through those notes. There are also two four-voice-paraphonic Sequencers onboard, which run at a global length of between four and 64 steps. Each sequence can store up to four MicroFreak parameters for hands-free parameter automation, and be used as destinations for mod duties. The lovable oddball of the Arturia range, this brilliant hybrid synth combines versatile wavetable and digital oscillators with analogue filters. Touch keyboard gives uniquely expressive control.

Hot topics

MicroFreak is a four-voice paraphonic synth – when the Paraphonic button is engaged, you can play up to four voices at once, but all share the same filter, envelope and under-the-hood VCA settings. The synth have ability to create analog- style sounds, but i doubt, what they so cool, as true analog. Anyway the synth sounds a very cool in digital sonic style.