Arturia Microfreak

"Tiny portable synth with hybrid analog digital synthesis and analog multimode filter, all made in France"

Overview and synthesis

KEYBOARD The main keyboard is pretty .. surpring not really professionaly-oriented, similar to AKS and awful EDP wasp based on finger conductivity the display is pretty nice based on OLED technologyThe ICON strip replace a traditional bend and modulation and these can be freely assigned.

SYNTHESIS First of the series "non brute" the main core oscillators are digital based on open source project from MUTABLE (great producer of modular stuff). This time filter is not based on steiner parker! basically the Microfreak is monophonic, but it can be used as paraphonic but a little more advanced, using different VCA and enveloppe but still sharing a single VCF.
The digital oscillator has 12 algorithms with variable sub section called wave timbre and shape; 7 out of 12 algorithms are derived from modular PLAITS and 5 others by Arturia. Algorithms are: superwave (roland JP8000) wavetable (ppg) harmonic osc (additive), karplus strong, waveshaper, 2 OP FM like dx, formant (kinda granular), chord and speech (formant phonems like old 8 bits stuff)

Filter, EG and LFO

FILTER The filter is analog and based on iconicmachine from Oberheim, the SEM! but using more traditional LPF, BPF and HPF

ENVELOPE:4 stages ADSR AMP + aux with special cycling 3 stages (Rise, Fall e Hold/Sustain) and can be assigned to any parameters in a special matrix modulation (like the LFO). The cycling mode also features a special legato mode for TB303 sounds in bassline.

LFO features six shapes (sine, triangle, sawtooth, pulse, random, smooth random), frequency can be slaved to midi clock with variable time dividers. Also special retrig mode of free flown. Destinations can be set freely also to matrix modulation

Arpeggiator, sequencer and memory

ARPEGGIATOR with 3 modes (up, order -4notes you play - and random. Can be synched and slaved to clock with variable dividers. Special random functions can alterate notes, lenght, gate and more.

SEQUENCER 2 patterns of 64 notes called A/B can be recorded in real time or step mode with tie/rest function.

MEMORY 128 rom sounds + 128 USER FREE with 11 family instruments for quick retrival. a free utility called MIDI Control Center can be downloaded for free from arturia website.

MICROFREAK Technical Data

Size & weight

Instrument size : 12.2 x 9.2 x 2.2 inches (311 x 233 x 55mm)
Instrument weight : 2.3 lbs. (1.02 Kg)

Main Features

Synthesizer with 256 preset slots and 160 factory presets
12 Digital oscillators with variable modes, with integrated open source Plaits engine created by Mutable Instruments
Analog State Variable Filter, 12dB/octave, resonant, Low Pass, Band Pass, High Pass
ADSR envelope
Cycling Envelope offering two modes
- Envelope
- LFO
LFO with Sync: Sine, Tri, Saw, Square, Random, Slew Random
Modulation matrix with 5 sources and 7 destinations (3 custom destinations)
Monophonic or Paraphonic modes - Up to 4 voices
25-key capacitive keybed with polyphonic aftertouch
Capacitive touch strip
Crisp OLED display for editing and parameter values
Powerful arpeggiator
- Up, Order, Random, Pattern modes
- Spice & Dice Gate randomizers
64-step sequencer
- 2 patterns per preset
- 4 automation tracks per preset
CV / Gate / Mod outputs
USB, Clock and MIDI in and out
6.35mm master and 3.5mm headphone output

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Audio demo and video

ARTURIA MICROFREAK

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