Arturia MicroFreak - My Unbiased Review After 6 Months
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ส.ค. 2021
- You know what it is. The wee digital synthesizer that everybody has been talking about. I've had one for 6 months at this point, and it's about time I gave the people what they want: My genius insight and thoughts on the Arturia MicroFreak. All chat, nae sound. If you want a sound demo, this is not for you, but if you want to listen to my dulcet Scottish tones, you're in luck.
This is a real world, unbiased review from my own fair hands to my own fair mouth. Nae sponsorship (though I am always willing to sell out for the right price).
Help out the channel by clicking through to see what gear @Perfect Circuit have to offer. I get a small commission for any purchases made. How nice! link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
Get access to all my sample packs, music, and other exclusive stuff: / allmyfriendsaresynths
Download individual sample packs here: gumroad.com/allmyfriends
Find me on Instagram: / allmyfriendsaresynths
My blog with music and write ups: unexpectedbowtie.com
My DIY tape label, Cow Tongue Taco Records: cowtonguetacorecords.bandcamp... I post all of the music I make, including WAV stems; sample packs; Dirtywave M8 song bundles; collections of video textures; early access to videos; and a whole pile of other stuff on Patreon. I know I know, I hate doing this as well, but if you like what I do and want to get more of it, while also helping me offset some of my ludicrous gear purchases, this is the best place to do it:
/ allmyfriendsaresynths
If you just want to hang out and chat with me or other (nice) folks, drop by the Discord: / discord
If you just want individual sample packs or downloads of video footage to use in your own projects, get them on Gumroad here: gumroad.com/allmyfriends
If you're in the market for new gear, my favourite place to find new and interesting synthesizers and other electronic music gear is Signal Sounds. They are based in Glasgow, but ship all over the place and often have stuff nobody else does. Find them at www.signalsounds.com/
If you're in the US and shop at Perfect Circuit, you can click through to see what they have in stock just now through my custom link. I get a small commission for any purchases made, which keeps me stocked up with whisky and beard oil. link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
and a whole pile of other stuff...
Instagram: / allmyfriendsaresynths
My main photo and video art blog: allmyfriendsarejpegs.com
The band I play guitar and sing in: closetorgan.bandcamp.com
The band I play bass and sing in: hogwyld.bandcamp.com
My DIY tape label, Cow Tongue Taco Records: cowtonguetacorecords.bandcamp...
My occasional music blog: unexpectedbowtie.com
Get in touch for possible collabs/offers of large sums of money, etc: allmyfas at gmail - เพลง
I love my Microfreak. It has become my go to synth for so many reasons. At the moment i don't have the luxury of having a dedicated space for all my gear so i have to choose a few things to work with at a time and 9 times out of 10 i grab the freak. It's small and light, it's usb powered and it's really versatile. Pair it with a Korg NTS1 for effects and you're all set. I got the last one in the store at a discount(around $260) and it's been worth twice that for me personally. So many times I've been working on a track that just needed one more thing and the Microfreak time and time again has been that one more thing.
Good call on the NTS1! Also: "So many times I've been working on a track that just needed one more thing and the Microfreak time and time again has been that one more thing." - Agree. I've had the same experience.
Great review! All the points you made were absolutely spot on, and really capture the essence of the device.
Another thing that Arturia has done in terms of ongoing support is to release new banks of free presets. I think there are 12 different sets now. So there are hundreds of free patches out there to keep things interesting and inspire you.
Thanks a lot! I completely agree. There's loads of presets that were added even just a few weeks ago - which means you can get a real good feel for what the thing is capable of, and tweak to your heart's content. Pretty smart.
Just got mine a couple of days ago. And think it's a keeper. Nice perspective on it. Thanks and Happy Christmas. ☺
Nice one! Glad you like it. :)
Love your style, been thinking about getting one, this video was honest and helpful
Thanks!!
It's always useful to get a review a good while after the synth comes out cause most of what's on here are reviews by people who have just recently bought the thing or are still excited by the hype. Don't get me wrong - I do also love an 'unboxing' of the latest synth, but this kind of video is great.
Thanks a lot! Aye, I agree. I think doing a video once you've had something a while can give a better impression of how the thing actually fits after you've gotten over that initial rush of getting something new. Especially if you've sold it!!
Don't know why I'm watching a review of a synth I've had for a good while now 😂 interesting hearing your perspective though. I actually quite like the divided keybed, stops me hitting as many wrong notes
You clearly just want to contribute to my eventual TH-cam super stardom, and that's very welcome. That's actually a great point on the dividers. If they weren't there I'd probably be getting far more bum notes!
Haha happy to contribute but you seem to be well on your way to stardom. Just don't forget us when you're rubbing shoulders with the bigwigs
lol, same here
@@Hostipal Can't wait for my palace made out of TH-cam gold!
Bc he looks like a fucking cartoon character
Great video, helps me understand my Microfreak better
Glad it was useful!
Love all your reviews 👍👍
Thanks a lot!
Great review...with good info points for new users.. I use my Freak with my battery powered Zoom Ms70 CDR effects pedal and it pushes the Freak in to a hole new world of infinite sound....Jim
Thanks! The MS70-CDR is a great companion for the Freak.
I just got mine a couple weeks back and I think it‘s pretty fantastic! I had mutable plaits on my wish list for a while and once I realised this was just plaits on steroids it was a no-brainer! Should keep me happy and exploring for a while, it seems really deep!
Yeah, it's great having those algorithms in there!
Hear hear re: ongoing upgrades. Fair and good review. Love it for what it is. My other synths are a Summit and Matriarch but I won’t sell my M’freak.
It's a good wee beast!
How much for your matriarch 🎉
You read my mind, from the future. In the first few minutes you’ve answered my queries. As a newbie to hardware. I was disappointed by the Korg Volca Sample. Then the Novation Circuit Tracks is a massive improvement. Although not exactly what I wanted. It’s resale price isn’t worth selling on. So hopefully get some use out of it. This however looks to be exactly what I want. Most reviewers seem to be sponsored or looking for it. Respect for your honesty . Online reviews are tricky, when you have little experience.
Thanks a lot for the kind words!
@@StephenMcLeod I think it’s important to let people know they are providing a decent service. By accident I watched a review on TH-cam of a product I have knowledge of. The reviewer clearly had little to no knowledge of what he was reviewing. A lot of channels and I don’t blame them. Seem to have a bias and are elaborate salesmen. This doesn’t help the inexperienced.
@@Oooo-bi7bi Yeah it's a pet hate of mine. I don't mind folks reviewing things and saying they don't know much about it. I do that often - but when people pretend they know a lot and clearly haven't even used the device for more than an hour themselves it's a bit galling.
@@StephenMcLeod he was reviewing DJ or monitor headphones. What really made me take notice, is after telling a friend of mine who has bad schizophrenia. That you can write reviews online. Can’t remember what it was but she had bought something that afternoon that she knew nothing about. She immediately began writing a review. Only been online for the last five years and appreciate the reviews and advice. I’ve hardly bought a bum product since then.
Great review and lots of good points, very useful, I've come close to buying this thing like a hundred times! 😆🐀
Thanks a lot! I am clearly a bad influence haha.
Just buy it... You won’t be disappointed!!
A perfect companion for Polyend Tracker. Especially now, when PT can apply in-built effects for Line-In in real time. One can just grab a couple of patch cables and connect the two, through both midi and audio ports, no need for 5 pin dongles.
I haven't actually used both together!
This is my current plan. Great for sampling into the tracker too, with it all being mono
I got the Microfreak to expand my little Korg Volca Keys-Modular-Drums setup, with a Korg NTS-1 as a effects unit for the Microfreak.
I sold most of the Volcas as i outgrew their limitations. The Microfreak stayed.
I got a Novation Circuit Tracks to have one unified mobile and home setup, and used the Microfreak for the spicy sound experiments.
I am selling the Circuit Tracks. Still too many cables or too many limitations while on the road. The Microfreak stays.
I now use Bitwig as a DAW at home, and the Microfreak goes great with that. I want to get a Polyend Tracker Mini, where the Microfreak is also going to go great alongside to spice things up.
Unless i decide to go for a Dirtywave M8 instead, i forsee the Microfreak staying for quite a while. It just adds to every setup i tried/have/want until my budget for music making gear increases considerably.
Sidenote: As a guitar player getting into electronic music, the keybed works great for me. Still feels oddly familiar to express things on it.
I got this for my first synth, and I really like the key bed. It incentivizes rhythmic playing.
I do wish it had a distortion and reverb though.
A couple of FX would definitely take it to a new level!
Seems like an awesome deal for a really flexible machine. Maybe not suuuper deep in the mod opportunities, but the amount of algorithms really gives you a lot of options to find whatever you need.
Yeah - for the price it's a pretty great deal with all of the features. Even just that touch keybed alone would cost about the same in Euro land!
Novation, Arturia, Elektron, etc. pack a punch for the price, and also integrate well with others, or serve as multipliers to their features. Euro is sloooowly becoming cheaper (bastl, behringer, etc).
Truly a golden age. spoiled for choice!
@@mechatomb2921 I wish I'd held off and bought Euro later on. Woulda saved a fortune!
@@StephenMcLeod I’m personally sticking to grooveboxes for the near future. I’m afraid of the euro rabbit hole
@@mechatomb2921 You should be. It leads to ruin.
You can rig it up in so many ways with the mod matrix, it's amazing. I was able to replicate the intro of The Cure - A Forest (1979 Live version on YT) with it which was originally made with a Korg 700S. Even the phasing of the notes was spot on and I am by no means good at this sort of thing. I love the MicroFreak. Best money I ever spent :)
It is a great wee thing!
That tv is so distracting. Great review tho 😅👍
It's an attention test :D
I really like your last point about beginners not getting it as an entry to synthesis because of dry tone. I personally always want something with decent-nice tone even on a budget or I lose interest fast.
Get an nts-1 😂
@@zoned7609 Funny you should say that...
Thanks! Aye. Even I still find myself wondering why it doesn't sound as great as it could if I'm just sitting on the couch messing about with it. A wee cheeky reverb fx in there would make the world of difference...
Nice review, one thing about the output though, it's mono, but it's on a TRS output, so you have to use an insert cable to connect it other stuff.
Top tip!
Oooooo, that sounds like they actually wired a possible second channel out on that, just aren't using it yet! Stereo out, or processing of external audio someday?! Like how they planned ahead for the vocoder input. Hmmmm.
I’m waiting for them to release an aluminium version with wooden side panels, stereo outputs, rocker or push button on/off switch, 37 keys, more CV ins/outs and a larger OLED screen. I’d buy that in a heartbeat!!
The MacroFreak?!
October 2022 - 37 keys, larger screen, ...still no stereo goddam it minifreak!
The problem I always have when considering new synthesizers is redundancy. There are somethings that are really cool but what can it really do or how much can it do more than what I already have. I have a hydrasynth which can pretty much do all the noise engineering and much of the other synth engines and the minilog XD can do the modal stuff. Still it's how a synth is designed and how fun it is to play makes it tempting to buy another one!
I hear you. It's always a struggle between "OHHH THIS LOOKS COOL", and "but do I actually need it?".
Do you have the explorer hydrasynth?
If you try really hard, you can make a decent bass patch, but it's definitely suited for the higher frequencies
My only wish is for true polyphonic ability and maybe an extra LFO or two
Yeah. I think you're spot on.
not sure if it was loopop who mentions it, but some functionality is lost when running on USB power vs the supplied power adaptor.
Good point. I think that will probably partly be the CV output, since I guess it can't go over 5v output with just a 5v USB power supply in.
This is on my radar as would be a lightweight synth to take to emoms. I have a question do you know if the midi out port can also be used as a midi thru port ? thanks
I haven't tried it myself, but it says it's possible in the manual!
I'm really sorry but I believe most of the people who are claiming that Microfreak doesn't sound good, don't know much about sound design because all that they are saying is that it doesn't sound like they want it to, and they also don't want to get it to sound good and sadly the presets on the freak doesn't satisfy them, Those Mutable instruments and Noise Engineering sound engine types are on some of the best sound modules in the Eurorack world and my guess is that's why they've used a 12V power source for it because those oscillator algorithms were originally written for the +/- 12V Eurorack environment...one more thing, as you said I also don't think that it's possible to take a sequence to another patch you've created before but you can create a sequence and change the oscillator types and try it with all the different oscillators and continue to tweak
I think it sounds pretty good! Like you said, people don't really seem to have the same issues with the Braids module. I'm curious why they went with 12v for the power input, whereas the USB power input is only 5v. That's more a curiosity than anything else mind you. You can definitely switch between the oscillator types and keep a sequence, but if you have more complex routing set up with the mod matrix it's a bit of a pain. It would be nice if you could separate those two out. That's a fairly minor criticism mind you :)
I think it would be better if all the synths (modern) came with mini MIDI connectors. minijack cables are much cheaper the standard 5pin MIDI connections. Also they are less clunky and less prone to breaking because it does not have pins to start with. Also use to be thinner and with a lot smaller connectors
Minijack connectors aren't as secure unfortunately, but they are convenient. The biggest issue is/was that there was no standard for so long that a bunch of devices have different kinds of connector which is a huge pain. It's becoming less of an issue now that it is standardised mind.
A lot of pedals have been using 1/4” or 3.5 mm TRS jacks for MIDI. I have a MorningStar MIDI Box as a patchbay and it’s all 3.5mm. I just soldered adapters for the different MIDI types of connectors.
My five cents that nobody has asked for, is this:
The only thing that irks me is the mono output - you get all these wonderful sonic convolutions and it all ends up straight in the middle of your ears - bummer.
(And what i found even more surprising is that minifreak is the same!)
Other than that I love it. But I'd agree, it's not 1st time synth buyer product. The keyboard makes it an instrument that it is - the same way there are no frets on violin - you accept it as complete, and then do your utmost to master it. Having said that, IMO, this is a sonic doodlers/tinkerers device, and I would even agree with AudioPilz saying the presets outofthebox are not that musically inspiring (lots of UFO sounds though), which is ok for me as a non musician and i am happy to get lost in it for hours just because. Also integration with PC app is good and worth mentioning IMO.
On a different note, I think substantiated biased opinons are way more valuable than pseudo-unbiased product release overviews masquarading as "reviews" which drop in simultanously from serial youtube reviewers the moment product embargo ends.
I like coming in here for your views and blabberings (and yeah i know you said "unbiased" - but i read it as "untethered and straight up" so shoosh 😜) cos I find them informative and making sense without me necessarily agreeing with you. So there.
Thanks for the kind words! Sorry that I am just getting back to you now. It's taken me a bit to catch up. The mono output is something a lot of people have commented on. I do wonder how much of that is down to the algorithms that are in there - as in... I'm not sure any of the Braids stuff is stereo by default. It would be awesome if they implemented that.
Hello mate. QQ have you tried controlling the M8 with this one? I am looking for a keyboard to jam on the M8 and thought this could be nice as it's also a cool standalone synth.
I haven't tried it personally but it should work fine, as this has minijack MIDI output, so you don't need to worry about USB hosts or what not.
Brutal dude tattoos on the palm of your hand fucken love it! But ouch!!
Haha thanks! Aye. They were the sorest thing I've ever experienced. Hands down. No pun intended.
I have a Minilogue XD, would it still be worth getting the Microfreak or are they a bit too similar? I guess Minilogue is analogue, whereas Microfreak is digital with wavetable, FM and modular capabilities. I am very tempted I have to say.
I haven't used the minilogue in ages but I do think they're different enough!
I dont know if this was the case 2 years ago...but as far as I know, its not exactly "paraphonic". while it does share the same filter, the envelope is individual per key. i've heard some people call it "limited polyphony"
People tend to get all twisty over the definitions - but paraphony is just a type of polyphony. Whatever we call it, it's definitely not true polyphony - which is the important thing to note!
@@StephenMcLeod its true that its not true polyphony, but I think you mentioned somewhere in the video that the voices share the same VCA. that part is actually incorrect.
from the manual:
"The MicroFreak has internal, invisible VCA envelopes that shape the volume of the individual voices together with the Main Envelope."
the rest of the video is great though. I liked hearing your takes and opinions.
@@cyborgchimpy Strictly speaking I think that's still accurate, since the separate digital envelopes are still constrained by the main VCA (page 21 of the manual) - but it is entirely possible my understanding there is incorrect. :)
@@StephenMcLeod I think its the seperate VCA's that allow for.. i'll say "polyphonicish" features like key pressure modulation for each of the 4 voices. this little thing here sparked me into looking into it 😆. I only got it recently so its nice learning about its capabilities through conversation.
but yes. traditionally I suppose it would be true polyphony if the filter and envelope could be set to the "invisible" VCA's somehow.
i'm not a mega expert at this and maybe you know: but do you think thats not possible with the single filter because its analog?
EDIT: i'm gonna subscribe to you :)
@@cyborgchimpy Quite right. I'd never noticed that part of the manual before... or at least completely forgotten about it. Thanks for the tip! I wouldn't take my word on any technical aspect relating to synthesis anyway - I am definitely not a guru in that regard!!! When it comes to the filter though: yeah. Most of these mono/para digital synths run into single analogue filters/VCAs at the end of the signal chain which means they aren't properly polyphonic - I believe the main VCA in the MicroFreak is analogue as well, but I can't recall. Using analogue filters give it a theoretically nicer sound, though adding in more of them would be prohibitively expensive. So is my understanding anyway!
It's funny how the keybed seems to be intended as an iconic feature for the this synth...then you see videos where people are chopping them off and making it a head-only synth. 😆
That is just bonkers to me. It's one of the best parts of the whole thing!
@@StephenMcLeod Agreed. It has to be physically used to be appreciated. B4 I had mine I wasn’t too sure how well I’d like it despite watching many videos describing its response. However, apart from the sounds I think it’s one of the best things about this killa synth...
For 300 ish dollars though, I can't blame people for modding it to suit their preference, personally love mine as is so mine won't receive such rough treatment
Oh I`m one of those people lol. I turned my Microfreak into a Microsuperfreak module removing the keybed in favor of connecting a midi keyboard and, my MPC One through a powered usb hub.
It`s running through my SP-404MK for effects as well. I love it now.
(The sequencer on the MPC One craps all over the Microfreak`s).
Ya psycho!!!
How about now, two years later? Do you still use the Freak for the occasional sound?
I do, yeah! To be honest I have a whole pile of gear that I go in circles with, so I won't use something for ages then will use it intensely, so the Freak hasn't had as much use lately - especially since the MiniFreak arrived, but it is still a great wee thing for the price.
is this worth it for synthesis alone? If this is digital, why not just purchase a high quality VST synth and a great controller?
There's lot of reasons that folks might prefer hardware over software, even if there's no 'functional' difference between the two options. There's also limitations of using a controller and VST, such as the fact that none of them are perfect - they're a pain to set up... laptops aren't as portable as single integrated units etc.
There aren't many VSTs out there that would give you the amount of options/power as the MF does - though you could get the Arturia MiniFreak VST :)
In this case though, the MicroFreak has other benefits. Including the fact that the device itself acts as a really unique and interesting controller with poly after-touch. I actually use this with my other synths and VSTs. It also has a vocoder which no controller I can think of does.
All of this also comes with a very low price for what you get.
Would I buy this synth for the engines alone? Nah. But there are enough benefits of having the hardware that I would always go that route.
@@StephenMcLeod Appreciate the detailed response. I'm approaching this primarily from the sound design/sonics point of view so that is all good to know. If I hear you correctly you find that what it provides to you in the areas of creative process/control/expression are actually it's greater strengths, not it's synthesis capabilities. Thanks for the insights, will be checking this and the Mini out tomorrow.
Capacitive? I dinno. Trepidation? No problem.
I literally just got this after a week. Haha.
TV behind ist annoying
If you squint you won't see it
You sound like a guy from Switzerland that migrated to Great Britain
Funnily enough I was born in Zurich.
You didn’t even play it
boo hoo
guy looks like uncle bulgaria. couldn't take him serious
To be fair I usually get called Dame Edna, so that's an improvement.
@@StephenMcLeod the improvement would have been him saying nothing…😉