Arturia MicroFreak - My Unbiased Review After 6 Months

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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).
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9 авг 2021

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Комментарии : 110

@Apieceofwork 2 года назад

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.

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

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.

@night_speed 2 года назад

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.

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

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.

@humanoid9787 2 года назад

Great video, helps me understand my Microfreak better

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

Glad it was useful!

@lecliche8849 2 года назад

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.

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

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!!

@Hostipal 2 года назад

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

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

You clearly just want to contribute to my eventual RU-vid 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!

@Hostipal 2 года назад

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

@hexekatos_8354 2 года назад

lol, same here

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

@@Hostipal Can't wait for my palace made out of RU-vid gold!

@zxsw85 2 года назад

Bc he looks like a fucking cartoon character

@Chinhoyi62 2 года назад

Love all your reviews 👍👍

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

Thanks a lot!

@matred3538 Год назад

Just got mine a couple of days ago. And think it's a keeper. Nice perspective on it. Thanks and Happy Christmas. ☺

@StephenMcLeod Год назад

Nice one! Glad you like it. :)

@hovermotion 2 года назад

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

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

Thanks! The MS70-CDR is a great companion for the Freak.

@WoodyPianoShack 4 месяца назад

Love your style, been thinking about getting one, this video was honest and helpful

@StephenMcLeod 3 месяца назад

Thanks!!

@steventaylor3789 2 года назад

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.

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

It's a good wee beast!

@voreshbo7031 Год назад

How much for your matriarch 🎉

@LillySchwartz 2 года назад

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!

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

Yeah, it's great having those algorithms in there!

@LabRatWarfare 2 года назад

Great review and lots of good points, very useful, I've come close to buying this thing like a hundred times! 😆🐀

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

Thanks a lot! I am clearly a bad influence haha.

@inspector-tech 2 года назад

Just buy it... You won’t be disappointed!!

@Oooo-bi7bi 2 года назад

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.

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

Thanks a lot for the kind words!

@Oooo-bi7bi 2 года назад

@@StephenMcLeod I think it’s important to let people know they are providing a decent service. By accident I watched a review on RU-vid 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.

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

@@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.

@Oooo-bi7bi 2 года назад

@@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.

@mechatomb2921 2 года назад

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.

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

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!

@mechatomb2921 2 года назад

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!

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

@@mechatomb2921 I wish I'd held off and bought Euro later on. Woulda saved a fortune!

@mechatomb2921 2 года назад

@@StephenMcLeod I’m personally sticking to grooveboxes for the near future. I’m afraid of the euro rabbit hole

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

@@mechatomb2921 You should be. It leads to ruin.

@EdEditz 2 года назад

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 :)

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

It is a great wee thing!

@semyonboyk0 2 года назад

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.

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

I haven't actually used both together!

@charlyreed7474 2 года назад

This is my current plan. Great for sampling into the tracker too, with it all being mono

@callmecraig3046 Год назад

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.

@StephenMcLeod Год назад

A couple of FX would definitely take it to a new level!

@Colesey 2 года назад

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.

@zoned7609 2 года назад

Get an nts-1 😂

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

@@zoned7609 Funny you should say that...

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

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...

@Wrzlprnft 9 месяцев назад

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.

@adeevision1297 Год назад

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

@StephenMcLeod Год назад

I haven't tried it myself, but it says it's possible in the manual!

@inspector-tech 2 года назад

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!!

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

The MacroFreak?!

@mack_solo Год назад

October 2022 - 37 keys, larger screen, ...still no stereo goddam it minifreak!

@cl1xor 2 года назад

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.

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

Top tip!

@Russtopia 2 года назад

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.

@mad.operator 8 месяцев назад

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.

@StephenMcLeod 8 месяцев назад

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.

@stuartleighton Год назад

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.

@StephenMcLeod Год назад

I haven't used the minilogue in ages but I do think they're different enough!

@lokologico 2 года назад

not sure if it was loopop who mentions it, but some functionality is lost when running on USB power vs the supplied power adaptor.

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

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.

@GrootsieTheDog Год назад

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!

@StephenMcLeod Год назад

I hear you. It's always a struggle between "OHHH THIS LOOKS COOL", and "but do I actually need it?".

@auntjenifer7774 Год назад

Do you have the explorer hydrasynth?

@labratzwired3213 2 года назад

Brutal dude tattoos on the palm of your hand fucken love it! But ouch!!

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

Haha thanks! Aye. They were the sorest thing I've ever experienced. Hands down. No pun intended.

@zoned7609 2 года назад

If you try really hard, you can make a decent bass patch, but it's definitely suited for the higher frequencies

@zoned7609 2 года назад

My only wish is for true polyphonic ability and maybe an extra LFO or two

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

Yeah. I think you're spot on.

@kabood777 2 года назад

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

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

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 :)

@mack_solo Год назад

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.

@StephenMcLeod Год назад

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.

@maschinelab8598 2 года назад

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

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

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.

@DaveBloomDrumsOnline Год назад

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.

@cyborgchimpy 10 месяцев назад

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"

@StephenMcLeod 10 месяцев назад

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!

@cyborgchimpy 10 месяцев назад

@@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.

@StephenMcLeod 10 месяцев назад

@@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. :)

@cyborgchimpy 10 месяцев назад

@@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 :)

@StephenMcLeod 10 месяцев назад

@@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!

@Two-Eyed_Boy 2 года назад

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. 😆

@StephenMcLeod 2 года назад

That is just bonkers to me. It's one of the best parts of the whole thing!

@inspector-tech 2 года назад

@@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...

@UNSCPILOT 2 года назад

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

@MS-1 Год назад

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).

@StephenMcLeod Год назад

Ya psycho!!!

@bryzon559 Год назад

That tv is so distracting. Great review tho 😅👍

@StephenMcLeod Год назад

It's an attention test :D

@silas1414 Год назад

is this worth it for synthesis alone? If this is digital, why not just purchase a high quality VST synth and a great controller?

@StephenMcLeod Год назад

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.

@silas1414 Год назад

@@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.