Personally, I quite like the keyboard and I'm using it all the time. However, it's very nice that there is a choice to go desktop without chopping the chassis. I'm even considering purchasing a second MF for this purpose. Thanks for the demo!
Thank you! And no problem! And purchasing a second microfreak to do exactly what you said is just what I did! I generally use an external sequencer, but it is nice having one with a keyboard just for a bit of impromptu playing. Thanks again!
Hey man. Absoluetly love the MF as a module. One question though. With mine, midi in works perfectly, however i’m not able to get any midi out to another synth. For example i’m trying: Digitone > microfreak > volca nubass. I have all the correct settings. Could it be that midi out also requires the keyboard attached? Would appreciate it, if you share any info on the subject. 10x in advance. Cheers
Hello and thank you! In theory there shouldn’t be a problem. I mean, of course, without a keyboard or the sequencereuror buttons attached those functions aren’t available. It sounds more like you need midi through which I believe can be changed in the settings menu. So go into the setup menu, find midi and there should be an option for midi out or midi through. I’m just going by memory here though and also kinda guessing! So yeah, I would check the midi out versus midi through settings in the set up menu. Either way, good luck. Cheers!
Hello! Unfortunately not. Basically, the hold, arp, sequencer, spice and dice, and pitch bend strip are all part of that main keyboard and they all go away with this procedure.
imo the keyboard is fantastic.... i really love it. this video would be for my second MF in the future. The MF is one of the best synths out there at the moment . price is just unbeatable and its simply a tremendous synth!!!
Oh, I absolutely agree that this is about the best synth out there, not only for the money but for the features and basically everything. I love it. Admittedly, this product and this modification probably isn't really for everyone. And I really did not hate the keyboard at all. As I say, just wasn't really using it and wanted to save some space. I did actually have one that was modded like this and kept the keyboard on the second one for quite a while, but then I realized I still wasn't using the keyboard on that second one either! I can't help but think Arturia kind of expected that this sort of thing might happen, what with making the keyboard so simple to remove and making it completely reversible as well. Either way though. But yeah, this product certainly isn't for everyone! Just wanted to put out there that such a thing exists. Cheers!
Personally I hate the keyboard, I hit a lot more wrong notes because a knuckle will brush a key. Doesn't happen with regular keyboards, so I'd rather control it via midi. I've found little info about aftertouch and the pressure mod matrix out there so I contacted Arturia, and they said you can still use aftertouch from a midi keyboard, but not polyphonic aftertouch. To me, that's not a big deal to make sure I only hit the notes I mean to, not to mention I'm eyeing the keystep 37, which has a superior arpeggiator and easier sequencing
Is there a way to use the keyboard externally with a cable? I'd love to have the Microfreak keyboard next to my KeyStep 37 and still be able to use it on the Microfreak.
If you are asking if the keyboard has any workability once it’s disconnected from the rest of the microfreak, then sadly no. Once you disconnect the ribbon cable all of the interface, jacks, etc.,are still attached to the main body. Still definitely keep the keyboard though, because as I say in the video, you will need it for update purposes. And you might just change your mind down the road.
Great! Yeah I actually have two of them now. I love that instrument so much! I kept the keyboard on one of them just so I have the option to use it but use the other with this case mod as a neat and tidy sound module and just control it with an external sequencer. Happy days!
Not sure myself. Maybe contact 3-D waves and see what they can do for you. I do have a vague memory of somebody on Reddit who was in Europe and outside of the shipping area claimed to have found something that was going to work.
@@thedigitallost nice one. Thanks for the reply.. I’ll suck it up one day and fork out for it. I actually love the keyboard but never really use it and I could do with the desk space
Super cool. Obviously under no circumstances will I do this, certainly not because of anything you said, lol. Seriously though I have been looking at Microfreak videos and RU-vid suggested this to me so I watched it. Didn’t recognize it was you until the very end. I’m still enjoying Push but was wanting to put together a one synth + pedals looping setup. The quest never ends it seems. Question - what were / are you using to sequence the freak after the removal of the board?
Hello, and thank you! Glad we could randomly bump into each other! For what it's worth, I did end up putting the keyboard back on. I have kept this case because I change my mind and my setup so often that I don't doubt that I'll decide to take the keyboard off again one day. But I was missing that keyboard quite a bit. Much like the Push 2, That keyboard goes from just being a simple piece of hardware to an expressive instrument in itself. So yeah, this is a cool and simple modification, but that bizarre keyboard on the Microfreak is truly great. Occasionally glitchy, and you really do need to have nicely moisturized/undry hands! But ultimately it's cool as hell. For this video, and basically for everything leading up to me getting the Push 2, I was using the Novation Launchpad pro Mark III. It's such a cool sequencer and really easy to use. Before I got the Push, I was honestly considering getting a second one so I could sequence eight channels but that just would have taken up too much space, and the extra options and control that the Push gives really does set it above pretty much everything else. The Microfreak is part of just a few pieces of hardware that I really did love to use and have handy. So it, along with the Behringer Model D and Neutron sit at one corner of my desk. I was always going to keep my small eurorack set up going. I wasn't sure if you'd seen my recent video where I do the sound box test. That's stuff that I've really been into. Electro acoustic music that just can't really be done with software. I've made some changes to my soundbox since that video and I'm hoping to get that finished maybe even this weekend. But yeah, the quest truly never ends and it's annoying but I'm almost absolutely fine with what I have once a finish my sound box.... again.
@@thedigitallost thanks for the robust reply there man. I did notice your sound box video but haven’t watched it yet. I was watching your eurorack sound effects rack video this morning on my commute and listening to what you were doing with the clouds clone. Going to hit the follow up video to that tomorrow morning. I’ll hit you back once I’ve finished that. Really enjoying your stuff man.
Thanks, man. Some really kind words there and I really appreciate that. As always, any questions about anything go right ahead. If it wasn't already obvious, I love talking about all this stuff! Cheers.
I personally wish they sold a version (or thought to sell a version) of the Microfreak without the keyboard in the form of just the module. I`ll buy it, then mod it, and control it from my MPC One and midi keyboard using the MPC`s sequencer.
I mean seriously, I wish that ALL synth companies released desktop versions! Though I don’t think you can reuse the Microfreak keyboard for anything once it’s removed. All of the connections remain in the main upper body.
Not if you have disconnected it like I have in this video. The keyboard / touchpad itself is connected with a ribbon cable to the bulk of the Microfreak. Once the keyboard is removed, it does not have any other connections like MIDI or CV. So unfortunately, once it's disconnected it can't really be used for much at all. Of course, if it was still connected to the Microfreak as a whole then yes, you can use it as a small but perfectly functional MIDI controller. Plus it has CV out so you could use it that way as well. But yeah, ultimately if you're asking if the keyboard has any use once it's been removed, the answer is no.
Thanks for demoing this, its a great mod!! - like the synth but hate the stupid keyboard its just useless, shame Arturia don’t figure out to make there own version of a cut down Microfreak. Great someone has stepped in to meet demand.
Yeah I keep seeing these cases about the place, and they always seem to be sold out, so yeah, I think a lot of people aren't really missing the keyboard. I actually have two microfreaks now and I kept the keyboard on one of them and left it off the second, just so I have the option to use some of the arpeggio or hold functions of the microfreak keyboard and not have to rely on an external sequencer. For example, the Launchpad Pro Mk3 that I'm using doesn't have any kind of arpeggiator. Regardless though, I seriously love that synth. And in all honesty, I have softened a little bit towards liking the keyboard again! That's why I just have it on one just so I can scratch that itch when it comes up occasionally! Either way though, glad enjoyed the video!
Too bad that Korg didn’t holler at Arturia about their membrane keys (or what ever they’re called), so that I could link up the MuFreak for use with Volcas(?!). I’ve had one instance of my Microfreak actually sort of getting mistakingly triggered, all because of something I spilled on it. Really interesting, how that ribbon wire belongs to a whole seperate block for that flat set of keys! THANKS FOR SHARING THIS!! I’m gonna play with mine, to see if there isn’t any way to use MIDI to implement the functions that are sacrificed without the keys. Seems like it ought to be not only possible but pretty straightforward. There’s got to be a setting where you can tell it what you’re doing, it would seem obvious to me. After all, keying the notes on it with its after touch features, those are implemented through MIDI, so figuring that out should be a decent likelihood, I think. Awesome soundtrack with your video here, THANKS AGAIN!!
No problem! Maybe go through the instruction manual. I think it should have the midi mapping for all the functions. You could possibly get back what you lose with the touch keyboard removal by using an external MIDI controller and mapping knobs/pads to those functions, like the hold and the random stuff. Worth a try! Maybe try it and if you have luck with it maybe post results back here just so there's a record of it. Cheers!
I love 3dwaves, they always seem to come with a little bit of love. I do wish though that there were an option to set this up at an angle, as I tend to prefer that visually for my synths. I do think this is roughly the same size as a volca once the keyboard is gone so maybe there's a way to fudge that a little...
It's a bit bigger than a volca. As I say, it's almost identical, except for the height, to the Roland boutique stuff. Agreed, an angled stand would be great! But it probably goes a bit beyond the simple 3D printing capabilities of 3DWaves! Would bump up the cost a whole lot too I guess. I got myself a Roland boutique stand that is on an angle and it just sits on that and fits perfectly so all good!
@@thedigitallost ah, I've only owned volcas, never a Roland, so it never crossed my mind! Thanks for that. And to be sure, I know nothing of 3D printing, so I have no idea what that would entail but you're certainly right, the price would probably increase.
Not sued…… yet! But seriously, it’s a pretty simple mod but some people do some pretty daft things, like work on appliances that are plugged in. Don’t do that. And in saying that, I don’t recommend that anyone opens up their electronic appliances. And there it is. Cheers!
Yeah I have seen people doing their own modifications on the monologue and it looks great. But damn, I do NOT have the technical know-how or ability to do something like that myself! With the cheapness of 3D printing nowadays as well I'm surprised that no one's done it yet. Maybe even a message 3Dwaves, who made this microfreak one, and see if it's something they might have in the pipeline?
I thought about this kind of thing for the Korg Monologue, imagine 2-3 of them-there cheap as chips second hand ;-) I have one plus the MinilogueXD desk top
I have seen people modding their own monologues! I just don't have the skill of patience to make my own custom cases. That's why I was so glad that 3DWaves did the hard work for me! But yeah, people all over have been doing their own similar case mods of small synths. I just wish more synth companies would make small desktop modules! Oh well.
Fair enough! In the end, I love the microfreak so much that I bought a second one and I have one with the keyboard still attached so I can use all of those functions, plus I have the second one with this case mod tucked in behind it. It's a setup that's working really well for me.
That, in my opinion, is the best argument for the MF sequencer, setting up 4 modulation lanes without inputting notes can make for some real out there keyboard sounds. I don't use that enough to be worth it but that is one of the cool tricks with it
Ha! Yeah, mate! Actually, I used to live there, hence the beanie. Love that town. Although everyone on the West Coast heard my accent and assumed I was from Boston. Okay then.
