MICROFREAK FIRST IMPRESSIONS - an Arturia Fanboys Perspective 

Today we are checking out the MicroFreak from Arturia.If you want a MicroFreak check it in stores here: MICROFREAK EU: thmn.to/thoprod/457192?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/ZknZK OTHER GOOD STARTER SYNTHS Original Minilogue EU: thmn.to/thoprod/379052?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/2PbZM Korg Minilogue XD EU: thmn.to/thoprod/465932?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/Rxg72 Argon8 EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473936?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/0bKWL Modal Electronics Cobalt8 EU: thmn.to/thoprod/506277?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/eDP4X Affordable eurorack modules (Dreadbox Chromatic Series) EU: thmn.to/thoprod/486796?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/kjeaad US: bit.ly/dreadbox2 Korg NuTekt NTS1 EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473592?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/2OR10 Reface CS EU: thmn.to/thoprod/368212?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/PLJLR HydraSynth EU: thmn.to/thoprod/527778?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/5b6MZ2

just bought one of these during lockdown...and now all i want are 2 things.. 1) to go back in time and record the 18hours of unbridled noise chaos i unleashed after unboxing 2) 3 more microfreaks

The fact that they released huge free updates for this synth while the price has been slowly decreasing is just crazy.

Best review of the Microfreak I've seen to date. Thanks for showing in-depth the range of what it can do. I preordered it a few weeks ago, and cannot wait to create with it!

Honestly this is the first demo i've heard of this thing that actually made it sound half decent, well done

The Microfreak strikes me as one of the most creativity-inspiring synths I've seen in a long time. While I love my analog synths, I feel like we're starting to see digital oscillators make a comeback and I think that's because with the massive improvement in processing power we have today, digital synthesis sounds better than ever, digital modeling is better than ever, and (perhaps most importantly?) the possibility of so many different waveforms makes for extremely interesting sounds. Also, being digital, it's easier to make the components smaller and cheaper, which I'm all for as long as it doesn't mean sacrificing quality. There's a lot of cool features in this synth and it looks like they created a very intuitive and user-friendly layout. It doesn't seem hard to make interesting sounds with this thing, and because of that I could see myself spending hours with it just going from one sound to the next. These cheap, but powerful little synths are massively appealing to me because I already have a couple large synthesizers and I can always use them to trigger notes if needed, but it's nice to have an octave or two to at least sample the sounds as I'm creating them. Yes, please, MORE of the Microfreak! This is sure to be a must-buy synth given it's unique nature, nice feature set, and quality and variety of sounds. I'm a bit of an Arturia fanboy myself, but this thing really knocked my socks off when I heard it. Great first impressions video, I would love to hear more!

just freaking amazing how capable this thing is! just bought one with an novation circuit tracker and waiting shipping to arrive. can't wait to explore countless possibilities that these two can create together. I'm watching these kind of videos to start learning and discovering and I'm really amazed already

hey synth fam! you can follow my synth life over on instagram.com/bobeats

I can’t stop discovering how amazing the patches can be on this synth. The depth and layering possibilities allow for really impressive chords and leads!

That “RIP” moment killed me... 😂 Great video! Thank you for this!

Definitely looking at getting one! Thank you for sharing!!

this synthesizer is for its price an interstellar bomb ..... I have been a dj for years and I think this is the first step for live and production that opens up to me with this device! These are exactly the sounds I'm looking for and love. Your video is honestly excellent!

Both my wife and myself would love to see this thing hooked up to your modular synth. We were thinking about getting one due to its great sound and unique surface that can control CV/gate/pressure.

looking forward to it! versatility and aesthetics drew me in at first sight.

It definitely sounds better here than in any other demo I’ve seen so far. It’s a very interesting piece and the filter sounds like the best one Arturia has implemented so far. But I’m struggling to see what it can do that my Blofeld can’t besides having the analog filter. Still pretty incredible for the price. Gonna be hard to resist for $299.

Just bought a Minilogue XD (which I love) but I can’t deny this is also a very unique and appealing synth. Great review, thanks Bo.

You definitely changed my opinion of this synth.

Thanks, Bo, for this impressive presentation. It sounds much better I expected. Especially the 'bell'-like sounds are nice to me.

Loved the comedic opening....The sounds of this unit are incredible! Thanks for playing through it and exploring.

Sounds interesting! Definitely usable range of sounds and the UI seems intuitive but powerful. Great review. If I was in the market for something with this form factor this would be right near the top of my list at only $400 CAD.

Preordered it at my local store 5 minutes after release...and now I'm waiting for it. I think together with my Zoia it will be an interesting match. 😊😉

Mine arrives tomorrow!!! Cannot wait.

So after watching the Loopop, Stimming, Jade Wii demos, and then coming back and watching this again, I’m sold on the MicroFreak. The preset demos up to this point were bad but being able to see you guys really dive into showed what it’s really capable of. It sounds great and it maybe the most feature packed synth for the price besides maybe a Blofeld. Absolutely insane what you get for $299.

Wasn't sure after what I thought was some lukewarm NAMM coverage but this video might have convinced me. I am glad I can trust your opinion and judgement. Keep up the good work.

Got to give it to them, those are some beautiful presets. Seems like a very versatile synth that doesn't have that "phat" analog sound but doesn't sound as tame as a Nord. This might have pulled me over the edge, really seems like a great addition to my current set up that can replace a lot of plug-ins I use in my productions.

I would love to see the Model Samples with the Microfreak in action.

What a great hands-on review! Was debating whether or not the mikrofreak was the one for me…and you just made the choice easy enough. That thing is a creative beast on its own rights. Arturia owes you a sale on this one

Yes, I just ordered one. Since I am from the future I am looking forward to the 2.03 firmware, chords and scales! Please do a video with the Arp, Sequencer, chords and sclaes please!

don't know whether its the chords you are playing but I have not heard a synth more designed for trance production since the roland jp 8000

2:02 Yep, the microfreak is now on my must have list

First time a video has actually made me think this machine is a good idea. Great job, Bo!

This is such a bargin but not cheap sounding, very capable synth, well done Arturia.

Dang Bo, making that Freak sing! Best demos I've heard of this synth by far!

I have mine Hooked up to a keystep 37 with the extra features , it's is an amazing small desk top setup.

I was thinking of the minibrute 2, but I'm going to have to seriously look into this micro freak!

Super nice! Arturia have gassed me. This will complement my almost all analogue set up very well. Great price too.

Damn it, Bo.... I wasn't really interested in this at first... now you have me looking up it up on Amazon....

Bought one of these a couple days ago! It’s capable of some really deep and varied chill tones. I usually just play around with the softer presets until I tweak it enough to sound unique. Or start fresh with the Karplus string modeled synthesis mode. It’s a very capable synth. So much possibility in the modulation section, too. From nostalgic subtlety to outright madness. The filter is analog, and that stands out when the resonance is turned up and reverberates with your chords. I didn’t expect this synth to have so much variety in styles for the price point.

I’m obviously late to the party, but I just paused the video and purchased one. Finally! Now on to the rest of your video. I know I won’t regret my purchase.

I love how it sounds. So yea, I'm definitely interested.

Informative review, thanks! This little screen is really useful, too bad they did had it when they made the matrixbrute... Let's wait for microfreak's brother because it has some potential! Analog dept is already so crowded, digital synth add something unique to our sound palettes

Great review. Was interested before as the price point is nice. Seeing your review has won me over some more.

Fun, Fun Video...Nice Job! And I can't believe just how MUCH Arturia Swag U got in the box! I can't wait to Cop my own MicroFreak!!

Thanks Bo for the closer look on the Freak! What I really dig about the synth is the versatility it offers! Decent sound possibilities and features like the paraphony and lots of osc modes are awesome. And saving patches is nice to have again, I mangle a lot on my semi modulars and recalling isnt always fun i've you are working on multible songs at once 😉 And finally, for the features it offers, the price is fair i would say.

I am honestly having the toughest time choosing between the Microfreak and the Prologue 8! They both seems great. The Prologue sounds flippin' out of this world but the Microfreak is so cute, and I love how the keys are pressure sensitive... Plus the price is nice haha. I've been doing a lot of research in preparation for my first synth. I really want to dive in and get one asap, but I'm taking it slow and trying not to purchase until the new year.

Dang it. I need one. Maybe it will be my first physical synth.

Thanks Bo. Got mine yesterday. It is amazing.

It's the first review that really makes me wanna get it ^^

It's a new synth and a open source engine so it's possible updates and possibly new oscillators going to be added . I've ordered one today this thing is future rich and the sequencer and the touch keys with polyphonic aftertouch can sequence and contro external synthsl modular stuff or for example mine 0-coast wich is actually a pretty sweet . Lovely video BO !

Great video. Best demo / overview yet. I’ve had one on pre order since early March. Very exciting. Looks like a great little synth with some fantastic features for this size and price point. Can’t wait to get my mitts on it 👍

oh when it drops :O lol nice vid, i just got mine to play wit too. What a naughty little box!

Finally a video with musical sounds instead of totally electrical sounds. Great job.

I just bought a microfreak from my local music shop. I had never heard of it but after playing with it for 5 minutes I had to have it!

Gotta reinforce others here and say I'm so glad you actually showcased the wide range of sounds that can be extracted from this thing

Wow that actually sounds goosebump nice : )

Really cool! I feel it like a 'micrologue'. Thanks for the videos Bo!!!

It sounds massive and super interesting. I would love some demos exploring ridms and kind of drumachine/sequencing strategies

I think I might need one of these. Thanks for the upload.

Loved the review. Going to the city tomorrow (I’m fairly rural) and I’ve been thinking about picking one of these up for a while to connect with my Force as my S61 is just too big to be practical for my use. Been watching your videos since I picked up my circuit, keep up the good work!

Arturia is making some of the best synths on the market. This little beast, you presented in such a nice way, begs to be explored!!

At 7:07 really cool... so much electronic music there / synth music from the 80's there.. thanks Bo...Tack!

I like how the envelopes and filter are displayed while you adjust the knobs. It would be nice to have something like this in Korg's logues (altough it's nice to see the oscilloscope most of the time, while adjusting envelopes I'd like to see the envelope).

For me, I'd be interested in making 'weird' textured sounds to sit around the other content. Use it as a digital sound source that's not trying to be analogue.

I’m waiting for it. Still not shipped. Seems it will arrive mid May. I’m impressed. It has more features than I expected. Great sound!

I love mine. I don't try to make it sound 'analog' at all. I specifically try to coax digital weirdness out of it. It looks like a toy sorta but it's a very well designed instrument. I sequence mine with a Digitakt.

I love Arturia they do great stuff! The sound from 2:50 is what I’ve been after now

Well Bo....thanks to watching you tinker around with this thing, and for quite a while also...I realize I'm a button pusher and knob tweaker type of creator...sliders, cables and connections, hands on the instrument or fx unit and controllers. So...the Microfreak is moving in, no doubt about that! Thank you Bo :)

brilliant! really inspirational wee demo. i think i'll buy one of these. really individual sounding synth

This looks amazing!! I love making weird synths and sounds. So far I've just been tinkering around with default synths in Garageband (they have a lot of nice, spacey experimental synths), but I might get this as my first real synth instrument!

I preordered one up Canada way. Still waiting for it to be shipped from Arturia. Excited for the digital sound to be added to my rig.

This Micro Freak looks and sounds gorgeous - and the low price is gorgeous too. I am sorely tempted to get one (I reckon the Micro Freak would go well with my Novation Mono Station and Volca Drum).

HOLY MOLY, I'm in love already :). One month for mine to arrive home. (I'm counting on you Thomann) Just waiting for Behringer Odyssey to be released, I have to decide between Odyssey or Deepmind 6 :(

i really enjoy it but i might wait until i can afford the minilogue XD. I'll have to jump at the shop to try it to decide !!!

great video! Please do a full in depth review of this guy)

It seems interesting for sound experiment. Cool arp/seq too. I'm curious about the Matrix and digital oscillator... Micro Freak can be the little weird touch in your setup! Thanx Bo for sharing.

Purchased! 1st impressions are, it sounds very rich and lively, it's easy to use if you know synths, its versatile, it bangs for the bucks!

I'm looking to get something to use with my Werkstatt, that has it's own sounds. I have a keystep, but I'm not sure that's going to work for me. I'm not really a synth player, but I want a creative tool, that will connect to other modules, and pedals. This looks like it would be fun, but not too awfully complicated.

Sounds like I’ll have a lot of fun with this. I’m looking forward to getting mine soon :)

Bo! I love your channel, it's my favourite synth content on the web but I would love to see more MicroFreak content! That's my main synth and I love it. I'd love to see your thoughts on the synth after having it for a few years. Cheers, Omar

OK I need one. The range of sounds looks very usable

Can you imagine me waiting for two years before jumping on board the Microfreak? The recent updated firmware 4 enables vocoder features, which made me fall on my knees and clicked BUY for the vocoder edition in white and with a gooseneck microphone. This machine has so much options to tweak, it's just scary. You don't have that fear, so it helped me to watch along with your discovery journey. Btw: the firmware works on all Microfreaks, any microphone will do, but for little extra money you can add the gooseneck mike to your phreak! Enjoy all new features, maybe you can do a firmware upgrade review soon?

I thought I'd prefer the Microbrute, but having watched some demos, the Freak suits me better.

Got one. And very happy!

Note to Arturia! I was on the fence about this synth until seeing/hearing this vid! Bo crushes it!

Awsome review Bo, you always make me buy new stuff xd

The MicroFreak would be my first HW synth... I might even buy 2 of them and a drum machine. Together that would be my small home studio...

I'm even more glad I preordered now if they'd only ship the damned things.

Judging from the box is it called the Arturia Fragile?!

it'd be great to see you use this paraphonic digital Arturia synth with your paraphonic analog Arturia synth

Looks like a mashup of The Hyve Synth, Arturia Drumbrute Impact & Korg Monologue

Please make a video with Microfreak & Novation Circuit played together!

Still waiting on my mine, I seriously can't wait, I think they should be shipping April 30th, so far away...

You mention that you aren't first and foremost a keyboard player. I'm the same, mostly using Push2 and Maschine Mk3 & Jam, but I recently purchased another piece of gear I don't think you've mentioned. It's called the Sonuus G2M and basically allows and ordinary guitar to be used in generating midi signals which are fed into the computer via your audio interface just as a keyboard would. I know the theory has been around for years, but it's only now processing power is good enough for 'on the fly' use. I've got no affiliation with the company at all, and bought the gizmo with my own cash. For about 60 UK pounds you can't really go wrong.

This was a lovely video and well made. I especially like the use of the top down camera and the side view also. This is quite helpful for the viewer. Perhaps you might consider doing a vid where the Microfreak playing lead, backed by the Uno Drum Machine. Or another where the Microfreak plays with either the Bastl Kastle 1.5 or the new Bastl Drum. That could be really interesting, yes? Gr8 work, thank you.

Very interested in this synth. Heard these are fantastic value for the $.

The moment you dropped it, I cried a little bit...

4:20 reminds me so much of Orbital

mr.bo what i should get for synths as i keep seeing things i like on your channel and i want EVERYTHING. ahhh so much amazing gear

Yes, those chill sounds are quite nice. Cold and brittle but yet warm and inviting at the same time. Kind of Digitone-ish in places. I bet running this into the inputs of the Digitone would make for some lovely stereo sounds.

Mr. BoBeats, they're not different "waveforms" (the left hand orange "Type" knob), they're different oscillator types, or synthesis methods. Each of those in turn offers different waveforms, or varying parameterized synthesis algorithms. Nice demo though :)