Arturia Microfreak: How to Sync with ANY Pocket Operator!

Arturia Microfreak: How to Sync with ANY Pocket Operator!
Today I'm showing you guys how to sync your Arturia Microfreak with any of the Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators! Just make sure you UPGRADE YOUR FIRMWARE FIRST. I spent 2 days trying to figure out why it wasn't working that well, but a quick firmware upgrade fixed all of my issues! Let me know if you have any questions, and enjoy!
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Arturia Microfreak: amzn.to/2FzFbdd
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Stereo to TRS adapter: amzn.to/2xSC0Kk
Zoom H5 (audio recorder): amzn.to/2RtHKQR
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[@stevefitzherbert]

brother thank you so much for explaining the wires and connectivity probably you are the only one doing it on youtube. :')

[@FreeBeat]

No problem, thanks for watching!

[@spookydirt]

thanks - was struggling to work out why i couldn't get good clean sync , just needed to grab one of those splitters from my ever-growing bag of leads, and works first time. much appreciated. my Po32 should be getting a lot more use now.

[@CamTheStudent]

I thought it was the PO 14 for a second, I got excited 💀 but been a minute since I checked your content, I got a lot to catchup on.

[@FreeBeat]

Haha nope, still don't have a PO-14, definitely hoping to get one soon. Thanks for watching!

[@jthorpe4droid]

I had random issues with clock and monostation until I updated the firmware too. Cool tip on hooking up the PO, I've been using the splitters between POs(20,28&35) then taking each to a little mixer and forwarding the clock on to the next

[@FreeBeat]

Nice! Anymore anytime I have issues with an instrument the first thing I do is to check firmware releases haha. Thanks for watching!

[@elifan2523]

Thst’s a great idea! Do know if the signal is mono or stereo? Was thinking of hooking them up with Bastl Instruments Dude 🤙

[@jthorpe4droid]

@@elifan2523 I been doing something similar to this kzbin.info/www/bejne/gp-4goR5hNWNoK8 but I was clocking using my PO-35 instead of the monostation, so my PO-35 (SY1) was outputting mono and sync, mono goes to the mixer, sync split using a mono euro rack patch stack cable to the PO-20(SY4) and PO-28(SY4) both outputting stereo to the mixer.

[@Sadiquecat]

Man, I'm finding old video and they're useful :D Cheers !

[@FreeBeat]

Honestly forgot I made this one haha

[@paulcollins6961]

Just got my pocket operator mate its sick gam.

[@CC-fi3pp]

Here have a Sub and obviously a like, you helped me out. Microfreak to P0-33 lushness is now in my a thing in my life, THANKYOU Sir!

[@FreeBeat]

Thank you so much!

[@seanridge5370]

Hey but now with the microfreak vocoder update you can do all kinds of vocoding with it and then you could use a different PO. I know you probably just grabbed a random PO but I just noticed it was speak and the microfreak vocoder addition/update was very recent. Oh and all you need is a random pair of headphones with a mic, gaming headset, etc. To vocode right away. No actual official mic needed.

[@FreeBeat]

Very true! I actually grabbed the speak because all of my other PO's were occurred with another project haha.

[@beatsandstuff]

Awesome, gonna do that with my po33 and ep133 + my smartphone with a synth app haha. Thx!

[@C0llinsW0rth.]

infinitely awesome, I saw you also have an OPZ, can you make a video about combining the OPZ and the microfreak!?! I'd love to see how that works. Thank you for all the awesome videos you make!

[@FreeBeat]

How would you like me to combine them? I unfortunately don't have the OP-lab module, so syncing them up that way won't work for me :(

[@C0llinsW0rth.]

@@FreeBeat Hrm, I've seen people use the OPZ via the usb c connection and having the midi information run through that. I'm not sure how it actually works tho, I can do some digging and see and reply to this chat chain

[@tuunbass]

I finally managed to get hold of one of these cables, so chuffed. Great tutorial mate

[@QuantumKatmusic]

Oh god I just bought this synth im so f*cking excited

[@FreeBeat]

I hope you absolutely love it!

[@danskmacabre]

Such a handy tutorial. I have several POs and a Microfreak, they work together rally well :) Thanx!

[@edgeof60]

Thanks for the tip! I'm assuming the only purpose of using the splitter is so you can run both instruments through a single audio output? If you've got a mixer handy it seems like you could sync them together with just the one cable and have two separate audio outputs.

[@FreeBeat]

Correct :)

[@samuelre1044]

@@FreeBeat i've try to do it so, the sync is ok but i get a noise whistle from the pocket operator audio output.... any clues?

[@evankeal]

@@samuelre1044 me too. MF to PO just isnt going to happen here, not sure what magic he got to work.

[@howardanderson3061]

Yeah the Mickrofreak is a very cool little powerhouse, I may be tempted to get one....Lol

[@BoxOfSnoo]

"May be"? Haha I'm INSANELY tempted. Can't afford it or justify it (yet) but oh man...

[@FreeBeat]

You know it's gonna happen soon!

[@elifan2523]

Thanks man! Where did you find that splitter cable? Cheers!!

[@FreeBeat]

It's linked in the description :)

[@christinem7641]

This is a really dumb question, but where is the sound coming from? Is this connected to external speakers or a computer? Is there a way you could use headphones with this set up to jam? Probably so with the speakers or laptop 😅

[@FreeBeat]

That's not a dumb question at all! Back when I filmed this video, I ran all of my audio into a zoom h5, which recorded it onto an SD card for editing on the computer with the video. Now I use a zoom livetrak L-12 for the same thing :)

[@jasonwavz3378]

Another great Video as always!!

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks so much!

[@supersirlink]

Have you tried this method to connect the one PO, but then have a second connected in series? Thinking of picking up a arcade and speak. Like the idea of using the speak as a sampler to do more standard drum sounds or chiptune style leads in combination with the Microfreak.

[@FreeBeat]

Yup! It works just as you'd expect :)

[@ghostalpsmusic8389]

Thank you so much for this!!

[@FreeBeat]

Of course! Thanks for watching!

[@veesivor632]

@@FreeBeat can you do a how to sync vid for moog werkstatt to microfreak? Please and thank you

[@reverend_gumby]

can these PO effects apply to a pattern played on model:cycles? I've been looking for a pedal or something to enhance cycles. Criminally underrated synth! thank you for putting some cycles content into the ether. I might join you soon!

[@FreeBeat]

Unfortunately the pocket operator effects only work with the internal pocket operator sounds :( Glad you're liking the Cycles content though, thanks for watching!

[@Bimorpha]

is it possible to do this while using the headphone jack for a pair of wired headphones? i was thinking about getting a PO-12 with my microfreak in a few weeks cus i thought having a drum machine to pair with it would be cool

[@Musicbymagz]

Thank you so much for this ! one question tho can u sample from the microfreak to the po ko ?

[@FreeBeat]

Yes you can :)

[@localhost4460]

A very helpful video, thank you!

[@FreeBeat]

Glad I could help, thanks for watching!

[@ghost_in_the_robot]

Hey man, would you be able to sample your beats to the PO and record this while you are playing the synth? I am still thinking of getting the Roland GO Mixer or TC Helicon Blender... you have so many cool PO tricks... learned so much from you, I got the Rick and Morty version of the Speak, apparently it has an extra FX. I wanna use it record beat box and freestyle with it lol

[@MrOuija-rr8kq]

I do love me some Free Beat

[@FreeBeat]

Haha thank you!!

[@patricioabate8023]

Hi,great video ,I make its with only one trs cable no an spliter one,what its the different Thanks

[@FreeBeat]

You need splitter if you want to pass both the sync and the audio through. Either of those will work by themselves with just one cable though!

[@golord]

Holy crap! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@veesivor632]

Wow this is very helpful thanks!

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@veesivor632]

@@FreeBeat can you drop another how to sync sync vid for moog werkstatt with microfreak?

[@FreeBeat]

@@veesivor632 I will when I get my hands on a werkstatt!

[@veesivor632]

@@FreeBeat Please because no one else is doing this as intuitively as you are explaining it, I’ll be here

[@FreeBeat]

@@veesivor632 Thank you!

[@anejathrao6959]

Hi, im using the a PO-12 along with my microfreak. I followed all the steps as you explained, but still my PO-12 is not producing any sound, all i can hear is the seq on from my microfreak. Somehow the microfreak audio is coming through but no sounds from the PO-12 are. Any suggestions?

[@FreeBeat]

I would make sure that your sync mode is correct on the PO, and that the volume is up high enough first.

[@bentasticplays]

I have the opposite issue. I receive audio from the po-12, but can barely hear the Microfreak

[@Turbo_TechnoLogic]

6:30 nice Legowelt remix hehe. BTW at the very moment I'm trying to sync them only with 1 jack, Freak clock out to PO in, then both individually to my mixer, and that to my monitor speakers. The PO behaves strange tho, when I start a sequence on the Freak, the pattern on the PO is playing with a very weird non-constant BPM, jumping basically. Any idea? edit: yes I changed the PO to SY2 sync mode.

[@polouis28]

I have the same issue, did you find a solution ?

[@stevenbeeckman3019]

Same issue. Looks like it skips a beat. Not sure tho.

[@ghoouulish6491]

Super helpful video i have a couple pocket operators and was looking at getting a microfreak im glad i can sync them!! Can you do a more in depth video on how syncing works specifically with the pocket operators and other equipment ? In the case of the p.o's would you use them as the sequencer to the micro freak or other way around ?

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks! I actually have quite a few more sync videos on the channel haha. The only thing that syncs on PO's is the clock, you can't actually sequence other gear from them sadly. Thanks for watching!

[@acidbased]

I'm up to date on the firmware but the tempo isn't right (going way too fast). Not sure what I did wrong here?

[@FreeBeat]

Make sure you have the proper sync settings picked in the MIDI Control software for the Microfreak :)

[@acidbased]

@@FreeBeat tysm!

[@SkeeverKid]

Any reason an adaptor is used instead of a 3.5 mm trs to dual mono cable?

[@FreeBeat]

If I remember way back to when this video came out, I believe it's all that I had access to.

[@anejathrao6959]

Hey quick question: will a standard headphone/earphone splitter work for this?

[@FreeBeat]

It will not unfortunately. You need to split the left and right audio signals, not just copy them.

[@MrBlowncat]

Excellent!!! 😎🌟🙌🏼

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@Balkozzo96]

I did exactly like you, but audio signal from MF is very low and total audio from PO is very noisy, do you have some idea about it? Anyway great video, very helpful!

[@FreeBeat]

There's a chance you might have the cables backwards coming off the splitter, try swapping them around and see if that helps. Are you powering the micro freak with the included adapter or over usb?

[@Balkozzo96]

@@FreeBeat i'm using the wall plug for the microfreak, i guess i could try powering it by usb I tried and i get sound only when i put clock signal in the "headphone" input of the splitter and headphone out of the MF in the "mic" input of the splitter

[@FreeBeat]

@@Balkozzo96 Hmmm, you could have a noisy cable? There's definitely some interference somewhere. Could you film a video of how you have it hooked up? I might be able to help more if I could see the setup

[@yliahhh]

did you ever figure this out?

[@joysandsarles]

@@FreeBeat I'm having the same issue as @LMA Have it set up exactly the way you do: 2 cables running into the splitter, sync mode 4 on the PO, etc. The audio from the MF comes through but is very faint, and when I start the PO it completely overpowers it and it becomes inaudible. Brand new cables, brand new splitter. Any ideas?

[@AlekseiDroganov]

Really cool Man!

[@FreeBeat]

Thank you!

[@scramrp]

Almost done,but one thing is strange: to make needed BPM on PO14Sub i must use half BPM on Microfreak,what I am doing wrong? All working fine ,but this issue is strange for me.

[@FreeBeat]

Make sure that you have the sync type set properly in the microfreak menu, that should help

[@scramrp]

@@FreeBeat I'd tryed everything, it can work stable only if I set Sammichsid Midibox as Master,while Microfreak is a Slave (both on midi ports), after this CLOCK sync for PO14Sub working more stable, but without Midibox set as master, only 2 devices - Microfreak and PO14Sub,sync on Clock is unstable,it is unstable when you hit a knobs on Microfreak, rythm (BPM) is not as displayed on Microfreak screen,and it changes when you touch knobs for example Synth-matrix engine .

[@billbrady4034]

Can the PO be the master clock rather than the slave?

[@bassplayingchris]

i think you just go through the outs and use sys1 sync

[@kyrkbymannen]

I now know how to add drums to my microfreak

[@sebastianzuniga6754]

Hi, i have an Uno Synth and i buy a pocket operator rythm to play with it, i see some videos with volcas an they have a sync in out; Uno have and input and output for Midi and Sound but not for sync. How i can connect togheter to sync a PO and the Uno? Thanks for the response to all!

[@FreeBeat]

Unfortunately you will need a another device to bridge the sync jacks and the normal midi sync. I'm not super well versed in it, but I believe that the arteria key step would work well

[@azeriustv]

Any Ebay link maybe for this Cable? i rly cant find it ;(

[@ninjamoves3642]

can you run the p.o. through the effects of the micro freak or are you limited to the sounding pattern as fed into the audio in?

[@FreeBeat]

The microfreak unfortunately does not have any built-in effects :(

[@danilocaposeno]

​ @Ninja Moves Free Beat is right it doesn't have effects, but if you want to experiment a bit you can use the headphones like a "mic in" and the Freak in VOCODER mode. You can run your PO (or your voice) in to the vocoder, the filter, use the matrix and so on. You must have firmware 2.0 or 3.0 and and a little patience. What do you think Free Beat is that a good idea for a video?

[@pkskyutube]

I followed these instructions and I am finding that when I hit play on the Microfreak, the Microfreak plays, but the PO-33 Operator only plays 2 beats and stops.

[@FreeBeat]

You may have to adjust the sync type by using the MIDI control center software on a Mac or PC.

[@pkskyutube]

@@FreeBeat What should I adjust it to?

[@pkskyutube]

@@FreeBeat I tried a few settings in Sync and found that setting Clock to "One Step" restored the functioning.

[@KailashThakur0z]

Set the sync type to 2ppq. That should fix it.

[@312dasbkilla]

How can I sync to the mother 32 and dfam

[@Bwadude]

Can you reverse this chain so the PO is the master clock with the tempo pulse it sends in SY1?

[@FreeBeat]

You sure can!

[@Bwadude]

@@FreeBeat blessed!

[@joyboy318]

@@FreeBeat i've been struggling with this! i have tried all the manner of settings on the MF in the Utility Sync menu, but it just doesn't seem to register the click I am sending from my PO-33 via that TRS splitter your recommended. Would you be willing to share any suggestions on how to remedy?

[@nojusticeanywhere]

I'm trying this with my arcade, but I don't think it's working

[@shonjones7231]

Does start and stop work with a volca?

[@FreeBeat]

I don't believe so, but I'll double check tomorrow. Thanks for watching!

[@bassplayingchris]

any1 getting glitchy timing on the PO? the clock coming from MF is solid, the PO plays a few steps, pauses, plays more super fast etc. 5.0.0 firmware on the MF

[@ciaranwright4361]

Im having the same problem

[@sombreroy]

Do you know how to sync the mf with tr8. My mf freeze when I turn it to arp