Arturia MiniFreak: Good Sounds Only

[@Longuncattr]

I'm sick and slightly high, and I just want to say these performances have been just wonderful to swim in. ♥

[@scotronix]

I bought one of these for my daughter. Of course I had to test it for 2 days before I gave it to her. One of the things that really impressed me was how easy it was. With so many modes and capabilities, but the design is so smart that you don't get lost. (except you hypnotize yourself and lost hours in the sounds). I also gave her a stereo soundbar so she can play without dealing with an amp setup.

[@T8minifreak]

Legendary presentation! I searched for this in consideration of getting the Minifreak, and i ended up getting that plus the T8!

[@mylarmelodies]

Ha, sorry about that!! But the T8 is mega fun isn’t it, they’re a good pairing

[@T8minifreak]

@@mylarmelodies haven't played them synced yet, trying to master the t8 before plugging into the Minifreak. I spend hours on that thing it's so fun!!

[@truecuckoo]

Ace 👌🏼

[@augustleo7434]

Easily the best demo of the minifreak on YT. Love the vibe!!!

[@charlieminers2892]

The demo I've been waiting for... I haven't even finished the video and I'm buying one.

[@jdavis.fw303]

Hot damn thats some slappin techno at the end 🤩

[@markushorn]

Best demo of this synth that I have heard so far. Many thanks!

[@Mjm1138]

This is one synth demo that I've actually watched/listened to multiple times, just because I enjoy the sounds/jams so much. Prompted me to get the Minifreak V plugin (and of course your patches).

[@mylarmelodies]

Thank you!! It’s genuinely a brilliant synth IMHO, unbeatable value.

[@mariolessenich3140]

I love my Minifreak.... Little Synth with spectacluar big big fat Sound Engine.... Thanks so much Arturia.... A great Masterpiece! 😍😍😍

[@IISG93II]

These are some amazing jams. I've barely used my MiniFreak but watching this has inspired me to get back to using it.

[@mylarmelodies]

Defo learn Spice and Dice and have a good play with them syncd to a drum machine/beat and record your jams - it’s v fun

[@morten1]

Why did you stop using it?

[@zoned7609]

​@@morten1probably a rich guy who buys new stuff all the time

[@nebulance4289]

@@zoned7609have you not watched his podcast, he’s very much dependent on new demos, reviews and such because he went full time. This industry requires you to move fast.

[@listeningtoreason5499]

I’ll trade you my deepmind 12 for it

[@SIXELAUDIO]

I think this’ll be a perfect companion for my Polybrute❤

[@rafaelpanoramikus9328]

This is what the hardware demo should look like :) Amazing! Learn Arturia from this guy.

[@EarlyMist]

Its a great sounding synth. I'm also very impressed with the true 303 character on that little Roland unit. Really enjoyed most the demo. Especially the industrial, blippy warbly teknow jam at the end.

[@mylarmelodies]

Thanks!! Yeah it’s a good time to be into synths innit

[@xn-triq7607]

This thing is a beast, I honestly can't fault anything Arturia do, from build quality to sound quality and the intuitive design of their interfaces, literally everything is spot on 👏🏾👏🏾💯

[@reecedeyoung6595]

The hats on their drum machines.

[@sovka8394]

their key velocity response could be better tho…i own keystep 37 and can’t get natural response even after switching modes.

[@vooveks]

The drum pads on my Minilab 3 were absolutely awful. Sent it back immediately for a refund. Not saying they’re a bad company particularly, but definitely not 10/10 on build quality by any stretch.

[@amazeus1980]

Headroom is sh@ in cheap synths…

[@xn-triq7607]

I should of mentioned "taking the price bracket into consideration". Obviously the build quality of a £300- device is going to be completely different from something £900+, but relative to cost, I think Arturia are in a completely different league.

[@klumpmeister2000]

Finally the video I have been waiting for! Been debating this or expanding into more moog stuff to complement the grandmother. Also love your moog videos!

[@mylarmelodies]

Thanks!! defo a weird digital is always a good foil to trad analogue - and if you look in the description there’s a link to a playlist that has a vid of using the grandmother and minifreak together, which is a v. good time.

[@ninjakbly]

Even though you're known for your modular reviews/demos, I've always enjoyed the patches you create on polysynths. Your Peak, Modwave, and now Minifreak patches are right up my alley!

[@thedarkestrainbow]

If they made a hybrid of this and the Polybrute they’d have a monster on their hands. Even if they expanded this out to a full sized synth it would be a hit. Arturia has really pulled ahead in the synth market. I love mine. Really fun and inspiring. Having an analog filter and high quality effects really makes this synth shine. Thanks for your demo. They’re always fantastic.

[@frevrix]

You really think they would have made a “Micro” and a “Mini” without plans to create a Megafreak…or a Superfreak? 😅

[@thedarkestrainbow]

@@frevrix it better be “Superfreak”

[@dmon7464]

Best vid of the MiniFreak on the web... Bravissimo !!! 👋👋👋

[@oblomurg]

I just bought them, and these patches are top-notch! Please make Pt-2 and I'll gladly pay twice as much.

[@mylarmelodies]

Thank you!! Defo will do more at some point

[@bobz1736]

I've had mine a month now and I'm having so much fun playing around I haven't even read the manual yet or used the mod matrix. Such an inventive and deep instrument. Years of fun ahead. Love your creations and great vid 👍

[@mylarmelodies]

Thank you!!!

[@rubbishaudio489]

What a wonderful little synth! Nice patches as always! ;) Love your work, keep it Up!

[@rubbishaudio489]

Not these damn scam bots smh my head

[@mylarmelodies]

Please report scam comments! Am icing any accounts I spot

[@ndf3]

Freddie Freaker, dancing new sensation Grabbing the nation, doing the freak 2 dollars a call!

[@rewwhiskas4234]

Ohmygoodness, it's all been killer, but that final jam. holy schmauzers..

[@rayquazapasta6272]

Jesus.. do you have a spotify, this is probably the best demo I've heard on KZbin thus far

[@cheek1m0nkey]

Love all the hybrids coming out, but the *Freaks are definitely my current favs. Thanks Emilie & Arturia.

[@Trottelheimer]

...and also thanks to Noise Engineering. So cool to have all those Mutable, Noise Engineering and Arturia algorithms in such a sleek an usable package! :-D

[@electricdawn2258]

Wow, this thing (and your handling of it) sounds really good!

[@JohnTrasher]

I like your channel, huge Inspirationen for my dive into modular! Dont really use my normal synths anymore... :) This is for the Algorithym

[@mylarmelodies]

haha thank you

[@rifster123]

26:26 sounds amazing!

[@jdavis.fw303]

I know you have a talent for creating delectable synth tones and riffs, but damn this thing seemed to really inspire you and it sounds rediculous. 🤯😱 I havnt had G.A.S. in quite some time and I felt like a junky after 5 minutes of this video. 🥵🙈🙉

[@pathingmusic]

Dude same and I just bought a monologue...

[@marcthenarc868]

"Begging ..." The kind of thing that made me stop whatever I was doing and just stare at the screen.

[@pathingmusic]

Oh go on then, Alex. This is really great stuff. It's going on the list for future live canoodling being miniature and hands-on.

[@ricardopineda8224]

I have to months trying to buy a synth, I do not know anything of music, but you make it so good and easy that I am going to buy one of this for my content vids. Thank you very much.

[@mylarmelodies]

It’s a deep synth to get as your first but if you commit to learning it, I seriously think it’s probably the best value synth available new right now

[@ricardopineda8224]

@@mylarmelodies Thank you very much. I apreciate your advice.

[@Crucial_Realm]

“Only mochacchino…. Makes me feel alright…”

[@justlivication]

I took a break from synths for 2 years... this video lit the craziest GAS for me 🥴

[@mylarmelodies]

Sorry - but I hope it shows you don't need much...one synth, one drum machine!!

[@justlivication]

@@mylarmelodies that’s how it starts 😂

[@Iwantmoregadgets]

Great demo and great music ! Thank you. I rarely write comments but I had to for this one.

[@mylarmelodies]

ahh thank you!!

[@highspeedracer1921]

Def my next purchase. Thanks for the rundown! Sounds so fn good!

[@Dogboy73]

Thinking of upgrading from my MicroFreak. Works a treat with the little Roland drum machine. Superbly jamable. Lots of fantastic sounds.

[@VagPoop_]

keep both

[@ilkhausen1212]

So nice. Thanks for posting

[@hypedenier]

that sound alone at 26:33 convinced me to get one

[@toncibakotin5885]

you should deliver a proper music album. your snippets are just amazing in emotion and groove.

[@mylarmelodies]

Thank you - try this, it’s free: mylarmelodies.bandcamp.com/album/videomusik

[@ciaranmulhall6123]

T-8 soundin' good too !! 😎

[@mylarmelodies]

Also a party in a tiny box 💃🏻

[@TheDungeonDive]

This thing is just amazing.

[@CaidicusProductions]

You said GOOD sounds only, you LIAR. These sounds are AMAZING! :D Thanks for sharing your presentation, Mylar.

[@mylarmelodies]

Thanks m8

[@Unifono2012]

Awesome demo

[@jaffajenkins]

THAT LAST JAM ALONE ,, Ia worth buying rhis synth

[@Donetur]

Loved the title of the video and the video itself. Just was thinking the same till I found this. :)

[@e-conrecords4665]

A great little synth for portable set-ups. If only it was bi-timbral.

[@jonhollinsworth8785]

great patches, wish they would just make module with out the keys. good work. whole tone jam is incredible

[@555atU]

That jams...nice!

[@SIXELAUDIO]

Sounds incredible

[@Winterdagen]

Ohhhh no you made me buy it:)

[@philxdev]

yep, good demo.. real good!

[@jessewarren817]

That AFX Saw3 patch… felt it in my soul

[@mylarmelodies]

Was a good discovery that - truly endless cul-de-sacs to explore on this thingie

[@helpmeiaminhell]

4:50 very nice!

[@tbonethecat]

You have a really great understanding of the Minifreak, it would be great if you offered video tutorials

[@mylarmelodies]

Thanks!! Did you check the tutorial series Matt Pike was in? Very in depth and really well presented: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWqXp51nnpJjkKc

[@overmind13]

incredibile machine

[@scole402]

17:23 really cool

[@sleepthieves8025]

I want a full release track of "half-time Mochoccino vibes", its too good. 🤯😵‍💫

[@GlitchYeen]

I'm absolutely getting some Lumines vibes from the jam starting around 13:25

[@mylarmelodies]

Weirdly you’re not the first to make a Lumines comparison. Need to check the soundtrack for it

[@bluntpuncture]

WOW! That last patch was Thomas Krome.

[@Diayse]

Amazing mate !!!!!!

[@mylarmelodies]

My complements to the chefs 😗👌

[@SorchaSublime]

I honestly wish they'd stuck with the capacitive keyboard because having one this size would be fantastic

[@VagPoop_]

naw

[@SineHacker]

I agree, part of the freak DNA

[@ianmorton1799]

Nah, I hated those keys. For starters the way they'd glitch when powering via USB. Not to mention not having the feedback of keys, someone like myself who isn't a natural keys player wouldn't necessarily know when hitting a sour note. Really, I eventually sold it, but was planning to just take the keys off and sequence it externally, and how much I hated those keys was a big factor.

[@ianmorton1799]

Now poly aftertouch, on the other hand, that would have still been nice.

[@RonWellsJS]

Good vid, sound design > samples.

[@RelationshipStrategy]

Yeap!

[@jessewarren817]

Also - this thing falls in the lineage of the SH-101, the Microkorg, the Minilogue… I think it’ll be the budget synth of the 2020s!

[@VictorSteiner]

600 Euros isn't really that budget anymore. The others you mentioned were 300.

[@jessewarren817]

@VictorSteiner that’s fair. But what then would you say is the best budget synth of modern times?

[@Steph_7d7]

I think the microfreak is already that

[@christopherrichards-ou6ud]

Worth the money. As far as buying a Casio cz-1 or cz-101. Juno 60 or 106 is too expensive.

[@christopherrichards-ou6ud]

​@@VictorSteiner sh101 is well 1500 around here. Worth 700 maybe

[@Merisht]

I want one them

[@chromosundrift]

Thank you again for an inspiring tour. Personally, a minor narrative, occasionally flagging your musical ideas are and how you choose to knob wobble them would probably be even better. I suspect your audience is sometimes divided on this matter. Feature walkthroughs can be like eating a bowl of dry cornflakes. Mostly I find your choices well balanced. Thanks again.

[@mylarmelodies]

Yeah this video is an odd outlier in that I shot lots of explanation/feature walkthrough then decided to dump it and just edit the sound examples together. See description for other video! A balance is always something I try to strike but it’s important to be open to just letting the video be one specific thing if that’s what’s warranted

[@mylarmelodies]

MORE MINIFREAKERY: ▶ Buy 50 patches I created for the MiniFreak (inc signature ones in this video): mylarmelodies.gumroad.com/l/minifreaksounds ▶ Here's a whole other (unlisted) MiniFreak explainer video I removed from this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJXGfmyYnZyCeKs

[@stevebrown5597]

Epic!

[@scole402]

15:12 woah

[@JoeM1314]

The yellow cord - is that just a midi BPM message out to the drum machine? Can the arturia also receive BPM from a sequencer for envelope/effects control? Trying to figure out how to make dance music with this as you've done around 11:47 as everybody else does ambient lol

[@mylarmelodies]

Just analogue clock. If you have what is pictured (MiniFreak and Roland T-8) then you just need a mono jack to jack 3.5mm to connect the clocks of the machines together, and ideally an audio interface with four inputs (plus two 6.35mm jack to jacks, a 3.5mm jack to dual 6.35mm jack for the T8) and computer to record them both together

[@JoeM1314]

@@mylarmelodies Thanks

[@GrootsieTheDog]

22:50 Casino vs Japan quality. Likely!

[@JayKaufman]

I don't know if you created these patches or not, but if they're stock it's by far the best sounding example I've heard of this synth and it already sounded pretty damned good!

[@mylarmelodies]

Thank you!! A couple of built-in presets but mostly sounds I either made on the spot or made earlier and recalled! You'll have to forgive me for not missing an opportunity to say I have a sound bank for sale: mylarmelodies.gumroad.com/l/minifreaksounds

[@JayKaufman]

@@mylarmelodies wicked! I own the MiniFreak but will likely get one of these down the line. One of my favourite videos on the KZbin is of you with the 0Coast. This is similar in your excitement! All that was missing was a 'holy fuck'! 😄

[@thebigXgaming]

Wow that is one awesome sound design tool! What is that roland equipment you got hooked up to it? Awesome video I want one

[@mylarmelodies]

Check description but it’s a Roland T-8!

[@thebigXgaming]

@@mylarmelodies oh sweet! thanks for letting me know! I must have missed it but Great demo man! 👍

[@paaftube]

This Whole Tone Jam, ohwmagawhd! Not quite yet cul de sac..

[@pierstheoneandonly]

Thought it was supposed to be with no talking? EDM-Wook expostulations throughout.

[@mylarmelodies]

Everything on the internet is a lie

[@symbiat0]

Kinda dismissed the trio of tiny Roland Aira Compact boxes when they came out but a T-8 paired with the MiniFreak is just :chefskiss: (I had been looking at the DrumBrute Impact but I’m loving this minimal compact setup👍🏽)

[@mylarmelodies]

Yeah all the micro Rolands are interesting in their own right - I’d certainly like more drum sounds in it (eg to be able to pick from 808/909/707) but for what it is it’s a little party in a box. Even just as a baby 303…

[@symbiat0]

@@mylarmelodies They wouldn’t want “Rolca” T-8 sales biting into TR-6S / MC-101 sales…

[@Foolhead303]

Another want!

[@danieldemski5466]

I just want... all of this... but playing to a 1D quasicrystal metronome. I've got a lot to learn if I'm going to get there.

[@parristaylor]

YES

[@tomasthurman8957]

haha WHat a wonderful world we live in, live in live in....

[@benjaminhadley78]

Keith Flint would have loved this.

[@johntaylor3347]

Dear Mylar, this video is incredible. Would you mind if I asked a very simple sounding question. What is the drum machine you stuck in the back and is it possible to hook both pf these up to say abelton to record. Thanks so much for any help you can give and more so for the beautiful music and inspiring video. Best wishes- LJ

[@mylarmelodies]

Thanks LJ, it’s a Roland T-8 and you certainly can. Get an audio interface with four ins and you can record two stereo sources at the same time, and sync them via USB.

[@aseomg]

The stereo output of the Freak sounds very narrow...more like mono mix.

[@ZadakLeader]

This video inspired me to buy this setup. I have a question though, do I need a Digital Mixer to combine the T8 and MiniFreak into a headphone out? Correct me if I am wrong, but to me it looks that I can connect the T8 headphone to the Audio In on the MiniFreak? Then I assume this will be output out through the same Headphone port on the MiniFreak? Also, what is the name of that sync cable which allows you to daisy chain (i assume) multiple synths together somehow?

[@mylarmelodies]

No digital mixer needed, you go the other way though! So 2 x 6.35mm L/R from Minifreak to stereo minijack cable in the T8 Mix In (plug headphones into T8). Sync cable is a minijack to minijack, ideally mono

[@ZadakLeader]

@@mylarmelodies Ah right! Thanks :) Found the stackable cable thing as well

[@bartgr9008]

Great clip. How would you rate the sturdyness of the device and the quality of the keybed, on a scale of 0 to 10?

[@mylarmelodies]

It’s hard to give any meaningful insight as I’m not an engineer/involved with the production (and what people might THINK of a devices touch/feel isn’t necessarily related to its actual longevity) - but it feels well made and solid to me. Keybed I think will be same as Keystep so quite light feeling, but fine for jamming and sequencing - remember the whole thing is quite small and so not unreasonable to hook it up to a bigger keyboard if you prefer!

[@packrat2113]

Hey, there's alot of noise coming out of that...... Is it actually music? or is it just fun? Is it worth it....... ........hmmmmm maybe!

[@packrat2113]

Yup.

[@Jkeane1337]

20:49 very legowelt

[@mjaa1307]

Hi! may I make a newbie question? At 10:25 the Drum Machine is being connected to the interface and speakers? At 10:37 are you connecting Minifreak's Clock Out to set the tempo of the Drum Machine? Thanks

[@mylarmelodies]

Yes and yes!

[@sonarfreq]

So all that amazing reverb is built-in to the synth???

[@mylarmelodies]

Yep. They’ve gotten good at FX!

[@sonarfreq]

@@mylarmelodies Nice! 👍

[@brigand9831]

hi guy, thank you for your videos and your work, I am the happy owner of a MniniFreak recently and I just bought your pack of 50 presets this morning, I just looked at the list and I see that it is not There's not the one in your video called: Half - Time Mochoccino Vibes. I admit that I fell in love with this pacth and I would like to know if you would be kind enough to give me a link so that I can download it? Thank you and good luck.

[@mylarmelodies]

Thanks so much and sorry yeah not all the sounds I created I kept! Let me see if I can recreate it and let you know

[@brigand9831]

@@mylarmelodies honestly that would be really cool!! This is the patch that starts exactly at 26:25 on your Half - Time Mochoccino Vibes video, it sounds really great!! In any case, thank you for the response and your videos.

[@mylarmelodies]

@@brigand9831 Just rewatched and actually you do see all the steps to create the sound onscreen! Why not try to recreate it to help learn the machine? Saw on VCO1, Chord VCO on VCO2, choose m7 chord, reduce filter a little, add some envelope modulation, increase release, record a 32 step sequence (using Dsharp, Fsharp, Asharp), then you have to create a mod performance to modulate the timbre knob as I do. Would just be a case of nailing that modulation! To get the 'half time' aspect, its a case of then slowing down the sequence.

[@brigand9831]

@@mylarmelodies hello, thank you very much for your response, and yes, know that the aim of my request was above all to understand how this patch is built to take inspiration from it and not use it stupidly in my productions without understanding how it works. Indeed on your video in addition to the information that you have just given me I am starting to understand how it is constructed but I see that it also has the three effects to activate including a lot of delay at 26:25, is there any something else like chorus or something else that is really part of the identity of this patch ?

[@mylarmelodies]

@brigand9831 Great - Yes I think there’s definitely some chorus on it, I’d try that along with a bit of delay and reverb.

[@joebaf]

Nice sounds. Are using the 303 on the "Nine ae jam" or its just the Minifreak?

[@mylarmelodies]

The T8 is doing drums throughout and then the actual 303 appears at 20:10 or thereabouts! The rest is the Freak!

[@joebaf]

@@mylarmelodies So the bass tone on 19:20 is from the minifreak. Nice...

[@celestial5693]

Im not very familar with the T-8 but does anyone know if he's just using it for drums/303 sound at times or if hes sequencing the minifreak with it when its in shot?

[@mylarmelodies]

It's just doing drums and 303 (only) to accompany the Minifreak which is running off its own sequencer and FX!

[@celestial5693]

@@mylarmelodies thank you for the reply! Have always loved your videos. Can only imagine the number of sales you’ve gotten all these companies over the years. Keep it up!

[@jameshumfry1256]

Sick as fuck dude 🙏

[@tommyg5095]

Ok. If this thing is so great, as many have said, make this a full sized keybed version.. I know many enjoy this form factor, But I for one refuse to buy another mini key toy... I'll shut up now and let y'all play...😎😎😎

[@mylarmelodies]

It’s got MIDI in and is tiny to start with - add your preferred controller keyboard (perhaps one with PolyAT which the engine responds to?) - no excuses!!

[@BullyMaguire4ever]

Gotta wait for the SuperFreak

[@tommyg5095]

@@BullyMaguire4ever It would be an awesome instrument with poly aftertouch.

[@ansonstiles]

Anyone care to save me a search and tell me what drum machine that is? Sounds awesome looks very intuitive

[@mylarmelodies]

See description!

[@thomasdupont7186]

That sound is satanic ! Love it....

[@DeepFriedDave]

whats that machine above and to the right of the synth?

[@mylarmelodies]

It’s a Roland T-8!

[@eyesintheskies]

Well I guess the French must have small slender hands 🙌