Arturia MiniFreak Review // vs MicroFreak // Playing 250+ presets // Pros, cons & full tutorial

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TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:25 vs MicroFreak
6:30 Connectivity
7:35 Workflow
8:55 Osc controls
10:30 Osc 1 engines
14:05 Audio in
14:30 Oscillator 2
15:05 FM/RM
16:05 Digital filters
19:00 Destroy frog
19:50 Analog filter
21:30 Digital FX
25:40 Envelopes
27:45 LFOs
29:05 Waveshaping
30:20 LFO as env
30:40 Vibrato LFO
31:10 Mod matrix
34:00 Macros
34:55 Arpeggiator
38:10 Spice & dice
39:10 Sequencer
43:40 Automation
45:45 Voice modes
46:40 Paraphony
48:20 Chord & scale
48:44 Hidden gems
50:10 Pros & cons
53:50 Almost all 250 presets!
Submit review and video ideas here (sorry I don’t offer 1x1 sessions/setup/purchasing advice):
► Ziv (at) loopopmusic.com
NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links to stores like Amazon, Sweetwater, Thomann and others. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.

[@antonnordahl5198]

A Dune reference in a loopop video is just the greatest gift I didn't know I needed

[@kevincowart362]

Thrilled to see companies innovating digital hardware synths again. If Arturia makes a even bigger freak with full size keys that is an instabuy for me. Le Freak? Super Freak?

[@veganbodymind]

Yes, with added patchbay like the one on the Minibrute2.... Freaky Brute ;)

[@bentropy]

Polyfreak! I was disappointed to see no voltage ins/outs to interface with eurorack.

[@Sudoku_fiend]

@@photosynthesis69 mega freaky brute

[@Leo9ine]

Polybrute + minifreak but in one chassis. Bliss.

[@jamescruz8678]

Matrixfreak and Polyfreak when

[@johnnycomelately2370]

Arturia SuperFreak: 88-key hammer action which also somehow has the capacitive touch from the original MicroFreak individually built into every single key rather than a one piece board... and another added synth engine that uses samples of Rick James' actual voice.

[@LYFoulidis]

Polyfreak? Matrixfreak?

[@j.shelton5147]

I’m in.

[@railgun2880]

And poly aftertouch

[@joeSeggiola]

...and then you woke up all sweaty! 😂

[@alveydoug]

With what would appear to be “limited time”, I am pleased and impressed with the style and sensitivity you have given your demonstration sounds and the presets. As examples: the various Koto sounds, played with pentatonic scales and the (get out the head phones!) Cinematic textures. They’re all good, when you give them context; some “wanting” more than others. A long show, but one I take inspiration from. Without the Loopop touch, it’s just hardware.

[@loopop]

Thanks I really appreciate the comment - indeed I did not have this for long, but for the time I had it, it was hard to stay away...

[@vaspers]

Headphones and especially earbuds, are hell on the ears. Even at low audio volume, prolonged use can result in hearing damage. And synths are often unpredictable. One sudden volume spike and your music listening and composing days are over.

[@dat1beats]

I ❤

[@PrototypeThinker]

@@vaspers And the worst are the sound couplings ect, I ran away tearing the headphones off my ears, and once I even had to stop my ears on the speakers and turn off the equipment with my elbows.

[@ricknorris1466]

@@loopop Can you please review the new Microgranny Monolith Granular Sampler? As far as I can tell it is an improved version of the 2.5 release. It has a new case with better buttons but I’m wondering what under the hood improvements were made before considering “upgrading”. Your videos are the most informative out there. Thanks!

[@ac3v3da]

One of the features I love about the MicroFreak, is that in order to get an "interesting" sound I don't feel like I have to menu dive. On more experimental days or when I have time, it allows for it, which is a bonus! This seems like it would amplify that experience 10x, at least for me, which would further justify it's use, playability and reason to buy another synth. And the fact that it is going to be a plugin is a sweet touch.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

So true. The Micro (and this) are a master class in effective synth UI design. Simple to start, add complexity when and if you need it. Really genius, it becomes more than the sum of its parts.

[@anteeko]

I can relate, I hate menu diving. This is the main thing I look at when I chose a gear.

[@sax2themax]

I just ordered mine, in large part as a result of your review! Can't wait to dive in!

[@finctank]

Arturia always create thoughtful products that pack the features in. Love it

[@maiastniki]

they've grown on me so much

[@tommyg5095]

I am hoping they ( Arturia) bring a flagship " SUPER SYNTH " to NAMM... One that has what we desire,,,, that the other manufacturers leave you wanting ..

[@bricelory9534]

I really love how they've expanded what makes the Microfreak great....if I didn't have my Microfreak, I'd definitely be drooling over this thing. What a very fantastic synth!

[@mediaphile]

I have a Microfreak, and I'm still drooling over this.

[@bricelory9534]

@@ChrisPBacon3000 out of curiosity, what is it that's removed that you find upsetting?

[@yupekosi]

@@bricelory9534 I’m guessing the touch keyboard, or the user/normal wavetables. Other than that I’m not sure honestly (The keys still have aftertouch)

[@UNSCPILOT]

Still drooling over that filter stage, would love it as a separate module

[@dmcinnis23]

@@mediaphile SAME!

[@KipCount]

This video keeps on giving. Watched it at least twice. Now that I have the Minifreak I'm watching again and it's super helpful. I'll be back for the 4th watch pretty soon I'm sure. Thanks for diving in so hard into this synth.

[@jasonb2089]

Very intriguing. Listening to the presents, I was impressed how the MiniFreak can sound like many different synths; it doesn't seem to have one character. Excellent review as always Loopop!

[@honksou7009]

looking to buy my first synth and I have to say your review is the most complete I've ever seen about anything. Great job

[@eafortson]

Wow I was not expecting the arp/Sequencer/automation section to be so creative and intuitive. Incredibly impressed with that implementation. Well done Arturia! and of course well done as always Ziv. You are teaching multiple generations with your concise but incredibly in-depth reviews. Can't thank you enough for this.

[@SolidtraxNL]

Viewed it all. Again a great review Ziv! As a sound designer I was so fortunate to have a small role in creating a couple of factory patches for the MiniFreak. During the sound design period I asked about this the stereo spread of the voices as well, but unfortunately the stereo option doesn't seem to be possible. But you can (ab)use the Single Chorus type with the intensity (depth) and amount(dry/wet) to max to get a sort of autopanner effect when using smal amounts of the time(rate) parameter. Hope this helps you and your viewers getting the results you are looking for.

[@darkambience]

This is a bummer, its the one thing that bugs me about the Mininova as well as much as I love the thing.

[@motherbrain2000]

per voice panning is older than the OB-X from 1979. Very frustrating as lushness increases exponentially. I'm glad "voice number" is a mod source- that's huge; but without panning as a destination....well, bummer. Not a deal breaker- but if Oberheim could do it in 1979...what the hell arturia.

[@SolidtraxNL]

@@motherbrain2000 Hi Marc, I've also found that a bit unfortunate, but the increase of costs would be quite a bit as everything has to be stereo then. Their PolyBrute does offer it, but if you want that stereo spread most of the chips have to be doubled and so will the costs. For some examples of the voice number (keyboard source modes) I would like to invite you to my channel to take a listen at a couple of my patches I just released...

[@Kev-Adams]

Super quick off the mark today Ziv, my favourite digital synth just got even bigger with even more mod options. Always loved that very musical pattern arp so three octaves helps cut down on the number of octave shift presses. Ordered and can’t wait, thanks for the deep dive into the new features 😊

[@merlinoner]

As always your review is on top of the world. Thanks Loopop!

[@kashdro85]

Just pulled the trigger on this and I like it just as much as my Hydrasynth Explorer. Thank you once again Loopop for helping me make my purchasing decisions.

[@cemegonuts]

The only Arturia product I own is a keystep 37 and i'm constantly amazed at how intuitive it is. This takes it to a whole new level. So this is some serious gear lust going on here! :)

[@SpikesStudio3]

Hey ziv. You truly are a synthzen master. Playing 250 presets is like counting grains of rice. Cant thank you enough for all your work. Your library of knowledge is a place i visit frequently. ✊️

[@nsjx]

Got one on the way. A little difficult to find in-stock at the moment where I am. Thank you very much for the TIME and EFFORT you put into these. Admittedly, this was already on my radar because of mysteriously holding off on the Micro BUT I smiled ear to ear when you went into the LFO's man oh man... plus the one-shot trig option. Can't wait ha ha

[@moralboundaries1]

I'm glad they expanded it without going into a 4 digit price bracket. I've always wondered what a poly microfreak would sound like.

[@Camroc37]

Next will be polyfreak and finally matrixfreak

[@moralboundaries1]

@@Camroc37 I hope so! I'd love a version with higher sample rate oscillators too, but that would require a firmware rewrite.

[@lancepage1914]

Great point. It's under $1K AUD in my region. Colour me impressed, not bad for a hybrid poly synth. I haven't felt GAS like this since the Digitakt.

[@KiR_3d]

@@Camroc37 I hope they will pack next Freaks with some analog oscillators :) Or a decent overdrive and wavefolder at least. Micro/MiniFreaks' oscillators sounds nice... But cold. Colder than the most of DCOs. And the analog filter doesn't "fix" this. I have MicroFreak and I'm happy to have it as a good semi-MPE MIDI controller. It's really great. I hope that Arturia will hear me and make a PCB MPE version of KeyStep37. I'll be almost happy :D

[@compucorder64]

@@KiR_3d It's true that you could describe it as cold. And that the analog filter doesn't necessarily change that. But, if you have other synths that can sound warm (I use my Peak for that), this coldness makes for nice character. Because it's not necessarily always harsh either. It can be delicate, pretty, glitchy, wonky, pointy, fragile and other flavours like that, that make it a real character synth. It has good detail for a great reverb, analog phaser or chorus to chew on too. Where the filter doesn't warm it, tape processing can. Where some analog synths might end up sounding smushy, with the freak tape just gives it a nice smoothness or if driven harder, a slightly thickening. Sketch Cassette can do this, if you don't have a tape machine.

[@CO5MA]

Received mine, i’m really happy with it, very fun machine! Great video by the way ☺️🤘🏼

[@blipblip88]

Thanks as always for a thorough review!

[@ervinpoljak8332]

great benefit from that kind of interaction and presentation. i appreciate that kind of review very much. enough depth to get a glimpse into what´s possible...

[@vaspers]

Fantastic demo video, as usual, Loopop. I deliberately refused to buy an Arturia MicroFreak, as I was waiting for a larger, more sophisticated version. MiniFreak is now here! My dream has come true. Great explanations and comparisons!

[@OmniTorch]

Mine arrives tomorrow. So excited!

[@pockopz]

OMG the LFO wave shaper 😱😍 Thank you so much for your reviews, it's always a pleasure to watch it and to learn how machines work with your nice voice 👏🔥

[@loopop]

🙌🏻🙏🏻

[@caesarsheadache]

Excellent walk-through and demo - Thank you 👏👌🤘

[@symbiat0]

The presets sound very good, really great selection in there. I love that using the macro controls shows you exactly what’s being modulated 👍🏼

[@tammanoa8696]

I just picked one of these up for my first synth. It can be intimidating, but this certainly helps! My thanks for all the work you do. Time to make some funky little bespoke noises!

[@rrocktoo]

The “Smash Like” preset was very clever. Great review, again.

[@wackerburg]

Again; what an amazing video, Ziv! Well laid out and thorough and no-nonsense. Regarding the Minifreak; I don't really care for new devices and am looking at them with an "interested distance", meaning I am indeed interested in what they are and can do and such, BUT I stopped buying more gear a while ago. First I completely stopped buying software after Waves started holding the plugins I bought from them hostage as in they wanted more money to re-activate them. Since that was never the case with vintage devices, I ditched the computer from my music making setup and enjoy just turning on the Roland X0X'es - no firmware updates needed, having fun right away. That being said, I added a few more "modern" pieces, but stopped when realizing that mostly all of these newer things are endless universes on their own. That also seems to be the case with this wonderful synth and if I would have a blank space to fill, I'd get one. What I enjoy is listening to you zapping through the presets. It's like watching TV for entertainment, but in an aural sense 😀 *THANKS for putting this together!*

[@TheBlackD]

Sweet baby Jesus. It address all the frustrating bits and add even more than I would have wished. What a synth ! Thank you for the usual awesome review.

[@donaldpriola1807]

Cool addition. As a Microfreak owner, It's probably not worth the upgrade, but I'd be all over this is I didn't already have the Micro. This would be a killer first synth for many.

[@Fuzzfooger]

A lot of the cheap synths I buy end up rotating back out of the rig in time but the MicoFreak has stubbornly held its place and is a great friend to my modular and semi modular analogue gear. It packs way above its price. I agree though, I won't be upgrading as the Micro has everything I need (and I like the freaky keyboard!). The MicroFreak Firmware updates through its lifespan have made me a loyal Arturia fan, so many features and modes added in the last few years - hopefully us Micro owners get a few more oscillator types the future because of the Mini coming out

[@iamjamessmith]

@@Fuzzfooger I imagine Arturia will keep throwing new features at the Micro -- they know how much we love it :)

Stereo out :)

[@user-mn7gv6sn1x]

@ why do you need stereo out if Microfreak is mono?

@@user-mn7gv6sn1x As the original said: "As a Microfreak owner, It's probably not worth the upgrade" I commented "this one is stereo" just to...prove that it's sort of...more?

[@foodstampz]

Thank you for this great review !!

[@LarsBjerregaard]

There's an awful lot to like about this synth. If I was in the market for my first synth at that pricepoint, it would be a nobrainer IMHO. Another expert level, great review Ziv, thank you!

[@MrKwixster]

How would you compare this to Minilogue XD?

[@RealityShiftUK]

@@MrKwixster they compliment each other

[@RealityShiftUK]

If you cam get. Bioth second hand or something it would be worth it

[@SolidtraxNL]

Really nice video (again!) and not sure how you did it but the screen readout in just white is amazing!

[@therealwhite]

shoutout to the really clever cutout of the display above the minifreak. some really great video editing here

[@dmomcilovic9185]

excellent comprehensive review that will last for many years to inform buyers

[@rayderrich]

One minute in: I will buy this synth (as just last night I told myself to get the MicroFreak at last, and this is better). All the other minutes were me just enjoying loopop playing with 'my' new toy. Thanks a lot!

[@KordTaylor]

I'm so happy they did a plug-in!

[@johngilbert184]

22 days later and still no manual available for a complex synth. Thank goodness for Loopop. Great review and video manual Ziv. Thank you!

[@regplasma7906]

Great demo (as ever) loopop.

[@thehomienicked8208]

What an awesome looking synth. I think that this might be my first hardware synth purchase after a couple of years of using software ones with MIDI controllers.

[@Ferrous_Bueller]

Did you buy it?

[@thehomienicked8208]

@@Ferrous_Bueller I did! Actually finally got it about two weeks ago. It is splendid.

[@tylon2999]

I actually placed an order before watching the review as I have been waiting for this release, needless to say I love my MicroFreak . I would encourage reading the manual. I only have two Arturia products and both manuals are excellent.

[@otuon2441]

this feels like the polyphonic synth I was looking for!

[@rickr.mortis4821]

The presets are beautiful. Many useable too and that's why I preordered mine today.

[@anthonymuller3634]

Preordered. Excited to toy with it and the MatrixBrute together.

[@krazywabbit]

Thank you for another stellar review. Congrats on passing the 200k mark. Be safe.

[@loopop]

thanks! that is pretty wild

[@nathankirklambo1986]

I've been holding out on buying a microfreak, was never sure why, but now I know. Serendipitous!

[@cameronhawkins4877]

idk how people say this is not worth the upgrade. It takes everything that made the microfreak great and adds so much more. I think having both would be amazing and I'm definitely buying the Mini when I get the chance.

[@Volcaniced]

Shift + (Voice) Mode Button in Unison Mode has a magically Function. And, as with the MicroFreak, the Minifreak Scales your Sequence too ... And there are wonderful results.

[@user-fi4yd2kf6g]

Ok, as someone who has played a piano all his life and only recently slowly started moving into the world of electronic music I must say I am blown away by some of the presets, they would fit so nicely into the music I would like to create! Great review, it must've been time consuming to record it all! Definitely on my to-buy list now!

[@ssnochevy]

I really like how this thing sounds. It’s almost perfectly priced too. @59:03 is right up my alley. This would be a great companion synth to my Analog 4😮

[@user-ky8or6hf6j]

This guy learns synths workflow so good. It would take me a year with this synth to be this fluent in the workflow

[@oldbatwit5102]

Thank you for another excellent review.

[@tr606]

Oh my, that's a lovely looking synth

[@kevdavies3445]

great demo cant wait to get one

[@darylpeach218]

What a great review! Very informative, and super easy to understand from your explanations (for a relative novice). ......after watching this, I think my minds made up lol 👍👍

[@Bigmojo75]

Got the micro but this is another genuinely interesting Synthesizer. We’ve been very lucky in recent years imo. Especially as this will have a preset compatible vst. This means my bands German producer has immediate access to patches I might create.

[@gaborb6577]

simply the most extrnsive tutorial around

[@holgerrumke6244]

(2:53) Noooooo , not the frog :.(

[@dollgarm]

Recently got one and it's most good and as ever your video was excellent at pointing out everything available 👍🏼👍🏼 One tiny thing I'd have added is letters; they've got 26+ buttons now as part of the arp/seq section so could use those to name patches a little easier! 😎

[@InnerVisions68]

Despite the lack of authentic spice, I still think this would play well on Arrakis.

[@RealPeteRyan]

Great review! Tough competition at this price from Hydrasynth Explorer. This one seems a little more fun though!

[@andyracksthecams]

Great demo. Thank you.

[@paulmint1775]

wahoooooo thanks loopop, cool vid as always

[@degheltproductions]

Dear Ziv, as always, your review is extremely precise, deep and detailed, the best so far, Congratulations ! I am a huge fan of Arturia, and also a huge fan of your reviews. Compared to other KZbin Channels, I always feel something "Musicians Friendly" from you, no show off or blabla, pros and cons are always honest and also the best advices you can give to the companies to improve their products. Arturia should hire you as their gold expert ! I see the minifreak as a wonderful laboratory of modern synths, affordable, captivating and exciting which promises long hours of fun and music ! Thanks for everything !

[@loopop]

My pleasure, thanks for taking the time to write!

[@steffenmlgaardlarsen5463]

Sick review! Thanks man

[@NiElsir]

Exciting-looking/sounding instrument - have heard the microfreak was great but this looks ever more up my street! Nice

[@musicieniihizq]

I’m glad I didn’t purchase the Micro. This will be my first freak. :D Just need to decide on which Brute to go along with it,

[@valdir7426]

it's the same sound from what I can hear; with addition of polyphony and internal effects

[@tomelwich49]

I'll take 1. Great demo LP!

[@dantarradellas7351]

Excellent. Love the new features. Manufacturers should make patch randomization standard in all synths.

[@davidgoode7416]

Awesome as always

[@digitaldiezel5870]

OMG They did it!! This is what I was waiting for!!! Last synth right here!!!

[@MaxxaM112]

Haha, one does not have a 'last synth' :)

[@kaylons]

That's what they all say...

[@ayapaiz822]

...with aftertouch that effects all notes, instead only the one you press ...LOL no thx

[@wilorules]

I loved the MicroFreak, one of the first synths I bought. So glad to hear that this is 6-voice Poly, not 4 voice. What the people want. Sold.

[@vincetessier4634]

thank's a lot for this vidéo loopop!

[@danpreston564]

Looks like a nice addition. The Micro is, for me, probably the best bang for your buck in the synth world right now. Not sure about the Spice and Dice implementation, doesn’t look as flexible as on the Micro to me.

[@Pulse2AM]

Thanks for the review! It does analogue sounds pretty good which is what I would want to use mostly.

[@johnd7564]

Holy smokes your videos are good. Thank you!

[@enochroot9438]

Would be a great introduction and interesting 1st synth

[@dimesdede]

Seems interesting, especially i was always missing the effects like delay & reverb at the microfreak

[@erimahmet4461]

Love these sounds, deffo need to get my hands on one of these

[@HelicopterRidesForCommunists]

Love this channel

[@DinhDover]

Thanks for the great video!

[@jeffoff7795]

I love my micro freak but I might need to upgrade. Sounds fantastic.

[@frankjanssens5490]

Another great review. Thanks to you the Microfreak was my first hardware synth. I'm still very pleased with it. Very versatile and sounds great with external effects (Korg NTS-1 and Zoom MS-70CDR). And Minifreak seems another great Arturia product. But not for me. I bought a Lyra 8 to expand the sonic landscape. Also based on your review by the way. Like your style. Dry and thorough.

[@UNSCPILOT]

Funny, I was, and still am considering a Lyra-8 to pair with my 'Freak, have had a lot of fun messing with the Soma Ether as a sampling tool

[@edmc2]

Loved the Dune reference 👌

[@BackspinZX]

....okay. I want one. This is more or less how I was hoping they'd expand on the Microfreak, and I do love mine to death, so this is going on the wishlist for sure.

I'm already looking forward for the RegularFreak and then the MacroFreak

[@m1nnefr3d]

Wow, what a beast 😈 ... and what a superb review once more 👍 Thanks, especially considering no frogs were actually harmed in its making 🤣 Hadn't I bought a MicroFreak only a couple of weeks ago, I'm sure I couldn't have resisted the spontaeous GAS attack you triggered in me, mate 😁

[@Avi_burn]

I heard every star wars character in that run down. Really great video thank you

[@makeperceive]

A Loopop video almost 2 hours long? What a treat.

[@loopop]

Thanks :) yes feature length - I'm competing with hollywood now!

[@magicseadog8674]

@@loopop I think Arturia should get a producer credit since a fair time slice of that is their presets! haha

[@ProfessorSaibertin]

The additional oscillator is sth the Microfreak is missing and the Mini sounds cool. On the other hand, the advantage of the Micro is its size. Great review as always, thx!

[@WVandellHarris]

And Here we go !

[@dualtrx]

Another Loopop masterpiece.

[@thesurgingmass]

Originally didn’t think this was a big deal. Ended up picking one up and it’s way beyond expectations. Brilliant synth.

[@OmniTorch]

i kept going back and forth between buying a minifreak or a asm hydrasynth explorer. decided on the minifreak since it has a sequencer and the software vst seems bad ass.

[@McN4styFilth]

I got one for Christmas out of the blue and I'm pleased. I have a hydrasynth and I'm surprised at how different they can sound.

[@JDMEXforme]

Im deciding this or the Roland JDXi.

[@brandonwilliams966]

I'm waiting on the Superfreak!!

[@bobz1736]

THIS WILL BE MASSIVE !!!

[@StopWars420]

This is what I wanted to see from Arthuria. Not bad for $600

[@DukeMuffington]

I’ve only owned VST’s and MIDI controllers playing through ableton. I didn’t think I would ever want to own physical hard share since plugins can achieve a similar result. After watching this… I have to get one. It just looks so much fun. Fun seems to take extra steps when working in the box due to setup time and computer quirks. Starting to see the benefit of just being able to hop on and get creative instead of fiddling around with button mapping and managing CPU usage when you’re stacking plugins. I would love to get people’s opinions on other benefits you can achieve from having physical hardware over doing everything in the box! Great review!!! -- P.S. Preset 39 FM Crush and note pattern is totally the sound from the Donkey Kong Water level!!!!

[@evedotcom]

I’d been eyeing up the microfreak for a while, just waiting till I have enough savings to justify it. Glad I waited. I want this instead now lol.