Bad Gear - Arturia Microfreak - Le Freak

[@AudioPilz]

Audiopilz: *slaps roof of YT channel* Full Tracks, Extended Jams, Sample Packs: www.patreon.com/audiopilz

[@jbbreau]

Another great video but if you are actually doing videos about GOOD gear now and would not mind diving in the world of banana plugs, I would be happy to lend you my cocoquantus for however long you need to make a video.

[@BliterTV]

Le Freak... C'est chic ! .... 😁

[@jmorbid7319]

When you started to play sabbath's hole in the sky I lost my mind🙃🤣 great video as always thanx!

[@annother3350]

I just ordered mine this morning!

[@maxmaxmax4015]

Do you have Meme packs as well??

[@menhirmike]

Bad Gear is actually a series of tutorial videos, showing people the stuff that their instrument can actually do.

[@finonomastropiero4261]

Indeed. Limitations breed creativity some say

[@brettmaddan3255]

@@finonomastropiero4261 yes easier to push off the edges of the limitations then flounder around in a vast infinity of possibility!

[@AudioPilz]

You know too much;)

[@unclemick-synths]

@Menhir Mike it is sad that KZbin will only let me Like this comment once.

[@kolvis6626]

I saw this video in my recommendations and I've started to come to this conclusion.

[@AlexBallMusic]

My postman does cycling envelopes too.

[@Wagoo]

Mrs Goggins can envelope me, anytime!

[@AudioPilz]

My postman is quite a freak too.

[@EannaButler]

@@AudioPilz My postman is a very small guy. Guess that makes him a micro freak cycling with envelopes.

[@NeoLudditevisons]

What about the evolutionary cycle post man?

[@anyme3046]

@@AudioPilzlove it if you’re postman was into bad gear 😂

[@zapptuff5186]

I won't lie I love the microfreak. I have a joint condition that has made playing any instrument, including midi keyboard very painful and difficult. But with the keys of the microfreak I can finally play music. I'm so happy and excited. I only picked it up 3 weeks ago but I'm already just so grateful to be able to make sounds. I'm late to the party with music but I'm looking forward to making some very bad stuff and gradually improving haha.

[@craigmoran893]

That's nice to hear dude. In the future you could upgrade to a midi controller with a similar keybed, and get a cracking module, or use softsynths. Cheers

[@AudioPilz]

❤️❤️❤️

[@zzzz-yw4zk]

thats awesome

[@Krush00]

Nice to hear! It's a great little machine and it seem to always get even better with each update.

[@wyatt2525]

Same. I have ehlers danlos and my microfreak is my main midi controller. I had to stop playing guitar and bass, drums, piano and trumpet. I was looking for a good capacitive touch keyboard when the microfreak was released and I immediately got it. I love it although I wish it was more than 2 octaves, and the keys getting stuck and stuff sucks. It’s still by far the cheapest capacitive touch keyboard, and it’s a cool little synth that’s gotten many significant updates

[@apolloc.vermouth5672]

There's nothing more satisfying than playing the MicroFreak through an effects box that cost twice as much!

[@AudioPilz]

One?😂😂😂

[@h2o1969]

@@AudioPilz hahaha, right?

[@neuzethmusic131]

He has a Big Sky? Or a Microcosm? 😂

[@mattkaz9604]

Exactly - synths like this one that specialise in creating crunchy obnoxious tones can be a bit jarring dry, but send those same sounds through just about any delay effect and it all makes sense again.

[@DavidKazantsev]

Zoom pedal of their ms series is ok too.

[@Answersonapostcard]

The amount of updates to the synth engine via firmware updates is really impressive. This is a great value and versatile modern synthesiser.

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed!

[@sawtooth808]

It’s too bad there’s no audio input to take advantage of the filter and such (especially if it’s similar to Plaits or Brades )

[@rorz999]

@@sawtooth808 Eh, I don't think the filter is much to write home about tbh

[@chinmeysway]

Need to do this probably. Makes it louder too yeah?

[@Phoenix_2A]

@@sawtooth808 You can hook up to the TRRS mic on the back and run your gear through it and utilize the filters

[@CapRockout]

My favorite thing about your videos is that not only do you do a dive into the features and quirks, but you also give it context in quality jams. Lots of talent!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@TheSciHi]

Microfreak doesn't fall into Bad Gear zone but it rather sits in Love It Or Hate It Gear category. It's just too quirky to please everybody. After renting it for a few days I've found that the most fun part for me was its... touchstrip keybed. Great vid as always, Florian. To wrap up such an overwhelming list of features in a nick of time? That's most impressing, Dear Sir!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@raysubject]

"love it or hate it" is actually exactly "bad gear" category :-))) there is rately really bad gear - almist every one founds somebody who loves it from some - no matter how strange - reason.. so vast majority of synrths reviewed in this channel are exactly that category "love it or hate it" 😂

[@infn8loopmusic]

Yes this!! As a guitar player originally moving to synths and feeling there was this missing level of expression (what, no whammy bar?) this synth solves that and is actually fantastic for leads. I love that you can lock the root note and scale mode and find that to be indespensible when doing fast leads. Another great thing to try is using it's aftertouch with other synths or apps like the Animoog. It pairs up very well with that one.

[@robinr22]

I definitely hated mine - for the fundamental flaw that it just doesn't sound good at all. And the fact that 95% of the patches have a sequence or arp attached to them. Want to skim through a bunch of presets? Nope, have to do three button presses to turn them off before you can trial it. Which I've convinced they did to cover up how bad it sounds to anyone who tries it in a shop.

[@Starthief]

I wasn't sure I was gonna like the keyboard but I wound up loving it. I think they should make a controller based on it called the FreakKey. I never used its presets, I just set up an init patch as #1 and always dialed in stuff from scratch. It was pretty easy to do. But honestly unless you're making good use of that SEM filter, the digital algorithms sound better in Plaits or in Noise Engineering modules/plugins than on the Microfreak for whatever reason.

[@audioartisan]

"It's better to be a freak, than just another clone" - Synth quote of the year! 😁

[@AudioPilz]

😀😀😀

[@BillyBatsonMarvel]

Uncle (RIP 😪) Rick in the house.

[@sawtooth808]

“In a world full of clones, stand out and be a Freak”

[@julilabas]

Amen

[@AleksanderNevskij47]

It's much better to be a clone that this (Arturian) freak.

[@KutayYavuzMusic]

Man, your video editing skills are getting better and better!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@michaelkeefer4293]

Hey! I mentioned the Microfreak a couple weeks ago in a comment on your Yamaha CS video, and now you gave it the Bad Gear treatment! I know you probably had this video planned and possibly in production long before my comment but it still makes me feel kinda special! I have a love/hate relationship with my Microfreak. I really hate the keyboard and really wish it had more polyphony, but I absolutely love annoying my friends, family and neighbors with it! Running it through some chorus, delay and/or reverb really makes it come alive. Thanks for another fun review!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! That comment actually reminded me that I should put the MF on the show!

[@michaelkeefer4293]

@@AudioPilz Cool! I am special! 😁

[@keykrazy]

Got a similar love-hate feeling for mine as well, @michaelkeefer4293. For me, it really comes alive when paired with a 61 (or more) key controller, or better yet -- a larger MIDI synth with audio inputs. E.g., even pairing it with a lowly 49-key M-Audio Venom is so much better than trying to play that (admittedly unique and interesting) keyboard on the 'Freak. (And an M-Audio Venom allows incoming audio to be passed through it's effects section and then of course could also be combined with the Venom's own output if needed). The last two times i'd played the 'Freak was using a Yamaha EX-5, then a Roland Juno-DS88 as controllers. Almost felt like having a new synth that way. I often daydream of selling the Microfreak to help pay for a the Mini version but there's always some other GAS purchase that takes precedence. I really wish the Micro was battery powered like my Roland JD-08, as the latter is of a similar size and weight but with the battery power is just so handily convenient that i simply leave it laying around the house with a MIDI cable wrapped 'round it. I could get a buy a USB power bank thing but if i gotta fiddle with all that then i might as well grab the OEM adapter with it's 6-fit chord.. But I guess that's all just what makes one the more "budget"-ish Micro version and the other the Mini, after all

[@user-iz8pg8zz1b]

To those saying the volume output of the Microfreak is too low: The manual says to use a TRS balanced cable - if you don't use one the volume output WILL be low. I can confirm this, I've compared signals with regular cables vs balanced trs.

[@iishirasu]

Yes yes, that's all very well... If you're plugging it into a balanced input. A TRS cable going into an unbalanced input is functionally identical to a TS cable. The Freak is not exactly high-end gear (it's Arturia's lowest-priced HW synth after all) and there are plenty of unbalanced inputs down in that part of the gear ecosystem.

[@user-iz8pg8zz1b]

@@iishirasu Well I don't know what to tell you. That's what's recommended by Arturia and that's what improved the output level for me even when going into a non-balanced input.

[@AudioPilz]

Isn't the maximum you're supposed to lose 6dB? Seems like much more

[@user-iz8pg8zz1b]

@@AudioPilz Give the TRS balanced a try, it really boosts the output and helps the MF cut through the mix.

[@magnuseriksson8081]

I did not know that, maybe I should read the manual. 🙂Thanks a lot

[@Alexis-im4xu]

Cool to see a piece of equipment I actually have getting featured here. Yeah sure the initial patch is pretty toy-ish and "thin" sounding and lacks effects but you can get around that pretty easily by using unison mode or by knowing your way around the ridiculously easy to use mod matrix. I actually saw a guy who patched the envelope to the unison spread in order to create a sort of natural sounding reverb. Really cool trick to do. The very first synth I had as a kid outside of Yamaha Portasound and cheap Casios from yard sales was a microKORG and damn it really feels like a breath of fresh air to actually not have to read text on a front panel and do some guesswork on what I'm actually doing. People also complain about the Buchla keys and sure they might be difficult for people to get used to but honestly nothing else would work as well for the Microfreak as that could. Probably the best Christmas present I had gotten in my life along with the ol microKORG (which unfortunately has gotten lost) and the 3DS with New Leaf.

[@AudioPilz]

That envelope-unison trick is nice!

[@mattkaz9604]

Fantastic as always. When I stop to ponder how much time you must spend editing these videos it blows my mind.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! It's a few hours now and then;)

[@ledfloyd5647]

Ahhh! I'm a fan of the Microfreak since last year and I was waiting for your video on it! Thank you for your work, you have the best KZbin channel that talks about synths that I know, and I know some!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@finonomastropiero4261]

Le fan

[@gibusgamer93]

Had a Microfreak for a year or two, to me it is a perfect first hardware synthesizer. Not too expensive, all the important controls are up-front without too much menu diving(There is some, but you can design some great patches with just the three oscillator controls, the envelope, and the filter), and the variety of oscillators means you can get a ton of sounds out of it with minimal tweaking. At the same time, between the mod matrix, the number of oscillators, and the variable filter, it has a ton of room to grow as someone gets more experienced. It's a rare piece of gear that feels beginner friendly, while still packing enough advanced features to be useful once you move past the beginner stage. It's also perfect for guitarists and bassists thinking about diving into the world of synthesizers, because they already have all the effects that the Microfreak lacks! If it were $500 or above I'd expect more from it, but for $350 I think it's a killer little gadget.

[@AudioPilz]

Let's see if there's gonna be a MegaFreak;)

[@Eli_B3000]

Many companies come out with less and charge more for sure. Any other number of brand's name on this same functionality would be $500+

[@CHARIOTangler]

So why did you sell yours?

[@gibusgamer93]

@@CHARIOTangler I didn't, I still have it, I just don't use it as much as I used to. It does still get used, but I have a Minilogue xd, and with the open-source digital oscillator, it can do a LOT of what the Microfreak does. (Not all, it doesn't have the same kind of mod matrix or sequencer, but a fair amount)

[@tds2117]

I don’t think something with touch pads instead of keys would make for a good first synth. You mentioned having a Minilogue- to me, that’s the perfect first synth.

[@jessfrancofan]

It makes me happy to see this on the channel as I love these clips as tutorials. I own 3 Microfreaks actually and I'm at my most creative when I sync 'em all up and let my brain just run amok. I also love that the Freak isn't really the most "pleasing" of sounds because I can get that kind of thing in a horde of other instruments.

[@yes0genesis]

@@zenn3339 kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYqYZ2WOqZqEibM

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Wow, that's quite a setup!

[@RobbieRyanLMF]

More gear that you review that I also own...Here we go. This is a very versatile "swiss army knife" little synth that does a variety of things well. I think a lot of the slams on it are from people that don't give themselves the time or the space to dig deep into it. It really does a lot of things very very well. You mentioned the vocoder, which is lovely. If you don't buy the vocoder version there is an inexpensive microphone you can purchase from any authorized dealer. The speech synth is fun. The FM synth delivers surprisingly deep bass, and there is even a fine JP8 synth recreation included in the original presets. Also, the synth is still being added to and updated. Arturia have addressed the lack of digital effects previously, in that they didn't want to put a "crap" reverb on there when most folks using this will have access to better tools and post processing. Your examples were lovely as always, Florian but this is a synth that really deserves a deeper dive than most users in this modern age are willing to give. Danke!

[@AudioPilz]

Vielen Dank!!!

[@theeggqueen]

you are a man of taste. Glad someone else found out how deep the bass gets on FM mode.

[@saftpackerl]

I second the statement that the FM Bass goes...freakishly deep!

[@Magnus_Loov]

I think it got a bad reputation due to the unimpressive "dry" presets that was first released for it. They tried to show off some quirky presets (to match the freaky look of it) that showed off the vast number of oscillator/synthesis modes in the synth and doing it so also with no fx just makes it worse since people are spoiled by being used to hearing "total solutions" with finished effected sounds (that may not work directly in a mix anyway) in most plug-ins and hardware synths these days. It's really a "freakish" tool meant to be used for your own tweaking in combination with external effects (either hardware or in the DAW). Not as a standalone workstation for everyday use that sounds great at the get go.

[@magnopere]

giving Plaits cores a full synth voice worth of modulations and a keyboard makes it worth it already. I think it's great for people who want to get a little more custom with synthesis without investing in a high-end table synth or a modular

[@mixn5919]

Great sounds, you showed off the capabilities of this thing really well. It’s my go-to traveling synth since you can power it on a USB battery pack, and it fits nicely in a carry-on bag. I’ve spent many hours waiting to catch a flight while sketching out song ideas with the sequencer :)

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!!!

[@bitsmasher101]

I'm starting to wonder if AudioPilz is actually secretly a marketer for a high end 2nd hand audio website or smth because all these pieces of gear are FANTASTIC

[@reecedeyoung6595]

None of the products on this show are high end. They're almost all mass produced, affordable products. Which isn't to say they aren't good products. They're just not high end.

[@lasskinn474]

@@reecedeyoung6595 many of them are out of production hence 2nd hand store

[@AudioPilz]

Still waiting for the Reverb money;)

[@SoundOfVinyl]

He made me buy a lot of them, I now have to much gear and the mind is playing tricks on me that one day I will master it all.... (evil laughter in the background)

[@reecedeyoung6595]

@@lasskinn474 Never said they weren't second hand. I said they weren't high end.

[@whateverman999]

I wanted to watch this again before putting my Microfreak and DB Impact up for auction. That first jam changed my mind again on both! So freaking sweet, just wish I could get them to sound that good! I’d really love to see a “making of” for one of your jams, by the way. You make it seem so easy, but I’m stuck in n00b land with so many mundane questions and cluelessness how to break out of making static one pattern loops. You’re an inspiration either way!

[@jesusrocks7500]

Sold mine to score an MPC One and now I want another Freak. It's a handy little powerhouse and running it through external effects just makes it better. The fact that Arturia is constantly refining amazing hardware just adds to the attraction. Excellent video Bud.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@StrayBoom]

It's not just the detailed review that I appreciate but the fact that you seemingly never run out of memes.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@t0xcn253]

Finally, Mr. Bad will show me the proper way to use my Microfreak! Seriously you always do such a thorough run-down, I learn new things about even my most cherished instruments, such as this one.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for watching!

[@t0xcn253]

@@AudioPilz I always do lol, it's even better than reading the instructions

[@EUZR-Official]

This just keeps getting better! I loved hearing the Bad Gear jams done on a Microfreak! LOVED it!!

[@wavrekordz]

This keybed gives you such a speed, that is more like a percussion pad than an actual keyboard. Especially with the aftertouch, it can be a real percussive instrument or controller. Being originally a hand percussionist I really appreciate this and regardless of any other aspects (weak sound and low volume) I love it so much I will never get rid off it.

[@user-iz8pg8zz1b]

The sound is only weak if you do not use a balanced TRS audio cable as recommended in the manual.

[@AudioPilz]

I liked that quite a bit!

[@dasgestell]

Du machst einen mega Job! Dein Stil ist unique und vor allem effektiv - wenn Du "Filter" sagst, drehst Du auch daran und ich mag diese wiederkehrende Struktur/Abfolge in jedem Video. So wirkt die Informationsflut sehr aufgeräumt. Die Meems sind echt gut und machen deine Clips perfekt. Mach weiter so ;)

[@AudioPilz]

Vielen herzlichen Dank!!!

[@SuperRingoffire1]

Seiben ein swanzig

[@OscillatorCollective]

This is probably my favorite modern synth right now, it’s so weird and quirky. It’s a fun piece of gear to make odd and interesting sounds with, especially in this modern world with so many great analog synths out there, this one really stands out.

[@AudioPilz]

👍

[@bigkik]

Excellent ! Bought mine 2 weeks ago and i'm really happy with it so far ! "Le (micro)freak, c'est chic !"

[@AudioPilz]

Classic!

[@Wagoo]

After first buying one as a gift for someone I since bought one myself and I've had it on my desk the past few months, nice to idly twiddle with. It's a really fun synth, and I hope they make a Megafreak. Maybe a combination with a hardware version of their Piglets VST and incorporate V collection stuff in a modular way like in the Arturia Origin.. combined with these freakish things.. and they could have a monster to compete with Quantum

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, digital is coming back big!

[@InkyDaCaT]

🐷🐷🐷🐷

[@Dudderlyful]

I call it Pigmince, same thing I guess!

[@allgonewrongful]

I want a go on the piglet, but I am on a list.

[@valdir7426]

I had never heard of the arturia origin; intersting. The direction they took was more semi-dedicated hardware to their plugins; but they could develop the concept; like the maschine. or do like an even quirkier poly megafreak.

[@Struktur.d.M]

dude i write it so often but the production value is of the roof! always happy to see a new vid from you!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@NamVuLu]

This is not bad gear material. It’s a gem!

[@AudioPilz]

Maybe it's both?;)

[@underduckbro]

One of your best videos, powerful and charismatic intro (u went IN on this one hoss), best script, amazing memes and fire jams. Retro commuters soundtrack got me feeling some sort of way :/ can’t wait til next Friday hoss.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@mishaoosterhuis5260]

Wow, after the Roland JD-XI, Novation Circuit and Korg DS-10 this is the fourth piece of Bad Gear I actually own. Good times!

[@AudioPilz]

Congrats;)

[@PaulBoos]

Did I see Larry Niven in the background!? Great author.... Loved that outro tune. I really like the Microfreak.... Glad to see you cover it.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! I think that was John Niven...;)

[@Tofupancho]

Easily one of my favorite intro arrangements. Great work. The great thing about ‘bread n butter’ synths is that you only need one. The MicroFreak isn’t that, but it adds a lot to your toolkit once that base is covered.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! I need more than one B'n'B synth tho;)

[@SchoolOf5]

Instead of a MF, what would you suggest?

[@Killryno666]

Well done mate! I’m sure I wasn’t the only one to recommend, but glad all the same you were able to open up some ideas I haven’t yet explored on my beloved freak box. Cheers! ~ R.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@AnythingEvil78]

I love the microfreak as it easily takes care of interesting lead/electronic riff sounds for me with minimal input while I go to work on the bass & drums which is my main focus of my musical workflow.

[@AudioPilz]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@unclemick-synths]

0:58 love it! You really need him to do a guest spot one day! 😎

[@AudioPilz]

I'm his biggest fan!!!

[@pontram]

Never let your children play with your gear. They could become addicted, which would cost you big money...I was such a kid...it all began with my dad's small reel-to-reel from the 60s...

[@SonnyBrown1965]

It's one of the synths I'll never get rid of, I absolutely love it and its sound.

[@AudioPilz]

😀

[@jdssurf]

@@AudioPilzjust a happy face lmao, don't be lazy bro lol jk

[@mtgHose]

he spends all his energy on meme production chill :) @@jdssurf

[@tonewulf]

Thanks for the review. I have a Microfreak arriving in the mail today (Stellar) and am pumped to get my hands on it!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@haolekoa737]

Holy crap, that Look Mum No Computer/A Flock of Seagulls meme is perfect!

[@AudioPilz]

😀

[@moogdome2562]

Thank you for your videos. I really find them entertaining, and humorous. I appreciate your hard work putting these masterpieces together, it must take you ages..I'm not saying they haven't caused me to feel bad about my tastes in bad gear as I now realize I have a house full of Badgear that I thought as great.. Up at the time. Glad to say I don't have this one in my collection. Keep up the good week my friend. Take care moog.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@secretelitemusic]

I remember the awkward gushing reviews when it was released, and the way it quickly vanished from sight while Arturia dealt with the wonky OS blowback. Credit to them for fixing it, after letting the punters beta test it properly. It'll probably become a "lost classic" in twenty years, when you'll be able to buy the elusive v.1.0 software versions (with the special buyer's remorse attic patina) for a couple of thousand magic beans.

[@AudioPilz]

buyer's remorse attic patina - nice one;)

[@neosean9984]

Easily one of my favorite purchases this year. Paired with an SP404MKII, and a backpack... I never dreamed I'd have so much fun on the go!

[@IpfxTwin]

The Microfreak was pretty much everything I wanted in a small form factor synth. The fact that the team is still adding new features and updating the firmware just makes me love it and them that much more. More companies need to follow their example!

[@AudioPilz]

I love the innovative approach of Arturia

[@blenderbuch]

Great verdict! The form factor and endless possibilities are great for taking it with you.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@xn-triq7607]

This little gem is functional, inspirational, overall simple & practical even without a DAW, still the total pinnacle of influential and phenomenal, piece of hardcore yet blissful musical instrumentals available......... Let's just say, I like it! 👍🏾

[@AudioPilz]

👍 👍 👍

[@xn-triq7607]

@@AudioPilz I had a few glasses of wine that evening.

[@bradproctor6499]

microfrerak or roland system 1?

[@wighttoan]

This was my first synth. I recently got a second Freak some months ago and use them both like a split keyboard. It get's pretty intense using two together.

[@AudioPilz]

Isn't there an Arturia vid with 3?;)

[@wighttoan]

@@AudioPilz I vaguely remember seeing some demo video with 3. Imagine: QUADRA FREAK!

[@JohnyPaprikas]

Thanks Pliz, i was actually looking for this one on your channel when i had my microfreak, thought it maybe wasnt worthy of an episode? Glad i was wrong

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!!!

[@randommcranderson5155]

I bought a microfreak long after they had fixed the major bugs, so never got to experience them, but I would say the only bad thing about it is not having integrated effects. If it had some integrated effects it would be an even better and complete synth. I've been contemplating buying another to be able to use two at a time. Some of the included wavetable oscillators that are amazing on it, too.

[@AudioPilz]

It REALLY needs them FX!

[@pontram]

Many purists say that a synth SHOULD NOT have Fx ! But I agree with you ;-)

[@rorz999]

I disagree about FX. No FX included keeps the price down. Even if they included some basic FX (e.g. a reverb), it likely wouldn't be as good as an external FX box you could buy

[@tubeMonger]

Ahh commuting. Those were the days. Yeah there are some synths that are hard to include in the mix. Never tried the Freak though. Always a pleasure to see and hear what you come up with. Thanks for sharing.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for watching!

[@BxCx666]

First week with Microfreak I was busy only with creating new bank of just my own presets. Probably will never use 2/3 of them, but still it's so much fun! It's definitely easier and more interesting to create your own sounds for every situation than browse someone in Arturia preprogrammed. Low level output is not a big problem because MF is running thru my guitar pedalboard and I'm able to boost it as I want. Usb noise not an issue at all for me. Great little synth, it would be interesting to see how usable it would be in 10 years.

[@AudioPilz]

Hope it still works in 10 years

[@3D6Space]

Great music and comedy as usual. Thank you for another great show. I'm sold. I'll be looking to get one of these this coming Black Friday, when the price goes down 40%! It's currently $349 USD everywhere today.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Maybe get a used one?

[@autistichead8137]

I love mine and use it daily. It also shines as a controller for my minilogue( both ways) and my AKAI MPC One. The aftertouch adds a lot to the existing MPC sounds and my minilogue patches. It also loves the Hologram Microcosm.

[@AudioPilz]

Hologram Microcosm - nice, I really want one of these!

[@autistichead8137]

@@AudioPilz They are wonderful, very inspiring. I use mine for guitar and synth. It’s usually hooked up to my synths, but it has a side thing going with my Strat as well. Love your channel!

[@MethSloth]

The chord progression in that trap jam is so good!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@KrisBarton432]

Awesome video, and I love this little synth. Seems I must be a bad gear magnet, so much of my hardware has been reviewed on here. But I am having a blast with it all. Thank you for the great videos and ideas \m/

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for watching!

[@McBobAgain]

You just covered my first non Volca synth. Glad to get a bunch of new ideas from this video, thanks! I have to tell you, this thing has been a lot more to figure out overall though. At least the touch keypad is still a good excuse for my crap playing.

[@AudioPilz]

I feel the same way about the keyboard😁

[@artisan002]

I'm pretty fond of the Micro Freak, really. Ultimately, I hope they make a bigger version, with greater polyphony, and call it the Super Freak.

[@AudioPilz]

SuperFreak would be much appreciated!

[@GlenBerry]

@@AudioPilz If only Rick James were still alive to endorse that product! 😁

[@artisan002]

@@GlenBerry First time I came up with that name/joke, this is what I thought about.

[@GlenBerry]

@@artisan002 If Arturia ever do make a SuperFreak, I'll be bitterly disappointed if they don't get permission from the Rick James estate to use his song in some of the promotional content. This is just something that needs to exist! 🙂

[@artisan002]

@@GlenBerry at the very least, do a funk heavy demo.

[@nightxnight]

This is the first bad gear thumbnail I’ve been triggered by 😅 I love the micro freak. 🙏🏽🌹

[@AudioPilz]

Always a pleasure;)

[@MargaretHarmer]

Definitely agreed with the conclusion. Great synth to play around with. Harder to get the Freak sounds to fit into tracks.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!

[@SteveClarkeSongs]

I had the same issue. None of the sounds sat well in the mix.

[@brotherhorse]

Love the Retro Utopian Commuter's Soundtrack. Also awesome bass line!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@benitoe.4878]

As an MF owner I agree with the episodes conclusion: Yes, on paper it has everything you could possibly wish for, and it sounds always 'interesting' but it is hard to make it sit 'pleasantly' in the mix. Maybe the harshness is too much. So it seems to be ultra versatile, but it isn't. Strange little freak ;-)

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, it's freaky...

[@bukkaratsuppa6414]

I have a Bass Station 2. Tell me about harshness.

[@BenColemanUK]

Absolutely agree on the point about it being versatile. It totally seems that way when you first use it, then you realize it sounds universally bad in the majority of cases, so it's versatility is actually very low

[@krepes8685]

Hmm, maybe, though I’ve found that it sounds best when you’ve applied effects - to the point where it really doesn’t sound too much like the original. For example, take one of the pads, run it through Polyverse Wider, splash of ValhallaVerb, then create cool sequences through A1TriggerGate. Using the Freak’s LFO, Filter and Envelopes then allows you to create cool movement. Just a thought. I’ve found that when used like this, particularly in House Music or Indie Electronica, it nicely replaces a Juno/ESP in this regard…though of course, not quite with the same fidelity.

[@vznquest]

Those jams were on point!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@brucebennett5338]

Time for a sequel with FW 5 update. This thing is a beast (especially with an external keyboard for players like me).

[@AdrianDMarti]

YEs please

[@leomilani_gtr]

Dude, you could make whole videos of songs! I know nothing about synths, even though I love their sound, and I'm always searching for these type of videos!

[@celtislam]

Microfreak kicks ass!! All my music has the freak and it is among one of the best synths at such a great price

[@AudioPilz]

Nice!

[@cs4122]

Great review as usual! It seems that a lack of onboard effects such as delay and flanger is the only weakness of the microfreak. It is a truly innovative synth!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@EatsJapan]

Another amazing vid 👍 The microfreak is one of my fav bits of gear I have. Respect to Arturia for their FW updates 👍 Please do a Yamaha QY70 bad gear to complete my collection of gear, oh and a volca drum...you are a legend dude! Keep 'em coming 👍

[@EatsJapan]

Ps. Why synth makers don't send you gear to 'bad gear' is criminal. You are the main reason for my varied collection of noise making machines. Your vids provide miles better insight and understanding than other YT channels 👍

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!

[@palindrone]

Absolutely loved the “commuter” soundtrack at the end there!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@rars0n]

The Microfreak is a lot of bang for the buck. I like it for the crazy digital sounds it can make. The VA stuff sounds fine to me, but it's pretty much the last thing I would want to use the MF for. Arturia gets extra points from me for their excellent product support as well.

[@SisterRose]

i feel like the modulation options do make the VA more appealing on that regard, most affordable VAs don't have great modulation matrices, unless you're looking at the other Arturia stuff with the Other Filter

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed, their update policy is great!

[@rars0n]

@@SisterRose That's a great point, however if I was looking to replicate more vintage sounds, I would probably use a different synth. Modern VA stuff just kind of bores me, to be honest.

[@keepitshortnsweet]

I bought one and took it and an MS-70CDR with me while traveling by train around the United States. I took time to learn it whilst spending time in the observation cars watching the scenery. After several weeks on the trains with it, I grew to love it.

[@AudioPilz]

Great combination!

[@TheOfficialOxygenfad]

Sounds a lot better than I expected. I didn't know that the keys also control other stuff. Would prefer a cheaper boxed version of this though.

[@mathickling223]

As always, amazing video. Probably the best channel on youtube

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@MonsieurMosca]

Nice episode! Would you consider making an entry about iPad? Plenty to love but also, plenty to improve upon: incompatible parallel interoperability standards (audio units/inter audio apps), no headphone jack on the “pro” models, only one I/O port, weird app ecosystem (I.e., no Logic Pro, and how do you use this AUM app, really?), etc etc…..

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Great suggestion but I try to stay away from these like I try to avoid modular;)

[@MonsieurMosca]

😂 you’d have to rename your channel “controversial gear”

[@theeggqueen]

i kinda of like my ipad for music. AUM is a must have

[@Lesgo]

I wasn't sure when I first got my one, but have fallen in love with it recently... even the keyboard has won me over.

[@AudioPilz]

I liked that keyboard quite a bit!

[@Killryno666]

Only thing I’d add is the newest white version with vocoder mic is way more expensive than the black model and buying the mic separately. And the firmware updates, which have been more plentiful than most manufacturers ie; loading your own hand made wavetables is a really big bonus for anyone who is whackadoodle enough to vibe with this doohickey. Cheers!!! ~ R.

[@AudioPilz]

Whackadoodle doohickeys for life!!!

[@danhectic5629]

Great ep! This thing does seem fun- but i'm glad i went with the Mini Brute 2s.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@SkyWolfZero]

I got mine late last year. Can’t say I’ve seen any of the bugs others have. Maybe that’s because I started with the V3 firmware. This synth is so fun and approachable to build sounds with! Glad I have it! ✌️🎶🎵🎶

[@6pin66]

I got mine with V1 firmware and didn't experience any bugs , but that was just before V2 dropped . Who knows , complaining is a worldwide hobby these days .

[@AudioPilz]

I entered the game at 4, so no hands-on experience here too

[@SkyWolfZero]

@@6pin66 You got that right!

[@WhiteWulfe]

!!! A cameo from Soul Eater, the city battle segment, WHOOOOO!!! ....The Nyancat reference was cute too! Best Canada Day ever seeing this controversial synth up on the blocks. Love how you paired it with the Drumbrute Impact too!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks you!!!

[@FatNorthernBigot]

These badgear videos must take an eternity to edit, and hit my ADHD just right!👍

[@AudioPilz]

My lizard brain does all this;)

[@valdir7426]

it doubles as a reflex game as you have to pause on every meme to have time to read them

[@jdssurf]

Great to see your growing and your vids are still terrific.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@infn8loopmusic]

This was awesome. Just got this synth it is an incredible value and it's undeniably quirky and it was nice to see that pointed out for what it is. Like it, love it, hate it. All depends on perspective. I find it's a really good supplement for a groovebox, but as mentioned bring your FX! I really can't believe they didn't at least add reverb or delay. Other than that though. Totally awesome

[@AudioPilz]

FX are essential!!!

[@E4RLIES]

Man that’s the best tuition vwideo I’ve seen on my microfreak I’m going to go try n learn it again!! 😎you da man🙌🏼

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@frankokay5177]

Audiopilz, do you write, shoot, and edit your videos all yourself every week? If so, that is wildly impressive. Love your channel!!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Yes, that's just me, myself and I

[@coolguy2783]

The spooky whistle-y ghost lead at 6:59 is so damn good, what a pleasure to listen to

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Classic gangsta whine!

[@static-san]

The MicroFreak is an awesome little box but, yes, you do have to acknowledge and even embrace the weirdness or you'll get frustrated at the deliberate limitations. I hope Arturia are working on a MiniFreak with built-in effects, a larger keyboard and maybe some multi-timbrality. Meanwhile, I'm tempted to buy another just for two sounds, plus I bet you can cross-chain them with MIDI for a four octave keyboard and two sounds at once! :-D Oh the sonic possibilities...

[@static-san]

P.S. I use my Deluge to add some effects to it and this works really well! It's then easy to do a full song in the Deluge with the MicroFreak doing one track. Kind of wish the Deluge had even a few of the oscillator engines the Freak has...

[@AudioPilz]

Macrofreak;)

[@andytawse]

Would love a full version of your commuters soundtrack. Recorded my freak a lot through my minifooger delay, and love the way you can change sounds so easily without necessarily understanding the oscillators. "Intentionally quirky" is a perfect way to describe it

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Full track can be found on Patreon (end of plug;)

[@ChrisHopkinsBass]

02:13 - damn! Nice rendition of Sabbath's "Hole in the Sky" riff :)

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@Drinkyoghurt]

I didn't realize it was friday until I saw this on my feed

[@AudioPilz]

Have a nice weekend!!!

[@matthijsblomjous3671]

jesus I need to use mine more... it's awesome

[@AudioPilz]

Certainly a worthwhile addition to a synth collection

[@Keeeeeeeeeeeev1]

Oh, my favorite low budget synth. I love it! It was my second synth I bought and I learned so much about synthesis.

[@AudioPilz]

😀

[@Landeville]

I have never wanted Microfreak more 😍

[@AudioPilz]

😀

[@hughman8597]

Noch ein paar Tage! Und dann kann ich auch ENDLICH einen Freak mein eigen nennen. Ich freu mich schon soooo sehr !! Sehr cool, was du alles aus ihm herausgezaubert hast!

[@AudioPilz]

Danke!!!

[@VincentsVideoVisions]

The Microfreak is the polar opposite of "bad gear." The Microfreak is one of the greatest devices released in the last few years for the price. The amount of features that it has is amazing. It's just sooooo good as long as you don't mind the keys.

[@new.romance999]

its bad gear but in this era of synths for ants, less voices than 30 years ago and people asking for clones of a monosynth that's been heard a trillion times, the microfreak it's a godsend

[@Archonagon]

I love those keys, and burn me at the stake all anyone wants, but I wish there were more synths that had those exact same keys!

[@AudioPilz]

I definitely appreciate the innovative approach!

[@VincentsVideoVisions]

@@new.romance999 it's not bad gear at all. I've got a ton of stuff and the microfreak is definitely one of the best things I've bought in the last several years, especially if you produce techno. People say it sounds thin but I think they're exaggerating and I think it sits very well in a mix and it excels at what it is supposed to do - make gnarly digital sounds

[@YouBredRaptorsMusic]

Hey.... I'm here for that Neil Cicierega and Kevin James of Guaranteed Video - Clip at 4:32 - cross over you got going here.

[@AudioPilz]

😀😀😀

[@krystianseibert6610]

I owned one of these for a little while - it’s a cool synth but that said, I never warmed to it personally. It’s powerful - but also has that ‘thing’ where a large range of choices and options can stifle creativity. I did record a cover of an OMD song though using the vocoder, which was fun - but I ended up selling it, in order to justify buying other gear.

[@AudioPilz]

Sometimes gear has to go...

[@EannaButler]

Cool that youtube suggested this to me. I hadn't given a thumbs-up. Always give a thumbs-up to a Bad Gear episode from the main man AudioPila! The algorithm knows....... Great episode! Comments are spot on. You da man! Officially want to Microfreak now! 😉😊

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!! Stick around!

[@6pin66]

The fact that there's no built in effects is unforgivable ! it's just like those 'guitar' things so many people get , nothing built in !?! I wonder if anyone could find a solution to this problem , seems unlikely .

[@unclemick-synths]

Great comment! 😎👍

[@AudioPilz]

Maybe just get a Zoom MS50G?

[@6pin66]

@@AudioPilz Pffft , that's just crazy talk !?! Maybe they'll build a new version with MS-70CDR that comes with an oak table and some cacti .

[@Answersonapostcard]

Lots of cheap reverb pedals and free plugins available.

[@unclemick-synths]

@6pin66 I think they didn't get the sarcasm!😀

[@Symmetriad]

Nice work as always! I'm one of those people who got the MicroFreak but ended up selling it a few months later. Not that it's a bad piece of gear, but I could never make it sit right in the mix in anything I used it in, and I didn't mesh with its mod matrix. Funny enough, though, it helped me fall down the modular synth rabbit hole, since I decided to get a Plaits clone to replace it that's still in my rig to this day. Also the way Arturia used Emilie's algorithms always felt kind of sketchy to me, and I'm happier using something that at least gives her her due.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!