MICROFREAK (3.0 Update)

I really like the 3.0 update for the MicroFreak. This video is a sound design walkthrough of 5 new patches (2 that use Unison mode, and 1 for each of the 3 new Noise Engineering oscillators). I decided to name the presets/patches in this video (quotes and caps) - it makes it easier to keep track of things and discuss them. Details for all of the patches are in the timeline below.
TIMELINE
00:00 STARTER ("ARCADE" patch)
OSC [BasicWaves, 25, 0, 0]
UNISON [on]
FILT [none, default]
ENV [0s, 1.5s, 100%]
UNISON SPREAD [1.0]
ARP [ON, RANDOM, 120 BPM]
LFO [SQUARE, 10 Hz]
GLIDE [18 ms]
MOD MATRIX [LFO, UNISPREAD = 100]
00:24 INTRO
06:00 "TUBA" patch
T.U.B.A. (Triangle Unison Bass Arp) - it doesn't sound like a tuba...
OSC [BasicWaves, high, 0, high]
UNISION [on]
FILT [sweep, 82%]
ENV [0s, 2.0s, 100%]
UNISON SPREAD [0.123]
ARP [ON, RANDOM, SPICE 1/3, 120 BPM]
GLIDE [25 ms]
MOD MATRIX [none]
12:10 "SWIG" patch
OSC [Chord, m11, 0, 0]
UNISON [on]
ENV [0ms, 9s, 100%]
UNISION SPREAD [0.4]
MOD MATRIX [ENV, UNISPREAD = -30]
"TAPE" patch variation of the above (may need higher octave and volume)
OSC [Chord, m11, 0, 57]
MOD MATRIX [ENV, UNISPREAD = -20]
Bend Range =1 (in utility/preset/ )
I am really amazed at how the Unison tied to an envelope really seems to emulate a reverb soundscape!
20:10 "MIAMI" patch
OSC [BASS, 0, 0, 0]
PARA [on]
OCT [-1]
ENV [0s, 2s(adjust), 100%]
CE [ENV mode, 0ms, 150ms(adjust), 40% sustain(adjust), 25% amount(adjust)]
ARP [HOLD, RANDOM, SPICE(1/3), ARP_OCT(adjust)] or suchlike
MOD MATRIX [CE, WAVE = 100]
MOD MATRIX [CE, TIMBRE = 100]
MOD MATRIX [CE, ASSIGN1(SHAPE) = 100]
27:27 "DOME" patch
OSC [SAWX, 15 sawMod, 6 shape, 26 noise] - zero before playing
PARA [on]
OCT [0] explore higher and lower
ENV [0ms, 7s, 100%]
LFO [UNSYNC, TRI, 1.2Hz, LFO RETRIG ON - in utility/preset]
MOD MATRIX [LFO, WAVE(sawMod), 15]
MOD MATRIX [ENV, ASSIGN1[LFO-WAVE MOD AMOUNT], -15]
33:54 "CHARM" patch
OSC [HARM, 0, 50, 25]
PARA [on]
OCT [-1]
ENV [0s, 10s, 100%]
CE [LOOP mode, 150 ms, 0 ms, 520 ms, 70% - SMALL WINDOW ON AMOUNT (to get the beats)!]
MOD MATRIX [CE, WAVE = 15]
FILT [HPF, 20 Hz, 70%]
MOD MATRIX [PRESSURE, CUTOFF = 50 - consider changing to make less sensitive, or possibly the pressure response curve]
41:53 OUTRO ("COUNTDOWN" and "LAUNCH" patches)
This uses the LFO to count down. Does anyone ever use the SPEECH oscillator? It's worth thinking about how the lowpass filtering emulates the distance of a rocket launch. Why is that? Not precisely sure why the atmospheric sound transmission works that way... some sort of dispersion based on the low-level physics. Anyway, GO PERSEVERANCE!
42:57 ENDER ("FLIGHT" patch)
OSC[HARM, 0, 64, 35]
PARA [on]
ENV [0s, 20s, 100%]
OCT [0]
CE [LOOP mode, 5s, 5s, 0s, 5%]
MOD MATRIX [CE, WAVE, 7]
FILTER [LPF, 3.5kHz, 70%]
GLIDE [50ms]
MOD MATRIX [PRESSURE, PITCH, -0.6] //this is just barely enough to give it some instability.
The MF and the PO-32 are going into the Volca Mix, and I'm using the Zoom MultiStomp (Plate Reverb setting) as a send/return effect on both. No sync between them. Start with low volume (some of the transients on the PO-32 are pretty intense), but this is best in headphones - for the dissonance between the two devices and especially for the PO-32 bass sounds. This is pretty experimental in terms of the tunings...
LINKS
www.arturia.com/

[@jackblackguard8908]

I can’t wait to see your take on the Microfreak 5.0 update.

[@undulations]

I'm behind😅! Is that brand new, shown at SuperBooth??? Very curious and a video about it sounds like a great idea!

[@jackblackguard8908]

Coming May 30th! Since you’ve done so many great videos on the Microfreak AND granular synthesis it seems like a natural.

[@undulations]

@@jackblackguard8908 Cool😀! Many thanks for the heads up!

[@sennstrato7281]

I just ordered my microfreak 10 minutes ago can't wait to get it

[@undulations]

Very exciting to hear! Enjoy it! (ps make sure to check the firmware, may need an update - I think my video about the 2.0 update last year had a part up front about how to do it, if that is of interest)

[@sennstrato7281]

@@undulations yes I'm getting it through Sweetwater and my salesperson told me that it comes with a 2.0 already installed and I will have to go on the computer and put in the 3.0 but he already told me how to do that so good to go it's going to be fun

[@undulations]

Excellent!

[@reintje58]

Get more often 'carried away for a minute'. I like your style. Thank you. 👍

[@undulations]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@andrew6889-p5c]

Fantastic video. Incredibly helpful and inspirational. Jam at the end has something very special to it. Make a song out of that.

[@undulations]

Hey, thank you very much for the feedback🙏🏼! That sounds like a good idea about the jam - I really enjoyed making it👍🏻

[@kimikmusic]

Nice patches, good video, you explain things well, I learned alot, thanks. Made me take the microfreak for a session again after not using it for a year

[@undulations]

Awesome, glad to hear that! I need to break it out myself, has been a minute. Thanks for checking out the video👍🏻!

[@weepwow]

Great video. (had to part ways with the Microfreak, but will get one again.). Scanning thru your videos, I dont see that you had a Dreadbox Typhon yet. Since you are doing reviews on smaller type boxes, I would strongly suggest getting a Typhon. I cant say enough about this little monster (just bought a 2nd one), now after a few weeks, it still seems limitless as far as sound shaping goes including tons of FX, filters, EGs, LFOs, able to modify/save patches, built in Sequencer, 5 pin MIDI in out, USB, also has an input for external audio to be processed-- lists for about $379 or buy used. Built like a tank, great screen, easy to navigate and use and on and on. Of course Dreadbox is still making firmware updates to fix any issues and make it even better. I think the latest is 3.0 something as of today. The fat Analog sound is phenomenal. so just my 2 cents. I think you'll agree. Thanks again for your awesome tutorials.

[@undulations]

Hey, I looked at the Typhon and have been seriously thinking about it. Since you wrote this I feel like I've been seeing it everywhere. Uploading another MicroFreak video in just a little bit.

[@markjeffery3237]

Another excellent presentation that really shows what this synth is capable of, as well as a great set of transferable lessons on sound/patch design. Thanks from Scotland 👍🏻

[@undulations]

Thank you and thanks for watching🙏🏼!

[@roccoharris]

whoa!! coming in hot with that crazy little chiptune sequence. ;-) thanks for making this vid, doc. really looking forward to digging in & diving even deeper into the sweet, sweet microfreak....

[@undulations]

Ha, you bet! Thanks a lot for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@jibberer]

Top class. Really useful tutorial. It's given me some great ideas for a track I'm working on just now... I need to explore these new oscillators more!

[@undulations]

Hey, I missed this comment somehow? Thanks a lot for the feedback🙏🏼!

[@greycardinalmusic4975]

This is one of the best videos on the MicroFreak that I’ve seen! Really well done. I think I’m going to have to order one now...

[@undulations]

Thank you🙏🏼! Very exciting to hear that - look forward to seeing how you integrate it into your gear/daw setup👍🏻!

[@IvoSiem]

There's a melancholic vibe and peace loving character in your sound design and chord choices. Iḿ glad I've found your channel.

[@undulations]

Hey, thanks very much for this feedback🙏🏼! Thanks for checking out the channel.

[@nigelrogers8690]

Great walkthrough 👏🏾 Sounds fantastic 🤯 Arturia amaze me with their constant updates 👍🏾

[@undulations]

Thank you very much🙏🏼! Agreed, this update really seemed to add a lot🔥!

[@acceptablenorm5465]

Dude. you're awesome.

[@undulations]

Hah, thanks🙏🏼! Best wishes!

[@amirmotlagh]

nice...will be coming back to this, thanks. my favorite cheap little synth, still hasn't gotten much use, but I do love running this through a Microcosm Pedal.

[@undulations]

Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@foxholeartist]

So nice to see you again) I always learn something from your videos, even though microfreak is my favorite synth and I spend a lot of time tweaking it.

[@undulations]

Thank you very much🙏🏼! Always happy to hear that experienced users are getting something out of a video like this👍🏻

[@foxholeartist]

@@undulations I am far from being "experienced", lol. There are a lot of "instant goodness" sounds in Microfreak (like superwave osc) so even experienced user can get somewhat lazy. But you always manage to dig deeper in every device you take for review

[@maleficenthardware]

Wow, that DOME-patch is hot :)

[@undulations]

Thank you🙏🏼! That SAWX oscillator has some bite 🧛🏻‍♂️

[@mathmanmrt]

i've been looking forward to this since the new update dropped and it lives up to expectations for sure. as always you've given me things to think about i had not previously considered. the new unison mode for example, i liked the basic sound of it but this shows me how much deeper that runs. you demonstrate some pretty interesting aspects of the new features and having watched this i've definitely got some ideas for the new oscillators. i'll have to break out my microfreak today and start exploring. i've got an idea i want to look at now to combine some of your ideas for the unison mode with the new bass oscillator that i hope would give a spacious sound to a low, slow, ambient sequence. even if it doesn't work out i know i'll have fun trying it. as always, thanks for sharing your unique approach to this wonderful little synth.

[@undulations]

Thanks very much for this feedback🙏🏼! I try to include a variety of different tools in the process of demo-ing the new stuff in a video like this - a starting point, really. Best of luck in your explorations!

[@alban6101]

Thanks so much. Of course, u r totally excused for 'beeing carried away for some mn'' ... As i've already said here, i'm so happy to have bought this so ''Big Little Machine'' (BLM ?) some months ago. Thank u for ur help/tuto, and to open our mind...

[@undulations]

Hey, I missed this comment somehow? Thanks a lot for checking out the video🙏🏼!

[@jonhudson7098]

Hi there, love your videos on the micro freak and model cycles. Any chance we could get a video of you pairing the two together at some point in the future?

[@undulations]

Thanks very much for the kind feedback🙏🏼! Yes, that sounds like a great idea. I will put it on my list (which is actually never that long). I haven't ever really paired them, but it makes a lot of sense. Debates about midi, syncing, genre, and which device takes on which role in a mix - all very interesting stuff! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@lukegregg5944]

I really like your videos, would you recommend buying the micro freak for a first time synth buyer? It’s looks great fun, shame the keys aren’t a bit better.

[@mathmanmrt]

i don't know if he would, but *i* would. the price is so economical while the flexibility and depth of the instrument is so remarkable. i keep seeing people who don't own them making comments like you did about the keys but i have found that while, yes, they take a little getting used to, once you understand them they add another layer of expression and modulation to the synth. additionally, if you have a midi keyboard/controller it is fairly easy to use them with the microfreak. i have a novation sl mkiii i've run it with to get added range and i know of people who have run it with a keystep. i always go back to the instrument itself. as far as that goes, do what you like but i strongly suggest giving the keys on the microfreak a chance, it will repay the effort.

[@lukegregg5944]

@@mathmanmrt Much appreciated for the reply!

[@undulations]

Totally agree!

[@cuezaireekaa]

i have the update installed but when i power off, it doesnt remember the preset and starts at preset 1 when i power it on. what am i doing wrong? i checked the menu

[@undulations]

Hey, sorry I wasn't more clear about that - you actually have to _save_ for it to remember your place. If you're working on a new preset that's fairly automatic, but you can also just go to an existing preset and make a save with no changes. Hope this helps! Thanks for checking out the video🙏🏼!

[@cuezaireekaa]

@@undulations thx man i get it now!

[@cubalibre023ify]

Sadly unison is not available in sequencer mode

[@maleficenthardware]

I find the sequencer mode is very lackluster anyhow...

[@undulations]

Wow, I was messing with that really late one night and just assumed I was getting something wrong🤔. Does that make any sense? A bugfix soon or is there some real reason or technical limitation?

[@sea-saw2654]

Maybe they’ll give us an led dimming option one day...🤔

[@undulations]

I'd even settle for Night Mode at this point. Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼!