MiniFreak Ain't Bad! My 5 Minute Review // 7 Patches I Made While Learning The Minifreak

[@RickyTinez]

Patches are for free download here! Thanks everyone - bit.ly/3J3O65y

[@landonh3535]

Ok so I wasn't crazy then..hahah! I thought I was doing something wrong. Anyway, appreciate the patches!

[@AuntAlnico4]

@ 6:45 the microfreak has that light up feature to tell you where your settings were before. Funny is not on this minifreak !?

[@jillhannant9806]

those chorizo fingers always in the way guy

[@thevladdinu]

not anymore unfortunately :/

[@scttcmpbll]

I'm holding out for the SuperFreak

[@crag_]

She's a very freaky synth

[@jpmudkip1870]

My personal belief is it’ll be called MacroFreak to fit with the naming scheme

[@PaulVonZeppelin]

@@jpmudkip1870it pains me to say you are probably right

[@cold-momentss]

I feel like that’s the polybrute no? I know the architecture is very different but still idk if they’re gonna make a giant version of the Freak line but I want them all lol

[@iancain6647]

I'm synth James b*tch!

[@dcestes]

If you want to see what your settings currently are, just long press your select/type/mode button for the section and it will bring up the details for you without you having to change them first. Thanks for the free patches, they sound great!

[@extrinsicpenguin614]

The Germanium under distortion is a reference to the element that is used in older resistors, they can still be found, but at a price premium. Germanium tends to provide a fuzz quality the audio source being run thru the resistor.

[@JAM-rp6fi]

transistor*

[@RickyTinez]

amazing! thanks for the info

[@extrinsicpenguin614]

@@JAM-rp6fi Thank you for the correction. Didn’t double check my comment before I posted. Stupid autocorrect got me yet again.

[@willfowles3654]

@@extrinsicpenguin614and diodes used in clipping circuits.

[@AuntAlnico4]

@@JAM-rp6fi diodes.

[@magickmarck]

I like you Ricky! I don't watch that many gear videos, that many synth videos, I don't make beats. I check in and see what you're doing once in awhile for the vibe. Take it easy.

[@LunTwoThree]

The minifreak is dope! I also wanted to take a moment to thank you for your videos. I come from a guitar background and recently got into synths and house music. Your videos have been such a great resource and source of inspiration. I just picked up a Polyend Tracker and been having so much fun.

[@J.WingedLion]

Perfect vibes, this video/review. That ambient lighting is working well with my state of highness. Also.. thanks for the review.. this helped with my decision to purchase🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@shemusmcquillaide]

Great rundown on this synth, I like how you broke down and explained those patches, very clearly and with some humor i was laughing a few times, ("Sounds like I got thrown into the trunk of a car," haha.) I now feel I have some idea of what this synth is about and me like, me like!

[@buckycore]

It's one of the easiest synths to program and get usable sounds. I'm just barely starting to get ok with sound design. And this was the first synth where I made my own patches before even going through the presets.

[@seedmole]

Lol 12:45 perfect time to go into a 30 minute segue about just intonation vs equal temperament

[@Jamslerr]

“It won’t take people off the dance floor anyway” This!

[@rabbit_noize]

Had it for a week. I’m quite impressed. I can precisely nail my favorite sound ever which is the Little Phatty overloaded bass, spot on. Having said that…2 MAJOR flaws for me, first one is the touch strips. While I understand this was by design, I think they really hold back the performance and playability factor of the instrument, but I get around it with and external pitch/mod wheel controller. And the second and huge flaw of the Minifreak is the position of the Matrix knob. It’s located at the right of the modulation panel, every time you turn it around is so uncomfortable cuz you have to see the LED dots, but your left hand will be on top of the panel, forcing you to lift your hand every time in order to see what’s going on. Sure, you have the LED screen for the mod amounts, but you still have to see the dots. Would have been so easy and convenient to place the Matrix knob at the left of the panel, would have made it twice or thrice as quick and intuitive. Having said that, this synth is a keeper, love the sounds I get out of it and I get lost in it and that’s what I look for in a synthesizer.

[@symbiat0]

The Steiner Parker is in the MatrixBrute and PolyBrute (alongside a regular ladder filter). The Microfreak has an SEM analog filter and I think the same filter is on the Minifreak too.

[@0VRLNDR]

Correct!

[@BOMBPHONICS]

starting the vid now. My lovely girl just got me one. this things cool as hell. love your channel btw

[@thelevicole]

I hope you're show is streamed somehow! The line up looks awesome!

[@michaelmoore1434]

Twas cool seeing you today, can’t wait for your show this Thursday!!

[@kablehead]

Everybody: "The Best Synth Ever!" or "This Synth Sucks!" Ricky Tinez: "Ain't Bad!" 😂 Love it!

[@bipedal_earth_roamer]

I love the Minifreak and the Microfreak. In a performance context, in my case, I love being able to open up modulation options with Ableton. Sending LFOs to literally everything is kind of euphoric on this thing.

[@AuntAlnico4]

Can you do that trick in the microfreak ?

[@bipedal_earth_roamer]

​@@AuntAlnico4 You can. RedMeansRecording youtube channel has a great introduction to modulating external gear with Ableton Live. He uses the Microfreak as an example.

[@G.Man-]

@@bipedal_earth_roamer Do they sound the same / similar?

[@G.Man-]

I'm preferring the sounds in this vid, compared to many of the Microfreak ones i've seen over the years...

[@bipedal_earth_roamer]

@@G.Man- the Microfreak and the minifreak? At its core yes. I believe the filters are same. The exception is the minifreak has added modulation capabilities and an extra oscillator that can also be used as another digital filter. The added FX section also adds to what the minifreak has to offer. So in that context, I would argue that they’re quite different sonically.

[@raistaparta]

6:48 wait, doesn’t the minifreak carry over the feature of the microfreak where you just tap the preset knob and it goes back to the original sound? I don’t think you need to go back and forth.

[@kennylangley1997]

Super sounds. Thanks for sharing. 😎✌️✌️

[@cliffmoir6681]

Thanks Ricky, appreciate the vid! probably going to pick this up, primarily as a sound source, checks a good amount of of boxes for me.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Arturia make fantastic gear with amazing long term support and updates 👍

[@Kkidzz]

Happy with the software version.

[@telegraph_hill]

Thanks for all you do, Ricky!

[@cornishwavesmusic]

Always a joy to watch you Ricky

[@X-101]

That Chord is from Plaits and why i want a Minifreak so I can get it without using a whole modular :D

[@jonhollinsworth8785]

Love the sound, hope the make a module or desktop

[@buildingblocks8287]

some of your wishes are already in there. you can use one or two LFOs in something like an ADSR mode or even better somehow like a 16 step sequencer that you can programm on the synth for parameters... you a can also see the current paramtervalue and there is also an metronome for the sequencer :-)...

[@VIRALBEATS360]

Very nice. I really appreciate your take on this, and the detail you go into here.

[@modularinspiration]

Looks a great synth for sound design to record into your DAW

[@antsteep]

Excited to see this live set next week.

[@StefanSchoch]

Great reviewand presets. Love your honesty!

[@derekholland3328]

dude you review synths the best

[@renzokukengame1684]

Best man,my man,old school

[@velvetgutparry]

That shirt looks really good on you Ricky

[@maxsmart9116]

I'm interested in this synth. Maybe this spring...

[@dansimco]

would love to see your approach applied to the udo super 6 👽

[@facciolite]

Ricky Tinez is the coolest and best reviewer. All other synth KZbinrs are nerds 🫡

[@artgreg2296]

Thanks a lot mr tinez. The minifreak is my first synthesizer. I have always used vst plugins for my compo. Could you create a video of how to create a lush sound pad from scratch init bass? Thanks

[@isaacanthonydj4124]

I'm gonna drive down from Sacramento at some point, probably not for the 26, but in a couple months i should have a couple extra dollars in my pocket, and I haven't been to LA for almost 10 years, that's gonna change!

[@hoagy_ytfc]

I see Arturia has released the VST version of this now, for €99 - a bargain for those of us who don't have room for more hardware. Hopefully it maps well onto the keylab knobs etc, gonna give it a good try out tomorrow.

[@RickyTinez]

I was also just told today that you DONT need the hardware for it to work? If that's the case that's awesome, I almost like the software more than the synth hahahah

[@hoagy_ytfc]

@@RickyTinez yes, it’s 100% software, so works for anyone. Increasingly, hardware synths these days are “software + generic DSP processor’. Of course, the synth-specific knobs etc are can make the hardware worthwhile if well designed.

[@brumd]

Yes, no hardware required. If you already own some Arturia products the introductory price seems to be €49.

[@AuntAlnico4]

@@brumd that's great ! Just need a computer to put it on !

[@steventaylor3789]

Thanks David - didn’t know they released it standalone so grabbed a copy.

[@CharleyHale]

This is turning to be my favorite keyboard

[@CharleyHale]

I love the warmth

[@jwhomst]

Micro and Minifreaks have SEM filters :)

[@cooksoni.a]

i can get one half off from my job, i'm seriously considering it. i think it's a really good implementation of the plaits synthesis engine, especially now that the minifreak is truly polyphonic.

[@symbiat0]

Dude, half off would be a no-brainer if it were me, a Minifreak for the price of the Micro 🤔

[@cooksoni.a]

@@symbiat0 yeah i should really do it... there are just so many modules that im gassing over rn 😭

[@symbiat0]

@@cooksoni.a I hear you. And some of those modules, (at least the ones I’m interested in) seem to cost more than this synth 😂

[@cooksoni.a]

@@symbiat0 exactly lol. which should really tell me that the minifreak is the way to go considering its price to functionality ratio

[@AuntAlnico4]

@@cooksoni.a don't count out the hydrasynth explorer. The hydrasynth It's Amazing and does all this minifreak stuff but has a way better key bed than the minifreak. If you already have a controller with poly after touch you get the microfreak and the mini freak vst $50 and you are set up nice .

[@MKJ2DAY]

Surf patch is dope!! Stay away from the white van!!

[@theouterplanet]

Is there a randomize function where it will create a new randomize patch?

[@Zeupater]

My problem with Arturia is support. I have a keyboard with screwed up cc and note assignments I was never able to reroute. Email support was useless, so the keyboard doesn’t get used. I’ll probably get a Novation or M-Audio next time.

[@K.KILLORAN]

@RickyTinez The patches aren’t up on the site unfortunately, just gives an error. Just fyi. they sound great though so hopefully I can download them eventually. Much love man.

[@AuntAlnico4]

They are pretty easy to make, and you will sound better on your gear or headphones. Haven't you noticed that the pages people make never sound as good as you expect !?

[@jona_KardCiv1]

I would love to see a 49 or even 61 full key version

[@pierrefitch]

I wonder if MicroFreak or MiniFreak would work best with my digitakt and digitone key and syntakt witch would be best mini or micro freak for my elektron setup ..Also is Minifreak standalone and microfreak

[@edwardthorne9875]

Yes, the keyboard is so tiny. They wisely chose to include an 'old fashioned' five pin MIDI set. Take your old 'pre-host' keyboard and just have some sound design fun. Going to get mine soon!

[@Geepstar]

I wonder which one you'd pick: the MiniFreak or the the Hydrasynth Explorer?

[@spectralknights2]

Same. Anyone?

[@GizzyDillespee]

Minihydra Freakxplorer

[@Geepstar]

@@GizzyDillespee I want one!! 🤣

[@HorstDerHoden22]

Had the explorer before. Minifreak is easier imho

[@AuntAlnico4]

I've got both abs the microfreak and minifreak are easier but the hydrasynth explorer is just more luxurious and more comfortable and more vibes and features that will allow the most high up musicians with serious capabilities and experience to get really deep. I really really like both but my hydrasynth explorer makes me scream with joy when I play it so it's very satisfying. If I only could afford 1 it would be a tough choice but I think the hydrasynth explorer is the one where I know it's for life timeless instrument. Basically do you need a sequencer because the hydrasynth explorer doesn't have one. Still it wins out as a serious life long timeless instrument. If you need need need a sequencer than get arturia microfreak or minifreak. If that's not an issue get the hydrasynth.

[@zinfandel899]

Can you load microfreak patches into the mini freak

[@imre1841]

I think we need a sample pack haha !

[@dmytrokurovskiy6649]

n i c e !

[@GirlfightClub]

I just wana know how long it’s gonna take for Decksaver to make a shell for this

[@elek-trick]

It's available now. It cost almost as much as the synth itself... Plastic is kind of expensive these days

[@GirlfightClub]

@@elek-trick I know you’re trying to help, but it’s been 9 months since my post, the decksaver been available since summer, and I sold my mini for a Push 3 anyways. But thank you.

[@huli8557]

Nice sounds! How do you compare the miniFreak's wavetables vs those of your 3rd Wave?

[@ChromosomeSyndicate]

They do their best but I’m still not blown away from it .

[@peter_knowz_lifting]

I feel inspired brother.

[@markuspanitz3448]

I think this synth sounds very unique and interesting. I just wish they made this as a desktop version. Why bother with these mini keys. Most people probably have a decent controller anyway. Unfortunately that's the reason I won't buy one 😔

[@RickyTinez]

Yea I WISH it was desktop. It hits a weird middle ground that feels like it doesn’t commit to. Either super powerful desktop. Or full size mega keyboard. Now it feels like too large desktop synth. Or way too small synth hahaha

[@kevinhuman6275]

Agree. Full size keys or no keys. Don’t even want to look at em haha

[@pedrofreire6169]

they could definitely do a 19" rack version.

[@robmanueb.]

I'm getting one, pretty happy with the keyboard, my midi unit has no after touch and I like to be able to take it somewhere without having to supply power to another device.

[@symbiat0]

Same size as the KeyStep Pro - and mine fits inside the same case as the KSP.

[@ChristopherOrth]

I agree with you about the Steiner Parker filter... UNTIL you put two of them in sequence. That's the ms20 magic. A high pass into a low pass, crank the bejesus out of the resonance on both, say around 65%. Then set the HP at about 4 and the LP at about 6, subtly sweep or modulate the LP and hold onto the bull until you get bucked off!

[@laki7869]

Is it possible that u can play the notes while getting sounds from a vst in ur daw

[@Orbit_Eternal]

Hey Ricky….have you had issues with presets not working while not connected to the Minifreak V software? I’ve bought two now, and can’t get the presets to change without being connected to the software.

[@touchclarity]

The Pro 3 Sequencer is...... ok???? Really Ricky..... Really?? ....

[@ariak9858]

those chords are so pretty!

[@djktron]

Jeez, right now Minilogue XD, is $599 too. I dare to say too many choices

[@watchaddicts1213]

So, it’s good but maybe it ain’t no hydrasynth ? For me, it would be Hydra Explorer, so mini keys. I own a great MPE controller, so I’m guessing either talks to MPE, true ? I’ve gotta look for your Hydra review. Thanks Ricky Mark

[@cassetteo]

Ricky, you really likes B Major scale it seems!

[@RickyTinez]

One of the only scales I know hahaha

[@cassetteo]

@@RickyTinez Its my favorite as well!

[@microbug3487]

I spot a 3rd Wave in the background. Are you doing a video for this synth?

[@axs203]

I like the fact you start with Short Cons list. Good. It's better to be up front straight away I think. It's a really nice looking synth housed in solid metal and those mini keys are cool. It's got an unusual square boxy design. It's very puzzling about this envelope thing. Why is it in this day and age with all the CPU speed we have - why is it so limited like this? There must be more to it as a reason......having said that - the Korg Prologue was criticized for one LFO but whenever I hear it that synth sounds great. It will be interesting to see how the Minifreak sells against the Hydrasynth Explorer.

[@symbiat0]

Both envelopes can be re-assigned thru the mod matrix…

[@buildingblocks8287]

well... you can draw 16-step modulation sequences with each of the LFOs and save them with the patch... thats way more flexibel than a 3rd adsr (which kind of shapes you can also draw :-))

[@LukezyM]

At Thomann it sells a lot better than Explorer.

[@fargoththemoonsugarmaniac]

Does it feature the vocoder of the Microfreak?

[@huli8557]

Not yet. One day I hope

[@edgingchowder]

you gotta make some house with this thing, oh my lord

[@redwoodword]

Seaside patch title suggestion: 'brooding oceans'...

[@earlsfield]

I do not like SP filters too, but this one is fairly nice and creamy. I hated it on poybrute, i hate it on my minibrute 2s and especially 2 pole mode only pisses me off. However, Ricky, those are not "Arturias" filter, Steiner Parker are around since seventies.

[@kyivnewbachdad1017]

Bro check oscillator sink videos with patch speedruns on minifreak))

[@ChiefExecutiveOrbiter]

KZbin: "guys who fold their beenie"

[@FlipHybrid]

"5 minute" Dr Evil air quotes

[@glnnk_art]

This really makes me want to sell my Microfreak and swap for this 😅

[@pedrogomis]

you should maintain both. Different machines

[@galacticmonkey810]

Bringing out a vst version which is almost identical for £90 is a serious own goal, it means you are basically buying a £540 controller… very strange!

[@valley_robot]

Some people love knobs mate

[@galacticmonkey810]

@@valley_robot I do mate 😁

[@zynth_music]

congrats on getting a minifreak and hope you're enjoying with it! on my channel if you're interested i go through and create patches all in one session and record them.. kind of like a tutorial but not really.. it's hard to view what im actually doing oops. but idk could be nice inspiration for others or yourself. have fun with it, again!

[@Recloh]

Too bad the download INSISTS on my name and address, I mean an email I get it but full address was too much 😊

[@G.Man-]

Make it up

[@Grant82gc]

Yeah look, I've listened to a heap of tutorials/demos on this unit and I've just not been inspired to buy it. I don't know what it is but it sounds limited in soundscape despite having all those Oscillators.

[@jaakbonenstaak8041]

Sounds a little flat imo tbh

[@AuntAlnico4]

Yes and no. It's going to sound better amplified with like jc120. Or line 6 power cab. But in the computer it can sound blah. If it does not do anything you like and doesn't speak to you fine, don't buy it because the hype, but it because you dig it ! How about the microfreak and the hydrasynth explorer ? Both of those boys blow my mind way more than the mini freak. You could get the hydrasynth explorer and microfreak and be so set for eventually everything as they both do it all ! Or to get the hydrasynth deluxe ? It's tough with these first world problems and high quality instruments for reasonable prices isn't it !?

[@G.Man-]

@@jaakbonenstaak8041 & Original poster, which of the current crop of similar price range synths do you rate?

[@jaakbonenstaak8041]

@@G.Man- I'm a digitone enjoyer :)

[@rjadamz9117]

lol “things would be flying all over the place”

[@konstantine8054]

Dude, you coming to superbooth23?

[@RickyTinez]

I wish

[@futur_sunds]

Your using Logic, not Ableton 😮

[@HonanTheLibrarian]

Patch 7: Murder Beach 😆

[@mynewcolour]

David Lynch seaside

[@mynewcolour]

A “wtf” comment until I heard the patch and the I’m like “yup”

[@mh22xv]

I don’t dig the touch buttons, wish they went with real buttons.

[@jregras]

A few of them in particular... Transport controls should be actual buttons

[@artisans8521]

Exploding frogs, Ricky, that is so cheap.....gross 😮, a classmate of my dad did that in the 40th, he was instantly expelled. Luckily, digital frogs are not protected by the RSPCA 😂. Less luckily, qui de grenoille is a French dish 😢. But no matter what, that Minifreak is on my whichlist😊. Only gripe, no wheels.

[@derekholland3328]

i prefer seperate envelopes as well filter envelope tied to amp envelope...meh.

[@ElginChris]

I've always dug Ricky's style. The "5 min review" in a 20 min video feels a bit like click bait, but I could be wrong...

[@djskillzz215]

Everything sounds AWESOME, butttt, this whole sound shaping process and learning curve seems VERY confusing to one who is unfamiliar with the "synthesizer world".... One can talk "MPC Lingo/terminology" to me alll day and night and I'll understand, I can follow you and your process, but I'm sooooo clueless to this process, I would have to research and learn from the beginning/scratch... But #SALUTE and Thanks for sharing...

[@mybachhertzbaud3074]

Arturia can send me a Polybrute to play with without me making a video.😁🎵🎹🎶Play On

[@elek-trick]

If you need more envelopes, just ask, I'll send you some...

[@pedrofreire6169]

Saying "you get what you paid for" for an oka-ish (your words, not mine) build quality for almost 600 bucks is kinda weird, man. Even behringer delivers a better build quality for that price. Just look what the Deepmind 6, for example. If Behringer is so bad and Arturia is so good, as some may say on the internet, why did such a cool Arturia product end up with oka-ish screen, keys and knobs? 600 bucks is a lot, and IMHO we, the synth community, need to get our priorities straight.

[@jregras]

You're not wrong!

[@pedrofreire6169]

@@jregras Right? I mean, Behringer got their own city, so production prices are lower, so let's compare with Arturia's own Minibrute 2, which has a lot of features, analog VCOs, a huge patchbay, full-sized keys and costs a hundred bucks less. You're basically trading off the VCOs, patchbay and better build for digital oscillators and effects in a more cumbersome form-factor and paying a 100 dollars more. It's pretty clear to me Arturia didn't do a better job because they felt they could charge whatever and people would still buy it.

[@pedrofreire6169]

and you could also argue that if the price was lower, they would be competing with their own product, the MicroFreak, which is already making a lot of money on it's own.

[@AuntAlnico4]

@@pedrofreire6169 no, if they lower to$499 they wind up dominating on the hydrasynth explorer, which is the better instrument . That would be the smart move.

[@pedrofreire6169]

@@AuntAlnico4 Damn, auntie, you're right! Hadn't thought about that! and there's a whole lot more of cool synths in that price range. The minilogues, the Modals, the MKs, the Boutiques, which to be fair aren't really my thing but you can't say they are oka-ish built...

[@folder55]

Your 5 minute review takes 21 minutes to watch

[@SoccerClassics]

I've stopped watching at 01:32 . heavy af? It weights 3 kilo's man. A cobalt 8 weights more than twice as much.

[@michaelpierce3264]

Steiner Parker is a terrible filter it makes everything sound metallic no need for a ring modulator!

[@DoctorNemmo]

This synth has a persistent nasal quality that isn't that evident on youtube videos.

[@mjaa1307]

he didnt like it