Synth + Pedal Sound Design Tutorial - Arturia MicroFreak and Zoom MS-70CDR

In this tutorial, I create a dreamy pad sound using a very basic patch on the Arturia MicroFreak and a phaser, delay and reverb from the Zoom MS-70CDR effects pedal.
My music on Bandcamp: waveformer42.bandcamp.com/
This technique is by no means exclusive to the MicroFreak synth and the MS-70 pedal, and should work with almost any synth. The Zoom MS-70CDR pedal is perhaps the cheapest way of getting multiple good effects in one pedal, but there are lots of other options.
Please let me know in the comments if you create something similar using other equipment. I would love to hear about it.
The Zoom MS-70CDR patch is included below. To load the patch into the MS-70, connect your MS-70 to your computer using a USB cable, go to g200kg.github.io/zoom-ms-util..., right-click an available patch slot, select "Import Patch from text", and paste in this text.
f052006128086b00004c002800003230102060710100004000005100005270414c001770400036030000000000030011000030750d10001a2010400600000000000000210309001200100100700003000000000000000000010000000000000000000000000000000000000001000000000000000000000000000000000800000040100f500068617365724472006d5400f7
The MicroFreak patch "DreamyPadWF" can be downloaded from the Files section of the Arturia MicroFreak facebook group.
The audio is recorded on a Korg KP2S and normalized in Audacity. Video is recorded on iPhoneX. Audio and video is synchronized in DaVinci Resolve 15.
Gear:
- Arturia MicroFreak
- Zoom MS-70CDR
- Korg Mini Kaoss Pad 2S (for recording)
Connections:
- MicroFreak - MS-70CDR - KP2S
If you want to support me, consider using these affiliate links when buying gear (or other stuff):
- Thomann: www.thomann.de/?partner_id=65575
- Reverb: reverb.grsm.io/Waveformer
- Amazon: amzn.to/2SfJleI

[@didgeridoojedi]

I own MicroFreak, now thanks to you :) I got MS-70CDR. This pedal is like a dream team with every synth. Very inspiring video, Thank you very much.

[@Waveformer]

Cool! I’m addicted to pedals :-).

[@Happyyz]

Thinking about some multieffect pedal for myself. I have afx station from novation do you think it will be a good combo also? :) thx

[@didgeridoojedi]

@@Happyyz To be honest I love this pedal. From trippy experimental spaces to smooth and silky gentle reverbs/delays. Seriously, you won't regret this :)

[@expandingknowledge8269]

Very informative tutorial. I have spent hundreds of hours, doing what you have shown in this presentation. Because of this methodology, I have created a huge sample library using my Korg DSS-1. Effects are the mainstay of sound sculptors. Your presentation here, is very, very well done. I recently purchased a micro freak, and await it's arrival like a small child watching for Santa. Thank You for taking the time to demonstrate to fellow synthesists your methodology my friend, Well done ! Expanding Knowledge.

[@Waveformer]

Glad you found it useful. Effects plays a big part in the way I do sound design. Hope you’ll enjoy the MicroFreak as much as I do 😎.

[@amb13nt59]

Beautiful demo and tutorial!

[@googlepigs7027]

All your videos are GREAT STUFF. Especially the simple ones for us beginner's. THANKS for posting them!

[@regruse9040]

Fantastic demo and jam

[@erikpiehl1764]

I recently bought the MF and afterwards discovered your channel. Very inspirational stuff. And as seems to be the norm, you sold me the MS-70CDR. Really like it. Thanks for the great content and sharing all the details, very very informative!

[@ElvynBliss]

This is soooo incredible! I recently bought the Microfreak and this is helping me so much! Thank you for the amazing work you do. It means a lot!!!

[@tesseractive4567]

Wow, I learned a ton about sound design from this video!

[@Waveformer]

Tesseractive glad you found it useful 😊.

[@rayderrich]

I applied this knowledge to a Volca Keys output and ended up with a great sound for a #jamuary2023 session, so thank you very much for the inspiration!

[@kjell_lundblad]

Great tutorial! Amazing that kind of drones you can use this setup for 👌😁

[@Volcaniced]

That's what I expected and here we go. Thanks sharing your knowing with us.

[@Waveformer]

VolcaNiced 😊😊😊

[@havelockveterini3160]

I just ordered a 2nd hand MS-70 and I was searching some tutorials when I found your video... Just beautiful sounding, clear explanations and what a result ! Thank you ton spent your time for us.

[@Waveformer]

Havelock Vétérini Thanks 😊. Glad you found my notes useful. Enjoy the MS-70 😀.

[@CreateShare]

You have the best sound design! I can't wait to hear what you can do with the Synthstrom Deluge (I heard it's on your wish list)!

[@Waveformer]

Nicholas Day Thank you 😊. Yes, I’ve been wanting a Deluge since it came out. Looks like a great instrument that also could work as the brain of a setup with other synths.

[@UncleBoogieRF]

Sounds immense! Got the Zoom pedal for Christmas. And I have a Freak. Ambient dream maker!

[@Waveformer]

Stromberg Thornton Yes, that’s a great combo! Enjoy 😀.

[@thierryruquier9416]

Excellent tutorial. You're certainely the man who'll make me get a Microfreak and a Zoom pedal.

[@Waveformer]

It’s a great combo 😀

[@786itube]

Very good presentation. I have both of these but feel I’ve learnt so much here

[@jteichma]

Wow you are the best synth teacher! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills.

[@Waveformer]

I’m happy if people learn something from my synth noodling 😊

[@gregs4163]

Excellent video Thanks! I've got the Zoom MS-70CDR on my Christmas List for my Microfreak, I hope my wife comes through!

[@Waveformer]

Gregory St.Laurent fingers crossed 😀.

[@chrisj5547]

Fantastic video! Yes to more tutorials please in the future.

[@Waveformer]

Chris J Thanks 😊. I will do more tutorials. I think the next one will be a lead sound with the Monologue + MS-70 pedal.

[@chrisj5547]

@@Waveformer Also I don't think you can dm on youtube but I sent you a FB msg a while back thanking you for the vids!

[@Waveformer]

Chris J Appreciate it 😊

[@triplebacon1]

Soon their will be thousands of people viewing and hitting the like and Subscribe! Excellent Video! Well done Waveformer!

[@DCPier]

Thanks man, didn't even know about the Chrome editor for the MS-70CDR!

[@Waveformer]

Dietmar Pier I just started using it myself 😀.

[@SoccerClassics]

just bought these combo yesterday and can't wait for it. thomann has already send it and, hopefully, tomorrow I will inhale your videos. this ambient genre is exactly what i will do for myself. just jamming and relaxing. That could be a røyksopp sound

[@Waveformer]

Cool. The MicroFreak and the MS70 goes really well together. Thanks for the Röyksopp comparison 😊. I love that band. Several years ago, I was at an outdoor concert in Norway where Röyksopp was the opening act for Jean Michel Jarre. That was magical. kzbin.info/aero/PL031E5B29F69C5BDE

Fantastic tutorial. Thank you so much.

[@Waveformer]

Glad you found it useful 😊

[@Sebastian-er8uf]

Very useful tutorial 👌 thanks 👍

[@gilangakhirramadhan3900]

Thanks for the tutorial!

[@Waveformer]

You’re welcome 😊

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

Great demo and patch! This year I have invested in three MS-70CDR's, understanding the importance of designing my own effects with my sound design. All the conflicting quality reports on the Zoom confused me for the last few years so I finally bought one, listened to my Yamaha DX on it for just a few minutes and then bought two more. With the addition of stereo graphic equalizers for each synth along with the Zoom effects I now have nearly unlimited sound/effects design possibilities. I use my Zoom MS-70CDR's in the effects (aux send) loops of my mixers so that more than one synth can share an effects device.

[@Waveformer]

Cool! I have three MS-70CDRs myself. They are really great for sound design. Works well with both my Monologue, my MicroFreak and my VolcaFM 😀.

[@streetshooters]

Happy to see my guitar pedals will come in handy. Just bought a MicroFreak (and Drumbrute Impact) and starting to get some decent sounds out of the system. Added my Hall of Fame 2 reverb and wow. Also have a delay pedal and a Zoom Multistomp (MS-100BT) so I'll be busy. Thanks for the inspiration LOL.

[@Waveformer]

Cool. Hope you’ll be happy with the Freak 😀.

[@dillipphunbar7924]

Gr8 tutorial. I have only just acquired the MF....love it, and your music.

[@Waveformer]

Cool! Thanks 😊. And enjoy the Freak 🎹🎛🎶

[@EuroDJ]

Cool Demo ...THNX!

[@carlostagnoli2704]

Great explanation and idea! Thanx a lot 👌

[@Waveformer]

🙏🏻🙏🏻😊

[@ArnoLife]

That's just great thanks !

[@Waveformer]

😊

[@julienbayle]

this is a very video. I just ordered a freak + this pedal... so that's very instructive.

[@Waveformer]

Cool! Enjoy 😀

[@defjeff2907]

Thank you!

[@dillipphunbar7924]

very chill

[@augustosuarez1642]

Muy buen Trabajo Amigo!!!saludos desde Argentina

[@Waveformer]

Augusto Suarez Thank you very much 😊. Greetings from Norway 🇳🇴.

[@bungeechord1]

Wonderful! Thankyou!,

[@Waveformer]

😊😊

[@gapster77]

I’ve just bought this Zoom Pedal, I didn’t realise it could do 6 of the effects at once, it’s amazing for the price. I have the V2, I’m going to use it for a while as is, and then I’ll use the 3rd party “Effects Manager” software to download some more effects that you find on other Zoom models. I’d have got one of these a long time ago if I’d only known!

[@Pasha_Aeon]

supergreat! thanks!

[@InkyDaCaT]

Awesome stuff T🥰 been thinking about a microfreak for ages.... Hope as well Sir 🙌💗

[@Waveformer]

Hi Lisa. The MicroFreak is really nice, and pairs very well with the Circuit. Lately, I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of sound design with the Korg Wavestate, and haven’t released any jam videos in months. I’m laying the finishing touches to a soundbank I’m gonna publish now, and hope to get back to doing jam videos soon 😀. Hope all is well with you too. Cheers 😄.

[@tosmutny]

Awesome

[@JAAS______00001]

geiler typ!

[@Waveformer]

JVSIN 😊

[@matsewunderlich]

Nice Work 👍 🍀 just subscribed

[@Waveformer]

matse wunderlich Thanks 😊

[@citizenofearth]

7:23 & 10:28... hah, that was J.M. Jarre! XD Nice video, thanks for sharing.

[@Waveformer]

Yeah. You’re right about that. Couldn’t resist it 😀.

[@JonathanRCross]

Ooh now you're putting me in a #nobeats ambient kind of mood . . .

[@Waveformer]

Jonathan Cross Haha 😀.

[@Waveformer]

Jonathan Cross Quickly, hit a few pads on your TR8, and it will pass 😜.

[@JonathanRCross]

@@Waveformer Just made one. All faders down on the TR8s! Delay to the max (almost)

[@Waveformer]

Jonathan Cross Wow! That’s a great sounding jam made in a very short time. I take my hat off to you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZnVg619iLGVaNE

[@kalledimming6298]

Amazing!!! Now I have to return the kids’ christmas presents to the store and buy a Microfreak insread...🙄

[@Waveformer]

Kalle Dimming 😮😬🤔🎹🤗

[@prometheusuk9845]

That is so creamy and dreamy 😀

[@maxpowers3494]

Nice👌👌👌

[@Waveformer]

Max Powers 😊😊😊

[@seek4truth]

Can you try triangle on MicroFreak and fast tremolo-> slow vibrato (with low depth) on the zoom? I bet that will be really cool

[@MariaCalfaDePaul]

Oh wow I am so happy to find this video and your channel. I liked and subscribed! I just got the microfreak yesterday and ironically I have both of the other two pieces of gear you have. I am also assuming I could record the output also to the two inputs of my zoom h5 right ? I mean you only used the red Kaoss for recording not effects. ?! I loved how you showed how you did everything as it’s all so new to me. I stayed up till 3 am and had to get up at 6 this morning for work just because I was enjoying playing around with it. The mod matrix still confuses me a little but seeing how you used it and showing what the settings were helped immensely. I would love more microfreak tutorials. Thank you so much. Do you ever use the arp and sequencer. I have to learn more about that too as I don’t even know yet how to clear a pattern. Also I did download the manual so I will have to start reading it. Thanks again!!

[@Waveformer]

Maria Calfa-DePaul glad you liked it 😊. The MicroFreak is really great! I use the KP2S just for recording in most of my jams, just because it’s so convenient. The MicroFreak manual is worth reading several times. The synth is so many different possibilities 😀.

[@MariaCalfaDePaul]

@@Waveformer yes I actually even printed and bound it!! and happy to have the new firmware update!!

[@cherryspeakman]

Could you use the micro freak into a guitar fx loop or even on a boss rc5? Or would you need use a line splitter into the pedal then amp?

[@MRH4U5]

Love the video, some incredible sounds coming from the Arturia. I'm relatively to this setup and was wondering what cable goes from the Microfreak to MS70-CDR? Is it a 3.5mm stereo to 1/4 mono or 3.5mm stereo to 1/4 stereo?

[@Waveformer]

It’s just a standard mono cable into the MS70 🙂

[@abstract_subconscious6214]

Hello dear friend! Great lesson! I would like to ask, I decided to buy myself a zoom multistomp cdr 70( for my MF, ofcourse FX needed...) and a question arose. I only have a sound card and a weak computer that does not work well with daw . and I really want to play live, with my microfreak make jams.. do you know what is the best option for this? I don't have monitor speakers either, just simple ones. and there is no mixer... do you use the kaoss pad already for further processing of the finished recording? portastudio is not suitable for these cases? for example zoom r8 or r24? and which cables needed for cdr?could you give me some advice on which one to buys. your switching looks so simple and wonderful! i'm in love with it :)

[@cjlewis79]

Great tutorial. Just bummed that the Korg MKP 2S is hard to find now. Anything comparable to it?

[@robertj1303]

So at the start what cables did you use? Is the white cable a standard 1/4 in jack cable then 2 standard jack outs and in to the korg and then single out into an audio interface?

[@noodlingaround2023]

Yeah, nice.. Please, how do you connect the Microfreak to the zoom and then to your monitors.. ? Thank you

[@ich9260]

Super Tutorial 👍! Frage : wie kann ich auf meinem zoom ms 70 cdr den duo phase Effekt einstellen? Ich finde bei meinen zoom ms 70 cdr nur die duo trem Funktion...

[@09monos]

big fan of your sound mate! are you still using the microfreak? is it still worth getting? congrats for the great work

[@Waveformer]

The MicroFreak is great, and still worth it in my opinion. The arpeggiator and the sequencer are both very nice, and the different sound engines are good. I used the MF in the three latest jams I recorded 😀.

[@thomasstillman4805]

Find the patches that have "Particle Reverb" connected tothem. Then go into the (mode setting) to tweak sounds. (example) PSS-470 (sound)

[@Waveformer]

Yeah, the Particle Reverb algorithm is beautiful 😀

[@pkskyutube]

Which facebook group for Arturia has the patch? There appear to be several. Also, I am interested in how you apply the Kaoss Pad for recording. I try to search KZbin for "Kaoss record" and can't seem to find anything. Where can I find out more about this?

[@rendermanpro]

Why do you have 3 Zooms while it is allow to combine/chain effects? What is advantage?

[@Waveformer]

With 3 zooms I can run effects in parallel and create more complex delay sequences for instance. But I normally use one zoom per synth, so one on the Monologue, one on the MicroFreak and one on the VolcaFM.

[@inthedoghouse1985]

What is the black box on the left?

[@Waveformer]

It’s a Korg Kaoss Pad KP2S that I use for recording. It also has lots of cool effects, but those are not used in this video.

[@ahmadkanaan7714]

Quick questio on the zoom pedal while playing a set can you change the parameters/sounds (tweak experiment) or you would have to cut the sound to fix parameters then restart?

[@Waveformer]

You can change the parameters on the fly, while you jam, the audio is not interrupted.

[@ahmadkanaan7714]

@@Waveformer i meant will be able to change the presets or effects each one to experiment without interruption?

[@gixerags750]

Definately buying a ms70 as my first ever pedal purchase,,,, , can you tell me whether that kaos mini has any effect algorithms that sync to the incoming audio? just not sure whether to buy the mini or kp3+ regards Andrew

[@Waveformer]

Hi Andrew. The MS-70 is an excellent first effect pedal! The KP2S mini has lots of effects that sync to incoming audio. It can also record a whole performance to SD card, which is great. The KP3+ can sync to both audio and MIDI and has more effects algorithms and is in general more advanced. You can record short loops, but not a whole performance.

[@gixerags750]

@@Waveformer thanks for the reply, i have a Kaoscillator mini2s , now i have to decide whether the Kaospadmini2s or the kp3+, i think i will pay a little more and get the MIDI of the kp3+ much appreciated

[@mikk01975]

Is it just me or would the Microfreak be even more awesome with some effects on it and a little wider range on the keyboard to make room for those extra controls 👌 Minifreak anyone?

[@Waveformer]

That would be really cool!

[@stonedapesociety5628]

Wow this is great! How do you record with korg mini kaosspad? Big thanks!

[@Waveformer]

Thanks 😊. It’s really easy to record. Stereo input and records directly to SD-card.

[@stonedapesociety5628]

@@Waveformer Ok I'll definitely try! Thank you so much for the reply!

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

When I make videos for KZbin, my timeline in my video editor does not match the uploaded timeline on KZbin....yours too? Maybe it is the massive compression used by youtube?

[@Waveformer]

I haven’t checked, really. I think the overall length of the video on KZbin pretty much matches what I see in the DaVinci editor software.

[@vincenzogiambusso]

Hi, are you using a mono cable to connect the MF to the Zoom? if yes, how does that change if I use a stereo jack in the line out of the MF going into 2 mono jacks in the zoom? Does it make sense?

[@Waveformer]

In this jam I use a mono cable from the main output of the MicroFreak. You can also use a stereo cable from the headphone output of the MicroFreak to both mono inputs on the Zoom. It doesn’t make any audible difference to my ears. If you use only the left mono channel input on the zoom and not the right mono channel, the left mono channel is automatically panned in the center in the Zoom.

[@vincenzogiambusso]

@@Waveformer thanks for the explanation, I admit I've never read the manual. I was using the line out with a stereo cable. So the line out is mono, isn't it?

[@Waveformer]

@@vincenzogiambusso yes, line out is mono, headphone out is stereo (but everything is panned in the center, so it’s in reality just the same signal in the left and right channels).

[@vincenzogiambusso]

@@Waveformer hey @Waveformer, I'll take advantage of your kindness to ask you one more thing. How is it that some of the effects seem to not have any impact on the sound (many delays for example, seem to not be working at all) while others bring down the volume at such a low level that it can't be quite heard. Is it because they are made to work with the signal produced by the pickup of a guitar? I tried to work with knobs and configuration but in those cases I can't do much. Others work perfectly

[@vincenzogiambusso]

I'm going to answer to myself. I was linking the line out of the freak to the stereo of the pedal. I removed one of the two mono cables going into the pedal and magically all the effects work properly

[@jjrusy7438]

where is the effect setting on the MS-70cdr that lets me subscribe with multiple repeats? I can't seem to find it. ..and don't tell me it is next to the "infinite like repeats button" because I can't find that one either. OK, seriously, I appreciate this style of video that you and loopop do. I also appreciate that hi-end sounds can be made with gear that normal people can actually buy. You were a big part of my decision to buy a microfreak

[@Waveformer]

jj rusy You get multiple repeats by increasing the feedback parameter that almost every delay effect on the MS-70 has. And you can insert multiple delay effects after one another for even more repeats. The feedback parameter is usually on the first parameter page for the effect. And you insert a new delay by holding down the left arrow button for two seconds and selecting a delay effect. Hope that helps. I’m not sure I understood your question correctly 🙂.

[@Waveformer]

Hahaha 🤣. Sorry, too early in the morning. Didn’t get the joke at first 😀. Thank you for the positive feedback 😊.

[@Foltl]

Hello from Austria! And at first: i use my School-Englisch... What do you think about the Effect-Aps on mobile devices? i was so stupid to sell my analog (mono) synthesizer - but in combination with the app „Master FX“ - this thing sounds absolute great! Jo. I am a little drunk, but i think, this freaky little thing from France will be my next toy!

[@Waveformer]

Eventide has some really nice effects for iOS. I have Blackhole and Ultratap, and they are cool 😀.

[@InkyDaCaT]

Hello there!!

[@Waveformer]

Hi yourself 😁

[@douglasfugazi]

What is the name of these 2 cables in the output of Zoom?

[@Waveformer]

The black cable (output from Zoom) is 2x mono 6.35 mm jacks going into one stereo 3.5 mm (mini) jack. The white cable (input to Zoom) is a mono 6.35mm jack into a mono 6.35mm jack.

[@ibnraoof]

the zoom + Deepmind 12 next ?

[@Waveformer]

ibnraoof I wish 😀. Looks like a brilliant synth.

[@FantasticPyroclastic]

deepmind has dozens of internal effects..no real need for the zoom.

[@Waveformer]

FantasticPyroclastic cool!

[@theycallmefilip]

You're making it harder and harder for me not to get that Freak.

[@Waveformer]

Filip Suciu Haha. Sorry about that 🤗.