Why is this thing so unreasonably good?

Howdy! Today we're going to talk about some freaks with a special place in my heart - specifically the amazingly fun Arturia Microfreak and it's new sibling the Arturia Minifreak.
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[@VenusTheory]

Not to go all Twilight but: are you team Mini or team Micro? 🤔 Arturia Minifreak 👹 ► bit.ly/3z2BPbE Arturia Microfreak 👾 ► bit.ly/3sz8p11 Perfect Circuit Halloween Sale! 🎃 ► bit.ly/3gG5TDE

[@VenusTheory]

@@meldmagic Petition for MPE megafreak! Excited to see where Arturia takes this series next.

[@EasyHeat]

I just now noticed the "Existence is Futile" merch, and now am completely in aw, and seemingly compelled to offer up adoring praises towards the comedic genius of both it's overt Star Trek-iness & mutually felt nihilism. That my good Sir... Is absolutely brilliant, and quite frankly? Just made my day.🙃 Put that sh*t on a freakin' T-shirt STAT before I decide to go get it tattoo'd somewhere! HaHaHa!😅🤣

[@thomashoffend4299]

@@VenusTheory With full-sized keys.

[@Charlie_Echo]

Team Polybrute :)

[@VenusTheory]

@@Charlie_Echo Ah a true person of culture haha. Love the Polybrute!

[@Zarathustra0512]

Dude, "play means you are experimenting with different processes and ideas and experiencing the results without the pressure of expectation and definition". That is beautiful and accurate in a way that I did not expect clicking on a KZbin video. Kudos

[@wiseoldfool]

Amen to that!

[@vjspectron]

Yeah this is a gorgeous and insightful piece of language. Great video!

[@apophenic_]

Glad you pointed this out. Still not watching a video about a small piano, but this is a worthwhile takeaway.

[@joegrant413]

Got to say, this is the best quote I’ve heard from you after watching dozens of videos!

[@OhSoTiredMan]

It’s a great quote.

[@crybo]

Great little synth. When I’m waiting on my kid’s piano lesson, I take the Freak, the Korg Nu Tek and a power bank and jam for an hour in the car. What a time to be alive 😊

[@CFChristian]

Sounds wonderful.

[@st0rmchild]

The MicroFreak was already really impressive when I bought it, but what really blows me away is Arturia kept releasing major (free!) updates with significant new features - including the vocoder update where they revealed the headphone jack is actually a TRRS that supports mic input! They also added new oscillators from Noise Engineering, increased the number of patch slots, and kept giving us new presets. What a great company.

[@wackerburg]

YES, that's incredible imho. How far @Arturia develops this little gem. I really think about adding either the Micro- or Minifreak to my setup.

[@Drinkyoghurt]

I wish Korg would do the same. Still waiting for them to fix key trigger playback on the minilogue xd so that it's actually usable to perform/play with.

[@1995MadMax]

Yeah. I have the Minifreak now. Its a Monster

[@vaspers]

Not sure why Arturia put a vocoder on the MicroFreak. That's something you find on a MicroKorg or JD-Xi. I throw the gooseneck microphones in the garbage and never use a vocoder. I guess some folks use them, like Black Moth Super Rainbow.

[@vr4978]

This comment aged well... No really! sampler and granulator just added amongst other things in firmware 5.0!

[@yokii-dokii5512]

Beginner (ish) here. The Microfreak is my first hybrid synth and I am in LOVE with it. I've had it for just over 6 months or so, and I use it almost everyday, but I've never gotten to a point where I've felt limited or bored with it. I sort of love how raw and unpolished it sounds. Really adds some unique/authentic grittiness to my tracks!

[@FlorentChardevel]

I feel like the Freak line is really the best of both worlds, with the power of digital and the warmth of analog. And so cheap compared to "purist" synths!

[@jaxager]

Sounds like it's time to upgrade to the Minifreak.

[@fr4ctl]

@@jaxager minifreak?

[@jaxager]

@@fr4ctl Arturia just came out with the Minifreak last week. Not sure if it's available to the general public yet but tons of synth channels have been reviewing it. It looks like a Microfreak on steroids. It also cost 600 bucks. But it looks like it will be worth every penny of that 600. Also, he talks about it and shows it in the video.

[@brutallyremastered4255]

That’s groovy.

[@kianr2200]

love that you mentioned how your 8 year old nephew would enjoy this just as much. i remember being about 8 years old going to my parents friends house for dinner, and they had this keyboard with a bunch of random knobs and sliders. i always looked forward to playing around on that thing while the parents had dinner. i probably tried to figure out what every single knob and button did, it was seriously so intriguing. i agree this is a very important aspect, and i'm glad you emphasized this. i totally forgot about this until you mentioned it. we all have this inner drive to explore and create, and its amplified when the equipment makes it easily accessible

[@huntergalloway3944]

I’m obsessed with hybrid synths/samplers. Something about a flexible digital sound source going through a decent filter just does something magic.

[@chrispiotrowski8393]

Bro this is my first video I've watched on your channel and I have to say you probably have one of the most pleasing voices to listen to I've ever heard!

[@RaleighHeckel]

Hey there - first time seeing one of your videos. Just wanted to share how enjoyable it was. Honestly one of the best made KZbin videos I’ve seen in awhile. I’m primarily a guitarist and am slowly learning more about the world of synths and you applied such a relaxing/calm aesthetic to this video, and provided a friendly and insightful overview of the instruments. I’m a fan of your storytelling style, both audio and visual. Subscribed!

[@incaroads001]

I love the way you keep featuring that zoom box. I have so much zoom stuff that I have long since stopped trying to shake a stick at it. it's all good and commensurately inexpensive. these two things seem like a great pair.

[@michaelhurt490]

Bought a Micro one week ago, and it is perfect. I think I came in backwards, as I started with diy synth projects and then eurorack, before finally buying something playable with a keyboard. I'm still mostly planning on building my own, but the Micro integrates beautifully with CV. This is all a far cry from my days sample mashing on ACID and Sound Forge 20 years ago! It's been a long time coming; a buddy of mine scored a minimoog at a garage sale when I was 15, and I've been stuck on the sound every since. Loved this. You really hit the nail on the head about it's teaching ability. I have not watched or read a single instruction, and I've figured out the sequencer and mod matrix with ease! My two year old can make a tune wart. Need I go on!?! Hopefully my wife takes the hint on the mini for Christmas...

[@MyWorstEnemyIsMyself]

You're absolutely right, the Microfreak opened my mind in 2020 in a really meaningful way(i did an entire EP with almost just the MF), this instrument has been inspiring me to make music for so long that it's part of my signature sound and style, if you put the effort on it, you can do a huge palette of sounds and SFX, i use mine with an EHX Oceans 12 pedal and is really awesome.

[@yebii_]

I’ve never considered owning hardware until I came across the Microfreak. Like many of us, I’m used to software, so hardware has never crossed my mind until i picked one up a few months ago (side note, this thing looks straight out of Zelda lol) This synth does so much for me, musically and personally, and it reminds me when I had a Casio MT65 as a kid. I had so much fun with that thing, and now in my older years, I feel that same feeling with the Microfreak and I will forever love this thing.

[@jakobhalskov]

First time here; really impressed by your style.. voice over, grading and story telling. Will definitely stay around!

[@jckingize]

You, my friend are NOT the average KZbinr and in addition to the great choices of music education you share, your sound designing chops are first rate. Great video, I too am a Freaky Funky Fan of the Freaks. Having been one myself for more years than I am willing to admit, however the biggest giveaway clue being that I have only come out at night for over thirty years. ( The Freaks Come Out! ) Keep doing what you do. You Create Great music, You Are an actually REAL human being and your talent is "oddly enough for a KZbinr" much greater than you actually realize. "Never change Venus Theory..."

[@jatari18]

As usual, absolutely love your content and appreciate the hard work you put in. Thanks for sharing

[@dmcinnis23]

I loved this introduction to these two devices. Thank you! I'm 53 and honestly never seen anything quite as versatile, open for creativity and inexpensive as the MicroFreak. I now have GAS with the Mini.

[@teatime2595]

Yeah me too kinda I haven't even figured out what I have and I just got more stuff after I got some volcas then wanted something more so I got the models cycle but that thing is really fkn annoying to me it's pretty difficult but I love the micro freak and the Korg XD and the east beast is fun too

[@floatinganarchychannel3204]

I have the microfreak for few years now and i can do so many sounds with him, full track from scratch, the new noise modules : Harm, Bass & sawX are super fun, and for neuro head its a dream to have sine noise on a synth :)

[@VenusTheory]

The Microfreak is incredibly impressive. I still can't believe $350 can get you this much stuff haha

[@zookeeper2103]

It's really cool that there's the vst version now to try before you buy the machine and just get a visual way to see what's going on inside your patches 😊

[@xjohnnyutah]

You’ve inspired me to take a look at this synth as I am now searching to make an addition to my studio setup. Your video was top-notch and very informative and professional. Subscribed! It also doesn’t hurt that you’re H.A.F.

[@static-san]

I bought a MicroFreak for pretty much the exact reason you almost cited near the end: I wanted a hardware synth but not just any hardware synth. The ability to save presets as well as tweak them in real time was what sold me. And some polyphony. And the price point. Both the MicroFreak and the MiniFreak are in a product space that they almost have to themselves.

[@infern1491]

I can save my own sounds ?? That’s great

[@bricelory9534]

Microfreak was my first hardware synth, and I agree 100 percent - its versatility made me a better synthesist while remaining excited about what it can do. It is absolutely worth it, and unless you're looking for a very specific sound (303, Moog, etc.), I think it is one of the best places to start you'll find. I don't see it leaving either, even if I also end up with a a Minifreak - it packs so much punch in such a small, and affordable, package that it makes me want to come back again and again just to make more custom presets for myself. Add in something like ZOIA, and you have a huge pallette of sounds that are high quality. You won't get that elusive "analog warmth" exactly, but there are options out there for that too. And its analog filter gives it a nice mix.

[@trblmkr5139]

excellent production on this video and its somewhat soothing if that makes sense. easy to watch and relaxing somehow

[@rougepied]

I’m juste a hobbyist musiciann. Until recently, I was never interested in electronic music. The microfreak is my first synth and I love it. Like you said, it's a great synth to get started with. I spend hours experimenting with sounds more than playing music. And I love it.

[@nojuanatall3281]

I'm not big into electronic music either but I will give two artists that have changed my mind a shout. Tipper and Moderator. Give them a shot.

[@theneurologist1]

Awesome product overview!! Thank you 😁👍🏻 both look and sound amazing!

[@joca1378]

I only have a small Arturia keyboard but i really respect the effort they put into quality and design. All their products look great!

[@ImageAfilms]

Your production level is top notch. I'm a fan. Thanks for what you do.

[@imraan6405]

I think you don't have half the idea of how much you motivate people to go and create 💪🏽❤️

[@dreamstaticsounds]

Watching this on the day I got the update that my Minifreak is finally on its way after weeks of being on backorder and trying to not go insane! Haha. Another great video!

[@quinnsd13]

I picked the microfreak as my first intro into music making specifically for the reasons you mentioned. It's variety and hands-on tweaking made it seem like a great way for me to learn what's what before diving into anything specialized. I quickly realized it was really fun but I was missing that depth and added the ms-70cdr as my second piece of gear. The combo worked out great and has led me on to other things like a nice mic for sampling. Very glad I picked the microfreak but I do wish the mini was available back then!

[@midwinter78]

My kitten was fascinated by this video, almost as much fun as a nature programme. So it’s not just humans who like the freaks, there’s some good sounds for cats, too.

[@VenusTheory]

Will have to test it on my dogs!

[@acfpv]

Hey Cameron. Love all your videos but for some reason the music on this one was absolute ace. The music combined with the words “a love letter to the freaks” really hit me and the beautiful music just continued throughout. 👏🏻

[@VenusTheory]

Haha thanks. Seemed appropriate to write some original background music this time around.

[@ChewyLoo]

@@VenusTheory Was the music featured made by the micro? Just stumbled onto this channel without even searching for music stuff and wow! As a piano player i'm super intruiged... always wanted to explore this stuff but didn't know where to start (creepy youtube). Subbed.

[@DmitryPuffin]

Got myself used mikrofreak month ago and boy, its awesome little machine. Packs a lot of synth power with ease of use. Sequencer surprised me a lot. Also it took place of a controller with polyphonic after touch. I was using Push 2 a lot, but sometimes I was missing actual keyboard. Mikrofreak filled this gap nicely.

[@VenusTheory]

The sequencer is a ton of fun for sure! The Mini brings in some new features to it that are really cool as well, but the Micro sequencer is awesome for acid lines and stuff.

[@CeekaysClassics]

You've Done it Venus Theory. You've inspired me to make something awesome. Thank you

[@erre5544]

i have been contemplating on the micro freak for some time, and now i know I desire both the mini and micro freaks, its about time acquire additions. thank you for the vid it really has helped.

[@tomcrowe7351]

Really nice video for these two legends, your vocal delivery is lovely:)

[@timcarter7202]

I agree..except I cringe every time I hear the word both pronounced as "bolth". Haha

[@seanp2k617]

Just wanted to say that in addition to great content, I really enjoy your camera work and beautiful shots. I don’t know if you’re grading in post or if your studio lighting is really just that beautiful but awesome work ❤

[@Gilwtt]

Thanks Cameron.. I bought Minifreak when it was launch and I wanna say that it inspires me a LOT !!! it's always a start for a new track even if I delete it but it is what is makes ;-) love it !!!

[@quintondeanmusic]

I also started my synth journey with the microbrute! When the micro freak came out I sold the microbrute and grabbed that! It is still one of my favorite synths for how easy it is to create sounds on. And the price is killer. Punches way above its perceived weight IMO

[@jeffreyboehm9602]

As some others have said, I gotta go with the micro because of the unique keybed. When I need something more 'normal' my Keylab covers it, as well as my Push 2. There are some cool features on the mini that look like added fun, though.

[@fawltytenor]

Thanks for sharing, great video! Those Arturia synths seem pretty solid with some great features.

[@apricotdog]

Got a Stellar today. Can't wait to twiddle some knobs! 😂

[@experiment8189]

Yes, so far the Microfreak was my main source of inspiration, and now I am drawn to Minifreak also.

[@Turbo_TechnoLogic]

The Freak really is a synth easy to fall in love with. I also love mine and also have a 70CDR as a perfect pair :)

[@AndrewPhilippov]

MicroFreak and Zoom MS-50G pedal is one of my best gear purchases this year. Also i love that it is working with any powerbank, so no need to use 12v power supply, and this means that i can play with it on my couch, or in a park.

[@VenusTheory]

Definitely a good one to toss in a bag and take with you! I actually haven't tried running it off a battery bank but now I know haha - appreciate the tip!

[@dankeplace]

You know you can hack the pedals and have them share patches?

[@AndrewPhilippov]

@@dankeplace Yeah, made that and have all the FX now)

[@theknotsewsuite]

Microfreak is one of the first synths i reach for, not only because its small and light but it sounds great and syncs well to other gear. I am GASing so hard for minifreak now …

[@iddqd85]

It truly does something uniquely different from all my other machines, and in an effective way. The Micro's weird "responsive but not" keys are even kinda fun. Love mine!

[@VIRALBEATS360]

The Microfreak is one of those synths that I recommend to everyone. Portability, uniqueness, affordability...it really checks off all the boxes. The only drawback is being a mono synth, which the Minifreak resolves...at the expense of the unique key bed. However, with the options on the Minifreak, those keys seem far less important. I haven't tried it yet, but I am already sold... The Microfreak is not really a piece of gear, it is a work of art. My mother is in her 60's and loves it, and so does everyone else who has one, present company included. Arturia is becoming one of those companies, like Moog. Huge fan of their work, especially as of recent. Good video. 🤟😎

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

The first thing i always do is directly jumping to the user-preset bank, starting from scratch, playing and interacting with the instrument itself and completely disregarding the factory presets that in 99% of cases never have what i want or need and sound pretty often very boring and identical. Besides i don't feel really ok using premade sounds but just want that 100% authentic and personal sound of the presets. So when ever i buy a new synth i just work on a nice bank of personal presets and then start recording. Often even during the preset making process because you just always get super inspired and THESE moments are perfect to just record what happens and using it at the right time. The Microfreak has been a really big favorite of mine since it came out because it just gives you everything at the perfect price. It's an absolute Nobrainer. But the capacitive and NON-mechanical keys were what REALLY made me want it even more because i am not a professional keyboard player and just love a different approach. Like the touch sensitive keys of the Buchla synths or the ribbon manual of the Trautonium. These are the kind of things i feel a lot more at home with and more comfortable because keys can often either be hit or miss. And the capacitive nature of the microfreaks keybed is just amazing to play when you assign the mod matrix to the intensitiy of how you play them and routing that to let#s say modulation, filter, pitch or what ever you wanna use during your performance. That is something i'd totally miss on the Minifreak but i'd still love to get the Minifreak as well because i was actually considering getting another Microfreak. The only thing i ALWAYS hated about the Microfreak was that it was just 25 keys and ZERO internal effects. Not even a delay or reverb. However it suits perfectly into a laptop bag so i'm not really complaining. The lack of effects however really is something i just cannot overlook since the dry sound gets boring VERY quickly. And sometimes you don't wanna always plug a multi effect unit to the output but just play and record something on the fly, with a effect-colored sound.

[@stickster]

I picked up a lightly used Microfreak a few months ago at significant savings -- and you nailed it. Having a few limits, you can get limitless fun... if that makes sense. I can run mine through a Line 6 HX Stomp pedal (which has an outrageous complement of effects) for absolutely beautiful results with no computer. Or I send it into a DAW or Audio Hijack and slap a Snap Heap in the middle for endless twiddling. The Microfreak is absolutely worth the money. I'll probably wait until some poor sap with raging GAS sells off their Minifreak at a discount, and pick up one of those too!

[@teatime2595]

It's funny to me the little things people complain about like the size of keys and midi I hear that alot I don't know alot about gear but it seems you pay for it plus more in some things like freaks to me are freaking amazing especially for the price.o haven't even messed with midi yet don't really think it's necessary unless you have a module or a PC?

[@sotem3608]

I bought both over time, they are absolutely amazing. Often contemplated buying a second microfreak! Really awesome stuff!

[@timdanyo898]

The mini freak seems like a perfect blend of fun and exploration with a dash of raw honey to sweeten the tea.

[@ConsciousRobot]

I love these raw, gritty sounds

[@bananaghost427]

I was running my Microfreak through an MS-70CDR, and that was great. Now, however, i'm running it through my 1010Music Lemondrop. It's a great and very versatile combination. You can run the MF's audio through the LD just using the LD's effects, but you can also use the MF to control the LD with MIDI. You can also run the MF's audio through the LD's granular engine on one of the LD's channels. There are a lot of options and a lot of great sounds to be made. 8) P.S.: Another entertaining and informative video, Mr Venus.

[@CrackHead001]

Microfreak is a great example of “Its not about size its about the way you use it”

[@mrrogerstown2435]

I have a microfreak, huge fan of Arturia. The V Collection is also really fun to play around with. Its impressive that a company can be equally as good at both hardware and software.

[@andrewhertzberg6889]

Micro freak is fantastic. Got mine used for a steal and it’s impressive how much it can do. The lack of FX always made sense to me - as long as you have a DAW or pedals you can supply all for FX you need. The series of firmware updates has been impressive. I get the feeling Arturia wants it’s cheapest synth to be the one that goes down as the essential synth for this era. Also, if you want more functionality than this Pigments is basically boundless and the interface is so intuitive to use. The problem with pigments is that if you are being honest with yourself, it’s the only synth you really need.

[@EarlyMist]

As far as working with a synth with no effects....this to me is always a win. When I get sounds right on an OSC and filter level....I can only be blown away by the addition of plugin FX or pedals.

[@AndreasR86]

The microfreak into a zoom pedal (I got a modded ms60b because I'm a bassist) is joyful. There's an effton of sounds you can pull out of that combo with just a few knob twists.

[@gowtoye]

I'm pretty new in this whole hardware stuff. Bought myself a keylab a few years ago fiddle a bit around with it. Came across Tribalneed a year ago and love his approach on making melodic techno so i want to lear how to live loop etc. bought a beatstep few weeks ago and am now looking for my first hardware synth. Think the minifrak is geat, and your video's are very helpfull and very good. Thank you and you have got youself a subscriber.

[@jayonbaby]

I’ve the microfreak about a year now and I still love it. I want to combine the mini with it

[@KordTaylor]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Great video and I agree. Hoping to get a MiniFreak and bought a MicroFreak for my son that he really likes. My latest thought is that the MiniFreak is the Juno for today. Just as it was the affordable yet great sounding, approachable and versatile synth of the 80’s I think the MobiFreak is that for today.

[@sonikronikElektronik]

These both seem to be amazing little synths. Videos like this make me very hungry. 🎹😎 All in all, great overview! Like your content a lot, so I threw in a sub as well.

[@KnotLo-ASMR]

Sorry but I'm currently on day 3 of still trying to recover from the truck nuts comment!!! Thanks

[@VenusTheory]

Yee yee 🤠

[@MaDmanEXE]

A what now?

[@tiffanyanthony]

Me too!! 😂😂

[@KnotLo-ASMR]

@@tiffanyanthony ye ye 🤣

[@gaston-alegre-stotzer]

@@MaDmanEXE "The terrible price of jealousy" by Venus Theory 5:00 mark

[@oldunclemick]

I enjoy my MicroFreak - it's a step outside the box that results in things I'd never have thought of if it had a regular keyboard and that means it doesn't overlap my other gear. Effects aren't an issue - my analogue synths and DXs don't have internal effects either. The MiniFreak is also great value and one day I might get one but it's not a "must have".

[@VenusTheory]

For sure - the MicroFreak is one of the best 'companion' synths out there I think. It's extremely versatile while not being terribly expensive and can bring something new to the table against almost any other synth.

[@j.wilcox3547]

As always, great video. Thinking about getting a microfreak. Thanks

[@thedinger9339]

The moment the first videos of the Minifreak popped up, I knew I want that thing! I'm an absolute beginner, with just a Volca, but this Box looks like good follow-up for a long time. Thanks for your thoughts! :)

[@Waffle-TH3_C00L3ST]

Love my microfreak. I waaaaaaaaant the minifreak. But I also want everything else under the sun. I got problems

[@VenusTheory]

Same. My accountant hates me.

[@lucastrapeze]

Kkkkk I resonate with that 🙈

[@NullFX]

My favorite synth 😊 Run it through a chorus and play with the analog filter and get instant nice tones.

[@ckbarlow]

Yep. Absolutely love my MicroFreak - your point about it encouraging play and experimentation is dead on. Because I do production music, which is necessarily a *lot* of tracks, anything that inspires me or gets me to work differently is a huge help. It's FUN, it's creative, it's unusual - and my college students love having some hardware to mess with. Do a patch set for it! I did - it's Abstract Freak, on their site. Cheers! Love your vids!

[@willhelliwell]

Really want the microfreak. I don't get down to my garden studio much at the moment now I'm a dad. Being able to tinker on a hardware synth would be good fun

[@soundkontrol]

I loved the Microfreak so much I was considering buying a second one (because of the ability to combine two of them during live play). Needless to say, when I saw the Minifreak it was an insta-buy for me!

[@Matthew_Eitzman]

I like the hands-on controls. It gives the user more of a creative sense as opposed to accepting factory presets. It would probably help me understand the myriad of parameter controls on my older Nord.

[@NicholasBryantBonzaiSequoias]

Very pleased with my MicroFreak (and MS-70 CDR), looking forward (once funds allow!) to the MiniFreak joining it.. though in hope of a MiniFreak module. I have plenty of controller keyboards and don't really enjoy minikeys.

[@angeloferiante1]

I really love my white limited edition microfreak from someone off ebay new (open box) and it works perfectly!! Had it almost two years now and it's a blast to jam on and create new sounds either DAWless or with a DAW and effects like Garage Band has or others like Ableton. I've made lot's of music on this little machine and often I'll just turn it on and plug my speakers into the headphone jack and record a little live session and incorporate my steel drum, singing, bells, guitar (electric and acoustic). When I feel I've outgrown it, there's always something more to explore and learn, like the mod matrix, or how to connect to other gear. I don't have any peddles, but I highly recommend the free sounds you can try out in Garage Band if you have an ipad or mac. I use my mac mini, but I suppose I could connect it to my ipad too. There's something still to try!! haha I also love to add a beat or some other layer of sound over the microfreak live, but it's also amazing all on it's own.

[@yougatime3809]

You inspired me. I will check it up in the future, for sure.

[@schautamatic]

I’ve had a MicroFreak for a month now (bought second-hand from a Music Go Round store in Duluth Mn-don’t go to such a store if you don’t have time to get sucked in 😄) and yeah, the features it packs is pretty “dope”! I knew right away, though, that I would NEED effects, so I also have a Mooer PE100 multi-effects pedal, which is good. For a STARTER pedal. But the flexibility of a Zoom MS70CDR-especially how you can chain up to six different effects in ANY ORDER YOU CHOOSE-was such a compelling draw for me…got one being delivered…can’t wait till it gets here! Overall, I’m NOT DISAPPOINTED with the MicroFreak. And Arturia does have one of the BEST customer service teams I ever experienced (shout out to “Garcia”, who within 24 hours got that used uFreak transitioned/registered in my name)! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@infn8loopmusic]

The microfreak really does cover so much ground! I used Sugru to put soft edges on the keys and I love it! It worked perfectly. I especially like the capacitive touch but didn't like the sharpness of the keys.

[@rexcellencemagee6729]

Although I haven’t spent much time with it yet, I do have a micro freak. When I got it the plan was to get some unique oscillating going, however soon after I got it, I got a minlouge XD and the NTS1 and have been going ballistic with the user made for very inexpensive oscillating and fx. It’s pretty late at night when I’m writing this, but I think I may play with it tomorrow because of this and a couple of videos I watched tonight which is why I got it!

[@laurentius1855]

6:08, beautiful and warm sound bro

[@SpeccyMan]

The lack of effects is what is, in fact, drawing me to the Microfreak. It is top of my "to purchase next" list. The plan is to have one by the end of the year. I like the way Arturia do things. Been having an absolute blast with their efx fragments plugin. It is a crazy beast. Can't wait to find out what a Microfreak sounds like when put through fragments.

[@andrewjackson7970]

why is the lack of effects a good thing?

[@VenusTheory]

That reminds me - I should try running the Microfreak through Fragments haha.

[@BeatsWithPreet]

The Microfreak keybed leaves a lot to be desired. You’ll be better off getting the minifreak instead.

[@compucorder64]

@@VenusTheory Microfreak into Output Portal into Liquidsonics 7th Heaven is ... Kosmische. Arturia SQ-80 works well through that too.

[@SpeccyMan]

@@andrewjackson7970 I have a studio PC stuffed full of effects plugins. I don't need a synth to include them.

[@Whenuknow]

This is currently my favorite music production channel by a mile! My first analog synth was a microbrute and then a microfreak but I ended up selling my microfreak because I just couldn’t get into it. Definitely want to try the mini freak tho

[@VenusTheory]

Ayyy thanks so much!

[@imomnom]

my first synth was the Microbrute as well but I sold it off so I could level up to a Novation Bass Station. I bought a Microfreak when they came out but it had 2 dead keys so I returned it to Arturia and got my money back. Sad thinking about what I missed out on but maybe I will look into a Minifreak instead

[@cleopatra308]

Now I know what my next instrument purchase will be. Thanks

[@emikarecords]

Cool vibes, thanks

[@starsky101]

Microfreak is definitely a keeper in my collection especially when routed through my Bigsky. Great for ambient work. That scorpion’s gotta go tho’ !!!

[@scottfaircloff9530]

thanks for this! you're a gift to Tennessee

[@micferrantemusic6613]

@5:34 the way you said “DAW” had me cracklin Man U should do standup comedy 👹

[@harryhalfmoon]

That scorpion popping up here and there is freaking me out.

[@mkiswatoo]

50mm Pentax Asahi lens: love.

[@Powhart]

I wonder how many subscribers You got simply because of Your voice. It's setting the mood so well :D

[@AbirTarafdar]

Mate, this is a very pleasant video to consume. Top marks!

[@thomashoffend4299]

The Minifreak will probably the first synth with mini keys that I purchase. I wish Arturia would not have gone in that direction, but I understand why they did. The engine is just too good. I don’t count my Microfreak because in my opinion the touch keyboard, while not a new idea, was something inventive for that type of product and works well for what it is. I would pay extra for a version of the Minifreak with full-sized keys (velocity sensitive with aftertouch).

[@luminousbrilliance1711]

I play keyboards Left and right handed-Constrained by space-I adore my Minifreak on my left hand-It's so thick. But Right hand, being unleashed? I am jealous.🤣

[@pauwels_francois_djset]

love the microfreak damn soon i ll get one ... this synh is really great price is so good !=) i ll start live and this is my first item to get ! nice video mate !

[@MikeRenouf]

+1 for the Zoom MSCDR. I use it in my current setup. Excellent bang-for-your-buck. The prices of them keep going up now though.

[@Psionetics]

Have you had any noise issues with yours?

[@MikeRenouf]

@@Psionetics it's a bit noisey, but there are ways to manage that. I found that putting a Line Select device first in the effects chain, and playing with that gave some control over the problem.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

They really get more expensive? Fortunately i got mine around Christmas 2 years ago when there was a nice sale. I got it for ca 70 bucks. I suppose inflation is taking a toll here too....

[@MikeRenouf]

@@KRAFTWERK2K6 mine was about £75 UK when I got it four or five years ago. They are selling for £90-£100 now. Its always worth looking out for good second-hand gear though.

[@ludivladimir8989]

The way you presented it made me cry a bit

[@chuecoxx]

"It's not so much about the money..." Yeah, say that to my bank account. Nice video!

[@glenesis]

I love my microfreak too :) Big coffee-cheers bro!

[@zairadile]

I feel like I'd love to own one of these some day. If I'm reading Arturia's own sales pages correctly, the Microfreak also has poly aftertouch too, which could be fun if rigged up to control some software instruments. The real big question is what the keys of the Microfreak *feel* like.

[@AlexIsASeraphim]

Thanx Venus Theory for that feature. Down under, the monoologue is about the same price point. The paraphonic capabilities of the microfreak are of interest so that might be the deal breaker for me even though the full sized keys of the korg are a temptation. B.

[@danpreston564]

I’ve been buying synths since 1992 and I love my Microfreak. It definitely pushes me in certain directions. I’m not a fan of all of the sound engines and tend to coalesce around short, plucky sounds that work well with the arp and slice and dice, but I like what I get out of it in those areas. Do I like it for pads? Not really, but I’ve got a Peak. Do I like it for bass? Not especially, but I’ve got a Sub37 and a BS2. It fills a niche in my sound creating possibilities and I make music with it that I simply don’t with any of my other synths. The arp and sequencer are so much fun, (coming from the Keystep makers, why wouldn’t they be?) and the whole package is so nice to mess with.