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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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...

[@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.

[@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!

[@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 😊

[@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!

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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 ❤

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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 …

[@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..."

[@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 :)

[@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.

[@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

[@jatari18]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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?

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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. 🤟😎

[@jakobhalskov]

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

[@wg4723]

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!

[@lokelosk]

I recorded an ambient/chill album using only the Microfreak and free reverbs, and it's one of my most successful things released (that is, for a hobbyist musician with limited reach that don't do much self-promotion). It's really versatile and fun to use. The Minifreak really got my attention and jumped to first in my list of "synths to buy whenever I get the money".

[@wackerburg]

I just checked out your works, very nice tracks! Subbed you 🙂

[@lokelosk]

@@wackerburg Thanks a lot!

[@doBobro]

Just checked your EP. Cool tracks! Lazy Morning has deep atmosphere. And Friday Night is a delicate balance between joy, tiredness and hope.

[@lokelosk]

@@doBobro Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@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.

[@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.🤣

[@mattheweitzman1965]

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.

[@jacekszydlowski2138]

Hi Cameron! Great vid as always. Im synt begginer, for now proud owner of syntakt (and a polyend tracker which I'll sell as it turend out I hate working with samples), and I'm thinking about MiniFreak or HydraSynth Explorer, which would match Syntakt better?

[@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.

[@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!

[@NullFX]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@experiment8189]

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

[@WhiteWulfe]

I've been looking at getting back into audio again, and this one keeps remaining on my short list of things I'd like to try (and more than likely pick up). I love how it comes across as something that dares you to play around and have fun. As for micro vs mini, I'm still torn. I actually like the idea of the PCB keybed in the micro, but the Mini having keys apparently from the keystep gives me pause since I grew up around the piano and love that nice firm feel to my keys (Yes, I'm one of those who actually liked the Akai MAX49's keybed, although a Fatar semi-weighted is always nicer in my eyes). Guess I'll have to try one in a store to decide on it. *looks up pricing* Oof, the Mini is $850 CAD vs $480 CAD, that'll take a bit of thinking.

[@jayonbaby]

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

[@imraan6405]

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

[@mike.fan4]

What I want to know is if they're good for performing or just recording? If I want to switch patches during a performance is there a seamless way of achieving that? Also does it have MIDI input functionality from and to DAWs

[@fawltytenor]

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

[@pommedapi3847]

which one is more fun to play with? as a keyboard player I would tend to the minifreak for controls and direct fun but the mikro looks so light and portable and I imagine you could hook up a keyboard in case, isn´t it?

[@trblmkr5139]

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

[@NIRVANABLEACH2]

Hi, what's your opinion about the Behringer 2600 synthesizer? I'm in doubt about getting the 2600 or the one in the video. Hope you read this :)

[@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)! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@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.

[@aaronfrable6460]

I bought the Microfreak 8 months ago as my first ever synthesizer. I never found myself at home with it. I have an idea in my head of the sounds I want to create, but the sounds I was able to make with custom patches, and by using the presets always sounded too strange and outlandish for me. A couple of months ago I bought the Korg Minilogue as I had watched several videos for it and it seemed like I would enjoy it more. Turns out, I was right. I felt the controls and sounds to be far more "traditional" on the Minilogue. That being said, I find I like the Microfreak more now, as I have been using it to do harmonies along side the melodies I make on the Minilogue. Looking at the Minifreak, I think I would enjoy that far more than the Microfreak, as it has much more in common with the Minilogue than the Microfreak does. I plan to upgrade at some point.

[@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! :)

[@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.

[@compucorder64]

As another long-time Novation Peak owner, would you tend to recommend the Minifreak over the Hydrasynth for covering different bases? I have a Microfreak now, and do love it a lot. But I also equally hate it, and was planning to let it go anyway. Because the capacitive keyboard has always been unreliable / glitchy in my setup, and the build quality feels a bit light. And for the more ambient music I do, the four voice paraphony I've always felt too limiting. Also, the lack of effects. But, I always liked Microfreaks character. Never played a Hydrasynth, but listening to clips, I sometimes feel myself reaching to turn down the volume, though other patches sound incredible.

[@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!

[@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.

[@MrQuality]

I have a question. I imagine you will need external speakers plugged in to actually hear the sound, but do you need an external clock or is one built in to either?

[@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.

[@DaveDaves]

I haven't owned one (yet), but I've got the software plugin and used one for 20 glorious mins at a synth festival and I agree with you - you're not going to outgrow this, its that deep (and likely will get deeper over time as more expansions are available). Totally agree with you on how much more versitale this is than a pure analog subtractive synth like the Micro/minibrute. I'm a total analog lover but Arturia made the right choice of choosing the analog part that matters in synthesis - the resonant filter! Everything else? Digital does as well or better. So on this little guy you've got the analog filter, you've got a digital oscilator with all these different synthesis types, a UI that makes it easy to access them, its got a built-in sequencer that's just as intuitive, and its got the polyparaphonic 4-note mode. Even the keyboard is smart - being small and budget, they couldn't put a full keyboard on so what do they do? They manage to give us polyphonic pressure (after-touch) by making the keys 2D! As a piano player I hate most small keyboards and the lack of velocity is not acceptable to me - except we've got the polyphonic pressure here! My expensive flagship Roland JD-XA doesn't even have it. And great point that ANYONE should have a great time with it, that's what's special. It CAN be used by beginners, and it can be used by any professional musician who doesn't have a problem trying something a bit different. To me the minifreak seems overpriced.

[@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

[@dusansynth]

The new Minifreak sounds very good, there is definitely some unique sound character which I like. But I wonder about lack of modulation possibilities. If I understand it correctly, there is one envelope for amp and another one for other modulation purposes ? So If I use envelope for CUTOFF modulation, there is no other envelope for independent modulation of some other parameter ? And what about a VST version of this synth, does it sound similar ? Is it possible to use it also as DAW VST controller for MiniFreak hardware ?

[@dustyaudio]

The Microfreak is very good, hoping for a v5 update with some tiny additions but the v4 firmware holds up!

[@seanloughney4000]

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 🙈

[@maximevervisch3439]

Hi, thanks for the great video! would this be a good investment to learn sound design? I'm thinking to buy a synth to learn sound manually.

[@carlosaguilera9933]

Thank you very much for your sharing, you don"t know how much I've learned by watching your videos. One thing I noticed on my set is that once I connect the MF to the Zoom, the sound gets with less definition and volume. Like if it needed an amplifier and a EQ. is this normal? If I plug just the headphones to the MF the sound is Pristine and great but once is connected to the zoom gets Dull.

[@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 !!!

[@CrackHead001]

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

[@Mooglythesensei]

Yo what daw is better for simple synth stuff. My name is Christian moog and my family created the moog synthesizer. I want to make sum music with my microfreak but before I spend on a daw, I wanna ask wichine would you say has a better workflow

[@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!

[@drownthepoor]

I had the pleasure of trying one of these on display at a Guitar Center. I absolutely loved it, but because it had the touch keys I thought nah I'll find something better. Plus they weren't even in stock because of the supply chain issues at the time. Now I'm constantly telling myself I'm going to order one, and I only hear more good things about them.

[@imaginarysheeps]

If you weren’t into the capacitive touch keys on the microfreak, check out the minifreak.37 minikeys. but they feel great to me. I wasn’t completely sold on the microfreak and ended up returning mine. But I’m in love with my minifreak. It’s so fun to use that insold my novation summit because I just loved using the minifreak that much more, and for 1/3 the cost (I bought and sold the summit used on reverb) I hope the minifreak team delivers some of the major fw updates the micro has gotten- they gave it a lot of added value for free (when i had it it was on the earliest firmware). Really love Arturia for their commitment to their products

[@anamorphica6863]

What the heck are you pairing the vintage Asahi optics with ?? love those lenses by the way... getting back on topic, thanks for your content, i do enjoy watching it when i can. I also enjoyed your piece on piano plugins you did some time ago. I quite liked the autumn felt piano, but am left wondering if perhaps you could recommend a piano that was, er.. deeper or darker / stronger perhaps ?

[@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!

[@Giammitsu]

06:15 Hi all, I have a question I want to buy the Microfreak and the multistomp, but I have a Scarlett 2i2 The signal process is, apparently: Microfreak - Stomp - 2i2 inputs, right? Or do I need more outputs from the audio interface? Sorry about the noob question, and thanks in advance! Have a great day

[@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.

[@ImageAfilms]

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

[@bistrobmusic]

Microfreak and Zoom CDR is my setup because it’s the best fit for a studio apartment.

[@VenusTheory]

Hell of a lot of power two between the two!

[@timothyharrison]

Just picked up a used micro. Loving the oscillator types and the matrix is pretty cool. But as usual, I’m tortured by the arp and sequencer. I want to love them. Especially modulation lanes. But I immediately feel like I want to just draw in modulations and introduce lag and swing by hand in a daw. Is it just universal accepted that these things are mostly just useful for the straighter acid / techno projects?

[@adrianflores5388]

So if you could only have one? Which one would it be? One thing I haven’t heard from any review is if you could do everything from the micro on the mini?

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

Yeah the Zoom MS-70CDR is my weapon of choice as well and there's not a lot of super small and that affordable (and THAT GOOD) multi effect pedals out there. Especially none that also run on 2 AA batteries. That little Pedal is very underestimated and one hell of a budget king when it comes to that. And yes, together with the Microfreak, you have an amazing combo that really makes the Microfreak sound bigger than it does by default. Also love to use this little box with my Korg Minilogue. The effect chains (that can even be saved) really makes that little Zoom Pedal quite mighty.

[@ZeicoMusic]

Do you use OBS? Anyone here knows why when recording a DAW in OBS, some of the plugins or right click menus don't record?

[@eddrupz1805]

Is there a reason to get a microfreak if you have some great VSTs already?

[@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’ !!!

[@dankeplace]

The Mini is amazing and worth every penny, it has been said WT are coming too. Micro is cool, just not able to fit in my setup atm. The Freaks are proving that being smaller does not mean you wont get a big bold sound. In this day and age, larger keybeds don't necessarily mean better due to size restrictions. I prefer as much on my desk as possible and both the Mirco and Mini are proving that this is possible. One can only imagine what you would get with 2 Minis and 2 Micros in a set, all for the cost of 1 more expensive synth. I love Arturia sense the market and understand not everyone needs more keys and that this helps keep cost down too, without compromising on sound and features. Very smart move by Arturia.

[@VenusTheory]

They're killing the hardware game lately. Polybrute is probably one of the best synths I've ever played outside my Novation Peak.

[@dankeplace]

@@VenusTheory PB is too expensive here, too big too. I think the Mini is a major step down but being able to do somewhat of what a PB does, and that's what people do not understand, the Mini is almost like a PB (modulation and flexibility) without costing an arm and a leg.

[@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

[@defectiveresistor]

I’m getting my microfreak tomorrow. Been playing around with soft synths but want the proper hands on experience. Just in time for a long 3 day weekend.