Arturia has announced availability of the MicroFreak, an experimental hybrid synthesizer featuring an advanced digital multi-mode oscillator.

A synthesizer like no other, MicroFreak is a peculiar, exceptional instrument that rewards the curious musician. It blends wavetable and digital oscillators with analog filters. It features a unique poly-aftertouch flat keyboard. It adds controlled randomness to sequences. This isn’t a revolution, it’s a mutiny.

Whether you’re looking for your first, affordable hardware synth or are a collector looking for original sounds and unique interface, MicroFreak is the synth you need.

The MicroFreak is a hybrid with digital oscillator, LFO and EGs as well as analogue filter and VCA. The Oscillator features 12 different types from VA to Karplus-Strong and Vowel and Speech Synthesis, with the last seven types coming from Mutable Instruments Plaits. The 12dB Multi-Mode VCF is modeled after the Oberheim SEM and fits very well with the different spectrums of the oscillator.

The LFO can be synchronized, as well as the Cycling Envelope in loop mode. There is a small but powerful modulation matrix, with 3 targets freely assignable. This works very simple with almost every parameter, including the matrix itself. So synonymous quite complex SFX sounds are possible, which one had not credited this little synth. There is also an arpeggiator and a sequencer with some clever tricks. The touch keyboard is already in need of some getting used to, and I have always missed a mod wheel. The MicroFreak also ignores CC 1 values via MIDI. Velocity and pressure are only available as an alternative, but they do not work together. Besides, the pitch bend strip is on the wrong side for me. I’ll probably play it mostly via MIDI.
In addition to the power supply, which is thankfully not a wall wart, the package also includes two adapter cables for the MIDI sockets. It would have been enough space for 5-pin DIN sockets on the back.

MicroFreak features

  • Synthesizer with 256 preset slots and 160 factory presets.
  • 12 Digital oscillators with variable modes, with integrated open source Plaits engine created by Mutable Instruments.
  • Analog State Variable Filter, 12dB/octave, resonant, Low Pass, Band Pass, High Pass.
  • ADSR envelope.
  • Cycling Envelope offering two modes: Envelope and LFO.
  • LFO with Sync: Sine, Tri, Saw, Square, Random, Slew Random.
  • Modulation matrix with 5 sources and 7 destinations (3 custom destinations).
  • Monophonic or Paraphonic modes – Up to 4 voices.
  • 25-key capacitive keybed with polyphonic aftertouch.
  • Capacitive touch strip.
  • Crisp OLED display for editing and parameter values.
  • Powerful arpeggiator: Up, Order, Random, Pattern modes. Spice & Dice Gate randomizers.
  • 64-step sequencer: 2 patterns per preset, 4 automation tracks per preset.
  • CV / Gate / Mod outputs.
  • USB, Clock and MIDI in and out.
  • 6.35mm master and 3.5mm headphone output.

MicroFreak is available for $349 USD / 299 EUR.

More information: Arturia