Here’s a roundup of review for the new Arturia MicroFreak – an unusual new synth that features a combination of a polyphonic digital synth engine and an analog filter path, plus a unique expressive touch keyboard.
In the latest Sonic Lab video, above, Nick Batt shares his thoughts on the new MicroFreak. Batt says that, “If your’e looking to expand your tonal palette a little bit, its definitely something well worth checking out”.
In the next video, via Telekom Electronic Beats, German synthesist Stimming shares his thoughts on the new Arturia MicroFreak synthesizer:
This loopop video takes an in-depth look at the features of the MicroFreak:
If you’ve used the Arturia MicroFreak, leave a comment and let us know what you think of it!
sounds awful to my ears. why would anyone want this kind of sounds when they can have a jd-xi which sounds a hundred times better? gosh, i don´t get it.
so MicroFreak….MicroKorg…yeah…I get it…it is cool though. I don’t use my MicroKorg anymore and the Minilogue has never really hit stride for me.
At least it’s actually small. The minibrute is has not earned the first half of its name in any way shape or form.
obviously you don’t get it.
Yeah, we don’t….
MicroKorg, MicroMoog, Mellotron micro, EH Microsynth, Nord micro modular, Waldorf micro Q…..this shares the word micro, but does not have anything to do with a MicroKorg. Very different beast for sure.
And Microfret…
GAS in the biggest way for this thing…
You mean the smallest way…
maybe not the least controversial thing to say on a synth site but i find “synthesist” somewhat derogatory for Stimming who’s a legit music producer. in my book “synthesist” is often someone with GAS who makes a “first try” YouTube video and then never touches his new toy again, because he’s already busy surfing the usual stores for the next one … Stimming on the other hand has worked with actual orchestras.
Uh, that is a pretty idiosyncratic definition of “synthesist.” A synthesist is a person who plays synthesizers like a violinist is a person who plays the violin.
To me there’s a difference between keyboardist and synthesist. For example (I may misremember) I think the Sextant notes say that Herbie Hancock played keyboards whereas Patrick Gleason played synthesizers. Neither were involved in youtube unboxings, that’s for sure.
difference between critics and actual musicians, right here on display in the southpole
who cares what name or “derogatory” term someone calls you? oh, someone who is more interested in their image rather than their actual musical ability, skill, knowledge, etc?
yeh, thought so
cry it out for stimming, tho… yeh man be a hero
“in my book “synthesist” is often someone with GAS who makes a “first try” YouTube video and then never touches his new toy again”
Are you on the right site? Because your concept of what a synthesist is extremely limited & negative.
A synthesist is someone who synthesizes – takes individual elements and shapes them and combines them into something new.
This is more than playing a keyboard, or playing a synthesizer, or even doing sound design.
It is all of those things, but even more. Synthesis is combining elements that you might think don’t go together and creating something new with them. Like Wendy Carlos combining electronic and orchestral sounds in a film score, or Emerson using a Moog modular in a rock band, or Herbie Hancock combining krautrock with jazz.
That’s a fair definition, but I’ll add this: a synthesist is also someone who understands the components and musical aims such that they can build almost any needed sound from the ground up. I know that there are very different kinds synths and approaches, but even if you contrast additive with analog, a large part of it is still about the building blocks. I love my blocks and so do you, which is why there’s a Synthtopia. IMO, the MicroFreak is a real win because it straddles standard and more weirdo applications. Its a quirky tool, but with synths, that kind of quirk shreds!
Bravo. Very well put.