Arturia MicroFreak Hybrid Synthesizer

Devised for experimentation, the Arturia MicroFreak hybrid synth transcends conventional barriers with its compact form factor, wavetable synthesis and digital oscillators with analog filters. Unapologetically nonconformist, the 25-key MicroFreak brandishes a one-of-a-kind poly-aftertouch flat keyboardwhich isnt even technically a keyboard; its a PCB (printed circuit board). And thats just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to its creativity-fueling quirks. MicroFreak is loaded with exotic tone-shaping controls, offers off-the-wall settings that add a calculated element of randomness to your patterns, and even lets you customize your signal chain in a way that nothing else in its class can compare tono cumbersome patch bay needed. Find your sound and let your freak flag fly with MicroFreak.

Radicalize Your Creativity

Dont let its cutesy, compact size fool you. If youre looking to kickstart your creativity, Arturia MicroFreak is the ultimate X factoradding it to your artistic arsenal is like having dozens of synths at the ready. MicroFreaks formidable synth engine boasts modes such as Harmonic OSC and KarplusStrong, and along with three granular engines, its primed to launch your creative output into uncharted territory. Physical modeling, virtual analog and sample playback may be the proverbial icing on the cakebut there are other bells and whistles that keep things interesting. Whether youre an eager beginner or a seasoned synth master, MicroFreak will have you discovering something new every time you play.

Ride the Wavetable

By now, it should come as no surprise that MicroFreak is wonderfully weird. And its PCB key surface, featuring no moving parts, is a testament to its beautiful peculiarity. The perks? Its pressure-sensitive and offers poly-aftertouch, which means the extent of your touch will affect how its parameters are manipulated. Also, you can play faster than you could with a conventional keyboard. Pair this with the MicroFreaks selection of oscillator modes, like Wavetable, as well as a vocoder and additional engines from Mutable Instruments and Noise Engineering, and youve got an embarrassment of riches when it comes to sounds at your disposal.

Roll the DiceAdd Some Spice

Consistently deliver a fresh melodic and rhythmic feast with MicroFreaks spread of automation and sequencing functions, and experiment to taste. Just above the PCB, MicroFreak dishes out an array of options that let you edit notes per step, record up to four automations and rearrange your sequences with the Spice and Dice functions. A capacitive touch strip kicks your kinesthetic creativity up a notch, giving you exceptional control of modulation. A 5×7 modulation matrix at the upper-left-hand corner lets your reorder your signal chain and controls to your liking. With MicroFreaks host of settings and easy-to-use virtual patchbay, you can prepare your sonic stew, and then deconstruct it and serve it up an entirely different way.

Revolutionize Your Setup

Considering its tiny footprint, MicroFreak seriously outdoes itself. With 512 preset slots, 320 factory presets, 21 oscillator modes, ADSR Envelope and Cycling Envelope, it brings an outsized plethora of possibilities to the table. Its powerful arpeggiator and 64-step sequencer add even more production and performance prowess, and its OLED display shows immediate, clear visual feedback to every parameter adjustment. Whats more, its I/O panel includes USB, clock and MIDI in and out, as well as CV, Gate and Pressure outputs. And 1/4″ and 1/8″ outs ensure youre heard wherever you need to be. You could even connect it to an external MIDI controller with more keys for an even-more-extended range of artistic freedom.

Designed in France by engineers with a penchant for the unconventional, the Arturia MicroFreak is an impressive little creative machine that punches well above its weight. Swing by your local Guitar Center and test drive one for yourself. Trying your hand at this cutting-edge synthesizer is sure to open up an alluring new world of musical potential.