Arturia Microfreak Hybrid Synthesizer Review

Aug 1, 2022 musiccorners

Arturia Microfreak Hybrid Synthesizer – Arturia is a French company that was formed in 1999, it is well known as a software and hardware company for musical instruments such as software synthesizers, drum machines, analog synthesizers, MIDI controllers, and sequencers. In 2019, they launched their new product, namely MicroFreak.

MicroFreak is a tool that focuses on combining analog and digital elements. such as combining digital oscillators with analog filters. The digital oscillator provides a wide variety of synthesizer models. This tool is known for the many unique sounds it produces and is sure to be hard to come by a plug-in at this point.

In addition to the many excellent analog synths and very easy to choose from, my interest in this tool is because of its use which does not leave an analog impression. I was reminded of something a lot when I saw how to use this tool, for example, I used to watch some musicians who use synthesizers a lot, one of which was Radiohead, who at that time was still using super analog tools, and what I wanted to feel was how they felt when they played. oscillator with a very large synthesizer engine media, up to moving cables from one input channel to another.

With my naked eye, when I see some musicians who play these instruments, I feel as if I see a scientist who is uniting with his personal world in a laboratory. I think they are cool because they are always looking for frequency concoctions so that they can produce strange, new, and unique sounds in their imagination.

Although I am not a person who is very familiar with the world of synthesizers, I am one of those people who are always interested in enjoying the sound output of any sound form in the synthesizer world.

By design, MicroFreak is pretty cool. With a size that is not large and seems light, plus the supporting factor of being able to use power from USB, another factor that invites my eyes is that this is a hybrid product that does not leave its analog element at all.

So if I had to choose what instrument I had to have to be able to play a synthesizer, of course, MicroFreak would be the tool I had to have to be able to play a synthesizer in an analog way.

Features of Arturia Microfreak Hybrid Synthesizer

Digital Oscillator up to 11 models
Monophonic/paraphonic synthesizer
State variable analogue filter
Arpeggiator and sequencer onboard
Touch of Madness
ADSR cycling
MIDI/USB

MicroFreak makes a ‘touch of madness’ by creating a capacitive keyboard instead of regular moving keys. This is something that can be said to be strange, although it is not uncommon to find a tool with a modular principle.

The keyboard keys are directly placed on the PCB panel with an open mode matrix that will feel direct contact with the skin of the finger. The white button is made shallower and the black button is made a little higher with very high sensitivity too. The dynamics of the sound produced will depend on how much force is expended when pressing the keys. Another fun thing is that when we slide our fingers up and down on the keys, it will help change the sound of the pitch or arpeggios we are playing, it all depends on what sequencer mode is being used.

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With very good sensitivity, a lot of people feel the sensation when using this tool they don’t need to spend a lot of time adapting it, in fact, the condition is reversed because they actually need a longer time than often getting accidental notations. The accidental nature of finding work is an expensive idea for an artist.

Get Your Freak On

The world of synthesizers is growing and evolving vigorously every year. And not a few people are still loyal to the use of synths with large instruments, but for today, of course, all kinds of musical instruments that are compact in nature must be a consideration to have, even though they are only an alternative for certain people.

Arturia Microfreak Hybrid Synthesizer is not required for experienced players, even new players are not bothered by this tool, this is an interesting option that will certainly help skill development and work for anyone who plays it.

We can have several reasons to be “crazy” this MicroFreak. Yes, it is small but offers unique sounds when played, micro in size but big on features.