Videos (19)

View Allarrow icon
Arturia MicroFreak Hybrid Synthesizer | NAMM 2019play button

Arturia MicroFreak Hybrid Synthesizer | NAMM 2019

Arturia announces MicroFreakplay button

Arturia announces MicroFreak

Tutorials | MicroFreak - Episode 1: Introductionplay button

Tutorials | MicroFreak - Episode 1: Introduction

Tutorials | MicroFreak - Episode 2: Modulationsplay button

Tutorials | MicroFreak - Episode 2: Modulations

Arturia

collapse expand iconDescription

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 keyboard—which isn’t even technically a keyboard; it’s a PCB (printed circuit board). And that’s 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 to—no cumbersome patch bay needed. Find your sound and let your freak flag fly with MicroFreak.

Arturia MicroFreak Hybrid Synthesizer

Radicalize Your Creativity

Don’t let its cutesy, compact size fool you. If you’re looking to kickstart your creativity, Arturia MicroFreak is the ultimate X factor—adding it to your artistic arsenal is like having dozens of synths at the ready. MicroFreak’s formidable synth engine boasts modes such as Harmonic OSC and KarplusStrong, and along with three granular engines, it’s primed to launch your creative output into uncharted territory. Physical modeling, virtual analog and sample playback may be the proverbial icing on the cake—but there are other bells and whistles that keep things interesting. Whether you’re an eager beginner or a seasoned synth master, MicroFreak will have you discovering something new every time you play.

Arturia MicroFreak PCB Keyboard

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? It’s 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 MicroFreak’s selection of oscillator modes, like Wavetable, as well as a vocoder and additional engines from Mutable Instruments and Noise Engineering, and you’ve got an embarrassment of riches when it comes to sounds at your disposal.

Arturia MicroFreak Envelope Controls

Roll the Dice—Add Some Spice

Consistently deliver a fresh melodic and rhythmic feast with MicroFreak’s 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 5x7 modulation matrix at the upper-left-hand corner lets your reorder your signal chain and controls to your liking. With MicroFreak’s 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.

Arturia MicroFreak Inputs and Outputs

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. What’s 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 you’re 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.

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Synthesizer with 384 preset slots and 320 factory presets
  • 16 digital oscillator modes, including engines from Mutable Instruments and Noise Engineering
  • Up to 4-voice unison mode with 12-semitone unison spread
  • Analog State Variable Filter, 12dB/octave, resonant, Low Pass, Band Pass, High Pass
  • ADSR envelope
  • Cycling Envelope offering two modes: Envelope, LFO
  • LFO with Sync: Sine, Tri, Saw, Square, Random, Slew Random
  • Modulation matrix with five sources and seven destinations (three custom destinations)
  • Monophonic or Paraphonic modes, up to four voices
  • Chord mode lets you program a chord shape and play it on any note
  • Scale Quantize lets you set a specific scale for the white notes to simplify the creative process
  • 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
  • Two patterns per preset
  • Four automation tracks per preset
  • CV/Gate/Mod outputs
  • USB, Clock and MIDI in and out
  • 6.35 mm master and 3.5 mm headphone output (TRRS input compatible for Vocoder engine)

collapse expand iconSpecs

  • Dimensions: 12.2" x 9.2" x 2.2" (311 x 233 x 55 mm)
  • Weight: 2.3 lb. (1.02 kg)

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.88

16 Reviews

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Electronic Music13
  2. MIDI11
  3. Learning5
  4. Concerts3
  5. Accompaniment2
Cons
  1. No Speakers5
  2. No built in power supply1
  3. Small l.e.d. screen, could be a bit larger1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced8
  2. Professional Musician6
  3. Novice2
Pros
  1. Portable13
  2. Easy to Use11
  3. Touch Sensitive Keys10
  4. Responsive / Good Action8
  5. Pre-programmed music6
  • This thing is SICK

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byMark

    fromReading, PA

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Great first synth for learning, and great instrument in the studio. Love it so much!

  • Yessss

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted3 years ago

    byJames

    fromDiamond Springs California

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    The micro freak is the most interesting synthesiser I've ever had and I've had a couple few .was concerned about the digital oscillators but it's actually a major asset and the filter is analog so you get some amazing sounds and versatility!

  • The price these sell at, they should be a household staple.

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted3 years ago

    byJames

    fromReno, NV

    I think this is hands down the most sonically powerful entry level synth. Its not bulletproof, so don't throw it in a backpack to get banged up. If you can baby it I see no reason its not gig-worthy. It sounds BIG before you add fx. It can save your sounds, unlike an analog synth. It does everything the mfg claim, and more. It can be beautiful, soft, and elegant. It can also be aggressive and hair-raising. Will you know how to use it day one? No, its too powerful to be instantly understood, but those layers of interaction that the synth can do become a huge canvas to draw on.

  • Awesome and cool synthesizer

    5

    submitted3 years ago

    byColin

    fromPortland. OR

    Awesome and fun! Loaded with fun sounds!!

  • new approach to a synth. makes weird noises.

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted4 years ago

    bynolan b

    fromcincinnati ohio

    weird to use the capacitance keys at first, but quickly you discover a fun new way to play. fun to randomly tweak

  • Great synth

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted5 years ago

    byNdnghost

    fromLA

    Great snyth under 500

  • Previous
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Next

collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • asked byCalb

    fromIrmo, SC

    What does the Microfreak come with out of the box?

    What does the Microfreak come with out of the box?

    Open Reply - Gear-Adviser
    The power supply is included.
  • asked byKeith

    fromdetroit

    why is this not in stores?  it was for months. i went there with money one day and it was gone from every guitar center in the area.  been waiting a few months for you to restock it. one of these days im just going to order from one of your competitors if expect me to order online.

    why is this not in stores? it was for months. i went there with money one day and it was gone from every guitar center in the area. been waiting a few months for you to restock it. one of these days im just going to order from one of your competitors if expect me to order online.

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    Please contact your local store for specific inquiries regarding their inventory
  • asked byStephen

    fromRichmond VA

    Is this user friendly with live performance?

    Is this user friendly with live performance?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    It's simple enough. Please give us a call to better help you out – 877-687-5403
  • asked byAndrew

    fromKansas

    Will it come with the latest firmware updates?

    Will it come with the latest firmware updates?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    It won't but once you plug it in it will update them.
  • asked byDJ-Dhella

    fromDecatur Georgia

    Can you use it on fl studio

    Can you use it on fl studio

    Open Reply - Ronald
    Yes you can.