Arturia MicroFreak
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- We are an independent review website and do not sell products. Purchases are made with the retailer you choose.
The MicroFreak is a small synth with a big personality. It mixes many types of digital oscillators — including modes developed with Mutable Instruments — with an analog filter, and plays them from an unusual flat, capacitive keyboard that responds to pressure.
Key specs
| Keyboard | 25-key capacitive touch plate with pressure sensitivity |
| Oscillator | Digital, with many algorithms (wavetable, harmonic, Karplus-Strong, sample-based and more, depending on firmware) |
| Filter | Analog state-variable (LP/BP/HP) |
| Polyphony | Paraphonic, up to 4 voices |
| Modulation | 5×7 modulation matrix |
| Extras | Arpeggiator, sequencer, USB, MIDI, CV/Gate outputs |
Why it's fun
Each oscillator mode sounds very different, so the MicroFreak covers ambient textures, plucked strings, glitchy percussion and aggressive leads. The modulation matrix is simple enough to understand but deep enough to create evolving sounds.
The keyboard
The flat keyboard isn't for piano playing, but its pressure sensitivity is expressive and the whole unit is very compact. Many owners pair it with a regular MIDI keyboard when they need conventional keys.
Verdict
Ideal for sound designers and electronic musicians who enjoy experimenting on a budget. For warmer, classic analog polyphony, look at the Korg minilogue xd.
