The Arturia Microfreak is one of those rare instances where a product is truly worthy of all the hype. After trying a friend’s one and seeing its absurd amount of features, overall value and low price, I just had to have one. It can literally do more and better than a lot of much more expensive synths. It’s really that good.
If you’re looking for an entry level synth, you’ll find this is an entry level price for a much more advanced piece of gear you can actually grow with. Throughout its life, Arturia has continued to upgrade the software and just make it even better. The level of control included is simply superb. Don’t be fooled by its tiny size and weird looking little keyboard, as this is a proper, unique synth instrument. I love the look of it, especially the Thomann version with its overall dark design and blue knobs.
At entry level, you can start playing around with the hundreds of presets included that provide an incredible range of pre-programmed sounds, and you can play and adjust to your heart’s content, use the included sequencer, adjust the filter, etc. Once you feel comfortable with those, you can grow into creating your own sounds. The digital oscillator provides a surprising amount of options and the Microfreak even includes an analog filter. Wow. It’s a shame I can’t use the filter with other instruments plugged into this one, but who cares. This little synth is just too good and so much fun. If you learn to use its features, it’ll certainly reward you. :)
Of course, one of the highlights that really takes this little synth to the next level is the addition of the mod matrix which allows a level of control that is way beyond this synth’s price range. You have a sequencer, an arpeggiator, the analog filter, so many features in this little, well built package that it’s just simply unbelievable. I can even carry it around and create music and sounds using a portable battery brick. So cool.
The keyboard is a bit small and weird, but it’s touch and pressure sensitive allowing for additional playing effects, and of course, if you have the microphone, which plugs into the headphone jack and has a pass through for your headphones, the vocoder is such ridiculous fun. You can add that 70s style vocal synth sounds to your heart’s content. Again, so much fun.
Thomann version: Exactly the same as the normal Microfreak, but with a different color scheme and an even better value, especially in its bundle form with the microphone for the vocoder. It's a beautiful color scheme imho.
To sum up: You can’t go wrong with this powerhouse little synth, whether it’s your first real, physical synth, or you are a seasoned synth user. It’s small, portable, comfortable, powerful, and so full featured at this price range, that it’s a must-have no brainer. Tired of playing only with software VSTs and are looking for an economical synth to start with? Start here. At this price, you will certainly not be disappointed.
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