Tags: Paraphonic synthesisers

Notes: The lovable oddball of the Arturia range, this brilliant hybrid synth combines versatile wavetable and digital oscillators with analogue filters. Touch keyboard gives uniquely expressive control.

*** New firmware update (26th October 2021) *** Arturia are happy to announce another major new firmware update for MicroFreak, bringing massive new creative functionality for users free of charge.

Firmware V4.0 elevates this hybrid desktop synthesizer's status as a sound design powerhouse even further:
New WaveUser sound engine
Allows for user wavetables(!!)
64-new presets
Sequencer Unison & Chord Voices
Faster Oscillator Encoder Response
....and more!

This update, plus ALL the of previous updates (see Vocoder & Noise Engineering oscillators etc.) cement the MicroFreak as one of the most interesting, powerful and flexible synthesizers on the market, whilst maintaining excellent value for money.

Supplier's Notes:

A synthesizer like no other, MicroFreak is a peculiar, exceptional instrument that rewards the curious musician. It blends wavetable and digital oscillators with analogue filters. It features a unique poly-aftertouch flat keyboard. It adds controlled randomness to sequences. This isn't a revolution, it's a mutiny.

This out-there little music machine features a versatile digital oscillator so you can create rare and interesting sounds with ease. Modes like Texturer, KarplusStrong, Harmonic OSC, and Superwave give adventurous musicians the chance to explore totally new, unheard possibilities. Like having dozens of synths in just one instrument, both wild-eyed newcomers and seasoned professionals will fall in love with MicroFreak's flexible, powerful synth engine.

Physical modelling, wavetable synthesis, virtual analogue, there is nothing as complete and exciting as the MicroFreak oscillator on the market. It's hard to believe from such a small synth, but here it is, ready for you to explore. Excite your creativity and reward your curiosity with a large, diverse sound palette. MicroFreak features 11 awesome oscillators, 4 bespoke Arturia engines, and 7 modes from our friends at Mutable Instruments.

Inspired by the trailblazing 12-dB Oberheim SEM filter, you can make MicroFreak's filter scream or whisper to taste. The filter is state-variable, and can even auto-oscillate! You can use this is any way you like, from taking the edge of the razor-sharp wavetable sounds, or automating the cut-off by modulating it with keyboard pressure or the in-built sequencer.

Record up to four automations, edit notes per step or use the innovative Spice and Dice sequencer functions to find happy accidents. Add randomization to create evolving, original patterns, and virtually rewire and reconfigure its signal chain and controls with the 5x7 modulation matrix.

Notes: Solid experimentalism at an excellent price, the vocoder-equipped version of Arturia's hybrid MicroFreak offers 14 digital oscillator options, analogue filters and 16 vocoder modes, plus a uniquely expressive polyphonic touch keyboard.

Supplier's Notes:
The uniquely unpredictable MicroFreak but not as you know it. 14 digital oscillator modes, velvety analog filters and heaps of modulation/randomization controls, supercharged with wild vocoding abilities.

The Vocoder engine

Arturia have created an entirely new 16-band mode to transform your voice in the Freakiest way possible. The vocoder engine features 3 waveforms - sawtooth, pulse width and noise - while the Tim-bre and Shape knobs adjust the response of the 16 frequency bands.

MicroFreak Vocoder Edition goes beyond robot vocals. 16 new presets give you instant access to android translations, crystalline harmonies and vibrant formant sequences galore. Connect an ex-ternal sound source like a drum machine or synth via the headphone socket for glitchy sound pro-cessing.

Step up to the mic

A simple, removable mic attachment that lets you sprinkle your voice into the mix. A gooseneck design means quick position adjustment, with easy connection straight into the headphone socket alongside your cans. The utility menu lets you set your preferred mic gain and noise gate settings.

A new dress code

First impressions make a difference. MicroFreak has always been out to make a statement, and the Vocoder Edition is no exception. The control panel has been given a makeover. The center strip boasts a bold new Swan graphic, while a sleek white finish makes this limited edition Freak stand out from the crowd - as if it didn't already.

The Freak within

Behind the revamped appearance and microphone attachment is the same lovable maniac that set the synth world spinning. Sparkling digital and wavetable oscillators collide with warm analog filters. A unique poly-after-touch PCB keyboard combines with a distinctly freaky arpeggiator & sequencer. Bathe your mix in sonic hysterics with the erratic mod matrix or the unique Spice & Dice randomizers.

Included Software: MIDI Control Center