Arturia MicroFreak Hybrid Synthesizer

The from is a portable, fully-featured hybrid synthesiser that combines a wide variety of digital oscillator types with a versatile analogue filter. The digital oscillators cover everything from juicy Virtual Analog to crystalline Wavetables plus some unusual additions that you don’t tend to find, such as KarplusStrong (a physical modelling osc that can emulate plucked instruments) and the wacky Speech mode (akin to the Texas Instruments Speak & Spell).

When the was first released, you already had access to a plethora of sound sources with which to experiment with. Since then, have gone above and beyond by further expanding the sonic potential of the with free updates - first with the Noise oscillator (capable of producing all manner of percussive and effect sounds) and then a 16 Band Vocoder mode (which enables you to transform the MF’s headphone output into an input so you can vocode your voice, check out their dedicated gooseneck mic). Given ’s track record, the potential for future updates is a huge bonus of this synth.

Providing the warmth is a proper 12db analogue filter that was inspired by the legendary Oberheim SEM filter. This means you can switch between Low Pass, High Pass and Band Pass modes so you have even more options for realising the sound in your head. Plus, unlike the bona fide SEM filter, the ’s filter can self-oscillate!

Virtually every parameter on the ’s front panel can be modulated and it’s incredibly easy to assign destinations using the mod matrix, which gives you visual LED feedback as to what’s being modulated by what. You’re given nigh-on modular levels of control here, without having to spend thousands on modules and patch cables!

The PCB keyboard is deceptively playable, as it doesn’t require as much pressure to trigger a note as a regular keyboard which makes it great for quick soloing, and highly expressive thanks to its polyphonic aftertouch capabilities. For example, if you stick the in Paraphonic Mode (where four notes can be played simultaneously) and assign the pressure to pitch, you can bend individually bend notes in a chord for pedal-steel style effects.

Thanks to the ’s CV, MIDI and USB outs - you can use the PCB keyboard to control your Poly AT compatible hardware and software!

All of your unique creations can be stored with custom preset names for instant recall (256 slots) and with ’s MIDI Control Center you can back up and organise them using your computer.

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