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![Profile picture of synthdemic]()
synthdemic posted in the group Synth News & Events
Some big news from Arturia who have just released MiniFreak!
The SonicState review is up already…
Looking at the specs… it’s a polyphonic hybrid synth with six voices (including a 12-voice paraphonic mode), two stackable sound engines (offering 20 different synthesis modes), analog filters, 10 built-in stereo effects (with 3 slots) and a 37-note slim keyboard. So quite a bit of a step up from the MicroFreak. It also comes with a free companion like-for-like VST Instrument called MiniFreak V.
This looks really nice. I was always put off by the lack of real keys on the MicroFreak (although these are still only mini keys). Seems quite reasonably priced too at €599.
More info on the Arturia website…
https://www.arturia.com/products/hardware-synths/minifreak/overview9 Comments-
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![Profile picture of Char]()
This looks awesome 😍
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![Profile picture of RedFlag]()
I tried to place a preorder on their website but it says out of stock. Have they sold out already or is it not available yet?
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![Profile picture of Alex]()
I don’t think they’re available yet as none of the retailers appear to have listed them yet.
This is a similar price and size as the Hydrasynth Explorer, which seems to have a much deeper synth engine, but the Minifreak has those SEM analog filters (which do sound really nice). If i was in the market for one, I’m not sure which one I’d go for. Probably the Hydrasynth to be honest.
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![Profile picture of kpatzsc]()
I just came here to post the loopop review and see it’s already here. I’m seriously GASing for this one. I have the Microfreak, but this new one has effects and it sounds amazing. Plus 6 voices poly, 2 oscillators per voice, 3 octave keybed, and loaded to the gills. I might have to boot something out my setup to free up mixer inputs for this lil ‘freak.
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![Profile picture of eatsleepsynthrepeat]()
The microfreak never really appealed to me much. Why would you recommend buying this over the Hydrasynth Explorer?
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![Profile picture of kpatzsc]()
Both the Minifreak and HS Explorer are great synths in their own right, but they have a lot of differences as well. I can’t recommend one over the other, that’s a matter of opinion. (For the record, I have a Hydrasynth Deluxe and a Microfreak, neither can replace the other).
Both are sound designer dream synths: the Freaks with their many digital oscillator options, and the Hydrasynths with their many wavetable waveforms, mutants and filter options. Both have powerful mod matrices, decent to great effects (I think Arturia wins in the effects dept).
IMHO the biggest miss on the Minifreak is no poly aftertouch on the keyboard. They could have opted for the capacitive touch keys like on the Microfreak, or even licensed/purchased the Polytouch mini keybed from the Hydrasynth Explorer from ASM (they offer this option), but those options probably would added to the cost compared to using the Keystep 37 keybed.
Given the relative compactness and price point of both the Minifreak and the Hydrasynth Explorer, those with the means should get both. Assuming the Minifreak responds to poly AT over midi, the HSE could be used as a poly AT controller for the Minifreak, and you end up with the best of both worlds for not much more than the cost of a regular Hydrasynth keyboard.
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![Profile picture of eatsleepsynthrepeat]()
Thanks for the review. I’m leaning towards the Hydrasynth Explorer for the Poly AT. From what I gather the Minifreak doesn’t have this even over midi.
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![Profile picture of kpatzsc]()
Someone on Gearspace says the MnF does respond to poly AT over midi. He’s using the Microfreak to control it.
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The loopop review is also up, looks good! 😎