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    • Akai Pro have released a Minimoog clone (called Mini D) for the MPC’s and the Force. Sounds really good and is 4-voice polyphonic. It’s a paid add-on though at $79 intro price.

      They also updated the Force with some new effects, a tuner, probability and ratcheting. I don’t own my Force anymore but with all these updates and new instruments they keep rolling out I’m quite tempted to buy one again.

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      • I sold my Akai Force on too. Great machine, but ergonomically I found it a pain to use (literally!). If they made a new version with a tilting screen I’d be tempted to buy one again.

    • Here’s a video comparing the Roland T-8 with the OG machines – TR-909, TR-808, TR-606 & TR-606. I think it sounds really impressive for such a small box.

      I don’t have a 303 to compare against, but I compared the T-8 with the TB-03 and it surprised me how different they sounded so Roland have definitely tweaked the ACB model.

    • 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…Read More

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      • 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?

        • 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.

      • 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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        • The microfreak never really appealed to me much. Why would you recommend buying this over the Hydrasynth Explorer?

          • 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…Read More

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            • 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.

              • 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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