Yes, it is real Arturia today announced the MiniFreak, the polyphonic brother/sister of the best-selling MicroFreak.

From soaring leads to ethereal soundscapes, the MINIFREAK provides all the tools you need to achieve complete sonic control. As well as exciting new modulation options, the MINIFREAK features classic-style modulation in the form of FM and ring modulation as well as Spice and Dice randomisation. Performance-ready with stereo sound MiniFreak is a 6-voice polyphonic hybrid keyboard that fuses two digital sound engines with analog filters, outside-the-box sequencing, and instant-access modulation in a playful, curious, and sometimes unpredictable way. In addition, performance is made simple with the 37-note velocity-sensitive keybed that comes with aftertouch for further expression. Not only that but creatives can make the most of the FM and ring modulation to take sounds to unseen heights. With over 20 modes to choose from including Virtual Analog, FM, and Additive, the interplay between MiniFreak's two oscillators can result in truly unique compound sonic behavior.Many synthesizers have come onto the market in recent years. Analog as well as digital. The trend in recent years has been toward hybrid designs, where the features of both worlds are merged into new types of instruments. The Arturia MicroFreak, a multi-engine paraphonic hybrid Synthesizer, has done this very successfully. Two digital sound engines per voice with 22 selectable oscillator modes: Superwave, Wavetable, Karplus Strong, Noise and many more everything they need to push their sound over the edge while keeping it mix-ready. Expression, meet chaos One thing ahead: at the time of writing this news article I don’t have a MinikFreak test unit. They are sent relatively late. Some YouTubers media got their units last week, some are getting them this week. Mine arrives tonight during the day. So I haven’t really gotten to know in real the new polysynth from Arturia yet. The Arturia MINIFREAK Polyphonic Hybrid Synthesizer bridges the gap between analog and digital, equipped with two powerful digital sound engines complete with analog filtering. From designing sounds to unique sequencing, the MINIFREAK gives you all the tools you need to create sounds and perform. Equipped with 6-voice polyphony and over 20 modes to choose from, the MINIFREAK allows you to explore the depths of polyphonic synthesis, spanning everything from virtual analog mode to FM and additive.

Anyway, I got another one recently and spent some time with it. The build quality is astonishingly poor, it's probably the worst piece of audio gear I ever had in terms of build quality. The worst part is the keyboard, all the keys have different pressure resistance, some keys feel "soft", and others feel "stiff". Based on what you are intending to play, this can be a big problem. At least all the keys are working this time, for now. Extensive modulation possibilities incl. FM, ring modulation and mutual influence of the sound engines Despite its penchant for wild & exploratory sound design, MiniFreak is also built as a responsive instrument of expression. Its velocity-sensitive 37-note keybed with aftertouch and spontaneous Seq / Arp functionality makes it a dream to perform with, while its randomization features and modulation lanes put playfulness and sonic momentum immediately at users' fingertips.MiniFreak VMiniFreak comes with a dedicated VST counterpart, letting users totally integrate its unique hybrid sound into their DAW productions and vice versa. Using identical sound engines and architecture, it offers a like-for-like virtual experience of the synth itself, at no extra cost.same little knobs, including filter controls, and touch-sensitive transport controls?? ouch. Again, compared to competing alternatives, not good.

In addition to the 6 analog filters, the MiniFreak also has an analog VCA per voice. And connected directly to this is a new 3-slot multi-effects section. One of the missing features of the MicroFreak. According to Arturia, the effects algorithms come from their flagship analog polysynth PolyBrute. Including chorus, phaser, flanger, reverb, delay, distortion, bit-crusher, 3-band EQ, peak EQ, and multi-comp. Credit subject to status and affordability. Terms & Conditions Apply. Guitar Guitar Limited is a credit broker and is AuthorisedThis keyboard is a necessity given the MiniFreak’s expanded voicing capabilities. The synth retains the monophonic and paraphonic modes of the MicroFreak, albeit with 12 rather than four paraphonic voices, but also adds a fully fledged six-voice polyphonic mode. New to the MiniFreak, you can also use the second oscillator to process the first, using digital filtering to get more mileage and variety than what the analog filter could provide on its own. There are five new modes on hand for processing either the sounds of the first oscillator, or for manipulating audio from the external input. Multi Filter offers analog modeled filters, Surgeon Filter contains digitally precise frequency control, Comb Filter goes out into experimental territories, Phaser Filter imparts formant-like characteristics, and Destroy, decimates anything passing through it.

Now that was a wild range of features. The MicroFreak is already a fascinating hardware Synthesizer that never gets boring, at least for me. The micro fun put on steroids and in full polyphony. This is how you can describe the MiniFreak. The feature set promises a lot of sound design fun for a very long time. I’m looking forward to the first sounds. An in-depth review will follow in the coming weeks. The MiniFreak is a small instrument whose unassuming exterior hides a behemoth of a synthesiser. It’s tough to believe the richness and character you can coax from such a compact, almost cute, instrument. Thanks to its cleverly conceived panel layout and performance controls that keep every parameter within reach, playing with the MiniFreak is never frustrating. Being able to connect this excellent control panel with virtual instances of the same hardware adds a deep layer of icing atop an already mouth-watering cake. C’est bon. Image: Simon Vinall for MusicTech Key Features They cover different synthesis types, including virtual analog, FM, additive, karplus-strong, and more. With the current firmware, you get the same algorithms as in the MicroFreak with even the same parameters: type, wave, timbre, and shape. Ok wait a little update: the wavetable and vocoder algorithms are missing. New additions are the tuning and the volume knob that sets the volume for each oscillator. Get in-depth with your sound design using the advanced modulation matrix that takes inspiration from previous ‘FREAK’ synthesizers. Building upon previous designs, the MINIFREAK provides unprecedented control over your sound, allowing you to add texture and colour to your synthesised sounds. Shape, sculpt and transform different tones to achieve any sound you can imagine. Equipped with polyphonic ADSR envelopes and customisable, multi-segment LFO shapes you can truly transform simple tones into anything you can think of.

Despite its penchant for wild & exploratory sound design, MiniFreak is also built as a responsive instrument of expression. Its velocity-sensitive 37-note keybed with aftertouch and spontaneous Seq/Arp functionality makes it a dream to perform with, while its randomization features and modulation lanes put playfulness and sonic momentum immediately at users’ fingertips. MiniFreak V Dass der Minifreak immer ein Netzteil benötigt und nicht mehr per Powerbank betrieben werden kann, ist des einzige (aber zu verschmerzende) Manko. Per voice: ADSR envelope, multi-segment envelope/ LFO, two LFOs and analogue multimode filter (low-pass, band-pass, high-pass) premium polyphonic synthesis exploration into a compact & tactile instrument that’s as addictive as