Arturia MicroFreak

Fun

Good soundmachine. The keys took me some time to get used to. The firmware updates have kept the synth fresh sounding.

Arturia microfreak

I’ve been using it not then year and super satisfied, I had only one issue that phase was hit the keys while I used it with the chain with analogue gear

Great synth for a beginner

Bought this synth as a complete beginner. It is very easy to get started with it right away, and regardless how much I play with it, it always feels that I'm just barely scratching the surface of its capabilities. With the latest (5.0) firmware upgrade it really has all the bells and whistles (except effects) you would need. My only complaint is that, save for a pair of 3.5mm jack/midi adapters and the power supply, there is no cable in the package.

awesome!

great first synth and a great one for experimentation and getting into the synth world! can’t get enough of it!

Just buy it

Sounds amazing, so easy to tweak/program. The 'keyboard' is so responsible. Very broad pallette even before all the updates. Now it's added those filthy noise engineering oscillators, the vocoder, the sample engine etcm There's very little it can't do, all with a freaky flavour. People love these for a reason. (Ps my headphone jack gave a little trouble but Arturia fixed it quick and painlessly)

My first real synth, and it's amazing.

Previous user of VSTs, this is the first synth I've owned. Sure, the keybed is divisive and it will take a bit of getting used to, especially as I sometimes accidentally touch notes I don't mean to, but it also expands the sonic possibilities of the unit. I've only scratched the surface of what it can do and I love it already. The sounds range from simple to complex to completely insane. Plus Arturia add features through firmware updates, the latest adding sampling capabilities.

Not perfect but I love it.

I've bought it when it came out, then sold it, and missed it so much I bought it again 2 years later. Sound design: dream. You can get so many sounds from this little guy it's crazy. However, take into account these things:

- Output is LOW. You'll need to crank it up a lot with a compressor, gain, etc. Headphones output is fine. The issue is with the line out.

- No reverb/delay! But especially reverb. Add it on the output via a pedal, another synth, computer, etc. It's a totally different beast, sounds are instantly useful when processed. Otherwise it will sound pretty sterile.

- Some people (like myself) have issues with the PCB keyboard, it's like the skin is not totally conductive, so when you touch it instead of sending one signal it sends hundreds of micro signals and you get completely weird random sounds to the point it's impossible to play any note. I've searched a LOT on the web trying to find a solution other that using an external keyboard, and the only thing that worked for me was to wrap the keyboard with a thick nylon. That mitigated the issue about 90%. Keep it in mind if this happens to you.

So one less star on each category for me: features (keyb issue), sound (sterile if not post processed) and quality (extremely low output)

Great small synth

Lovely sounds, great depth of control, quick and easy to hook up over USB MIDI to work in Reaper, plays great alongside the Drumbrute Impact. The shell of the synth feels a little thin bit controls, keys, ins and outs all very sturdy. Using it for bass & pads in separate sections, sounds great for both. Spoiled with amazing presets and huge range of options to customise each sound or make your own from scratch. Built in sequencer takes a little getting used to but works well. Recommended keeping the manual handy while getting used to it. Only issue - no MIDI thru, nor does the in or out work as one. Would prefer normal MIDI connections and a thru, don't like the proprietary 3.5mm adapters for it, but if you're using USB MIDI for it then it makes no odds, it is completely functional that way instead.

The little synth that keeps on giving...

The little synth that keeps on giving.... full of character and with loads of charm. Modulation possibilities for days! I really commend Arturia in the firmware updates and keeping a synth going in this way. So many things are dispossable nowadays and we really cant afford to be so wasteful by buying new minor updated gizmos here and there. And just these little commitments to honouring and improving a small budget synth like this really go a long way. Hats off!

This is the synth I recommend to anyone who asks for "first synth recommendations" as it will keep you entertained for a long time!

Most enjoyable purchase

I have purchased half a dozen serious synthesisers but never have i had so much fun with the Microfreak. Most fun piece of gear i ever owned. Well done Arturia for hitting so on point.