Shopping Cart

Your cart is empty.

Your cart is empty.

Arturia - MicroFreak Synthesizer Keyboard - 25-Key Hybrid Synth with PCB Keyboard, Wavetable & Digital Oscillators, Analog Filters

Free shipping on orders over $29.99

$336.53

$ 99 .00 $99.00

In Stock

About this item

  • EXPERIMENTAL HYBRID SYNTH: MicroFreak packs so much into such a compact instrument, you'll wonder how we did it. From physical modeling to wavetable synthesis, it features 17 awesome paraphonic oscillator modes, including 7 bespoke Arturia engines, 7 modes from Mutable Instruments, and 3 modes designed with Noise Engineering. Its digital engines are combined with a lush-sounding resonant analog filter for true hybrid sound design.
  • UNIQUE KEYBOARD: It isn’t really even a keyboard, it’s a super-flat PCB with no moving parts. The 25-key printed circuit board not only tracks the notes you play with lightning-speed, but can also detect pressure or aftertouch on each note individually.
  • INNOVATIVE FEATURES: Record up to four automations, edit notes per step, or use the innovative Spice and Dice sequencer functions to find happy accidents. Add randomization to create evolving, original patterns, and virtually rewire and reconfigure its signal chain and controls with the 5x7 modulation matrix, with user-assignable destinations for totally unique sounds.
  • MULTIPLE MODES: Easily switched and directly controlled with the 4 dedicated knobs in the Digital Oscillator section, MicroFreak has been constantly evolving. It now contains 17 oscillator types, covering a multitude of timbral flavors from sweet to savage: Vocoder, Noise, Superwave, Harmo, Karplus Str., Wavetable, BasicWaves, with many more.
  • AMAZING CONNECTIVITY: It features CV outputs, letting you send pitch, gate, and pressure signals to any outboard or modular synth that’s CV/Gate compatible. You can also hook it up to your DAW via USB, or use the included MIDI break-out cables.



4.7 out of 5 stars Best Sellers Rank
  • #7,433 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #9 in Synthesizer & Workstation Keyboards
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer No Date First Available February 2, 2019 Body Material Bass Wood Color Name Black Material Type Alloy Steel Color Screen No

Product Description

MicroFreak
MicroFreak

A synthesizer like no other.

MicroFreak is a peculiar, exceptional instrument that rewards the curious musician. It blends wavetable and digital oscillators with analog filters. It features a unique poly-aftertouch flat keyboard. It adds controlled randomness to sequences. This isn’t a revolution, it’s a mutiny.

MicroFreak packs so much into such a compact instrument, you'll wonder how we did it. We'd love to say it was magic, but it was pure skill & passion. Physical modelling, wavetable synthesis, virtual analog, there is nothing as complete and exciting as the MicroFreak oscillator on the market. It's hard to believe from such a small synth, but here it is, ready for you to explore. Stimulate your creativity and reward your curiosity with a large, diverse sound palette. MicroFreak features 17 awesome oscillator modes, including 7 bespoke Arturia engines, 7 modes from Mutable Instruments, and 3 oscillator modes designed with Noise Engineering.

A touch of madness. Whether you’re looking for your first, affordable hardware synth or are a collector looking for original sounds and unique interface, MicroFreak is the synth you need. This out-there little music machine features a versatile digital oscillator so you can create rare and interesting sounds with ease. Modes like Wavetable, KarplusStrong, Harmonic OSC, and Superwave give adventurous musicians the chance to explore totally new, unheard possibilities. Like having dozens of synths in just one instrument, both wild-eyed newcomers and seasoned professionals will fall in love with MicroFreak’s flexible, powerful synth engine.

That's a funny looking keyboard. That’s right, it is. It isn’t really even a keyboard. It’s a PCB. Super-flat, with no moving parts. Will it track lightning-fast synth solos? You bet. Better than a traditional keyboard, actually. Will it let you be expressive? Of course, it’s not only pressure sensitive, but also offers poly-aftertouch. This means each key can control parameters in a different way depending on how much you touch. You can also use its USB, MIDI, and CV outputs to control instruments in your DAW and modular synths. This also means that you can also use MicroFreak as a controller to experience polyphonic aftertouch with cutting edge software instruments.

Taste the spice, throw the dice. MicroFreak is packed with unique, exciting features that let you create music with a fresh perspective.

Record up to four automations, edit notes per step or use the innovative Spice and Dice sequencer functions to find happy accidents. Add randomization to create evolving, original patterns, and virtually rewire and reconfigure its signal chain and controls with the 5x7 modulation matrix.

This truly is a budget-friendly synth like no other.

Product Details

MicroFreak
  • Analog State Variable Filter, 12dB/octave, resonant, Low Pass, Band Pass, High Pass
  • ADSR envelope
  • LFO with Sync: Sine, Tri, Saw, Square, Random, Slew Random
  • Modulation matrix with 5 sources and 7 destinations (3 custom destinations)
  • Cycling Envelope offering two modes (Envelope, LFO)
  • Monophonic or Paraphonic modes - Up to 4 voices

384 preset slots and 320 factory presets

16 digital oscillator modes, including engines from Mutable Instruments and Noise Engineering

Inspired by the trailblazing 12-dB SEM filter, you can make MicroFreak’s filter scream or whisper to taste. The filter is state-variable, and can even auto-oscillate! You can use this is any way you like, from taking the edge of the razor-sharp wavetable sounds, or automating the cutoff by modulating it with keyboard pressure or the in-built sequencer.

The best of both worlds

Even though MicroFreak has a digital oscillator at its heart, “opposites attract” as the saying goes. That’s why we’ve included a lush-sounding analog filter.

MicroFreak
  • 25-key capacitive keybed with polyphonic aftertouch
  • Capacitive touch strip
  • Crisp OLED display for editing and parameter values
  • CV / Gate / Mod outputs
  • USB, Clock and MIDI in and out
  • 6.35mm master and 3.5mm headphone output
  • TRRS input compatible for Vocoder engine

Powerful arpeggiator & 64-step sequencer

Arpeggiator

Up, Order, Random, Pattern modes

Spice & Dice Gate randomizers

64-step Sequencer

2 patterns per preset

4 automation tracks per preset

Chord mode lets you program a chord shape and play it on any note.

Scale Quantize lets you set a specific scale for the white notes to simplify the creative process.

Wait. Did we mention that MicroFreak has a sequencer? And a mod matrix? Things are about to get seriously interesting...

MicroFreak

Hybrid sound

Hybrid sound

Journey across unexplored sonic terrain, from grainy to crunchy to silky smooth. Change course instantly with multi-mode oscillators, analog filters, and intelligent parameters.

Designed differently

Designed differently

The Freak range is built to make you think differently about your music. From unique expression tools to unpredictable algorithms, you’ll be outside the box in no time.

Modulation

Modulation

Unlock cascading modulation and near-endless assignable parameters, deceptively simple controls, and intuitive visual interfaces.


I. THOMPSON
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 9, 2025
This is quite simply the best synth in my collection. What you can do with this synth, is amazing. Pretty much any sound you can think of, can be reproduced in this. With the added sequencer, and arpeggio stage. Plus you can really creative with the Digital oscillator. I absolutely love the touch keys, makes it not compete with mini keys, as I don't generally like them anyway, compared to full size keys. My only slight issue is the mono out; you need an effects box, or run through a DAW with effects. But I'll take that, as it's soooo good! Love it, makes me want more Arturia stuff....
Robert Domínguez
Reviewed in Mexico on February 18, 2025
Sorprendido de todo lo que puedes hacer con este synth. Yo lo dudé un poco para comprarlo pero de verdad si quieres expandir tus sonidos y ejercitar más tu creatividad, no dudes en comprarlo. Genial
Corey
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2024
Initial review as a Hip Hop producer (boom bap) who is primarily sample based. I'm fairly savvy with the use of VST synths but never tried hardware synths. I've used Ableton, FL, Maschine and MPC and have about 7 years of experience.I paired this with my SP 404 Mk2 using a single 1/4" patch cable into the mono input of the SP. Endless, let me repeat...ENDLESS sound sources! Endless inspiration. I have ZERO use for anything else in order to get absolute bangers, and that's not even consciously designing sound. When tweaking sounds, I'm literally like a kid unconsciously scribbling anything on paper and then turning it into my favorite tracks ever. The sounds are rich and offer lots of sonic possibilities when chopping, pitching and reversing.Perfect size and weight and right at home in a backpack.My only gripes thus far are(1) It's packaged without the cable to connect to your computer. This is a requirement if you want to download the latest firmware (although NOT necessary to get up and running) Luckily I had plenty of cords lying around from other midi gear.(2) The power cord is long and bulky. (This might be a pro for others, but not for me...I will switch to a power bank.)Best purchase I've made in a very long time. Thrilled with this product and I'm not easily impressed.
ortophon
Reviewed in Italy on December 21, 2024
PRO: tuttoCONTRO: nessunoCirca 50 anni fa usai per qualche tempo alcuni synth storici tra cui Synthi AKS, che aveva una tastiera piatta costituita da 30 mini tasti blu ad azione capacitiva e una matrice di modulazione a pin. Non ho più avuto tra le mani un synth hardware ma recentemente ho ricevuto in dono a buono regalo Amazon dunque e ho pensato di comprare un synth hardware e tramite i numerosi video trovati in internet ho scoperto il MicroFreak.MicroFreak è realizzato veramente bene, è solido. Mi ricorda alcune funzionalità del Synthi AKS per via della tastiera capacitiva che è può gestire la dinamica o l'aftertouch e per la matrice di modulazione in parte predefinita e in parte liberamente assegnabile (ovviamente i due synth non sono paragonabili per molte ragioni). Il MicroFreak è usabile come synth monofonico o polifonico a 4 voci, il generatore dei VCO è selezionabile tra 17 tipi diversi, il filtro VCF analogico a 12 db/ottava è unico per i 4 VCO, può risuonare ed è di 3 tipi: passa basso, passa banda o passa alto. L'altro motivo che mi ha convinto a comprarlo è l'uso di due diversi generatori di inviluppo, uno one-shot l'altro sia one-shot sia ciclico che possono essere indirizzati tramite la matrice di modulazione e anche combinati in matrice con il LFO per controllare le sorgenti sonore e il filtro. Se connesso al PC tramite USB si deve comunque alimentare da rete elettrica, perciò viene fornito con un alimentatore 220/12 Volt il cui uso è raccomandato perché lo chassis metallico è opportuno che sia collegato alla presa di terra per evitare funzionamenti erratici della tastiera capacitiva ma ciò è una caratteristica non un difetto: il problema della terra non a potenziale zero e dei loop di massa è noto ai tecnici audio. Io ho usato il MicroFreak con il power bank in modo stand-alone con la cuffia e non ho avuto problemi, con il PC invece uso sempre l'alimentatore 12 Volt. Il display OLED è molto piccolo e io temevo fosse inadeguato, in effetti i caratteri sono piccoli ma è molto leggibile, la gestione delle configurazioni è ottenuta tramite un paio di manopole e un paio di bottoni.Mi sono piaciuti molti dei 300 preset di fabbrica, dopo averne studiato qualcuno sono riuscito a creare il mio primo partendo da zero, avendo cognizione di ciò che si sta facendo è possibile ottenere pochissimo tempo dei suoni bellissimi e delicati o potenti e rudi, perfino in stile synth west-coast o che sembrano alieni, dato che i paramentri wave, timbre e shape dei VCO sono controllabili sia dalle manopole sia dai generatori di inviluppi e dal LFO a 6 forme d'onda selezionabili, tramite la matrice di modulazione.MicroFreak è configurabile via software in alcune sue funzioni e il firmware è aggiornabile online, l'ultima release ha attivato l'importazione di campioni sonori in uno dei 17 slot del VCO e la sintesi granulare. Dovrei raccontare del vocoder, della sintesi granulare, del sequencer programmabile a passi e live, molto divertente, ma non mi dilungo. Per me è un prodotto di classe a un prezzo tutto sommato competitivo, altamente raccomadabile.
OliverJ
Reviewed in France on October 26, 2024
L'Arturia MicroFreak est une machine hybride qui m’a véritablement surpris par son innovation et sa polyvalence. Ce synthétiseur combine des oscillateurs numériques avec un filtre analogique de type Oberheim SEM, une rareté pour un synthé de cette gamme de prix, ce qui lui permet de produire des sons d’une richesse impressionnante pour mes tracks de techno.Pour le clavier, sa réactivité en poly-aftertouch est parfaite pour des sons expressifs et évolutifs, et c'est pas seulement un gadget. On a vraiment une interaction physique avec le son.Ce synthé puissant et atypique trouve toute sa place dans un setup techno/house/lo-fi. Il a non seulement des caractéristiques sonores uniques mais aussi une ergonomie qui invite à l’expérimentation sans fin.Que vous soyez en quête de basses profondes, de textures aériennes, ou de leads, ce synthé incite à repousser les limites et transforme chaque session de production en une véritable exploration sonore. Bref, je suis un grand fan !!
Benn Birch
Reviewed in Canada on July 28, 2023
Sweet little synth. Let's you learn about making sounds rather than just picking from thousands of presets. You are in full control of the sound. Keybed is not for composing a concerto so don't buy this if you're expecting that. Wonderfully expressive and a great but for all the features and updates Arturia is giving.
Kristopher Madaus
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2023
This little thing is an incredibly versatile synth. You can do so much with it, and Arturia keeps adding more to it through firmware updates years after its release. It does have a relatively steep learning curve if you are new to hardware synths (as I am, but I have a lot of experience with software synths), but you can always just start with one of the hundreds of presets without knowing anything. The presets are pretty interesting and many are unique. I don't think you could buy a better synth for the money.
Jack C.
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2022
If you like making weird noises and having near unlimited customization on a budget this synth is for you. It's really amazing the amount of features that are packed into this tiny package.The keyboard is great to play on, and it sounds amazing. It was my first synth and I don't regret it a bit.
Mike "Sonic" Meengs
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2021
I was ready to spring for my first Behringer clone...the 2600, when I realized that I was about to pay a lot of money for something that I already had...mono analog synths. I love the old Arp sound, but it is a nuance that I consider nonessential at this point. And, quite frankly, I miss being able to save my sonic creations to memory. Polyphony would be nice too. So, after watching tons of Youtube videos, I decided on the Arturia Microfreak...and I'm glad I did! It has a LOT of sound design potential, and using the Mod Matrix is a joy. The arp and sequencer are very fun and flexible, and the whole design seems catered to evolving and expressive sounds. The capacitance keyboard is odd, but just adds to the quirky expressiveness of the instrument. The firmware updates are awesome and easy to install. And btw...with a little patience, the vocoder works surprisingly well! And yes...besides being a decent four voice polyphonic synth, it now has a powerful unison mode. Thick! No onboard effects though. :( For a great video that covers all the features in detail, I recommend "Loopop" on Youtube. Very informative! I'm very happy with my Microfreak. I love my analogs, but adding a digital synth to my audio arsenal filled that void perfectly and opened up many new avenues of sonic exploration for me. There are literally years of tweaking sounds in this amazing yet inexpensive synth! And it's nice knowing that all my careful crafted sounds can be stashed safely away on my computer for future use...no more use it or lose it programming sessions! Five stars!
Indep Museum Tech
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2021
A steal for $300, this little synthesizer is limitless.What it has: 14 oscillator settings, including a vocoder, each with its own infinite range of variations and modulations, arpeggiator, sequencer, randomizing elements, a "modular" patch matrix, 160 presets and the ability to craft and save any sound you can imagine. Also outstanding sound quality, paraphony, and multiple interface options.What it doesn't have: onboard effects, a "real" keyboard, although the capacitive touch keyboard is actually pretty nice and intuitive.Excellent choice for beginners, experts and anyone in between. Loads of fun to play or play with.
la
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2020
Why hello there Syntheads!So this little machine packs a lot of sound options. And it's very aesthetically beautiful/ light.I really enjoy it and it pairs great with other instruments. The only flaw is the touch sensitivity can be unpredictable at times. You just have to hope for the best there...but it's worth it for the cost.
Rick Moore
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2019
First, let me say I own 6 professional synthesizers, so I am able to offer comments with extensive knowlege of how this product measures up against other synths. I've not yet spent much time with the Microfreak, but wanted to share my excitement over it should others be shopping for this type of product for Christmas. I was leary of the touch-sensitive keybed, expecting it to be less satisfying than real keys that move when depressed. To my amazement, these keys are actually amazing. They seem very reliable and functional. I love them. I wasn't crazy about this synth having a mono ouput with no built-in effects, but when I played it through my DAW (Logic Pro X) and added a slight chorus and reverb, I was super impressed with the sound. This synth is the most versitile synth I've seen to date and I've been playing synths for 40 years! The wide array of sounds is creamy and rich. I can't imagine that any synth enthusiast wouldn't love this synth. I'm amazed that it is so affordable. Before this, the Microkorg was THE affordable synth to have. But, this just might be in the same league! I'm happy to say I have both! YAY! I will post an update when I spend more time with it.