"Quick" explanation of modal synthesis: imagine putting white noise with a very short AR envelope through a set of resonant bandpass filters in parallel. Now imagine that the bands are narrow enough to only let one single discrete frequency through, and that the resonance of each band was enough to self-oscillate to RIDICULOUS amounts, causing resonance to die away AFTER the end of the noise burst. That's basically exactly how it works. The "excitation brightness and dust density" controller probably controls the decay and frequency spectrum of that initial noise burst.
Emilie Gillet, just by making the firmware open source, had brought model synthesis to the masses and I like it! Fascinated to see how people who buy the micro freak as their first synth think to use it.
@@SorchaSublime Those two would probably work great together! Funky bass from the monologue and shimmering pads from the micro freak. And they both have built-in sequencers.
Very cool. Sounds very FM like in spots, yet easy to control and still very musical. I hope they expand on this concept like when they went from the Minibrute to the Matrixbrute.
Holy Bazinga! The sonic capabilities of this thing are hillariously good and extended. As i was thinking about getting a new synth, I'm glad I picked up this playlist again. I knew it was a good machine but wow. I'm afraid once again Marc'll 'make' me buy another synth he reviewed. Damned UA-cam algorithm! :)))))
I’ve had Arturia gear since buying Analog Lab 4 six yrs ago. Longer? Just discovered these videos in the last 2 hrs, btw. I bought the minibrute, Microbrute, minibrute 2, and all their virtual synths (almost all). Then I got the microfreak about a year ago. These videos finally make me understand wtf I think i’m doing. Yes, my music is angry dumb and funny (what do u expect from “Drunks with Guns” and - yes - I own the trademark). Can’t wait to plug my ‘freak in again (it’s 4 am and the Mrs is asleep upstairs, wakes for work in 2 hrs, then...SONGS! Thanks.
Thanks for taking the time to put this series together. At the price point, I don’t think there’s another synth on the market that can touch the microfreak. I mean where can you get a Buchla, modal Oscillator, a subtractive synth, and the other crazy oscillators in a single package? Even the Op-1 doesn’t have as many oscillators. It’s a different animal of course, but the point is the same. The microfreak is truly a unique little synth and at a price point that can’t be touched.
My digital synth shopping list (I only own analog) is down to the MicroFreak and the Novation Peak. The Peak looks like a hell of a synth. And come next spring, when I get my bonus, I'll probably be able to afford one. But this little guy has damn near as much functionality (and some Novation never dreamed) AND a capacitive keyboard with CV out, at like 20% of the price. As much as I lust after the Peak/Summit; a MicroFreak would scratch most of the same itch, and I could save up for one in a few weeks - keeping my bonus $$ for, say, a CS-15/30. 😎 Thanks for straying from your analog comfort zone. I've been interested in the MF since it came out - but you've really been showing us analog guys what *we* can get out of this tool.
Yeah I think its a pretty great deal, I got one and don't regret it. I think the keyboard is really interesting - basically it gives one both a unique synth and unique midi controller.
"Quick" explanation of modal synthesis: imagine putting white noise with a very short AR envelope through a set of resonant bandpass filters in parallel. Now imagine that the bands are narrow enough to only let one single discrete frequency through, and that the resonance of each band was enough to self-oscillate to RIDICULOUS amounts, causing resonance to die away AFTER the end of the noise burst. That's basically exactly how it works. The "excitation brightness and dust density" controller probably controls the decay and frequency spectrum of that initial noise burst.
Dammit I came here to understand this oscillator more...and now I understand it less 🤣🤣🤣😭😭😭
Emilie Gillet, just by making the firmware open source, had brought model synthesis to the masses and I like it! Fascinated to see how people who buy the micro freak as their first synth think to use it.
Im getting a korg monologue first but ive definitely got my eye on this for expansions
@@SorchaSublime Those two would probably work great together! Funky bass from the monologue and shimmering pads from the micro freak. And they both have built-in sequencers.
@@robertsyrett1992 good tip. Il keep that in mind.
This is one of my favourite sounding oscillators.
Very cool. Sounds very FM like in spots, yet easy to control and still very musical. I hope they expand on this concept like when they went from the Minibrute to the Matrixbrute.
Holy Bazinga! The sonic capabilities of this thing are hillariously good and extended. As i was thinking about getting a new synth, I'm glad I picked up this playlist again. I knew it was a good machine but wow. I'm afraid once again Marc'll 'make' me buy another synth he reviewed. Damned UA-cam algorithm! :)))))
I’ve had Arturia gear since buying Analog Lab 4 six yrs ago. Longer? Just discovered these videos in the last 2 hrs, btw. I bought the minibrute, Microbrute, minibrute 2, and all their virtual synths (almost all). Then I got the microfreak about a year ago. These videos finally make me understand wtf I think i’m doing. Yes, my music is angry dumb and funny (what do u expect from “Drunks with Guns” and - yes - I own the trademark). Can’t wait to plug my ‘freak in again (it’s 4 am and the Mrs is asleep upstairs, wakes for work in 2 hrs, then...SONGS! Thanks.
Number 12?? Hadn't caught this in a few weeks. You're going deeeeeeep. Great opening composition btw...
Great series Marc. Quite a deep dive into the capabilities of such a budget-friendly synth.
Yes! Now onto the mod matrix!
Well, filter first. :D
Thanks for taking the time to put this series together. At the price point, I don’t think there’s another synth on the market that can touch the microfreak. I mean where can you get a Buchla, modal Oscillator, a subtractive synth, and the other crazy oscillators in a single package? Even the Op-1 doesn’t have as many oscillators. It’s a different animal of course, but the point is the same. The microfreak is truly a unique little synth and at a price point that can’t be touched.
My digital synth shopping list (I only own analog) is down to the MicroFreak and the Novation Peak.
The Peak looks like a hell of a synth. And come next spring, when I get my bonus, I'll probably be able to afford one. But this little guy has damn near as much functionality (and some Novation never dreamed) AND a capacitive keyboard with CV out, at like 20% of the price.
As much as I lust after the Peak/Summit; a MicroFreak would scratch most of the same itch, and I could save up for one in a few weeks - keeping my bonus $$ for, say, a CS-15/30. 😎
Thanks for straying from your analog comfort zone. I've been interested in the MF since it came out - but you've really been showing us analog guys what *we* can get out of this tool.
Yeah I think its a pretty great deal, I got one and don't regret it. I think the keyboard is really interesting - basically it gives one both a unique synth and unique midi controller.
Great video series! What patch/how did you make the synth pad in the intro song to these videos? I love it!
I got the heavy notion of medieval pipe instruments from many of the sounds I did at home.
I’ve made some pretty convincing old western/cowboy guitar sounds with this Modal oscillator. It’s quite fun!
Are you going to update this series with those new oscillators that came with the latest firmware updates?
That is a great question! I should certainly consider it! Thanks for the idea!
Reminds me of Logic’s Sculpture plug in.
Andrew Huang needs to get a hold of one of these if he hasn't already.
These timbres remind me a lot of the sounds in Wendy Carlos' Beauty in the Beast.
After I buy a mutable instruments rings module then realize that my little microfreak has basically one plus some.
👍🏾
Not sure if you have control over the matter, Marc, but two commercials for every video is asking a bit much. Love your channel otherwise. Cheers!
I’m not sure if I do, either. But at least know that it wasn’t a conscious choice on my part!