Your First Synthesizer Purchase // 6 Reasons MiniFreak IS IT
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- Опубліковано 25 чер 2024
- Need help with your first hardware synth purchase? This video will cut straight to the chase and show you why the @ArturiaOfficial MiniFreak is the top choice for a first time hardware synthesizer purchase. Wanna scoop the MiniFreak? Consider using our affiliate link to support the channel: www.zzounds.com/a--3971362/it...
Here's our first session with the MiniFreak on the @TeftyMeems Channel: • Arturia MiniFreak firs...
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:50 Fun Factor
04:58 Price
06:42 Doubles as a Midi Controller
07:34 Build Quality aka Longevity
08:02 Learning Synthesis
10:52 Grow With Your Skills
12:15 Versus MicroFreak
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#synthesizer #musicproduction #minifreak
Welcome to the channel! Drop a sub if you like this type of content ❤
Wanna see the MiniFreak in action during a recording session? ua-cam.com/video/WgF3kzLJY7o/v-deo.html
I bet your subcount will go up quickly. Good luck with the new channel! Love your musical content; extremely inspiring. Looking forward to your future tech oriented content. Much
Thank you so much! We're excited to make content on both channels ❤❤❤
Minifreak now have wavetables, superunison and more
I just got the Minifreak last week after selling my Micro to trade up and am blown away. The fact the presets all (I think ) have sequences or arps to really help demo the sounds was a great choice by Arturia. The VST integration is also really cool for helping dissect what the presets are doing and how they accomplished the sound with a bit more visual feedback than the tiny screen on the hardware can provide. To your first point in the video, fun factor is off the charts with this thing.
Yup, fun factor is amazing on the MiniFreak. And I've been loving the VST integration. The only thing I've found bugged on it so far is the sequencer doesn't seem to reflect what's happening on hardware vs software. Unless they dropped an update to fix that recently 🤔
Thanks for the comment!
@@teftymusictech I baught this synth 2 days ago and I cant put it down. I had a moog mother 32 and a grandmother in the past. And I didn't have fun with them like i do with the minifreak. I'm loving it! great review 👌
Thanks, I was just asking if I should sell my Microfreak.
Very good idea with the new channel! 👍
So happy to discover your channel! Thank you for explaining everything in a way I can understand so thank you!!
I've had mine for a few months now and it is so much fun!
Tysm for the video. Excellent and subscribed
Yay, a new tefty and meems channel! 😊 Cool review!
Thank you Marc! Looking forward to growing both channels 🙌
Pumped for the new channel!!
Thank you Patrick!
An awesome new channel from you, sounds great. I always enjoy your videos - both the music creation and the techie ones. Subscribed and looking forward to more!
Thank you James!
Good luck with your new channel ! Nice MiniFreak review, it makes me actually consider buying it !
Thank you! It’s a solid synth. And super easy to test out with the VST version to see if you like the sound/character.
Fabulous review and a great illustration of what will be the focus of the new channel. Plus it's great to have a second place to get my T&M fix.
Thank you Peter!
Good job, thank you. Great voice! Subscribed!
Thank you!
Love your reviews. I have bought and not bought based on your videos. thank you .
That’s amazing to hear. Thank you! ❤️🙏❤️
the microfreak was my first synthesizer and is currently the only one I own. The handling is actually very friendly for beginners and after a few UA-cam videos I had already found out a lot about the techniques of this device. even my three-year-old daughter had fun with the device, even if she had never operated anything like it. you can turn any controls and you can hear how the sound changes, that was enough for her to deal with it for a long time. He can do so much and with the new sampler update even more! I definitely don't regret the purchase and it will probably be some time before I get another synth at some point, as this simply covers most of my needs and there is still a lot to experiment and discover.
Love that you divided the channel! Love both! And the way you present hardware and your workflow is so inspiring and you make it look not so daunting. Thank you both! ❤
What is name of other channel? ;)
@@morten1 @teftymeems
Good stuff 👍🏾
Thank you so much for explaining various terms as you went along. I'm a complete newbie to this, I'm a mediocre guitar player who can't read music and can't play a keyboard but I've been fascinated by synthesiser music since I was child, when I was listening to Tangerine Dream and Jean Michel Jarre. Always wanted to create those sounds myself and I think I might dip my toes in it with a MiniFreak.
I would recommend the minilogue xd as a first hardware synthesizer.
Very easy to use, awesome (parameter lockable) sequencer and the Digital multi engine with switchable, amazing sounding Digital Fx and oscillators.
❤❤❤
If I was starting out this would be my first choice. I agree with your comments about the keyboard. For me the MicroFreak keyboard is nice as an _alternative_ to regular keys because I create music on it that I would not have come up with on a regular keyboard, but I wouldn't want it as my only keyboard.
Good luck with the new channel. I'm subbed to both 👍
Thank you Mick!
I love both my micro- and minifreak. Despite some overlap, both play a different game and fill a different role in my studio. But I couldn't agree more about your points on why the minifreak is a great first synth. Well explained.
Same! The Micro is a great swiss army knife to pair with other gear. I've used the sequencer on it a fair bit to control other synths.
I'm very taken with my MiniFreak and agree with your points. In fact it was the MiniFreak that inspired the track I wrote using your Ambient phrases samples. I will keep my MicroFreak because I still love the speed of the keyboard :)
That’s awesome to hear! ❤️🙏
I have the VST plugin version and I love it!
Yup, love the VST version 💪🙌❤️
It’s also the perfect synth for a small travel rig. I’m working on getting back into performance and the MiniFreak will be very easy on my back
Absolutely right!
You can make all the channels you want! I'm still gonna follow you! 🙂
Thank you Drums! ❤🙏❤
this was my first hardware synth. mostly because it popped up used on craigslist for 400 dollars. but I really enjoy it. it really helped me learn a lot. I bought a microkorg since and its cool but the keys are nowhere near as nice and the effects really add a lot to its ability. and its much easier to use the minifreak.
This video is a godsend, greatjob man.
How would you come both the mini and micro to the microkorg ?
Thank you!
I have no experience with the Microkorg so I can't comment.
I was between Mini and the Hydrasynth Explorer. I went with the Hydra, but it was such a close one. Both are great for a first synth, and even a second!
Love the Hydra! Gonna do some vids on it soon.
It appears that the minifreak has a less steep learning curve then the hydrasynth explorer. Some users find that designing patches on the Hydrasynth can get quite complicated. The hydrasynth has more orginal, lush and ambient-like presets than the minifreak. And the built quality is a 10. That's pulls me in the direction of the hydrasynth.
@@bartgr9008 I think it's fair to say the Hydrasynth is a touch deeper than the Mini and the Mini is more approachable. Both are great and have their strengths and weaknesses. I don't regret the Hydra, but I wouldn't be opposed to adding a Minifreak as well.
I have the Hydra explorer and got the Minifreak VST. Best of both worlds!
I'm more inclined with the Roland Sh-4d Than the MiniFreak, I however did buy the Minifreak VST when it went on sale for $70 on Arturia's website. Both are impressive though I wish Roland had added a metronome, and a better way to save the performances. It's my first Roland since the flawed Juno G, which went through 2 LCD screen replacements and is now broken yet again. So far no hardware issues on my SH-4D.
It's a good synth. I think it would probably be my second choice for a first synth, right after the mini Hydra. Either one would be waaaaay better than my first synth though. It's awesome seeing how much things have improved over time.
I'm with you.. my heart was set on the hydra explorer but I'm genuinely struggling to bite the bullet after a painstaking comparison with this...
@@Wheramai It looks like the Microkorg 2 will be another good option.
LOL. My first synth was the Korg Micro Preset 🙂
There are so many factors to consider for a first hardware synth that should be weighed and prioritized individually. How important is the keyboard? (From already have that covered so desktop module is fine to VERY important) Do you want a broadly capable design? (From fine using VSTs for that in foreseeable future so more specialized/focused is fine to VERY important) What sound "spaces" do you want and how "dead on chill inducing" must they be? (From old school analog bass, lead, brass, string, pad to modern hard/digital - basically what do you want it mostly for? Hip Hop/Beats, EDM, Atmospheric/Ambient etc.) Are you a patch player that buys sound packs or someone who always makes your own from scratch? How much DISPOSABLE cash do you really have to spend? There is NOTHING wrong with a Polybrute or Summit as a first (especially used the latter is a steal) compared to spending half as much for something that does not tick all your boxes. In the end this is still a GREAT synth - especially at the price. I believe they have a full sized freak in prototype - basically 2 of these in a 5 octave quality keybed. The bean counters will release it once this has been out what they consider long enough. If we are lucky it will have Poly AT, a full interface for both engines situated vertically as on Super Gemini and a full blown matrix interface as on Polybrute/Matrixbrute.
Great review, really excellent points made. I'm checking this out tomorrow, though I'm bursting with frustration looking between this vs Korg Minilogue XD (analogue?) vs Cobalt8...any chance for some pros/cons on these three or final argument for Mini vs them? XD sounds pretty great though you've put Mini as your #1? Basically I'm approaching this from creativity/process/sound design/sonics point of view and playability in studio setting.
Hey! I still can't choose the minilogue xd or the minifreak. What did you buy in the end?
I’d also like to know, I’m ordering this or the XD in the next few days, but I’m leaning towards the XD.
For what it's worth, after a lot of analysis paralysis and comparison videos and q&a'ing people and testing in store I decided to go with the MiniFreak - ultimately prioritising usability and creativity. In the end putting it all together the question really came down to what facilitates the best end result, and I believe MiniFreak is the best path. Sometimes technical comparison leaves out the reality of what it's like to use it and what will just be more fun and have you in the best multiverse version where you're creating the most music @@sidpackard8613
@@sidpackard8613 hey man! I bought the minifreak in the end and I love it. Really fun to use and easy to start playing with. I enjoy the weirdness you can get to with the sounds :)
@@liammcdonnell550 I’m glad you’re enjoying it, and I appreciate you following up! I haven’t ordered mine yet, so this helps!
❤️💙💜
I chose the modal cobald 8 to be my first hardware synth, mainly because it has a full-size keyboard. I learned to play the piano, so I do not want to play miniature keys. And the cobalt is a very good first synth, only the manual is really bad, but there are good learning videos on youtube.
Love the Cobalt! I have both the 5s and 8. Great synth engines.
Tefty is him. LOL
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Can a Minifreak be powered over USB like the Microfreak? Basically, can I power it/send midi using the USB port on my MPC?
Need it to sound more full sounding than a vst.
If you had to choose only one synthesizer would it be the hydrasynth or this
From valu perspective i think Korg Wavestate and Modewave make
good alternatives to Minifreak.
Both fantastic synths. Both way more complicated than the MiniFreak though. But you are right, great value.
Hi again Tefty, in one of your videos you mentioned a wireless keyboard that you're using to type on the MPC - looks like a brilliant solution. I couldn't catch the brand/model you said it was, do you have a link for it please? Would be good to get a tried and tested model :)
Hi James! The MPC actually takes pretty much any standard keyboard with a USB dongle. Here's the one I'm using: amzn.to/42tBk7u
@@teftymusictech Hi Tefty, thanks, I think I believed that to be the case, but I think I'm looking to avoid decision paralysis by just copy and pasting what you've got because it looks just right!! :D Your link takes me to an unrelated video though, unless I've missed something?
Whoops! My bad James. Was juggling too many things yesterday. Here's the right link: amzn.to/42tBk7u
@@teftymusictech Ah no problem at all, I appreciate the link - thank you!
Hello again Tefty. Tell me what is wrong with the synthesizer Argon 8 and Cobalt 8 from Modal? I mean, they have one of the best keybed(?), but there is a problem with the knobs. You already have Cobalt 8 in my opinion. Tell me what's wrong with they knobs? Thank you so much. ❤
Not really what's wrong, they just don't feel the best in comparison to like a Novation Peak or Take 5. They wobble a bit as well. I still really enjoy the Modal synths 👍
I think splitting the channel(s) the way you have makes sense, I hope it works out well.
Thank you!
After few years of playing I wouldn't recommend this synth for a beginner to be the first synth to get. It has too many features which will only baffle at first but it lacks some features which will come handy later and the sound is simply too genre oriented and it's somewhat expensive.
My first was Korg Monologue, from which I got the basics for VCO, LFO and ADSR EG. It also has a very nice 4 track motion tracked 16 step sequencer, from which I got the basics of sequencing. It also is simple and cheap while it also can hold to it's own when you get more advanced. It also can sound anything you want it to sound as long as you remember that it's mono - which you don't sometimes even notice thanks sequencer and the oscillators. Monologue also has a aluminium plate on top, nice thick enough encoders, strudy plastic housing, thick nice looking wooden back plate for the classic vibes. It works with batteries as well, has a clear high quality display, 3,5mm in/out sync, midi and 6,3mm audio in for external processing with loads of other features.
Of course, if pop is your thing, then grab this one. But it takes some time to get from simple saw wave to polyfonic etherial pads and when people get there they may want to have a longer sequencer and for example some distortion.
Couple things .. I love the Korg line. Minilogue XD would be a close second for recommendations on new synths as well. As stated in the video, not enough time to go through the list of options. However, I think the MiniFreak does everything easily you just mentioned about the sound design and even sequencer. It just might seem intimidating because it's new or unfamiliar. But in practice, the sequencer is easier than the XD (I own both).
Secondly, you can easily go from saw wave to lush poly pad. I actually just posted a video about it. And the distortion effects are pretty great on it. The tape model is tasty. Would I have preferred real analog distortion? of course.
@@teftymusictech IMO the MiniFreak is not intimidating. It just has too many features for the first 6 months when people learn the basics of synthesis. FX section alone needs a deep dive with delay times, reverb sizes, modulation percents etc. When the user combines that to learning to work the ADSR it easily gets confusing.
I found out that it was very relaxing and downright to get acquainted with VCOs, LFOs and EG without effect matrix desimplyfying the device. When I had picked up the basics in about six months, I bought the Minilogue XD to boot and started to learn the use of the effects. I have been using the Monologue and Minilogue XD since.
Other one, which I would have recommend for a beginner would have been the Novation Bass Station II, but it looks like that in about three years the Bass Station prices have gone through the roof. The features in it are still simple enough though and first time operator would get basics to create bass lines with it quickly.
I also tried the modular devices like the Volca series but was very disappointed how lite they were featurewise and noticed that to learn the basics well enough one needs to get a keyboard synths to figure things out.
I would get the MicroFreak as a second or third synth to run the more melodic sequences in a synth setup due to it's bright and etherial sounds. But I wouldn't recommend it to be the device getting started.
Was just looking at trading my minilogue XD for the Minifreak
The Minilogue is great (both versions) but if I had to choose between the MiniFreak or the XD, 100% would go with the MiniFreak.
Also, first comment on the new channel! Thank you ❤🙏
@@teftymusictech thanks for the reply! Ya I saw the video you posted on the other channel and hopped over here really quick to see what the first vid was and was surprised to see the minifreak since I spent another late night last night contemplating a minifreak purchase. Happens about once a week haha the minilogue XD is cool but is uninspiring to me after a year of having it, so I think I will work on selling the XD and picking up the minifreak.
One thing I'd point out on the Minilogue is that it has a particular 'vibe' to it. Some people love it, others not so much. The MiniFreak has less 'vibe' but a much wider sonic potential. The MiniFreak can obviously get 'vibey', but things like the filter have less character (in my opinion) than the Minilogue filter. Just my two cents.
I'd check the VST trial of the MiniFreak first because the sound is VERY similar, if not identical at times, to the hardware version.
But in terms of inspiration and playability, the MiniFreak wins.
The Minilogue XD is great too :)
I realise it might not be possible to have both for reasons of space or budget, but they'd be a great pair if you could possibly swing it.
@@hoagy_ytfc I'm currently rocking an xd and MicroFreak and they complement each other really well, though a mini would definitely be an awesome upgrade
i still can't decide if i should get a minilogue xd or a minifreak. i've heard more people say the minilogue xd is better for a complete beginner to synthesizers but idk cause ive also heard fewer but still a significant amount of people say the minifreak is better.
MiniFreak is newer so a bit less perspective online at the moment. The Minilogue and Mini XD have been out for a while at this point. I own all three and they're great synths! Honestly can't go wrong with any of them. If I was making the choice, it'd be the MiniFreak. But Minilogue XD or the Cobalt8 would be a close second.
@@teftymusictech I went with the mini freak in the end
@@teftymusictech Interesting. Why does the Minifreak win out of these three?
Can't get over the mini keyboard. My x-largish hands ask for full-size keys. A desktop version would be a great though (with the strips as a detachable add-on with magnets to put on the master-midi-keyboard....?)
Honestly a "PolyFreak" or "BruteFreak" might be in the future with the success of these synths (with full sized keys and more voices etc)
I purchased the MiniFreak two months ago as my very first synth. I agree with everything you’ve said. Not only am I learning to play piano on it but the fun factor is amazing. I want to add an Elektron unit. Would the Digitakt be the one? I want to stay dawless as much as possible for now. But I am learning Ableton too. Thanks again.
Yup, Digitakt would be excellent. It's a fantastic sequencer/sampler. An MPC One would be my first choice, but I understand if it's getting too close to feeling like a DAW at that point.
Maybe consider the Deluge though as your next box - it can do many things
I have a Microfreak, should I sell it and buy a Mini, or go on to another synth, like the Hydrasynth or something else?
Honestly tough to say. If you REALLY like the sound of the MicroFreak, then the MiniFreak is just a better version IMO. It's got FX and Polyphony. But, if you're looking for a different sound, then I'd explore more.
Hydra could be great, or you could look at a Take 5 or TEO 5 from Sequential (more expensive though). If you already have a keyboard, you could checkout a used Novation Peak. Lots and lots of options right now.
In your opinion. This or the hydra?
IMO, the MiniFreak. I love the Hydra, but it's a bit much for a new user. Most of the interface info requires use of the macro knobs, which isn't a bad thing, but for a new user it could be confusing since the same knobs are used over and over again to adjust things in the synth engine.
The VST version is available to buy without getting the hardware. Having the keys and dials is nice, but if you don't have the space or budget for the hardware, or just prefer software, then the VST is a massive bargain.
Agreed. The VST has been a wonderful addition to my DAW sessions.
Hydra synth is much better in sound quality and sound design wise imo. Minifreak Microfreak sounds so thin and more digital than Hydrasynth imo. Plus no fx in microfreak so that’s a con also imo.
Two years - how long it took to become a total Arturia fanboy 😂
They're putting out some tasty gear 🙌
To state it has an excellent build quality and seems very durable in the obvious perspective of the cheap and thin plastic chasis + the wobbly knobs sounds like you are getting paid for this review
Really? Seems pretty fiddly and complex for a first synth. Uno synth or some basic knob per function synth which could be even nicer like a grandmother, seems like a better choice for someone completely new to synths. The microfreak's manual is over 100 pages and the mod matrix would be intimidating. The mini would be even more so. Imo this is YOUR top choice, and imo maybe you are too advanced to relate to a real beginner. Most of the comments are not from rank beginners either. Seriously, i would recommend an uno synth
I see your points, but I still stand by my recommendation. If you get the MiniFreak in front of you, it doesn't feel fiddly and the layout is very straight forward. The main thing people do when they're new is flick through presets to see what sound can be made. Then they mess with the modwheel/macros. And then they start tweaking knobs. That experience is excellent on the Mini.
If they want to dig deeper, that's when they crack a manual or watch tutorials online. Obviously just my opinion 👍
Microfreak. Minifreak too much for what it is
completely wrong, I own both and I cannot tell you just how insanely wrong that take is.
Even if it never got another update. Which we all know it will.
The macro pads cannot be overstated for live play and live sound sculpting.
I'm keeping my microfreak of course. Even if it becomes obsolete in terms of everything being eventually updated to the minifreak. That's because the microfreak is (a) a synth that is absolutely going to be a future classic and (b) the pcb keys inspire a different kind of playing.
The microfreak also is now 400 not 350 so the 200 difference instead of 250 difference is going to get you:
True polyphony
6 voices
Another oscillator
Another LFO
LFO wave shaping both bipolar and unipolar
More modulation options
6 more custom assignable matrix slots
Built in FX that sound good
Honestly it's a no brainer!
@@d3tuned378 how is my personal opinion and preference wrong ? You went through all that trouble typing all that based on something that ONLY one person is right about.....ME. It's my OPINION. For what I'm able to do with my microfreak compared to the Minifreak, My personal thought is that it's not worth paying 600 dollars for
Minifreak… really?
My microfreak is currently becoming the granular pad machine, or drum machine, or sample player, while my minifreak is sort of taking the place of what my microfreak used to do!
I don't really have any music friends, and i am pretty decent at patch design but not that great at composing songs.
Id love to exchange minifreak patches! If you're bored and want to check some out