I just got the Reface CS last week and I'm in love with it. I'm definitely pulling the trigger on the DX today. I have a coupon code that makes $257 new. That's as good as it gets. Thanks for good info and inspiration!
I'm in the market for a synth, but don't got no learning about them. I just like gadgets. I'm a drummer. I can't even play twinkle, twinkle little star, but I want one. I would buy one used and I don't want to spend too much and I want a polyphonic one so I can play chords even though I don't know nothing about how to play chords, but I'm pretty sure after a week I will be the greatest synthesizer player in the whole wide world.
Right now the Microfreak is basically the best all in one solution on the budget scale because of the huge range of different synth engines. If you get one B Stock you save even more and you can easily get one for around 250-280 bucks. The great thing about it is it also has CV / Gate output and this is gonna be fun if you add an additional affordable Synth expander and don't wanna spent too much on a dedicated input keyboard. Unless you don't like the touch keyboard but personally i love that "Buchla-esque" key design. Plus there is a lot less that can break.
LOL i had no idea the Micro Freak could be USB powered. THAT is a detail that pretty much every other synth review i saw about this thing had totally neglected. Thank you for mentioning it, Jade :) I already planned on getting one (mostly because of the Buchla-like touch sensitive key pads) but also because it would make a perfect low-footprint multi-versatile synth and MIDI controller. And yes, i agree, Yamaha's keys on their instruments are really damn good. I realized that when i had a Yamaha SY22 and then switched to a Roland D50 and realized how BAD the keys on the D50 were.
Did you ever consider to buy the Yamaha Reface DX instead? I can't decide which one of those two I want, even though I am tending more towards the MicroFreak I think. Would love some FM though, even though I'd need to learn it first (which is fun for me) as I only did a few things with Sytrus so far regarding FM.
I honestly enjoy the looper of the DX far more than classical step sequencers. It might need a few tries to get the sequence correct but its unquantized and thus perfect for chilled human sounding beats
I love the Microfreak and have one and my friend is selling me a used Reface DX for $100, I love both of these synths so much. So powerful for the size. One of my favorite tricks with the Microfreak is that I have an old Microkorg and I use it to Midi control the Microfreak and blend the sounds of both synths together.
Nice video and I hope this gets many more views because it's so helpful I think. I think another thing to consider would be how much keys do you want. If you are not huge into much classical music then a 49 key keyboard could still let you play many songs and actually some classical songs don't even need more than 49 keys to play. Some midi controllers that are good are way less then some other synths with built in sounds and almost any keyboard now has a midi connection slot which is amazing so you could get so many sounds.
Wow, Thanks for the hot lists of products. Very helpful. And I agree with you , if someone cannot slay on a mini, then they probably just cannot slay. That definitely should be on a T-shirt.
It's a couple years later, and the budget synths from newcomer Sonicware seem like nice choices, though the keys would be an issue. Love to see what you'd say about 8bit Warps and XFM from their Liven series.
I just received the MicroFreak and I already love it. It’s a great compagnion to the MiniBrute SE, which is quite similar to the MicroBrute, but it lacks the patch field. I don’t know the Reface, but I own a YS200 from the 80s and it’s the same company: Yamaha + FM =
The Monologue - was my first synth thanks to your video Jade, I am getting the MicroFreak and I will be playing it with shortly. DX is on my hit list to.
I’m torn over the reface DX and the micro freak as my first synth, I want to try to make ambient music and just have fun with it but I’m not sure what do get
Thanks for doing this video I've been wanting to get started in synths and as you put it also wants something to be a "couch" keyboard so I just ordered a Yamaha reface DX. Found a demo model for sale so price was excellent. I can see getting in to a mono synth later to get into learning more. Thanks again.
The Hyve synth also has a touchplate keyboard! Fits the price range as well. Perhaps not the best for learning synthesis, but somehow I really want one, even if it's just for the interface ^^.
So they don't make synths to get people into synths like they do with guitars huh? (soft synths suck) Do people take outdated synth designs since they wouldn't cost much now and make them?
I've been debating between the Microfreak and the Microbrute and do mostly hip-hop, lo-fi, and ambient. I guess the Microbrute would be better for bass sounds, etc., but the Microfreak looks like it would be more fun, portable, and I like that you can save patches. Any advice? The Microbrute SE edition is discounted and is $100 cheaper right now. I also have a KORG volca FM, Seaboard RISE 25, and keystep so I wonder of the two which would round things out more. I do most of my production on an MPC Live and then edit and add keys in Logic. Normally, I would go try both, but things are closed due to COVID-19. Thanks!
Hi there, I want to make some music but don't know where to start. I would like to start by making some beats that I can record then add on other tracks from there. I tried using an android app but couldn't find one that was easy for my simple mind to use. I thought maybe a midi keyboard but I'm an idiot with computers so then I thought maybe a used Yamaha synthesizer that allows sampling. I'm just not sure where to start. Thanks a million for sharing your rad vid.
My DX came last Friday. I miss the 4th octave, but this board is otherwise better than my (now defunct) ‘100 in every other way, and mostly fits in my backpack to use as a (self powered) iOS synth controller, as well. It feels much better key wise than the Akai Mini. Hopefully I’ll use it in a recording in the next month or two. It takes me a while after work:-)
J Beats and Waves haven’t looked into it. I have the Maschine MK3 on the way which should bring a major workflow change, will check it out once I have a chance!
Ok cool. Jade you will have lots of fun with the mk3 and maschine. Check out DDS and Sarah 2ill UA-cam they both use native instruments and have good samples.
Have you ever used/had a Braids, JAde? I'd be interested to know whether you found that more interesting than the Plaits. I have a home made Braids clone, without the display and menus - which I feel is fair enough, because it's open source and out of production. I considered buying a Plaits, but the more I look into it, the more I think I probably wouldn't play it much.
@@JAdeWii_, Fair enough. I mostly made mine to see if I could. A lot of the sounds are not all that interesting to me, and I think a couple of the ones I like more were left off the Plaits - possibly to make room for the Speak & Spell mode, which doesn't do much for me either. I liked your Rings video though. I've made a start on making one of those... I could buy one, probably should, and I still might, but it's more fun to see if I can make one.
Yes and no; since the Reface uses a different sound engine you cannot load DX7 presets directly into the Reface. There is a project about converting presets refacedx.martintarenskeen.nl/ but as I understand lots of synth nerdery is needed. If you want the real DX7 sound you should consider buying a MODX that is capable for importing the original sounds (files need to be converted though)
I just got the Reface CS last week and I'm in love with it. I'm definitely pulling the trigger on the DX today. I have a coupon code that makes $257 new. That's as good as it gets. Thanks for good info and inspiration!
Jon Awesome, the CS is really good too, I wanna catch em all lol
I just got my Arturia Microfreak! I love it 😍
I'm in the market for a synth, but don't got no learning about them. I just like gadgets. I'm a drummer. I can't even play twinkle, twinkle little star, but I want one. I would buy one used and I don't want to spend too much and I want a polyphonic one so I can play chords even though I don't know nothing about how to play chords, but I'm pretty sure after a week I will be the greatest synthesizer player in the whole wide world.
Right now the Microfreak is basically the best all in one solution on the budget scale because of the huge range of different synth engines. If you get one B Stock you save even more and you can easily get one for around 250-280 bucks. The great thing about it is it also has CV / Gate output and this is gonna be fun if you add an additional affordable Synth expander and don't wanna spent too much on a dedicated input keyboard. Unless you don't like the touch keyboard but personally i love that "Buchla-esque" key design. Plus there is a lot less that can break.
LOL i had no idea the Micro Freak could be USB powered. THAT is a detail that pretty much every other synth review i saw about this thing had totally neglected. Thank you for mentioning it, Jade :) I already planned on getting one (mostly because of the Buchla-like touch sensitive key pads) but also because it would make a perfect low-footprint multi-versatile synth and MIDI controller. And yes, i agree, Yamaha's keys on their instruments are really damn good. I realized that when i had a Yamaha SY22 and then switched to a Roland D50 and realized how BAD the keys on the D50 were.
Did you ever consider to buy the Yamaha Reface DX instead? I can't decide which one of those two I want, even though I am tending more towards the MicroFreak I think.
Would love some FM though, even though I'd need to learn it first (which is fun for me) as I only did a few things with Sytrus so far regarding FM.
Thanks for the hint with the monophonic stuff, that saved me from making a BIG mistake
I honestly enjoy the looper of the DX far more than classical step sequencers. It might need a few tries to get the sequence correct but its unquantized and thus perfect for chilled human sounding beats
Ebbelwoy This is true, takes some time to get used to!
Yeah, that's my take on it too.
That background music was soooooooo chill! I was chilled anyway, until I read the quote from "some douche" and now I can't stop laughing.
JDStone Creations it’s for people like you that I do these things, great minds think alike :D
JAde Wii hahaha thank you!
im pretty sure the first 30 seconds are from animal crossing gamecube. then they added some other thing on top
A speaker and battery power is really a big plus for me. Being able to instantly play it, makes it much more likely I will keep using it.
FuZZbaLLbee I love battery powered gear, we need new technology, all synths should be powered by the sun 😂
JAde Wii maybe store the kinetic energy from all the knob turning, and key pressing would do the job :-)
I love the Microfreak and have one and my friend is selling me a used Reface DX for $100, I love both of these synths so much. So powerful for the size. One of my favorite tricks with the Microfreak is that I have an old Microkorg and I use it to Midi control the Microfreak and blend the sounds of both synths together.
I have all 3 of those. The microkorg interface is too hard for me, the DX and the MicroFreak are dirt simple.
Almost bought the Arturia Brute but I HATE monophonic input, so glad I watched this video. No others mentioned it.
Nice video and I hope this gets many more views because it's so helpful I think. I think another thing to consider would be how much keys do you want. If you are not huge into much classical music then a 49 key keyboard could still let you play many songs and actually some classical songs don't even need more than 49 keys to play. Some midi controllers that are good are way less then some other synths with built in sounds and almost any keyboard now has a midi connection slot which is amazing so you could get so many sounds.
Wow, Thanks for the hot lists of products. Very helpful. And I agree with you , if someone cannot slay on a mini, then they probably just cannot slay. That definitely should be on a T-shirt.
What if people just like to make noise?
It's a couple years later, and the budget synths from newcomer Sonicware seem like nice choices, though the keys would be an issue.
Love to see what you'd say about 8bit Warps and XFM from their Liven series.
I just received the MicroFreak and I already love it. It’s a great compagnion to the MiniBrute SE, which is quite similar to the MicroBrute, but it lacks the patch field. I don’t know the Reface, but I own a YS200 from the 80s and it’s the same company: Yamaha + FM =
EISERMANN Nice!
JAde Wii I have a short video of the MiniBrute SE, DrumBrute (OG) and the MicroFreak on my channel. It’s really a little family 😊❤️
thank you VeRY MUCH for explaining the difference between these 3 types of synths. lovely video
Damn!! I want them ALL! I have my eye on that MicroFreak.
The Monologue - was my first synth thanks to your video Jade, I am getting the MicroFreak and I will be playing it with shortly.
DX is on my hit list to.
I’m torn over the reface DX and the micro freak as my first synth, I want to try to make ambient music and just have fun with it but I’m not sure what do get
I feel the Microfreak would be the best as it has the ability to make so many textures and extremely different sounds compared to a DX :)
I still love my Yamaha PSS A50.. affordable price & fits my preference..
I just got a Arturia MicroFreak because of this video.....TY or the inspiration.
(Arturia Microfreak) "Has 2 CV inputs..." NO. It has 4 CV outputs and 1 CV input.
Seriously good review, thank you!
Thanks this was the video i needed. Ur channels dope 👍
I watched this video tons of times, going to check out the freak Jade.
Thanks for doing this video I've been wanting to get started in synths and as you put it also wants something to be a "couch" keyboard so I just ordered a Yamaha reface DX. Found a demo model for sale so price was excellent. I can see getting in to a mono synth later to get into learning more. Thanks again.
Toortog Pown You’re welcome! The DX is great, good call :)
My first question would definitely be is it full sized keys? I would hate mini keys. Chord spans are really difficult to get used to on smaller keys.
these are all mini
I rigged that DX up with the Ctlr translation software and bam I have access to thousands and thousands of FM presets.
What would you suggest if I am looking to get a Chase Bliss Blooper to connect?
Hey! what powezrbank are you using? cheers
Oh maaan, I was eyeing the modal Skulpt but was a bit sad it was just one octave touch keys, but now you've made me want a reface DX too?! Ahh dang
NOLNV that one looks cool, I wish it was a Eurorack mountable controller!
nice vid! good info :D Thanks!
Is the op1 good
The Hyve synth also has a touchplate keyboard! Fits the price range as well. Perhaps not the best for learning synthesis, but somehow I really want one, even if it's just for the interface ^^.
Eternal Void true!
So they don't make synths to get people into synths like they do with guitars huh? (soft synths suck) Do people take outdated synth designs since they wouldn't cost much now and make them?
I've been debating between the Microfreak and the Microbrute and do mostly hip-hop, lo-fi, and ambient. I guess the Microbrute would be better for bass sounds, etc., but the Microfreak looks like it would be more fun, portable, and I like that you can save patches. Any advice? The Microbrute SE edition is discounted and is $100 cheaper right now. I also have a KORG volca FM, Seaboard RISE 25, and keystep so I wonder of the two which would round things out more. I do most of my production on an MPC Live and then edit and add keys in Logic. Normally, I would go try both, but things are closed due to COVID-19. Thanks!
Hey! Unless you're super crazy about wanting to get into analog synthesis I think the MicroFreak is more feature packed!
@@JAdeWii_ Thanks for the reply; that's what I was leaning towards. Cheers!
Can we hear what they sound like? I thought that was the most important thing. It’s a musical instrument right?
Hi there, I want to make some music but don't know where to start. I would like to start by making some beats that I can record then add on other tracks from there. I tried using an android app but couldn't find one that was easy for my simple mind to use. I thought maybe a midi keyboard but I'm an idiot with computers so then I thought maybe a used Yamaha synthesizer that allows sampling. I'm just not sure where to start. Thanks a million for sharing your rad vid.
Great video ! I'm very interested by the Yamaha reface DX but I don't want enough money x). Is there an alternative to this one in other brand ?
My DX came last Friday. I miss the 4th octave, but this board is otherwise better than my (now defunct) ‘100 in every other way, and mostly fits in my backpack to use as a (self powered) iOS synth controller, as well. It feels much better key wise than the Akai Mini.
Hopefully I’ll use it in a recording in the next month or two. It takes me a while after work:-)
Roboprogs I always wanted an extra octave, but it would make it much bigger, the size is too perfect
Interesting! Thank you!
If I could I would obtain all of them What do you think about the new super8 by native instruments?
J Beats and Waves haven’t looked into it. I have the Maschine MK3 on the way which should bring a major workflow change, will check it out once I have a chance!
Ok cool. Jade you will have lots of fun with the mk3 and maschine. Check out DDS and Sarah 2ill UA-cam they both use native instruments and have good samples.
Have you ever used/had a Braids, JAde? I'd be interested to know whether you found that more interesting than the Plaits.
I have a home made Braids clone, without the display and menus - which I feel is fair enough, because it's open source and out of production. I considered buying a Plaits, but the more I look into it, the more I think I probably wouldn't play it much.
TooSlowTube yeah I did, never really liked it much
@@JAdeWii_, Fair enough. I mostly made mine to see if I could. A lot of the sounds are not all that interesting to me, and I think a couple of the ones I like more were left off the Plaits - possibly to make room for the Speak & Spell mode, which doesn't do much for me either.
I liked your Rings video though. I've made a start on making one of those... I could buy one, probably should, and I still might, but it's more fun to see if I can make one.
Not tiny though. Like at least 64 full size?
Thanks Jade. What power USB power bank do you use for the Microfreak?
James Turkia link in the description!
@@JAdeWii_ Thanks. Somehow I missed it...
@@JAdeWii_, Has the link been removed? I've read through that a few times, and I don't see it.
I lov mee some of tham pooches!
Yes polyphonic
Can the DX load dx7 files?
Yes and no; since the Reface uses a different sound engine you cannot load DX7 presets directly into the Reface. There is a project about converting presets refacedx.martintarenskeen.nl/ but as I understand lots of synth nerdery is needed. If you want the real DX7 sound you should consider buying a MODX that is capable for importing the original sounds (files need to be converted though)
came here because of Look Mom No Computer
awesome channel
Marcus Tiso Thanks, he is an awesome dude!
Great video as usual Jade with some good advice.
Luke Kage 🙏
I ask myself... where is my mind?
VALIUM-FM now STAND in the place where you live! (Even if it’s on your head)
Hey I have two of these
I think for people who are interested primarily in sound design there are iOS apps that sound really great for a lot less than $300.
Yes, there are lots of good IOS apps, but it's the knobs and hands on experience people pay for!
I know that time is precious on reviews, but please speak slower so I can hear what you're reviewing!