First, there was the {hardware} keyboard. MiniFreak house owners then obtained the MiniFreak V plug-in as an unique software program companion. Now, anybody should purchase the plug-in a la carte – so let’s have a look beneath the hood and see how the digital model works and what it could possibly do.
I did not get to check the {hardware}, however Arturia’s MiniFreak already seems like a fantastic extension of the unique MicroFreak. I really like the shape and focus of the unique Micro, however apart from being poly and supplying you with actual keys, the Mini seems like a worthy follow-up. I have been testing the potential ultimate model of MiniFreak V for a number of days now.
MiniFreak {hardware} house owners already get a free copy of the MiniFreak plugin to work with. The distinction right here is that the MiniFreak V is now accessible to everybody else, at an introductory value of 99 EUR / USD. (Then it is 199.)
Maybe essentially the most vital twist right here is that the standalone MiniFreak software program model V it additionally has a free demo. This implies you’ll be able to seize the demo, play with it, and get a stable thought of the {hardware} structure. It’s pointless to attempt the software program demo as a trial run earlier than buying the gear. And today, that is the type of comfort you’d count on many {hardware} producers to need to provide, particularly as many individuals dwell removed from showroom.
It’s pointless to attempt the software program demo as a trial run earlier than buying the gear.
There’s additionally full preset compatibility – due to the truth that it is a digital engine with modeled analog equivalents of the analog elements on the unique. I am positive somebody will do an A/B comparability of their modeling, however I am already listening to that this most likely sounds fairly shut, primarily based on my MicroFreak, which shares filter circuitry with the Mini.
After which, like magic, you get all of the how-to and pre-defined plugin administration, which additionally works in {hardware}.
A visible tour
Is it enjoyable to play with? Can it get soiled? Sure and sure:
Opening it Superior interface offers you direct entry to the oscillators, filter, results part, modulation and envelope turbines.
There’s a particularly helpful structure right here. It is a 6-voice polysynth – and word the poly glide characteristic, which is immediately satisfying. From there, you have got:
- 2 sound engines, 22 oscillator modes in whole
- 1 folder AND 1 biking folder per voice
- 2 LFOs per voice, plus user-designable LFO shapes
- Modeled analog filters and VCAs
- 3 digital FX slots with 10 FX in whole
- Mod matrix with 7 sources and a number of locations
- Sequence of 64 steps
- 4 lane modulation sequence
- Arpeggiator
- 250 manufacturing facility defaults after which all person storage
Engine 1 + 2 they arrive with a complete mess of wave collections, together with the power to route exterior audio out of your DAW. This makes the MicroFreak V helpful as an results editor too – with its modeled filters and all.
For enter, choose Audio In on engine 1 after which – that is very helpful in a DAW – you’ll be able to route any audio you need.
Then Engine 2 has much more distinctive filters and a few nice stuff like Destroy.
Predefined administration it is a pleasure – utilizing the identical method as Arturia’s wonderful normal interface for its plugins.
Results sockets cowl plenty of floor, together with multi-mode distortion (once more with Arturia’s ubiquitous Germanium mannequin), but in addition multi-band compressor:
The mod matrix it’s in fact a lot simpler to navigate in software program than in {hardware}. You’ve got point-and-click entry to sources and locations, and you may merely drag any parameter to regulate the quantity.
Additionally test the power to design your individual LFOs. That is normal Arturia plug-in fare, but it surely’s very nice when utilizing the software program interface for {hardware} design.
The on board sequence of steps it feels redundant when sitting in a DAW like Ableton Dwell, but it surely’s built-in with {hardware} presets and modulation strips, and also you get Freak’s signature Spice & Cube features for variations and randomization.
The arpeggiator additionally comes totally outfitted with all Freak options:
And you may as well use macros, that are helpful each for the devoted {hardware} and should you’re utilizing a controller with the software program.
{Hardware}, software program, worth
MiniFreak V is already a brand new benchmark for the way to create a fantastic software program companion for {hardware}. Not like the editors even for MicroFreak, it is simply immediately simple to work with. And since the {hardware} presents the power to run and not using a PC and provides you extra hands-on management (and, you already know, keys), the demo is a good commercial for the gear.
After all, that does not essentially imply MiniFreak V is sensible in its software program type.
In some methods, the MiniFreak V advantages from being a software program model of a {hardware} design. You get a way of focus and immediacy, particularly when enjoying rapidly with sound design. That is simply nice structure with a great deal of character. It feels unusually like I am working with one in all Arturia’s folks classical emulations – aside from one organ from the 70s-90s, it is from 2022.
However, the matrix project, format, and a few quirks of the arp/sequencer design put you again in “what seems like an editor” territory, in comparison with extra fluid native software program designs like Arturia’s personal Pigments.
It feels unusually like I am working with one in all Arturia’s folks classical emulations – aside from one organ from the 70s-90s, it is from 2022.
Even on the beginning value, although, I would be hesitant to advocate it by itself, except you are completely an Arturia geek and easily cannot afford or match the {hardware} model. The issue is truthfully the competitors from different Arturia software program. It looks like it will make sense to price range the V assortment or Pigments first. MiniFreak V’s matrix routing is sensible as a {hardware} processor, however as software program single it feels unnecessarily constrained by materials design.
However should you’re like me and inquisitive about including the MicroFreak’s capabilities to your current MiniFreak, for instance, this matches the invoice – and it is nonetheless a pleasant little synth machine. It implies that for the primary time you’ll be able to let a controller do double responsibility and never waste house and money on gear. You would possibly need to log into your Arturia account first (or test suppliers like Plugin Boutique), as a result of the corporate presents some package deal offers that may make sense. Including this with the remainder of the V assortment is a better promote. I imply, now that it is on my onerous drive, I am positively going to make use of it – I can say that.
$99 sounds extra like a discount to purchase Pigments if you do not have it. 49 (introductory value for V Assortment customers) is a better splurge.
And hybrid hardware-software choices are undoubtedly a part of our future, particularly as {hardware} and computing architectures start to converge. It’s already a winner within the Eurorack world – Noise Engineering is a good instance. The separation of use circumstances can be fairly apparent. Enjoying dwell, on stage or within the studio, jam periods – materials. Sound design, detailed tweaks, messing with the setup, manufacturing – software program. On the go, too – software program once more. Having each makes a pleasant circle.
Home windows 10+ / macOS 10.13+ (Excessive Sierra and later)
AAX, VST, AU, standalone, NKS help
