New Freak Day!

octatonic · August 2019

This turned up- an Arturia Microfreak.
It is very freaky indeed.

It is based on the open source Mutable Instruments Braids Eurorack module, reimagined into a small portable synth with a PCB 'keyboard'.
It does nasty better than any other £200 synth.

Strangefan · August 2019

Maaaaaaaan I tried to buy one but everywheres sold out!

octatonic · August 2019

Strangefan said:

Maaaaaaaan I tried to buy one but everywheres sold out!

G4M have shitloads of them.

https://www.gear4music.com/Keyboards-and-Pianos/Arturia-MICROFREAK-Paraphonic-Hybrid-Synthesizer/2UVM

I got mine from Thomann as it was cheaper shipping to Der Schweiz.

Strangefan · August 2019

Yeeeeah but I wanna buy from an actual shop

octatonic · August 2019

Strangefan said:

Yeeeeah but I wanna buy from an actual shop

Do these still exist?

octatonic · August 2019

Juno has some:

https://www.juno.co.uk/products/arturia-microfreak-paraphonic-hybrid-synthesiser-sequencer/718636-01/

goldtop · August 2019

How are you getting on with the keyboard? Some reviews say you have to change your playing style because you can't idly rest your fingers on the surface without triggering unwanted notes. (Yes, I have bad technique!)

octatonic · August 2019

goldtop said:

How are you getting on with the keyboard? Some reviews say you have to change your playing style because you can't idly rest your fingers on the surface without triggering unwanted notes. (Yes, I have bad technique!)

I don't rest my hands on notes I'm not playing but if you do then you will need to change your technique.
Or use an external midi controller- it supports that.

Shark_Eyes · August 2019

How are you finding it? I was super interested in getting one, but when I had a go in GAK I just couldn't get to grips with it at all.
Ended up getting a grandmother instead.

JMP220478 · August 2019

Shark_Eyes said:

How are you finding it? I was super interested in getting one, but when I had a go in GAK I just couldn't get to grips with it at all.
Ended up getting a grandmother instead.

was she NOS ? :-)

octatonic · August 2019

Shark_Eyes said:

How are you finding it? I was super interested in getting one, but when I had a go in GAK I just couldn't get to grips with it at all.
Ended up getting a grandmother instead.

I'm really liking it.- the PCB keyboard is particularly cool
I decided against the Grandmother because I have that sort of thing covered in Eurorack gear.
I might go for a Matriarch though.

Shark_Eyes · August 2019

@octaionic I love the grandmother, but didn't have any eurorack stuff when I bought it and wanted it as a start.
Any recommendations as modular expansions? Built a mult, effects level in - out and a mixer. Thinking of getting a VCO.
I love the idea of the freak and might take a punt.

Shark_Eyes · August 2019

I meant to ask, are you finding the random / spice functions useful?

octatonic · August 2019

Shark_Eyes said:

@octaionic I love the grandmother, but didn't have any eurorack stuff when I bought it and wanted it as a start.
Any recommendations as modular expansions? Built a mult, effects level in - out and a mixer. Thinking of getting a VCO.
I love the idea of the freak and might take a punt.

That is a deep topic- it really depends on what you are wanting to do.

I love Eurorack looping devices, things like Maths and the other Make Noise 'Buchla inspired' boxes.
I've built a 3 oscillator Minimoog style device from AJH that I love.
I use Shapeshifter a lot as well as Strymon Magneto.
It is endless really.

Shark_Eyes said:

I meant to ask, are you finding the random / spice functions useful?

Very useful, I'm always looking for the happy accident.

Shark_Eyes · August 2019

Thanks, I'll look into maths as I've been eyeing up my looper pedal and the osc sounds great.
I've been using the sample and hold function into the arpeggiator for some randomness, would prefer a more controlled version, will give the freak another look.
Cheers

octatonic · August 2019

Shark_Eyes said:

Thanks, I'll look into maths as I've been eyeing up my looper pedal and the osc sounds great.
I've been using the sample and hold function into the arpeggiator for some randomness, would prefer a more controlled version, will give the freak another look.
Cheers

Sorry I should have explained that better, Maths isn't a looper.
Loopers would be Morphagene, Strymon Magneto, 4ms Looping Delay.

Maths is a function generator- basically an analogue computer.
You can use it as a super long LFO, apply slew, lag, portamento to CV, advanced modulation.
Very useful module- I have 3 of them and they are always in use, I could easily fit in 2 more of them.

Shark_Eyes · August 2019

I did wonder, I'd never seen it used as a looper. I'll do some research and check the other ones you've mentioned out. Except for the magneto, which sounds amazing and useful, but very spendy.

octatonic · August 2019

Shark_Eyes said:

I did wonder, I'd never seen it used as a looper. I'll do some research and check the other ones you've mentioned out. Except for the magneto, which sounds amazing and useful, but very spendy.

Modular can be a money pit and very time-consuming to get results, compared to plugins or hardware synths.
Also has an assumed level of knowledge- this can be worked on by experimenting with it, unlike something like Max MSP or Super Collider.

Shark_Eyes · August 2019

Yeah, I'd been thinking about it for about a year and decided semi modular was the way to go. Had some success with VCV Rack which convinced me to take the plunge.
I'm loving it so far, pleased with the flexibility of the grandmother, and loving the challenge of learning synthesis.

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