Arturia MicroFreak ((Limited Edition White)

Vocoder Hybrid Analog/Digital Synthesizer with Advanced Digital Oscillators (Limited Edition White)

The limited-edition white Arturia MicroFreak Vocoder builds upon the success of the original cutting-edge experimental hybrid analog/digital synthesizer and adds a 16-band vocoder mode, a detachable gooseneck microphone, and a sleek white look with updated ‘swan’ graphics. Like the original, the MicroFreak Vocoder features digital oscillators, an analog filter, and a touch-plate keyboard, well suited for musicians, sound designers, producers, and DJs at any experience level.

The MicroFreak Vocoder features 14 digital oscillators with variable modes and includes the open source Plaits engine created by Mutable Instruments. With a remarkable amount of options and paraphonic performance capabilities, the MicroFreak ensures otherworldly sounds, modes, and parameter controls.

The built-in 25-note touchplate keyboard is pressure sensitive and offers polyphonic aftertouch for inspired performances. The state-variable analog filter is inspired by the 12 dB Oberheim SEM filter, allowing you to dial in screaming leads and whispering pads. Plus, with the integrated 5 x 7 matrix, you can route the filter cutoff to be controlled by the touch-plate keyboard pressure, or sequence events with the onboard sequencer. The sequencer allows you to record up to four automations, edit notes per step, or use the innovative Spice and Dice sequencer functions to generate happy accidents. Add randomization to create original patterns that evolve and push things even further with the modulation matrix.

The MicroFreak Vocoder’s rear panel features a single 1/4″ main output and a 3.5mm headphone output, which doubles as the vocoder mic input. Additionally, there are control voltage outputs on 3.5mm jacks with options for CV, Gate, and Pressure, as well as 3.5mm clock in and out jacks. MIDI I/O is available via 3.5mm jacks, and a set of two 3.5mm to 5-pin DIN adapters is included. Additionally, the Arturia MicroFreak Vocoder features MIDI over USB Type-B which also provides a digital connection to your computer for DAW sequencing.

Vocoder Mode

• 16-band vocoder transforms your voice in fun ways
• Vocoder engine features 3 waveforms: Sawtooth, Pulse Width, and Noise
• 16 vocoder presets provide instant access to android translations, crystalline harmonies, and vibrant formant sequences
• Connect an external sound source like a drum machine or synth via the headphone socket for glitchy sound processing
• Gooseneck microphone affords quick position adjustment, with easy connection straight into the headphone socket
• Utility menu sets your preferred mic gain and noise-gate settings
• Vocoder Mode:
  • With the vocoder oscillator selected and the paraphonic mode on, you will be able to hear up to 4 synthesized vocal notes when playing a chord and singing into the microphone
  • Can also be used as an effects processor to resynthesize your audio input
• Knob Functions:
  • When using the vocoder function, turn the Wave knob to produce sawtooth, pulse, or noise waveforms
  • Timbre knob changes the frequency range of the analysis and the resynthesis
  • Shape knob sets the bandwidth of each filter

General Features

• Synthesizer with 256 preset slots and 224 factory presets
• 14 variable digital oscillator modes, including Mutable Instruments Plaits engines and the Vocoder mode
• Gooseneck electret microphone
• Analog state variable filter, 12 dB/octave, resonant, low-pass, band-pass, high-pass
• ADSR envelope
• Cycling Envelope offering two modes
  • Envelope
  • LFO
• LFO with Sync: Sine, Tri, Saw, Square, Random, Slew Random
• Modulation matrix with five sources and seven destinations (three custom destinations)
• Monophonic or Paraphonic modes: up to four voices
• Chord mode lets you program a chord shape and play it on any note
• Scale Quantize lets you set a specific scale for the white notes for easy performance
• 25-key capacitive keybed with polyphonic aftertouch
• Capacitive touch strip
• Crisp OLED display for editing and parameter values
• Powerful arpeggiator
  • Up, Order, Random, Pattern modes
  • Spice and Dice Gate randomizers
• 64-step sequencer
  • Two patterns per preset
  • Four automation tracks per preset
• CV / Gate / Mod outputs
• USB, Clock, and MIDI in and out
• 1/4″ master and 3.5mm headphone output

Digital Oscillators

• Noise
  • Morph between particle noise, white noise, and metallic noise
  • Reminiscent of a synth cymbal
  • Great basis for quirky drum and percussion sounds
• Superwave:
  • Precisely detuned saw, square, sine, or triangle wave
  • Create fat synth sounds
  • Great for Trance and lush dreamy pads
• Harmo:
  • Modulate the volume of 32 sine waves to create sounds
  • Creates harmonically rich, vibrant sounds
  • Shape with the filter
• Karplus Str:
  • Creates the sound of string instruments using physical modeling
  • Soft pizzicato to screeching, zingy chords
• Wavetable:
  • Scan through waveform snapshots
  • Find new, unusual, and evolving sounds
  • Contains 16 wavetables
  • Additional waveforms in future updates
• Square/Saw
  • Square wave contains only odd harmonics
  • Sawtooth contains both odd and even
  • Two distinct, essential timbres

Mutable Instruments Plaits

• Pl.VA:
  • Virtual analog
  • Recreates traditional synth methods digitally
  • Create classic and cutting-edge tones
• Pl.Waveshpr:
  • Triangular wave
  • Processed by waveshaping and wavefolding
  • Creates squelchy, aggressive, and often metallic tones
• Pl.FM:
  • Powerful twin-operator FM oscillator
  • Two sine waves modulated each other’s phase
  • Creates sharp, acidic tones
• Pl.Grain:
  • Percussive granular synthesis engine
  • Adds huge texture and body to sequenced rhythms
• Pl.Chords:
  • Paraphonic synth engine
  • Triggers duplicates at set intervals
  • Creates defined, static chords with one key
• Pl.Speech:
  • Creates vowel, formant, and simple word sounds
  • Automate with the mod matrix for inspiration
• Pl.Modal
  • Creates the unusual inharmonic vibrations and resonance of a hollow structure
  • Great for adding texture or bizarre overtones

FEATURES

• 16-Band Vocoder with Gooseneck Mic
• Digital Oscillator with Multiple Modes
• Integrates Mutable Instruments Plaits
• State-Variable 12 dB Oberheim SEM Filter
• 5×7 Modulation Matrix
• Touch-Plate Keyboard with Poly AT
• USB and 3.5mm MIDI In/Out
• Arpeggiator and Step Sequencer
• Clock I/O + CV/Gate/Pressure Outputs
• Includes Two 3.5mm to DIN MIDI Adapters