Arturia MiniFreak 37-Key Polyphonic 6-Voice Hybrid Synthesizer Keyboard - Professional Digital Analog Synth for Music Production, Live Performance & Studio Recording

This massively popular synth has only been available for about half a year, but the staggering number of praise-filled reviews, aftermarket preset packs, and general community support should give you an idea of how successful this versatile little synth is. Youtube videos run through the default factory presets, and provide tips and tricks for optimizing your time with this gem. The multi-mode synthesis engine covers just about every method imaginable and the oscillators, analog multimode filters, and generous effects section provide true high-quality sounds of all kinds. Each of the 256 preset slots can include its own user-programmed sound patch AND polyphonic sequence or arpeggio setup. Plenty of smooth, precise knobs to control variables in real time, and a flexible matrix assignment system for managing signal routing make this a great synth for beginners or experienced users alike. True six-voice polyphony with user-selectable note-re-triggering and voice-allocation modes allow for lots of flexibility and can emulate modes from conventional monosynths to various polysynths like the original Oberheim 2- 4- and 8- voice. (Well, no, not 8-voices at once, but the same kind of note assignments!)The compact keyboard is velocity sensitive with monophonic pressure aftertouch, and provides a sturdy predictable keybed.The metal chassis construction is ventilated to prevent heat build-up, while providing a feeling if solid construction.Arturia also provides free access to the MiniFreak V when you register online, which is a very faithful virtual instrument (standalone and plugin) that runs on a PC or Mac and to me sounds exactly like the hardware version. This allows for multiple instances of the MiniFreak simultaneously, limited only by your computer’s processing power. It also can be setup to track in realtime all the knobs and settings of a connected hardware MiniFreak. You can work on developing patches or sequences on the virtual version, then transfer them to the hardware unit once it is connected. You can also use the virtual version to save patches and sequences from the hardware unit to hard disk. The 1 -to-1 mapping of the hardware controls makes for a very unique experience when working with the virtual version in a DAW…I can confirm that everything works as it should in Propellerhead’s Reason v12.It’s not quite as powerful or well laid out as Arturia’s flagship softsynth, Pigments, but it’s close, with similar high quality sounds, and a few strengths of its own. Now, I’d love to see Arturia release a hardware version of Pigments!