Is the Arturia MiniFreak Good for Classic Style Synth Sounds?

Donald Jordan explores the Arturia MiniFreak to see if it's a good synth for more classic style synth sounds.

All synth sounds and music in this video were created using the MiniFreak. The synth audio was recorded direct and zero post processing or external effects were used.

Patch Timestamps:

26:46 = 001
27:04 = 014
27:35 = 006
28:11 = 016
28:58 = 013
29:45 = 003
30:40 = 005
31:20 = 007
31:55 = 008
32:31 = 009
32:57 = 010
33:34 = 011
34:01 = 012
34:38 = 015
35:10 = 017
35:37 = 018
36:14 = 019

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Intro: 00:00
Architecture: 3:03
Oscillators: 4:28
Filters: 10:42
Modulation: 15:02
Sound Design: 20:48
Classic Style Patches: 26:45
Conclusion: 36:54

[Bloom_Music]

Addendum:

- There is now a link in the description to a patch bank from this video!

- Rejoice, the manual for the MiniFreak is now available on Arturia's website!

- Regarding the comparison to other synths at 2:02, I want to be clear, I am not hating on those synths. I have owned or currently own all but two of them, and a couple of them are among my all time faves! But synths don’t exist in a vacuum and I think it’s important to speak to the competition. The point I am trying to make is that all of those other synths have had to make obvious sacrifices to meet the price point in this competitive segment. The MiniFreak seems to have overcome this and is the one synth in the segment that has no achilles heel, at least in my opinion. They took what could have been a lazy cost saving scheme (digital oscillators), and turned it into a unique and creative sound design tool.

[rodolphepnthus]

The Minifreak can do anything. Best synth I've had in years. Freaking awesome

[Post-destination]

Just in case you missed it, your "biggest miss" of the synth was just added in the 2.0 firmware update a month ago (ability to assign modulation depth as a destination in the macro strips). A much-needed addition to the already huge performance capabilities of this synth. Thank you for a wonderful breakdown of this instrument.

[benoitdubuc]

I think you may accidentally have made the best review of the Minifreak available so far. I love how you demonstrate the musicality of the machine through very good examples. Thank you for that.

[samueldecker]

That's it. I'm going to buy one. That's what I needed to see. I've watched every MiniFreak video I can find and I think yours is the most eloquent. Others have told me how great the MiniFreak is, but you've shown me.

[jello-tarzan]

I've watched this video around 10 times already and I know I'll be studying it a lot more when I finally get a MF.
Great quality of info, music and communication approach.
Dude, you are talented. And already cooler than most of reviewers/pusher. Thanks for your inspiration and help!

[GarthVader]

Man, with reviews like this, you’ll be in the cool kid club in no time!
Keep up the good work 🙂

[xndrxwsxnclxxr]

You had me hooked within 55 seconds. I'm really tired of reviews where people just make the craziest sounds with gear. As a pop producer I'm almost always using synths in a more restrained way and so I want to hear how these things sound with "normal" pathes

[sfdaefd]

Two years later, still the best MF demo video! ❤ Thanks so much, my dude.

[starsky]

Very comprehensive review and a very professional video. Nice BOC reference at 29 mins

[Robguitarjarvis]

Very difficult to find a single bad comment about this synth. Maybe it’s because it is actually so very good.

[valley_robot]

The Best reviews always don't sound like they got the instrument for free, good job mate, subbed

[jaminjones]

Excellent review / overview! I went to my local synth shop the other day to pick up some new headphones and spent some time trying out the MiniFreak while I was there... and ended up walking out with it. Couldn't help myself. For me it strikes the perfect balance between depth/versatility and constraints/limitations. Does pretty much everything I want it to do, but with enough limitations to keep me working quickly, give it it's own character/personality, and ensure it pretty much always sound good.

[BlackAera]

This video has great value. You essentially presented the Minifreak as the synth I was looking for but didn't know where to search. Korg, Modal, ASM, Roland... they have all been on my radar already but without breaking the bank, only the Minilogue seemed to offer the workflow I want from a hardware synth. I am so glad that I waited so long with my purchase to the point where Arturia expanded the very interesting but limited looking Microfreaking into a mid tier model with the same intuitive programming and inspiring interface but now with a real keyboard and more functionality without added complexity. This might be the one.

[VisionMoon]

I picked up a MiniFreak yesterday. I could see the potential for classic sounds. Your videos have confirmed this. Though I haven’t had the synth for 24 hours yet, I already love it. I’m sure Arturia are going to sell bucket loads .
Great video. Thank you for making it!

[lucasgienow]

I just bought one of these used off of reverb and was looking for a video exactly like this. My excitement for it to get here is even greater now! Thanks for making this 🙏🏻

[IISGII]

I genuinely think the MiniFreak is one of the best synths ever made. Arturia nailed it with this thing.

[krazywabbit]

The algorithms sent me your video and sometimes they get it right. I applaud you for the work you put in with everything else you have going on. Nicely done review not only with the Mini, but others. I wish you and your family a Happy New Year. Keep movin and groovin!

[Jobotubular]

This video convinced me the miniFreak wasn't just a microFreak with keys. Two of the best synths out there, and glad to have both (despite the fact I usually prefer full-size keys)

[ProllyKood]

Best video for this synth. Hands down. I will reference it regularly. Should be a QR link in the frikin box to this video my man. Tell em they owe you for the digital instruction manual.