For me a computer can’t be a better UI ! Not interested in the plugin. The fact that it sounds like the hardware seems a good point, I agree that the analog filters lacks caracter.
Is the VST as noisy as the hardware ? 
Easy to get noise : INIT patch, choose distortion or multi comp.
Apparently post VCA VCF noise.
Yup. They model it perfectly down to the noise level (that’s definitely more apparent with the multi band compressor on).
Arturia really did a really good job with the plugin. Almost too good of a job lol. I remember when it was first coming out that was gonna be something I’d test cuz “surely they wouldn’t model the noise floor” but they did. There might be slight differences in how loud the noise floor is, but only by a few decibels.
The only thing I could really find that makes it not 100% identical is that the filter cutoff steps when moving it with the mouse on the plugin, where it’s obviously smooth when using the knob on the hardware. But it’s smooth when assigning any form of modulation to it, and it’s smooth in the plugin if you have the hardware connected and you’re moving the knob. Steppy filters are just a thing on every Arturia plugin for some reason, but they all smooth out with modulation/ automation.
Have you considered the Minilogue XD?
There are great preset packs from Jexus and the Boards of Deluge guy. Plus some amazing user osc and FX!
I own the MF too, and XD sounds a lot better. I don’t think there’s a better sounding synth at that price point.
The one drawback for me is no Aftertouch on the keybed.
Surprising ! And what do you think about that noise ?
Seems post VCF and VCA…can be after a short envelope.
Obvious from INIT patch, Osc 1 volume set to 0, short ADSR envelope, fx set to Multi Comp or Distortion.
I got my Hydra 49 used on feebay for $860 USD 
I’ll keep the MiniFreak on a stand next to me today and see how much I touch it vs the Hydra.
For all its modulation possibilities and tricks the Hydra just sounds plain boring.
There is a lot of fun to be had with the hydra, but after my honeymoon period i didnt really gel with the sound. I had the 49 keys version. I loved the hardware and workflow. But it kind of felt like a cheap sound engine in premium hardware. Like the variable latency when using FM mutators.
But i really like the sound of the minifreak. It sounds better than i expected. Would love a big version of that. hehe.
Yeah same here.
I really hope for an all digital 16 voice, dual filter Matrixfreak with a 49 keys version of the Fulltouch keybed of the Polybrute 12.
I would still like to have the analog filter. I love the BP on this synth.
Did you try the bpf of the plugin version?
I was thinking the same, I hope they do smaller versions of that keyboard. The Polybrute 12 is just way too massive (and expensive) although it looks and sounds absolutely wonderful.
So Arturia if you are watching this: Polyfreak 12 with 49 keys and Fulltouch please.
Gonna repost my question here cos no-ones replied and it might be cos it got lost in the thread…
Does anyone have this behavior:
When midi clock/sync from DAW to Minifreak is active (so Minifreak’s arp and sequence and fx are locked to DAW tempo), there is a significant delay between midi note input into the DAW that then goes to Minifreak?
It doesn’t happen if I’m not sending clock from DAW (cubase) to Minifreak. It’s also the same with the Microfreak.
I havent tried the plugin yet. Or i tried it just for controlling the hardware, and not checking the sound of it.
49 full size keys and a larger board overall.
Might lead to a better UI with less secondary function menu diving.
Maybe a little more separation between keys and capacitive touch buttons too.
After seeing a lot of videos of minifreak and owning a Hydra desktop, I think for now Im going to keep my money. I don’t mind the mini keys but that little screen and only two macros… Hydra desktop is gorgeous, and I think that with it you can make sounds like the MF does, hydra is very very powerful… The vst version is a great addition but I have enough vst and I don’t know, it seems redundant. But I’m in the search for a synth with keys.
Worked nicely when I tested MF synced to Digitakt 2. Synced to the beat, seemed in time.
Can’t tell about your DAW setup with latency, potential latency compensation, etc.
Thanks for checking and the reply! Appreciate it. Yes the cause is probably deeper in my configuration… It’s a little complex for sure.
How is it all connected?
DIN or USB?
PC or Mac?
Might be solveable with some tweaking!
I ran into an issue where if you have the sequencer running you can play freely on top of it, but if you’re synced to an external clock source and you try to play on top of a running sequence, the notes only trigger when you play exactly on a sequencer step. That might be related to the problem you’re having.
DAW (Cubase or Ableton on PC)
via Ethernet to MioXL (via a router)
via USB-Host to Minifreak
Then I use my MPK249 or VMK88 to live play midi notes into DAW (via USB-Host and 5-pin din midi into MioXL) then on into the Minifreak.
It’s only an issue when clock is being sent from DAW to Minifreak.
Doesn’t happen with my other synths (apart from the Microfreak!) that take clock through the same / similar routing. That’s what makes me think it’s specific to the Arturias.
This sounds very similar / related to what I’m experiencing. It’s not a problem to play notes over a running sequence from the keyboard on the Minifreak when it’s slaved to external clock, just when sending external notes and external clock. It even does it when no sequence is actually running - but if clock is being sent, there’s always a delay to the note on.
I’ll do some more testing and see if I can pin it down further. I’ll do the sensible thing and remove variables i.e. connect Minifreak direct to DAW (no MioXL) via USB, and then check via 5-pin din midi using my UMC404HD.
Thanks for all your suggestions and input!