thank you so much for this!
i lost a few hours to the minifreak update today
the streamlining of the interface to three parameters is highly appreciated- when paired with the modulation capabilities and excellent fx, it’s a breeze for even an idiot like me to make beautiful patches
it’s hard not to imagine how awesome it would be if an elektron box had a few engines similar to these 
haha yeah likewise! I spent about an hour last night uninstalling then reinstalling the Midi Control Centre because my Minifreak wasn’t showing up… I’d had similar issues in the past with my other Arturia stuff not showing up (damn windows and poor USB handling etc) and the solution was to uninstall the arturia midi driver, restart and reinstall. So I tried that. But that didn’t work. Then I resorted to searching the web (wish I’d done that from the start…) and found the answer - I needed to update the firmware using the Minifreak V software on my computer! Gah - they should make it possible in both apps in my opinion but there you go. Glad it’s sorted for you and for me!
well, you can always sequence the MiniF from your Elektron box - many of the parameters you’d want to control are available through CC…
but yeah I do hear you - I think a few basic improvements to the sequencer on the MiniF would go a long way to making it better such as:
Happy freakin’!
Yeah same. I’ve had a lot of fun with it and it can do some crazy things with the mod matrix and especially with modulating the oscillator type. The turning point for me was when I got an Octatrack I spent some type using it to sequence my modular and recording a bunch of layers of weird crazy loops. Then I did the same thing with the Minifreak and had a lot of fun with taking it to wild places. But then later listening back, the modular stuff just sounded so much better than the Minifreak stuff.
i agree with this, the analog filter doesn’t really provide what you traditionally want or expect from one character-wise
imo the filter is the weakest facet of the minifreak but i have to admit that i have more respect for it after running some of the field recording samples layered with the harm oscillator as a pad through it
it seems like the unpredictable texture and noise revealed a hidden strength- but this can probably be said for almost any resonant filter analog or otherwise
I’ll get excited when they finally add wavetable and sample import. I know it was mentioned. But I’m not holding my breath. I got other synths competing for this desktop space. Even my Microfreak is more worthy of that spot.
Can anyone help answer a very niche question about the Minifreak’s sequencer?
Can the sequencer be advanced with an external trigger at 1 step per pulse?
The use case would be to create an 8 chord / 8 step sequence, and to move through the chord progression via an external foot trigger routed to the MF clock input (sending the correct trig type ofc).
It’s a bit of an odd use case. I’m hoping to be able to trigger pads while my hands are occupied playing bass guitar 
I really like the granular engines. Made some weird ambient, going for something like Huerco S
Nice.
Oddball noises are what I generally get out of it anyway, which makes sense since it’s marketed as a ‘freak’ line entry. Nice to have some ‘atmospheric’ options.
Same happened to me just now on updating
I’ve been looking for a synth to pair with my digitakt. I was looking at the Roland sh-4d as I enjoy the classic sounds but not sure I can get past the strange menu and ui choices that Roland make.
I’m not sure why but I never even considered the Minifreak. Maybe I thought it was going to be harsh sounding but after listening to demos it sounds organic and even soft in many demos, I’ve heard great acoustic sounding plucks and evolving pads.
I think I’m put off by the lack of depth in the oscillator section but I guess the depth is in the variety of oscillators to choose from and then stacking and mixing it with the second oscillator.
Does the minifreak make a good midi controller too? I’d love to just have the digitakt, MacBook and minifreak as a synth and midi for vst’s on the Mac.
Does anyone else have a similar setup?
I’ve used it as a MIDI controller to a light extent, I found it pretty nice for that. @djst is using the Minifreak more extensively as a MIDI controller I believe, and might be able to comment better on that aspect.
As for using it with a Digitakt or Syntakt, I’ve done both and it’s pretty great for that. I only wish that the DT / ST weren’t limited to 4 simultaneous notes in MIDI tracks, since the Minifreak has 6/12 notes of poly/paraphony. I’ve also used it standalone with a Circuit Tracks, similar experience - it’s nice.
It’s a very capable hardware synth and I think there’s a lot of depth to the sound design once you get used to its particular quirks. The macro-based oscillator tweaking can be off-putting to some, I understand. But I do think the oscillator options have a lot of range.
FX section is killer, with flexible routing and premium sounding effects. You have custom LFO capabilities from the hardware controls, and the freely assignable macro strips on the side of the keyboard are excellent. Basically everything can be a mod destination. So, as you said, for evolving pads I think it’s extraordinarily capable. A few of the presets that came loaded on the MF at launch sold me on that, and I find them pretty easy to dial in myself as well. There are some nice acoustic sounds you can get too, with the Modal and Karplus options, not to mention comb filter on the second osc.
I have a Minifreak and a DTII. I can confirm it is a very capable midi keyboard. Its arpeggiator and its sequencer are very good and can control the DT.
It can produce dreamy sounds and is very powerfull in sound design if this is what you are looking for. An Ambient beast.
But if you like classic sounds you should maybe study the MicroKorg 2 in this size and price ranges. I don’t have it. I don’t know if it’s a good midi controler and if its arp can control midi (which is important) but it runs on batteries, it is bitimbral, has a small Looper (which is cool to feed the DT with loops). Sonically it seems more classic and maybe warmer.
Thanks for the responses. I’ve downloaded the vst just as a demo and it’s very easy to work with and make great sounds. Evolving pads with granular were organic and interesting. I tried some more basic subtractive sounds and they were fine for me too, I don’t need to imitate any particular analog synth so it works for me.
The filter seems very neutral which might be a good thing as to let the oscillator engine variety be heard or not to coloured? Maybe that’s a nonsense thought.
I had a hydrasynth but never managed to make anything I really liked, even though it seemed more capable. That is a failing on my behalf of course as I’ve heard great things from it. Maybe I’m just lazy when making patches, or maybe I need some limitations.
I really like the Minifreak. It has such a broad sound palette and it has enough depth to allow for so much sound exploration and design. It’s definitely different from the Hydrasynth which seems more marketed towards sound design nerds (I’m using that word affectionately) while the Minifreak, just like the Syntakt, seems designed to help you reach the point of making music instead.
I haven’t used it much as a midi controller but it’s easy enough and it works well. One caveat is that you do need the 12V power, it won’t be sufficient with the USB cable for power.
I’ve been making patches and messing about with the demo this afternoon, it’s very capable and a real pleasure to make patches with.
I think its limits are perfect for me. When using the hydrasynth, I felt the need to use everything, then usually ruin a patch by adding every mutant… I lack discipline!
I think this could make a tidy setup. Just digitakt, MacBook and minifreak. Having a power cord is fine for me as it’ll live on the desk and not move.
Have you tried this?
Works fine with my OG Digitakt, MPC One and Microfreak
I’m only seeing the 3.0 update from December 12 (which I still need to play around with more…)
Ha! I thought it was new. My bad. Will delete.
What I really like about this synth is that you can easily go from a classic saw pad sound to totally different places without even touching the mod matrix. Effects are excellent. And the sequencer is so cool… to start with an arpeggio and then save it as sequence after you mutated the crap out of it… and now the samples and granular stuff… just wow!,