That’s a nice form factor. Now I really wish I would have gotten around to selling mine because there’s probably going to be a glut of used ones soon.
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Looks fantastic. The only thing holding me back is that I will inevitably like the black stellar version more when it comes out in a year. Better start saving now…
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Wish is was more of an upgrade. I love mine but I do wish for a third LFO or a second ADSR or cycling envelope. Though on the upside, less desire to blow whatever cash they are charging.
This real?
The jury’s out but seems like folks think its real.
Looks to be. Over on Reddit there are multiple threads about it, and listings are popping up on other sites.
From listing:
Key Features:
Two digital engines, six voices, 30+ oscillator modes.
Polyphonic analog filter per voice, LP/HP/BP.
Audio-rate FM of filter cutoff from either engine.
New XYZ multitouch matrix with four modes.
49 full-size semi-weighted keys with mono aftertouch.
Voice Panning spreads six voices across stereo field.
Three effect slots, 13 algorithms each.
Two LFOs and polyphonic audio-rate cycling envelope.
Sequencer with four modulation tracks, plus arpeggiator.
Audio In processes external signals through the voices.
Aluminium pitch and mod wheels, larger OLED display.
MiniFreak V companion software included.
None of my wishlist items addressed: poly AT, more modulation sources, or multi-timberal. Guess I’m waiting for the SuperFreak.
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Yeah, unless I’m missing something, the mid increase in features doesn’t justify the jump in size or cost.
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Would be weird to redo the whole structure but keep such a diddly screen size
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I kind of agree. At the first sight they added filter FM and stereo spread in the sound engine, other than that it’s mostly more hands-on controls (always great, but Minifreak is pretty good in this respect already, especially for the size), larger screen (still seems small) and those keys. I’d be much more interested if it had poly-at.
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Not having PolyAT on this and the AstroLab is heresy.
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Nice!
I have the Minifreak plugin through the Arturia V Software collection but as a keys player, the main thing holding me back from ever buying one was the 37 mini keys. This looks to be a decent upgrade in form factor for playability, but I’m a bit bummed still only 6 voices? I was hoping for a more “maxed-out” Freak: 12 voices, 61 keys, and (dare to dream) Poly AT. Or at least one of those items. In any case, looking forward to price and reviews when it’s out.
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Here we go
Granular?
Seems like it. And it’s hardware
Minifreak 49, was leaked yesterday.
Summary
PRODUCT INFO
The Arturia MiniFreak 49 is the larger version of the hybrid digital and analog synthesizer Arturia launched in 2022. It keeps the two engines, six voices, 30+ oscillator modes and analog filters of the original, then adds a full-size keybed, an XYZ touch matrix, Voice Panning and audio-rate FM of the filter cutoff. MiniFreak V software is included.
Two Engines, Six Voices
Two digital engines offer more than 30 oscillator modes, from Virtual Analog and FM to granular and sample. Engine 2 can process Engine 1, and three shortcut buttons jump straight to the synth, wavetable or sample engines. Audio In routes external signals through the voice architecture, so other instruments can be processed too.
Analog Filter
Each voice has its own polyphonic analog state-variable filter, switchable between low pass, high pass and band pass. It resonates up to self-oscillation, and the cutoff can now be frequency modulated at audio rate from either engine.
XYZ Touch Matrix
One multitouch surface works in four modes. Visualizer shows live animations in response to your playing, with four to choose from per preset. Modulation Matrix allows direct, colour-coded assignment. Preset Browsing shows full pages of presets that you swipe through. Freak Control gives access to Macros, Gate and Spice, plus bipolar and vector layouts pre-mapped across the synth, and any sweet spot you find can be latched.
Modulation And Stereo Movement
Two LFOs offer selectable waveforms, free or synced timing, a custom shape editor and drawing directly on the matrix. A polyphonic cycling envelope with Run and Loop modes works at audio rate. Three effect slots each hold one of 13 algorithms, and Voice Panning places each of the six voices in the stereo field using selectable spread algorithms.
Keybed And Controls
The 49 full-size semi-weighted keys respond to velocity and mono aftertouch, and use the Arturia-designed keybed shared with the KeyLab mk3 49 and 61. The pitch and mod wheels are aluminium, the OLED display is larger than the original, and a shift layer gives access to secondary functions across the panel.
Sequencer And Arpeggiator
The sequencer has four modulation tracks. The arpeggiator adds octave jumps, ratchets and repeats, and Spice and Dice varies or randomises any pattern on the fly.
Software Included
MiniFreak V companion software is included, for full DAW integration, preset management and control of the plugin from the hardware.
Key Features:
- Two digital engines, six voices, 30+ oscillator modes.
- Polyphonic analog filter per voice, LP/HP/BP.
- Audio-rate FM of filter cutoff from either engine.
- New XYZ multitouch matrix with four modes.
- 49 full-size semi-weighted keys with mono aftertouch.
- Voice Panning spreads six voices across stereo field.
- Three effect slots, 13 algorithms each.
- Two LFOs and polyphonic audio-rate cycling envelope.
- Sequencer with four modulation tracks, plus arpeggiator.
- Audio In processes external signals through the voices.
- Aluminium pitch and mod wheels, larger OLED display.
- MiniFreak V companion software included.
THE SPECS
- Engines: 2 digital
- Voices: 6
- Oscillator Modes: 30+
- Filter: Polyphonic analog state-variable (LP/HP/BP), resonates to self-oscillation
- Filter Cutoff FM: Audio rate, from either engine
- Effects: 3 slots, 13 algorithms each
- Modulation: 2 LFOs, polyphonic cycling envelope (Run and Loop modes)
- Sequencer: With 4 modulation tracks
- Arpeggiator: Octave jumps, ratchets, repeats
- Keyboard: 49 full-size semi-weighted keys, velocity and mono aftertouch
- Wheels: Aluminium pitch and mod
- Display: OLED
- Outputs: Stereo
- Audio In: Yes
- Companion Software: MiniFreak V
- Dimensions: 777 x 288 x 71mm (30.59 x 11.34 x 2.80 in)
- Weight: 5.70kg (12.57 lb)
- Boxed Dimensions: 949 x 366 x 145mm
- Boxed Weight: 8.
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Damn that panel looks familiar on the video. Now it makes sense bro
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As someone who loves 49 key synths, and love the feel of my Keylab 49’s keys, and love my Minifreak… this might make sense.
It looks like a great gigging synth to me too, kinda matches up and does what my Prophet 6 does.
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Seems a very practical and inexpensive way, to do a programmable pin matrix grid.
The PCB capacitive grid, like the capacitive keyboard on the Microfreak, plus a matrix of LEDs. The LEDs may or may not be multi-color to give different resistances. Obvious the grid could store other things like a sequencer, or for patch selection, etc.
This is speculation from me, though perhaps this info has already been released.
Given that Arturia has done this sort of sensing before, they can optimize this sort of design and iron out any problems, like dry hand, or noise issues, floating grounds, and that sort of thing.
They could even do a granular tape head thing, like on the Torso S-4.
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