Overview
Arturia is adding to its Freak line of digital synths with the MiniFreak 49. Under the hood, it is almost identical to the current MiniFreak, but it adds a number of more professional features and some interface improvements.
Arturia’s MiniFreak 49 makes its Freak synths more professional
The MiniFreak 49 adds full-sized semi-weighted keys and proper pitch and mod wheels to the Freak lineup.
Hardware and Keys
The most noticeable change is that, rather than the MiniFreak’s 37 minikeys or the MicroFreak’s 25 key touchplate, the MiniFreak 49 has 49 full-sized, semi-weighted keys. Though it is somewhat disappointing that they feature only mono aftertouch instead of polyphonic aftertouch. It also trades the touchstrips of the other Freak instruments for proper aluminum pitch and mod wheels.
Sound Engines and Storage
The MiniFreak 49 also has a larger LCD than its siblings and dedicated controls for its two sound engines, so you do not have to switch between them. Like the MiniFreak, it offers over 30 digital oscillator types, each with analog filters. It also adds audio-rate filter FM for even freakier sounds and has 256MB of storage for user samples and wavetables.
XYZ Touchpad and Interface
Lastly, there is a new XYZ touchpad that not only replaces the mod matrix’s intuitive but slow knob-based interface, but also adds performance features and speeds up preset browsing. You can swipe through presets, control macros, manipulate the filter, and more.
Pricing and Availability
MiniFreak 49 is available now with an MSRP of $849, though the street price is likely to be lower.
