Arturia Microfreak patches - my opinion
I started working on this set of sounds with a few doubts. Will this small synthesizer be able to generate sonically complex sounds? Will it not sound too digital and flat? So the available sound engines will not be a disappointment?
The beginnings were not easy - one of the disadvantages of the Microfreak quickly became apparent - the mono sound and the lack of any effects. This meant that working on sounds, although easy, was not as enjoyable. That is why I decided to work with an external reverb and delay, which allowed me to unleash my reservoirs of inspiration and enthusiasm. Then everything went quickly.
This is a great instrument for fans of sound design. The available engines are inventive, diverse, and offer a lot of possibilities. Of course, sometimes you miss the classic synthesis path, so it takes a while to get to know the full capabilities of this instrument. However, when you succeed - the fun can be really great.
A great idea is the fact that when changing the type of engine, all other parameters remain the same, including the modulation matrix. This allows you to search for new solutions very efficiently or simply experiment. A fantastic feature.
The modulation matrix itself also offers interesting possibilities. Of course, it does not have as many slots as larger synthesizers, but I have long believed that you do not need more than 6-8 slots to create interesting, "living" sounds.
The filter - it is great that it is analog, although in my opinion a digital filter with more types to choose from would be a better idea - as is the case with Hydrasynth, for example. Sometimes I missed the character of this filter, although the use of self-oscillating has become one of the elements in the case of several sounds.
I definitely missed a stereo chorus or unison with pan spread, especially in the case of pads. But here, unfortunately, we are limited by the architecture - this is simply a mono synthesizer. Better for leads, basses, melodies.
I think that one of the most interesting elements is the second "cycling" envelope, which can work in run or loop mode, very fast - giving the possibility of creating sounds characterized by additional harmonic or sonic artifacts. A fantastic feature that gives the synthesizer a real character.
