just got my MiniFreak today. I had ordered it last week just on the merits of the hardware alone, and was not aware until today that the MiniFreak V software was part of the deal. So awesome - Arturia really exceeded expectations on this one! Wish all music gear had this awesome hardware+software combination!
Something I did recently was to play two patches at the same time, recording from the vst and the other from the output of the MF. So cool to layer patches in real time with one synth.
Delighted you got the idea of a perfect 1:1 it’s been the thing I’ve strived for for years. The fact you can have as many copies of the hardware synth you want, is also… useful 😃
It's a really cool to have the VST with the hardware, thanks for showing what it can do! The System 8 is a similar approach, but more expensive and you have to buy the VST as well...
Thank you for this video Jef. I searched for a synth like that since so much time. I find thank to your video. At the end, after some research, i have not been able to find any other synth with this capacity to control his own plugin. Did find one ?
I've had the same thought regarding why it didn't ship with the custom wavetables and also possibly the vocoder feature, to make it easier to get Minifreak V to work interchangeably. But let's hope that this is just the starting point - after all, the MicroFreak didn't launch with certain features like the vocoder, and it seems they weren't really ready with Minifreak V immediately either. Maybe there's more to come. Loved your video and enthusiasm, for some reason you had not shown up on my radar until now despite your high subscriber count. 😊
@@jefgibbons Digitakt is probably the most recommended, most versatile as it's sample-based. I prefer my Digitone - 8 voices over 4 tracks, with the sequencing abilities it's an amazing little FM groovebox. Overbridge is great, but it's not quite the same - the hardware is required to make sounds, so you can work away from the computer & there's integration plugged in, but you can't work with just a computer. I'm interested in the Minifreak because I can take a patch from the keyboard, load it up, then take just my laptop somewhere to work on it - that's the part that separates this from similar hardware integrations.
Hello, I have these questions. 1.- Sequencer Play/Stop button on the Hardware doesn't trigger the equivalent on Minifreak V. 2.- Arp notes played on the hardware does not sound on the V version. P.S. Both work well on the Hardware and the V.
Love the idea behind this. Makes me want to grab a Minifreak only to get the VST version with it. How nuts is that! Although I have no doubt that the Minifreak is a great synth too (coming from a Microfreak owner)!
Didn’t korg achieve this hardware/ plugin thing already with the Opsix? Very interested in this too, although another synth in any form is the last thing I need lol.
The way hardware knobs sync with software ones is strange. I guess it would be better with endless rotary encoders and light around them as on Hydrasynth. Now the software is available to non-hardware owners, the question is is there any difference in the sound having in mind the hardware has analog filters?
Love your enthusiasm as always Jeff. Have you tried watching it at 0.5 speed? I'm sorry if it's me being juvenile but it's hilarious. It's like you've had a skinful! Keep up the good work and try to stay off the sauce for a bit 😄
Great vid, great beats. Do you feel like the hardware gives you a different sound quality? I have the vst and it’s great. I’ve only heard the hardware version on videos and it sounds more full. Thanks
How far away are we from having this marriage between hardware and software takeover? I'd love for an analog 31 band dual channel eq with motorized faders that respond to changes in the software companion. We'd have in the box workflows with actual analog harmonics and saturation.
Roland really had to be given the credit for pioneering this kind of tech. I’ve been using the system 8 in this way for several years. Regardless I am damn sure interested in a Minifreak. They sound very different
Unfortunately the Roland ACB VSTs are so CPU intensive that just one instance of System-8 makes my Macbook M1 crackle and pop. Ridiculously high CPU usage :(
great vid! thanks for bringing Arturia V to the front of my mind again, completely forgot about this piece of software. what's the DAW that you're using alongside V in this video?
Yeah, I've got a video on it! But it's very different than this one here... This is a virtual version of hardware, allowing you to have an unlimited amount of them playing at once... PB connect is just a preset manager that allows you to control the synth from software. It's still absolutely beautiful, but it's far from the same thing.
@@jefgibbons Hopefully in a firmware upgrade it may catch up to the current evolution of this one. I have them both, but do to vintage subnaptic pathways, my level of exploration and musical talent is significantly less than many others... I personally prefer hardware over software in both models. Old school!
i was wondering why you used cubase for the presentation of minifreak v, who usually works with NI machine. It would have been nice to mention that minifreak v doesn't output any audio in NI Maschine when using minifreak as a controller
Maybe not completely in the same price-range but apparently you can do this with the Roland System 8 too. I have one, but I'm still not too sure if I also own the System 8 VST, Jupiter, Juno and JX-3P vet's (for free) too. Roland isn't too clear about it, or I'm not too smart... Anyway, I do also use my System 8 to control other VST's, as do I also use my Moog Minitaur to do so. Cubase makes it really easy.
Based on what I have seen thus far regarding the MiniFreak and the accompanying VST, I see no reason why they couldn't add user wavetables to the synth/VST combination. Maybe today the sync just transfers patch settings, and not actual wavetable content, and they are trying to make the sync snappy/quick. Maybe today there isn't a lot of extra storage in the hardware unit to accept additional wavetable data... not sure. But it should all be doable. It's just digital math/data. However, I can see why Arturia might not want to make a VST that 'tries' to perfectly emulate the Polybrute. As you said, the Polybrute is analog, and I'm sure that purists would find (and rail against) even tiny differences between the sound coming from the Polybrute and the sound coming from the emulation. And you know how 'no good deed goes unpunished'! 🙂
So many vsti's today DO HAVE wavetable import. IMHO I think it's refreshing and instantly creative that you are limited in this case. I think the Minifreak is meant to be like a good old synth from back in the days, where you have multiple synthengines though.
Thank you for being honest. You do receive the hardware as payment and there's nothing wrong with it. I wish other RUclipsrs would stop lying and admit there is a payment. I love your videos and the content, thank you so much.
I bought the Microfreak a few weeks before the Minifreak came out. I then bought the Minifreak. It's about double the cost and a million times better. Your video is a part of that. I LOVE having the best of both the hardware and the plugin worlds. And as ever, you showed me things I hadn't even thought of. Minifreak is pure gold. Many thanks.
I love my microfreak I want the mini freak.. I think both would come in handy together. Speaking of using it with Maschine. Do I even need a controller now with the mini freak? Wouldnt that take its place? Right now Im just using launchpad with micro freak and logic. Im not even a keyboard player. Im a guitar player bass player and drummer. But THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!
Hi Jef. I always enjoyed your scoring videos but haven't seen them a long time, it's mainly software and hardware reviews. Do you have plans to make more film scoring videos? I learned a lot from them in using Cubase and is also the reason i finally was able to make the switch from logic to Cubase.
Jef: I'm using Cubase 12 as well and for some reason when I load an instance of Minifreak V, it takes like 60 seconds to load and then sends the Cubase performance meter crazy. Did you find this?
Yes, cool! But Polybrute/Connect is cooler :) Multi-instantiated feature is the best! .... oh wait, MiniFreak will work as VST only, so it is cooler :)
I almost spat my coffee out when I first read the details... it seemed too good to be true. I'd love a virtual Polybrute to go along with the real one!! (multiple patches at the same time!)
The "Knob Catch" behavior is pretty clunky IMO. I guess proper 2-way encoders would have been cost prohibitive, but that's a real workflow killer when working with multiple soft instances.
…that title is far from the truth. It would be true if MiniFreak would have pitch/gate/velocity cvs. I have MiniFreak and I got MicroFreak as well. MicroFreak is quite limited in comparison but more flexible in the home studio. Connects DAW even with Eurorack without any other equipment needed, besides cables. Mini is a very good poly synth for its price, has some cool oscillators but other then that it is nothing special. Btw I did like better MicroFreak sequencer and how it looks!MiniFreak is really ugly looking synth but I will keep it because it is a poly goodness!😂 …and I think you are biased. But pls don’t take it personally! Anyone! 😂❤🍀 Happy New Year! 🎊🎈🎆
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
just got my MiniFreak today. I had ordered it last week just on the merits of the hardware alone, and was not aware until today that the MiniFreak V software was part of the deal. So awesome - Arturia really exceeded expectations on this one! Wish all music gear had this awesome hardware+software combination!
Yeah! Hopefully they are inspiring others to do the same! Also hope we see this kind of integration with the Microfreak!
Something I did recently was to play two patches at the same time, recording from the vst and the other from the output of the MF. So cool to layer patches in real time with one synth.
It’s good to hear a demo of the mini freak in a musical context
Arturia is killing it lately!! Thanks for the vid Jef :)
Thanks John!
Delighted you got the idea of a perfect 1:1 it’s been the thing I’ve strived for for years.
The fact you can have as many copies of the hardware synth you want, is also… useful 😃
this is the review i needed, thank you.
Videos are always so clean.
It's a really cool to have the VST with the hardware, thanks for showing what it can do! The System 8 is a similar approach, but more expensive and you have to buy the VST as well...
Good to know, I've never checked the system 8!
Thank you for this video Jef.
I searched for a synth like that since so much time. I find thank to your video.
At the end, after some research, i have not been able to find any other synth with this capacity to control his own plugin.
Did find one ?
I've had the same thought regarding why it didn't ship with the custom wavetables and also possibly the vocoder feature, to make it easier to get Minifreak V to work interchangeably. But let's hope that this is just the starting point - after all, the MicroFreak didn't launch with certain features like the vocoder, and it seems they weren't really ready with Minifreak V immediately either. Maybe there's more to come. Loved your video and enthusiasm, for some reason you had not shown up on my radar until now despite your high subscriber count. 😊
electrons stuff with overbridge does this. its excellent. it even sends all audio over usb, even on windows.
Ooh it looks amazing... which piece of Elektron gear should I start with??
@@jefgibbons Digitakt is probably the most recommended, most versatile as it's sample-based. I prefer my Digitone - 8 voices over 4 tracks, with the sequencing abilities it's an amazing little FM groovebox.
Overbridge is great, but it's not quite the same - the hardware is required to make sounds, so you can work away from the computer & there's integration plugged in, but you can't work with just a computer. I'm interested in the Minifreak because I can take a patch from the keyboard, load it up, then take just my laptop somewhere to work on it - that's the part that separates this from similar hardware integrations.
Hello, I have these questions.
1.- Sequencer Play/Stop button on the Hardware doesn't trigger the equivalent on Minifreak V.
2.- Arp notes played on the hardware does not sound on the V version.
P.S. Both work well on the Hardware and the V.
Awesome! Mini freak vs hydrasynth? Any thoughts on that? Hydra's got 5 LFOs and 5 Envs for more sonic creation potential?
Love the idea behind this.
Makes me want to grab a Minifreak only to get the VST version with it.
How nuts is that!
Although I have no doubt that the Minifreak is a great synth too (coming from a Microfreak owner)!
Arturia. Please make the chords mode transmit midi notes
Love the glasses you wear!
Hey thanks! These are a new pair... throwing back to the 80s on these ones!
Didn’t korg achieve this hardware/ plugin thing already with the Opsix? Very interested in this too, although another synth in any form is the last thing I need lol.
You can do this with the Korg Wavestate and it costs about the same amount. Still cool though!
Good to hear! Gotta check that one...
The modwheel sliders on the V software don’t change when I use it on the hardware 🤔
Arturia is listening.. great video.
Do they sound the exact same? (As in is the analog filter stage emulation seamless?)
This guy is a must have !
The way hardware knobs sync with software ones is strange. I guess it would be better with endless rotary encoders and light around them as on Hydrasynth. Now the software is available to non-hardware owners, the question is is there any difference in the sound having in mind the hardware has analog filters?
No idea but would love an answer! Lol
Wondering the same thing
Love your enthusiasm as always Jeff. Have you tried watching it at 0.5 speed? I'm sorry if it's me being juvenile but it's hilarious. It's like you've had a skinful! Keep up the good work and try to stay off the sauce for a bit 😄
Ha! Can’t guarantee anything!! (Ps:I usually edit at 2x… so I’m used to seeing myself all hepped up!!)
Is any difference by recording the hardware minifreak via audio in or using the VST soundwise? :)
Great vid, great beats. Do you feel like the hardware gives you a different sound quality? I have the vst and it’s great. I’ve only heard the hardware version on videos and it sounds more full. Thanks
Did you tweak the lead patch already or is it a factory patch that comes with ?
How far away are we from having this marriage between hardware and software takeover? I'd love for an analog 31 band dual channel eq with motorized faders that respond to changes in the software companion. We'd have in the box workflows with actual analog harmonics and saturation.
Great video Jeff thanks! Do you know if it can double as a generic midi controller?
For sure! Regular old MIDI control!
@@jefgibbons Great, thanks for clarifying!
What about overbridge? Don't all those elektron machines have even tighter software integration because of the audio over USB?
Thanks for the great video. Not sure if you have tried this yet, but can the hardware also somewhat control other Arturia VST‘s? thanks
Roland really had to be given the credit for pioneering this kind of tech. I’ve been using the system 8 in this way for several years. Regardless I am damn sure interested in a Minifreak. They sound very different
Unfortunately the Roland ACB VSTs are so CPU intensive that just one instance of System-8 makes my Macbook M1 crackle and pop. Ridiculously high CPU usage :(
is it possible to work with multiple minifreak v's and the hardware reacts to it when you switch?
I'd like to see a comparison of the virtual patch vs the hardware only patch.
Are they the same?
They are the same apart from the analogue filter on the hardware
what are you using for a display?
Quick question, were you recording the midi on an arturia software? Brand new to synthesizers I got this as a present.
great vid! thanks for bringing Arturia V to the front of my mind again, completely forgot about this piece of software. what's the DAW that you're using alongside V in this video?
Arturia PolyBrute and PolyBrute Connect came out over a year ago...
Roughly the same combination in their Flagship model.
Yeah, I've got a video on it! But it's very different than this one here... This is a virtual version of hardware, allowing you to have an unlimited amount of them playing at once... PB connect is just a preset manager that allows you to control the synth from software. It's still absolutely beautiful, but it's far from the same thing.
@@jefgibbons Hopefully in a firmware upgrade it may catch up to the current evolution of this one.
I have them both, but do to vintage subnaptic pathways, my level of exploration and musical talent is significantly less than many others...
I personally prefer hardware over software in both models. Old school!
@@EverywhereisHE I hear you! The hardware approach is just so much more fun...
what an excellent sound of the minifreak
Arturia lately is doing a great job for the musician 💓
what monitor do you use? I was impressed by its size 👻
I must try it with a non Minifreak controller.
i was wondering why you used cubase for the presentation of minifreak v, who usually works with NI machine. It would have been nice to mention that minifreak v doesn't output any audio in NI Maschine when using minifreak as a controller
Maybe not completely in the same price-range but apparently you can do this with the Roland System 8 too. I have one, but I'm still not too sure if I also own the System 8 VST, Jupiter, Juno and JX-3P vet's (for free) too. Roland isn't too clear about it, or I'm not too smart... Anyway, I do also use my System 8 to control other VST's, as do I also use my Moog Minitaur to do so. Cubase makes it really easy.
Based on what I have seen thus far regarding the MiniFreak and the accompanying VST, I see no reason why they couldn't add user wavetables to the synth/VST combination. Maybe today the sync just transfers patch settings, and not actual wavetable content, and they are trying to make the sync snappy/quick. Maybe today there isn't a lot of extra storage in the hardware unit to accept additional wavetable data... not sure. But it should all be doable. It's just digital math/data.
However, I can see why Arturia might not want to make a VST that 'tries' to perfectly emulate the Polybrute. As you said, the Polybrute is analog, and I'm sure that purists would find (and rail against) even tiny differences between the sound coming from the Polybrute and the sound coming from the emulation. And you know how 'no good deed goes unpunished'! 🙂
Thats for sure! Thanks for your thoughts LoFo!
So many vsti's today DO HAVE wavetable import. IMHO I think it's refreshing and instantly creative that you are limited in this case.
I think the Minifreak is meant to be like a good old synth from back in the days, where you have multiple synthengines though.
Thank you for being honest. You do receive the hardware as payment and there's nothing wrong with it. I wish other RUclipsrs would stop lying and admit there is a payment. I love your videos and the content, thank you so much.
No one's going to criticise a company that's sends them expensive gear! You don't cut of the hand that feeds you.
When I connect it to my fl studio it crashes so I can’t record. I need help
I bought the Microfreak a few weeks before the Minifreak came out. I then bought the Minifreak. It's about double the cost and a million times better. Your video is a part of that. I LOVE having the best of both the hardware and the plugin worlds. And as ever, you showed me things I hadn't even thought of. Minifreak is pure gold. Many thanks.
YES! It's an incredible setup... hopefully more of this stuff in the future!
Not even close. Microfreak can now emulate mini freak, much smaller more portable footprint and capacitance keys. Makes mini freak looks dated.
More MIDI controller makers shld take note! It sux how quick these little boards lose support tho!
I love my microfreak I want the mini freak.. I think both would come in handy together. Speaking of using it with Maschine. Do I even need a controller now with the mini freak? Wouldnt that take its place? Right now Im just using launchpad with micro freak and logic. Im not even a keyboard player. Im a guitar player bass player and drummer. But THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!
For sure, it'll be a great controller for Maschine!
Hi Jef. I always enjoyed your scoring videos but haven't seen them a long time, it's mainly software and hardware reviews. Do you have plans to make more film scoring videos? I learned a lot from them in using Cubase and is also the reason i finally was able to make the switch from logic to Cubase.
sure would be awesome if you could make a custom patch from scratch.
Yes, I love the integration, I certainly need that. But... playing live I need real size keys. Pity
Wavestate and Opsix software/ hardware , the same ideas , isn't it ?
Not sure! Would love to hear if it’s the same level of integration… and cost
Jef: I'm using Cubase 12 as well and for some reason when I load an instance of Minifreak V, it takes like 60 seconds to load and then sends the Cubase performance meter crazy. Did you find this?
Is it intuitive for someone fairly new to synthesis and production? Looks amazing and likey will have many updates in the future? :)
Well I just ordered one, will arrive in 2 days! ;)
@@reganolson9855 so, how has it been so far?
@@Jae_MaV Love it, still lots to learn but very nice!!
Great work as always from Arturia. I have an offer to get the vst for 69€ which is cool. Using the 20 min demo so far.
Makes getting the Microfreak affordable.
like overbridge, but something a little more lightweight.
Yes, cool! But Polybrute/Connect is cooler :) Multi-instantiated feature is the best! .... oh wait, MiniFreak will work as VST only, so it is cooler :)
I almost spat my coffee out when I first read the details... it seemed too good to be true. I'd love a virtual Polybrute to go along with the real one!! (multiple patches at the same time!)
The "Knob Catch" behavior is pretty clunky IMO. I guess proper 2-way encoders would have been cost prohibitive, but that's a real workflow killer when working with multiple soft instances.
Are you working with it yourself? I don't find it a workflow killer at all.
Unfortunate not perfect yet since it’s not on iPadOS which would make it a great combination!
Ooh that would be super cool...
Sorry, i was wrong. Problem solved, works also with NI Maschine
…that title is far from the truth. It would be true if MiniFreak would have pitch/gate/velocity cvs.
I have MiniFreak and I got MicroFreak as well. MicroFreak is quite limited in comparison but more flexible in the home studio. Connects DAW even with Eurorack without any other equipment needed, besides cables.
Mini is a very good poly synth for its price, has some cool oscillators but other then that it is nothing special. Btw I did like better MicroFreak sequencer and how it looks!MiniFreak is really ugly looking synth but I will keep it because it is a poly goodness!😂
…and I think you are biased. But pls don’t take it personally! Anyone! 😂❤🍀
Happy New Year! 🎊🎈🎆
Oh just chill… and hny!
❤
Overbridge?
Definitely similar, but maybe not in a similar price range?
Merci !
The hardware is actually hybrid; analog filters. 🤷♂️👍
Right!
👍🏾
This title was a little clickbaity… I’ll let it slide though
Appreciate it Jaden ;)
🌚🖤🎶