The synths on test

Arturia MicroFreak

First out of the gates, Arturia’s MicroFreak certainly lives up to its name, being the odd one out in so many different and somewhat freakish ways. There’s the capacitive keybed keyboard that has no moving parts but, at the same time, isn’t as unfeeling as a touch keyboard – more somewhere in between. The synth’s sound is also ‘out there’, wayward and wobbly and you’ll realize early on that this is for experimenters rather than purists.

That’s because at its core lies a digital engine of several types, with 13 modes that cover subtractive, wavetable, harmonics and other synthesis types. The best part is that they are controlled via four main orange dials and virtual pots on the OLED screen meaning you can easily see what you are doing and hear the often dramatic results very quickly.

MicroFreak is very flexible, then – with just this engine alone it can traverse all sorts of styles, tones and textures. There’s a great modulation matrix, a sequencer mode to add even more power and movement to what can already be very dynamic sounds, and the Paraphonic Mode lets you create huge four-part hits and chords. If you need any more in your-face-ness from these initially monophonic sounds (doubtful), it’s a fab thickening agent.

Your time with MicroFreak will be one of utter excitement