Arturia has added a new member to its Freak family, the MiniFreak 49, which ups the ante with a full 49 semi-weighted keys and proper pitch and mod wheels, making it a more serious player in the synth game.
The most notable change is the addition of full-sized keys, which, while a step up from the MiniFreak’s 37 minikeys and MicroFreak’s 25 touchplates, only offer mono aftertouch. The pitch and mod wheels, a feature missing from its predecessors, bring a touch of classic synthesizer sophistication.
The MiniFreak 49 also boasts a larger LCD display and dedicated controls for its two sound engines, enhancing the user experience. It retains the over 30 digital oscillator types with analog filters, but adds audio-rate filter FM for extra sonic freakiness. With 256MB of storage for user samples and wavetables, it promises a versatile sound palette.
The new XYZ touchpad simplifies navigation and adds performance features, making it easier to browse presets and manipulate the filter. However, the question remains: is it truly an improvement or just a toned-down version of its freaky predecessors?
