Arturia MiniFreak is a six-voice polyphonic hybrid synthesizer combining two digital sound engines with genuine polyphonic analog filters, an advanced modulation matrix, a 64-step sequencer, and three stereo effect slots. Its broad synthesis architecture covers virtual analog, FM, wavetable, physical modeling, sample playback, granular processing, and external audio processing.
With MiniFreak 5.0, the instrument can use custom samples and wavetables imported through the included MiniFreak V software. This makes it possible to transform personal recordings, vocals, field recordings, one-shots, and content from existing sound libraries into playable and heavily modulated MiniFreak patches — in software and on the hardware instrument.
Custom samples and granular processing
MiniFreak 5.0 supports the import of WAV, AIFF, and FLAC files through MiniFreak V. The material is automatically converted to the required 12-bit / 32 kHz format and can be transferred to the hardware, with individual samples lasting up to six seconds. Sample-based and granular engines can loop, freeze, scan, slice, and reorganize the imported material to create pads, rhythmic textures, percussion, glitches, and evolving soundscapes.
Custom wavetables
Users can import their own mono wavetables, including compatible tables from libraries created for instruments such as Arturia Pigments. MiniFreak converts them to a 24-bit, 512-point format and makes them available in the Wavetable engine for scanning, modulation, and further processing through the analog filters and stereo effects.
Two sound engines and analog filters
Two digital engines provide 31 oscillator modes covering virtual analog, FM, additive synthesis, wavetable, sample playback, granular synthesis, physical modeling, noise, speech, and external audio processing. Engine 2 can operate independently or process Engine 1 using filtering, wave shaping, ring modulation, and other algorithms. The resulting signal passes through polyphonic analog state-variable filters with low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass modes.
Hardware and software as one instrument
MiniFreak V is included with the hardware and mirrors its sound engine inside a DAW or as a standalone application. Presets and user content can be transferred between the software and hardware, while the physical MiniFreak controls the virtual instrument for an integrated studio workflow.
KEY FEATURES
- Six-voice polyphonic hybrid synthesizer
- Two digital sound engines with 31 oscillator modes
- Import of custom WAV, AIFF, and FLAC samples
- Sample format: 12-bit / 32 kHz, up to six seconds per sample
- Sample playback and granular processing engines
- Import of custom mono wavetables in a 24-bit, 512-point format
- Polyphonic analog state-variable filters with low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass modes
- 37-note velocity-sensitive Slim-key keyboard with aftertouch
- Three stereo digital FX slots with 13 available effects
- Ext In Vocoder and Self Vocoder effects
- Seven-source modulation matrix with assignable destinations
- 64-step polyphonic sequencer with four automation lanes
- Performance arpeggiator with Ratchet, Mutate, Spice & Dice, and octave controls
- 420 factory presets, including 23 new MiniFreak 5.0 presets
- 244 user preset slots
- MiniFreak V software instrument included
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Polyphony: six voices
- Voice modes: polyphonic, 12-voice paraphonic, unison, and monophonic
- Keyboard: 37 velocity-sensitive Slim-key keys with aftertouch
- Sound engines: two digital engines, 31 oscillator modes in total
- Filter: polyphonic analog state-variable filter with low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass modes
- Envelopes: one ADSR envelope and one cycling envelope per voice
- LFOs: two per voice with user-definable LFO shapes
- Modulation matrix: seven sources and assignable destinations
- Effects: three insert or send slots with 13 stereo effects
- Sequencer: 64 steps with four automation lanes
- Connections: balanced stereo outputs, headphone output, audio input, sustain input, analog clock input/output, MIDI In/Out/Thru, and USB
- Preset memory: 420 factory presets and 244 user slots
- Included software: MiniFreak V
- Power supply: 12 V DC, 1 A
- Dimensions: 578 × 231 × 55 mm
- Weight: approximately 2.94 kg
