The Arturia MiniFreak 49 combines two digital sound engines with an analog filter for each of its six voices, enabling sound design ranging from Virtual Analog and FM to wavetable, sampling, and granular synthesis. The XYZ Touch Matrix brings together modulation control, preset browsing, visual displays, and Freak Control functions. The 49-key, full-size keyboard is semi-weighted and supports velocity and mono aftertouch.
The two independent engines feature 31 oscillator modes, and the second can process the first. Each voice’s analog state-variable filter offers Low Pass, High Pass, and Band Pass modes, with self-oscillation via resonance and audio-rate cutoff modulation from either engine. The external audio input lets you route sound through the second engine, filter, and effects.
The XYZ Touch Matrix supports color-coded modulation assignments, touch and swipe preset browsing, sound-responsive visual displays, and control of Macros, Gate, and Spice via Freak Control functions. The two engines have independent controls, while the aluminum pitch and modulation wheels and larger OLED display make hands-on control easier during sound design and live performance.
The two LFOs feature selectable waveforms, sync, custom-shape editing, and randomization. The cycling envelope operates in Run and Loop modes and can reach audio rate. Voice Panning distributes the six voices independently across the stereo field, while the three independent effect slots each offer 13 algorithms. The sequencer supports up to 64 steps and four modulation tracks, while the arpeggiator includes octave jumps, ratchets, and repeats. Spice & Dice functions add variation and randomness to patterns. MiniFreak V is also included—a software instrument that can sync with the hardware and be used in a DAW.
-
Type: Digital synthesizer with an analog filter per voice
-
Keys: 49 full-size, semi-weighted keys with velocity and mono aftertouch
-
Sound engines: 2 digital
-
Oscillator modes: 31
-
Polyphony: 6 voices
-
Synthesis types: Virtual Analog, FM, wavetable, sampling, and granular synthesis
-
Filter: Analog state-variable filter per voice, with Low Pass, High Pass, and Band Pass modes
-
Filter modulation: Audio-rate FM from either of the two digital engines
-
Audio input: Routes external audio through the second engine, analog filter, and effects
-
Touch surface: XYZ Touch Matrix with modulation matrix, preset browsing, visualizer, and Freak Control
-
Controls: Independent controls for the two engines, aluminum pitch and modulation wheels
-
Display: OLED
-
LFOs: 2, with selectable waveforms, sync, custom-shape editing, and randomization
-
Envelope: Cycling envelope with Run and Loop modes, up to audio rate
-
Stereo spread: Voice Panning with independent voice distribution
-
Effect slots: 3 independent slots, each with 13 algorithms
-
Sequencer: Up to 64 steps and 4 modulation tracks
-
Arpeggiator: Octave jumps, ratchets, and repeats
-
Pattern functions: Spice & Dice
-
Software: MiniFreak V, with hardware sync capability
