Arturia MiniFreak Vocoder

The Arturia MiniFreak Vocoder Edition is the white-and-orange version of the MiniFreak and combines the same 6-voice hybrid synthesis engine with a 16-band vocoder and an included gooseneck microphone. This makes this model suitable not only for leads, pads, basses, sequences, and sound design, but also for vocoder voices, external audio processing, and spectral effects. Beneath the distinctive enclosure lies the same synthesis architecture as in the standard MiniFreak: two digital sound engines per voice, 31 oscillator modes, polyphonic analog filters and VCAs, an extensive Mod Matrix, three effects slots, a 64-step sequencer, and a performance arpeggiator. With firmware 5.0, support for custom samples and wavetables has also been added.

The MiniFreak Vocoder Edition is therefore not simply a different color scheme. The vocoder-focused version comes standard with a 30-cm gooseneck microphone and stand, so you can start using the vocoder right away.

16-band vocoder
The MiniFreak Vocoder Edition features a 16-band vocoder that allows a voice or other external audio signal to be combined with the synthesis engine. The Ext In Vocoder input is available for this purpose. Connect the included microphone or another external audio source and use the incoming signal as the basis for the vocoder. This allows you to create classic robot voices, as well as resonant, rhythmic, and spectral sounds. The vocoder isn’t limited to vocals. A drum machine, another synthesizer, or any other external audio signal can also be used as a source.

Self Vocoder
In addition to Ext In Vocoder, the MiniFreak features Self Vocoder. This mode does not use an external audio source; instead, the internal synthesizer signal itself is processed by the vocoder. As a result, the vocoder can also be used as a sound processor for pads, leads, sequences, and experimental patches. Self Vocoder makes it possible to add formant-like filtering, spectral movement, and resonant structures without a microphone. The vocoder features several subtypes, including Clean, Vintage, Narrow, and Gated. Parameters such as Formant Shift, Spectrum Width, Decay, and Dry/Wet provide further control over the effect.

Included gooseneck microphone
The MiniFreak Vocoder Edition comes with a 30 cm gooseneck microphone. The microphone can be attached directly to the synthesizer. This means you don’t need a separate microphone setup for vocoder use. The MiniFreak Vocoder Edition can be used right away as a complete vocoder synth.

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Two digital engines per voice
The MiniFreak uses two digital sound engines per voice. These can be used independently of each other, but Engine 2 can also process the signal from Engine 1. This makes the architecture more versatile than two standard oscillators. For example, Engine 2 can be used for filtering, waveshaping, distortion, and other processing of Engine 1’s signal. This design makes it possible to build complex sounds from relatively simple oscillator settings without additional equipment.

31 oscillator modes
With the current firmware, the MiniFreak features 31 oscillator modes. This allows the synth to support various forms of digital synthesis and sound processing within a single instrument. Among others, Virtual Analog, wavetable, FM, wave shaping, physical modeling, formant, speech, noise, sample playback, and granular synthesis are available. The MiniFreak also includes engines based on open-source technology from Mutable Instruments and algorithms developed in collaboration with Noise Engineering.

Firmware 5.0: Importing Custom Samples
With firmware5.0, the MiniFreak Vocoder Edition can also use custom samples. The samples are imported via MiniFreak V and then transferred to the hardware. WAV, AIFF, and FLAC files are supported. MiniFreak V handles the conversion and trimming of the material. Samples are converted to 12-bit / 32 kHz and can be up to 6 seconds long. This allows you to use your own vocals, drums, field recordings, effects, instruments, and other sound sources as source material. These samples can then be processed using the MiniFreak’s sample-based engines, including the granular engines.

Granular synthesis
The MiniFreak features various granular engines that break down sample material into small fragments and reassemble them. These include Cloud Grains, Hit Grains, Frozen, Skan, Particles, Lick, and Raster. Cloud Grains can be used to create layered clouds of small grains, while Hit Grains is geared toward short, rhythmic material. Frozen allows you to use a section of a sample as the basis for sustained sounds. Skan moves through different parts of the material, while Particles can generate scattered fragments. Lick and Raster are well-suited for slicing, repeats, and more rhythmic or glitch-like results. By combining your own samples with these engines, firmware 5.0 offers significant added value, particularly in the area of sound design.

Importing Custom Wavetables
Firmware 5.0 also enables the import ofcustom wavetables. Wavetables from existing libraries or self-created material can be imported via MiniFreak V and then used with the hardware’s Wavetable engine. Supported file formats are WAV, AIFF, and FLAC. Mono material is used for wavetable import. MiniFreak V converts this to 24-bit with 512 points. This allows you to expand the internal wavetable library with your own material.

New Presets with Firmware 5.0
Firmware 5.0 also adds a new preset bank with 23 patches. These presets utilize new sample and wavetable content and demonstrate how imported material can be combined with the existing Freak engines. With the current firmware, the MiniFreak Vocoder Edition features 420 factory presets and 244 user preset slots.

’sHybrid Signal Path Although the oscillator section is digital, the MiniFreak uses analog filtering and analog VCAs. Each voice is routed through a polyphonic analog filter after passing through the digital engines. In this way, the MiniFreak combines various digital synthesis techniques with an analog filter section. The synthesizer can be used in 6-voice polyphonic mode and also supports a 12-voice paraphonic configuration, unison, and mono.

Mod Matrix
The Mod Matrix is a key component of the MiniFreak. There are seven modulation sources and thirteen possible destinations available. This allows parameters within the oscillator engines, filters, effects, and other components to be linked to various modulation sources. Each voice has two LFOs, along with a standard envelope and a cycling envelope. The LFOs can also be used with custom curves. This means you’re not limited to traditional fixed waveforms and can create more complex modulation patterns.

Spice & Dice
Spice & Dice allows you to vary sequences and arpeggio patterns. Spice determines how much variation is added, while Dice generates new changes. This allows you to customize existing patterns without having to manually reprogram every step. For live performance, this is a quick way to further develop existing patterns.

64-step sequencer
The built-in sequencer can hold up to 64 steps, spread across four pages of sixteen steps each. In addition to notes, four lanes are available for automated modulation. This allows changes to, for example, oscillator parameters, filters, and effects to be recorded as part of a sequence. As a result, the sequencer is not only suitable for melodies but also for dynamic sound design patterns.

Performance Arpeggiator In addition to the sequencer, the MiniFreak features a comprehensive arpeggiator. Performance functions such as Ratchet and Octave Randomize are available. These allow patterns to be modified and expanded while playing. In combination with the sequencer, Mod Matrix, and Spice & Dice, the MiniFreak can be used both as a traditional synthesizer and as a performance instrument.

Three Digital Effects Slots
The MiniFreak features three digital effects slots that can be used as insert or send effects. There are 13 effect algorithms available, including chorus, phaser, flanger, reverb, delay, distortion, Bit Crusher, 3-Band EQ, Peak EQ, Multi Comp, and Super Unison. In addition, Ext In Vocoder and Self Vocoder are part of the effects section. Because three effects can be combined within a single patch, a sound can be largely shaped internally.

37 keys with aftertouch
The keyboard consists of 37 velocity-sensitive Slim-key keys withaftertouch. Velocity sensitivity can be used for dynamic sound changes, while aftertouch adds extra expression after a key has already been pressed. Using the Mod Matrix, aftertouch can be assigned to various parameters. For example, while playing, you can control the filter, vibrato, effect depth, or oscillator parameters.

Chord and Scale Mode
In Chord Mode, full chords can be played from a single key. Scale Mode limits the keyboard to a selected scale. This makes it easier to keep melodies and sequences within a single scale. Both functions can also be used together.

MiniFreak V Included
The MiniFreak Vocoder Edition comes with MiniFreak V. This is the software version of the synthesizer and can be used standalone or as a plug-in within a DAW. Presets can be exchanged between the hardware and software, and the hardware can be used as a controller for MiniFreak V. With version 5.0, MiniFreak V also plays a central role in importing your own samples and wavetables. There, the material is prepared, converted, and managed before being transferred to the hardware.

Connectors The MiniFreak Vocoder Edition features balanced stereo outputs, a headphone output, and an audio input. MIDI in, out, and thru are available for MIDI devices.
In addition, the synthesizer features clock in and clock out, allowing external sequencers, drum machines, and modular equipment to be synchronized. A USB connection is used to connect to a computer for MIDI, MiniFreak V, updates, and content management. A sustain pedal jack is also included.

White-Orange Vocoder Edition
The Vocoder Edition immediately stands out thanks to its white-orange finish. The controls and layout are the same as the standard MiniFreak, but the white enclosure and orange accents give this version a unique look. The synth is 57.8 cm wide, 23.1 cm deep, and 5.5 cm high. It weighs 3.28 kg.

Included with the
The MiniFreak Vocoder Edition comes with a 30 cm gooseneck microphone. Also included are the MiniFreak V, a universal 12V/1A power adapter, a USB cable, and a registration card.

Arturia MiniFreak Vocoder Edition features:

• hybrid hardware synthesizer
• special white-and-orange Vocoder Edition
• 16-band vocoder
• includes a 30 cm gooseneck microphone
• 6-voice polyphony
• 12-voice paraphonic mode
• Mono and unison modes
• 37 velocity-sensitive Slim-key keys
• aftertouch
• two digital sound engines
• 31 oscillator modes
• Engine 2 can process Engine 1
• Virtual Analog synthesis
• FM synthesis
• wavetable synthesis
• Granular synthesis
• Sample playback
• Physical modeling
• formant and speech engines
• Mutable Instruments-based oscillator modes
• Noise Engineering-based engines
• Sample engine with loop and reverse functions
• seven granular engines: Cloud Grains, Hit Grains, Frozen, Skan, Particles, Lick, and Raster
• Import of custom samples starting with firmware 5.0
• Sample import via MiniFreak V
• Supported sample formats: WAV, AIFF, and FLAC
• Sample conversion: 12-bit / 32 kHz
• Maximum sample length: 6 seconds
• Import of custom wavetables starting with firmware 5.0
• Supported wavetable formats: WAV, AIFF, and FLAC
• Wavetable import: mono
• Wavetable conversion: 24-bit / 512 points
• 23 new presets with firmware 5.0
• 420 factory presets
• 244 user preset slots
• polyphonic analog filters
• analog VCAs
• one envelope per voice
• one cycling envelope per voice
• two LFOs per voice
• programmable LFO curves
• Mod Matrix with 7 sources and 13 possible destinations
• Spice & Dice randomization
• Chord Mode
• Scale Mode
• OLED display
• 64-step sequencer
• sequencer spread across 4 pages of 16 steps
• 4 lanes for automated modulation
• Performance arpeggiator
• Ratchet function
• Octave Randomize
• 3 digital FX slots
• Effect slots usable in insert or send mode
• 13 effect algorithms
• Ext In Vocoder
• Self Vocoder
• Vocoder subtypes: Clean, Vintage, Narrow, and Gated
• Adjustable Formant Shift
• Adjustable Spectrum Width
• Adjustable Decay
• Dry/Wet control for vocoder
• Audio input for external signals and vocoder use
• Balanced stereo outputs
• Headphone output
• MIDI In / MIDI Out / MIDI Thru
• USB port
• Clock In
• Clock out
• sustain pedal jack
• Includes MiniFreak V software
• Preset exchange between hardware and MiniFreak V
• Transfer your own samples and wavetables to the hardware via MiniFreak V
• includes universal 12V/1A power adapter
• includes USB cable
• Color: white with orange accents
• dimensions: 57.8 x 23.1 x 5.5 cm
• weight: 3.28 kg