Arturia MiniFreak 49: Professional Full-Sized Synth
Arturia expands its Freak digital synth lineup with the MiniFreak 49, featuring 49 full-sized semi-weighted keys, aluminum pitch/mod wheels, and an XYZ touchpad for $849.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Arturia is expanding its quirky digital synth lineup with the professional MiniFreak 49.
- It upgrades to 49 full-sized, semi-weighted keys supporting mono aftertouch.
- Replaces touchstrips with proper aluminum pitch and mod wheels alongside an XYZ touchpad.
- Available now with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $849.
Electronic instrument maker Arturia is adding a more professional iteration to its lineup of eccentric digital synths with the introduction of the Arturia MiniFreak 49. Under the hood, the new instrument remains nearly identical to the standard MiniFreak, but it introduces a host of professional-grade features and interface enhancements tailored for serious musicians.
The most prominent physical modification is the abandonment of the 37 minikeys found on the original MiniFreak or the 25 touchplate keys on the MicroFreak, replaced instead by 49 full-sized, semi-weighted keys. Though some may find it slightly disappointing that it only supports mono aftertouch rather than polyphonic aftertouch, the device also swaps out touchstrips in favor of robust, proper aluminum pitch and modulation wheels.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
In terms of operational control, the MiniFreak 49 boasts a larger LCD screen compared to its siblings and dedicated hardware controls for its dual sound engines, eliminating the need to toggle back and forth between them. Much like its predecessor, it offers over 30 digital oscillator types paired with analog filters, while introducing audio-rate filter FM for more experimental sonic textures, alongside 256MB of storage dedicated to user samples and wavetables.
The introduction of 49 full-sized keys and physical aluminum wheels on the MiniFreak 49 demonstrates Arturia's strategic pivot toward bridging the gap between quirky experimental gear and professional stage performance keyboards. By addressing the physical constraints of minikeys, the company makes these powerful digital sound engines significantly more accessible to traditional keyboardists and live performers.
Additionally, the integration of a brand-new XYZ touchpad streamlines the modulation matrix workflow, replacing the slower knob-based interface while introducing dynamic performance controls. Performers can effortlessly swipe through preset patches, manage macros, manipulate filter parameters, and execute other expressive manipulations on the fly.
The Arturia MiniFreak 49 is available for purchase now with an MSRP of $849, although street prices are expected to run slightly lower depending on retailers.
Source: The Verge
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