Arturia MiniFreak 49

The Arturia MiniFreak 49 is a six-voice polyphonic hybrid synthesizer that combines two digital sound engines, 30+ oscillator modes, per-voice analogue filters, 49 full-size semi-weighted keys with velocity and mono aftertouch, an XYZ touch matrix, three digital effects slots and integrated sequencing.

Digital Synthesis with Analogue Character

MiniFreak 49 develops the original MiniFreak architecture with a larger keyboard, expanded engine and effects controls, audio-rate Filter FM, Voice Panning and a pressure-sensitive XYZ touch matrix. Its two digital engines cover virtual analogue, FM, wavetable, granular, sample-based and physical modelling synthesis, providing a broad foundation for basses, leads, pads, textures and experimental sound design.

Arturia’s oscillator selection includes Particles, Lick, Frozen, Raster, Skan, Hit Grains, Cloud Grains, Sample, Wavetable, Noise, Superwave, Harmo, KarplusStrong, BasicWaves and AudioIn. MultiFilter, SurgeonFilter, CombFilter, PhaseFilter, Destroy and Fm/Am extend the processing options. Mutable Instruments contributes V.Analog, Waveshaper, Two Op. FM, Formant, Chords, Speech and Modal, while Noise Engineering adds SawX, Harm and Bass.

Engine 2 can process Engine 1, allowing the two engines to interact within a patch. Audio input routing also brings external signals into the voice architecture for further shaping.

Each voice features an analogue state-variable filter and VCA. Audio-rate Filter FM from either engine introduces anything from subtle harmonic movement to aggressive timbral changes, while selectable Voice Panning algorithms distribute voices across the stereo field.

XYZ Touch Control and Expanded Access

The XYZ touch matrix combines horizontal movement, vertical movement and pressure to control several parameters through a single gesture. Direct modulation assignment links touch control to sound shaping, while visualisers provide feedback on the sound’s movement.

Freak Control brings Macros, Gate and Spice onto the matrix, with bipolar and vector layouts offering different ways to organise performance gestures. The same surface supports swipeable preset browsing and direct drawing of custom LFO shapes.

Three direct-access buttons per oscillator bring engine parameters closer to hand. Expanded controls also improve access to all three effects slots, while the 1.3-inch OLED display presents patch and parameter information.

Polyphonic Modulation and Three Effects Slots

Each voice includes an envelope, a cycling envelope and two LFOs with user-customisable shapes. These sources support independent movement within chords and sustained textures, from conventional amplitude contours to repeating modulation patterns.

Three digital effects slots each offer a choice of 13 algorithms. Self Vocoder and Ext In Vocoder extend the sound palette with vocoder processing, including an option for external input signals. Together, the effects and modulation architecture support detailed patch development within the instrument.

49 Keys for Expressive Performance

The 49-note, full-size semi-weighted keyboard provides room for two-handed playing, wider chord voicings and melodic passages. Velocity responds to playing dynamics, while mono aftertouch supplies an additional control signal through pressure after the initial key strike.

Aluminium pitch and modulation wheels provide dedicated performance control. MiniFreak 49 also supports polyphonic aftertouch messages from compatible external controllers and DAWs, extending its expressive options beyond the onboard keyboard’s mono aftertouch.

Sequencing and Performance Arpeggiation

The 64-step sequencer includes four lanes of automated modulation, allowing sequences to carry evolving parameter changes alongside notes. This combination supports repeating patterns that develop over time.

The performance arpeggiator includes octave jumps, ratchets and repeats for shaping note patterns and rhythmic density. Spice & Dice introduces variation, helping familiar patterns develop into new musical ideas.

Presets, Sample Memory and DAW Integration

MiniFreak 49 includes 256 MB of sample and wavetable memory, 350 factory presets with colour coding on the matrix, and 162 user preset slots. Compatibility with original MiniFreak presets preserves access to existing sounds while the refreshed factory library provides additional starting points.

The included MiniFreak V companion plug-in brings the workflow into a DAW with preset management and bidirectional hardware control. This integration connects hardware sound design with software-based production.

Studio and Live Connectivity

MIDI In, Out and Thru support integration with external instruments and MIDI systems, while USB-C connects MiniFreak 49 to a computer. Sustain pedal connectivity adds hands-free performance control, and clock input and output support synchronisation with compatible equipment.

The audio input accepts external sources for processing through the voice architecture, while stereo outputs carry the instrument’s effects and voice-panning arrangements to a mixer, interface or monitoring system.

Dimensions and Included Accessories

MiniFreak 49 measures 777 × 288 × 71 mm and weighs 5.7 kg. The package includes the synthesizer, a USB-A to USB-C cable and a power supply. The retail box measures 949 × 366 × 145 mm and weighs 8.5 kg.

Why Choose the Arturia MiniFreak 49?

• Develop sounds across multiple synthesis methods within one instrument.

• Shape several parameters through expressive touch and pressure gestures.

• Play wider voicings and two-handed parts on a full-size 49-note keyboard.

• Add movement and variation to patterns with sequencing and performance arpeggiation.

• Process external audio alongside the instrument’s own sound engines.

• Carry hardware patches into a DAW with the included MiniFreak V plug-in.

• Six-voice polyphonic hybrid synthesizer.
• 49 full-size semi-weighted keys with velocity and mono aftertouch.
• Aluminium pitch and modulation wheels.
• Two digital sound engines with 30+ oscillator modes covering virtual analogue, FM, wavetable, granular, sample-based and physical modelling synthesis.
• Arturia modes: Particles, Lick, Frozen, Raster, Skan, Hit Grains, Cloud Grains, Sample, Wavetable, Noise, Superwave, Harmo, KarplusStrong, BasicWaves, AudioIn, MultiFilter, SurgeonFilter, CombFilter, PhaseFilter, Destroy and Fm/Am.
• Mutable Instruments modes: V.Analog, Waveshaper, Two Op. FM, Formant, Chords, Speech and Modal.
• Noise Engineering modes: SawX, Harm and Bass.
• Engine 2 processing of Engine 1.
• External audio routing through the voice architecture.
• Per-voice analogue state-variable filters and VCAs.
• Audio-rate Filter FM from either sound engine.
• One envelope and one cycling envelope per voice.
• Two LFOs per voice with user-customisable shapes.
• Pressure-sensitive XYZ touch matrix with visual feedback, direct modulation assignment, preset browsing and Freak Control.
• Freak Control with Macros, Gate and Spice, plus bipolar and vector layouts.
• Custom LFO shape drawing directly on the XYZ touch matrix.
• Voice Panning with selectable stereo spread algorithms.
• Three digital effects slots, each offering 13 algorithms, including Self Vocoder and Ext In Vocoder.
• 1.3-inch OLED display.
• Three direct engine-access buttons per oscillator.
• Expanded hands-on access to engine parameters and all three effects slots.
• 64-step sequencer with four lanes of automated modulation.
• Performance arpeggiator with octave jumps, ratchets, repeats and Spice & Dice.
• 256 MB of sample and wavetable memory.
• 350 factory presets with colour coding on the touch matrix.
• 162 user preset slots.
• Compatibility with original MiniFreak presets.
• MIDI In, Out and Thru.
• USB-C connectivity.
• Sustain pedal input.
• Audio input and clock input/output.
• Support for polyphonic aftertouch from compatible external controllers and DAWs.
• Stereo audio outputs.
• Included MiniFreak V companion plug-in with DAW integration, preset management and bidirectional hardware control.
• Included USB-A to USB-C cable and power supply.
• Product dimensions: 777 × 288 × 71 mm.
• Product weight: 5.7 kg.
• Retail box dimensions: 949 × 366 × 145 mm.
• Packaged weight: 8.5 kg

This item, like everything we supply, comes with the complete support of our expert team. Our excellent technicians have been specifying, building and supporting studios for over twenty years. If you have any problems with installation, setup or everyday use, they’re never more than a click away, and always happy to help.

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