Arturia Microfreak Stellar Limited Edition

The specialist's opinion

Since its debut in 2019, the ever-popular MicroFreak has continued to evolve, with special editions, numerous firmware updates and all-new sound gear.

MicroFreak Stellar is produced in a strictly limited edition, has a unique design and comes with new firmware that brings granular processing and sampling into the Freak ecosystem.

A digital synthesizer like no other MicroFreak is an exceptional instrument for musicians looking for something new. It combines wavetable and digital oscillators with analog filters and is equipped with a unique aftertouch polyphonic flat keyboard. A special "Spice and Dice" function adds controlled randomness to sequences. This small musical instrument is equipped with a flexible digital oscillator that makes it easy to create unusual and interesting sounds. Dozens of different modes such as Texturer, KarplusStrong, Harmonic OSC and Superwave give adventurous musicians the tools to explore totally new and never-before-seen sounds. Among the various modes of the MicroFreak synthesis engine is the popular Plaits oscillator by Mutable Instruments, with the addition of paraphony. The best of both worlds The Microfreak's analog filter is inspired by Oberheim's legendary 12dB SEM filter and can be used from subtle to gaudy. This variable state filter has a resonance up to self-oscillation. It can for example be used to round off the high tones of the wavetables, or it can be modulated by playing on the keyboard or the sequencer. Spice & Dice Use up to four automations, edit notes per Step or use the innovative functions of the Spice & Dice sequencer to generate happy accidents. Add randomization to create fun and quirky designs. Virtually wire and configure the signal chain and controls with the 5x7 modulation matrix. A strange looking keyboard In fact, it is not a keyboard. It is a printed circuit board, super flat and without any moving parts. You can play super fast solos there. It works even better than on a classic keyboard. Expressive - the keyboard is not only pressure sensitive but also offers a polyphonic aftertouch. This allows you to control the settings with each individual key independently, depending on how hard you press each of the keys. Use the USB keyboard, MIDI and CV outputs to play instruments in your DAW or modular synthesizer. MicroFreak invites you to experiment with polyphonic aftertouch compatible software instruments. Features • Sampling & Granular Oscillators • Sampling-Engine • Granular-Scan • Granular-Cloud • Granular-Hit • Wavetable & Digital Oscillators • Vocoder • Noise • Superwave • Harmo • Karplus Strong • Wavetable • BasicWaves • WaveUser • Mutable Open-Source Instruments Oscillators • V. Analog • Waveshaper • Two Op. FM • Formant • Chords • Speech • Model • Noise Engineering oscillator modes • SawX • Harm • Bass • Analog filters • Wide range of sound possibilities • Flat keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch • Arpeggiator and sequencer • 128 factory presets and 64 user memories • OLED display • 5x7 modulation matrix • Paraphonic mode • USB, MIDI and CV outputs • Instrument controller with polyphonic aftertouch capability • Vocoder (with optional microphone)