One of my favourite finances synths simply retains getting higher. After including three new superb oscillators earlier this yr, Arturia is bringing customized wavetables to the MicroFreak as a free firmware replace. 

The MicroFreak already had a wavetable engine in-built, so this is not an enormous stretch. But having the ability to import your personal wavetables opens up a the power to actually construct your personal distinctive sounds. There are numerous sources fo free wavetables on the market starting from traditional analog tones, to icy atmospheres, to blasts of noise. But you may mainly use any sound file you need. Hum into your telephone, or seize audio of the stray cats in your neighborhood combating, then add it to the MicroFreak and switch it right into a synthesizer. 

Adding customized wavetables is simple sufficient utilizing Arturia’s MIDI Control Center desktop app. There’s a devoted tab for them on the prime of the interface when you join your Microfreak. You can solely have 16 customized tables at a time, and the format is usually a little tough to nail for those who’re involved about completely clean sounding waves — 32 cycles consisting of 256 samples per cycle. But, for those who simply embrace its quirks, the WaveUser engine is able to unusual, wild and abrasive sounds that talk to the MicroFreak’s strengths. 

To exhibit the brand new WaveUser engine, in fact there are 64 new presets. But, let’s be sincere, manufacturing unit presets with Arturia offered wavetables kinda defeats the entire objective right here.

The new 4.0 firmware has a couple of different minor enhancements as properly. Including a quicker scrolling pace possibility for the oscillator controls and the power to make use of Unison and Chord modes can now be utilized to each be aware, wether they’re being performed reside, coming from sequencer or an exterior supply.

MicroFreak 4.0 is accessible as a free replace now on Arturia’s website and thru MIDI Control Centre.