The oscillators modes are a panel of different algorithms, which lets MicroFreak generate a wide variety of sounds.
The algorithms are:
Noise Engineering presented 3 prototype algorithms designed for their upcoming DSP oscillator platform, offering a choice of 2 to port for MicroFreak.
After some deliberation and quite a bit of French charm, it was decided that all 3 would be used - each one had such a strong identity and exciting sound, that it was simply impossible to choose.
These amazing new oscillators are available for your MicroFreak for free from firmware 3.0. Download here.
Bass
A lean, mean, low-end machine. This non-linear waveshaping algorithm uses a quadrature oscillator principle to produce unique waveforms. The result is ultra-heavy digital density and gritty in-your-face bass that demands your full attention.
Controls: Saturate, Fold, Noise
8Bitifi
Bass mode becomes a flickering lead with added dusty cartridge character to taste.
Japan Xeno
Bass mode brings filthy basslines galore with this bubbling detuned monstrosity.
Harm
Harm mode combines additive synthesis with wavefolding to produce shimmering textures with heaps of overtone detail. Think of the classic hard sync sound, but from a different dimension - choose dense octave overtones or blow the harmonic series wide open.
Controls: Spread, Rectification, Noise
Far Away
Far Away Peaceful daydream pads with bright overtones and subtle watery swirls, courtesy of Harm mode.
Gaia
Harm mode going full octave sparkle, bringing some sonic sunlight to a cloudy mix.
SawX
Relatively straightforward sawtooth manipulations with complex sonic results. SawX is the supersaw sound contorted and sharpened beyond recognition. With added chorus and phase modulation, it’ll bring the dirt in no time.
Controls: Saw Mod, Chorus Amount, Noise
I Saw It B4
A rusty buzzsaw pluck from SawX mode that’s small in size but big in vibes.
Monotron
Classic video game boss fight basslines, with Bass mode bringing the lo-fi distorted low-end.
It acts on the gates, triggers, velocity, decay and release of the current Arpeggio or Sequence, and randomizes them. It can for example change the distance between two triggers, shorten or lengthen the gates or even mute them.
Spice
Determines how much a Dice throw will alter the sequence.
To change its value, select the Spice and set an amount with the touch strip.
Dice
Modifies the sequence depending of the amount of Spice defined.
To change its value, select the Dice and set an amount with the touch strip.
Amplitude Envelope ON
When the Amp Mod button is ON, the ADSR envelope is hardwired to the analog VCA.
Amplitude Envelope OFF
When the Amp Mod button is OFF, the keyboard Gate signal controls the VCA.
Note: In Paraphonic mode with Amp Mod ON the envelope is duplicated several times depending on the number of voices you have specified in Utility.
These envelopes control a number of internal digital VCAs that only become active in Paraphonic mode.
It means that all four voices can be triggered independently, but are sharing the same filter.
Unlike most other paraphonic synths, each voice can have its own amplitude level.
Additionally, some of the MicroFreak modulators are polyphonic, like the main Envelope, the Pressure, the Keyboard, and the Arpeggiator.
When applied to polyphonic destinations, like the parameters of the oscillators for example, each modulation value will be independent from each other.
Note: When applied on a monophonic destination, like the filter cutoff, the value of the parameter will be overwritten by the latest modulation value received.
Both modes are polyphonic, which means that each note can have it's own Velocity or Pressure value.
Velocity
The velocity value is defined by the speed at which your finger touches the keyboard.
Pressure
The Pressure value varies with the surface area of your finger in contact with the keyboard.
Please find below the list of each parameter, with its associated MIDI message.
| Function | MIDI Message | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Glide | CC5 | 0-127 |
| Type | CC9 | 10-127 |
| Wave | CC10 | 0-127 |
| Timbre | CC12 | 0-127 |
| Shape | CC13 | 0-127 |
| Cutoff | CC23 | 0-127 |
| Resonance | CC83 | 0-127 |
| Cycling Env Rise | CC102 | 0-127 |
| Cycling Env Fall | CC103 | 0-127 |
| Cycling Env Hold | CC28 | 0-127 |
| Cycling Env Amount | CC24 | 0-127 |
| ARP/SEQ Rate (free) | CC91 | 0-123 |
| ARP/SEQ Rate (sync) | CC92 | 0-127 |
| LFO Rate (free) | CC93 | 0-127 |
| LFO Rate (sync) | CC94 | 0-127 |
| Envelope Attack | CC105 | 0-127 |
| Envelope Decay | CC106 | 0-127 |
| Envelope Sustain | CC29 | 0-127 |
| Keyboard Hold button (toggle) | CC64 | 0-127 |
| Keyboard Spice | CC2 | 0-127 |
| Keyboard Pitch Bend | Pitchbend | 0-127 |
| Keyboard Pressure | Aftertouch | 0-127 |
The MicroFreak has its own proprietary Multi-Client USB driver.
On Windows, this makes the usage of the MicroFreak possible on multiple applications at the same time.
Please see below how Bank and Program change messages are handled.
| Function | Bank | Program Change |
|---|---|---|
| Preset 1 to 128 | Bank 1 | 0 to 127 |
| Preset 129 to 256 | Bank 2 | 0 to 127 |
| Preset 257 to 384 | Bank 3 | 0 to 127 |
Ground
However, its touch capacitive keyboard needs a proper grounding to work flawlessly.
Don't worry, in most situations, the keyboard will be working fine.
But if you encounter some irregular pitch changes when playing on the keyboard, or any strange behavior when pressing the arp buttons and touch strip, please power it using a grounded power supply (three pin wall plug) or a USB grounded device.