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Arturia - MicroFreak Synthesizer Keyboard - 25-Key Hybrid Synth with PCB Keyboard, Wavetable & Digital Oscillators, Analog Filters | 25-Key Capacitive Touch Keyboard with Polyphonic Aftertouch, Digital Wavetable and Multi-Mode Oscillators, Analog Filter
Arturia

Arturia - MicroFreak Synthesizer Keyboard - 25-Key Hybrid Synth with PCB Keyboard, Wavetable & Digital Oscillators, Analog Filters | 25-Key Capacitive Touch Keyboard with Polyphonic Aftertouch, Digital Wavetable and Multi-Mode Oscillators, Analog Filter

Bottom line: The Arturia - MicroFreak Synthesizer Keyboard - 25-Key Hybrid Synth with ($349.00 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): 17 paraphonic oscillator modes including wavetable, Vocoder, Karplus Str. and Superwave; main trade-off: flat PCB keyboard has no moving parts, so no traditional key travel.

$349.00

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Buy on Amazon — $349.00 Compare to similar audio & midi

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For retro PC hardware and period-correct parts, synthesises manufacturer documentation, community compatibility lists and marketplace listings rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 17 paraphonic oscillator modes including wavetable, Vocoder, Karplus Str. and Superwave
  • ✓ Digital engines run into a real resonant analog filter for hybrid tone
  • ✓ Polyphonic aftertouch per key, rare at this size and price
  • ✓ 5x7 modulation matrix with user-assignable destinations, no patch cables
  • ✓ CV pitch/gate/pressure outs plus USB and included MIDI breakout cables

Cons

  • ✗ Flat PCB keyboard has no moving parts, so no traditional key travel
  • ✗ Paraphonic, not fully polyphonic, so voices share one filter envelope path
  • ✗ 25 keys limits two-handed playing without octave shifting
  • ✗ Spice and Dice randomization can make patches hard to reproduce exactly

Manufacturer description

Instead of a traditional keybed, Arturia fitted a flat PCB touch keyboard with no moving parts that tracks notes instantly and reads pressure per key, giving you polyphonic aftertouch on an instrument this compact. The sound engine is where the MicroFreak earns its name: 17 paraphonic oscillator modes spanning wavetable, physical modeling, Vocoder, Noise, Superwave, Harmo, Karplus Str. and BasicWaves, including 7 bespoke Arturia engines, 7 modes from Mutable Instruments and 3 designed with Noise Engineering. A 5x7 modulation matrix with user-assignable destinations lets you rewire the signal…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Arturia - MicroFreak Synthesizer Keyboard - 25-Key Hybrid Synth with… using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the audio & midi category. Arturia's audio & midi lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for audio & midi of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the MicroFreak analog or digital?

Both. The oscillators are digital, covering 17 modes from wavetable to physical modeling, and they feed a resonant analog filter, which is what Arturia means by hybrid.

What does the touch keyboard actually feel like?

It is a flat 25-key printed circuit board with no moving parts, so there is no key travel. It tracks notes at high speed and senses pressure on each key individually for polyphonic aftertouch.

Can I connect it to modular gear and a DAW?

Yes. CV outputs send pitch, gate and pressure to any CV/Gate compatible outboard or modular synth, USB connects it to your DAW, and MIDI breakout cables are included.

How many oscillator modes does it have and what are they?

17 modes, made up of 7 bespoke Arturia engines, 7 from Mutable Instruments and 3 designed with Noise Engineering. They include Vocoder, Noise, Superwave, Harmo, Karplus Str., Wavetable and BasicWaves.

Is the MicroFreak worth it for a first synthesizer?

Its strengths are randomization, the 5x7 modulation matrix and unusual oscillator modes, so it suits sound designers more than players wanting a conventional keybed.

Key Features

  • EXPERIMENTAL HYBRID SYNTH: MicroFreak packs so much into such a compact instrument, you'll wonder how we did it. From physical modeling to wavetable synthesis, it features 17 awesome paraphonic oscillator modes, including 7 bespoke Arturia engines, 7 modes from Mutable Instruments, and 3 modes designed with Noise Engineering. Its digital engines are combined with a lush-sounding resonant analog filter for true hybrid sound design.
  • UNIQUE KEYBOARD: It isn’t really even a keyboard, it’s a super-flat PCB with no moving parts. The 25-key printed circuit board not only tracks the notes you play with lightning-speed, but can also detect pressure or aftertouch on each note individually.
  • INNOVATIVE FEATURES: Record up to four automations, edit notes per step, or use the innovative Spice and Dice sequencer functions to find happy accidents. Add randomization to create evolving, original patterns, and virtually rewire and reconfigure its signal chain and controls with the 5x7 modulation matrix, with user-assignable destinations for totally unique sounds.
  • MULTIPLE MODES: Easily switched and directly controlled with the 4 dedicated knobs in the Digital Oscillator section, MicroFreak has been constantly evolving. It now contains 17 oscillator types, covering a multitude of timbral flavors from sweet to savage: Vocoder, Noise, Superwave, Harmo, Karplus Str., Wavetable, BasicWaves, with many more.
  • AMAZING CONNECTIVITY: It features CV outputs, letting you send pitch, gate, and pressure signals to any outboard or modular synth that’s CV/Gate compatible. You can also hook it up to your DAW via USB, or use the included MIDI break-out cables.

Full Specifications

Size12.2 inches (L) x 9.2 inches (W) x 2.2 inches (H)
BrandArturia
ColorBlack
StyleMicroFreak Only
Set NameMicroFreak Only
InstrumentSynthesizer
Model NameARTMCRFRKB
Unit Count1.0 Count
Skill LevelAdvanced
ConnectivityUSB
Model Number570101
Power SourceDC
Sound ProfileDiverse, Hybrid, Experimental
Connector Type3.5mm Jack, 6.35mm Jack
Number of Keys25
Headphones Jack3.5mm Jack
Item Dimensions12.2 x 9.2 x 2.2 inches
Special FeatureArpeggiator and Step Sequencer, Digital Oscillator with Multiple Modes, State-Variable 12 dB Oberheim SEM Filter, Touch-Plate Keyboard with Poly AT, Vocoder Mode
Special FeaturesArpeggiator and Step Sequencer, Digital Oscillator with Multiple Modes, State-Variable 12 dB Oberheim SEM Filter, Touch-Plate Keyboard with Poly AT, Vocoder Mode
Supported SoftwareMultiple DAWs

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Arturia - MicroFreak Synthesizer Keyboard - 25-Key Hybrid Synth with PCB Keyboard, Wavetable & Digital Oscillators, Analog Filters | 25-Key Capacitive Touch Keyboard with Polyphonic Aftertouch, Digital Wavetable and Multi-Mode Oscillators, Analog Filter is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Buy on Amazon — $349.00

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

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Arturia - MicroFreak Synthesizer Keyboard - 25-Key Hybrid Synth with PCB Keyboard, Wavetable & Digital Oscillators, Analog Filters | 25-Key Capacitive Touch Keyboard with Polyphonic Aftertouch, Digital Wavetable and Multi-Mode Oscillators, Analog Filter
$349.00
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