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SuperFreaker is a new unofficial custom firmware for the Arturia MicroFreak hybrid Synthesizer with effects, MIDI extras, and more
AI-generated custom firmware/mods for hardware products are trending. In recent weeks, we’ve seen countless alternative firmwares for the M-VAVE FM-1, Elektron products like the Model:Cycles, and even 1010Music devices.
It was to be expected that this would spill over to other products and their firmware. Now there is one for Arturia’s long-running hit, the MicroFreak, called SuperFreaker.
Arturia MicroFreak is a hybrid paraphonic Synthesizer released in 2019 and became an absolute hit in the electronic music world thanks to its generous product support.
The MicroFreak features a rich multi-engine oscillator, covering a wide range of synthesis methods, including virtual analog, FM, wavetable, sampler, granular, physical modeling, and more. A real little synth monster at a budget price.
These engines are paired with an Oberheim-style analog filter, flexible modulation, fun sequencing, and a polyphonic, aftertouch-capable touch keyboard.
The last major firmware update for the MicroFreak was three years ago (Superbooth 2023), when Arturia added a sample player and granular engines. Word from Arturia is that they are gradually reaching the point where the hardware is fully maxed out.
However, that doesn’t seem like a reason for hackers/modders to try new things and expand the synth further. The new SuperFreaker custom firmware does exactly that. It is currently in beta but ready for testing.
It is important to note that this firmware is not officially supported by Arturia; it is a hack/mod installed at your own risk.
This firmware has three distinct levels. The first two are free; the third costs money.
It starts with the base pack Essentials, which every other pack builds on, and it’s free and open to everyone in the beta. This includes features like a separate release stage for the envelope, legato glide, transpose, and a metronome. Others are:
The second (separate) pack is called Loud and adds more level at both outputs. More precisely, you get +7dB on the headphones and +7dB on the line out.
The third one is the most exciting because it modifies the sound engine. One downside of the MicroFreak is that it lacks the internal effects you find on the MiniFreak. The SuperFreaker firmware at the third level adds exactly that.
You get everything from the Essentials pack, plus a sound-engine boost. It adds the following new effects with dedicated shortcuts.
Attention: these effects are added before the filter because the signal chain ends at the analog filter. Additionally, you can also test everything before updating in a MicroFreak emulator right in your browser.
SuperFreaker comes with a dedicated patcher that allows you to patch the original firmware. Once that’s done, you can apply the new patch to the hardware. However, you should keep the original firmware. As already mentioned: proceed entirely at your own risk.
After Elektron, 1010music, the FM-1, etc., it was only a matter of time before modders got something ready for the MicroFreak and other products. If you’ve always wanted effects on the MicroFreak, this might be your chance. No risk, no fun, as the saying goes.
If things go on like this, no hardware or firmware will be safe from custom firmware mods. The future is going to be crazy.
One criticism: I don’t like paying for these hacks, since the current wave of custom firmware is AI-based and relies on models trained on open-source projects. That way, they should be free and open-source.
The SuperFreak firmware is now available in three packs: Essentials and Loud are free, and Essentials + Sound is $30. Keep in mind: this is a custom, unofficial firmware that can brick your hardware. So, use it at your own risk!
More information here: SF
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no way im paying for AI stolen code. free is no problem.
Interesting take on morality there. So using stuff that’s ‘stolen’ is fine if it’s free.
It’s right there in the legend of Robin Hood mate.
Not paying a penny for AI, the LLMs are based on wholesale theft, not a chance.
Not super impressed with what I’m hearing in the demo, so it’s a no-go for me. But it might get Arturia off their butts and finally deliver an update that MF players have been shouting about for years: onboard effects. It really only needs one effect: delay. That would at least get you echo-verb, which is close to full reverb, and a rhythm multiplier.
Can we stop the AI posts, please? Or at least move them to synthslop.com?
Frodo wants to go back to the early 2000s. But this is unfortunately the reality. I’m pretty sure in 1-2 years, you would be happy to have this state back where you are now in. It’s just the beginning. I receive 30+ requests for new things every day. Maybe one or two of them actually end up on the site. The others don’t—either because it’s just too much slop, it’s repeating stuff…
Don’t worry, I do check whether something involving AI actually offers added value or is just the hundredth version of something else. And you don’t have to read it. There’s plenty of news out there – scrolling was invented for that.
It’d be easier to bring myself to pay for work like this if even the prose wasn’t AI-written. It’s infuriating to always read these choppy marketing-drone blurbs.
at least I write every in my words without AI
Don’t care about the ‘morality’. However, it sounds like sh t.
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