Arturia MicroFreak vs Roland GO:KEYS 5
| Arturia MicroFreak | Roland GO:KEYS 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Key action | 25-key capacitive keybed with polyphonic aftertouch | 61 box-shape keys with velocity (synth action) |
| Polyphony | 4 | — |
| Sounds / presets | 512 | 1154 |
| Sequencer | 64-step sequencer; 2 patterns per preset; 4 automation tracks | — |
| Sound engine | Digital oscillators (14 types incl. Pluck/Granular) + analog filter | ZEN-Core sound generator (1,154 tones + 74 drum kits; Roland Cloud sound pack expansion), 203 accompaniment styles |
| Effects | 4 FX slots | Tone MFX 2 systems x 93 types, Total MFX 1 system x 15 types, Reverb 4 types; mic effects (auto harmony, voice transformer, compressor, noise suppressor) |
| Speakers | None (line out only) | — |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| USB audio | Yes | Yes |
| Pads / faders | — | no |
| Weight | 1.02 kg | 4.9 kg |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | — | [950, 87, 286] mm |
| Battery power | 6× AA | yes (8 x AA alkaline approx. 5 hours, or Ni-MH approx. 6 hours) |
| Released | 2019 | 2021 |
| Status | current | legacy |
| Keys | 25 | 61 |
Which one should you buy?
- Choose the Arturia MicroFreak if budget is the priority — it is about $100 cheaper (approx.).
- Choose the Arturia MicroFreak if lighter to carry to gigs and lessons (1.02 kg vs 4.9 kg).
- Choose the Roland GO:KEYS 5 if you want more variety of built-in voices (512 vs 1154).
- Choose the Roland GO:KEYS 5 if you want wireless MIDI/audio from a phone or tablet.
- Choose the Arturia MicroFreak if you play away from mains power.
Full spec sheets: Arturia MicroFreak · Roland GO:KEYS 5. Rows with a highlighted background differ.