For standalone playing, turn Local Control on. Use the manual's MIDI > Synth routing example as the starting point, without a DAW returning duplicate notes.
Try these checks
- Disconnect or disable the DAW's MIDI return while checking standalone playing.
- In Utility → MIDI, turn Local Control on and select MIDI > Synth.
- Play the keyboard. If still silent, check the selected sound, level and audio connection.
Diagnose it
Is Local Control off?
Yes: Turn it on when you want the keys to play the internal engine directly.
No: Check audio and the current sound rather than assuming a MIDI fault.
What should happen
The built-in keyboard plays the internal sound engine directly.
Why this happens
Local-off setups rely on external MIDI returning to the synth.
If it still doesn’t work
Check the connections and settings described above. If your device behaves differently, email us with its model, firmware version and the steps you tried.
All MiniFreak fixesMore about MiniFreak
Similar symptoms on other gear
These guides cover other models. Use the instructions for the device you are setting up.
Sources & review
Sources reviewed: . Documentation does not replace a physical hardware test.
- MiniFreak hardware user manual · Arturia · Hardware manual 4.0.1 · not the MiniFreak V software manual · last checked 2026-10-07 · Open PDF
Sections reviewed: §16.2.3, p. 114.