Moog Grandmother

I was looking at either this or the Sub 37 (I actually ended up with both, but that's another story)

I loved the idea of having access to the old modular circuits because let's face it a big Moog modular will only be a dream for most of us.

The one thing that struck me about the grandmother is the immediacy and playability of the synth. Everything feels like it's where it should be and the keybed is so very nice to play. Dare I say one of my favourites. The build quality is top notch and comparing it to my old Moog Rogue in a similar form factor it's like night and day. The Rogue is cheap and plastic whereas the Grandmother is heavy, solid and feels like no expense has been spared. Two criticisms on the build, I would have like to see bigger toggle switches. Not a big problem though. I would have also liked an IEC power supply as opposed to a power brick with IEC connection. Not a big problem but I'd prefer a universal option that are easy to come by.

In terms of sound this thing sounds HUGE!!! It's that classic Moog sound in the lows and can soar when it wants too all passed through a butter filter. I'm mainly using it for basses so I'm getting lots of dirty sequences and arpeggios from it. The mixer past 12 is just gritty deliciousness.

In terms of features It's got all the ingredients a mono synth should have and they've even thrown in a spring reverb. I'm not one for mental modulation so happy enough with the LFO. Sequencer is great, easy to program and 256 notes!

I bought this and a Prophet Rev 2 at the same time and have barely touched the prophet. I can just get where I want to be so quickly with the grandmother but I also feel like it has depths that are as yet unexplored.

For me it's just beautiful. My favourite Moog I've owned so far.

Let me start with the fact that this thing is a true analog stuff! Even on board effect is analog. And it is truly great!

If compare it to mini moog , this one easily tops it with sound design possibilities. Just learn this synth a little bit.

Grandmother has multiple patch points : need FM ? you got it . FM doesn't sound in tune? - click the SYNC button and you get nice and polite FM that follows pitch.

Modulation wheel - wow there are a lot of destination options unlike what we have in mini. Patch points allows you re-trigger the lfo and use S&H and some other cool tricks.

What Grandmother does the best is the bass. It has so much bass that you need to cut it with the eq! Simply combine PWM square and Saw oscillators and it starts moving your room already.

You can also do beautiful Moog style leads just add a chorus and a good lush reverb on top.

But don't expect it to do everything. This machine is mainly focused on basses and leads.

CONS - Quality (thats why 3 stars)

Thats the main thing I was struggling with this synth! It looks like its built like a tank from the outside, but its really an old fragile grandmother inside. I had to send it twice to the service department because cutoff filter knob was
becoming noisy and this looks like a typical issue with this synth, really didn't expect it from the Moog machine :(

In general, this synth gets my highest recommendations and I strongly suggest to buy with the Thomann. They give 3 years guarantee which already helped my in dealing with the quality issues ;)

The sound design capabilities of this product are astonishing !
One may think that the small number modules would limit the versatility of the sounds produced by this synthesizer, but the reality is quite the opposite:
- The oscillators can produce a large variety of waveforms, each with their own distinct harmonic richness.
- The low pass filter has that "creamy" signature of Moog's filter. Coupled with its resonance, so many distinct and unique sounds can be created using the same oscillators configuration.
- The VCA tweaking can result in powerful plucked sounds, as well as soft one.
- The spring reverb brings much more character than a simple reverb effect.

Also, the ability to use an external sound source as an additional oscillator can turn this monophonic synthesizer into a paraphonic synthesizer.

Would recommend it to anyone interested in sound design and as first semi modular synthesizer.

I waited a full year to write the review so I could give a user's opinion; it's been in the studio and used on stage and I can't fault this little synth, it's a gem.
Touted as a semi-modular it can be used without patch leads as a standard 2 VCO monosynth with LFO modulation and a silky filter based on Moog's 904a ladder filter. From deep bass to searing leads the GM has a character all its own, it doesn't pretend to be a minimoog nor is it a Rogue.
Combined with some unique features, I love the arp and sequencing functions, this is a very capable synth at a bargain price. Real quality keybed (take note Korg) make it a joy to play live too.
Patching capability really brings this life, from very simple like patching the LFO to the mixer to so its a 3rd VCO/Sub Osc to more complex - I utilise two way patching between GM and eurorack to get the best out of it - shows what this lil Moog is made of.
Overall - it's the best value Moog out there, and I might just get another and patch them together.
Good bits - everything, its a real Moog
Bad bits - like most new gear, I wish the power was inside and took an IEC cable

Amazing sound and feel.
Best mono synth in this price range if you don't care about saving patches.
The synth is very well made, it is very enjoyable to play and it feels like a real instrument.
The one envelope might seem a bit limited but in KB RELEASE mode you can use the envelope independently to modulate other sources while the VCA is set on full sustain by default. This way you can use ATTACK, DECAY AND SUSTAIN knobs to control other parameters of the synth. On this mode only the release button has an impact on the VCA on KB RELEASE mode. So it's like having one and a half envelope and it works great.
You have all you need to achieve most of the classic mono synth sounds. And you can achieve much more by patching the synth internally or with other gear.
I've put four stars for quality because after having the synth for a year now (with a dust cover) and really taking care of it the reverb knob does some scratchy noises when you turn it clockwise while the synth is producing sound.
It's not a problem when you leave the reverb knob on a certain position. Nevertheless it's irritating because the reverb on this synth has an amazing organic sound and it's cool to turn it up and down while you are performing.
I've done a little search and it seems that it's a common problem with this synth. So keep this in mind.
Other than that I haven't experience any other problem.
As a conclusion If you want the Moog Grandmother as your first proper mono synth or as an instrument to compliment the rest of your gear or as a way to get the classic Moog sounds on a normal price this is the best choice.

I cannot being to describe what I felt the first time I plugged it in and started messing around with it. Two hours have passed by and I found myself mesmerized by the warm and fat sounds that the instrument can so easily produce.
Every module has character and sounds amazing. I produce a lot of music in my home studio and this will go on everything from now on. The bass sounds you can synthesize with Grandmother are by far the best sounds I ever heard. It probably has to do something with the oscillators. You can immediately feel the analog quality and true tone of the instrument. I strongly believe that we humans respond better to this kind of sound and that's why it is so pleasing for us. It's just...natural!
I totally recommend this beautiful instrument to anyone that wants some fat bass sounds and some pristine lead tones.

I am so happy I bought it. I was skeptical before because there is no presets and I was planning on using it live, and I do use it live, and it is mega simple to use and you get used to everything it has to offer and learn how to manoeuvre from sound to sound simply and fast. The more I use it, the more I am falling in love. It is a great tool. I have it with me for every studio session, you can get really cool sounds out of it and the bass it produces is a beast, a warm beast, it just fits in the mix and hugs you ... I am just starting with patching and learning to understand things and I am amazed and inspired for further modular voyages. I strongly recommend this synth, either for live use or studio use, filmscoring ... you can get it done. :)

Actually my first analog synth. It opened a new and immensely vast universe of sound and music to me !!! Literally speaking, with such an instrument sky is the limit regarding sonic wandering !!! Its affordable price make it perhaps the ideal entry point to analog - and especially this distinctive and epic #Moog - sound and possibilities... Still investigating and enjoying it.
Another point I would like to mention is that due to bad luck obviously, the instrument came with no power adapter - although it is included. But as soon as #Thomann was notified about this, the staff acted immediately and in around (or less I think) 5 working days the missing power adapter () has been sent to me. Many many thanks #Thomann !!