I saw this, it's a Moog, and sounds like one, if you need to have one, and there's a million options out there. Ironically, it’s cheaper to buy new than my Grandmother secondhand.
Technical Editor, Sound On Sound...
(But generally posting my own personal views and not necessarily those of SOS, the company or the magazine!)
In my world, things get less strange when I read the manual...
If it is well built, reliable and doesn't have the silly design faults that plague so many US-built Moog products, then it's certainly what Moog need now (and really what they needed 20 years ago).
Wonks wrote: ↑Sun May 18, 2025 9:58 am
If it is well built, reliable and doesn't have the silly design faults that plague so many US-built Moog products, then it's certainly what Moog need now (and really what they needed 20 years ago).
You’re right there, my Grandmother was a nightmare, only got it sorted not long ago, dry joints all over the place. Hopefully quality will have taken an ironic step up.
OK, it's a Moog, fine, but honestly, I’ve got loads of things here, hard and soft, including a Moog, that can make all those stereotypical Moog type sounds, some of them are close enough not to care, actually, as a Moog owner sometimes I wouldn’t be able to tell, and that statement covers Mini Moog, Grandmother, Prodigy, that I’ve owned, I can understand if you have a very limited budget and you "still" have to have a Moog, I'd say it’s irrelevant these days, even if I did want to create those classic Moog sounds would I insist on a Moog? it wasn’t until my mate came round and compared his Behringer D with my Mini Moog Reissue the answer to that question now, would be no, and if you are really honestly strapped for cash, the Berry D wins hands down over the Messenger.
But for those that still want a Moog, I'd say save up and get a real classic.
Cripes, just buy a Hydrasynth and you'll never need anything else. These things are toys by comparison. Just ask Hugh or some of the other SOS folks if you don't believe me!
Had to laugh, at a Youtube video about this synth, I shouldn’t really, but the guy summed it up when he said "it makes a bass sound! big deal!"
I sort of know what he means.
I’m awaiting the SOS review. (Hoping it’s soonish). This is where SOS is invaluable over all those YouTube “independent “ reviews. In fact I did wonder some time ago if there might be a SOS video review channel to complement some of the other great video stuff? Maybe too onerous to do properly alongside the printed review?
Anyway here’s hoping Gordon gets hold of it. He knows a Moog!
IAA wrote: ↑Mon Jun 02, 2025 9:01 am
I’m awaiting the SOS review. (Hoping it’s soonish). This is where SOS is invaluable over all those YouTube “independent “ reviews. In fact I did wonder some time ago if there might be a SOS video review channel to complement some of the other great video stuff? Maybe too onerous to do properly alongside the printed review?
Anyway here’s hoping Gordon gets hold of it. He knows a Moog!
Ian
SOS is about the only review resource that can be trusted, thorough and informative, I have all but given up on those YouTube reviews which essentially are nothing but "Wassup dudes" followed by a litany of insignifcant detail and then a tiresome run through of some patches" accompanied by the standard off the shelf plaudits which give the impression the reviewer is desperate to big up his 'cred' quotient but comes across as fluffy naffness.
I don't think I have bought any hardware, and much software, without first being informed by an SOS review.
IAA wrote: ↑Mon Jun 02, 2025 9:01 am
I’m awaiting the SOS review. (Hoping it’s soonish). This is where SOS is invaluable over all those YouTube “independent “ reviews. In fact I did wonder some time ago if there might be a SOS video review channel to complement some of the other great video stuff? Maybe too onerous to do properly alongside the printed review?
Anyway here’s hoping Gordon gets hold of it. He knows a Moog!
Ian
I can tell you what it’ll sound like, no need for a review, but I’m sure we can always make anything sound like us.
Not a bad feature set for a relatively 'budget' Moog, but I agree with Wonks that they could have added a half-octave to the keyboard.
But there are so many ways to get 'close enough' Moog-ish sounds for cheaper that it would be a long time before I got to this synth on a shopping list. For anyone who has a MIDI keyboard the Behringer Model D does the complete three-oscillator MiniMoog experience at a quarter of the price of this - almost impulse buy territory. If I was spending this sort of money I'd take four Model Ds, or a pair of Dreadbox Typhons in preference.
