Are you interested in buying your first synth, or perhaps adding a new synth powerhouse beast to your existing studio? Today we have a full breakdown of one of the best semi-modular analog synthesizers around from Moog, the Moog Grandmother.

After all, with a name like that, and such a bright and colorful front panel, it’s bound to be a unique and fantastic-sounding synth!

Moog Grandmother Review: The Best Moog Synth?

The Moog Grandmother is a semi-modular analog synthesizer that harkens back to Moog’s modular roots. This synthesizer is a sonic playground that offers not only the end result but also the journey of discovery and experimentation.

With its semi-modular design, it requires absolutely no patching, making it accessible to users of any skill level. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a beginner, the Grandmother offers a world of sound waiting to be explored.

Dimensions

For those who want to dive deeper into the sound possibilities of this synth, the Grandmother also offers 41 modular patch points.

These patch points provide a vast array of sonic possibilities through analog interconnectivity, allowing you to explore and experiment with sound design.

The sound engine of The Moog Grandmother is entirely analog, resulting in a rich, warm sound that digital synthesizers often struggle to replicate. It features two oscillators with selectable waveforms, allowing for a wide range of tonal possibilities.

Oscillator 2 supports sync to Oscillator 1 and linear FM, providing even more options for sound creation. Additionally, there’s a white noise generator and an external input jack for incorporating other sound sources.

Four waveforms are present on the Moog Grandmother, including Sine, Saw, Ramp, and Square. A knob controls the Rate, and 3 others control the amount of modulation sent to the oscillator pitch, filter cutoff, or pulse width of both oscillators.

The oscillators, filters, and effects are outstanding on this synthesizer, as you would expect from any Moog instrument. The Oscillator module is divided into two and each has triangle, sawtooth, square, and pulse waves.

Oscillator 1 has a range between 32′ and 8′, while Oscillator 2 goes between 16′ and 2′.

Oscillator 2 also has a knob for adjusting the frequency, and oscillator sync is also present Oscillator Patch points include Wave Out, Pitch In, PWM In (Osc 1),  and Linear FM In (Osc 2).

A classic 24dB Transistor-ladder Filter is present as well as Cutoff, Bi-Polar Resonance, Envelope, and a 3-way switch for Key-Trking.

The lone Envelope generator includes Attack, Decay, and Release, with a vertical slider for Sustain. An LFO is also present and is hardwired to the mod wheel.

The Grandmother’s VCA provides control over Volume and offers jacks for VCA In, VCA Amount In, and Reverb In. A 3-position switch allows the VCA to be controlled by the Envelope generator or set to drone indefinitely.

The 3rd option is Keyboard Release mode. This acts as an envelope generator, with a quick attack, and full sustain.

The utilities module can merge any four signals and also has a bipolar Attenuator with a single Input and Output. There is also a High Pass Filter with an input and output present, but no dedicated patch points for modulation.

It can be combined with the Low-Pass Filter to provide Band-Pass Filtering. You can even create layered patches by routing one oscillator through each filter.

The built-in arpeggiator and sequencer add to the Grandmother’s versatility. The sequencer can record and playback sequences with up to 256 notes each, allowing for complex melodic patterns.

The arpeggiator and sequencer are easy to use, providing endless possibilities, enjoyment, and programmable syncopation.

The Grandmother’s Arp/Seq controls occupy the vertical sliver of yellow along the left-hand side. A 3-position switch lets you toggle between the arpeggiator and sequencer. The sequencer mode allows for more complex music creation.

Up to 3 sequences may be stored in memory, and they are retained between power cycles. Rests, ties, and accents are entered using the three buttons above the pitch and mode wheels.

The toggle switch used for selecting the arpeggiator’s octave is also used to select which of the three stored sequences is played.

Another standout feature of the Moog Grandmother is its analog spring reverb. This hardware spring reverb can add a lush, expansive ambiance to any sound, from subtle echoes to long, atmospheric reverberations.

The classic Moog modular synthesizers inspire the design of the Grandmother. It features a reconfigurable front panel that allows for an infinite sonic playground.

The synthesizer is available in two styles: the original multi-colored front panel artwork and the all-black Dark Series edition. Both styles maintain the vintage aesthetic that Moog is known for while offering a modern twist.

The Grandmother is well-built and durable, weighing 16 lbs in total. The knobs and pots are high-quality, and the toggle switches are capped. Along with the synth and power supply, the box contains a manual, six patch cables, and a slinky toy with the Moog logo.

The panel is divided into multi-colored sections including the Sequencer in yellow, Modulation in black, Oscillators in pale blue, the Mixer and Utilities in black, Filter in green, VCA in black, and Spring Reverb in red.

Each delivers a combined total of 35 1/8-inch (3.5mm) jacks that can be used for re-routing the internally wired signal path. The design and color scheme is described as ‘retro-chic’.

The Moog Grandmother has a 32-note, high-quality, velocity-sensitive keyboard made by Fatar. It also has a pair of wheels for pitch bend and modulation. One of these wheels is spring-loaded, allowing it to always return to the root note in play.

On the left-hand side, you find 3 colorful backlit buttons for different functions including shifting octaves and sequencer controls (Play, Hold, Tap tempo, and recording).

There is a glide knob to their left for pitch sweep. There is also a legato mode which is accessed by pressing the hold button and turning the knob.

In addition to its standalone function, the Grandmother can also serve as an ideal analog audio processor for external sound sources.

It can be a powerful keyboard front end for expanding a Mother-32, DFAM, or any Eurorack modular system. This makes the Grandmother not just a synthesizer, but a versatile tool that can enhance any music production setup.

Around the back, there’s an Audio section with an unbalanced ¼-inch output jack, which is an Instrument input for routing external signals through the filter and reverb. There is also a 1/8-inch jack for Reverb output and another input for sending audio signals to Eurorack modules.

There are 4 more 1/8-inch jacks for the Grandmother’s built-in sequencer and arpeggiator, including Clock in and out, Reset input, and an On/Off input.

You will also find DIN-style MIDI In, Out, and Thru, as well as USB MIDI. There is a red LED that lights up to indicate incoming MIDI situated between the MIDI Out and USB ports. Lastly, a fine tune knob is used to adjust the master tuning of Oscillator 1.

Like any instrument, the Moog Grandmother has its strengths and weaknesses.

On the plus side, it offers a wide range of features, huge sonic possibilities and connectivity options, a semi-modular design and classic Moog analog sound, and a built-in arpeggiator and sequencer.

It also has some hidden functions that can be discovered through exploration and experimentation, adding to its charm and versatility.

However, some users have reported that the power connector feels a bit flimsy on the Grandmother. This is something to consider if you plan on moving the synthesizer around frequently or using it in a live performance setting.

Case

When buying an expensive synth, you want to keep it pristine for years to come. With that in mind, check out these cases for the Moog Grandmother on Amazon:

The Moog Grandmother synthesizer is a powerful and versatile instrument that offers a wide range of sonic possibilities.

Its semi-modular design, combined with its easy-to-use arpeggiator and sequencer, makes it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced musicians.

Whether you’re looking to explore the world of analog synthesis or expand your existing setup, the Grandmother is a worthy addition to any music studio.