Moog Drummer From Another Mother (DFAM) Module Coming At Moogfest 2017

Moog has announced that it will be introducing a new module at Moogfest 2017 – the Drummer From Another Mother (DFAM).

No details have been provided,  but it will be available as a DIY project for Moogfest Engineer VIP attendees to build onsite.

At Moogfest 2016, Engineer VIP attendees built the Brother From Another Mother (BFAM) module – all-in-one sequencer and synth voice module in Eurorack format. The module has not been made available as part of the company’s standard product line.

Based on DFAM name, it sounds like this year’s project will follow the BFAM’s precedent, and may be a drum synth/sequencer in Eurorack format.

Moogfest 2017 is scheduled for May 18-21 in Durham, NC. Engineer VIP tickets to the event are priced at US $1,500. For more info, see the event site.

23 thoughts on “Moog Drummer From Another Mother (DFAM) Module Coming At Moogfest 2017

  1. Wow. Engineer VIP’s get to PAY $1,500 and build it themselves?
    Do the VIP solder-slaves get to KEEP what they build? Or is it like pay-to-work, and Moog gets to sell the units to others?

    Can they bring their own soldering irons, wick, flux and solder? LOL
    Personally, I am not a fan of Moog’s tactics (or high prices). I sincerely believe Moog gouges their customers with every product they sell. *shakes head

    1. Didn’t know people like Cade existed in our little synth-freak community. Truly a sad day to discover this level of hypocrisy.

      1. I’d be more inclined to support a company if they actually “gave” to charities, were truly “non-profit” (not just 10%) or supported the underprivileged in their community.

        If corporations would put the actual manufacturing costs (including R&D, management, overhead, advertising, etc) along with the price on the tag, that would go along way to show that they weren’t taking advantage of their customers.

        I don’t mean to offend any Moog “fanboys”, but $1,500 for a $500 synth seems like a gouge.

        1. If you don’t understand that a limited run of anything will cost more than mass-produced model (if you’re referring to Mother32, which by the way is actually $599) – I probably don’t even need to mention that you get an actual ticket to Moogfest and everything that comes with it, all the panels and workshops and with this ticket (which there are 100 of) you get VIP access and priority for everything. If you’re interested in something like this I’m sure that it’s worth more than $1500, and if by fanboys you mean passionate people, who love synthesizers – that’s more than flattering.

        2. Dude, seriously, you don’t get it, fine, but the Engineer Pass sells out EVERY year and it’s worth twice the money.

        3. I own a new minimoog reissue , I’ve owned/used many vintage Moog’s. I’ve seen sooooo much bitching about the prices and very little clues to suggest they understand why the prices are the way they are. We’ll go through quickly here; A: Moog had to talk semiconductor manufacturers into manufacturing parts that are no longer made and long out of production, sources for N.O.S. purchase are just not feasible with the rarity. (Not an easy, nor a remotely cheap feat. And as any good engineer or repair tech will tell you, there is no substitute for some of these part’s. Like the VCF boards transistors. You could design a VCF board using say the components of a prodigy or rogue but, they don’t sound the same), B: they are built by hand with N.O.S. through hole components , no S.M.D. (surface mount devices/technology). Again, these things have a sound of their own. Just listen to the behringer D minimoog clone demos. It is SMD, does it sound bad? No, does it sound like a vintage Model D? No agofferAnd here is the thing, Moog is(has been) working hard to offer products at various price points, from $500(Minitaur, phatty’s) up through their Mini’s and reissued classic modular series (which are beautiful and some of the best sounding HAND MAND synthesizers available.). I love synthesizers, from vintage Model D’s, minikorg 700/maxi-korg 800dv, through to more modern V.A.’s like Clavia, Access et al. The first mono-synth I ever played was a minimoog model D (the first sampler/sequencer I ever saw close up was also a Fairlight CMI IIx), I’d happily be labeled a “gearhead” or, “fanboy” but, one has to remember, these exist (as well as tge current prices reflect) supply and demand. When I started playing in “93, a minimoog only cost between $175-$400 on the second hand market. An ARP 2600 was $400-$800 as well. I personally think while my minimoog was expensive (with shipping et al, It cost me just shy of $4000) but, it was worth it and I would pay it a again for such a hand made analog synth of such high quality. If that isn’t your thing, I can personally suggest the waldorf pulse(the vcf is designed around the moog source) and the design is kind of a modern design inspired by the minimoog model D and source(also, it is often misunderstood and wrongly described as having DCO’s, it has VCO’s, the only part of the VCO’s that are digital is the PWM, which is digitally controlled). Two others than can be had used, for much cheaper that are influenced designs are, the studio electronics: SE1( like the pulse, was designed to be a modern take of the minimoog. A common complaint is that the Envelopes are much slower and not as snappy as the A(d)S/R on the mini. Though, the VCA and VCF gets full ADSR stages, which are more flexible.. Less snappy/sluggish or not) and the studio electronics ATC1 tone chameleon(with the moog vcf cartridge is Kind of like a minimoog without the luxury of switching out vco3 for audio, instead normalized to an LFO. Again, this is close to a Moog Source (or, the prodigy, rogue or multimoog. Personally, I’d have to say the VCO’s in the ATC1 are of much, much higher quality than the prodigy, rogue or multimoog). You could also, buy the Behringer Model D(I honestly plan on buying one to do mods, since I feel quite conflicted about hacking up a brand new $3599 synthesizer at the moment). One more thing, the Moogfest engineering workshop has to employ quite a few teachers/engineers to walk around and make sure the students don’t up with big assed paper weights instead of handbuilt electronic drum modules. A limited edition handbuilt moog analog drum module will end up costing more than $1500 on the second hand market in due time.
          Sorry for the loooooong reply, I just thought this was important enough to warrant it.

    2. Hi Cade, Moog has had these DIY projects at the previous Moog fests. They are very popular, always sold out, and there have been no complaints. It’s like picking your own fruit at the orchard. It’s about the experience. People get to keep the instrument. You are welcome to bring your own soldering station and solder if you wish, but nice soldering stations are provided for everyone so there’s really not much need. Hope this helps.

      1. Yes, this helps. Thanks.

        I understand the allure of this, and being able to take home some hardware that one had a hand in making is certainly a unique opportunity. Especially for an authentic “Moog” instrument.

        1. The Engineer VIP’s are paying about $400-500 to attend these sessions, over the price of the synth itself and the price of the regular VIP tickets.

          For that, they’re getting hands-on training over two days from some of the most knowledgeable synth designers in the business. Everybody I know that’s done it has liked it, so I think it’s worth the money if you can afford it.

          If you want to get your shorts in a wad about something, it should be the VIP tickets for the festival. From what I’ve seen at previous Moogfests, the VIP tickets did not guarantee that you’d get seats at shows you wanted to see, and a lot of people were not happy about that.

  2. I am amused and see the sarcastic validity to Cades comments. I am bright enough to see someone making a point or two that is relevant and valid. Not all synth users can afford such ‘experiences’ . Nor are all synth users conservatives and ‘a political’ Nice one Cade and being from the North of England , we prefer creative conflict as principle rather than dull conformity.

  3. no doubt. their other projects looked fun the past few years. the best part is that they are thinking about drum modules it seems. I really want some drum/perc specific stuff as well as some more add ons for the mother 32 like envelopes, utility stuff, etc. of course i can make drum sounds with a minimoog or sub 37, and do, but something more in line with the mother would be awesome.

  4. Everybody needs to lighten up.
    There are much worse things to spend money on.
    Too rich for you, just wait, Werkstatt’s are like what $199.00 now?

    1. Amen brother or sister. eventually, I predict, we could see these be for sale onto the mainstream market just like the last Moogfest DYI project. If it is a drum module that is a stand alone uniit, count me in. I do not own any eurorack things, so I need stand alone units.

  5. It “may be” a drummer from another mother? What about a daughter from another mother? Or a distant relative from another mother?

  6. LOL, make it as a DIY product and get rid of all potential guarantee issues. Good idea, if you’re not confident about the manufacturing quality. Well, handmade in US, what else I need to say 😉

  7. I’ve attended several similar workshops. You’re paying for the Moog name, and the privelige of poorly building something to sell on eBay afterwards (which is where 80% of last year’s Brother synths went.). So I prefer to take the workshops offered by many smaller modular manufacturers like 4ms or Befaco. At least those companies do not pretend to be a charity, and for my 1k I get way more that an oversized drum synth

    1. The Bob Moog foundation is a separate entity in of itself, it does a lot of good as a charity(and as a preservation/conservationist foundation for Dr. Bob’s notes,letters and hand drawn schematics, prototypes et al. You may not appreciate how important this is but, there are definitely those of us whom do), bringing both music, engineering, science/physics skills to children. Check out some of the work that they do teaching children about both the physics of sound and music. The money from the raffles pays for classes, building/buying theremins, minimoogs and other instruments. I think what Michelle Moog (Sorry, I forget her hyphenated married name) does heading this foundation. I enter the raffle every year(have yet to win but, I hold out hope every year). Also, I do not work for or, have any affiliation with Moog music or anything related to them whatsoever. Btw I wish I had access to programs like this growing up, I think it is wonderful. I hope they expand enough that my nieces/nephews here in Florida can eventually take advantage of them too.

  8. F U Cade, Moog is an Employee owned and operated company! So yeah, That is more american than america right now. Quality builds, Quality sounds, made by happier than average workers. Take the moog tour and see where that money goes, See the faces of those working to build the products. I came home hating my job even though I just witnessed where my money went. I am proud to support the Asheville community. Love You too Make noise!

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