Moog Grandmother Synthesizer In-Depth Review

In the latest Sonic Lab video, Sonic State synth guru Nick Batt takes a look at the new Moog Grandmother synthesizer.

The Moog Grandmother is a semi-modular synth, introduced at Moogfest 2018. With normalized internal routing, you can play it without any patch cables. But, if you want to override default internal connections, the Grandmother offers 41 patch points, including 21 inputs, 16 outputs and a parallel-wired 4-jack multiple.

Batt calls the Moog Grandmother a “quality instrument’. that’s “built to last”. Check out the video and share your thoughts on the Grandmother in the comments!

17 thoughts on “Moog Grandmother Synthesizer In-Depth Review

  1. Beautiful instrument, solid Moog sound for sure, rational price, sure to be popular. My only beef: why in the hell are half the modules colored in gagging 50s Chem-Tone pastels?? Bleagh! :))

    1. S-Trigger Dave

      The design does the same thing as all of Moog’s synth designs – it recalls the look of vintage synths, while also trying to be immediately identifiable.

      The Grandmother takes design cues from things like the Moog Source, the Moog MG-1, the Moog Rogue, the EMS Polysythi and the Synths-E.

      I think somebody got some design inspiration from classic Radio Shack 50-in-1 electronics kits, too.

      I can see how the look might put some people off, but it’s the ‘Grandmother’ – it’s supposed to look like it’s from the 70’s!

  2. What is this light up patch cable?? Great synth (as if Moog makes anything else), but quite possibly the least aesthetically pleasing instrument of all time. It makes my MG-1 look like a work of art.

    1. @Lesle: Well the original comes from it being a semimodular with keyboard. The interesting comes from it offering some modules with the same design and quircks of the original modulars in a “small”, yet not boutique, portable package for a nice price (compared to original moog or other modulars). Of course you don’t have to like it.

    1. Why would you put a display on a synth with a completely analog signal path? There’s no digital control of the switches and knobs because they’re connected directly to the sound generation circuitry without a microcontroller in the middle. So you can’t store programs or have MIDI CC control of parameters.

  3. I would have liked bananas instead of jacks (but I guess you can void your warranty by doing it yourself ;))
    Really nice for the connectivity with other stuff, but if you design a whole synth, no need for external modules (in theory).
    That way, no need for mults and/or overpriced stackable jacks.

    But that’s a cool machine anyway!

Leave a Reply to AnalOG Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *