With the Subharmonicon, Moog expands its semi-modular instruments with an expressive analog synthesizer. No less than two main oscillators and four sub-oscillators provide a very broad and radiant sound foundation. This results in lush chords, pulsating sound carpets, massive basslines, and generic sounds. The waveforms of the main oscillators are switchable between square, sawtooth, and a mixture. The four sub-oscillators each have the sawtooth waveform, but their frequency and level are freely definable. What should not be missing in a Moog synthesizer is the famous 24dB lowpass filter, it works in a wide frequency range and goes down low, the resonance extends into self-oscillation. Two attack/decay envelopes are permanently assigned to filter and VCA respectively, in this way sounds can be realized that range from percussive to floating in to long decaying. The Subharmonicon has no direct ancestor in that sense, but is largely inspired by the historical sound generators Trautonium (1930), Rythmicon (1931) and the Schillinger system (also 1930s).
The sequencer section of the Moog Subharmonicon is composed of three units: there are two four-step sequencers for the oscillators and one called Polyrhythm. Sequencer 1 controls the pitches of oscillator 1 and its two sub-oscillators, which of the three follows the pitch control is switchable. Sequencer 2 controls the pitches of oscillator 2 and its sub-oscillators; again, which of the three is coupled to the pitch control is switchable. Polyrhythm produces a different timing or divider ratio for each control and is applicable to Sequencer 1 and/or 2. This results in very lively and varied patterns that, in the overall context with the sound generation, create a complex and easy-to-use whole. If this is not enough or you want to try something different, you can connect a MIDI keyboard or use more complex sequencers from a modular system to control the Moog Subharmonicon.
With a total of 32 inputs and outputs, the patch panel expands the sonic possibilities many times over, turning the Subharmonicon into a semi-modular synthesizer. About half of all connections are dedicated to the sequencers and the clock generator; the other half is for the sound generating and sound shaping elements. Here you have access to the pulse width modulation, the VCA (e.g. for sideband modulation) and the filter (FM!), among others. With creative patching or also the integration of Eurorack modules, the expression possibilities increase again.
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Bought this synth for the 2nd time as I sold my first one and regretted it. The synth itself sounds amazing, especially paired with some fx. Superb build quality, but that’s to be expected from Moog. Bought from DV247 as they had the best price. The experience was fine, the item was shipped from Germany so as expected it took a few days, but it was free so can’t complain. Overall would recommend the Moog and DV247!
Good value for money. The sound has good depth and presence. The DFAM is a good accompaniment a solid kick, snare and hi hats. The Subharmonicon is great for thick basslines if time is invested in making it work. The Mother 32 combined with the above modules makes for a powerful trio. This is a nice semi-modular setup to compliment my other machines in the studio.