MOOG Subharmonicon Semi-Modular Analog Polyrhythmic Synthesizer

The Moog Subharmonicon is a prestige bit of kit. Like the Mother-32 and DFAM before it, it’s heavy, clad in wood panels and a strong aluminium housing and with the highest quality dials, buttons and ports. It is very solid and like it’s cousins I expect it will be hard wearing.And it sounds like a dream!It’s got two functions: firstly, a simple synth - two oscillators, each with two linked sub-oscillators; mixer controls; simple envelopes for the filter and the amp, and the classic Moog low-pass ladder filter with that squelchy resonance we all know and love. Secondly, it has two little sequences - only 4 steps in each - but these can be coupled to any of four rhythm generators so that the two four-note sequences are fractured and stuttered, and can resonate or interfere with each other. It’s a bit like a delay effect but more musical and fully analogue!This little box’s true innovation comes in the quantize feature. This constrains the frequencies of the oscillators so they are always on a whole note (or semi-tone). This means when you start the sequencer the intervals you hear are always interesting. You still need to seek out rewarding patterns by tuning the sequencer steps, or tuning the oscillators themselves, but this is part of the fun of using an analogue synth: you need to explore and experiment.There’s a comprehensive patch-bay too, with 32 inputs and outputs, so you can experiment sending the rhythms and frequencies to modulate the filter, the clock, the frequencies themselves and so on. It works very interestingly when paired up with the Mother-32, sounds astonishing through the Moog Grandmother’s spring reverb and I’m looking forward to seeing how it can connect to other semi-modular gear.It’s costly but I know I will get years of inspiration from this. The lack of an on-off switch is a pain: you either need to wrench the plug from the socket or remove the power cable from the back of the unit. I would have replaced some of the ports - perhaps an output for all six oscillators/subs is a bit much, I would have preferred a envelope decay patch or a mult to mix CV signals.The manual is informative but also lovely in itself and 5 little patch cables are included to get you started. Even the cardboard box it came in begs to be kept safe somewhere.It was well packaged by the supplier, arrived much faster than expected and the supplier (Bax music) remembered to include a UK power adapter for me (only US and European styles in the box).

Incredibly bonkers piece of musical kit, maybe not for everyone, however really unique and classy sound.

The product itself is flawless, just don't buy it here as it's overpriced by like £650

As always with Moog, you get a quality instrument with great sound in awesome packaging. Not unlike for their DFAM, Moog seemed like they were trying to create a unique synth that stands out from the rest and the Subharmonicon does not disappoint.

Superbe machine.

If you’re buying this you won’t need my review. The Moog sound is all there, it has its quirks and it’s definitely one of a kind. Probably not your first Moog synth, if you want something more versatile look at the Mother 32. Otherwise it is unique and beautiful.

For anyone looking to get into modular synthesizers, this semi-modular synth by Moog is a great starting point. It creates rhythmic variations on a few notes, opening up a multitude of possibilities. I've combined it with a Mother-32 and a Labyrinth and it's been hours of endless fun!

5 stars for the item, 0 stars for Amazon's packaging for delivery.Be careful. Amazon decided to just ship me the Subharmonicon in its own cardboard box. Mind you, the box is not taped closed from the factory. The box is now covered in some mysterious goo and oily substance, covered with stickers, and has been already opened.The box's corners are a bit bashed in, but the device seems to be OK. Time will tell.Amazon, do better. Your decision to ship the product in it's packaging that was clearly not intended for shipping is just stupid.