Moog Matriarch: New Patchable 4-Note Paraphonic ‘Patchwork’ Synth!

Moog is on a roll! If the flagship Moog One and the quirky-tinted Moog Grandmother weren’t enough to tempt your wallet, today the Asheville-based company announced Matriarch, a new paraphonic synth. Worth buying? Let’s find out more…

What’s Moog Matriarch?

Moog Matriarch is a patchable 4-note paraphonic analog synthesizer with a built-in Sequencer, Arpeggiator, stereo Ladder Filters, and stereo Analog Delay. According to the company, Matriarch is capable of creating rich evolving chord patterns immediately with “no patching required”. It invites access to an abundance of inspiring textures, new sounds, and an endless supply of happy accidents through its 90 modular patch points.

Based on the vintage circuitry of classic Moog synthesizer modules, Matriarch is a catalyst for creative ideas and a medium for multidimensional expression.

The pinnacle of Moog’s semi-modular family of synthesizers, Matriarch’s patchable architecture and classic Moog circuits reward open exploration with endless sonic possibilities and unparalleled analog sound. Matriarch’s 4 analog VCOs can be split into 4 notes of paraphony that can be sequenced, shifted, and stored with the instrument’s intuitive 256 step sequencer, or stacked in unison to create a massive 4 oscillator mono synth.

Hear and watch Moog Matriarch in all its hipster-videomaking glory in the video below:

With a deep assortment of synthesis modules based on Bob Moog’s original circuit designs, Matriarch’s 100% analog signal path spans a dynamic sonic vocabulary – from overdriven monophonic bass to gently evolving paraphonic plucks that cycle through waveshapes into a wash of infinite delay trails. Coupling the power of vintage-designed stereo ladder filters, dual Envelope Generators, stereo Analog Delays, and stereo VCAs, Matriarch delivers a multi-dimensional sound that empowers the sonic exploration of both space and time.

Price and Availability

Moog Matriarch is available for pre-order, for $1999 (EU prices not yet available at the time of writing).

A must-buy?

Moog Matriarch is an interesting and sensibly priced instrument, especially for those who would like to add some vintage Moog flavour to their setup without breaking the bank. Personally, I find it much more appealing than the Moog Grandmother (too bad the spring reverb didn’t make it here!), while purely design-wise it’s much less sexy than the 2-note paraphonic SUB37.

The real bonus points here are the extensive patch point architecture, the 4-note paraphonic feature and the extremely intuitive hands-on approach.

Needless to say, Moog Matriarch is not exactly a cutting-edge sounding instrument, and it might be a bit boring/uninspiring to those into more modern sound-design techniques.