Moog Mother-32 review and 9 hidden gems

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TIMELINE:
00:00 The basic tour
01:50 Oscillators
02:30 0sc mods
03:30 Filters
05:20 Filter mods
06:50 Envelopes
07:20 Sequencer
08:20 Patch bay
09:00 THE HIDDEN GEMS
09:20 Extra osc's
09:45 Wave morph
10:20 PWM 'detune'
10:50 LFO as osc
13:15 VCF as osc
17:20 FM synth
18:15 Tremolo
19:00 The hidden 303
21:20 Assign random
Want to email me personally?
► Ziv (at) loopopmusic.com
****************
The Moog Mother-32 is an amazingly powerful and great sounding synth with quite a few hidden gems and expandable capabilities -check them out in the attached clip.
Intro music - a cover of Infected Mushroom's and Berry Saharov's Birthday
NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any what by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.

[@jakestewartmusic]

Your videos are absolutely top notch. This has become my how-to guide for learning the Mother 32. Mine's in the mail - my first synth purchase.

[@mikemeengs5720]

Agreed...the best!

[@remotegod255]

I have been a clasically-trained musician since 5 years old, which means I've had 25 years to become jaded to: - Guitars, Pianos, Pipe Organs, Brass Sections, Full Orchestras, Dubstep, Effects Pedals, every pop song on the radio, etc etc And yet, when I got my own Mother-32 something opened up for me. I have been staying up until 2-4 AM, sometimes staying up without sleeping at all. Just playing with the Mother-32 settings (and other musician-y stuff) So, please understand where I am coming from when I say THANK YOU for this video. It's exceptionally informative, fun and helpful to me. I've probably been pausing and experimenting with this lesson since 9 pm, and now it's past midnight. So just, thank you again, for providing so much value that I've been watching this for over 3 hours and having fun with it!!! -------------------- EDIT: it's almost 2 hours later and I'm still going at it nonstop!! Some names for the best sounds I've created with the Mother tonight (I write down all my favorite patches): - Cyberpunk Cathedral Organ - Stargazer Warmchill Strings - Tracerbullet Lead Great little synth and again, great educational video, thank you :)

[@loopop]

Remote God thanks so much for taking the time to write this! (After edit: would love to hear your sounds!)

[@remotegod255]

My pleasure! And re: my sounds, I'm actively working up some new ones :) I threw you a follow (particularly hoping you'll do more videos on the Mother-32), you can do the same back if you want updates about new music I'll be posting soon! (no worries, no obligation either) Have a good night!

[@homeslice1479]

My music career started with classical wind symphony music and me living under a musical rock. Still love wind symphony, but electronic music, which I used to passionately hate, is starting to sink its claws into me. It started with a Roland Boutique, which led to a Mother 32. Now I've got a whole eurorack setup and love it all. There's just something about having TOTAL control over the sound you get to make that is absolutely fascinating and alluring to me. You can't get enough of it.

[@Bigjuggs64]

you could save patches with this ?

[@fincorrigan7139]

@@Bigjuggs64 No - the sound engine is purely analogue.

[@garygimmestad4272]

I'm new to the Mother-32 - several years after you produced this video. It's the best intro I've found. It goes just deep enough to be practically very useful and inspiring without drowning a noob in arcana and spaghetti. Thank you! I've been messing around with software synths for some time and I love a lot of them, but the Moog world is definitely the most engaging to me. I love this thing!

[@grandmasterjo1]

Excellent video. Looking forward

[@sibsbubbles]

Really helpful video. I'm pretty new to synths/modular and bought one of these to start with. That trick of getting a sine wave out of it by way of the filter and making it track with a keyboard is really a cool feature to find and use.

[@realmooses8378]

Invaluably succinct and well put video. Thanks for the demo!

[@samaBR_85]

just bought one 4 days ago, this video came right on time! tks for the tips. keep em coming!

[@Asigiri]

Fell in love with the Mother 32 when I saw it in a music store. I'm not a hardware guy but just had to get it. Even if I'm not doing something truly productive it's just too easy to lose hours in this thing. I've been eyeing more modular pieces ever since but trying so hard to not expand. Love the video and easily one of the better tutorials I've seen for the Mother 32.

[@admirkorjenic8739]

Ah. Seriously man. That tip at the end of random voltages etc is just genius. Much appreciated. The sound of Mother-32 was immediately ten times more interesting. Keep it up!

[@josephdavis2695]

Mine will be here tomorrow. This video is absolutely necessary. Thank you.

[@mikeexits]

How have you been liking it?

[@Cepagemusic]

Class A Course & Pedagogy. Extremely well conveyed. Many Thanks !

[@fullconsciousness1448]

Professional review video. Awesome!

[@benjaminmauch_]

This is just what I needed. Awesome!

[@aidanvinum]

If I had your knowledge I’d wear sunglasses at night and ask fancy restaurants to bring out a special table. Us novices are extremely lucky to have you, Loopopinator!

[@loopop]

Duuuude thanx

[@paulofigueiredo1479]

Great work in this demo.

[@ModularLanding]

Excellent video. Thank you!

[@LobbeProcaccini]

I have a new rule when it comes to consider and evaluate a piece of gear: go see if Loopop reviewed it. That’s it. Thanks for being so prepared, a joy to listen and follow. And - most importantly - thank you for being always MUSICAL with every piece of gear. YT is loaded of supposed ‘experts’ full of ego only putting themselves in front of the camera while making the crappiest reviews, adding ignorance to ignorance. Long life Loopop!

[@lorrenaelliott161]

When I buy new gear I go around and around but I always come back to Loopop

[@amundbisgaard7295]

This was incredibly useful for me.

[@tacetmusic]

Nicely put together demo

[@juanjoseabella9582]

Thanks so much for the video!

[@ElektroNoiser]

Thanks for share this amazing review! my respects!

[@palmacbeth885]

thanks for making this video!

[@doubletaketv7248]

Sitting down with mine and following along. Great work!

[@mindingosafado]

bless you for putting in a table of contents

[@kturn5953]

That intro song is GREAT!! Love the harmonic progression, filter choices, and amazing thought put into each layer. WOW!

[@loopop]

Thanks! It's a cover of the intro of Birthday by Infected Mushroom & Berry Sakharof

[@kturn5953]

@@loopopThanks for the reply! I was literally sitting here figuring out the changes wondering where the inspiration for these beautiful melodies came from. Seems to be the chord progression ||:E |F#7/A# |C#m |A :|| I am going to go listen to the original that you covered, and I’m happy that you were the reason for finding them, and that you are such an amazing online synth supporter, teacher, and talent! You’re the reason many of us buy and progress in the modular world. Thank you!

[@francoisrousseau7893]

Love that channel - thanks !

[@philiptruitt]

Thank you, Loopop!

[@stue5257]

Very informative video,thankyou!

[@franklopez4028]

Great video. Congrats on a clear concise and informative vid. Just emailed it to 3 friends. Keep em coming. Thanks

[@franklopez4028]

Also most importantly you gave us info all qhy making things that sound good. A rare quality.

[@williamolsen20]

Very concise, thank you I learned a lot about it. I want to buy one in the future. I think this may be a nice dip into the world of Eurorack.

[@edjwise]

Killer work, thanks

[@ManCalledMif]

this video is so helpful. thank you

[@patrickmckenna6681]

Great videos. Very informative.

[@LukeCorradine]

excellent video...thank you!!

[@87jheaton]

Great video, thanks.

[@sludgesounds8545]

thanks so much! such a help

[@chasebanks3114]

great video. super informative! thanks for making it. can you do a video on the assign output please

[@maxlay1382]

Loved the intro. Knew I recognised it, but couldn't place it until I read the intro.

[@qndj6449]

I wasn’t sure I wanted one, given how I already have an Arturia Minibrute 2S, but then, the full Moog Sound Studio made me acquire one…🤩 then immediately look for your channel to benefit from your unvaluable experience and pleasant tutoring.🙏🏻

[@dualtrx]

This is great.

[@MaynardAndEuniceShow]

I've recently added modular synthesis to my bucket of musical joys and coincidentally I keep running into your tutes. Great job man! You really have this down. Appreciate all of the goods here to get me up and running fast!

[@mikemeengs5720]

His vids convinced me to buy a Neutron. Now I'm hooked...the Mother 32 is next.

[@CalebCromb]

Highly recommend using a compressor with the Mother32 to help maintain volume while adding resonance to the filter. I've tried a bunch, all the boss cs1,2,3 and several others.....best I've found is the Fender The Bends Compressor.

[@eikarumba429]

Honestly without your videos it would take me years to uncover all these wonderful sound design tips and tricks! If you ever figure out how to clone yourself, please let me know as I will be first in line to buy an in-studio clone! :-) awesome stuff and thanks so much! - reminded my why you are the only person I support on Patreon currently!

[@loopop]

Thanks very much for your support, and the book is as close as I can get to a clone!

[@joange1842]

Great review! As always really insightful. I missed the pros and cons section, though!

[@loopop]

Thanks - that was before I had a pros and cons section in my videos - plus by now it would not have aged well...

[@AKJ828]

You were practically play "Yom Huledet" by Berry Saharof in the intro. Great song

[@loopop]

yes it's a direct cover - indeed great song!

[@JacoxNovak]

should be named quick start guide, because it's tremendously useful

[@girlinagale]

Excellent explanation thank you.

[@loopop]

girl in a gale thanks!

[@johnemory7485]

3:54 Since you're bringing in the noise oscillator, can you bring in the funk oscillator, too?

[@raysparkindustries]

nice tutorial... just need to buy one :)

[@serrisdaylor1015]

Thank you so much! When Moog came out with the Mother 32, I jumped on it right away, having no experience with synthesis... I was able to get a plethora of sounds right out of the box, and experimented a bit with the patch bay, but while I was looking at it through the keyhole indicative of my experience, you've opened the door wide enough I can get properly started!

[@MJanovicable]

These things are amazing and I'm sure I can discover new areas of creativity with just as one could say with a modified guitar!

[@PerceptionManagement]

excellent tutorial. would love to see a vid on more advanced uses of the patch bay if possible

[@AlastairWilsonMusic]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGLcaItngpicqdE Here you go :)

[@alicehamilton4063]

Thank you🙏

[@DeathTrapProductions]

This is one of the best mother 32 videos i've found so far! The manual can be a little cryptic sometimes.

[@whitenoisefromelectronicto1728]

Man you are great

[@StatsGod]

Excellent video! Thank you. What do you use as oscilloscope and spectrograph?

[@loopop]

Thanks! Scopes by Melda and Ableton.

[@markustg09]

Excellent review and Demo. What software do you use to show the waveforms on the screen? Very cool

[@loopop]

Thanks! MOscilloscope and Ableton Spectrum...

[@_orrot]

אחלה ברי :) ואחלה סרטונים

[@dr_fantom]

Hi! Do you think it can replace a dedicated 303 functionally? Coz I don’t feel like paying a few hundred bucks for a bass machine. Thanks

[@TROGULAR10000]

Mother is simpler that she seems. You demystify both general concepts and the machines under review. Other reviewers do that to some extent but your videos are perfect, complete with a table of contents and oscilloscope.

[@loopop]

TROGULAR 10,000 thanks - much appreciated ;)

[@charliobrown3960]

hi, is it possible to record more than 1 sequence to change the pattern on the fly?

[@NuisanceMan]

My first 31 mothers all broke down. Maybe I should try this.

[@incelstate2466]

Thanks for making this. I must admit that for some time I wanted to get moog or similar synth but now I see that I most likely don't need it. Update: I bought it... I wish moog made just filter eurorack module.

[@incelstate2466]

I am getting second thoughts I do like its filter.

[@YOUrDEAlerwiThHell]

is the fm in 17:20 inly possible because the lfo is in an audio rate or could you do it like this in general i mean with lfo modulating the Frequency of the Oscillator -> pitching in frequency with the an envelope generator? filter to fast modulation sourcer? (fast modulation?)

Hi I'd love see how to use mother 32 sequencer to control othee synths, like behringer midzl D ir dfam. I'm sure there should be a way but I don't don't have your skills. Also would love to see how midel D could increase mother 32 capabilities ... After all it's all moog design

[@rustikinc63]

Do you prefer the internal seq or use an external for the Mother? Monostatin is fun with it.

[@MediaMusik777]

is it possible to send notes via midi in and have the sequencer record the midi information into the internal sequencer?

[@etalagetv]

Hi !! - I love your video's - really awesome. Just a wonderful way of providing really comprehensive info - million thanks. May I ask which software you are using to display the wave forms? - That is really helpful also something I'd like to use when twisting the on the units myself.

[@loopop]

Hi, I use MOscilloscope and MAnalyzer by a company called Melda - they’re free with some limitations in the MFreeFXBundle. Occasionally I’ll use scopes by VCV

[@etalagetv]

​@@loopop Thanx Loopop!!! - I never subscribed to anyone on youtube before - this seems like the best place to start - big up!!!

[@brianholtzmusicsound]

Fantastic video Loopop! I await Mother and Subharmonicon stock at my dealer. Question: what S/W do you use for the oscilloscopes you show in the video? Cheers!

[@loopop]

Brian Holtz Music Hi, I use MOscilloscope and MAnalyzer by a company called Melda - they’re free with some limitations in the MFreeFXBundle. Occasionaly I’ll use scopes by VCV

[@mylogify]

Hello, can you hook this up with sub phatty and use it's sequencer for Sub's sounds?

[@tomfrench9186]

did you ever make the assign modes video?

[@terrybrown106]

At 22:19, I played Joe Walsh's "Life's Been Good To Me" and it sounds really close to the synth solo in that song. I think it would be almost exact if maybe a second detuned sub oscillator was added. I played the video along with this and they are very close in sound.

[@arexpressionsphoto]

Thanks for this! Question: Does Moog have a backup/restore to/from a computer system, like Arturia does?

[@kmac1061]

cool video! what do you use for the oscilloscope windows?

[@loopop]

K Mac thanks! It's called MOscilloscope

[@Bananskuden]

The 303 was so hidden I never heard it :-o

[@zibertron0139]

18:59 rayman gba intro theme XD

[@Original-ELECTRONIC-MUSIC.]

Great fun. May I also recommend the korg karma. It can’t compete with the moog sound but it has 4 real time programmable sequencers midi out and loads of patch storage and can be picked up for a few hundred earth units. Nice combo All the best.

[@matthiasreichert4016]

To hear the sine wave you could also just use the hp fliter instead of going out of the mixer or am i wrong?

[@monkeysuncle2816]

Why do Gate, Run/Stop, Reset, and Hold alone have washers around the patches?

[@zxLoneWolf]

What does the graph on the left represent? What are the axis? Great video btw!

[@loopop]

Thanks! scopes are time and amplitude and frequency and amplitude

[@JacobRomero]

Great video! Thank you for creating it! Do you know of a way to stop the constant tone when set up as dual oscilators around 16:40 in video. I love this sound but the fact that i have to turn down my mixer in order for the sound to stop is limiting. Thanks, Jake

[@loopop]

Jacob Romero not with the mother-32 alone - you need another VCA either as a hardware or software module

[@p.meyerhiggins3157]

Loopop + Infected Mushroom!? What a treat.

[@p.meyerhiggins3157]

FFS! I didn't realise that this was my comment from 2 years ago, and just gave it a thumbs up...

[@marstorrent8400]

Hey Loopop! Thank you so much again!! One question, what's the wave visualizer you're using? I'd love to use it!! Cheers

[@loopop]

Mars Torrent Hi, I use MOscilloscope and MAnalyzer by a company called Melda - they’re free with some limitations in the MFreeFXBundle. Occasionaly I’ll use scopes by VCV

[@rafestube]

Fantastic video thank you! Only error I picked up - it is oscillator frequency you are modulating with the random voltage source @21:47, not velocity. Velocity is a MIDI term related to volume (usually). The random voltage generator in your video is affecting the VCO pitch/frequency, not volume. Otherwise, great work!

[@loopop]

rafe s thanks and yes you’re right of course - human mind works in weird ways - I obviously know it’s pitch ... a glitch in the matrix I guess....

[@kamesound]

Great video, thanks!. Can you tell me which oscilloscope are you using?.

[@loopop]

KAME thanks! It's called MOscilloscope

[@kamesound]

Thank U

[@paulhooze]

It's possible to patch stereo cable to any one?no losted frequencies,or phasing problems?🙏✌️

[@Philipplus]

This is very cool. I passed on the opportunity to buy a Mother32 some time ago... I don't regret it as it does not fit what I needed back then (and still wouldn't fit my current workflow), but it is one of those synths to keep an eye on. It does sound precious, and is a great starting point for a very flexible modular system. The sequencer stroke me as a little bit complicated, though. So I'm looking forward to see more of your videos on this synth. Have a great week. Cheers!

[@loopop]

Philip+ thanks! Yes I plan to explore it more... btw the sequencer is super simple once you get used to it. There's a learning curve but it's not too steep considering what you get (slides, ratchets, accents)

[@aeropilot4419]

Hmm .. what a very passive-aggressive comment 😕

[@Daniel-pu9fi]

How is it passive-aggressive?

[@geoff4009]

I think aeropilot's comment was self-referencing.

[@aidanvinum]

Loopendous!

[@tomnisbet4187]

Thank you for the great videos, as a new mother-32 owner, this is very helpful. I was hoping you would share how you are capturing the wave form as you are playing. I am a visual person, and if it’s possible, having that available would help tremendously as I learn.

[@loopop]

Thanks! I run the audio into a computer, into a DAW and then use a plug-in called MOscilloscope

[@tomnisbet4187]

loopop thank you so very much!

[@badwaddy4234]

Wonderful content!! Thank you! At about 15:45 on this video, you bypass the VCA by running VCMix out to your computer. I'm sorry, but I don't see what happens after that. Could you please explain where the signal goes after that? Thanks so much!

[@loopop]

Thanks for the kind words - I had to rewatch to remember... Audio from the second "panel" mixer is going directly to my audio interface

[@jeremypleurmeau4189]

Hi loopop ! i have ARmk2 and a DFAM. i can't find a proper way to sync dfam from a separate output of the ARmk2. what i want to do is send a clock in the dfam to get it synced, but it seemed to run steps of the dfam in a reversed way or totally randomly. I would like to send the clock to the dfam without bypassing the sequencing function of the dfam. How would u do that properly ?

[@loopop]

Hey, I actually don’t know how to NOT get DFAM moving forward step by step. My guess is you’re plugging cv into the tempo rather than Adv clock and that’s giving you the illusion of reverse. Makes sense?

[@0x0777]

Very cool. Thanks for this. What oscilloscope plugin are you using?

[@Paul_Y_T]

Looks like MeldaProduction's MOscilloscope on the left and Ableton Live's Spectrum on the right.

[@loopop]

FunInWales yes and thanks!

[@fromfilmtocode]

I'll try these tricks to the Crave.

[@danielg.2897]

amazing video. What are you using for your software oscilloscope and frequency analyzer? Thanks!

[@loopop]

Hi, I use MOscilloscope and MAnalyzer by a company called Melda - they’re free with some limitations in the MFreeFXBundle. Occasionaly I’ll use scopes by VCV

[@danielg.2897]

@@loopop amazing, thanks for replying!

[@barankaypakoglu7643]

this guy is a genius.

[@yossichen78]

Intro song - Berry Sakharof - Birthday (Infected Mushroom Remix) :-)

[@jakubkostynowicz1745]

Is it possible to use splinting cable and apply for example random to both oscillator mix and cutoff?

[@loopop]

Jakub Kostynowicz - sure - even if you don't have a spitter you can use the onboard splitter (MULT) in the patch bay

[@nickyp310]

If I want to use the Mother 32 and a DFAM, do I need a separate mixer or is there a way to link or daisy chain them?

[@amandakoontz5246]

Nope! They pair well together. Here's a way to tempo sync them kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3_Oknyqir12d6s&ab_channel=MoogMusicInc

[@papadaya3540]

Any tip on a good pack of cables to buy if this is your first modular unit (with different lengths perhaps?)

[@loopop]

It comes with cables so you don’t need to worry about it

[@mickolos]

I'd love to see a video with all 3 Moog semi-modular synths (DFAM, Mother32 and Subharmonicon) and what hidden gems there are with all 3 connected. @loopop :-)

[@joeykaram09]

This!

[@slavikdoter]

Mylar melodies did one

[@AlexReidStudios]

Is it worth buying this on 2021? I wanna buy my first hardware synth and I want something small, powerfull and for sequencing

[@svindiesel8087]

Sure