Review: MOOG's MAVIS goes west! // 18 modular and wavefolding patch ideas explored // Full tutorial

[@iancain6647]

When I first started watching, I was like "oh good a new loopop video means there's new gear coming out". Now I'm like "oh there's new gear coming out, can't wait for the new loopop video".

[@SpikesStudio3]

"Loopop so good, they give him gear before its finished" -old jungle saying...

[@RyanBreaker]

Just got this as my first synth, only I forgot to also get a controller. Been fun to play around with until I get get a Keystep, already thinking about a DFAM or M32.

[@audiblevideo]

I know no one who does what loopop does with such clarity and thoroughness - viva loopop. He’s a one man GAS factory and fount of inspiration and education.

[@zackcolbourne6921]

One man gas factory. *Beavis and Butthead chuckle*

[@Hainbach]

Launchpartybuddy! ❤️

[@crookedrain771]

Just wanted to say sharing your knowledge of sound with us is highly appreciated my man 🙏

[@loopop]

My pleasure - thanks for taking the time to write

[@johnvcougar]

Seconded. Truly legendary. Does leave me wondering how your solo/collab music projects are going! Love to hear some stuff! 😉

[@CapRockout]

This now sets the record for fastest I have ever purchased a synth. Wonderful overview and ideas! Your videos are the first ones I watch when there's a new synth on the block.

[@PagVoop]

still enjoying it?

[@CapRockout]

@poorhigiene absolutely. I ended up liking it better than the Mother-32.

[@pooshNchums]

@@CapRockoutCan you elaborate?

[@CapRockout]

@@pooshNchums Sure! Although I never owned them both at the same time to compare directly side by side, I just clicked with the Mavis a lot better. I imagine the oscillators and filter shouldn't be any different, so aside from the wavefolder, some differences that mattered to me for crafting sounds are having the full ADSR vs AD/ASD and being able to blend modulation between the EG and LFO. Also, it could just be calibration of the units I had, but I found the LFO tracking on the Mavis to be better for creating dual oscillator sounds. Throw in the fact that it's significantly smaller and costs much less... I don't see any reason to get the M-32 unless you absolutely need MIDI or the sequencing.

[@romanyel]

Excellent as usual! Clear with great patches, all while creating beautiful musical sounds. I've had mine for a few weeks and like it more and more, especially loud, with a subwoofer.

[@arrhythmicjones4069]

Whenever I'm considering buying, I always check for Loopop's review. Saved me money and convinced me to take the plunge, in equal measure. Great work!

[@ajplays-gamesandmusic4568]

Oh it's nice that they made the trim pots accessible without having to remove the case.

[@mikeolson7588]

You do an excellent job extracting performance from what looks like a very simple unit. A great lesson for everyone watching to spend the time necessary to really dig into their gear. There is always much more capability than meets the eye, especially with modular synthesizers.

[@alveydoug]

“Re-enjoying” this show. The folks at Moog didn’t get to pre-approve any of this and are probably Grinning throughout. I will be sketching your patches (another BOOK), which should apply to my synth collection too (I need a Wave Folder). The KORG O-scope kit makes a good showing too.

[@Sven.Bornemark]

A fantastic review, Ziv! Probably your best ever! I do like the fact that you never assume the viewer understands what you're talking about. You're the best teacher! 👍😊❤

[@loopop]

My pleasure - thanks for taking the time to write!

[@christophersmaby8485]

So exciting! I love West-Coast synthesis, and the standard bearer of subtractive synthesis dipping their toes in that funky water is so fantastic!

[@jexmartinez9343]

That very last performance was too much greatness. Thank you Loopop

[@LeonModerer]

best video on Moog mavis I watched so far

[@JimRobb44]

"That's One Nasty Square." The official Loopop t-shirt.

[@gaborb6577]

As always the most extensive, explanatory and fresh review. Thanks

[@LondraCalibro9]

great video as always mr loopop! I just read your ebook on synthesis - you truly are the patron saint of electronic music creation! Thank you for all your amazing work!

[@loopop]

Thanks for the kind words and for joining my Patreon!

[@aqueous5099]

A budget moog with a new twist. Very exciting-I hope that means the next premium machine is forward thinking without the One’s price tag.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

US$350 isn't budget....

[@aqueous5099]

@@edwardfletcher7790 I LITERALLY used moog as the subject with budget as the qualifier. You must not know the world of hardware synths if you don’t get the point.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

@joe jawed Just because it's the cheapest Moog doesn't make US$350 "Budget".

[@SlaserX]

@@edwardfletcher7790 Werkstatt is $150. Also,im glad they're not just putting out the same device over and over. The Buchlaesque features are a nice change

[@krisrhodes5180]

@@edwardfletcher7790 I suppose there's the Nutekt for $115, a couple of $220 ones and just in the last couple of weeks a few $250 synths came out, but $350 is certainly deeply in the more inexpensive range for a full featured synthesizer. Indeed, Behringer Neutron arguably does more than Mavis (and the upcoming Proton will definitively do more) for $350 and they're considered "budget synths" pretty universally in my experience.

[@CaidicusProductions]

Another excellent presentation by you, Loopop. I'm always blown away by just how intelligent, yet approachable your videos are. You make complicated things so simple and straight forward, it's such an invaluable service in the world of synthesis and music production. Thank you, brotherman, you're awesome.

[@jippalippa]

I wanted to begin diving into this world without spending too much; at the same time I want something tangible; at the same tiem I have quite a crammed desk, therefore small size is welcome. This could be great!

[@sixdonuts]

Wow, this is a really great synth for a great price. Sounds great even without effects. Add a Korg NTS-1 for effects and you have quite a powerful portable setup.

[@zebmars8944]

So many reviews to watch of Mavis.... and who is my first pick? loopop #1

[@mikaelborjesson994]

Amazing video! The best Mavis video I have seen this far.

[@robman80808]

Nice tip using the RC filter to shape the VCO for folding!

[@massimocesareAnnaloro]

Sempre bravissimo! Trasparente, onesto, competente.

[@paolopaioli601]

Patchbay on the left, great for pairing it with Subharmonicon, DFAM and M32 without having long cables in the way, since you can’t mount it on the tier 2/tier 3 rack. Thanks for sharing.

[@Daphoid]

You could mount it and the Mother 32 in Moog's 104 HP case side by side and use tiny cables :)

[@johnmiddleton4291]

@@Daphoid That's exactly right. This is clearly designed to be slotted into a Moog 104 hp case right next to a Mother32 or DFAM with the patchbays adjacent to eliminate cable clutter. I would not be surprised if we see a few more models in this new 44 hp size. An effects unit with an analog delay, tremolo, phaser, ring mod would be great, for example. Or an analog step sequencer modeled on a Moog 960. Maybe an output mixer?

[@johnvcougar]

… aaand the Neutron and the Werkstatt! Yep, great stuff, nice one Moog!

[@Usul]

This looks great. The Moog Werkstatt-01 can be had new for about $150. With the Mavis starting at $350, I suspect there is a bit of the Moog tax built in. That said, this is a pretty unique synth. The closest I can think of sonically would be the Make Noise 0-Coast. Pairing the Mavis with something like the Make Noise Strega might make for some interesting experimental analog sounds. (Hopefully that makes sense because the Strega is really the perfect companion to the 0-Coast which is similar to the Mavis).

[@ReasonedWhistle]

Nice little synth from Moog :) Waveform fold sounds special. Harmonic fun #2 FTW! Superb review as always :)

[@Simplesimple123]

Found you via heinbach , looks like I’m going to binge watch your channel . Glad to have found you

[@mauchkimberly]

Love this. My Grandmother definitely wants to play with him. They will be great friends.

[@Eceptes]

My weksatt 01 has been serving me with no problem the last couple of years but this make me want to upgrade :P

[@yodice]

Man, that Outro 2 jam is so nice. Sounds like something that would be on one of Alessandro Cortini's Forse albums which were all made on a Buchla Music Easel.

[@ytJnC]

Wow. Didn’t expect this at all

[@f_c_r_]

Whoaaaa the formant patch you made is so cool.

[@Diamond_Eyes_24]

A whole bunch of moog mavis reviews pop-up in YT but pick yours first, as always

[@samprock]

It’ll be nice to spice-up Moog Subsequent 37 CV by hooking Mavis to its CV out. The one small synth I was looking for this purpose. With wavefolding, its a real treat..... without breaking a breach in my budget that Buchla 208c did :) Thanks giving all the details Loopop!

[@suge7292]

Is the mavis a good companion for the sub37? I was having trouble finding info on pairing the two.

[@samprock]

@@suge7292 At the end I did not get Mavis. Anticipating "hating" running Mavis thru CV only (if it would have at least midi). Note I also have special Subsequent 37 CV edition, silver one. It has 6 CV holes on the right side what are not available on other Sub/Subsequents 25/37.

[@suge7292]

@@samprock good to know. & didn’t realize there was a sub37 CV version. Makes sense. I have standard sub37 but still think I am going to grab mavis bc I think it’s a good entry point to get into modular. I feel like I am a fan, albeit novice of mixing the analog and digital/midi worlds together, so excited to explore the possibilities. I guess my thought process is to buy a simple module, learn it a fully, and then decide the path forward.

[@samprock]

@@suge7292 Mavis can be luring entry into rabbit hole of modular :) One can to mind it is a (famous) Moog oscilator (I had m32, subharm, evn Sirin at the end asking myself why duplicate if I have Sub37 right there .... but what am I saying ... I invested into Model D reissue with the excuse there is 3 of them LOL). Though Mavis unlike other Moogs has a wavefolding, which is different. But when you look closer - you cannot control wavefolding with CV, beats me why). So skipped on Mavis (and I also have Buchla 208C with wavefolding as a core function). Anyways, Mavis should be a gem within within any modular wall, if this is a goal.

[@opwave79]

That Wavefolder alone has my full attention.

[@nathankirklambo1986]

Good synth to keep me occupied for a while without spending a whole paycheck

[@digitaldiezel5870]

This is a very nice and flexible Moog voice! They are looking to give Behringer buyers something else to look at.

[@digicat247]

A must buy for pairing with the DFAM or the 0-CTRL. I can not wait to drive this with the DFAM....

[@davidmarks6612]

Thanks, as always, for the deep dive! Although Mavis has a bunch of tools conveniently packaged in one kit, I probably have most everything it offers in other semi-modular synths. (I really wish it was priced closer to Werkstatt -- say, $279.) I love how it inspired your creative patching! I'll be watching again to pull out some of your tricks for teasing out more harmonics, playing the filter, and bit-crushing. (I suppose I should really read your book!!)

[@loopop]

Thanks very much!

[@bengarland]

Another great review, Ziv. Although it's a nice sounding, interesting synth I feel like $250 is a more appropriate price point than $350. I fully support American manufacturing, but the truth is that probably 95+% of the components of this synth was made in China, even if maybe it was boxed in Asheville. There's just so much competition on the market these days (not to mention what can be had for $350 used) I honestly don't know why anyone would buy the Mavis except for the Moog brand name. It's like one tiny step up from a Volca, but 2-3x the price. Moog can do better.

[@johnmiddleton4291]

It's designed to be a single voice eurorack module, and in that realm it's very cheap. The extra case and lid are just a bonus.

[@robsinHL]

It’s more than boxed in NC. Irregardless, if you’d prefer all the jobs are shipped overseas, your logic is spot on. Work the extra couple hours more and feel some pride.

[@gz625]

Nice review as always. Synth itself pretty interesting but on a bit on a pricey side like all from moog.

[@Spontaneous.Synthesist]

OG of Reviews.

[@TunaOddfellow]

At this point I have been collecting and learning software synths on mobile. I dream of owning a big Moog some day. For now I recently fell in lovecwith learning modular syths with Moog model 15 on ipad immediately learning how to create patches and shape my sounds. I look forward to finding patch ideas to learn more.

[@gru_day]

"that is one nasty square" :D

[@strangersun7721]

Wow. Never thought I'd see a West Coast Moog. Here's hoping they do what they did for the werkstat and release something like the mother 32 with a West Coast flavor.

[@elyot4010]

Great review and tutorial as usual!

[@jjrusy7438]

ya, that external passive filter is a cool idea. i never could have figured out half the stuff this synth can do. horse around with it long enough and it makes all the sounds. pretty impressive. edit: also cool to see you actually can use the nts2 scope to dispense with the video trickery scope.

[@loopop]

thanks and yep re NTS-2 - if they make a few tweaks to the FFT I'll do away with the video trickery altogether

[@gregbeaudry]

Just sold my werkstat. I feel like this is what Moog wanted that to be… a proper patchbay, usable keyboard, but most of all, a whole plethora of patch possibilities. The werkstat felt like the most simplistic at the highest price point. While Mavis feels like the most complex, brought down to its most affordable.

[@johnmiddleton4291]

The werkstatt was created for the engineer workshop at moogfest originally and was intended just for that purpose. People online requested a general release to the public, and Moog complied. I don't think it was ever intended to be more than a really simple introduction. The original moogfest version also had lots of through hole construction that required soldering as part of the workshop. I do wish that aspect had been kept in the production version, though I can understand Moog not wanting to deal with the support tickets that would generate.

[@audiblevideo]

Loopops new channel - along the lines of Rick PWM - “Does it fold”

[@Keysounds0]

Already bought the West Pest but I may have to consider the pros of having both

[@celestialgroove3334]

In the same boat.

[@christophervincent77]

I just got the EastBeast... and now I'm thinking I may as well get the West Pest to complete the pair. The Mavis maybe after that... that's the tough thing with this price point... everything is an impulse buy!

[@Keysounds0]

@@christophervincent77 nice! I have the west pest on preorder and may get the mavis instead of the east beast but then again the Moog sound isn’t anything I feel I need

[@chipfilmstv]

Loopop is way too smart for me. I got average test scores. I'm gonna have to watch this every night for 4 months.

[@sodothehivesonhisleg]

Looks great but I feel like if I wanted something like this I'd probably go for one if the latest dreadbox kits

[@BobOscuro]

Great review and great channel!! Oh my GAS!!! Please make a video of the Crea8 East Beast, it's a pretty cheap synth and awesome!!

[@ozziesmom9186]

But can it make music?

[@tomlavelle8340]

Go West, young synth!

[@rebeltooth3499]

Does the KB Scale scales the internal keyboard only or the 1V/oct also?

[@loopop]

Only the internal keyboard

[@myblues]

wavefolder certainly sounds unique when compared to Buchla style. Almost sounds like a single fold + phase-distortion/pwm.

[@MichaelRohaly]

It is so odd that wavefolding doesn't have CV control.

[@robthebloke]

Also annoying it’s hard wired as an input to the vcf :(

[@macaronafterparty]

What oscilloscope are you using that is superimposed on the left hand side?

[@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

[@macaronafterparty]

@@loopop thank you very much

[@808-music-n-moa]

and then see the original knobs light up under UV light I prefer the knob upgrade but great for live set to be able to see the settings.

[@robertbelknap]

Great review, Is there a chance you'll get your hands on the Oberheim Obx8? What do think from what you've seen so far. I pre-ordered, but the audio in the video's is horrible, and I just can't tell. wish they had just bypassed Superbooth, and Namm, and gave it to you for its Reveal. Thanks.

[@rozzgrey801]

I'll wait for the 4 oscillator version, the Maureen.

[@ShimmyDigg]

Hey Loopop, any chance you would be up for doing a video on how you organize and store all your gear? synths, cables, power sources. i would love to see your ideas as i just cant seem to find a good equilibrium.

[@loopop]

Your wish is my command! Did you see my recent matrix synth setup video? If you did let me know what you'd like to see beyond that

[@ajplays-gamesandmusic4568]

I was about to get upset that I'd bought the Werkstat less than a year ago... but now I see this thing is about 100$ more expensive.

[@davidaugggh]

i realized i could do the hyper-audio rate S+H for faux ADC on my school's ARP 2600 earlier this year. Would love to try to sequence specific formants to make it "talk"

[@MagnificentMercer]

Love you're videos!!!

[@livelooper]

Hang on, it's actually a poor option for exploring modular patching. The Wavefolder only feeds to the filter, and the filter is permanently fixed to the VCA. There's no patch points for the individual parts.

[@PJ00PJ]

Hi Can you share the patch you made on 32:09. Its so good

[@flaviuspopan]

What's the name of the software oscilloscope/spectrogram you use in these reviews?

[@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

[@flaviuspopan]

@@loopop Too cool, thank you!

[@Cutflower]

What is the name of that eurorack case, the really small one with wooden cheeks?

[@RubenHulzebosch]

Was wondering the same thing…

[@sonalsystem]

www.plum-audio.com/?page=2

[@loopop]

It's a DIY case by Uncertain Proportions

[@Cutflower]

@@loopop cheers fella

[@railinly610]

Cool. Proper sized knobs would complete it.

[@elbalajazz]

I ll wait the Bheringer's clon, it will call Bavis

[@aounms]

🤣🤣

[@davidmarks6612]

I love that Behringer makes decent gear at a great price. Otherwise, I'd never afford to get my hands on something like a Model D or 2600. On the other hand, it does turn into a race to the bottom, where innovators of new gear are under pressure to compete against the low prices. (I'm guilty of this myself in commenting earlier that I wish it cost less...) Regardless, I've been really excited to see so much semi-modular gear coming out over the past several years!

[@VincentPresley]

garbage

[@va941]

Seems dope...BUT....I have to say, some battery power would have been awesome considering the form factor!

[@Rompler_Rocco]

NICE!! Was this ever a Moogfest build project?

[@boratezel]

Loopop have you done a video on the Novation Bass Station II? I looked but wasn't able to find one

[@loopop]

No I have not but I did on the circuit mono station

[@w43o21l2f]

Could be a good extension for a microbrute:)

[@kaeptn]

Do you happen to know if there is a dedicated mobile app for storing photos of patches with names?

[@brianleahyart]

I haven't heard of one but this is a cool idea

[@loopop]

I recommend creating a folder on your phone and saving videos of yourself walking through the important aspects of the patch.

[@KNTRA]

hi, im wondering whats the name of the digital/vst oscilloscope you use on your videos ? great content , thanks !!

[@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

[@MrMarcLaflamme]

Would have made 3 changes - noise circuit (with output), cv over fold and triangle or sine on the VCO (saw > triangle > square) - or add a slew to round out the square. Other than that this seems like a really awesome deal!

[@telegraph_hill]

30:00 but will it fold? I see a whole series here. (w/ apologies to the will it blend team)

[@marksparrows]

I didn't quite get the formant synthesis in this case... How did he do that?

[@freddiefranklin1]

This synth looks awesome! Trying to get my head around the sequencing capabilities though. I generally sequence via ableton or via my digitakt. My understanding though is that neither of those options would work for this synth. Have I got that right?

[@loopop]

True - you've need some sort of MIDI to CV device/module/interface/keyboard to sequence Mavis with Digitakt or a computer

[@freddiefranklin1]

@@loopop thanks for replying! Hmmm I'm wondering if it would be too much of a change in workflow for me right now then. Would you see it fitting in well to a set up without a sequencer? I'm ideally looking for something a bit more unusual to the classic subtractive mono/poly hardware synth as I have that covered in my current set up. Was thinking Mavis or the West Pest would fit the bill perfectly so maybe West Pest is a good option for where my set up is now

[@loopop]

@@freddiefranklin1 While everyone’s needs are different, I would not buy Mavis if I didn’t have a CV based sequencer, at the very least a keystep

[@DankePlace]

There is a certain-segmented group that appear to be hating on a device they have not laid hands on. This is a cheap fun way to get into hands on synthesis in more than one way. The synth sounds fine, what isn't to like about it?

[@Claidheambmor]

No MIDI?

[@BB69175]

Why the tiny pots with all that extra space? Looks kind of dumb tbh

[@synthetic24]

Is Moog now also going for the toy-like format?

[@VincentPresley]

Yeah, they seem to have given up on making well-made, full-sized instruments. They really jumped into the tiny toy niche.

[@obezijana]

because kids are the future of music

[@MandelscapeDA]

Great now at the end of this.... We need a Mavis-Workstat poly jam

[@mr.kenthappyface746]

Great video. I was wondering, what tool were you using to get the reverb effect?

[@loopop]

Thanks! See description

[@prinzbach]

Nice video! Always very detailed. I was just wondering... It has KB CV out but no gates? Does it mean we can only send CV or is there a trick to get some gate out if we want to control another module. Thx!

[@loopop]

Thanks! If you don't want to use the internal envelope you could just use the EG OUT as gate with attack set to zero, sustain 100% etc.

[@prinzbach]

@@loopop Thanks a lot for the answer!

[@McMxxCiV]

The index on the left is pretty confusing on this one. The whole video is about patch ideas. Also, at 24:45 you talk about analog bitcrush. That's not what's happening though: bitcrushing is reducing the number of possible values between the top and bottom of the waves, which would be pretty hard to achieve with an analog synth. What you're doing is sample rate reduction - reducing the frequency at which the output signal is refreshed with new values.

[@loopop]

I always welcome feedback so thanks.To the point though, first it's not just a patch ideas video - the first 11 minutes and last 9 minutes (50% of the video) have nothing to do with patches. To the second point, you're absolutely right, and in the video itself I mention it's downsampling, but bitcrushing sounds cooler and takes up less space in the index. But you are right technically.

[@McMxxCiV]

@@loopop I didn't express my first point clearly enough, I think. What I meant is that "patch ideas" is highlighted in the on-screen index for the entirety of the video.

[@TastyChips]

"DIY case by Uncertain Proportions" (Thanks for the detailed info).. Do these guys make these mini euro casings based on custom orders or do they have series production? Looks nice to have!

[@loopop]

It's a DIY case where they sell a few of the parts - I've had it for a while so I'm not sure they're active anymore... you'll have to contact them

[@macronencer]

Thanks for the run-down! Excellent as usual. When you observed that the S&H gave an inverted output... is it possible that the rates were aligned in such a way as to make the circuit progress backwards through the VCO's phase? That would result in an apparently inverted sawtooth...

[@loopop]

Thanks and I don’t think so, I tried it with multiple different configurations

[@macronencer]

@@loopop Ah, OK. Well I'll be able to find out for myself soon - I've just ordered one! :) Thanks.

[@loopop]

@@macronencer let us in the comment section know!

[@bricheag]

Please make a full review of the very new open source groovebox and daw controller called LMN 3.

[@loopop]

seems like a cool start - looking forward to seeing how it develops

[@prayingelephants]

Does this have clock in? Or any kind of syncability? Could I play other semi-modular synths with its keyboard

[@modularsamples]

Don't think there's a clock input (no sequencer) but you could patch an external sequencer into the CV/gate inputs. There are outputs for the keyboard pitch and envelope so yeah, using the keyboard to play other gear should be possible.

[@ROZENHART]

Woooo!!!

[@dzaxys4643]

Love it but as with the dfam regular midi I/o wouldn't hurt

[@Drum2]

Very nice :)

[@LeonModerer]

perhaps someone can help me: it's weird, but folding doesn't work... although I copied all the settings of the knobs like in that section of the video. anyone with the same problem or better: a solution?

[@cleacleaclea8462]

What analyzers are you using? Looking for some good VST ones :)

[@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