Moog DFAM Review

[@Individual_two]

As a DFAM owner, this is the best review/demo I have seen. The explanations were clear about what DFAM is not (a traditional drum machine) and what it is (a semi-mod synthesizer that emphasizes percussive sounds). For those wondering, I have the DFAM working with two Mother 32s and they are terrific, complementary partners. DFAM is not a "set a beat and forget" drum machine. It is a very hands-on, tweakable, patchable synth that is a barrel of fun to play. I think the 8-step sequencer limitation is in keeping with the hands-on nature of this synth, because trying to keep up tweaking 16 or 32 steps in real time would be a challenge for most electronic musicians. Is it a bit too expensive? Maybe. Would MIDI I/O been nice to have? Probably. Would bigger knobs on the mixer and step mute switches on the sequencer been a nice touch? Oh yeah! But those niggles aside, the DFAM is a wonderful instrument and I highly recommend it.

[@PedalScience]

Agree completely. 'Rishabh Rajan' is his personal channel; and he convinced me to buy the M32 with his awesome demonstrations. kzbin.info/door/dov0AvcrgWEzV_pAIu52ZA

[@scottfernelius9590]

I couldn’t agree more with your sentiments. It would seem that those who are naysaying the product have not sat down in front of it for a test spin. The possibilities appear endless from my vantage point and I didn’t even put a single patch cable to the thing.

[@thewhiskeypriest]

Hi John. I am not super familiar with modular/vc devices. i love the sounds i hear from the dfam, but mainly want it for recording purposes - using it in protools sessions. is it able to easily sync with the session, tempo wise? or would that be a nightmare, trying to get it in time with pre-existing audio without a midi feature?

[@humanbeing_]

Individual Two - Hello. Out of curiosity, are you subbed-to or watch loopop's channel/videos? I only ask because so far, his channel and (now; as of today) this channel are my 2 favorite Synthesiser related channels. And loopop has an oscilloscope and spectrum analyzer on-screen during his reviews, tutorials and tips & tricks videos. And after watching a ton of his videos, I find myself wanting for those 2 items while watching other synth channels. It's worth mentioning I've been producing electric music, (mainly Drum & Bass) for over 17 years, however, I'm new to paying attention-to and learning analogue gear, specifically Synths. I produce in mainly Reason, and also Ableton. But my synth knowledge was limited for 16 of those 17 years, and my production was 95% sample based only up until the last year when something clicked and I've gotten really into physical gear and Analogue, modular, semi-modular and Euro Rack gear, and started creating music with Thor, Europa, Subtracter, Malstrom, and free/demo synths like Dexed, the CS-80, and so on... And with How affordable Analogue Synths are right now, e.g. Behringer Model D, CRAVE, Neutron, K-2, MS-1, TD-3, Roland TB-03, SE-02, Arturia MicroBrute... And the list goes on: all for $300-ish or so, it's an amazing time to get into physical analogue Synths. So coming full circle (of you're even still reading by now lol) I just found this channel today, right now; this video. And this is the closest to loopop I've found as far as my personal preference for watching these videos. I subbed right away and that led me to your comment 😁 Anyway, so yeah, I was just curious if you watch loopop's channel, if you have any of the other Synths I mentioned, and what your first hardware synth was? Cheers! -H.B.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

agree- mine arrives soon and I plan to pair it up with my Make Noise 0-coast and Analogue Solutions Leipzig v3 table top semi modular synths for a fun setup. For pure drums, just get a Jomox Alpha Base or Elektron Rytm drum machine or Digitakt and be done with that as modular drums are very EXPENSIVE!

[@schragemusik]

I hate reviews like this. I came here, fully expecting to laugh at the limitations of the DFAM (as described by others) but came away wanting one. Very good demo. Thanks.

[@MrScarabey]

@Blake839 It is what called "irony"

[@draconianrhythms]

Brilliant demo! Your style of explanation is excellent

[@naturligfunktion4232]

Best review I’ve seen in a long time! Very well done!

[@jello-tarzan]

Excellent demo, beautiful synth. Thanks !

[@Dogboy73]

Fantastic demo. Close to pulling the trigger on one of these. This video is pushing me close! :D Very cool. Sounds great & look like so much fun to play with. I NEED it!

[@sillyworm]

Thank you!!!! Buying one tomorrow! Going to synch it the Manther I just purchased.

[@izme4700]

Amazing idea with that clean ass oscilloscope visual

[@ManCalledMif]

10:36 great tip regarding effect of keeping oscillator one lower frequency than oscillator two

[@Tazmanian_Ninja]

DO treat it like a frickin' drum machine! It is - and it's a good one 💖

[@AveMcree]

I fucking want one of these so bad😭😭😭😭

[@Taka_Takata]

Now that's what I call a review!

[@krxwnvxk3432]

Thinking about picking up a moog and trying to decide which one to get

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

Great demo. Making me want to try, to get this kind of thing going, with my O-Control and 0-Coast. And/or SQ-1 and Neutrons, or maybe even my Harmonicon. It seems they all have similar capability, if I just put my mind, to making "drum" sounds, on them. What do you think?

[@bflash77]

Interesting instrument. But how about some drum sounds?

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Can the DFAM play more than one drum sound at a time like a drum machine?

[@MilesMalcom]

Nope it’s monophonic

[@tamsiak]

Great demo, many thanks! And I realy impressed by the sound, but the confusing thing is - no MIDI. Is it possible to set some certain tempo if I need for example 115?

[@ruaryvargas8352]

I think this was designed as a complement for modular gear, most modular stuff is clocked vía trigers, dont own one but i dont think this have a midi sync port, but if you have a pocket operator, op1, or Just a keystep/beatstep can sync it to any exact tempo, its also posible to take an output from your audio interface and send a really fast drum sample to act as a trigger, cant tell how Hard it is, but i know its possible.

[@tamsiak]

@@ruaryvargas8352 Thank you for the answer. You,re right, there's guite easy way to set the tempo by audio interface sending very short audio signals. By now I already got 2 DFAMs and absolutely love them.

[@DonDayglow]

fantastic demo/review, thanks! My DFAM arrives next week!

[@zacdior9402]

Great review. I like to watch someone who actually knows his stuff. Great video. Subscribed Peace ✌️ out people

[@tomatevanmonte]

Hi dear ASK Audio, is any form I can send external midi sequence from Ableton to the ADV/Clock input? i need some adapter? thanks from Vienna , Love

[@daniX12345]

Is it limited to create complex rhythms by having only 8 sequencer steps?

[@jewe321]

Moog anounced the DFAM as a part of the mother 32 ecosystem, so I would like to see and hear what it does when being connected to the mother 32. Any chance that there will be a follow up on this aspect?

[@peturcoll]

Guess not 😂😂

[@tradewhales9170]

How would I sync this with an mpcx so I retain the velocity changes locally on the dfam. I understand I send notes to the adv clock then a single note to hit the run stop or I think I can can just do that manually. Is that all that’s to it?

[@NorfolkTraveller]

Thanks for the review. I can't quite get my head around how you would play this if used for pitch based sounds with only a basic 8 step sequencer. Are you able to transpose the sequencer?

[@johnmiddleton4291]

Keystep.

[@warwolt]

Instant techno box!!

[@sadmancaves]

the big knobs feel great

[@Raven_of_Doom]

the closed caption interpretations are as wild as the dfam itself

[@Zinfidel1]

This sits somewhere between a drum machine and synth yet it doesn't do either one the way I want it to. Not for me.

[@HazeAnderson]

Get an ER-1 mkII 😂

[@snuppssynthchannel]

Still waiting and dreaming for a Polyphonic Moog, a memory Moog of today. I Still dont get why Moog havent done it yet.

[@sunnagoon]

lol

[@brianrodman1033]

The One is on its way

[@junglsmor]

sounds like you could get some pretty cool less percussive synth bass tones as well

[@junglsmor]

is it possible to play with a keyboard for melodies/basslines?

[@HazeAnderson]

Yes via CV, not MIDI.

[@Übereine]

Dark techno queen instrument

[@housemachine509]

Great video

[@aidanvinum]

Nice vid, thanks. What’s the easiest way to pair this with Octatrack Mk2 ( DFAM doesn’t have MIDI ) ?

[@johnmiddleton4291]

Use a midi to cv converter like those made by Kenton, or any modular maker.Or connect it to a Mother 32 or any other synth with CV outs and midi.Or connect it to a Keystep, Beatstep, etc.

[@ordepleitao4868]

Doesn't the octatrack have CV outs?

[@MarkoDeLaVoota]

reminds me of Analog Solutions Lipzig S , although AS has more modulation options

[@KeithCanisius]

Nice machine!

[@genglemt]

This is a drum brain, in the tradition of drum synths such as Simmons SDS7/SDS8, Pearl Syncussion SY 1, Vermona DRM 1 and so on. It's not a drum machine. So of course it doesn't have a sequencer.

[@jumpingeezus5080]

genglemt Yes.

[@ZElTGElST]

Interesting machine, but way too limited (8 steps?). For the same $ amount you can get a Microbrute 2S which have a way more dimensions of possible sounds and synthesis routes

[@caballotecaballo188]

yes but its not a moog . between a porsche and a citroen , which one do you prefer ? hehe

[@pierrethorel8613]

Lol. Arturia is Citroen? You've never tried one man..

[@Methanol2000]

Knowing Arturia's reliability, yeah, a Citroën.

[@ZElTGElST]

You can do harsh sounds on the Arturia or the Moog, it´s all about how do you program it. And by the way if there´s an harsh sounding Moog machine is this one. The point is that Microbrute 2s is way more programable and interesting all around

[@Ebbelwoy]

Its sound vs feature Moog wins sound, arturia wins feature

[@75hilmar]

11:12 Jingle bells

[@mephistovonfaust]

I can see the appeal for people that make electronic music, especially techno, but for a hip hop producer myself this has no use at all sadly.

[@MrSNEAKFREAK96]

NizVania Not sure genre has anything to do with how useful something is.

[@mephistovonfaust]

@@MrSNEAKFREAK96 of course it does. For sure someone out there can use it for hip hop but I certainly don't see any use in it.

[@MrSNEAKFREAK96]

NizVania I would say that has more to do with how useful you find the instrument to be, regardless of genre. I suppose that’s semantics though.

[@HazeAnderson]

Maybe hip hop itself is not a useful genre. 😏

[@mattymel75]

Pretty boring Hip hop beats/techno might be the only kind this sequencer would work for on its own. But yeah, if you plan on replacing your MPC, no you’ve missed the point here entirely.

[@stixvane]

wow im disapointed..... for 660. bucks you dont get much but the Moog name..... i mean come on no MIDI?

[@HazeAnderson]

I sequence about 23 synths with MIDI and the DFAM sits happily among those synths. It makes sounds the others really can't, including the drum machines. Especially the drum machines. xD

[@EleniEliades_]

SOON. . .

[@MRTM-kl5dd]

8:49 not tonality. timbre!

[@thepglenn]

Nice sounddogcouyrse

[@nadeharry]

Dream maschine

[@UserName________]

No MIDI?!

[@riotghandi]

wanna swap my nordlead 4 against two mothers and one brother :=0

[@AKIRABattlefront2]

riotghandi i am actually buying a nord lead 4 soon?. But i have my eyes are the mother 32. What's wrong with lead 4 other than the price gap?

[@Femkroner]

GREAT AUDIO LOL

[@bond4177]

WTF no MIDI?

[@BetweenBeatsNDreams]

Villan Bond I know right? wtf?

[@mike.thomas]

Voltage control FTW!

[@bond4177]

Mike Thomas Normally I'd agree but some of us like to sync things, now I'll need a midi>CV module :(

[@BetweenBeatsNDreams]

Villan Bond yeah, bought the Mother32 few weeks ago. If I decide to buy DFAM I can sync it through the Moog32 using the assign out port.

[@johnlong5003]

im a preset fiend so not for me - interesting tho

[@axymoulm]

Well… the statement that this is more "a synthesizer than a drum machine" doesn't mean much and is not an excuse for its limited sequencing capabilities nor does it upvalue its rather poor sound - poor compared to almost any of the old popular drum machines that are using analog synthesis to generate drum sounds. Be it the iconic TR-808, the CR-78 or the comparatively simple sounding Minipops/MP7. To my ears any of the mentioned sounds way better than this Moog thing. Honestly: I love my Moog SlimPhatty and there's a large number of way greater synthesizers by Moog (Voyager, Model D, One, just to name a few). But this one I consider as a Moog fail. Good for very experimental music but that's all. Particularly this wannabe snare type thing sounds very cheap to me. No matter how he tweaks it, to my ears it remains an enveloped stream of noise, nothing more. Not saying this video is bad! It's properly showing capabilities. Sorry, but this bunch of beep blob grunge and noise generators don't justify it being called a "Drummer"(From Another Mother). Labeling it a synthesizer doesn't make all that any better. The above mentioned machines were also synthesizers while being drum machines that model drums way more appropriate. Guess I'm gonna earn a shitstorm for this, huh?

[@kurtyhearty]

Totally agree!! I just don’t get it with this thing, just seems to be an sequenced synth making a lot of squeeky noisy sound , I don’t hear any good drums here.... (no shitstorm from me😂😂)

[@axymoulm]

@@kurtyhearty Thanks for your support :-D It's not even that you had to go for expensive vintage machines that had their best days. There's even wide variety of contemporary products like those by Cyclone Analogic or Behringer and they're not expensive either.

[@HazeAnderson]

@@axymoulm I have the TT-606 and TT-78 they sound great with the DFAM. The DFAM has yielded some AMAZING jams for me and I look forward to what new things it has in store for me. I love drum machines, but this is not a drum machine. I also use a TR-08, TR-09, Korg ER-1 and Volca Kick and Volca Sample. The DFAM does what they cannot. It's like running a drum machine thru the cleanest distortion you can get --- distortion when you need it without hissy noise from amplifying the noise floor. There is no noise floor. If you think it is too expensive then getting support from chat is not going to help you towards saving up for one. I would get a TT-303 and a TT-606 before I purchased a DFAM for sure. This is not a 1st drum machine nor a sole drum machine. Cheers!

[@tradewhales9170]

Way to metallic for me

[@mattkaz9604]

Parts of this are kind of interesting, but also it seems not particularly exciting.

[@TJ-vv3ex]

Want

[@agauerm]

The audacity to call this a drum machine lol... Expensive limited box.

[@mattymel75]

Limited if you don’t have any other modular stuff. If you do, actually one of the best sounding drum machines available.

[@pqlr8763]

A glorified synth voice with a mundane sequencer. Really disappointing for the money. If you're going to spend that, might as well start a rack, and make it part of a wider system.

[@wafflestoast5228]

Doesn't have much modern production value unless you're making stranger things soundtracks.

[@Banloca]

Not true. I like to make techno etc and I had a go on one of these today! It's literally perfect for production if you dont wanna sound like everyone else.

[@HEDFUCcom]

it's totally useless.. not a traditional drum machine? that's fine. but you shouldn't sell this 8 step sequencer to 'traditional(expensive) moog price'.