Moog Mavis // Review and Demo

[@cortical1]

Hey Starsky, big fan here from Carlsbad, California. Maybe this will buy you a coffee or tea. Thanks for all the interesting and informative videos. Hope all is well in the land of my forebears. Cheers.

[@StarskyCarr]

Awesome, thank you!

[@dougr5187]

It's a lovely synth at an affordable price for a Moog. The problem for Moog is that we, as musicians / consumers, are now wonderfully spoilt for choice in the £250 - £500 range in a way that was not the case 10 (even 5) years ago. So nice synth but up against some worthy competitors (without the Moog label) for our attention around that price.

[@StarskyCarr]

Good times for us synth enthusiasts. I wonder whether it’s a difficult market or a growing one with plenty of room for all. This is a nice way to get a Moog if you’ve always wanted one but could never justify the costs.

[@ChristopherOrth]

@@StarskyCarr I agree with that! I think a person really only needs one Moog, since they all pretty much sound alike, so with this synth you could get that Moogey vibe, plus some unique tones, for a killer price. I'd argue this is the Moog to beat atm, actually.

[@mr.irrelevant3588]

yeah you can get a used Minibrute 2S for the same price as this Mavis.

[@ogasi1798]

@@mr.irrelevant3588 2s / 2 is a killer synth too :- )

[@StarskyCarr]

@@mr.irrelevant3588 Minibrutes are VERY nice - I've got the original and it's the only synth that can sound like my vintage Kawai. Lovely stuff.

[@archivestereo]

Best video on the Mavis and great intro to synthesis. Thanks!!!!

[@kranz8507]

Always great to visit this channel.

[@StarskyCarr]

Nice one.

[@earlsfield]

LOL love wavefolding drawing, its genious, it is exactly what it is.

[@jeffblack5024]

It’s odd that Moog has that ‘mother’ thing going on. My mum is called Mavis. She’s 85, though not a grandmother as I was too into synths to bother.

[@StarskyCarr]

At least she’s still a matriarch

[@AtticusBleep]

😂

[@Kev5565]

It was my mother's name also, which sort of makes me want one.

[@xdumpstrspunionx902]

are you able to run guitar pedals through this? like distortion and overdrive and all that?

[@BihlerOfficial]

350 quid is too much for this one. You could get a Minilogue, Microfreak or a Behringer Model D. I like the sound ofc but the knobs are made for dwarfs and it doesn't look very durable.

[@pheotus]

I agree. And those knobs are way to tiny.

[@hulkslayer626]

A Minilogue?!! Did you mean a Monologue?

[@BihlerOfficial]

​@@hulkslayer626 minilogue. quid= english pounds btw

[@hulkslayer626]

@@BihlerOfficial hahaha thanks, I hadn't had my coffee yet so I didn't see "quid" 😉🤪

[@hulkslayer626]

@@BihlerOfficial And yeah, I agree it is overpriced. It is VERY similar to their Werkstatt, but at only $150, the Mavis is OVER twice the price.

[@samprock]

Cool! Sounds like wavefolder can't be manipulated from outside with CV. Twisting physical knob only?

[@StarskyCarr]

Yes that's correct... I forgot to mention that.

[@m1lkb0n3z]

Thank you; good review. I think you neglected to mention that it has a "KB Scale" knob for generating microtones, which, like the wave folder, is not something one commonly sees. I believe I'm correct in saying that it's a strict superset of the cheaper Werkstatt, which is being discontinued. My main complaint, which also applies to the Werkstatt, is that it lacks a white/pink noise generator, which would be very handy to have in this package. Although you can get more complete synths in this price range, like the Behringer D, they generally lack a patch bay, so Mavis allows experimentation with signal routing and integration with other (Eurorack or stand-alone) modules that would be difficult with those synths.

[@StarskyCarr]

Yeah I did forget to mention the scaling. And I agree on the noise. It’d be a nice little addition .

[@boxodrive]

Thanks for the video very nice, definitely worth considering because of the wave folder. The price is a bit steep for what it does but it's Moog. Would like to see a side by side with the West Pest.

[@StarskyCarr]

Maybe soon :)

[@samprock]

@@StarskyCarr TNX!

[@wakkowarner8810]

Where did you get the patch cables that glow with leds when they have power going through them.

[@StarskyCarr]

They're from analog solutions in the UK.

[@callmemurphz]

behringer model d or this? hehe

[@leopardtuesday8140]

I see no reason to get this over the Roland SE-02 🤔

[@reformskg]

Thank you! great explanation and sound

[@michaelbevel8539]

What are those other modules next to the mavis at the end when you put it in the moog 60 hp case? I saw the tiptop u zeus power supply but was just wondering what those other modules were and what they do?

[@StarskyCarr]

There’s a disting mk4 which I use for whatever’s needed! I can’t remember what I was doing with it in this particular instance - but it’s useful to have as it’s got tonnes of useful functions. The other is a Befaco mixer - to mix the 4 synths for a single output.

[@michaelbevel8539]

@@StarskyCarr gotchya. Thanks! I just got a 60hp box for my Mavis and am new to the modular thing with the exception of the Moog semi-modulars. Wondering what I should do with the empty space after I get the power supply? Maybe a mult. A little sub-mixer isn't a bad idea either.

[@paulcornwell5581]

I hope they bring out a Moog Rita sequencer... ;)

[@NickHowesAstro]

Dude you have to stop ..you're costing me money !!! Picked up a moog yesterday .. eagerly awaiting delivery Great demo as ever

[@dazzjazz]

Those patch overlays are a great idea.

[@StarskyCarr]

Yeah the DFAM, M32 and Subharmonicon all come with them. Its very old school but works and also helps you to understand what's going on and start exploring yourself.

[@magicseadog8674]

How much could they possibly be saving having you do your own screws...

[@georgegeorgio1751]

Good point I agree, I think this is so they can have a low price unit to compete against all the other cheap mono analogs that are available, as we all know Moog don’t like playing in the lower price range so this is kind of a we’ll give you a cheaper unit but you’ll have to screw a few things together that will take like 3 mins , they may as well have put it together I’m sure the extra labour would have only cost them like $10- $20 more. I’ve previously had the slim phatty no way would I go for a basic single osc mono like this but maybe a good entry level with typical nice Moog sound , but nothing to write home about.

[@StarskyCarr]

I don't think it's a cost decision. Lots of folks will use it in a euro rack so having it unassembled is much more useful for those. Plus larger boxes are surely more inconvenient/expensive to store and transport. But who really knows? ... Moog I suppose :)

[@georgegeorgio1751]

@@StarskyCarr Yes who really knows , I think Moog will start bringing out lower cost options if they see others gaining major market share in their neck of the woods.

[@paulw2604]

A very good, well described review. Thanks...

[@dmthandmade5674]

My Grandad's sister rejects this synth entirely. She's Auntie Mavis.

[@IceLocus]

Hahaha. That's what I call it too! 🤣👍

[@DeGrale.]

🥁🥁🥁

[@isaacanthonydj4124]

i have an KOMA field FX i refuse to go beyond 82hp of Eurorack (one 3U rackmount) i think Mavis, might make the cut... how many HP is it?

[@CapRockout]

44hp

[@SynthAddict]

nice video I already have a Rogue, the Werkstatt mk1, the Moog Trio of Doom stacked (Mother-32, DFAM, Subharmonicon) and some other Moog bits good for new users or folks without Moog stuff, but I won't need it

[@fjfrancois]

Good 👍🏼

[@IntiAlonso]

Im tempted, and I want to get a semimodular, but the Cre8audio East Beast is cheaper and have a lote more features, so Im not sure which way to go, Moog is Moog but....

[@PabloSintesMartinez]

Wonderful sounds!!! I'll try to get one!!! A question: Where did you get those cool illuminated patch cables?

[@StarskyCarr]

www.analoguesolutions.com/led-cv-cables

[@jensmandreasen2230]

Thanx for pointing out what nobody else dared to say: The thing is darned near impossible to tune

[@StarskyCarr]

It’s almost like nobody else has bothered to hook it up to other kit! Too eager to release a review without actually using it first. 🤷‍♂️😂😂 weird as it’s one of the most obvious pitfalls - tuneable but you have to concentrate!

[@Ian-gw2vx]

I would probably go for this but already having just got a Dreadbox Typhon and the 0 Coast I think they pretty much have this covered. I may be wrong though.🤔

[@StarskyCarr]

I’ve got everything covered but can still find space to experiment with different bits … even if the difference is only trying to figure out how to use it!

[@Ian-gw2vx]

@@StarskyCarr Absolutely 😎

[@zeeshantar1q]

This or the Malevolent?

[@StarskyCarr]

Different beasts but overall I’d pick the Malevolent. It’s pricier but it’s a more fully featured complete system with the arp, keys etc.

[@KiR_3d]

WF is best with tri/sine waves. It's not useless with saw but it sounds pretty strange, not so pronounced.

[@StarskyCarr]

Did I use the saw... duh... I had intended on using the triangle, but in the throws of the demo just must have gone with the flow!

[@adamfullerton8651]

Great review.

[@DJDigitalJosh]

16:15 minor what?

[@StarskyCarr]

Niggle…. noun - a trivial criticism, discomfort, or annoyance.

[@DJDigitalJosh]

@@StarskyCarr well alright my Brotha! ✌

[@synthmaven]

ghooking 🙄😇 ( couldn't resist..)

[@fromgreetings]

!!!!!!!!!!IT'S GOT ITS OWN LID!!!!!!!!!!

[@StarskyCarr]

There’s £30 saved right there!!

[@obezijana]

For me, who's not an electrician, these cables are a turn-off. But they have other little synths with no cables, so this one just covers other demands. Wish Moog released Model D app for desktop. I have all their apps, but i can't use them in DAW, desktop Model 15 App is too electrical, even after studying the manual I don't know how to make sounds or tweak them on Model 15. Thanks for the video!

[@hoagy_ytfc]

"Wish Moog released Model D app for desktop." I have it on my Mac. The Model 15 app too. I think it's actually running the iPad version, so you need an M1 or M2 Mac

[@merbertancriwalli8622]

0:54 nuts and tool in the same sentence. Bad Bad Man 🙂

[@StarskyCarr]

I should've got a screw in there as well

[@WinfriedSitte]

Unfortunate miss by Moog that the folder can't be modulated...

[@KiR_3d]

350 bucks and no MIDI... It's "no-no" def.! Unfortunatelly Neutron doesn't have a WF block but it has much more abilities than Mavis. Also this need to link the keytracking to LFO to make it as a 2nd osc... It's ridicilous :)) There is enough space to include another osc. and leave LFO as it is. It's a very strange synth for not so low price. A lot of semi-modular synths are presented on the market. IMO it's not the best.

[@KiR_3d]

@@fibonacho Nowdays companies are selling "brands", not products often. _Some_ Behringer's gear is cheap. I can agree with this sentence. Probably I should compare this Moog's complex module (it's not the synth obviously) with Beh's ModelD. It's filter and oscillators sounds 99.9% exactly like Moog. I think it's a shame that Behringer didn't continued to expand this very good synth! Few features (PWM, HardSync... that ppl are making as mods now) plus the patch bay (with more points), plus a decent wavefolder... 350-400$ - it will be selling like hot cakes. Some of Beh's synths quality is bad, I agree here. They've screwed with the envelope on Crave. It seems like it was finished in a big hurry. I can complain about Neutron too. But my piece works good. Except that I can't update it online... Also their tech. support refuses to release the .hex files to upload a firmware via MS VisualStudio (and similar apps). It's the way that _normal_ people choose to upload a firmware to a STM32 chip. P.S. I'm sure that it's possible in this concrete way because some Russian guy did made a custom FW and did shown the upload process (released .hex of course). I'm not a Behringer's fanboy, be sure ;) Just looking at things on different angles to compare.

[@lordundhimself1310]

My DeepMind 12D and Blue Marvin are still singiiiinnn

[@relativity6511]

Indeed

[@baconbigbeats]

Soooo you’re paying the Moog tax. (Name cost). Just like the Apple tax. $350 is brutal. I’ll stick with my NTS-1.

[@StarskyCarr]

Mines just broken… luckily Korg have a great warranty and are sending a replacement 😀

[@baconbigbeats]

@@StarskyCarr would you take this over the NTS1?

[@StarskyCarr]

@@baconbigbeats absolutely, this is more of a fully featured synth - plug in a keyboard and you've got a great little unit. The NTS-1 is more of a novelty really to me - great little FX unit and a fun little thing - but not a serious tool.

[@baconbigbeats]

@@StarskyCarr alright fine. You convinced me. That thing is better hah. Off topic, I see you spent some time with the polyend play. Is there any similar device out there that beats it? Would you personally buy it the play? I’m about to pick one up and sell my OP1.

[@synthmaven]

Euriorack 🙄😇

[@StarskyCarr]

Haha… there’s 1000s of them over the years!

[@klstay]

Pass. Same price as a MicroFreak?!? Used Monologue can be had for significantly less; a Minibrute 2, BassStation 2, or SE-02 the same. Any of the far more capable Behringer semis for less. No doubt the BOM is a LOT better than similar recent offerings from Cre8audio, but that is hardly high praise.

[@rabbit_noize]

That keyboard is such a waste of space

[@StephenMcLeod]

12 minutes? GTFO. Took me fucking like 20. We should do a Mavis speed run.

[@StarskyCarr]

Haha... couldn't you find your screwdriver ;)

[@StephenMcLeod]

@@StarskyCarr I screwed them in with my teeth.

[@hoagy_ytfc]

Focus! :(

[@StarskyCarr]

I know I know... even when setting up the camera manually it can go out of focus for unknown reasons, its been a real pain in the backside... so much so I eventually changed the camera.