Moog Muse 8 Voice Poly Synth Review: Arpeggiator, Sequencer & Stereo Panning Features Explained

[@Noisegate]

We're loving Muse so far, interested to hear what you think of it so far. Let us know in the comments below ⬇

[@ronsunsinger483]

Thanks for the deep dive into the Arp/Seq. Nice detail of the many features. I was told that some of the coolest features were to be found here, but had not seen a good demo of Arp/Seq until yours. Thanks for your time and energy to put this together. Looking forward to seeing what else is on your channel.

[@Noisegate]

Thank you! The sequencer/arp features are so deep. One thing we didn't even touch on was the gestural control, Moog have a great video that explains it o their YT channel.

[@HiLoMusic]

Your color-grading and light bloom looks really nice :)

[@Noisegate]

we will pass this on to our editor, thank you!

[@Whityfisks]

gay comment.

[@pimhansen6720]

@@Whityfisks No thank you.

[@ultramet]

The more I hear these demos, the more I want to buy one. Problem is I just bought a 3rd wave and I’m trying to stay married.

[@brucebennett5338]

yeah, i'm now divorced. hang in there. i want the muse, the 3rd wave, and the polybrute 12 (but i'm paying alimony, so...) :/

[@audiolego]

If I'm to start over, 3rdwave desktop, Moog Muse, IMac m3 computer with Studio One DAW, Quantum Mk2.

[@oscallator20]

Yea same thing , I told my family I was gonna go a get some milk , but stead a when to buy the Moog Muse , and left the country , best decision I ever made 🙌

[@alainthiry3965]

exactly the inverse, plus i listen plus i find it thin and flat...

[@jameschenoweth9404]

The third wave is an amazing instrument! This looks amazing too.

[@The_Sonic_Oasis]

I knew from the opening performance that this thing is going to a beast!!!!

[@Mauriceok]

Really Excellent Review, thank you, we have just ordered as a result 👍

[@Noisegate]

Thank you!

[@narfsounds]

Nice one Lachy! Can’t wait for mine to arrive!

[@joshandrsn5936]

Hurry up and get in stock in Australia! I’m ready to go

[@searley888]

Exactly!

[@jeredalmeida1880]

I love this thing already. The OBX will always be my fave but the Muse seems to have more fine parameter control.

[@samprock]

Enjoyed your demo of ARP/SEQ back then. Muse may seem simple but very approachable. Enjoying my Muse now. TNX

[@Noisegate]

Thank you so much! Glad your enjoying your new instrument

[@LesFarrington]

I am reading some real crappy comments. People saying that it doesn’t look like a Moog. There’s nothing special about it or not distinctive? What kind of jaded synth laden universe do you live in? I was getting really tired of waiting to see whether the Muse was going to be worth money. I ended up buying an Alesis Andromeda, which is a phenomenal synth by any measure. That was last week. So now finally, the muse is out. I’m gonna buy it. It sounds fantastic. All of those people who say that it’s not an actual Moog because it’s from China just live in some kind of synthesizer fundamentalist religion. Whether you like it or not, every day is a new day. And because of this move Moog has made, they’re going to be much more prolific and reasonably priced at that. Synth is only $3400. I personally think masterpiece.

[@Noisegate]

great points.

[@fjfrancois]

Dude this synth is pure ❤

[@dy6682]

Closer to $5k in Canada ! So moog is now manufactured in China ? Interesting to know .

[@Noisegate]

@@dy6682 Not that we are aware off! Muse is assembled in Asheville.

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@dy6682. Taiwan.

[@seanpumper]

This thing is killer

[@Noisegate]

Sounds so good. Sequencer is also really fun.

[@jeffoff7795]

This synth sounds so lush. I would love to own a poly Moog and this one is reasonably priced considering what it can do. I've heard a lot of demos and it's expressive. Each player seems to create something unique with it. I can't justify it at the moment. I just bought a Sequential T5 which, while not on the same level as the Muse, is a very nice sounding, versatile synth. I'll find a way to justify it eventually.

[@oblitafier]

Amazing. I don’t see Sequential selling many Trigon 6 keyboards now.

[@jumpstar9000]

I bet the second hand market is going to get flooded right now with people wanting to switch up

[@entropybentwhistle]

Mooginess was the Trigon’s selling feature, wasn’t it? Will be interesting to watch Reverb for the next little while.

[@fiddlestickzmuzik]

the reason there's none in stores, all the synth-fluencers have them all..😄

[@straighttalk2069]

That's one reason I'm not interested. It's basically another analog poly that despite what people are claiming is not all that cheap I would prefer 2 x OB6 desktop for the same price as this.

[@dy6682]

I agree . They all seem to have money as well

[@naturesound2963]

How about oscillator-drift? Is it adjustable or naturally there? And can the "modulation" oscillator also be used as a 3rd Oscillator-bank, like the two others?

[@payt01]

There's no 'vintage knob' or anything like that. The oscillators drift naturally though, just like they did on the classic machines. And yes, the mod osc can be used as a 3rd osc.. but believe me, 2 oscs give you a really big sound already, adding the 3rd one is often almost too much!

[@naturesound2963]

@@payt01 Wow, thanks for your answer. Is there a tuning-knob on the synth bec. of potential too much drift? Do you think, that this synth is really comparable to the once "Memory Moog", so many people do miss, or had just lost a lot of money to repair it, or to "stabelize" it in its circuits?

[@payt01]

@@naturesound2963 Yes there are a few ways to tune it. There is one where it tunes all the elements meticulously, one by one and that takes over an hour to do. There's also the quick tune option, which is the one you normally use, and that takes about 2 seconds. Comparing it to the memorymoog is difficult, as I don't have one. At best I can compare it to a software emulation of a memorymoog, which I may do. I was able to replicate a few sounds from a youtube video, but that's kind of a long shot from comparing with the real thing. Having said that, technically the Muse pretty much has everything the memorymoog has, and the Muse sounds enormous. If you like the Moog sound, you really can't go wrong with it. It's not an Oberheim or a Prophet though. While you may be able to get similar sounds, it really is it's own thing :)

[@naturesound2963]

@@payt01 Thanks so much for your really good and detailed answers :) I have ordered one right now.. :D and I earnestly hope, the the "Muse" doesn't have all the "childhood diseases", like I knew them from the Memory Moog and the Moog one, too. My impression by listening some of the videos, also especially one, where Muse and One got compared is, that the Muse sounds a lot *fatter and a lot more moogish* (like the old times), than nowadays moogs like the "Voyager" or the "One". Not really sure about the M. Voyager, but I do have the original Mini Moog Model D at home since 1980 (Model was from 1977), and I have to say, that the Moog Voyager does not sound as good and brutal, as the Mini Moog sounds.. ;D

[@payt01]

@@naturesound2963 Congrats on ordering the Muse! I'm not havin gany issues with mine, so I expect that yours will be fine too! As it happens, I did just post a little comparison video which ytou may enjoy! It really pays off to roll your own presets :) If you want it to sound like a memorymoog, you totally can! But it can be it's own thing too, and actually offers many more features then the memorymoog did. Anyway, wishing you a grand ole' time with your new inhabitant in your studio :)

[@gourkernow5694]

The Jupiter 8 has finally been surpassed

[@etpslick100]

I saw three video demos of this synth. I like it! I like the price; better than the last one. (And that synth was a beast; just expensive!) I hope they’ll come out with a table top version of this.😕🎹🎶👍🏾

[@RayyMusik]

I‘ve had my Muse since 2 August 2024. Normally I don‘t by brand-new synths due to the usual teething problems, but the Muse has been quite stable from the start, i.e. Moog did their homework instead throwing this synth on the market prematurely. Remember people being disappointed when there was no Muse at Superbooth? It wasn‘t there for good reason! Sonically it is a dream of a synth, playing in one league with the OB-X8 and the Prophet-10, but with the typical Moog flavor. Don’t listen to people telling you that it “doesn’t sound like a Moog“! That is 100% BS.

[@Screaming-Trees]

Pretty awesome.

[@colinodea2407]

Effects section ?

[@Noisegate]

No as such. At 07:00 we talk about the Stereo Diffusion Delay which allows you to create delays and reverb like effects! Very nice adds a lot of depth and you can bypass if you'd like to maintain an analog signal path.

[@porknwithbill]

Wow, getting some CS-80 sounds at the begging there

[@jelms152]

great overview coupled with some lovely playing!!

[@Noisegate]

Thank you!

[@LesFarrington]

I had gotten tired of waiting so I bought an Alesis Andromeda A6. A week later THE MUSE was released. I still want one although the Andromeda is probably a superior instrument but THE MUSE SOUNDS SO SWEET! I guess my goal is analog heaven.

[@Claude_van]

Nice reverb!👍🏿

[@Noisegate]

Its actually the Stereo Diffusion Delay module! No actual 'reverb' so to speak!!

[@LachlanVines]

You get a like just for that intro

[@Noisegate]

Thanks :) to be honest that preset plays itself.

[@TheCanadianDreamEvergreen]

How’s the bass compared to a sub 37? Does it have the Moog low end?

[@Noisegate]

It holds up for sure! There are a bunch of voice controls for designing bass sounds and the mixer lets you overload and introduce clipping. In 8-voices that's a lot of bass. Output is nice an loud.

[@naturesound2963]

Yeah, CS-80-like sound-impressions, but just missing the poly-aftertouch or MPE-magic ..

[@N-trepid1]

Agreed! Which is why I've been giving the PolyBrute 12 at hard look. It would be interesting to see a demo with the Poly12 emulating some of these Muse CS-80 like brass patches. If its close, I will go PB12-- for the Poly aftertouch MPE.

[@naturesound2963]

@@N-trepid1 Sadly you cannot compare the good old and true Moog sound with the PB 12. It is nice, but never can reach the with and widness as well as variety of the Moog sounds, as they took the old original circuits inside. So I ordered the Moog now, because the sound-with, the *depth* and variations are most important to me..

[@Batsinthebelltower]

So excited for the muse but search all the tuning issues people are having , even on the moog official forum there are tonnes and moog arent replying , very disappointing. Few people had their muse replaced and the new one has the same issues , im thinking of trigon 6 instead but the 49keys is so limiting compared to 61

[@edenhunter9904]

go oz boy!😊

[@jeredalmeida1880]

I wish Moog would've built in a ribbon strip like the CS 80.

[@Noisegate]

That is such a good idea!

[@brageboogie]

Buy an Andromeda to use as a controller!

[@The_s_d]

connect a touché

[@erichkohl9317]

This is out of my price range, but I hope it succeeds because I think it kicks a$$. 😀

[@toi_techno]

Cool vid They should have made it so you can unclip it in the middle on a hinge, so two people can play it at the same time

[@TherasiaGeorion]

Besides the Moog name. This or a Polybrute 12?

[@fjfrancois]

Moog ❤

[@Noisegate]

Good question, we have a video coming out on Polybrute 12 soon. I would say very different instruments however.

[@naturesound2963]

Polybrute sounds more thin and more digital a bit..

[@HerbertMoore-n9u]

I’m an aspiring recording producer, engineer, or just a rinky dinky beat maker. Why do I need this machine? 🤷🏾‍♂️ 😮🎉

[@Noisegate]

Its Poly and got that Moog sound baby, what else do you need to konw?

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

OMG !

[@quadwould]

the Polymoog and Memorymoog are also pronounced M-oh-g and not moo-g (as indeed as also the Micro and Multi and all other instances of the letters "moog" in relation to the company or products

[@infestedalien]

I know this wont be a welcome comment but I think this machine sounds more similar to Jupiter and CS-80 and a slightly bit of a moog.

[@electrowayne2918]

Agree .. which = sounds awesome

[@infestedalien]

@@electrowayne2918 yeah this is a synth that is interesting soundwise for me. But I am not so 100% with the panel layout. But perhaps its ok after some usage. This might be on a longrun save up who knows. There are too many good synths released in a quick time now

[@electrowayne2918]

@@infestedalien Good Idea. I was contemplating the OBX-8 months ago. But something told me to hold off. I think I am going into the direction of the MUSE. I'm trying to narrow my synths down to synths that cover alot of basis + bread and butter sounds.. I have a prophet 5 for analog and Dx 7 for FM tones. If I get this. my JX3p and Poly61 are on the chopping block. If I MUST have a classic roland tone. The alpha juno under the bed will cover that. So I think the muse is a go for me. I'll give the OBX-8 one more look though.

[@infestedalien]

@@electrowayne2918 its definently worth taking time over the decision. Wait a bit and you will have tons or muse vs synth x on youtube

[@justaregularrobloxplayer5678]

@@electrowayne2918you could consider the TEO-5

[@jamesdaniels3699]

With all the news on this new toy,does anyone know what the price in US dollars?

[@UncleMilty]

I thot it sounded really grainy at first then l noticed my speed was 1.25🤣

[@WesWookBeats]

12:30

[@brucebennett5338]

want

[@dy6682]

Should Yamaha montage be worried ?

[@Noisegate]

Different sort of Keyboard! Montage is a digital workstation, Muse is an analog synthesizer.

[@life-is-inspiring3953]

Sequencer copies idea from pro 3

[@Noisegate]

Not really. Its similar, but doesn't 'copy'. The Pro 3 doesn't have many of the generative capabilities of Muse. Also, the sequencer is independent of the patch, unlike the Pro 3 so you can play any patch with the sequence you have loaded.

[@ageshero]

I don’t think the sine waves are supposed to sound that nasty…😅

[@Noisegate]

We'll take it as a compliment!

[@prezdentraygun8790]

Looks and sounds like the noise level might be turned up for some break up.

[@papatoni3311]

tAmber

[@Noisegate]

Lachy gets this wrong 100% of the time, every time. 😅

[@naturesound2963]

*IMPORTANT UPDATE* : I bought this Moog, and now it comes: Sadly "Moog Muse" had terribly disappointed me.. To turn this keyboard on, it needs more than one minute time (!).. Functions are not working well, lights are turning off and on rapidly with no meaning. The fastness of the envelope-generators are *MUCH* too slow.. Faster played chords doing unwanted fast arpeggios. I have tested all, and even the new software (1.2) didn't delete all these major-bugs, so I have to warn about that.. De-tuning is a strong problem, even the tune-function does not work. The keyboard also was hanging after programming faster sequences.. The sound all in all was thin and not as fat as my old Mood products (Mini Moog, Memory Moog). My impression: this instrument is too digital controlled inside by very slow and worst .. often not complete processing. I was sending the Moog Muse back to the seller and I have to say, there is something terribly wrong with this new Moog and it even doesn't sound like a typical Moog at all ! Even the sound is poor and not thick. Too many other synths sound more full, rich and fast (envelope generators), and the filter here doesn't keep, what they promise !! *Forget* actual "Moog" products. They are not, what they are speaking about and promise. The direct comparison with my old Sequential Circuit-products and many strong tests had finally opened my eyes after many hours, guys. Wake up .. and stop believing in any advertisement of Moog.. Sorry for all, who were falling into that trap, like me.. 🤷‍♂

[@Deeplycloseted435]

This is weird. I just wasn’t expecting much from Moog after they were bought out. This doesn’t look like a Moog. Doesn’t really sound like a Moog. Yet, I think it sounds tremendous. Its feature set amongst modern analog poly is totally unique, and I love it. Wow. 2 filters, parallel or stereo……YES.

[@andreasoberg2021]

This was designed before they were bought

[@philtrickey]

My first synth was a Moog Opus III - in my opinion the Muse is quite similar looking, so I think it defo has a Moog look and feel to it. Can’t wait for mine to arrive.

[@sierrasamusic]

i thought Matriarch was also polyphonic (which would make it the 5th poly synth)

[@geirnordheim6986]

Matriarch is paraphonic not polyphonic. I had it and it sounds fantastic, but I could not enjoy playing with only paraphony so I sold it. Now Muse is exactly what I have been waiting for. The «same» VCO´s and polyphonic. Its on its way to me from Thomann right now ❤

[@gerritveldhuisen7748]

8 Voices 😆😅🤣😂😛😜🤪Chinese

[@THA-REAPER]

Looks and sounds nice, but the price...maybe later. I have enough that sounds very similar like 5 times over.

[@gerardsyd8320]

il parle trop !

[@Riktenstein]

I am so glad this Moog exists. However it doesn’t sound like a true Moog. It’s just not right.

[@Noisegate]

Interesting! The oscillators sounds pretty Moog on their own.

[@prezdentraygun8790]

Player's board.

[@Noisegate]

Yes! Very much so.

[@axelmaldini4218]

It sounds OK, not better than DIVA by U-He...just sayin'

[@SPAZZOID100]

????

[@mybachhertzbaud3074]

Just speaking for myself, I would prefer a "Muse" that has blonde hair,blue eyes and a great pair of legs.😜🎶🎹🎶Play On

[@gretareinarsson7461]

I find the Polybrute synths from Arturia far more exciting.

[@Noisegate]

Also excellent.

[@deanbr6ndo70]

Meh.

[@victorvargas49]

I'm very disappointed, they made a failure, I don't know, not a single sound is usable

[@jeffreywilliams139]

😅

[@naturesound2963]

Just program anything by yourself.

[@MirridonOnslaught]

Sounds like a skill issue

[@LesFarrington]

As painful as it may be to admit, All these complex, brilliant, fascinating instruments on the market currently are basically overkill relative to the audiences whether live or streamed through popular music. I confess that 90% of the electronic music I create, is self indulgence for my own entertainment. Audiences in general respond to simple arrangements and simple tones. In Way Too Many popular releases I’m hearing a tuned kick drum providing the tonic and one or two simple synth tones under a highly autotuned vocal. The great cheapening of art was predicted years ago. I lust after synths for my own sanity