Moog Sub Phatty Review

[@nathankirklambo1986]

My sub phatty has been sitting in my tool shed for 2 years, in Louisiana, and it still works great.

[@menacerisamir198]

i got this synth since 2013 and i never got an issue with it , this is a great little beast

[@AdamBorseti]

This is why I really respect Nick Batt! The guy's very even and balanced in his reviews..... I first saw his review of the XILS Lab PolyKB softsynth.

[@feelmytool]

Sir there have been a lot of videos about the sub phatty but I think you did the best one. This synth is definitely on my bucket list and you really showed the depths of this beast a lot better than almost anyone else. I wasn't even aware you could play filters before this video! Keep up the good work!

[@GB3770]

"Triangles are a bit pointy" - lel....might want to have a word with Euclid see if he can change that for ya...

[@ioannist.5568]

best comment ever

[@neleknut2379]

I owned a Sub 37 and I sold it but I would love to have a Sub Phatty just beacause of its beauty. It just looks so fantastic and to me it has the best design of any "modern/new" synths out there.

[@HotStrange]

Agreed. I think it sounds better then the Sub37, too.

[@FreeThink1984]

i think i will get this once the editor comes out / i can see how well it functions. i was pretty set on the ms-20 mini but considering i have a minibrute already i think the sub phatty has more to offer...automation, patch storage, 1/4' ins / outs (big seller honestly, for longevity purposes alone), build quality, etc. was really looking forward to this review and it was exactly what i was hoping for...thanks!

[@Psychlist1972]

I love my Sub Phatty. Build quality is just like Nick said. Amazingly solid. My MS-20 Mini has already lost one of the faux nut/washer plastic bits. Love the MS-20 sound, though. Different from the Sub Phatty. Only think I deeply dislike on the Sub Phatty is the set of hidden functions with lack of any LEDs or display telling you what's enabled/changed. I had accidentally changed my SP to a 6db 1 pole filter without realizing what I had done. Stuff just started sounding meh.

[@cameralabs]

I'm enjoying all your synth reviews! Nice work!

[@LesFarrington]

i spent an hour on this synth and today and i was finally and surely impressed. Nick as usual does a bang job on the review..>THANKS NICK your my "go-to" expert on new gear. i sold my little phatty 2 years ago and never looked back. but today I called sweetwater and will have that moog sound PLUS the additional juicy goodness of this Brilliant synth. moog may have lost Bob but obviously his spirit was too strong to suppress even in death.

[@remotegod255]

This synth looks awesome! I've been writing new synth-based songs and tracks on my channel, and my Moog Mother-32 has been the core of my analog workflow for the past year. There's no replacement for how cool the analog Moog sound is ;) Now looking for my next, more fully-featured synth, preferably with a self-contained keyboard and additional features. No aftertouch on the Sub Phatty a bit of a downside, without a doubt. I would have shelled out for it. Of course, sound quality is the most fundamental thing. This synth sounds great, and has tons of features at such a low price. Thanks for the video review!

[@beagleguitar]

Yeah he was awesome. I got to meet him at a club in New York when they were doing a Theremin showcase show. He was incredibly nice. And the show was awesome too. I can't remember her name, but she was unbelievable on the theramin. Played a MIDI one too and walked bass lines along with the piano and drummer!

[@TheJonHolstein]

Don't know if anyone commented on it yet, but Slim and I guess little phatty also has multi pole filters, it's a global setting as it seems to be here as well, so if you change it, all you patches you dial in will use that filter pole, so not necessarily the one you programed the sound with.

[@dcashley303]

I just got a chance to try out the MS20 today, found the oscillators to be very noisey which kinda put me off, not sure if you noticed this. I tried my hand at the patch-bay but it was a bit over my head! The filters are great though with a lot of character. Kind of tempted to just keep saving up for the Phatty instead, but it'd probably take me another year which I don't think I can do! Thanks

[@mattsynth]

WOW, great synth, this one is a keeper. Wish it had wood side panels.

[@IanPageEchols]

In one video I've seen, Bob Moog said that different people in their family pronounce it different ways. Both Moooooog and Mogue. He said it was preference, but he tended to say Mogue.

[@OmenAhead]

can the sub phatty's editor be used as a VST in a daw? it's got amazing sounding bass to use in your music production. Also, can you create bass growls (like scrillex and lots of others use) through waveshape modulation? slim phatty has 1 preset that does that, maybe the sub can do that too

[@FastCarsLoudMusic]

Although Moog rhymes with rogue, I'm sure in the spirit of experiment action, Bob Moog would have encouraged you to say it however you please.

[@wingoshack]

Yes. I liked the MS20 mini a lot and may eventually get one. It's quirky and unique, with that classic Korg sound. The two have different strengths, for sure, but to my ears the sound of the Moog is still far superior. That is subjective, of course, but as far as the build quality is concerned, it would be hard to argue that Korg is anywhere near as solid as the Moog.

[@JimJWalker]

Robert Moog himself in the documentary "Moog" (2004) said that the name can be pronounced both ways. He was such a great man, so gentile and kind.

[@sonicstate]

I think there will be, but that will only allow you to edit the hardware from within the DAW

[@savanaviolenta]

Love my Sub Phatty my very first analog synth, love it, sound so sweet and fat, it's just its own thing.

[@sonicstate]

Well I did interview Bob at NAMM once and he said any way you like is okay, but actually its more like Moche if you are to go for the actual Dutch origin, but hey ho.

[@kierenmoore3236]

Mow-g ... easy :)

[@H4NDCRAFTED]

@ Kelly, modular is endless, and you need the time and motivation to make usable patches. If you don't have either of these, hard wired is a much more sensible option.

[@twzstudio139]

Excellent review, looks like a solid machine. It looks more substantial than the L.P. in some respects and while it costs more, nothing else sounds like it.

[@mattsynth]

Quality American built, you can't beat it. A professional instrument. Way to go Moog, keep up the good work.

[@IanPageEchols]

Well, it was clear from that video that Bob thought the correct way was Mogue. It's just that he was nice about it and didn't really mind how people pronounced it. He was an extremely humble guy.

[@EcoCentrist]

going to grab one of these tomorrow... idk if ill sleep tonight tbh

[@H4NDCRAFTED]

@ Phew, I think it will send midi after touch as a control message to external equipment, but has no modulation possibilities within the synth itself. Don't quote me on that though.

[@sonicstate]

Directly into the Yamaha DM1000 digital desk then digital into the video capture. No processing apart from a little limiting on the overal video NLE output.

[@H4NDCRAFTED]

I have mine at last, it is a Moog what can you say, built like a tank. But no aftertouch is a bit backwards considering my Bass station 2 has it. It does the Moog thing very well though, bass like no other.

[@rokpaus]

Fantastic machine. I have it and I'd recommend it to anyone really. The only thing that bothers me is that when increasing the multidrive the volume increases a lot, but also, I suppose that some people would want it that way.

[@H4NDCRAFTED]

Nick, any chance you can get hold of a Boomstar to review? The Arp filter would be a great choice, as they are thin on the ground outside the modular world. Great review as always, nice video editing too!

[@KelmoMusic]

As much as I want this synth, I think I'm going to make the right decision in going modular

[@f1sk8mm]

Awesome. Been waiting for you guys to do this review. Ok well not exactly. I couldn't wait so I bought one. I love it. Can you list out what the SP is plugged into for this review?

[@drsamurai009]

It is a bit of a bummer that there is no internal AT control. The new Sub 25 I believe added AT so they fixed that limitation. Today there are work around options. You can use a Keystep controller to route AT to CV and route that in the Sub Phatty's patch to whatever you like. OSC sync or filter cutoff or whatever you like. Other than that, it's a lot of Moog power for the price. Get one before the used prices start to climb.

[@sandyturner1911]

I'm really trying to find a Moog I can afford. I have to calculate what I have to sell, to get one..lol!

[@RichardLondonSoundLab]

excellent vid... i got mine a few weeks ago and i absolutely love it... it sounds so good and the build quality is phenomenal - i love the keys as well... if anyone is on the fence wondering if they should get it - the answer is YES GET IT NOW :)

[@richardriley5670]

This is what real analog sounds like. Though straight from a speaker or analog tape is better.

[@pabloduranseoane8825]

i have a little phatty and a still-growing modular setup... thats probably the best setup i could ever dream of! MOOGULAR!!!!!!!

[@dimassaktya3669]

Hi Nick, do you consider Sub Phaty or Slim Phatty? because i gpt a great deal on Slim Phatty..

[@samurairj]

What makes you say that? I was thinking of buying the new MS-20, is it just that you don't like the sound of the instrument, or that it has a bad hiss or sound quality?

[@neuron05]

I was going to buy either the MS-20 mini and the Sub Phatty or a modular. I ended up with the Moog and a modular since the Moog sound wasn't really possible on a Eurorack modular. At least not from what I hear on module demos.

[@ncho0]

That sound in the end of the video is all the marketing material Moog needs to sell the Sub Phatty.

[@Fluxwithit]

Just did a video showing a bit of a head to head with the Sub phatty and Monark by Native instruments. I also show how well they map to each other. Moog Sub Phatty VS Native Instruments Monarch + midi fun

[@GB3770]

That sound at 8.25 is very good!

[@MaxZorin8]

I remember meeting with John Foxx in Poland two years ago, when he smiled and said: "In Britain we say Moooooog" :)

[@recordcollector1017]

Nice synth, but I would spend the extra 600 or so for the sub 37, I like that a lot better.

[@SPAZZOID100]

$600 is a LOT extra

[@NyakzOTSD]

RecordCollector101 sub 37 is garbage

[@dominicstocker5144]

I think you cannot call any synth just "garbage".

[@NyakzOTSD]

Dominic Stocker you are right. when I tried the sub 37 to me the sound wasn't even all that good. + I didn't like the keys. When you wanna slide the keys are too stiff. my overall experience with the 37 was poor

[@NyakzOTSD]

Dominic Stocker this phatty sounds better to me

[@sarragiannaki5522]

Why the moog sub phatty it sounds sooooooo great ? LIKE A NEW SYNTHESIZER

[@pcuimac]

You are right. Try doing that on a Korg synth. ;) I hope the Korg Volca Bass and Beats are better than the MS-20 mini. The MS-20 mini should cost no more than 350,- as far as build quality is concerned.

[@Psychlist1972]

I think the brute factor was wave-folding on the triangle or something.

[@samurairj]

Isn't the Multidrive similar to the Brute Factor on the Minibrute?

[@wingoshack]

I'll have to respectfully disagree, having played them both side-by-side. No comparison. The elegance of the design and quality of the sound on the Moog are unparalleled. I was planning to get a minibrute, but it sounds thin, buzzy, and cheap in comparison. It's fine, and unique/affordable, but the Sub Phatty won me over immediately without pause. Got it yesterday, and it is totally blowing my mind. 1000% worth the price.

[@neirbomusic]

Envelope repeater is awesome !

[@SourceDistributionTV]

Thanks for this Nick, it's a wicked review!

[@MarctheDarc]

Quite looking forward to trying this out. Sounds like it's up to regular Moog quality. Not like the MS-20 mini which is an unmitigated disgrace. Most

[@VacancyOfDisco]

im on the same path too. gotta sell some stuff first to make room and raise funds. this is going to be a very dangerous journey :o)

[@dcashley303]

Have you tried the MS20 Mini? How does it compare?

[@ByronAtkinsonJones]

Ordered one. Can't afford the dream (the Voyager) but this looks amazing!

[@dcashley303]

Thanks for the review, the hidden functions really put me off, I want everything there in front of me and I want a patch bay!! Oh well... still sounds great, wish I could afford this AND an MS20 but will probably end up just getting the MS20...

[@dcashley303]

@Luke Duly noted! :)

[@NigDub]

Is it possible to sequence the gate and transpose it via the keyboard?

[@els1f]

Is there a plugin version of that editor? Because that would be Amazing!

[@sonicstate]

Dont you mean Voog? :-)

[@soupforare]

30secs to stable? That's better than the 30mins my SP takes. Might have to check this baby out.

[@pcuimac]

Thx for the good comprehensive review!

[@bigdap100]

Love the way Sub Phatty sounds, sounds different from the Little Phatty to me...not better just different. Again, I love the sound and it is very knobby, which is great, but the shift mode is a pain in the @ss; the software is great but the reason I bought it was to get away from mouse. The Sub 37 will have an improved work flow, I can't wait til' it comes out next month so I can tweak out.

[@matiasescarlon1864]

No sine wave for pulse width modulation!!?!? How come...

[@artao5]

whoa!! up to 12? :O that's even MORE than 11 .. you'll only get that if you've watched This Is Spinal Tap ;)

[@dynamikshift2072]

"but why dont you just make 10 louder and make 10 the loudest?" "these go to 11"

[@helio1055]

wow he turns himself into a pickle funniest shit i ever seen.. you’ll only get if you’ve watched rick n morty!!!! ;) XD

[@sonicstate]

yes I guess so, though its more bitcrushy from memory.

[@45rpm.]

I was going to get this but I'm saving a bit more for Sub 37. Am I doing the right thing? They both sound really fruity.

[@ronnieperez7650]

Sub Phatty and Sub37 use the same sound architecture. The major difference is that the 'Under the Hood' features are available in added knobs, and a lot of the things you'd do via MIDI (like duophonic stuff) can be done via a switch. If you completely sequence the Sub Phatty via MIDI (in your DAW) you can pretty much make any sound the Sub37 makes. They're both excellent. I personally prefer the Sub Phatty for its low profile design that takes up less space. I have more than enough on my plate. But if you had enough for the Sub 37 and don't mind spending extra, OR if you have very few synths and this will be a major purchase, go for the 37. If you have a collection of synths (like I do), the Sub Phatty might consume less space and give you all the functionality. I would take a Slim Phatty over a Little Phatty any day, for example! Throw it in the rack and call it a day. BTWW --- If you get BOTH, you can chain them! You can have 3-part polyphony!! :)

[@harrispappas6292]

+Ronnie Perez hi what do you mean "and a lot of the things you'd do via MIDI (like duophonic stuff) can be done via a switch" what do you mean duophonic stuff. i gave it a lot of thought and i got a sub phatty.

[@ronnieperez7650]

The Duophonic mode of the Sub 37 does a logic system that treats the keyboard like two individual controllers (one controller manages the OSC 1 and SUB, while the second controller -- your second note -- manages the OSC 2). It's EXTREMELY easy to do play 2-note 'chords' on the Sub 37, whereas on the Sub Phatty it takes quite a bit of effort. On the Sub Phatty, you'd have to sequence your notes in your DAW via standard MIDI sequencing. (Like a simple MIDI channel in Ableton to the Phatty), but for the OSC 2 to be split apart from the main pitch, you'd need to set up automation and send CC values to the OSC 2 Pitch. So if you wanted to go from unison to a 5th chord of C.. you'd have your sequencer play C twice, and on the second note you'd be deviating the pitch of OSC 2 up by 5. Definitely doable. The difference is that on the Sub 37, you just have to press two keys and you're done. Since my last comment I exchanged my Sub Phatty for a Sub 37. I've not been very into using the computer for production for a while now, so I prefer it. But I will say this: If you still have the Sub Phatty, it may be a gift in disguise to use it over the Sub 37. Here's why -- if you have to use your computer every time you want to do something complex, it's a pain in the ass! But once you're there, and all your automations are set up, and you're ready to roll... you have so much more power at your fingertips than the Sub 37 could ever dream. You can make the wildest FM sounds, you can modulate pitch, filter, ADSR, Multi-Drive, OSC mixer, LFO, etc etc etc etc. Total freedom. Yes, I can do that with my Sub 37, but I'm so spoiled by the full panel of controls that I couldn't be bothered to set it all up on my DAW. Though, for some reason, I was willing to do all that on my Sub Phatty. The controls are all the same. Except The Sub Phatty's power is only fully realized on the DAW, while the Sub 37 has it all on the panel. The extra modulation busses of the Sub 37 would be meaningless for you if you're using your DAW for modulation. Which = infinite modulation.

[@joeanderson1859]

I go to your reviews because you actually produce some interesting and darker sounds… I see far too many powerful systems be nothing but the same EDM and Classic Hip Hop leads as the representation of the capabilities

[@H4NDCRAFTED]

I have the editor now, you can use it standalone now or as an au/vst

[@rars0n]

I played with a Sub 37 the other day and had an absolute blast with it, but it's slightly out of my price range, and to be honest, I think it's got a lot of controls on it that I don't necessarily need to tweak as often as others, so the increased size and extra knobs don't necessarily fit my needs. Everything I've heard from the Sub Phatty sounds GREAT and I'm this close to buying one right now. I was utterly floored by the quality feel of the Sub 37, it felt like a synth tank. It's actually the first Moog I've tried playing. I'm still trying to decide between buying the Sub Phatty and buying two other analog synths. There are so many great analogs for sale in 2017! It's awesome that there's so many affordable analog options!

[@MarkoDeLaVoota]

does it need to warm up and if how long it takes

[@jhdrummer4815]

For only bass duties what's best? Sub Phatty or Minitaur?

[@devouredbyviolet]

JH Drummer your mum

[@TK-Detroit]

sorry i started a fuss! lol i just go by what Bob explained in a documentary and in it he talked about how his name can be pronounced 3 ways, Moooooooog, mogue, and then one with a heavy accent that is not really practical. and his family chose the mogue name. and on the website it says right there under commonly asked questions. but anyhow, i digress. have a nice day. the moral of the story is the sub phatty is an awesome piece of gear, can we agree on this?

[@gepardek]

I just played MS20 mini and I have to say that Minibrute demolishes it sonically(sic).

[@flip3213]

pretty badass sounds great

[@Storm331]

I love that analog sound. I never owned a Moog..more of a Roland guy, but this would be a nice addition.

[@exactspace]

Oh yeah I remember hearing something about pronouncing Moog different ways depending on the origin. Very cool that you did an interview with Bob Moog ;)

[@mattsynth]

American quality, classic sound, this is a winner. I know where my Korg money is going.

[@adamf.4823]

I have no idea what he's talking about but I know I want it.

[@RabidRat88]

Why no sine wave on Moogs ?

[@DanielOakfield]

I am afraid I totally agree...

[@chrisrowand]

Great video.

[@BenNixBradley]

Spot on review though.

[@williamsledge400]

I hope they come out with a Sub Phat Rack.

[@-thirteen]

What is the best way to add a vco to the sub phatty?

[@longshotkdb]

i dont know, what is 'the best way to add a vco to the sub phatty'? (punchline?? =)

[@-thirteen]

+Exit 1Ø1 yeah, but I don't know, see?

[@elohimfetus]

Very Dope...companies just keep fighting for my pennies...not sure who will win yet.

[@austinmcrawford]

Suppose you are from Canada?

[@fortheloveofnoise]

His computer said hello at the same time.

[@gepardek]

Well. Basicaly, a feeling that it is a modern built instrument and it is just (!) a recreation. So - problem with this little bit of hiss, problem with going even lower (no octave switch) and this feeling that it works around better as a VSTi or iOS app. It's a bit irrational cause form factor and keyboard feels amazing and it is really worth having it on the desktop as AN OLD ANALOG, I wanted one forever. But just not in my setup. I thought that if one arrives I just take it home. But I didn't

[@NyakzOTSD]

after trying a sub 37 I don't think it sounded that great. I think this sounds better

[@neoaureus]

...I played every preset on Subsequent 37.... Wasn't like this at all....do you know why????

[@meldmagic]

Beast! (The keyboard, not Nick)

[@MrKeytarist]

wow, its been a bit since namm and you are still worried about aftertouch

[@charnk]

No arp?

[@SPAZZOID100]

It has midi. No need for an arp.

[@leepicciotto]

Commenters praising their bass station 2s and minibrutes over this should go sit in the corner.minibrute is a cool budget synth with its own sound which makes it desirable ,the bs2 is a pedestrian turd like most novation synths and neither are on the subs level.

[@davidtomamusic]

I always catch myself saying Moog wrong, and then correct myself.

[@fjfrancois]

According to Moog this Beauty is a VCO not a DCO!

[@beagleguitar]

Oh I didn't know that. I guess I can hang up my crusade. :o( It just feels wrong to me, though. It's like hearing someone say "beeth oven" instead of "baytoven." I guess it's also from studying German. That's so wrong with regards to that language's pronunciation.