Transform your synth: 10 semi-modular pairing ideas shown with Moog Matriarch

Download the template mentioned in this video and my constantly expanding book of synth and electronic music ideas, tips and tricks here:
► Patreon: / 38998815
Check out Matriarch prices here (affiliate links help the channel):
► Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/PoYnq
► Thomann: www.thomann.de/gb/moog_matria...
Grandmother:
► Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/VnRdk
► Thomann: www.thomann.de/gb/moog_grandm...
Here's my video about using custom rhythmic envelopes using a DC-coupled sampler:
► • Can you use a Sampler ...
Gear in the video (buy from Signal Sounds if you can! They've helped the channel with some of these:. www.signalsounds.com):
► Athru by Instruo
► LedRover drive by VoicAs
► Ensemble Oscillator from 4ms
► TriTone from Happy Nerding
► DOT from DNIPro
► Disting MK4 or EX in Random CV/Shift register mode
►Tendrils cables
► Adam A8X Monitors: reverb.grsm.io/Adam-A8X (affiliate link)
► Scopes by Melda: www.meldaproduction.com/
Other places I hang out:
► Instagram: / loopopmusic
► Facebook: / loopopmusic
► Twitter: / loopopmusic
► Web: loopopmusic.com
My music:
► Bandcamp: loopop.bandcamp.com
► Spotify: bit.ly/LoopopOnSpotify
► Apple Music:bit.ly/LoopopOnAppleMusic
TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
0:45 Back panel jacks
1:35 Wavefolder
4:25 Drive
5:55 Stereo ext oscillator
8:45 Modulation
9:40 Using EQ to compensate for resonance bass drop
11:20 Using CV to control CC parameters
13:50 Trigger sequencers
15:20 External sequencers
17:30 More ideas
Here's a list of the ideas:
1: Make sure you're aware of all your inputs and outputs;
2: Integrate a wavefolder into the signal chain between the oscillators and the filter;
3: Integrate drive after the filter;
4: Layer an external oscillator in the mix;
5: Modulate that oscillator's parameters using your synth's mod sources;
6: Use EQ to compensate for the bass drop in Moog's filter when cranking up the resonance;
7: Use CV to control hidden CC parameters;
8: Use a sequencer to trigger the filter envelope independently of the main sequencer/arpeggiator;
9: introduce a generative sequencer;
10: Use a DC-coupled sample player to modulate the VCA envelope
Want to email me personally?
► Ziv (at) loopopmusic.com
NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.

[@outputmatters2147]

I just got my matriarch this week. Best synth I’ve ever owned by a mile. This is exciting

[@enzoferrera8178]

Just got mine last week and it's great!

[@enzoferrera8178]

@@highlypotent Good to hear man! To tell you the truth for the amount of money it cost brand new I was kinda freaking out because I really wanted an OB-X Sequential synth but the Matriarch offered something I don't already have in any plugin. I really love the creamy textures that the Matriarch offers though. I'm learning alot about patching as it's my 1st semi modular synth ever and have owned synths for 20 years now. What are you connecting or syncing it with, DAW, other devices? I am having a little trouble with the best sync option for my setup.

[@toomasmoskvinov]

@@enzoferrera8178 's

[@rodnee2340]

Just got my grandmother..... I'm not jealous.😫

[@strangersun7721]

Enjoy the deep dive reviews, but these type of videos from loopop are the BEST. Generates so many ideas. Thank you very much for these thoughtful videos.

[@1980VINZ]

7:00 WOOOOOOOOOW.......... I fell in love..........!!!!!!! Thank you so much for this combo..........🙏

[@cristiancalineac4442]

Thank you Ziv for sharing these tips and producing another great tutorial! I already started integrating my Matriarch with my modular system, but I only scratched the surface so far. You gave me few more ideas on how to get more out of these systems and create new unique sounds. Keep up the great work!

[@ANN-related]

As always.. your vids are very inspiring and educational. Thank you and keep on teaching Mr. Loopop!

[@blaythessteuer]

this is the best kind of video. i am just brimming with ideas and inspiration. you rule dude

[@nwhelan1743]

oh man im 10 seconds in and the sounds are so lush, so much respect

[@LarsBjerregaard]

Good stuff Ziv! Combining everything with everything else for new results = the modular way; the spice of life.

[@genx1144]

I like how you’ve reclaimed the area the legend overlays. 👊

[@ManCalledMif]

excellent tutorial. thank you for the ideas and inspiration. 🙏🏼❤️

[@henryhill92]

You just gave me the idea of getting a Reface CP and running it through my Matriarch, controlled by the Matriarch keyboard... Could be incredible.

[@davidmarks6612]

Thanks for all the great videos! Eurorack is intimidating (and expensive) so your ideas help me make better choices to get started. I like the labels you added for the rear Matriarch jacks. Another helpful tool is a telescoping "inspection mirror". I keep one handy for checking rear connections. (I also appreciate the expressiveness of your hands, and thoughtful editing in your videos. Well done!)

[@geerhoar]

Take your time and start with utilities (attenuvertors, offsets, vcas, mixers, mults and cv to MiDI and back). There are so many flavors of the day with Eurorack. Hooking into VCV Rack is an affordable way to expand your synths and to try out the digital stuff, freeing up your rack for analog filters and performance control.

[@aipsong]

Nice, clear explanation - thanks.

[@dirceuleite1038]

Loopop: the best KZbin synth tech channel, ever! 🎹👏🏻🔟🔝

[@geebake]

Having bought a Matriarch recently, this is particularly timely for me. Much appreciated. I didn't realize I had access to a wave folder, but I guess it's one of the dozens of things in Disting! Woo Whoo!. A pairing I've found useful pairing I've been enjoying is the Matriarch and an Arturia Mini Brute 2S. Running the oscillators into the metalizer alone is pretty great. I don't really know what it does, but I guess it's kind of a wave folder. Aside from that, the extra envelopes, LFOs and other things really open up the Matriarch. I hadn't thought about it, but it's should be possible to use the Mini Brute's excellent sequencer to control some of the Matriarch's midi parameters. That sounds like something to get lost in for a while.

[@robertwaters4137]

Disting is so useful but also so easy to forget what all it does lol. They need like a poster or something for all the functions, for now I have the cheat sheet saved as a PDF on my iPad.

[@krsTBedfordStudios]

Great video... thanks for the ideas and info..!

[@mastermachetier5594]

You are beyond god with your videos ! Thanks so much for this one !

[@mamakuproject]

But god doesn’t exist!

[@temporoboto]

Good stuff! Thanks for sharing.

[@kirkegodfrey414]

That 4MS Ensemble Osc IS VERY LOVERLY

[@loopop]

yes...

[@NoirEtBlancVie]

This is a dang good Thumbnail sir!!!

[@neonhaus]

My Voyager XL is so jealous if only I knew what was around the corner from Moog. This looks like FUN!

[@angeloboltinimusic]

Wow, the 4ms oscillator really stole the show. What an awesome sound.

[@mifflinfinity]

Loopop, I don’t know how or why you are the voltage controlling wizard that you are, but goddamn do you cast the coolest auditory spells.

[@dynatwenty]

Your videos are supergood!!!

[@dans.8198]

Awesome video as usual. I'd love your videos in 4K for super-crispy-readable labels.

[@iamjamessmith]

Thank you, much love to you 🎹

[@jedgould5531]

Thanks. Good label idea.

[@emikarecords]

something that reminds you about the back inputs :) agreed!

[@iqi616]

Great video. I don't have a Moog so I'm adding this to my Neutron playlist. :)

[@toddbilleci8563]

Thank you, very helpful. I wonder what secrets you might unearth with Matriarch + Subharmonicon 🤯

[@LordoftheBadgers]

I just kinda swooned at the intro bit... :)

[@Esaelectronics]

sounds really nice:)

[@dominicbanfield3491]

Nice screen/patch wipe.

[@H3ath]

Thanks again for the excellent content. My solution for the rear jacks is to have a bunch of 3ft colour coded cables plugged into permanently into the back of my matriarch, the mess of cables reminds me the jacks are there. The colours indicate which jack i'm routing. :) Also just added you album from apple music, thoroughly enjoyable :D

[@loopop]

Thanks very much! Indeed I tried the color coding too but kept forgetting what was what ;)

[@mathieupe666]

7:51 The Matriarch Blues

[@Gainn]

Sounds like "Wipeout" by the Surfaris.. :)

[@couchcamperTM]

@@Gainn xD

[@peet._.]

“Ok let’s clear this out and move onto the next one” woh😲🤭

[@lucaeri4537]

Great tutorial, I love your style. But i?ve a questione: when I connect my matriarch with a Daw, the Midi signal coming from the Daw doesn't affect eurorack Vco input (1V/OCT) if I link it with KB CV Out; but I've to use ARP CV out: could you solve my problem? I'don't speak english very well, pardon.

[@samprock]

I feel myself like on the Physical class in university back in 80's :) .... only now "I get it" LOL

[@apbianco]

Can I ask you what arpeggio you play at 10:26 and 10:52? I find them very pleasing but I can't quite reproduce them: I don't know whether this is because I don't have the right notes or there's something else I'm missing. Thanks!

[@MoogDoog]

I don't own any of this I just like the sounds Haha synth go bvrrrrr

[@Elgusto82]

Great vid once again! I’m wondering can you sync the ‘rate in’ in the modulation section with the tempo of the arp or sequencer? Especially when the matriarch is receiving midi clock. Or would this be a job for another piece of modular? I can’t seem to get the rate to sync up

[@loopop]

Thanks! You can, sort of restart the lfo using its sync input and set its length by ear but it’s not true tempo sync

[@Elgusto82]

loopop okay thanks for the reply!

[@frankmuscato7741]

I’m curious ( love the stuff you do btw) where do you get the audio jacks you show from the audio out? They almost look like XLR jacks Thanks

[@loopop]

Thanks - I bought them at a local store, and they are indeed balanced (like XLR) - which is what you want to use if your interface is balanced as well.

[@Psionetics]

Most helpful good sir

[@TheLokiBiz]

I have a Korg Minilogue XD and an Arturia Minibrute 2 (which is semi-modular) - is it possible to use my Minilogue XD as extra oscillators for the Minibrute 2?

[@martingerken7094]

Great, thank you - this can be applied to the Behringer Neutron as well...

[@championsounddesign]

love this video! my main question is whether or not you can add to the paraphonic voice count of the matriarch.. it's cool to layer in an oscillator, but is there a way to add 2 or more voices, thus making the matriarch 6 voice paraphonic? can you do it by chaining a grandmother to it??

[@loopop]

technically you might get close with a MIDI to CV converter with 6 outputs, but you'll lose many matriarch features (round robin, etc) so not sure it would be worth the hassle

[@jakobjelinek6334]

As always a wonderfully helpfull aswell as inspiring Video!... But you made me insecure in terms of harming the mashine through "patching it in a wrong way" in combination with Extertal modules. Could you make something like a no go list on this topic? World be great with matriarch! ✌

[@TheKaptainKernow]

Question -Where can you find out how the patches affect the internal routing of a synth? I've been looking for this info for my Crave for a bit - I reckon it would really help me understand what's possible with it. I feel somewhat like you owe me an answer to this, as it's very much your fault that I bought the thing in the first place due to the amazing filthy noises you got out of it in your review! Great video as always

[@loopop]

TheKaptainKernow if you’re asking about the Matriarch, the manual has them. If for crave, I’ve not seen the manual but I assume it’s there. If not, check Mother 32’s manual...

[@TheKaptainKernow]

@@loopop The Crave's manual is what you might call sparse. I'll hunt down the Mother 32's one, thanks.

[@TheNewNumberTw0]

My plan for the future is to get a matriarch to go with my grandma and really downsize my eurorack... just get a very small case/skiff for this type of stuff.

[@ChickenChipotleSandwich]

i love this

[@stanwray5663]

On my new Matriarch I see two input jacks for speakers . I was baffled to say the least . Does this synth REQUIRE two speakers / amps ?

[@enjoi-pw2xf]

I'm saving up for one but I'm afraid i won't know what to do with it when i get it. Are there basic do's and don'ts as far as patching goes? Or is it a big experiment to see what works and what doesn't? Obviously I'm new to synthesizers and I'm trying to wrap my head around all of it

[@loopop]

The only "theoretical don't" is don't connect output to output, and even that is something you can do safely with the utility modules here. Both intent and experiment work here

[@enjoi-pw2xf]

@@loopop sounds good! Thank you!

[@TheDefconsd1]

Please do more videos like this? Knowbodys doing this. All you see is damn weak drum beat vieds on mods and Simi mods and I just want to hear the flexibility of the note. Dry signal than wet. This was highly informative but I would like to see more videos done with a keyboard simi mod or simi mod attached to a modular eurorack combination 4:19 is a prime example of more needed experiments. The whole video really.

[@Trucky1981]

How did you assign those midi cc messages to those parameters?? What other parameters are midi cc controllable? I can't find this in the matriarch manual anywhere.

[@loopop]

The entires list is at the end of the manual, and there's also a separate MIDI implementation document

[@Trucky1981]

@@loopop Thanks! I don't think I got the midi implementation doc with my matriarch but I just downloaded it.

[@thisjustin77]

I....neeeeed ......this 😭

[@haroldmcfarlane4160]

I personally love the moog minotaur

[@levraichris3321]

Just noticed it's the moog minitaur. I always called it minotaur as well

[@techsture]

5:40 isn't the delay being bypassed here since you're going VCF OUT => VCA IN?

[@loopop]

No, the panel layout on Matriarch is a bit confusing there, the VCAs come before the delays even though they're to the right

[@techsture]

@@loopop :O I gotta re-read the instruction manual.

[@deviousxen]

Wish I had a Matriarch, so I'm gonna substitute it in the formula with my ... Behringer Neutron. *laughs in economic distress*

[@walrtbstudios5430]

Likewise. Only got the Neutron (well, two Craves as well)- it will be interesting to see how many of these translate.

[@pashow6486]

I've been looking to get into this. Would the Neutron be a good first semi-modular unit or would you recommend something slightly higher end if I have the budget?

[@walrtbstudios5430]

Pashow I’d say yes- 56-point patch bay, and a lot of knobs besides. Of course, I would say that...

[@couchcamperTM]

@@pashow6486 yes, Neutron is fine. more than enough to learn. is has a few minor flaws, but that's where externeal modules come in handy. I for example don't like the bbd delay that much, a modul will fix that.

[@iqi616]

@@pashow6486 the Neutron is a good synth. The bonus is it has its own character so if you end up buying another synth, it will still be a handy piece of kit. I highly recommend the Heinakroon overlays - After Dark has colour coding which makes it easy to see which controls the patch sockets relate to.

[@dvdny]

I never wanted a Matriarch until watching this. Whoah.

[@CrossJeniel]

I like synth

[@mitchminimal6942]

What would I need to integrate various guitar pedals and also my Sherman Filterbank?

[@loopop]

If it's on the output just make sure your levels aren't to hot. If it's in the signal chain, attenuate and amplify as needed with a module like SBG from ALM

[@mitchminimal6942]

loopop Thanks, I’ll be doing this with a Matriarch, Drumbrute Impact, Microfreak, and Avalon Bassline among other things. I also want to integrate software as you did with eurorack.

[@jmfhsmith4923]

Great ideas! Now if someone could show what it takes to turn this into a true 4 voice polysynth I would also be impressed. Must be possible with additions.

[@loopop]

Thanks! It is possible with enough envelopes and filters but not worth the effort I believe...

[@pontiuspilates]

once in a lifetime

[@airturnip]

2:45 which inputs get broken if you patch into them? 🤔 err what do you mean? Excellent video btw

[@loopop]

Thanks! "broken" means, in this context, that when you plug a cable into an input that has something else connected to it internally by default, then that default something else gets replaced with the cable you plugged in. The internal connection is (temporarily) broken until you unplug the cable

[@airturnip]

@@loopop thanks for clarifying mr loopop… im considering the moog modular package to go with my matriarch but you’re video on the pulsar 23 has got me second guessing’more moog’ and jumping in the deep end for soma! If I keep watching your videos I’ll end up skint… I’m not sure I’d buy any more gear until I’ve seen a loopop video on it first 😂. Best music gear channel by a considerable margin, long may it continue 👍👏👏👏

[@overseasterritory8983]

What type of angled eurorack cables are those? Thanks

[@loopop]

Tendrils cables

[@techmidea]

Where can I download that strip? I was thinking of mounting a mirror on the wall across from my Matriarch..

[@loopop]

It's currently only hosted on my Patreon - but if you don't like what I offer you can always leave...

[@techmidea]

loopop I am already a subscriber. Will look on your Patreon

[@loopop]

Awesome - thanks!!

[@Matthew-px9nu]

Hey loopop have a grandmother , what 4-5 eurorack modules would you recommend as a compliment ?!

[@loopop]

This video is a good start :)

[@MadelnMachines]

Thanks for sharing. I was definitely interested to see a video like this. I don't think modular is for me though even though something about it appeals to me. Too nerdy and not very intuitive - like you have to be really methodical about everything. I prefer immediacy and simplicity.

[@iqi616]

It's not as complicated as it looks. Except for esoteric configurations it's not really much harder than a guitar and pedalboard. It's not intuitive to follow but it's intuitive to do.

[@elyssapalmer2298]

Has anyone else had issues with clocking the matriarch w other gear? its been super finicky both as master and slave when used w my make noise gear

[@henryhill92]

I have to be honest, even clocking it with a Mother 32 was a pain. Clocking it via midi with Ableton I've had no problems with tho

[@mastermachetier5594]

Have you updated to the latest firmware ?

[@glennyeah]

they should honestly make a new mount Rushmore with you, once upon a synth, soniclab and cuckoo for the presidents of youtube synth demos

[@earthlyadopters6297]

Don't have a Mariarch but my Neutron and Novation SL MkIII will do a decent job of replicating some of these ideas

[@jeffhammel4305]

I wish moog would have labeled the back jacks too :(

[@Jdog6080]

how would I go about syncing this with a Roland TR8S (I’m a super noob at this)

[@loopop]

MIDI clock should work fine

[@Jdog6080]

loopop how would I go about that (dumb question sorry I’m new to this)

[@andykandolf1948]

Hi Loopop :-) I got a short question concerning the CV compatibility. I wanted to use 0-coast together with my Matriarch, the menu says all the patchpoints can only take up to +/- 5 CV, but the 0-coast and most Eurorack modules are twice that much. The folks at Moog customer service didn't advice to couple the devices. Yet I see lots of videos that patch Moog gear with pretty much anything else... You got any advice? Thanx a lot

[@loopop]

If Moog says to keep it to 5v I won't be the one to tell you not to... you'll need to use an attenuator module, or use the one built in to 0-Coast

[@andykandolf1948]

@@loopop thx :-)

[@geerhoar]

Andy Kandolf I would get a Eurorack precision offset if you plan to work with audio and not just cv for modulation. I purchased the Erica Synths pico mScale for my Moog gear. There are many utilities that attenuate and offset, and favorites are the Frap Tools 321, TipTop Miso, and Happy Nerding 3x MIA.

[@dominicbanfield3491]

Why have you chosen to use your rackbrute upside down? 🙃

[@loopop]

One my angles is from the left, and the power cable gets in the way. No reason if you're not filming from the left :)

[@LaFrae]

🤘🏽

[@javsmith86]

You may ask yourself, how did I get here? :)

[@hiqwertyhi]

come on i *just* got my minibrute 2s 3 days ago you can't push me back into the GAS pit that quickly that's just rude :P

[@loopop]

Many of these will work with it! Plus it has a wavefolder built in

[@hiqwertyhi]

@@loopop i've really been enjoying running external sound sources through the wave folder, especially guitar :) the AD envelope is loads of fun too, lots of fun hacks to be done there. certainly itching to hook this up with some eurorack stuff but i've gotta wait til i can afford that...

[@jjrusy7438]

Dear loopop, would you please compose "Pavane for a Dead Wallet" heh. Serious question from a ROMpler tard: Can effects pedals be inserted into any of these cv paths or are levels incompatible? I have some kind of autism and modular freaks me out, but you really are taking away a lot of the scary. (i seem to gravitate towards digital control and instant patches so UNO synth, microfreak, wavestate, workstations and ROMplers is where i'm at, but this semi-modular approach is VERY enticing..rip wallet)

[@loopop]

ROMplers can be fun too, don't let anyone tell you otherwise! Especially if they have a lot of ROM :) To the point, yes, the levels are "incompatible", meaning you'd need to attenuate going in and amplify going out. There's a module called SBG by ALM that does that - for a single mono signal though. Or just amplify at the end and maybe put up with some noise.

[@defryingpan4290]

Matriarch should totally have been named Great Grandmother instead.

[@christoroppolo8742]

Also this synth is a cripple when it comes to midi too. Out of the box the way it’s set up if you connect it to the grandmothers midi out directly and try to control it as a slave it will activate its sequencer too instead of simply playing the incoming midi by default. Just one of the many missteps made by Moog who rushed it out. After the grandmother was a success. To cover development costs on Moog one. Very sad. The same company that when sales were lagging gave us the “Animmog. “ doesn’t need us ios dudes anymore apparently. So now it’s more hardware-to connect and distract us from this issue. Okkee dokee. Peace Christo 😕

[@taylorthediscordian]

Totally the wrong place to complain about this btw.

[@christoroppolo8742]

We need and editor not more junk to justify the shortcomings of perhaps the most incredible synth Moog has produced. But an app editor like the shite labeling is something that my uno synth DOESN’T suffer from or my craft kit synth. But my MOOG matriarch ? No dice . Mobile seems to have become unimportant unless someone else codes it. Side effects of their focus on only the Moog one now. Very sad . Maybe you could request an editor for the hidden functionality yourself instead of not addressing this issue here. I was sure this would be the one but no. Peace Christo 👽🛸☮️🎶😤