Moog have officially announced the launch of their latest instrument, and the standout news is that it’s a polysynth. Muse features eight voices and bi-timbrality, and promises to combine the best features of classic analogue Moogs with the benefits of modern digital control.
Oscillators & Filters
The instrument’s two VCOs are based on those featured in the Minimoog Voyager, while its saturating mixer, dual-transistor ladder filters and discrete stereo VCAs draw their inspiration from the company’s legendary modular instruments. Each oscillator offers a choice of a mixed triangle/saw wave as well as a variable-width pulse, and feature FM and Hard Sync parameters along with a Wave Mix function that can be used to blend the two waveform options together.
As for the filters, you get one switchable low-pass/high-pass option and one fixed low-pass, with a linked operation mode and series, parallel or stereo routing modes.
Modulation, Effects & Performance Features
An LFO offers sine, sawtooth, reverse sawtooth, square and noise waveforms and benefits from a wealth of parameters that include an audio-range toggle; keyboard tracking and reset controls; pitch, filter and pulse width modulation routing; VCA modulation and panning. It’s also joined by a dedicated pitch LFO, assignable envelopes and a per-timbre, per-patch 16-slot modulation matrix, and an onboard Diffusion Delay processor adds some vintage-inspired digital delay effects.
Performance-wise, there’s a per-timbre arpeggiator with clock division, octave range, pattern, direction, gate time and rhythmic programming, and a 64-step sequencer with clock division, transport controls, sequence chaining, step editing, modulation capabilities and a memory capacity of 16 banks of 16 sequences.
Muse's top panel provides a generous selection of hands-on control.
Keyboard & Controls
Muse features a 61-note semi-weighted keybed with velocity and channel aftertouch, and its bi-timbral functionality allows for two independent timbres per patch, which can either be stacked together or split across the keyboard. Its top panel packs in a total of 44 knobs, 16 sliders and 129 buttons. and the usual pitch and mod wheels are joined by a macro knob. If you're looking to get some additional limbs in on the action, then you can take advantage of the instrument's sustain and expression pedal inputs.
“With Muse, we’ve created a Moog polysynth that combines the warmth and sonic power of vintage Moog analogue technology and the flexibility of digital control to create a deep and expressive instrument for the modern musician to explore and create with. It’s been a labour of love for everyone over the last several years, involving many people who worked hard to bring it to life. We are excited and grateful to share the results our team worked hard to achieve — from our in-house product development and design team to the artists we collaborated with to test the instrument’s firmware, develop user presets and create videos that show Muse’s full functionality.” - Steve Dunnington, Engineer, Moog
SOS Video & Hands-on Review
We got a sneak preview of the Muse back at Superbooth 24 (but couldn't say anything about it until now) where Erik from Moog was kind enough to explain its key features and show us what it's capable of.
We’ve also been putting one through its paces ourselves, of course, and Gordon Reid's exclusive in-depth review will appear in the September issue of Sound On Sound -- you will find it here from Thursday 22 August 2024.
Pricing & Availability
The Muse is available now, priced at £2999$3499.
