MattJohnsonskeyspace Breaks Down the Moog Messenger

MattJohnsonskeyspace kicks things off with a proper introduction to the Moog Messenger, a mono synth that’s shaking up the synth world. Straight away, he drops the fact that this little gadget is all about affordable analog power. With two oscillators and a sub-oscillator, this piece of gear doesn’t mess around when it comes to giving you a full-fat sound. From the jump, it’s clear that this isn’t just some throwaway synth; it has the weight and character to stand out in an increasingly crowded market. And, let’s be real, anything that can pump out sounds like this without emptying your pockets deserves a closer look. As Matt passionately points out, it sounds ‘fat as hell’ – and that’s a promise to the synth faithful. He’s got an album coming out too, called Warrior Princess, but for now, it’s all about dissecting this beast of a synth that’s different from others Moog has crafted.

With deep dives into the oscillators, Matt paints a vivid picture of their capabilities. You get two identical analog oscillators that let you glide through wave shapes from saw to pulse, and from triangle to more complex folds. It’s a playground for any sound tweaker out there. He doesn’t just stop at the basics; he nudges us towards the richness brought by the sub-oscillator that also offers variable wave shapes. These aren’t just technical specs but key tools for unleashing sonic flexibility. It seems like with every turn of the knob, there’s a fresh texture waiting to inspire or surprise you.

Now, diving deeper, Matt explains how the variations in wave shapes allow for a wide palette of tones and textures. It’s like cooking the perfect street food dish; a little bit of this, a pinch of that and boom—you’ve got something that tastes different every time. The versatile filter adds a dash of seasoning that brings the oscillators’ work to life. With four modes including low pass, band pass, and high pass, it adds flavor to any sound structure. The ability to keep the low end punchy, even when cranking the resonance, is like adding that special sauce—it’s what sets the Moog Messenger apart from the pack.

Matt takes us on a tour of the Messenger’s filter, showing off its stellar flexibility with those four different modes. Whether you’re looking to smooth things out with a four-pole low pass or spice it up with a band pass, this baby has you covered. One cool trick up its sleeve is the res bass option, perfect for when you want to keep that low-end when you crank the resonance. Seriously, who doesn’t love a little extra sauce on their filter action?

But the fun doesn’t stop there. The Messenger also features a nifty feedback loop borrowed from the old Minimoog. This doesn’t just bring a nostalgic edge; it’s your gateway to some real gritty distortion. It’s like driving a beat-up car that just won’t quit – might rattle a bit, but man, does it take you places! And thanks to the oscillator modulation of the filter cutoff, you can spiral from subtle modulations to sheer chaos, broadening your sound horizons. It’s all about diving into those wild possibilities without holding back.

The Moog Messenger shows its depth with two dedicated LFOs, offering unique ways to shape your sound. Matt explains how LFO 1 comes with four shapes and can be routed not only to dedicated destinations but to any parameter you desire, letting you modulate, twist, and turn the synth voice. It’s like a food truck that not only serves tacos but also lets you pick any ingredient you want. By holding down a button and twisting a knob, you can link up different parameters for creative explorations.

LFO 2 maintains simplicity, drawing parallels to classic Roland styles. It’s straightforward, but oh-so-powerful. Adjusting the mod wheel just slightly, you can strike that perfect nuance, and here’s the kicker – the Messenger remembers where you left it. That’s right, save patches, and it preserves the exact mod wheel position, giving your creations that consistent edge. With variable speed settings, from slow modulations to audio-rate craziness, all your moods are covered. How’s that for a stroll down sonic memory lane?