The Moog Sub 37: A Sonic Funeral with devinbelangermusic

In a dramatic introduction, Devin Belanger, cloaked in black like the orchestrator of a symphonic reverie, announces the departure of the Moog Sub 37 from his studio. This synth, with its years of companionship and sonic exploration, is poised to find a new home. Devin sets the tone for this journey, promising a reflective dive into the sounds and spirits that this iconic instrument has conjured in its lifetime. This video is more than a mere farewell; it’s an ode to the machine that encapsulates countless narratives and ambient tales woven through vibrating wires and analog souls.

Debuted in the mystic year of 2014, the Moog Sub 37 emerged as a celestial upgrade to the venerable Sub-Fatty. This tribute edition stands as a revered figure among analog synthesizers. Devin paints the Sub 37 as a bridge—a nebula connecting Moog’s early rediscoveries with its modern evolutions like the Matriarch and Grandmother. Its design, a bold testament to futuristic visions framed in a classic attire, invites the player into an orchestra of oscillations. Yet, the true magic lies not in its external allure but in the aggressive internal sonority it exudes—smeared with saturation and vigor. This tone, grittier than vintage Moog offerings, became the cornerstone of its identity, loved deeply by some yet replaced by the Subsequent 37 for its intense drive. Not just a machine, it became a muse for artists from Deadmau5 to Tame Impala, etching its signature into the annals of modern soundscapes.

The Sub 37’s façade is a canvas of tactile intimacy, where each knob and slider invites touch like the surface of an alien landscape. Devin guides us through his cherished features that stand unmatched in monosynthesis. The multi-drive, a seat of power, channels sonic aggression into a wild yet controlled cascade of harmonics that dance across resonant peaks. Feedback joins this ballet, warping the bounds of tonal exploration. Accompanied by the Strymon Big Sky reverb, the Sub 37 transforms a simple room into a cathedral of sound, echoing with density and depth. This paragon of synthesis offers secrets within its duo mode, initially divisive yet ultimately celebrated for its raw, unrestrained dual voicing. Devin’s exploration underlines why some creations remain timeless, defying the sedate echoes of standardization with every saturated note.

Among the many jewels in the Sub 37’s crown is its unparalleled mastery over time. Devin unfolds how this machine morphs rhythm into an ally, syncing every facet to a unified tempo. Its capabilities unravel as envelopes loop like rivers under a synchronized moon, rhythmically guiding arpeggios and sequences with precision’s grace. This tempo sync feature, rare among its peers, elevates the Sub 37 from an instrument to an orchestra controlled by a single hand. Filters ebb and flow, tapered by synchronized modulations, painting tapestries of overlapping frequencies. Here, Devin showcases the sophisticated achievements of Moog’s design, where time is not merely a measure but a collaborator in creative expression. His demonstration resonates as proof that the Sub 37 isn’t just played; it’s inhabited, coaxing the musician’s intent to life.