Moog Grandmother Stands Out with Classic Circuits in a Modern Package

A broad, modular-derived sound palette and user-friendly arpeggiator and sequencer enable creative expression

As modular synthesis surges into the popular consciousness, a range of standalone semi-modular instruments have emerged to bridge the gap between patchable and non-patchable gear. Semi-modular synths (like the seminal ARP 2600) exhibit a useful duality: compelling sounds can be created without a single patch cable, but a few simple routing changes can greatly expand the instrument's sonic scope. Moog's Mother series has already made an indelible mark in this arena, introducing many artists to a new way of finding, shaping, and sequencing sounds. Grandmother continues in that vein but switches the focus back to the circuits that made the Moog modular system a timeless classic.

Specifically, Grandmother houses a pair of Minimoog indebted oscillators with filters, VCA, modulation sources, and a spring reverb derived from the original 900 series modules. All of this can be animated with a user-friendly arpeggiator and sequencer, and audio input jacks allow the processing of any line-level sound source. This gives the instrument's broad sound palette a lively quality, full of quirk and character, all with a pared-back set of controls that enable, rather than frustrate, creative expression. Sonically, it sounds at home with the masterful work of Wendy Carlos; functionally, it is midi-equipped and ready for the modern studio. To put it simply, in a crowded field of options, Grandmother stands out with an appearance, sound, and user interface unlike any other current product.

Moog Grandmother Panel
Moog Grandmother Back