Moog One - Review Sonic LAB 

Great review. Always nice to get Nick's take on these things. I've had a One for about a year, and while some of the software issues have been frustrating, it's nonetheless an amazing machine. Build quality, sound, and ease of use are all on point. I'm prepared to wait for further firmware updates, and enjoy programming this beast in the interim.

That lead sound in your sequence was beautiful

Thanks Nick for getting at this titan! Happy Holiday! I admire your attempt at describing the machine within a reasonable time limit but I think that’s an impossible task :) As an owner, I know they could have waited to fix many of the issues before release but I’m more than happy that they didn’t wait. Even at 90% ready, the machine has been nothing but a pure joy. Over the course of the year they fixed the tuning issues, enabled the midi support and the fixes keep coming regularly. It seems they’re dedicated to add the effects parameters as mod destinations and I’m assuming they have ambitious plans for the Ethernet port or they wouldn’t have gone through the trouble of including it. Im sure most folks would balk at paying up for a work-in-process but I urge potential buyers to work with the machine at a dealer who has it or check out some of the RU-vid channels that feature it and they’ll get a good representation of what it can really do in its present form. Happy holidays to all!

Thanks you Nick. Nice job and also nice to know it’s not just my One that rebooted during sequencing. Keep on keeping on and stay healthy.

Nick at his best. No napkins taken. He is simply the best in the game. Simple as that. Great job, taking no corner in this review. Well, is not that's why we love sonic state so much? "I am sitting in the morning...." NIce one Nick. Excellent review.

I appreciate a lot all Nick's reviews, his clear and in-depth observations are pure gold to understand (from a video!) what we are talking about. Nick's work is priceless. The same I have to say for his sound design skills, anything he touches sounds pure gold, no matter if it is a mighty Moog One or a much affordable DeepMind.

I’m glad you checked the tuning, I got through 3 units and 2 recalibration repairs, and the shop told me the others they had in stock had the same issue, so I had to get a refund because I was nervous it might be something that won’t be fixed. It does sound wonderful though and I added a few demos to my channel at the time. I’m hoping to try again when/if they nail the tuning.

There is so much potential in this synth. It's already come a long way since launch. Hopfully they'll sort out the remaining issues sooner than later. For the tuning they should IMO have a user accessible calibration option. My Andromeda A6 has that, and it's been very nice to have. Also, they just dropped a new firmware update which has addressed some of the FX issues. Getting better every update.

One of the most enjoyable, detailed, honest, focused review on the web. Nick is great!

13:14 - Yes you can start all sequences together. Push each "Synth" part you want to control at the same time in order to do this. So in this case pushing "Synth 1" and "Synth 2" at the same time will allow you to start them both with one button push. (Note it will also allow all parameters to be 'tweaked' at the same time)

Love the pulse width modulation t-shirt :)

Nick ,your solos and musical moments and patch creation are the best on this synth ... which is amazing for such a sometimes edgy crude sounding synth...

it a little too cheap would have been interested if £20,000+

Make sure you press Shift before turning a dial if you want it in high precision mode. Cheers!

“And the thing rebooted...” That happened to me while trying one out at last year’s MoogFest. It’s an amazing synth in so many ways but it does have a few weak spots that are hard to overlook. The raw sound of it too just didn’t grab me the way the Matriarch did. But the power and possibilities are truly incredible.

Wonderful demonstration, and lovely music! 😊👍

Great review and great sounds Nick! Stupid question: what program are you using on your tablet? Cheers!

top notch review, love this guys manner , very informative but not over the top and calm

The Moog One has an Ethernet connection .Could calibration reset be achieved through an external hardware device or PC integration ?

Excellent review; thanks Nick : D

Hey Nick, so far no problems with my 16 voice. Just updated to 1.1 ver. Your monitor behind you is delayed and kind of looks a bit funny while you move your hands over the synth. Anyway, great review and good looking out! Cheers Rix :)

best review to date, truly honest and thought out. enjoyed it.. i was considering buying but i think ill wait

Tuning problems on a polyphonic Moog? Color me extra double shock-surprised!!!

Nice playing btw, lovely use of multi timbrality and sequencer

Won’t be buying one soon, but it’s good to know it exists. We need things to dream about.

Nick is correct about the handling of an analog synth during shipping. Every analog synth I ever owned had individual voices that had to be calibrated. One Oscillator at a time, at the factory before shipping. The synths that I owned and learned how to calibrate had a small screw on each Oscillator that could be turned slowly plus or minus to bring that Oscillator into perfect A440 tune. I still have a CONN strobe tuner in my music room that I have used for the purpose. In the case of my original Oberheims, the tech that taught me how to calibrate my synths suggested that I use a drop of Lock Tight adhesive on each Oscillator to keep it from being jarred out of tune when moving it around. Analog Synths are delicate and cannot be handled roughly. My first Yamaha Motif ES8 was bashed in by a shipping company because they handled it like "Freight" and damaged it. I had to ship it back and wait for a replacement. People that get the idea that Moog rushed the Moog One into production and didn't do the job are full of shit, and don't know what they are talking about. Envious people that can't afford a Moog One should look for synths they can afford rather than spend their time bashing Moog.

It's been about 5 months. Have they addressed all of these bugs? I want to guy the 8 voice version but I'm skeptical with so many bugs and glitches. Is the effects section really not tied into the synth engine? Can you modulate the sequencer in real time now, or is it still inaudible?

Nick, as it’s Xmas and I’m feeling generous, tell Moog I’ll take the uncalibrated unit off their hands for £500.

When are you going to review the Matriarch?

Excellent explanation. Thanks

Sounds like Moog is working on the tuning issue, hopefully they will solve that problem with firmware update eventually since many like the Moog sound in that bass range so it would be good to have control over tuning in lower ranges. I wonder how many units out there are stable tuning wise, and how many have the tuning issue?

Hi Nick , very nice review. Can you tell me if NB3WayAction3 .. is a factory patch . I love the sound . But can't find it on the Moog One. Best Regards, TotallyKenny.

I think that there should be no excuses about anything here.. its a premium synth, very very expensive, there should be no issues at all!

Really really appreciate your very honest review of this synth. It sounds absolutely wonderful, I will buy it one day even if I have to sell most of the contents of my studio and a kidney to get it! But I’m in no hurry, I really would like to see Moog address 95% of the outstanding issues first before I do. Please do a follow up video when you feel the firmware updates are beginning to make this the finished, true classic instrument that it will definitely become :)

If this was a Behringer synth, they'd be getting crucified for releasing it with so many bugs and problems, even at half the price...

Regarding possible network port functionality, one of the things that has been mentioned in the past was Open Sound Control - I believe this is already used internally within the synth to let different layers of the system communicate (eg the digital interface/screen/brain layer talking to the actual synth voices etc). There was talk that we would be able to access this in some way via the network, but there is so much else with higher priority that Moog still need to do to this synth first, that I'm not surprised I've heard no more about this recently.

would love to see an update on this synth. See if the firmware has caught up

It wouldn't be a Moog without some attendant temperamental behaviour.

Great, seven grand for a beta project!

What is the serial number of the bad one?

Modal Electronics had gone in remotely on my 008 for repair on one of the voice cards- It's quite amazing. I hope it eventually will work for the Moog at some point.

Loving that PWM shirt Nick!!

Nick is one of the premier "videoists" out there of late. No hype, self promotion - just the straight story!

The NB3WAYACTION patch sounded like the beginning of an orchestral piece. Starting with a great big timpani hit on layer one, strings and brass chords on layer two and a very tasteful flute trill on layer three.

My gas lowered for the Moog One after this video. Thank you

Hey Nick - enjoyed the review. Could the Moog One behind you be given away as the next podcast prize? Joke... :)

14:03 some lovely sounds on that jam

Thanks for the complete and comprehensive review, Nick! The extensive bugs are still keeping me from adding this magnificent synth to my live set. It will be the centerpiece of my rig, once i pull the trigger. But so far, I don't have the "warm fuzzy" on this one, yet. I bought my first Moog in 1978, and still flying the Moog flag. :) Update, Oct 2020: okay, i pulled the trigger in late-May. No regrets! Deep dives into sound design, I'm trying to utilize all of the modulation into my patches - XY pad, Mod Wheel, aftertouch, etc. Infinite possibilities, insane amount of depth.

Very fair review 👍

Hopefully in my lifetime, I can acquire this beast of a machine.

Truly excellent presentation. I feel a series of 6 uploads is required

Yes there have been issues. A half backed product, basically. Could have been great.

Kindly savage. I hope that Moog listens. They have the skills to make it perfect, even if it takes a long time. I'm sure it's going to season like fine wine.

Lovely roedelius-esque sounds around 13:34

It sounds excellent, lucid. I imagine that people will wait until the firmware is updated until ready to purchase. If something goes wrong then there should be a readily available update, although cars are very expensive and sometimes a notice is given to you about an update which is being worked on, sometimes takes a year. Calibration of analog oscillating ia a whole other topic, I remember seeing a video of Jean Michel Jarre having to retune a whole synth set up during a show, because it decalibrated

Could you revisit the Moog one and compare it with a memorymoog?

What other synth would you compare this to, if any?

Great review, someday...

Best demo of this synth

The KORG Prologue also suffered from major tuning issues - took them 6 months to get an OS revision out that fixed the problem.

lovely demo, I do love the architecture and sound of this thing but the software situation worries me quite a bit, as does the need for an external power supply... and even with one, it's still rather noisy with the fans. I dunno, seems roughshod.

I was listening to you talk while I typed an email during the first three minutes. When you hit the first note I said to myself "yep, that sounds good", then the next layer came in and the hair in my ears started to tingle.

Can you use internal Eventide SFX on the vocoder?

wow! is it possible to save the sketches ?

The One is a benchmark of sorts. It establishes itself as a beautiful studio fixture, and it will be a long time before anyone hits the ceiling on it. Apart from that, I don't see a working musician forking out the money and hauling one of these around (they are extremely heavy). I have been fortunate enough to have played one several times in studio work last year, and I do love what it does, and on its' own terms it's amazing. I have seen some hate from the peanut gallery, but what the casual synth user fails to see in this machine is what the average motorist would fail to see driving a SLS AMG.

Does it have a global transpose function?

Excellent review, congratulations. Really honest and 'fulsome' review. Didn't skirt around the flaws in the firmware which are significant for a Moog product, or any product at this price point. It's a beast with some quirks that thanks to modern design can be addressed after production.

People wonder why this is so expensive? I own a 16 voice, and can tell you why. You have to remember there are THREE synths! Each synth can be selected independently and ALL of those knobs can be tweaked for each synth. The synth remembers those knobs settings for each synth. Also, each synth engine has a sequencer AND and arpeggiator, which can be played at the same time on each synth. That means you can have 6 different melodies playing at once. Most of my other analog synths, mono or poly, would cost the same, or maybe even more, if it had those features. My Matrixbrute is $2200 for ONE voice, for example. I did have issues, but they were fixed with software updates. I don't like the analogy that just because something is expensive, it shouldn't have problems. I have high end gear and cheap gear, in my studio. I don't recall owning anything that didn't have issues and problems, regardless of price. Warranties are there for a reason. It will take forever to learn everything about the synth. i plan to keep it forever. As it matures and grows, and bugs are ironed out, it will just get better and better.

So funny, tuning issues! I had to retune my Memory Moog after every song on stage, sometimes halfway through the song.

9:21 I like this crunchy movement.

Is it DCO or VCO? If it is VCO how can a software update fix tuning issues?

Yes... finally !!!

i realize this is a replacement for the voyager......but moog made a mistake by going more expensive rather than less expensive in this day and age. not really seeing the value for money here either. i have vsts that can sound pretty similar, minus the voice layering (but can run paralllel channels too). beautiful machine though. getting into Schmidt territory. nice review, that little moog bass at the end reminder. :-)

I hope in the future a more affordable poly synth from Moog .... Maybe the Moog 0.5 eighth voices ... Or maybe the Moog Zero , 6 voices 😊 This one sounds great ... Except the vocoder ! In this price point ... I think perfect for studio.

I really want to see what the guts of that synth look like. Must be packed full of circuit boards.

What a review, had no interest in this synth due to cost but it sounds wonderful in this! Dear oh dear

One synth to rule them all and in the darkness bind them

The Mac Pro of synthesizers

Wow, great viewer question. Helped you and Moog. Understandably a Complex beast but I have to say for the immense about of $$$$ required for ownership I dont think in 2019 it’s acceptable for owner to have to be beta testers, don’t you think?

Not heard anything that says "buy me". The UDO super 6 thing sounds much better and is a lot cheaper. Having one of these is pretty much having a synth status symbol.

I believe that the effects are separate from the synth, so I am not expecting modulation to arrive ever for effects.

sensei,,, happt new year 2020 soon.... 20yrs into 21st century

you are the best Nick

this price point just makes it seem like it’s for studios, or something.

Finally man !

The reason they could come in through the network port and fix it is because Moog based the archecture of the One on the 2020 voting machines which don't connect to the internet.

This synth is so out of my league I don't even watch the reviews :p

Wish Moog had Behringer's QA ;-)

7:09 when you turned the octave knob and the first two notes played it sounded so good. You should have played something while it was like that.

They should release an inexpensive four voice Minitaur.

Had the chance to play one in Asheville at the Moog HQ, and while I'll probably never buy one, it is definitely worth the money imo, the build quality was leagues above any other synth I've put my hands on.

INice review ! :) was thinking about maybe get one . But i dont like all the issues that comes up here bugs fixes connect it be fixed via internet . Not when MOOG shuld be top notch high end . And cost 8-10 000 $ for a unfinished product . Thats a shame . Its a massive machine no doubt but this needs tons off fixing before even been out for sale . I follow Sonicstate other reviews on some analog synths . Well others with smaller problems then this is classed almoast as junk . Bias:ed on MOOG ? Well lets hope they get all issues fixed cut the price and get some kind off quality in to it .

My 16-voice arrived today. It sounds stunning! I actually had to turn my subs down in the studio, as everything began to rattle. I can thoroughly recommend buying the GEO synth Singularity preset library for this - some astounding sounds leap out. Sorry to have to admit this, but I also have a Schmidt 8-Voice and the Moog One does somewhat leave it for dust in many ways....

Its a beautiful synth. I have bo bugs, everything great. Thanks Mike Ride to Agadir"

Can you articulate each OSC? Or the articulation applies to all. Thanks

I've just now decided to become wealthy.

this is the first demo that makes me kind of like it, but I've played it and it's not that great sounding. I don't like Moog's newer instruments which is a bummer bc I do like their pedals, and the OG Model D is the best mono synth I've ever played. I like the sequencer on this though.

It's a moog. Of course it has tuning issues. 🤔

I wonder if it is worth buying one just as an investment...

Could you of made all the sounds in this demo with the 8 voice version ?