Moog Subharmonicon Semi-Modular, polyrhythmic analog synth, Pricing north of $699

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Looks very like the Behringer Neutron to me. The dragon eating it's own tail.
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MOOG SUBHARMONICON
Once just a workshop instrument, the Moog Subharmonicon is now being released to the general public—so now all can venture into the world of subharmonics and polyrhythms and how they create unique relationships based on their interaction. It exists at the intersection of music and math. The Subharmonicon takes its roots from analog music inventions from the 1930's and 1940's, the Trautonium and Rhythmicon. The Trautonium created subharmonics by dividing the frequency of the master oscillators. While the Rhythmicon, designed by Leon Theremin, created polyrhythms derived from multiplications of the primary tempo.

The Subharmonicon features two VCOs, four subharmonic generators, two four-step sequencers, and four rhythm generators. A waveform contains the fundamental frequency of the note it is tuned to, such as A at 440Hz. Harmonically rich waveforms such as sawtooth waveforms, have a series of harmonics above that fundamental frequency—and the subhamonic series at work in the Subharmonicon inverts this natural order of overtones. The four sub-oscillators can be divided from the two oscillator's base frequency down to up to four octaves from the fundamental to create stacked, harmonically related tones. The two VCOs and four sub-oscillators can be tuned to create up to six note chords.

The sequencer section features two four-step sequencers, which may seem simple at first glance, but in reality are capable of advanced functionality. The sequencer rate is not only controlled by the tempo knob, but rather the subharmonic divisions. These can be divided by an integer from 1 (no division) to 16 divisions of the master clock. This means it will take 16 clock pulses for the sequencer to move one step. The subharmonic used to clock the sequencer can be selected using buttons. These subdivisions of the master tempo make the simple four-step sequencer perform much more complicated sequences. These may take quite a bit longer than you might expect to repeat. The sequencer can be routed via switch to affect the primary VCO pitch or the subharmonic frequency. Onboard quantizers allow you to constrain the sequencer notes to specific scales such as equal temperament or just intonation.

And of course, it wouldn't be a Moog synthesizer without a killer low pass ladder filter. This classic, full bodied low pass filter can be used to filter out harmonics present at the output stage. Harmonics can be removed using filtering and emphasized using the resonance of a filter which highlights the harmonics at the cutoff frequency via feedback. The VCA and VCF have independent envelope shapes with attack and decay stages.

The Subharmonicon is semi-modular and requires no patching in order to make sound. However, the functionality can be expanded with the 32-point patchbay. This allows you to patch program the Subharmonicon by rerouting the internal connections or integrate it with external modular or semi-modular gear such as the Moog Mother 32 or DFAM. Additionally, the Subharmonicon features a MIDI input, allowing it to be controlled from external MIDI devices.

With this instrument, Moog has ventured outside of what a traditional semi-modular device can be. Not just a monophonic bass line creator, the Subharmonic is capable of complex sequencing and rich tones derived from six oscillators. It challenges the end user to think about synthesis in new and exciting ways while retaining the parts of a Moog synthesizer that make them so loved.
Features
Remove the front panel and easily install into a Eurorack system, or simply use the synth standalone.
The modular patchbay delivers even more creative options, however, no patching is required whatsoever if you want to get experimenting right away!
Multi-layered sequencers paired with a 6-tone sound engine provide the tools for extensive polyrhythm and subharmonic exploration.
Harness integrated quantization to construct perfect intervals every single time.
Layer individual rhythm generators to project intriguing, complex polyrhythms.
Utilise dual envelope generators, analog VCA and the Moog ladder filter to add exciting dynamics to your sound.

Analog Sound Engine
Sources: VCO 1, SUB 1, SUB 2/VCO 2, SUB 1, SUB 2
Filter: Self-Oscillating Ladder Filter, Low-Pass, 4-Pole (-24dB/Octave)
Envelopes: VCA EG (Attack, Decay); VCF EG (Attack, Decay)

Analog Sequencers (x2)
Clock: Driven Via Any/All of the Rhythm Generators
Steps: 4 Steps Available Per Sequencer (Selectable Quantization)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ArvLl0b1TQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzy4ZVrfttc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fixl4VQbRWA

https://www.andertons.co.uk/moog-subhar ... af51443331

Seems Perfect Circuit have it for $699
https://www.perfectcircuit.com/moog-subharmonicon.html

Must admit I got far too excited about this when I misread Polyrhythmic as Polyphonic. As it is, it's not something I'd buy, far too one trick pony and too expensive for me.
Last edited by WatchTheGuitar on Wed May 13, 2020 4:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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WatchTheGuitar wrote: Tue May 12, 2020 4:06 pm Looks very like the Behringer Neutron. The dragon eating it's own tail.
It's nothing like the Neutron except for having jacks on the right side. The Subharmonicon, DFAM and Mother-32 have a common visual design and layout.

Behringer thought "jacks on the right" was a good idea and did it too. Frankly I think they were closer to imitating Dreadbox designs than Moog though.

Anyway, I think it's kind of a neat concept, but agree it has less general appeal than... literally everything else Moog has done. At a lower price it might reach into that "why not?" stage, but $700 isn't play money for most people. You can almost get a used Grandmother for that.

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...on the other hand, it still has two Voyager VCOs (plus the subharmonics) and Voyager VCF, and can be played via MIDI or CV as well as the sequencer. Overall it's less limited than I thought, and I'd probably choose it over the Mother-32 (not that I'm going to, though).

The subharmonics thing is similar to how I often wind up stacking oscillators in Akemie's Castle, and I know it can be pretty effective. And I can see the sequencer concept getting cloned in Eurorack real quick.

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A novelty device I'd love to try out. With all these semi-modulars and Behringer clones, we are finally getting something new and fresh.

A question is how much power does patch bay give. Can we use Subharmonicon's engine to drive external oscillator pitches, or sequence drum machines?

Also, it looks great compared to their other devices. I agree that it kinda resembles Neutron, and not other Moog stuff like Mother32.
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WatchTheGuitar wrote: Tue May 12, 2020 4:06 pm Looks very like the Behringer Neutron. The dragon eating it's own tail.
It looks nothing like the Neutron and the functionality is completely different too. Moog had established the 'right-hand' position of patch points with Mother-32 back in 2016. Long before the Neutron (which was released in 2018).
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I like the sound of this, very well suited to subtle and complex evolving sounds

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I love the name: Subharmonicon.
I think it's great to see something fresh. The way the sequencer is fused with the oscillators could potentially give some very beautiful drones that could be used to solo over.
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Just as I thought I was done shopping (apart from the discounted Behringer Pro1 I will find one day) Moog drops another seemingly overpriced fiendish little instrument that seems to tickle my fancies. Integrated polyrhythmics appeal to me (I could save money achieving similar results using software sequencers though) and then there's the subharmonic thing too. Moreover, I own a Moog DFAM which seems to pair up nicely.

Nice to see Moog expand on the innovation/novelty thing, with Behringer cloning one of their classics, and now prolly held back by the current recession from further expanding their range at the old pace. I hope things work out for Moog.

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DJ Warmonger wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 12:26 pm it kinda resembles Neutron, and not other Moog stuff like Mother32.
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Seriously? Looks very similar to me ...

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thecontrolcentre wrote: Sat May 16, 2020 12:52 pm
DJ Warmonger wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 12:26 pm it kinda resembles Neutron, and not other Moog stuff like Mother32.
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Seriously? Looks very similar to me ...
Er,+1.

Think the SH looks and sounds extremely cool.
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Have to admit that on the whole, I'm not a great Moog fan. And this one does nothing to change that - I'm sure it's capable of more than what's shown in the vids, but underwhelmed is an understatement. You'd think when someone gets their hands on a new toy, they show off all the weird sounds it can make - didn't hear any. US$700 for that? Are they having a laugh?

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They do seem to have a problem getting their prices down to competitive levels. Or perhaps they reckon they don't have to, being Moog - I don't know. Doesn't seem to work well in the case of the Sirin.

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I’ve had mine for a couple weeks. Great bleep bloop mahcheen. Forces you to think differently.

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UPDATE to the post below: shop's support didn't expect this and has contacted the distributor.
Might even be a one-off as my Sirin came with an adapter in a separate bubblewrap pouch.
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Little warning: mine arrived today, with USA (type A) power plug (to be precise, one of the universal ones, but with just the American plug fitted, no alternatives supplied).

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