Thoughts on the Moog ONE

Here are my many thoughts on the Moog ONE, interspersed with as many sound examples as I could fit in. Please be warned, this video is over an hour long and it is not a step-by-step review. Fundamentally this video contains my personal opinions on this synth having owned and played it for the last six months. I hope you find it enjoyable or in other ways useful.

00:01:09 Introduction
00:06:24 LFOs
00:11:50 VCOs
00:14:58 VCFs
00:21:56 Modulation
00:24:39 VARS
00:30:28 Transforms
00:36:23 Quirks & Limitations
00:46:56 Tuning Issues
00:56:11 Multi Synth Engine Patch
01:03:59 Conclusions

[SunsetRC]

Tim, you have really went over the top with the production of this video. The camera angles, close ups, grading, everything is top notch, like top pro work. The tone and theme of how you position the lighting is brilliant. I'm not really in the market for a Moog One but I enjoyed watching the video anyway, mostly because how you talk about things and express your thoughts about gear. I'm really impressed with how much effort you put into your videos. I know how much work all the setup and editing is. I'm also a YouTuber... just over 800k subs (this is my private account). I usually only make comments on YouTube like once a month. Anyway, keep up the great work. All your videography and music you write is brilliant as well. You really set your self apart from everyone else in this sector. Take care — Mark

[chakulan]

Tim, I'm a filmmaker and I concur the production value of this video is extraordinary. But it means nothing if the content and the heartfelt desire to communicate, teach, and inspire was not right behind it. Your use of transitions are both subtle and very evocative of your desire to express meaning, a tool the best filmmakers struggle with quite often. I also will never own such a beast as the Moog One, but with your review I feel that, just for a moment or even a few minutes, I know what it might feel like to play. Keep up the extraordinary work and by all means, never lose your candor and honesty. Best --

[SyncdAlien]

Thank you for explaining the three synth engine aspect of this, I don't think I ever really caught the implications of that before.

[mynameistechno]

I have to say the coloring and lighting of your videos is so pleasing to my eyes + no bullshit straight synth talk we all love.

[Individual_two]

Tim, you did an excellent job with this overview of your experiences with the Moog One. I can see sound designers and film scoring artists buying this synth, given its vast capabilities. I believe in 20 years the Moog One will be coveted much in the same way as past "super synths" such as the Yamaha CS-80 and Roland Jupiter 8 are today.

[RobertNaik]

The colour of the video really matches the moog. It looks like a 70 s film.

[final_mile_music]

There are many things you don’t need in life. But if something has soul, whether it’s a sports car, a vintage watch, a piano, it’s worth it. If it moves you, it’s art in itself. Art that can you create more art with. Worth every penny.

[MichaelTiemann]

34:57 Coming from the Buchla world, I got excited hearing what the Moog ONE could do when you assemble its army of modulators. Love how quantization creates exotic microtonal fairy dust over everything! 🧚🧚‍♂🧚‍♀

[Fallingoverbackwards]

You have a truthfulness and elegance in your videos that is simply unmatched on YouTube. The hour passed quickly and all i could think towards the end is i don’t want it to end. This is the synth, the one that so many of us want but the price plays with our minds a bit. In the US we spend so much on motor vehicles, dropping 30k on a car loan is standard. Quality synth gear, that brings with it a full spectrum of emotional experience beyond even the sound, its the visceral nature like a fine piano or guitar.
Guilt has no place there, we spend far more on things that matter not.

[downpatmusic]

Beautiful samples and pieces, probably the most thorough demonstration of the working of the Moog One on the internet. Very helpful. Thank you for creating this video.

[seeingwithheart]

Tim, I recently purchased a ONE. My initial experience has been very challenging. Listening to this video has helped me feel comfortable it's not just me. I've been struggling to consistently get an even sound across the keyboard. I've literally described it to Moog exactly as you have. From the middle of the keyboard up is usually fine. However, the low to mid registers are very often muddy, muffled and not crisp or clear. I was also very surprised with the factory presets and how poorly the ONE sounded when I initially booted. I've run the calibration and am still having the same results. I own a Matriarch and the sounds, out of the box, are sooo stirring! I would be so grateful for any input as I'd love to fall in love with my ONE! Thanks! Mitch

[BubbleFilms]

Tim, this was a tremendous video in many ways! I have a Moog One also (purchased new in December of 2019) and share your adulation for the design and sound, along with some of your frustrations. The various firmware updates have brought welcome changes (my tuning was never an issue, so I am keeping that compensation disabled for now). I had not noticed the stereo spread programming quirks before now. I hope that it's a bug that will be squashed soon.

Regarding cost/value of owning the Moog One: It's a luxury, yes. It's not needed, as you said. But it is an absolute joy to play and interact with. What gives me some peace of mind is Moog synthesizers, especially flagship models like this, tend to hold (or increase) their value over the years.

All that said, I do hope that you find time and desire to produce additional videos exploring the Moog One. Your content is so well presented and informative that I can see many owners of this synth will find your efforts both educational and enriching. There just isn't much online devoted to really digging into the various mod matrix settings, in particular, along with more nuanced programming ideas like you've demonstrated in this video.

One question: The patches you demonstrated were sublime. Do you have any plan or desire to offer sound sets for sale?

Thanks again for the time you put into this video.

[davidsearle]

This was a great video don't feel apologetic about the length. We need people who are taking the time like you did to explore and share your experience - especially with an instrument of this caliber.

Great work

[seeingwithheart]

Tim, Your videos clearly illuminate your passion for both understanding the depth of each instrument and your sincere concern for sharing in a way that your viewers truly benefit! They are a reflection of your huge heart! Sooo grateful! Mitch

[asylumgiant]

Thank you so much for such an in depth analysis of the One. I'm only had mine for 2 months and am still getting to grips with it. You opened my eyes to several features I'd not totally explored yet, especially VAR which has blown my mind as to possibilities regarding modulation and performance. Very inspiring.

[MaximizedAction]

Been watching moog synth reviews for the last week. This is the most well made one imo. I really appreciated you touching on the stereo pan effect not working with any effects other than delay. Has this been addressed in any way one year later?
And you saved up great ear candy after the stereo disappointment section, that track is quite marvelous and works well doing a "so this is a bummer, but it's still a breathtaking synth!"

The ending section was also wonderfully and genuinely honest. A video worthy of this synth.

[Rivendio]

Wonderfully produced, discrete, good points and overview...almost meditative. Great work !

[robinstrachan]

Tim, I was totally enthralled with your video and your obvious honesty about the pros, the cons and the human factors of spending so much on a synth. I have been mulling over buying one for a while and you have given the info to pause for thought, some things to trial out in a shop and crucially, a sanity check on the whole idea. I use a Modx8 which is far from user friendly but also has huge capabilities at around 20% of the price! Bravo Sir and many thanks.

[kbejustervesenet]

This is the most informative closer look(review) on the Moog One I have seen. Most other reviewers has not really learn the Moog Onebefore reviewing it, but rather hurry up to get a review out while it was new and novel. Good Work!

[busch]

Great video Tim. I appreciate your time in putting this video together as I got a great feel of this instrument.