It’s been about 2 months since I ordered a Moog Subsequent 37 synthesizer. I was using Arturia’s Minimoog emulation VST on a lot of my tracks and with my wedding approaching rapidly knew that I had to get it now or end up having to wait until after the wedding to buy any new gear. Since I received the Moog synthesizer, I have not written a song that doesn’t feature it as the main bass synth, and probably a few other musical elements as well.
One thing that’s pretty different between the Minimoog VST and the Sub37 is the oscillator architecture. While the Minimoog has 3 oscillators, the Sub37 has 2, but it does contain a Sub Oscillator, which is what I’m using the 3rd oscillator for usually on the Minimoog. The filter on the Sub37 is switchable between 6/12/18/24 dB slopes and features a multidrive knob to add extra grit.
With two different modulation LFO’s with knobs for routing to the pitch and filter frequency as well as a complex modulation matrix built in this synth has limitless potential on sound design. I’ve got MIDI Out running from my DAW with a sequencer setup in Max4Live in Ableton running into the Subsequent 37 and then audio from the Moog back into my audio interface. This allows me to record both the MIDI being generated by Ableton, and the audio from the Moog together so I can focus on the sound design rather than trying to play keys as well as tweak the sound.
Why buy the Moog Subsequent 37 and not a Moog Mother-32 or Grandmother Synthesizer?
While saving money is great, the DAW integration through the Moog Subsequent 37 editor, patch saving ability, while still maintaining an analog architecture gives the Subsequent37 a leg up on the all analog Mother-32/Grandmother, and more expensive Matriarch series of Moogs. They produce great similar sounds, but for my applications and workflow and absolute desired sound, I think the Subsequent 37 was the correct buy. Everyone’s situation can be different, but if you’ve only got $1000 for a synth you have your eye on, don’t settle for less and just save up and invest in the synthesizer you want.