Moog Subharmonicon

The Lounge Other Gear
#479

Just to add something to the great response by @jayhosking, the Subharmonicon has a rather unique take on sequencing notes, using 2 (overlapping) 4-step sequencers to create poly-rythms, whereas the Elektron uses a more conventional 16-64 step sequencer.

You would want to make sure you compare this aspect as well to see which one will serve you better right now.

If you prefer the sound of analog subtractive synthesis over FM, but find the Subharmonicon’s sequencer is not what you are looking for, you can also look at the Moog Mother 32, which is subtractive, with a generally similar sound to SubH (but also different because it doesn’t have the suboscillators), but it has a more traditional sequencer.

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#480

So while this topic is hot, how are people liking the Subharmonicon,
it seems fairly limited synthesis wise but it seems like the magic is in the sequencer.

I am all about polyryhtms and love what some people have achived with the SH.

I have seen some really lovely visceral sequences being churned out.

but my fears is that is it is a one trick pony. SH owners what are your thoughts?

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#481

My first impressions: I like the sound of it a lot, its oscillators and filter, but I’m fond of that Moog sound in general. The sequencer is fun but a little more fickle (and less musical) than I’d first hoped, and gets you into some really wonky territory if you’re not careful. Still, its massive limitations lead to really pleasing results and I was immediately making music with it. And the fact that it can send its rhythms out (either isolated, or summed together) to control other gear is an amazing feature that I didn’t know I’d want until I had it. It’s a blast to pair with other modular gear. If you’re into melodic, hypnotic lines in songs that drift in and out of your attention, you should give the Subharmonicon a shot.

There are plenty of pieces of gear I play with and think, “This is fun, but I’m almost certainly not holding onto this for the long run.” While it’s still early days, I haven’t felt that at all about the Subharmonicon, and usually it would come up by now.

Hope that’s helpful!

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#482

What makes the Digitone special is the subtractive synthesis signal path it has.

From the manual :

Digitone represents our vision of how FM synthesis can be revitalized and modernized. Here’s how: combine FM sound generation with a classic subtractive synthesis signal flow. From jagged chaos to mellow soundscapes in less than a second. Digitone is one unique box.

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#483

Dear lord, that’s a great track.

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#484

Thanks @aloud, I should have mentioned, I have a Subharmonicon.

I purchased this on a complete whim, never owned a synth bar a little casio keyboard you could sample into when I was 6/7 (I’m 41 now lol). Always been into guitars to be honest. I knew I wanted to try a synth out, I knew i liked Moogs tones, the idea of two analog VCOs and four Subharmonic Oscillators really interested me for chord creations - the sequencer went over my head to be honest.

After having the Moog for a month and half I still love the tone, the 6 voices as such - but the sequencer drives me nuts. I either get a (lovely) slow droning 4 beat pattern, or a sort of skipping 8 beat patter or just a mess. I’m not too much of a fan of the little nobs to program the note change of each step either as it’s pretty fiddly and can be a bit hit and miss.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the thing, it sounds fantastic (though I tend to drown it in delay and reverb). Its introduced me to a whole new world of music making and creativity. I honestly thought I’d be returning the Subharmonicon after 14 days but its the guitars that are gathering dust at the moment.

Subharmonicon lead me to the Digitakt (via a blackbox 1010 that really wasn’t for me). Loving the control of the Digitakt, the workflow and all the trigs/probability/control. So now I’m thinking, sell the moog and get a Digitone. The @OscillatorSink thread on droning the Digitone really caught my eye.

EDIT: Ordered a Digiton :smile:

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#485

Just been told that my Subharmonicon is waiting for pickup from Elevator Sound. I know what I’m doing this weekend :grinning:

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#486

Mine was due this week but now I’m told mid September…wahhhhh.

#487

I’ve had my eye on both SubH and Digitone so looking forward to your thoughts after you get the DN.

The DN does Acid thread was yet another eye-opener for me. Maybe there are limits to getting to sound like a Moog, but it seemed convincing enough to me as a stand-in for a 303.

I’m sure the two will complement each other well.

#488

I just picked mine up :sunglasses: If any UK-based ‘nauts want one, Elevator Sound have one left in stock from this batch.

#489

i am still on the edge to decide getting a DN or SH. in favor of DN as I have no FM synth and in favor for moog as I like the new concept and its modular patchbay.

#490

Well Digitone due tomorrow but just had the most amazing jam with the subharmonicon :rofl:. Not sure I can sell this now. Was not the plan. Was not the plan at all. Digitakt triggering the subharmonicon really helps move it along a bit. Moog into Zen delay is pretty damn good too!

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#491

yea im in a similar boat.
torn between the Digitone keys & SubH.
went with the keys cause its so suited to my music I can write complete tunes on it really quick,
but SubH still might be my next purchase cause its so wicked in its own way :slight_smile:

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#492

Well I’ve had my SubH for about a week now and have been playing it with quite a bit. Here’s a jam session with it, a DFAM, and an Analog 4 (providing a kick and other percussion, FX, and sending clock)

I really like it, it’s very meditative just messing around with it and seeing what comes out. That said, I don’t think it’s likely that it will end up in much of my music – to use it with other instruments takes quite a bit of fiddly setting up tuning of the oscillators and the sequencer steps with a tuner (unless you have perfect pitch), whereas the fun with it it just twisting knobs and dialling pleasing sounds in by ear. So it might become my go-to after-work jam box – it does make me feel like I’m kind of experimenting, maybe a bit like the early synth pioneers who built the stuff the SubH is based on, which is fun.

A few notes from my experience:

  • Messing around with it is fun but it’s easy to make everything fall apart and then find it hard to get back to the good spot you were in just before.
  • Polyrhythms are great, but unless backed up by some on-the-beat kick or percussion or something else, I find they can feel messy, especially for shorter, more percussive sounds (so the A4 provides the kick in the jam above). I dunno, maybe my brain just can’t handle them :slight_smile:
  • It really lends itself to being performative. The buttons to send the sequencers to the main osc and subs can really add some nice variety, even if the sequencers are only 4 steps.
  • The patch bay is great, but it would have been nicer to have a few more inputs (especially for the mixers)
  • Being able to send polyrythmic clock is super nice. The DFAM is being clocked that way above.
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#493

The Subharmonicon continues to be a song-generating device for me. It seems like such a restrained set of tools, but every time I touch the thing, I come up with a new idea for a song or part or similar. It seems like it’ll be the perfect synth for tinkering with when I’m out of ideas.

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#494

Very nice Jay! I like the acoustic guitar part at the end to finish.

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#495

Here’s another Subharmonicon-driven piece from me:

SubH + A4 + AH, with a bit of compression added after.

I’m growing really fond of this little synth. I think the SubH is a bit like the DFAM for me in many respects – on its own perhaps feels a bit limited, but when coupled with an A4 providing FX, irregular clock, and some modulation, it really sings. I also have to say as long as you keep the resonance down, it has some serious bottom end (as Nick Batt would say).

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#496

Any recommendations for a module (CV or midi) that does the same thing as the sequencer?

I’m digging the sequencer in this, but not the tones so much.

#497

I lust after the subharmonicon but it doesnt seem to be hugely flexible tone wise, yea.

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#498

Yeah it’s very Moogy in tone. I don’t think I’ll use it in everything but using the sequencer to drive my DFAM and 0-coast seems like a plan.

For sequencers, I guess the Make Noise Tempi and Rene combo can do polyrhythms, and offer much more flexibility sequencing wise (but also look a bit baffling in the vids I’ve seen, I’ve ever used them). A Cirklon could handle it I’m sure.

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