Moog Muse Synthesizer Review & In-Depth Tutorial

In his latest loopop video, host Ziv Eliraz reviews the new Moog Muse synthesizer.

Moog positions the Muse as a ‘best of the best’ synth keyboard. The Muse combines discrete oscillators derived from the Minimoog Voyager, a saturating mixer inspired by the classic CP3 mixer, dual transistor ladder filters, and stereo discrete VCAs inspired by Moog Modular circuits.

As ever, Eliraz’s video provides an in-depth review, his take on the Muse’s pros and cons, and plenty of audio demos. Eliraz praises the Moog Muse’s build, synthesis capabilities, the hands-on control, performance options and value.

On the ‘cons’ side, Eliraz notes that the Muse’s analog architecture means that the Muse doesn’t cover as much timbral territory as digital synths, the noise floor is higher than on digital synths, the effects options aren’t as deep as some alternative options, and 256 preset slots is limiting.

Check out the video, and share your thoughts on the Moog Muse in the comments!

34 thoughts on “Moog Muse Synthesizer Review & In-Depth Tutorial”

    2. What did you listen to it through? It actually sounds really good through my monitorsl And it definitively can sound like a MOOG plus many other synths!

  4. yeh im thinking when you get up to this price range there are far more interesting and appealing options available right now

  5. It sounds like a Moog, as far as the Net can reproduce one. I’ve owned several, so I’m okay there. Its in a similar category as the Prophet-6, just a notch below the flagships. Maybe way below with the Moog One. but this is what a lot of people seemingly wanted in a new Moog poly.

    We’re just spoiled by excessive riches and too demanding. 10 years ago, the cheers for this would have been plentiful. Besides, to cover Everything, you have to have at least two different synths. Digital tools like wavetables balance out purely analog sources. I expect to see this over a certain number of DPs and workstations.

    1. You’ve nailed it perfectly.
      …talk about missing a product launch by 10 years in an age where speed and novelty is seemingly everything… speaks volumes, really.

      1. Everything goes in cycles so this release is damn near to perfect. Interest for polyphonic synthesizers is very high right now.

  7. I always find it humorous when Ziv says “no money exchanged hands” except the $3,500 synthesiser they sent you for “free” to do a review. So…no monies exchanged hands, just a commodity that is valued in real money.

    And I am not questioning his integrity, however the “no monies” quip is a bit disingenuous.

      1. It’s not necessarily for free.
        Also there are likely tax and import fees involved.
        He probably doesn’t keep or resell the expensive ones, and he might not always get them in new condition, as some companies rotate units between reviewers/testers/presets makers.
        It would be nice if he disclosed that too.
        I wonder if he can talk to the brands and insist on paying the full amount or only borrowing them but still get them as soon as everyone else. I imagine he has them for about a month.
        That would be ideal to address the concerns of those upset about sponsored content because they can’t take responsibility for their choices or can’t just enjoy watching a good presentation about a synth.

        1. Thanks for taking the time responding to my question. It is highly appreciated. Indeed it will be nice to know this kind of detail.
          Thanks again
          Sid

      2. Most reviewers get to keep the products they are sent. It’s a “good will” gesture in hopes of a positive review at worst.

        1. No, many times they will need to send it back to the company or to another reviewer/tester. Especially with boutique and costly gear. Then again, a disclosure about that would be nice too. Especially since some tend to get emotional about unbased assumptions.

      1. Now that is flawed logic. “Free” items have value, regardless of your feelings on the matter and what’s paranoid is your sudden realisation. It seems of this basic concept. God help you.

    3. My thoughts are, listen to what’s going on with the Moog in the video and if it sounds interesting go and try one yourself. If he’s paid or not, done a favour or not – the video should help you decide if it’s worth investigating further or not. My life is too short to worry how a reviewer gets a synth to review. Biases can come in many ways

    4. A synth is not money. And it’s not payment either, since it doesn’t buy him any groceries and he doesn’t give them anything in return (even if you suggest he would review it positively in return, which he does not). And even IF the „free synth“ was a form of payment, it would be one hell of a bargain for Moog, since a long format video by someone as influential as Ziv is way more expensive than what Muse costs.

      1. Talk about missing the forest for the trees. The very definition of a bribe: the offering, giving, soliciting, or receiving of any item of value as a means of influencing the actions of an individual holding a public or legal duty. And I don’t think anyone is speaking in such base terms of needing groceries.

  9. Theres a term going around that i think sums up the sound well… “modern analog”…to me it sounds like a modern analog synth. Like the P6. It sure doesnt sound “vintage analog” like other Moogs. But its certainly impressive. A great video…i understood almost half of the technical stuff and absorbed about half of what i understood which is more than usual hehe

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