[SOLVED!] Moog Grandmother Vs. Matriarch: The Quest For Epicness

Your synthesizer recently gave out and you need to pick up a replacement as soon as possible? You have heard great things about Grandmother and Matriarch of Moog but you only require one synthesizer? You cannot determine the winner in Moog Grandmother vs. Matriarch on your own due to the lack of insights? In that case, you have come to the right place.

My article will tell you everything that you must know about the two Moog synthesizers from their dimensions to their capabilities. If you read to the end, you should be able to tell which model is the right model for you.

Descriptions 

 

 

 

	Moog Grandmother	Moog Matriarch
Type	Monophonic	Paraphonic
Oscillator	2	4
Filter	1 ladder-style filter	2 ladder-style filters
Sequencer	256 steps	256 steps
Keyboard	32 keys	49 keys
Patchbay	41 points	90 points
Size (L x W x H)	14.2 x 23.0 x 5.5 inches	14.2 x 32.0 x 5.5 inches
Weight	16 pounds	30 pounds
Price	$999	$1,899

Moog Grandmother Vs. Matriarch: Outlines 

Type

In case you don’t know, both models come from Moog but Grandmother is monophonic while Matriarch is paraphonic. That means Grandmother is only able to play one note at a time while Matriarch can play up to four. Furthermore, Matriarch uses the same signal path and filter for its four notes which results in a high level of flexibility. Needless to say, those who want to play multiple notes simultaneously tend to hold Matriarch in high esteem.

Functions And Features 

Once it comes to oscillator, Grandmother features two oscillators that provide a wide range of waveforms in use. Depending on the situation, users may sync/detune Grandmother oscillators to gain additional tonal options. About Matriarch, it takes things up a notch by including up to four oscillators as well as frequency/pulse width modulation inputs in the design. As a result, if you put diversity above all else, you won’t regret investing in Matriarch.

For filter, while Grandmother only contains one ladder-type filter, Matriarch is accompanied by a total of two. Also, it’s important to point out that when a need arises, Matriarch allows people to run its filters in series, parallel, etc. Because of that, users can quickly adapt Matriarch to particular settings in a matter of moments. Grandmother is not half-bad though as its filter is going to be sufficient for standard applications.

Regarding sequencer, Grandmother and Matriarch resemble each other at a glance but the memory of Matriarch actually gives it an edge. In use, Grandmother is capable of playing back a sequence but Matriarch lets users save up to twelve sequences for playback. In the case that you like to do one thing at a time, don’t hesitate to place an order Grandmother. However, if you excel at multitasking and seek a synthesizer that can support you, it’s a good idea to go for Matriarch.

In terms of keyboard, Grandmother boasts 32 keys and velocity sensitivity which prove adequate for all sorts of demands. The patchbay of Grandmother offers people 41 points to configure the synth too so it’s able to satisfy quite a few preferences. That being said, again, Matriarch is a cut above Grandmother: it sports a keyboard of 49 keys and a patchbay of 90 points. As a result, between the two Moog synthesizers, Matriarch is the superior synthesizer for pro-level works.

Ease Of Use

Considering the discrepancy in their capabilities, it’s no surprise that Matriarch is both bigger and heavier than Grandmother. Thus, once it comes to handling, Grandmother is the one that comes out on top in Moog Grandmother vs. Matriarch. If you intend to keep your synthesizer in one spot, there is no need to worry too much about handling. On the other hand, if you have to move your synthesizer around on a regular basis, it’s best that you grab Grandmother.

Acquisition 

Since many retailers nowadays have Grandmother and Matriarch in stock, availability is usually not a big concern. The same cannot be said about price though as the two Moog synthesizers come at steep prices. Aside from that, Matriarch is more than twice as expensive as Grandmother which requires serious budget calculations. If you have money to spend, Matriarch is a solid investment but it won’t hurt to settle for Grandmother and save some bucks.

Conclusion

All in all, in Grandmother vs. Matriarch, there is no clear winner: Grandmother beats Matriarch regarding handling and price while Matriarch outperforms Grandmother capability-wise. That means at the end of the day, it’s up to each individual to decide which model suits them most. In the case that you cannot drop big bucks on your synthesizer but still desire something of quality, Grandmother is for you. If money is not an issue to you and you prioritize capabilities, it’s strongly recommended that you get your hands on Matriarch.