Moog Announces Subharmonicon Update

US Firmware v1.1.0 introduces a host of updates and new features 09/03/22

Moog Music says that Firmware v1.1.0 introduces a host of updates and new features for Subharmonicon owners. Among the most notable include the addition of new MIDI features as well as a important bug fix that addresses sequencer clock behavior.

In addition to this firmware update, Moog is providing a collection of new educational and creative tools for Subharmonicon owners to get the most from their instrument. Get started with patching techniques, explore deeper synthesis concepts, and understand full patchbay functionality in a new guide titled "Patching with Intention." Plus, a new book of 10 unique Subharmonicon patches is available to explore. Both are free to download on Moog's website.

The fifth and latest entry into Moog's semi-modular "Interconnectivity" series, at the top of this page, showcases a few of the new features included in this latest firmware update with Subharmonicon integrated alongside Matriarch (Dark Series).

Subharmonicon Firmware Highlights

Sequencer Clock Behavior
Sequencer clock outputs (SEQ 1 CLK and SEQ 2 CLK) are now in phase with the internal clock. Previously, these outputs were delayed by one clock pulse relative to the internal clock.

MIDI Note Transpose
While the sequencers are running, MIDI notes sent to Subharmonicon will transpose the pitch of the sequence that is playing. This allows you to connect a MIDI keyboard such as the Moog Grandmother or Subsequent 25 to Subharmonicon, and use the keyboard to transpose the Subharmonicon sequences live, to follow key changes in your music.

Keyboard Note Priority
Note Priority is a common feature on monophonic synthesizers; since they can only play one note at a time, they need a rule for which note to play when more than one keyboard key is pressed at the same time. You can now use MIDI CC 91 to set Low Note, High Note, or Last Note priority on Subharmonicon in order to determine which notes it will follow when being controlled from a MIDI keyboard.

TRIGGER Behavior
When the Envelope Generator is latched (EG button is blinking), the TRIGGER button and signals received at the TRIGGER input jack are ignored. Previously, if these TRIGGER functions were activated while the EG was latched, the VCF and VCA envelopes would jump to their decay phase and fall to zero, and subsequently not be triggered by the internal sequencer. The EG would have to be unlatched and turned on (EG button solid red) in order to respond to sequence triggers again.