A love letter to the Moog DFAM (that also explains it)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ค. 2024
- Here's a demo video explaining the Moog DFAM and why I think one of the most original, interesting analogue synths to come out in years. In it I'll explain how it works, jam a little, pairing it with a TR08, and Mother-32 at the end!
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Strangely I shot this video several years ago (March 2018 according to the files) but never got round to editing it at the time. In the spirit of better late than never - here it is now. A lot has changed since then, but then a lot has not. It's still a very original take on subtractive synthesis, and it can teach us a lot about approaches we can take on a modular synth too (think - sequencers controlling VCA’s that control envelopes that are used to modulate parameters). And it's still fun as hell to jam on.
PS. Spot the error when I'm talking about the noisy VCF input (actually what's happening is the pitch sequencer CV is directly stepping the filter since whatever you put into the socket replaces the default routing).
PPS. There's some plugin reverb on this not pictured (Valhalla Vintage Verb and Eventide Blackhole, UAD Galaxy Tape Echo)
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MORE VIDEOS I MADE ABOUT DA MOOGZ
▶Talk I did at Moogfest on live performance and Mother-32 + DFAM: • How to play synths liv...
▶ Another Live Presentation about Jamming on Mother-32 & DFAM: • Moog Mother & DFAM Liv...
▶ A big blissy jam with the holy trinity: • The Moog Subharmonicon...
▶ A livestream jam on Moog's channel on the trinity: • #SynthesizeLive with M...
▶ Subharmonicon Quickstart Vid: • Moog Subharmonicon 13m...
CHAPTERS
00:00 Hello and a montaaaaage
01:25 Explaining what DFAM is, and isn't.
06:36 The magic of the Kick Bass Snare Patch
08:05 Explaining the Controls/Routing
10:07 Wait, it's a melodic synth voice?
14:45 Explaining the Velocity sequencer
16:37 Patch: Electro Thump
21:00 Jams: "Just add 909" Techno
25:47 A Non Drummy Patch: Tubular Bells
29:24 Adding a TR08: What then?
31:32 Irregular Gate Pattern Fun
34:01 Mother-32 and DFAM together.
39:09 I trust you understand why I'm excited?
Edited in Davinci Resolve.
What I learned from the DFAM; ABR, always be recording. This thing spits out “oh, that’s an entire track!” type things on the regs and is probably the best thing I’ve ever bought.
Agreed! I'm always recording too because of the "oops I like that groove". Loop it, filter it,, BAM instant track. So happy I bought this weird amazing box. When someone did a review and said "it's part percussion module, part I don't know what", I bought it the next day.
So true man! Most touched piece of gear in my studio. Amazing machine!
Everything is a performance. Even stuff I think is absolute junk will sound brilliant later
You mean you didn’t learn that from Lego Batman?!
@@finctank he taught me everything I know.
Still by far the best DFAM video on YT
Hands down.
40 minutes of Mylar on the DFAM? Yes, please, yes.
Machines like the DFAM make me feel like a genius. And that’s something that I personally always try for when acquiring gear.
what other gear are you using ser? :)
never buy an octatrack then
What else
@@liamsparling 🤣
this comment takes the cake! ✨
For anyone missing out on MIDI & variable step length the DFAM pairs wonderfully with the KORG SQ-1. That’ll give you MIIDI clock from a DAW over USB. You’ll also get two lanes of 8 steps just like the DFAM but with way more control to mute, randomize, reverse and alter the amount of steps quickly. You can also get polyrhythms going quickly by setting the top lane to be a different length from the bottom. It all works so well together.
Was about to grab an SQ-1, but found out that DFAM also pairs splendidly with my Analog 4 (no comparison price-wise, just for anyone who might be in a similar situation). I also believe it does very well with the Beat/Keystep Pro (the one that runs CV) 👍
Use my microfreak for midi and sequencing, and it works in a pinch! Though with a ms-20 in my kit as well, the sq-1 is sounding even tastier than before.
@@waxingcrescentmedia Cool. I also have an analog keys. I'll have to try out that combo. Thanks for the tip!
@UnderBridge Rock I agree. But I think the SQ-1 most closely mimics the hands-on style and layout of the included sequencer, but blows it way up in terms of functionality.
theres a midi adaptor for the dfam made by sonoclast, its very good.
it’s like nine inch nails in a single synth, all the ghosts and year zero sounds you could ever want! really great video!
Been feeling so much year zero vibe jamming on mine lately, good to see I'm not the only one picking that up!
Ok, good, it’s not just me. I kept feeling like everything I was making sounded like NIN. Couldn’t tell if it was a comment on the synth or me.
Pairing dfam with a drum machine advice is a golden nugget. Adds so much character to your drums
One of the best videos on these Moog modular instruments I've seen yet, truly inspiring and inspirational. Well done and thanks!
Thanks for this incredible Master Class on the Moog DFAM. I love your perspective and enthusiam, as you explored all the rich sounds this device can create. You opened a lot of doors for me with your thoughtful approach to understanding the DFAM. I will be watching this video again and again to unpack all the knowledge that you shared, and would love to see more content like this, featuring other Moog synths, (Grandmother) and how they interconnect. Patching has been a somewhat abstract concept for me to grasp, and you elquently made sense of it. Thank you!!
I must have watched this video at least half a dozen times now, and it never gets old. Thanks so much for making this!
This is an excellent video on the DFAM, perhaps one of the best. I've learned a lot of new things about it. Thank you!
The DFAM is the core of my eurorack rig. I had a custom case made, 4-tier, 120hp per row, and the left side top to bottom is DFAM, DFAM, Subharmonicon, Mother 32. I don't care what anyone says about racking semi-modulars; my case is the most fun I've ever had making music. Left side is pure Moog creativity and delicious analog tone, right side is just utility for the Moogs: VCAs, CV mangling, clocks, effects, Disting, Planar 2, mixing and the like.
Death to computers, long live analog synths!
You make an already great sounding synth sound even more awesome! I got some nice inspiration from this video for stuff to try on my own DFAM.
Loved this video! Have M32 and DFAM and both are my favorites. Can't wait for what they came up next in this format!
This is probably one of the most inspirational insight into this or any other synth I've seen. Your enthusiasm and adoration for the DFAM is infectious and it makes my love for my two DFAMs grow all the more steadily.
Mylars videos are always inspiring, partially because of his enthusiasm, but I don't understand why he thinks this is the best piece of machinery made in thirty years. It can make percussion, bass, and lead sounds because . . . that's what oscillators, envelopes, and noise do. It's nothing unique to this instrument. People have been making these sounds on modular synths for decades. Oscillators with envelopes are flexible. Sustained envelopes create leads. Very short envelopes with pitch bends create percussion. Pitch the oscillators down two octaves and you've got a bass. Moog didn't invent the wheel here.
Man this is by far the best DFAM video in the whole universe. I keep coming back to it since you've published it, even after having a dfam for a couple of years now. There's always some detail I didn't notice before or some new idea that this generates. Thank you SO MUCH for this
Thanks Rodrigo!! 🙌 Keep DFAMMIN’
how's your DFAM holding up buddy ?
it's really amazing the endless sounds thay can be achieved with these machines
I just got mine and I was a bit frustrated because it’s not a drum machine. I’ve come to love it and I wish I had seen this video earlier, as it perfectly captures the mind set. Everyone considering buying one should watch this. Thanks!
This is a video that delivers. I can feel why you like it, and I thank you for that.
Holy mother this thing sounds amazing. The way the VCAs appear to be saturating when both OSCs and the Noise especially are blasting is amazing. It almost sounds like there was a tape machine in there adding this beautiful grit and drive. Amazing showcase of the machine!
Probably one of my favourite demos of all time here! Thanks heaps!!
🙌
Brilliant explanation, this has taught me a lot about the DFAM, many thanks 👍🏻
One of the coolest synth videos I've watched. Great explanation of the features and killer demos to boot. DFAM is in the mail. Cheers
TH-cam recommended this to me and I'm glad it did! Never looked at the DFAM before but it seems a beast! Love your walkthrough, subbed!
Had a go on one for the first time today. The grooves/beats/rhythms that were just emerging as I twiddled blew my mind. There’s no question one will be bought at some point.
THANK YOU FOR THIS! i'VE HAD MINE A FEW YEARS NOW AND i LOVE IT, BUT YOU just opened a portal! AWESOMENESS!
This is the first video I've seen that adequately exposes the potential of the DFAM. I recently bought one (paired with a Subharmonicon) and have struggled to figure it out. Thanks for opening my eyes!
The learning curve is longer than with most other instruments. Stick with just messing with them as much as you can and it will start to click. These synths will still be in use a 100 years from now.
Thank you very much for this video. It gave me a renewed appreciation of my DFAM!
One of best Moog modular videos to date. Cannot wait to get back home to play along with this. Lots of screen shots…
Your delighted little giggles while jamming are so fun!
Ghost in the Snare 👻 thanks for another awesome dfam video! The dfam has been a huge inspiration in my writing process. It is such a special instrument.
Thanks for that. Got me to a better understanding of the relation between Env and velocity on the DFAM. THANK YOU :)
This is the best DFAM demonstration on internet. Well done !!. Since I've seen your video, I'm using it more as a kind of mini-minimoog (with another VCO on the external input). I discovered how much it fit perfect with a Marbles :)
Absolutely brilliant video. DFAM had been on my list for a LONG time and I just got it delivered yesterday. Only had a few minutes with it so far, but it’s so great. Anxious to pair it up with my Subharmonicon and Crave. Thanks for this!! (And your Sub/Mother/DFAM video!!)
My Mother-32 should arrive on Thursday. DFAM is getting here on Tuesday. I can hardly wait. Matriarch is on b/o until September. Grr. M32 and DFAM will tide me over quite well, though.
I fell in love with the DFAM the first time I heard it.
After buying it, I love it even more.
Love your vids! Always well explained and some nice music along the way!
Literally the best electronic instrument available today. It's SO good.
Absolutely LOVE this video!
Yup, it's a terrific piece of gear and although there is an immediate gratification to be had, there is also a second layer which is a learning curve. That mystery, that learning curve is what attracted me to the moog sound studio and each of the 3 units offer a similar scenario in so much that there is always going to be more left over to discover into the future.
Truly innovative instruments.
Excellent presentation - which is not easy to nail. Just bought one today and hope to get to your level.
I'm watching this for about the 500th time. I think as an example of musical explanation with audio it is probably the best example of it ever made. PS the DFAM is simply fantastic.
Best example of what these instruments can do I have witnessed. I have to own these now. Here is what I envisioned whilst watching you jam. Two (or more) person to do this...While one "jams and tweaks" another is sampling. As interesting things happen the "sampler" retains some of the best little "clips" and bringing them back later and flying in as needed. Sounds like a massive jam to me! 🤩😍😎
Been looking at these modulators for ages, I think today you convinced me to buy.
Without a doubt one of my favorite pieces of gear :)
What really made me appreciate the DFAM *even more* was recreating it with discrete modules.
I really like the straight honest opinion about the gear. 👌
Thanks for that !
Greetings from Berlin. ✌️
Care to expand on this idea? Thanks!
Grab page 7 of the official manual and reverse engineer the patch using the block diagram!
Best DFAM Video I found. Thanks a lot!
This is a very competent video. I have a subsequent 37, I think it can do most of this, it is less modular, but it does have a remarkable everything to everything internal routing thing. Again great video. Thank you.
Not only is it great that you unearthed this unreleased video from 3 years ago, but I actually prefer it when TH-camrs take their time with reviewing a piece of gear instead of all publishing on day 1, and I wish more musicians / reviewers would revisit gear after a few years.
Yeah agreed - can be difficult when you rely on view counts is all (not that I do though thanks to Patreon) as of course there’s less interest as time goes on. I think AudioPilz has a good approach on this!!
I suppose the real question would be what would I do if I actually reshot this today (I’d probably show a second DFAM and use some stereo delay, and a 909 alongside it!)
Would love to see that!!
@@iSdtea @mylarmelodies Seconded, would love to see how your love affair with it has developed
@@mylarmelodies I think you should do that! You have to now! I have a mother 32, dfam and 909 also so I'd love to see your jam session. Also have a System80 808 and 860 filter coming soon. They will all play nice together. Love your channel and reviews. Very detailed and never seem long. 40 mins and I'd still watch another hour!
Keep up the good work. You are the reason I dove deep into modular 2 yrs ago. These instruments are a game changer in my musical journey. Thank you so much!
I WAS enjoying the music stuff I got for Christmas. Then this. Always great content, my guy
Love my dfam. Used on its own it’s great, but with some modular gear it’s awesome. Put it through a quantiser for superb bass lines. The possibilities are endless. But as others have said, make sure you’re recoding or you’ll miss something that was genius and regret it. Nice review. Thank you.
this is the love letter the DFAM deserves! Thanks for this. You've also made me realize that, after a year of using a DFAM consistently, I didn't really understand what the velocity sequencer did. I've pretty much treated it like a volume-per-step sequencer, and it does work that way, but you've helped me appreciate it's subtlety here, that "special sauce" that makes it what it is. That being said, I've found the pitch sequencer pretty useless for sequencing pitch. I usually wind up patching it to noise level to get kick and snare in the same patch, and the selector switch lives in the off position. I put some bigger knobs on it in hopes that that would make it useable, but it's still too finnicky for me. I'm considering picking up a quantizer (currently looking at a 1u o_C tile) in hopes that this will allow me to actually use pitched sequences on the DFAM in a performance context!
Probably the most accurate video title on TH-cam. Absolutely flawless.
Just watched your talk with Vlad (fantastic) and had to revisit this again. This may be my favorite "piece of gear" focused video ever. I learn and remember to try something new every time I watch it. The narration, enthusiasm and quality of the sounds are just perfect. I liked it even more once I got my own DFAM. Thanks, mm!
Thanks m8!! 🙌
Very well done presentation! Just fell in love with the DFAM :)
Have 2.
Thinking of 3.
DFAM’s are just a gold mine of sound, they just beg thinking different.
This!! If I shot this again, I'd certainly whip two out, and maybe ask to borrow a third. Two plus a 909 is crackers. Really two alone is crackers, very pleased that I own that configuration...
Yo. I want to thank you for changing my perception of the synth. I looked at it as a drum machine. I have two and this video rocked my mind. Thank you.
Now I know what has been missing from my life for the last 60 years! This is f@#king brilliant! This turns a drum machine into a complete interactive rhythm thing!
So organic sounds definitely one my fav machine in my studio
What a great inspiring video. Thanks for the input!
Crazy that in only 2 months this has entered your top 10 of your most watched videos ever. Not bad for a video that had lingered on a hard drive for 3 years.
I kno rite! It’s also a question about making videos about things that aren’t just eurorack modules too I think…
Sir, you seem like a very humble individual and as such I will assume that I don't think that you really understand, truly how perfect this love letter is. I love this video so much.
thank you patrik!! x
Yeah, so I’ve been thinking for a while whether I should get a DFAM. After watching this video a couple of times I went out yesterday and bought one. Had a good jam on it last night (pairing it with a Volca Drum and some modular. Wasn’t disappointed. So thanks Alex. I’ve respected your videos and podcast since ages ago (fellow New Zealanders will get that one).
Fantastic demo!
Wow, this thing grooves like hell!
Beautifully done sir. Very enjoyable.
Thank you sah x
Thank you for this, sounds so nice.
DFAM was my second Moog and first semimodular. Even after buying other modular gear and pedals and weird other instruments, the DFAM is what I go back to over and over for track building.
DFAM will be my friend forever.
I'm sold. This is a great break down.
Best Tutorial on this beauty Beast ever ever ever! Thanks a lot for spreading your love on this fantastic machine.
I can watch you for hours having fun with this.:) Oh, can you please make a video with the DFAM and the Mother 32-Combo? Some hints and tricks?
Ups. I wrote the comment before the last 5 Minutes.;) Would be nice to see a video only with the combo and share your tricks and experiences.
Check the description for the vid I did at Moogfest which is kinda that!! And merry xmas
Thank you for putting together this amazing video! Very inspiring - going to feature my DFAM on one of my next Jamuary posts now!!
The DFAM jam is up!
Oh wow, made my day! Thank you!
Absolutely Banging mate !!
This is so damn cool... love your narrative!
Damn, i havent understood how that velocity thing works until now, thank you a lot for that!
I've been on a journey with my DFAM, when I first got it with the mother 32 I was using it as a limited kick snare machine, but as I added a separate drum machine I've been exploring the other spaces and textures beyond that. Fatten the M32 with another osc, do crazy bleep bloops, drive pitch through another sequencer, jam nine inch nails year zero tones for days! Getting a small Eurorack case and sampler soon and looking forward to the possibilities that will unlock with building kits, using DFAM for all the things
This sounds beautiful. It's settled. Im getting it.
YES! This is the content I am here for you lovely bastard!
Incredible video. Helped me so much
That groove @30:00 is insane. 🤜🏼🤛🏼 Well done.
It is such a beautiful beast
Thank this video has helped a lot. I`m knew to this and tried out the patch card and ran it through some Fxs and feels very moog 1970`s vibve. Cheers
This is a must have! ❤️❤️❤️
No, thank YOU! What a rad love letter and explanation of a most uncanny and gnarly beast! I can't wait to get my own one and make bass faces all day 💀
Best DFAM video. This thing is industrial techno in a box.
always love your vids. Since having the DFAM i was curious what you get up to with it.. but suddenly when you mentioned Attack/Decay.. it made me realise with my modular or when using synths in general (as i do alot of percussive, or very snappy bass riffs) i could look into getting Attack decay modules hehe. So really cool you made me think about that even tho thats not exactly the basis of this video. Apart from this you really smash the Dfam and i'm picking up some good info from you, cheers !!
man, the sound really makes me think of the new acid/core/tekno sounds you here coming op in Europe. i NEED to get this thing, there's really nothing like it. what an absolute bomb this synth is!
Thanks so much for this. It really helped in my decision to buy a DFAM.
Im totally blown away !!!
Super review!! Thanks a lot
I've only recently come back into electronic music after decades absence..and I am blown away by the kit out there..especially the Volca Bass
volca bass is a gateway drug
A perfect video essay. Thank you.
Modules I love to pair with the DFAM for melodic sequencing:: Clep Diaz (LFO) + Mimetic Digitalis (CV + pitch) and Scales from Intellijel. The Clep Diaz can reset the Pitch sequence so it's nice for polyrhythms. TECHNO
Seriously sounds really good, i want one
"Must record at all times…." Solid advice, my friend.
One of my all time favorite synths. Moog should make a super DFAM.
well , just get 2 DFAMs and that makes it a super DFAM :-)
@@MSHRadio-dj5zn or take it out of its case and put a bunch of modules around it! ☺️
The original DFAM is the super DFAM already :)
Ahh I know the good ol edit while playing with the m32 and dfam. You get something awesome going on the DFAM and spend the rest of the night trying to make the m32 interesting enough to play alongside with it.
I got one pretty much as soon as they came out and the first thing I said to my friend was .... "They should have called it the Jeff Mills, it is pure techno". However over three years later it is far more versatile than I originally thought. You can use it as a strange synth or as you say something that does a bit of everything to provide a backbone to a track. I think this and the subharmonicon are two of Moog's finest pieces of kit.
This plus rd-9 is purpose maker
one of my favorite live techniques with the DFAM is to flick the filter type switch back and forth when doing filter sweeps. Flip it usually around 10 and 2
I loved every second.
I'm one of those folks that wished it did more to replace a drum machine but I've had a blast with it. I got it as part of the new 3 part sound studio and didn't get the paper templates but a fun workbook that makes use of all 3