Arturia's new Memory V plugin doubles the polyphony of Moog's legendary Memorymoog from six to 12 voices, while meticulously recreating its original, famously unstable tuning. This advanced software emulation brings the rare polysynth's iconic sound to a wider audience, blending historical character with modern reliability.
Arturia's Memory V expands on the original's capabilities with modern features, but it also deliberately includes its imperfections. This approach creates a tension between historical accuracy and contemporary demands for perfection, a strategic choice that defines its authenticity.
Arturia's blend of faithful recreation and thoughtful modernization will likely set a new standard for vintage synth emulations. This strategy appeals to both purists and contemporary producers by preserving character-defining flaws.
What is the Arturia Memory V Synthesizer?
Arturia's plugin replicates the original architecture while introducing modern touches, according to MusicRadar. It expands polyphony from six to 12 voices and adds modernized modulation, effects, and arp sections. This makes the Memory V more versatile for contemporary music production, extending the original's capabilities.
Does Arturia Memory V Compare to the Original Memorymoog?
Arturia deliberately included some of the original Memorymoog's imperfections, such as unstable tuning and unfinished MIDI implementation, according to MusicRadar. These flaws are accessible via a 'vintage dispersion' parameter for detuning and an overdriven filter with a 'Drive' control. This approach confirms that authentic character, including imperfections, is now a key differentiator in vintage synth emulations, appealing to those who value the original's unique sonic signature.
Technical Specifications of the Original Memorymoog
The original Memorymoog featured 18 VCOs, according to Great Synthesizers. Each voice included three oscillators with triangle, sawtooth, and variable pulse waveforms, plus two ADSR envelope generators—one for the VCF and one for the VCA, according to Sound on Sound. This robust analog architecture, with its multiple oscillators and dedicated envelopes per voice, established the Memorymoog's reputation for rich, powerful sounds, a complexity Arturia meticulously sought to replicate. Its intricate design was a primary reason for its high cost and operational challenges, factors that Arturia's digital version effectively circumvents.
