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The MemoryMoog is without a shadow of doubt, the most gutsy, powerful Polysynth ever!. Three VCOs with Mixable waveforms, dual concentric vernieresque tuning pots feeding true DISCRETE Moog Ladder filters into overdrive and beyond, ultra fast envelope generators (ADSR, not ADS as on the Mini), Prophet-5 style Polymod section with numerous routings, Alpha numeric readout that gives the controls` old and new values side by side when editing existing patches so they can be returned, Memorizer that holds 100 patches driven by a 0-9 a-d keypad with a massive LED patch number readout above, loads of interfacing including the ability to drive a Monosynth from the highest note played from either CV/Gate or CV/S-Trig, the Plus model has a 4000 note step/realtime sequencer with editing, accurate Tempo readout, external clock, storage of six sequences including one for the external Monosynth, Sequence merging and a Security passcode to stop anyone from overwriting your presets and a simple 3-port ! MIDI interface that only responds to note-on note-off and Patch change info.. The Polymod section is enhanced by dropping the third VCO into LFO mode with loadsa destinations leaving enough VCO Power to spare.. The MM`s Mixer includes a Pink noise generator and the filter kbd tracking is the same as the Mini, OFF, 1/3, 2/3, FULL. various ENV modes are also included such as return to Zero and Conditional contour that makes the EG finish its Attack/Release cycle if you just touch a key. The Unison mode is programmable for each patch.. choose the number of voice cards from 1 (like a Minimoog, just 3-VCOs) to 6 (all 18 for real mayhem!) and the type of keying.. Last/Hi/Lo note priority, multiple/single triggering. the Poly mode has different trigger modes too, such as Cyclic (like an OB-Xa / Polysix etc) and a mode like the Prophet where the same repeated note uses the same voice card. The arpeggiator (all MMs) has also 6-modes of operation)...SO Apart from not having separate clocks for th! e PWM, Arpeggiator and LFO duties (also Sequencer on the plus) the MemoryMoog is stuffed with functionality too, shame the thing didn`t have a multimode filter, but if it did there`d be no excuse for keeping the Jupiter-6 (;-).. All for the price of a new Nord Lead!.

As said above, there is no doubt about the machines` problems and many would say that Moog never got the thing to be totally reliable, late factory built plusses with all the modifications are the safest bets but the Oscillators will need professionally calibrating from time to time. early machines can be a time bomb waiting to go off and this has put many off buying one as it is difficult to tell what updates the thing has had. one without the Autotune update is a liability....

There is Salvation though. Lintronics in Germany do a series of modifications called the "Lintronics Advanced MemoryMoog" where they go through the thing rewiring, replacing broken bits, and generally remove a lot of the machines potential problems, also the Midi is brought up to 90`s spec with full knob transmission, SYSex including patch dump etc, this costs 3000DM but gives real Piece of mind (wish I could afford it!) and ultimate functionality to one of the ultimate Analog Polys.

Summary.. IF you need an incredibly powerful and functional Analog polysynth (great respects to the Oberheim OBX/OB-Xa/Matrix-12 and Yamaha CS80 which have their own sounds), the Memorymoog is at the top of the tree, it is not for the faint hearted both in the sheer power AND servicing departments. If you find a late plus and don`t gig the thing it should be OK, If in doubt and have the cash, Lintronics can bring any MM up to spec and way beyond.