Recording - August 2020 - 66

Moog
Subharmonicon

multiplication: (f) * 2 = 2nd harmonic, (f) *
3 = 3rd harmonic, and so on. Undertones
are calculated by division: (f) / 2 = 2nd
subharmonic, (f) / 3 = 3rd subharmonic,
and so on. As above, so below.

Back to our review...

With the Moog Subharmonicon, you
get two oscillators, each with a pair of
subharmonic oscillators that can introduce undertones when turned counterclockwise; each oscillator and sub-oscillator has its own volume control (mixer).

Intonation

In addition to the fully variable four-octave tuning range, Subharmonicon has
the ability to quantize the notes to fixed
pitch values (in equal temperament or
just intonation) in a choice of twelve-step
chromatic or eight-step diatonic scales.

Filter and Shape

The combined oscillators flow into a
Moog ladder filter with control over cutoff and resonance. There are a pair of
attack and decay controls for the oscillator and filter envelopes, including VCF
Filter EG control. You can also break out
any and all of the above in the patch
bay, for interfacing with other external
gear, such as the Mother-32, DFAM or
Eurorack modules of your choice.

Subharmonicon Chapter 2:
Polyrhythms

The Encyclopedia Britannica defines
a polyrhythm as, "the simultaneous
combination of contrasting rhythms in a
musical composition." Polyrhythms are
integral to many indigenous tribal music
forms. In the synth world, the concept
can be found in many drum machines
or step sequencers where a sixteen-step
sequence might be programmed to play
against a seven-step sequence.
As it relates to Subharmonicon, the
concept goes all the way back to 1931,
with the introduction of the world's
very first drum machine, the Rhythmicon. Designed by Leon Theremin (and
you thought he only created no-touch
66 RECORDING August 2020

instruments), Henry Cowell and Joseph
Schillinger, the Rhythmicon could trigger
sixteen polyrhythmic generators at once.
Conceptually, Subharmonicon is more
like a Rhythmicon than a modern step sequencer; it's more random, cyclical, generative, and reactive to how and when
polyrhythms are triggered. Also, Subharmonicon makes use of integer-calculated
durations, just like the Rhythmicon did.

Dual Sequencers

There are two individual four-step sequencers onboard. Each step is always
triggering a pulse, and the only control
is a step knob that alters the pitch. Oscillator one and its sub-oscillators can be
assigned individually to sequence one
and ditto for oscillator two, which routes
to sequence two. For further variation,
the range of the steps can be a one, two
or five-octave range.

Polyrhythm Control

Next is the polyrhythm generator-a
set of four knobs that, when turned fully clockwise, match the master tempo,
which can be controlled internally with
a broad-throw tempo knob, or externally
via analog clock input or MIDI, thanks to
an included 5-pin to minijack adaptor.
Each of the four rhythms can be assigned
to sequence one, two or both. As you turn
each control counterclockwise, the tempo
is divided, triggering fewer beats in equal
integers of one to sixteen steps.
To pre-plan and program your sequence,
there are transport controls to trigger each
note/step at a time, and to reset and play
the sequence. There are also hidden global tuning and MIDI parameters.

Getting Your Subharmonicon On

I've been a synthesist and professional
sound designer for over twenty years, and
I'm still dipping my toe in and largely intimidated by modular synthesis. I would
rather play a synth and sculpt sounds on
the fly with real-time controls than build a
synth from scratch with patch cables. Yet,
I love the sonic possibilities and alien,
generative sounds possible with modular
synths. I mention that because like DFAM
(reviewed January 2019), Subharmonicon
is perfect for naive, instantaneous sonic
creation. There's no need to know about
any of the history or concepts above to
yield cool, interesting, experimental results.
In my first few days with Subharmonicon, I

had already crafted and recorded a dozen sketches all before I even cracked the
manual. Having said that, digging into the
manual, especially the initial preset recipes
(many of which are included on overlays,
just like DFAM), will allow you to turn naive
knob twisting into purposeful creation.
The sound of this synth is very rich and
full. While technically a monosynth, the
way the sequencer triggers the oscillators produces polyphony. It can also be
be creatively patched to play duophonically on a keyboard.
Of course, as with any semi-modular
synth, concessions must be made to fit
everything under the hood-for all its
cool and unique features, it could be argued that a few are missing from Subharmonicon. Notably, there's no onboard
LFO. Luckily, I have a pair of Mother-32
units with LFOs that are easily patched in.

No Apologies

Subharmonicon makes no apologies
for what it is and is not. When I said
that you don't need to know the history
or raison d'être of this synth, I lied-it
does help. I was initially frustrated that I
couldn't wrest more control over the sequencer; the ability to mute steps comes
to mind. But it wasn't until I researched
the original Ryhthmicon that I realized
I was missing the point-the unpredictable motorik rhythmic nature of Subharmonicon is part of its essence. You can
sculpt it and steer it, but you can't subjugate it. If you want sparse passages, the
tempo has a range of 20-300 BPM; this
is how to create holes in the sequence.
In fact, many of the Subharmonicon
controls are quite broad, and little movements can yield significant changes.

Conclusion

This review scratches the surface of what
this synth can do, and the Moog website
is a brilliant place to turn for more information. Subharmonicon is perhaps the most
unique synth Moog has released in a long
time, or at least the quirkiest. Moog chose
two vintage synth paradigms, and elegantly blended them together in one unit.
Even if you have never thought of tackling
modular synthesis before, Subharmonicon
makes a great creative X-factor addition to
any music studio.
Price: $699
More from: moogmusic.com

http://www.moogmusic.com

Recording - August 2020

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