Buying first analog synth ( Slim or Sub Phatty ?)

The Moog Forum Little Phatty & Slim Phatty Forum
1

Hello everyone

I’m about buying my first hardware synth and the main two options that I like the most now are the Moogs Slim and Sub phattys .

Sound wise I know that they pretty different .I like both but the Sub a little more .

I can get the slim for 550$ used or Sub for 1000$ new .

What would you do in my place ? Save the money and get now Slim and wait to Rack version of the Sub ( not sure if they even will make one in future )

Or buy the Sub now ?

Another question that I like to ask is what to be aware of when buying used analog synth ? Beside that all buttons should work should I check something else when before buying ?


Thanks in advanced for the help :smiley:

2

Buy the one you want.

Buying something you don’t really want because you can afford it today rather than saving for what you really want but can’t afford yet is always a mistake.

Buying a used synth: check everything! All buttons and knobs, display, all jacks (including MIDI and USB if present)

3

Hello,

If you want a dirtier sound but also something that can bring you the clean sound of a Moog and a knobby panel go for the SubP.

If you just want the Moog sound the slim would be okay and at this price a good investment I think.

Personally I felt in love with the SubP sound but this is my first synth so I can’t argue between those two. But if you have the money i think SubP is a very good investment, like said someone here: “every home studio should have one”

4

I have a Sub and Little Phatty, and based in my own experiences, I really think that the Sub Phatty is a better choice. The user interface is way better and you also get a really nice editor software. :slight_smile:

5

As the owner of a Little Phatty, I’d have to say that the SubP would have been my choice had it been available when I bought the LP. :slight_smile:

6

The Sub Phatty is the most exciting new instrument out there I have heard in a long time. The LP/SP is a good instrument, but the Sub is head and shoulders above anything I have heard. The new Oberheim SEM is the only new synth that can hang with the sound IMO. The noise source is probably the coolest I have heard as well. Can’t wait for the XL version.

7

I’m very happy with both instruments ~ but if you are more interested in sculpting new sounds consider the Sub is probably a better first choice for several reasons… first and foremost it gives you greater accessibility to all the synth parameters ~ while it’s not as logically laid out as the Voyager it’s still far easier to understand then what’s happening inside the Slim; on the other hand if you prefer relying on presets then the Slim will be better for you, it will hold a hundred vs. the Sub’s 16.The built-in arpeggigiator is another bonus point for Slim. Then there’s MOOG’s wonderfully powerful editor librarian (much like the Mintaur ed/lib) vs. no decent editor for the slim currently available, though hopefully MOOG will address this in the very near future!? Lastly, you already say you prefer the sound!?! of the SubPhatty so you probably already answered your own question there :smiley:

That said a used Slim is mighty attractive as well and will play beautifully with the Sub — considering Moog’s stellar build quality, unlike the previous responder buying a used Slim would not worry me, although if I didn’t already own a boatload of Moogs I probably wouldn’t have felt that confident about any of them :laughing:

8

i agree. the under the hood features enable you to come up with NEW sounds. for me thats what makes the SubP an easy winner in a market of old sounds.

if you want the old classic sounds the subp can do them, but may not be worth the extra cash if you dont want new sounds :wink:

cheers

9

Another vote for the Sub here. I don’t own one . . . yet. ha. However, I do have a Slim, a Voyager, and a Minitaur. And though I really love the sound of the Slim, the lack of immediate access to parameters (compared to the Voyager and Minitaur) inevitably leads me to use it less. In fact, whenever I finally get my hands on a Sub I’ll probably be selling my Slim.

Good luck with your decision.

10

I finally decided to for for the SubP , Just waiting my K9U to be sold .I also buy Arturia’s Minibrute for more functionality :slight_smile:

11

I own a Sub and have played around with the Slim at stores. If I had to choose today it would be the Sub. Great sound, easy access to parameters with the knobs, the editor makes up for limited presets and can always use an external source for an arp.

12

I have a Sub Phatty, which I’m really pleased with, but a Slim Phatty at that price would be an excellent instrument too. The Slim Phatty sounds rich, and the interface (with lighted collars on the four knobs) is very well thought-out. Once you learn your way around, it’s easy to edit. The only thing to look out for is tuning; see http://forum.moogmusic.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=11469 for details.

But take this advice:

If you know you want the Sub, save for it. That doesn’t mean you have to wait to make music. If you already have an iPad, there is a world of high-quality synth apps for very little money, including Animoog (by Moog) and iMini (by Arturia). Either will give you a close approximation of the Moog sound for around US$20.

13

Yes, this. Save up for what you love! Use software to sketch out ideas and learn about music. You can get your head around ASDR envelopes and how filters work.

I just got the sub phatty and I am very pleased with it. My first music was done with Buzz, a free modular software synth from the late 90s. Remember that while good gear is great, music comes from your heart, head and fingers first.