Moog Music Forum

I purchased a new Matriarch in March of 2023 and have only used it in home. It hasn't moved from the stand since setting it up and has a Decksaver on it when not in use. My point is that it's well cared for. The fine tune knob isn't working correctly. When facing the front of the synth, If I turn the fine tune knob counterclockwise from the center it will fine tune. If I turn it clockwise from the center, it immediately drops down to B. If I lightly tap it while it's in the center, it will jump from C to B. In the center it stays in tune very well once it's warmed up so that's good but this issue bugs me. I updated the firmware when I received it back in March of 2023 and completed the Oscillator calibration and potentiometer calibration. I'm not sure if this fine tune knob quirk is new or not. To be honest I don't ever recall messing with it until recently. Should I perform some kind of factory reset and reinstall the firmware and then repeat the oscillator and potentiometer calibration or can I try to just redo the potentiometer calibration? Any ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

So this sounds a lot like the problem I had with mine. My thread is like one or two threads below yours and is titled "Something strange with my Matriarch's oscilaltors" because I though it was an issue with the oscillators themselves. Essentially, I had an issue where if I tap the synth, it will sort of detune like I'm wiggling the pitch wheel. This turned out to be a faulty fine tune knob. My Matriarch has also been VERY well cared for. I think it's just one of those issues with not so great quality pots. When I completely turned my fine tune to the bottom the problem disappeared. Currently though, my fine tune doesn't work at all, but at least I don't get this issue. I'm thinking yours might be similar, the knob's track may be somehow damaged which probably won't be resolved with firmware, but you can try. I'm waiting for a new fine tune knob which I'll replace myself.

I ended up recalibrating the pots and the problem resolved. So relieved, was dreading the hassle of sending it off plus it’s a few months out of warranty.