Aug 25, 2026 | Bill Wolfer
Cherry Audio’s Memorymode Version 2 takes the sound and architecture of the legendary Moog Memorymoog and brings it into a modern software synthesizer—with features that the original hardware could only dream about.I had one of the very first Memorymoogs back in the day, so I was particularly curious to see what Cherry Audio has done with this new version.
The original Memorymoog was a six-voice analog monster when it was behaving itself. Memorymode 2 keeps that big, powerful Moog character while adding modern performance and sound-design capabilities including polyphonic aftertouch, MPE, 22 built-in effects, an advanced sequencer, arpeggiator, and the new Touch Animator.Memorymode 2 is also bi-timbral, allowing completely independent layers and splits. I demonstrate some of the ways I use those layers—not just for conventional keyboard splits, but for building sounds from separate components.
One technique I used years ago with the Yamaha CS-80 was to separate the attack transient from the body of a sound. Here I use that approach for acoustic bass, electric bass, toms, and other sounds.The Motion section is another major part of Memorymode 2, combining the sequencer, arpeggiator, and Touch Animator to create complex evolving patterns and rhythmic sounds. There are also up to 16 voices per layer, extensive modulation possibilities, and five effect slots each for the upper and lower layers plus five global slots.I also talk about why reading the manual matters—especially with a synthesizer this deep.
Cherry Audio’s manuals are unusually useful for learning not only the instrument itself but also the fundamentals of synthesis.
And, of course, whenever I get my hands on a new synthesizer, there is one absolutely essential question:Can it be funky?Let’s find out.
Original Music written and performed by Bill Wolfer. "Wrangling Voltages Since 1972." ©2026 Wolftoons Music, ASCAP. All rights reserved.