Moog Matriarch Dark 49 – Semi‑Modular Synthesizer in MINT Condition

Moog Matriarch Dark 49 – Semi‑Modular Powerhouse with Sleek Aesthetic

The Matriarch Dark is Moog’s premium, all-black variation of their flagship semi-modular paraphonic synthesizer. It includes the same robust architecture as the original Matriarch—four analog oscillators, dual ladder filters, stereo analog delay, sequencer, arpeggiator, and deep patch integration—wrapped in a stylish dark chassis that blends seamlessly with modern rigs and Moog’s other dark-themed instruments guitarcenter.com+11vintageking.com+11reverb.com+11.

• Four analog VCOs with selectable waveshapes and hard-sync options.

• Dual Moog ladder filters, configurable in parallel, series, or stereo modes.

• 49-note Fatar keyboard with velocity and aftertouch, plus pitch/mod wheels musiciansfriend.com+3long-mcquade.com+3vintageking.com+3matrixsynth.com+6productlondon.com+6long-mcquade.com+6.

• 256-step sequencer (4 notes per step) and arpeggiator for expressive patterns sweetwater.com+4long-mcquade.com+4vintageking.com+4.

• Stereo analog delay up to ~700 ms, sync-capable musiciansfriend.com+3long-mcquade.com+3vintageking.com+3.

• 90 patch points (ins, outs, mults) offering flexible CV/multi signal routing reddit.com+13long-mcquade.com+13musiciansfriend.com+13.

• External audio input, USB-MIDI, and traditional MIDI I/O.

✅ Advantages

• Rich analog sound: praised as deeply inspiring and sonically robust—“endlessly inspiring…sounds outstanding”reddit.com+14reddit.com+14musiciansfriend.com+14.

• Beautiful, tactile interface: “intuitive”, knob-per-function design with expressive control via keyboard and modulation tools productlondon.com+1reddit.com+1.

• Stereo engine & rich delay set it apart—making it ideal as a centerpiece in studio or live performance .

• Style-conscious design: the Dark finish appeals to users seeking a unified aesthetic to match other black Moog gear or dark interiors ctrl-mod.com.

• Paraphonic limitation: not true polyphony—voices share filters and VCAs, which impacts chordal performanceamazon.com+5reddit.com+5adorama.com+5.

• No preset storage: knob settings are lost on power-off; only sequencer patterns persist .

• Possible QC issues: some users report build inconsistencies—knobs, power supplies, etc.—though Moog’s support reputation varies reddit.com+5sweetwater.com+5reddit.com+5.

• Large form factor: ~81 cm wide and ~10 kg, making it a significant desk footprint ctrl-mod.com+2reddit.com+2reddit.com+2.

💬 Community Insight

Reddit consensus:

“It is endlessly inspiring and an utter joy to play…its core sound is absolutely beautiful”reddit.com+2reddit.com+2sweetwater.com+2

“Never had any issues with the dark version” and “Dark editions are getting harder to come by.”sweetwater.com+5reddit.com+5sweetwater.com+5

The Matriarch Dark combines Moog’s lush analog architecture and semi-modular flexibility with refined visual styling. If you’re looking for a centerpiece synth that blends rich sound, patchable depth, and a sleek presence, and you’re okay with paraphonic behavior and manual patch management, the Dark edition is a stellar pick.