Moog Matriarch Firmware Update and Calibration
In this guide, we will show you how to update the firmware and calibrate the Moog Matriarch. If you run into tuning issues or need to update the firmware, follow the sections below to get started.
Update the firmware
Moog will periodically release firmware updates which add new features, bug fixes, and optimizations to the Matriarch’s internal software. The firmware update will require you to transfer SysEx files using software on your OS. We recommend using MIDI-OX on PC-based systems and SysEx Librarian for Mac computers.
- Connect the Matriarch to your computer via USB 2.0 cable.
- Download the latest firmware from the Moog Matriarch download page. Once downloaded, go to your Downloads folder and extract the .zip file.
- Launch the SysEx app for your OS and set the Matriarch as the MIDI Output device.
- Transfer the firmware SysEx files (.syx file extension) one at a time to your Matriarch in the following order:
- Matriarch_FIRMWARE_INVALIDATE.SYX: The Arp Rate LED will start blinking. The Matriarch automatically reboots, so you’ll need to re-select the synth as the MIDI Output device in your SysEx software.
- Matriarch_FIRMWARE_ERASE.SYX: The Arp Rate LED will blink three times, then blink green steadily. The Matriarch is now ready to receive the new firmware.
- Matriarch_Firmware_v1_x_x.syx: The Arp Rate LED will blink yellow-orange while receiving the SysEx data. Once complete, the Matriarch will restart.
Firmware update issues?
If the Matriarch isn’t behaving as described above during the firmware update, power cycle the synth, disconnect and reconnect the USB cable, then retry the procedure starting from Step 3.
Calibrate the oscillators
IMPORTANT!
The oscillator calibration process takes approximately 5-10 minutes, so be sure not to turn the unit off until it has finished.
Since the Matriarch is analog and is subject to change depending on the environment, there may be a time where you’ll need to re-calibrate the oscillators. Just like other analog synths, the Matriarch’s internal circuitry requires a little time to warm up before you can perform (approximately 10-15 minutes). If your synth sounds out of tune even after it’s warmed up, follow these steps to re-calibrate the oscillators.
- Press and hold the Hold (Shift) and Sync Enable buttons for approximately one second to enter Global Edit Mode. The Sync Enable button will begin to flash.
- Press and hold the Play, Hold, and Tap buttons and press the lowest note to begin the calibration process.
- The Play, Hold, and Tap buttons will begin to flash. Once complete, the buttons will turn solid and the Matriarch will exit out of Global Edit Mode.
Calibrate the pots (potentiometers) and restart
Calibrate the highlighted knobs only. Click to enlarge.
Once the oscillators have been recalibrated, you then need to recalibrate the pots. All you’ll need to do is connect the Matriarch to your computer via USB or MIDI, turn the pots to the correct position, then send the pot calibration .syx files for that particular position. Follow these steps to calibrate the pots.
- Connect the Matriarch to your computer via USB or MIDI IN.
- Download the Matriarch pot calibration .zip file. Once downloaded go to your Downloads folder and extract the .syx files.
- Launch the SysEx software for your OS and set the Matriarch as the MIDI OUT device.
Calibrate high (right)
- Turn the GLIDE, ARP RATE, MOD RATE, VCO 2-4 FREQ, DELAY TIME, DELAY SPACING, and FINE TUNE knobs all the way up.
- Push the MOD WHEEL all the way up.
- Push and hold the PITCH WHEEL all the way up.
- Send the Matriarch_Pot_Cal_HIGH.syx to the synth. The TAP LED will light up.
Calibrate low (left)
- Turn the GLIDE, ARP RATE, MOD RATE, VCO 2-4 FREQ, DELAY TIME, DELAY SPACING, and FINE TUNE knobs all the way down.
- Pull the MOD WHEEL all the way down.
- Pull and hold the PITCH WHEEL all the way down.
- Send the Matriarch_Pot_Cal_LOW.syx to the synth. The PLAY LED will light up.
Calibrate middle (center)
- Adjust the GLIDE, ARP RATE, MOD RATE, VCO 2-4 FREQ, DELAY TIME, DELAY SPACING, and FINE TUNE so they are in the center position.
- Adjust the MOD WHEEL so it’s in the center position.
- Send the Matriarch_Pot_Cal_CENTER.syx to the synth. The HOLD LED will light up.
Restart
Once the potentiometers and oscillators have been recalibrated, the final step is to restart the Matriarch.
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