Many guitar effect pedals make their way through the offices of TMR Zoo. Some impress as others become paperweights and doorstops. Once in a while we get a stompbox that make the entire staff take notice. This is the case with the Moog Moogerfooger MF – 108M Cluster Flux.
This device delivers the most dynamic and versatile library of chorus and flanges I have ever heard. The MF – 108M is an analog processor housed in a classic Moog wood and steel box. The controls and design are very reminiscent of the classic Minimoog. The controls are in three smartly organized banks.
The first row has a knob to control delay TIME with a rocker switch to toggle the delay ranges. This toggles you between tight chorus and lush flanges. There is also a FEEDBACK knob to control regeneration.
The second series of knobs controls your mix and levels. A DRIVE knob controls the signal input. Also included are controls for OUTPUT LEVEL and MIX. The biggest issue I have had with all of my flangers over the years has been signal drop or spike when engaged. These controls not only address this issue but also allow you more control over the feel of the effect.
The third bank of controls gives the user more control than we have been given before with our modulation effects. The ability to control (LFO) Low-frequency oscillation gives the user a huge palette of sonic options. The MF – 108M gives you the ability to select the type of oscillation you would like to use. In essence, this makes the MF – 108M sounds like 5 distinctly different flangers. The sine wave gives a smooth repetitive oscillation while the square and triangle wave gave birth to tones that are more industrial.
I love the sawtooth wave setting on this thing. Set in this position the MF – 108M gave me a lush barber pole flange that was reminiscent of an old 80’s rack unit I once used. The MF – 108M also has controls to adjust the RATE and AMOUNT of LFO.
Thou this stompbox may look a bit menacing to the novice there is a quick learning curve with MF – 108M. After a short time with the MF – 108M the user gets more than comfortable dialing in desired tones.
I was easily able to dial in all of the sought after tones from Eddie VanHalen’s flange heavy masterpiece Fair Warning. From metal anthem Unchained to the Alan Holdsworthesqe solo in Hear About It Later I could easily achieve the identical sound. I even found myself mimicking some of Frank Zappa’s Systech Flanger 4000A sounds perfectly. The big thing here is the Systech Flanger 4000A is a white buffalo. Even musicians with the deepest pockets are unable to find this elusive device at any price.
You industrial and electronic musicians will love the more aggressive metallic sounds the MF – 108M has to offer. This device is willing to get as dirty and evil as you want to take it.
The chorus in the MF – 108M is lush and chilling. I found a setting that was reminiscent of that wide sound many of the 80’s metal guys used for their main tone. MF – 108M also delivers spine tingling twelve string effects. By playing with the LFO you find yourself dialing through a music store’s worth of boutique and vintage chorus petals.
While I was able to dial in many desired tones the MF – 108M does have a personality that is all its own. Most of the parameters in the effect are controllable via an expression pedal or midi. In addition, a funky LFO setting delivers random oscillation. The MF – 108M offers a wider spectrum of flanging and chorus effect than I have seen in any stompbox or stompboxes combined. A musician would need a separate board of devices just to come close to the versatility the MF – 108M delivers. The analog processing in this sonic wonder delivers everything from cool country tremolo, icy chorus, and red-hot molten metallic flanges. The only limitation here is your own imagination.
The MF-108M has a street price of $559.00 and is worth every penny if you are serious about your tone. Check out some of these phenomenal sample sounds on Moog Music’s website.
