Memory V recreates the Memorymoog without the massive headaches or price tag | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIPolicyNotificationsNotificationsHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.NotificationsNotificationsHamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersArchivesStoreVerge Product UpdatesSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Memory V recreates the Memorymoog without the massive headaches or price tagNotificationsNotificationsComments DrawerNotificationsCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...EntertainmentCloseEntertainmentPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All EntertainmentNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMemory V recreates the Memorymoog without the massive headaches or price tagEnjoy the legendary Moog polyphonic synth minus its legendary reliability issues. Enjoy the legendary Moog polyphonic synth minus its legendary reliability issues. by Terrence O'BrienCloseTerrence O'BrienWeekend EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Terrence O'BrienMay 26, 2026, 4:00 PM UTCLinkShareGiftIf you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.Image: ArturiaTerrence O'BrienCloseTerrence O'BrienPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Terrence O'Brien is the Verge’s weekend editor. He has over 18 years of experience, including 10 years as managing editor at Engadget.The Memorymoog is legendary for being an absolutely massive-sounding synth and being incredibly unreliable. But now you can enjoy its classic Moog sound without the headaches or the sky-high vintage price, thanks to Arturia’s Memory V emulator.The Memorymoog was only made between 1982 and 1985, and was the last polyphonic synth made by Moog before it declared bankruptcy in 1987. People loved its sound, which was described as being six Minimoogs in a box, and the Memorymoog+ was among the first synths to adopt MIDI. It also came out right as the synth industry was shifting from analog to digital.It was also notorious for being rushed to market, having tuning problems, failing power supplies, being haphazardly built, and exceedingly difficult to service. Things that aren’t really an issue for software.Only about 3,500 were produced and now it regularly goes for around $15,000 on the vintage market. If you’re willing to deal with one that needs some work, you might be able to get a steal at closer to $10,000. For comparison, Memory V will only set you back $149, or less if you’re an existing Arturia customer.Memory V has three oscillators and one iconic Moog lowpass ladder filter per voice, just like the real deal. It also features an interface that pretty closely recreates the dozens of knobs and buttons on the original. And, if you really want, you can stack all six voices — 18 oscillators in all — for crushingly huge leads. There are plenty of towering emulations of classic synths in Arturia’s library of plugins, but Memory V might be capable of the most oppressive tones of the lot.Arturia also includes a lot of modern amenities that, for obvious reasons, didn’t exist in the ‘80s original. For one, it supports MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) for complex per-note control. It also has a drag-and-drop modulation system with multiple envelopes, LFOs, and a function generator. There’s also a powerful multi-arpeggiator for creating complex rhythmic and melodic lines.Memory V excels at typical ‘80s brass sounds, unstable pads, and rich strings. You can even dial in exactly how much analog instability you want. So if you want it to sound like you bought a broken Memorymoog in desperate need of service, you can.Arturia’s Memory V is available now. Existing customers can log in to see their discount offer.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Terrence O'BrienCloseTerrence O'BrienWeekend EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Terrence O'BrienEntertainmentCloseEntertainmentPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All EntertainmentMusicCloseMusicPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All MusicNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularFerrari reveals its first EV, with design help from Jony IveSennheiser’s new Momentum 5 headphones have upgraded ANC and a replaceable batteryTHE PEOPLE DO NOT YEARN FOR AUTOMATIONVideoGoogle’s new anything-to-anything AI model is wildUber president says AI spending is getting ‘harder to justify’The Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Arturia’s Memory V functions as an emulator designed to recreate the iconic sound and functionality of the legendary Memorymoog synthesizer, addressing the reliability issues and high vintage pricing associated with the original instrument. The Memorymoog, produced between 1982 and 1985, was renowned for its massive sound and early adoption of MIDI technology, emerging during the transition from analog to digital synthesis. However, the original instrument suffered from inherent problems such as tuning issues, unreliable power supplies, haphazard construction, and difficult maintenance, which are mitigated by the software emulation.

The Memory V faithfully replicates the core architecture of the original, incorporating three oscillators and a distinctive Moog lowpass ladder filter per voice. Furthermore, it features an interface meticulously designed to approximate the layout of the original hardware controls. This emulation allows users to achieve profoundly large sonic textures, capable of stacking all six voices to generate exceptionally intense leads. Beyond simply replicating the essential sounds, Arturia integrated numerous modern features into the Memory V. These include support for MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) for sophisticated per-note control, a drag-and-drop modulation system featuring multiple envelopes, low-frequency oscillators, and a function generator, and a powerful multi-arpeggiator for complex rhythmic and melodic sequencing.

The software excels in capturing the characteristic tonal qualities of the era, particularly '80s brass sounds, unstable pads, and rich strings, offering the user the ability to precisely dial in the degree of analog instability present in the original hardware. In terms of market value, the software offers a cost-effective alternative; it costs significantly less than the current vintage market price for a functional Memorymoog, providing access to classic sound with modern stability and expanded functionality. Arturia currently offers the Memory V, with special pricing available for existing customers.