Moog MF-108M Cluster Flux

The Moog MF-108M Cluster Flux is an analog chorus, flanger and vibrato pedal from Moog Music, announced in June 2011 as the newest addition to the Moogerfooger line of analog effects¹. It combines a delay line with multi-form LFO modulation to produce complex but playable chorus, vibrato and flanging effects, and Moog positioned it as capable of a much wider range of modulated delay effects beyond those three classics¹².

The circuit is a modulated BBD (bucket brigade delay) line built from the remaining supply of high-voltage Panasonic BBD chips, with an all-analog audio signal path¹². That chip supply is also the pedal's lifespan: Moog said they plan to keep the Cluster Flux in production only as long as their supply of BBD chips holds out³.

What it does to your sound

The Cluster Flux mashes up delay-based effects with multi-form LFO modulations³. At its most conventional it produces classic flanging, chorusing and vibrato; pushed further, the six LFO waveforms and the feedback controls open up modulated delay effects that go well past those categories¹².

MusicRadar's reviewers described the results in reference points a player will recognize: a rich, jet-like flanger sound recalling Bowie's "Station to Station" or the Beatles' "Blue Jay Way," and a lush chorus free of the tinny digital vibe of inexpensive 1980s analog emulators³.

Premier Guitar's reviewer found those waveform options key to experimentation and unusual applications, and described the unit as offering Flange, Chorus and Vibrato effects "with the ability to tweak them wildly"².

The controls

The front panel is organized in columns. The first houses the delay section, with continuous Time and Feedback pots, and two more pots adjust the oscillator's Rate and Amount³. A rotary switch selects the LFO waveform: Sine, Triangle, Square, Sawtooth, Ramp and Random Stepped³. A red rocker switch moves between chorus and flange voicing³.

Three mini-pots in the center section cover input (Drive), output (Output Level) and Mix functions³. Premier Guitar also notes a Flange/Chorus voicing switch alongside the Drive, Output Level and Mix knobs². At the bottom of the panel, LFO Tap Tempo and Bypass footswitches complete the controls³.

Power, CV, MIDI and stereo outputs

The MF-108M relies solely on its standard +9V, 300 mA wall wart to power up and down³. That current draw rules out battery operation and is worth noting if you run a daisy chain: 300 mA is far beyond a typical analog stompbox.

Around the back, 1/4-inch jack points carry CV inputs for Feedback, Time, LFO Rate, Mix and LFO Amount, sitting alongside Left and Right outputs, a MIDI jack, and a Feedback Insert via a standard 1/4-inch TRS patch cable³. The CV inputs let you drive the pedal's parameters from expression pedals, other Moogerfoogers or modular gear, and the Feedback Insert lets you place another effect inside the feedback loop.

The second output is configurable via DIP switches for different types of stereo outputs¹. MIDI IN allows control of Delay Time, Range, Feedback, Output Level, LFO Waveform, LFO Rate, LFO Amount and Mix¹. Premier Guitar's reviewer found the MIDI input useful for computer sequencing or syncing with a drum machine², and the pedal is capable of synchronization to MIDI Clock⁵.

Where it came from and what reviewers said

Moog announced the MF-108M on 16 June 2011, with availability at Moog dealers worldwide in Q3 2011 for a sell price of $599.00¹⁴. MusicRadar reported the same launch with an MSRP of $599.00 USD.

MusicRadar's review called the 4 lbs (1.8 kg) build rugged, with a solid organic-meets-industrial housing and sturdy knobs and switches, suitable on the floor or racked up³. Their overall verdict:

Premier Guitar listed the street price as $550 and described it as a relatively more conventional multi-effects unit within the Moogerfooger range². Moog later brought BBD-based chorus and flange sounds to a smaller format in the Minifooger line, including the Moog MF Chorus².

Videos

Click to load

Click to load

Click to load

Questions