5 Reasons to Buy a DFAM in 2021 (and How I Use It!)

5 Reasons to Buy a DFAM in 2021 (and How I Use It!)
Buy my custom patches:
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The Moog DFAM has been honestly my most under-utilized piece of gear in my studio, but what it does is so unique that it's hard to replace. In this review and tutorial, let's look at my top 5 Pros of why you should consider getting one & the unique way I use it in my music!
Miles Away - beacons.ai/milesaway
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0:00 - Intro
0:42 - DFAM demo song
1:24 - How I use the DFAM with Miles Away
2:04 - Overview of the front panel
4:25 - #1 Amazing Envelopes
6:08 - #2 The Ladder Filter
7:06 - #3 Improvisation and Inspiration
8:26 - #4 Hard Sync Magic
10:55 - #5 Patching and FM Experiments
15:19 - Closing Thoughts
15:36 - Finale
#moog #milesaway #dfam

[@jolieuke]

It was inspiring, thanks! I bought the DFAM 2 years ago, I barely touched it. I said to myself, it's time to dive in and I wanted to check some videos before. I'm glad I found yours, it gives me the hype I needed to go ! Sure, more videos !

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Fantastic! welcome to my channel, check out my other synth videos, I post almost every week :)

[@IanWaugh]

I've had a DFAM for a while but not done a lot with it. Inspired me to get into it more Great stuff! 👍

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Amazing to hear that Ian. Glad you enjoyed man!

[@rexaguilar2353]

Thanks a lot! This made me understand the dfam a lot more. Best tutorial so far! I’ve looked them all 😅😂

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks so much Rex! Lots more synth videos here, stick around :)

[@kevinbatchelor9566]

Most of my compositions involve the DFAM. I’m going to buy a second. Such a rad and inspiring instrument.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Agreed it’s great!

[@tullamusic]

I was turned off by the lack of MIDI control support at first, but after seeing videos with or about the DFAM popping up more and more and giving it some thought, I think it's quite a genius move to forego native MIDI. Using the DFAM as a microtonal synth (be you making some slapping bass or a kick and snare pattern) just completely opens up the depths you can dive into with this thing, and I love it.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

That would be cool! Never used it as a synth besides using one of the OSCs with another semi modular. Microtonal is a great idea

[@partymarty6969]

If you have a DFAM you gotta add The MAFD to it: Midi Adapter For DFAM by Sonoclast

[@ShaiUI]

that demo song you made in the beginning. wow. what an amazing sound!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks so much Shai!

[@jamesryan6481]

Great video I have to say, thanks!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks James!

[@MarkBuckland]

Great demo and track! Think I might have to buy one...!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you so much! Enjoy if you do buy it :)

[@Nokanmusic]

In general, more DFAM videos are needed.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

AGREED

[@4matcollectiva847]

Correct!

[@Primusux]

Much agreed.

[@ghostinplainsight4803]

@Miles Away checkout the MAFD (Midi Adapter for DFAM) it uses multiple triggers to allow you to play the steps of the DFAM in any order according to semitones on a piano roll, it opens the possibilities of playing the beat forwards, backwards, or introducing polyrhythms. I get why Moog kept a reset trigger out, but this really takes it to a new level and should have been a feature.
That said when the Behringer Edge comes out, I will probably swap for that if it's midi controllable and can be reset. The greatest downside of not being able to recall patches even when you have made patch notes is a real bummer, although it's also its greatest strength for creatively coming up with ideas.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

I ended up selling my DFAM to fund some new gear! But agreed the edge looks super cool too! Gonna check it once out. Thanks for watching!

[@partymarty6969]

I don’t find many ppl talking about MAFD. It is definitely very important if you have a DFAM. The Behringer Edge looks great too tho.

[@chadsix4838]

That track at the end goes hard. Love it!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks Chad!

[@humanoid9787]

Great video! I like the aesthetic but just wish it was a bit brighter so I could actually see the DFAM's labels

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks and noted!

[@rolanddevis1563]

Master class broski thanxs for the info 💯🎹👊 , i'm gonna order one for shore 😜🤪💥

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks for watching!

[@FrankyGun]

Absolutely brutal, that intro track! Love it! Glad I found your channel today. Got priceless inspiration from your video while waiting for my 2nd hand DFAM. Will check out all your other videos now. Liked and subscribed. Rock in and please never stop! You got a new fan 😎 Love and light from sunny Khao Lak,
Thailand 🇹🇭 ❤️☀️🏖🌴🥥🐘🌈

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks so much Franky! How are you liking it?

[@FrankyGun]

@@MilesAwayOfficial - well deserved praise, Miles!!! Reg. the DFAM - I love it!!! Losing track of time whenever I play around with it. Have the Subharmonicon coming and then my trio (M32,DFAM,SUBH) will be complete and most likely, I'll then simply be sucked in by a black hole appearing somewhere in my studio and never come back :o)

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@FrankyGun haha that’s amazing. I really want the subharm! Do you think it’s worth it? I already have the matriarch so I don’t need the mother 32, but the weird sequencer of the subharm seems like a blast

[@drayenofficial]

damn bro upping the videography game, great stuff dude

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Much love Andrew!

[@zairulzairul1725]

That's really cool man😯👌

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you Zairul !

[@jimivandebeek]

Great video!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks!

[@iqnill]

Loved it!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks!

[@Matt_Regan]

My DFAM is arriving today. Watching your video has got me excited to use it! Sick tune.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks Matt! You are gonna love it!

[@Banloca]

hows the dfam?

[@Matt_Regan]

@@Banloca it's a great piece of kit. I've spent quite a bit of time with it but feel like I've only scratched the surface, especially considering the patch bay allows pairing with other devices. I recommend it.

[@acidgirl.303]

Man this sounds amazing

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you!

[@truthseeker3907]

Thank You and Thumbs up! 👍

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks!

[@moritz_schoenermann]

It is a really nice synth. Instant Industrial/IDM/Cinematic pieces!

[@imola8]

DFAM is the most advanced and thought through vintage gear that hit the market since years int thw anaog world. They really reinvented themselves. Big thumbs up to the developers who brought this to life. Actually the whole "new" moog synths are state of the art in terms of creativity using quite old circuitery! ❤
Now its time for artists to make it sound unique as it is easy to make a good sound with dfam. I am waiting for sound made with dfam you never thought of this could be from a dfam.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Agreed! it's an amazing drum machine. I'm really excited to try Perkons though, going to try to get my hands on one to review.

[@Dogboy73]

Excellent video. Incidentally Mylarmelodies has just published a new DFAM video. Actually, I think it's an old video. But he just decided to upload and it's excellent.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you! Oh yea gonna watch that. He’s the DFAM master

[@jamessusbilla]

WOW. thank *YOU*

[@Daphoid]

Had mine for 3-4 years and love it. If anything I'm getting a second to pair it with the Godfather from Enjoy Electronics (coming soon :P)

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Very nice! I've never even heard of the Godfather! How do you like it?

[@78thandSynth]

Your finale is perfect. Sound Studio 3 in order and know nothing about synth. All the more fun.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you Chad! Check out my videos Intro To Sound Design if you are just starting!

[@christopher_ecclestone]

This was really helpful, thank you. I've had my Dfam for a while now, and I love it for just jamming on. But the thing I'm struggling with is wrapping my brain around how the VCO and VCF decay sections work. I don't know why, I just can't visualise what's happening with them. I feel like these are the parts that are stopping me from understanding it intuitively. Do you, or anyone, have any tips on how to understand these sections better?

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks Chris! I’d say check out Mylarmelodies videos on the DFAM. He is a true master of it

[@kevinp_25]

@@MilesAwayOfficial Cool video. Seems like a cool groove box (and more) for someone just getting into synths. Which of Mylarmelodies’ tutorial videos are you talking about?

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@kevinp_25 he just posted an amazing one on the DFAM. He is the DFAM master

[@BubbaSatori]

Loopop’s DFAM and Mother 32 tutes are good, too.

[@zeusdeux]

The vco decay controls how quickly the pitch of the vco falls to the value set by vco frequency. Longer values means it takes longer for the pitch to fall to the value set by vco frequency. But where does the pitch start falling from? The vco eg amount controls what level the pitch falls from (clockwise) or rises from (anticlockwise)
VCF decay applies the same idea to the filter frequency instead of oscillator frequency. VCF EG Amount does the same as VCO EG Amount but again, for filter frequency instead of oscillator frequency.
Important note: VCO and VCF EG AMOUNTs are relative to the currently set oscillator or filter frequency.

[@aaronjaffe4931]

More content for DFAM? yes please!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks for watching Aaron!

[@ahker88]

Quick question, is everything we hear in your intro track done by the DFAM but layered separately in a DAW or you're using samples/synths on top of the DFAM? Also what external effects are you using?

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Using samples and other synths to show how I would use the DFAM in a pro track! It’s a sampled acoustic kick and snare, an arp from the prologue and a hi hat loop. DFAM performance makes everything else, it’s the meat of the song you hear

[@ahker88]

@@MilesAwayOfficial if you quantize the pitch on the DFAM or use an external sequencer you can make some kick ass synth leads with the DFAM specially with the sync mode and FM knob which can also be modulated! I rarely use the DFAM as a percussive instrument! 😊

[@pepuletrz]

cannot seem to find any vids on pairing it with the minibrute (not the one with the big patch bay) the first one.and not the micro version.i think i might be missing something.probably obvious.thanks

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Unfortunately no Arturia synths in my studio to help with, but make sure whatever you pair it with sends CV not midi

[@tinykarpo80s]

can you use it to make drum sounds? like hit hat and snare and kick ?

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Yes, but it is not polyphonic so if you want traditional drum machine sounds get something like a Roland TR-8 or one of the Behringer clones instead. This is more for weird sequenced percussion like you hear.

[@thombroom5515]

amazing sound... what do you think is the best combo DFAM + M32 or DFAM + SUBHARMONICON?...

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks! I haven't used the Subharmonicon yet to be totally honest! If you like experimentation go that way, if you prefer melodic music, get the Mother :)

[@outlier5844]

Dfam + Dfam for sure

[@justintonation9726]

Was that song at the end of your video made exclusively using the DFAM?

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Hey! No it was the main layer but there were a couple supporting lines.

[@oOM00Do]

What’s the best way to record what you actually produce with it? Do other midi controllers work together with this unit?

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

It doesn’t have midi unfortunately. If you are like me and use it standalone without eurorack you need to record it in manually then use your daw to find the bpm and add stuff

[@FoivosApostolou]

Arturia Beatstep pro is good for syncing with a DAW

[@partymarty6969]

MAFD: Midi Adapter For DFAM by Sonoclast

[@frejmostrom3458]

the "final track" , what other instruments are playing here? What is the dfam doing and what else is there?

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Good question: the DFAM is doing all the main “riffing” and cool noise based sounds. Behind it I have an arpeggio from the Novation summit doing that melody that isn’t just octaves, a plucky sub bass from the Prologue for extra sub, and a drum machine with a kick and clap for extra snap, and that open hihat that comes in. Without the DFAM the song would sound like a basic drum machine with sub bass and a subtle arp minor key melody

[@ernestbuckley8671]

I really enjoy your video tutorials. You have a clear way of teaching, straight to the point! Thanks. Now I may have to buy a DFAM. 😂

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you so much really appreciate that! and yes you absolutely should haha

[@Iamirxclej]

Yeeeee love that

[@xorthontech]

Can you patch one of the oscillators from osc out to a quantizer and then back to vca in to force the notes to scale?

[@Fuzzfooger]

Loopop does a cool video with DFAM and modular, he shows how go patch both oscillators into a quantiser and play the DFAM paraphonically

[@xorthontech]

I just received the reply 2 weeks later after you posted it!!! Thanks Ill check it out!

[@skeletonmodel]

I love how at 9:15 I'm like: Damn, this sounds so good and could be a NIN intro. And you mention: It's not really useful for anything.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

LMAO looking back that was a pretty sick riff

[@paulbali9998]

superb beatmaking

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you!

[@KosmoDeuz]

Did you add some Tr sounds in the end of video ?

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

yea like I mentioned I produced a track around the DFAM jam

[@tonilattuca]

hello Miles, how are you ¿? I would like to ask you if this synth is recommended for melodic techno since it is currently what I am producing. I would like to know if you recommend it to me to use it individually. Thank u bro!!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Hey Toni thanks for watching! It’s great for techno but maybe not melodic techno since there’s no midi and no way to quantize notes (without a separate cv module), so it might be hard to get it playing Melodie’s and following melodic progressions

[@tonilattuca]

@@MilesAwayOfficial Thank you very much, that was all I needed to read, can I ask you for a recommendation on what synthesizer can work to create kicks and percussions for melodic techno? I'm looking forward to buying a new machine for the study

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@tonilattuca honestly depends on what you want and budget. Perkons to me looks like the best drum machine around but I don’t own one, and it’s pricy. For making drums to record and sample, I like any Moog, but I still think Sub 37 is the best, and it makes great techno basses

[@tonilattuca]

@@MilesAwayOfficial thank u Miles, I have the sub 37!! Greetings from Arg my bro!

[@hqaivids]

where do you get those split patch cables from?

[@zoltansafar]

I love to use the ones made by TipTop Audio. They are great quality, and you can find them easily online.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

yep! Tip Top Audio!

[@directed6924]

16:15 That drop has so much weight and authority

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you!

[@Primusux]

Great content here. But maybe turn on some lights next time? Very dark.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Check out my newer videos! I wasn’t the best at filming and lighting videos back when I made this haha

[@Primusux]

@@MilesAwayOfficial 😂😂 Hey it’s like a fine wine. Your videos get better over time. Keep it up brother.

[@Primusux]

By the way, just saw that Syntrx II video. You got some serious skills man! Do you have that demo song on iTunes by chance?

[@PolskiAmbient]

cool material !

[@Hippopotiverse]

Where can I get cables like that?

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Tiptop audio!

[@fairlanemusic7072]

❤

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks my dude!

[@dalecutlemusic586]

Preaching to the choir. Got 2 of em.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Yes! Love it. Do you use any other synths with the DFAMs?

[@dalecutlemusic586]

@@MilesAwayOfficial grandmother matriarch dx7 808

[@oldowl4290]

Can you set and or control BPM with another device?

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

if its CV yes,

[@partymarty6969]

MAFD: Midi Adapter For DFAM by Sonoclast

[@davidgoode7416]

If I hadn't already bought one, this video would have changed my mind...

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

thanks David!

[@jona_KardCiv1]

I'm sold

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

:D thanks for watching

[@HalfGodHalfBeast]

yes 🙂

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks for watching!

[@JemenJ]

Needs more light :)

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Check out my other videos, much lighter! This was my temporary studio while moving 😅

[@ariahrendt6166]

I really don't like the no-contrast picture in dark/grey. I wanna see the full device clearly during the show. Sorry, I can not watchin it further. :(

[@finctank]

Great run through but why is the video so dark? :D

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Haha was feeling the night time vibes on this one 😅 my other videos aren’t as dark!

[@DorisDay-lw4xs]

Im not a fan of the DFAM. Got 2 along with 2 Mother 32s and a Subharmonicon. I can’t quite put my finger on it but I find these MOOG units really uninspiring. I use mine to hang some of my washing on 😮. The Subharmonicon is interesting but the Mothers are very basic mono synths. The DFAM has THAT vibe and sound, but thats all its got.
Must stick it all on ebay really as its never going to be used 🤷‍♂️.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

I really liked the DFAM but I sold it because no midi. I agree that its a bit limited but its so fun and different than any plugin I have that I really miss it.

[@Happyzoda]

I've created this interactive Patch Maker tool - now you can mark your setup in less than one min and upload it for everyone to use - can't wait 🙏 czcams.com/video/JmQ9GnrRFVM/video.html

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Nice!

[@KosmoDeuz]

“So dark , you sure you not from DC universe ?” 😅

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

lmao. check out my newer videos, i def went a bit hard on the contrast in this older one!

[@KosmoDeuz]

@@MilesAwayOfficial it’s jus a joke from dead pool 2 ;)

[@wul01]

And one reason as to why not.......wait for behringer edge!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Yea that just got announced eh! I want to wait and see a full demo as the sound from the preview was not that nice.. but I assumed it was programmer choice and not machine flaw! Looks great on paper!

[@meyershapiro5774]

This is a hostage tape of a gear review

[@meyershapiro5774]

I love it

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@meyershapiro5774 thanks so much!

[@georgeiskiddin872]

*FIST COMMENT*

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

🤟🏻

[@MrBeen992]

The 6th reason would be "BUY A BEHRINGER EDGE TO HAVE A DISCOUNT OF $1000 ON THE PREVIOUS 5 REASONS"

[@tammy1001]

I'd almost be happy to pay $1000 to get rid of the hot pink case.

[@MrBeen992]

@@tammy1001 LOL

[@ciatangallaghe2485]

The only reason to buy a dfam is if you find it for stupid cheap.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

I feel that it is limited! What’s your must have synth?

[@ciatangallaghe2485]

@@MilesAwayOfficial I just sold a guitar and I bought a Behringer Odysseyy. Its so good, sounds huge!! I it's so much fun as well, you'd easily spend hours just moving the faders around the place, the sequencer is really easy to use and we'll the arpegiator is just madness. I love it and I might buy another one if I've ever the money again.

[@mick3950]

The most useless overpriced Moog Sorry but thats my take on it,Expensive Blips and Blops,a click track can make just as interesting a sound

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

fair! I sold my DFAM but I do miss it. What's your fave synth?

[@kierenmoore3236]

I tend to agree, tho’ I’m more of a John Williams guy than a Hans Zimmer guy, so to speak … other than a cover of NIN’s Closer, I don’t think I’d do too much with a DFAM, lol … great if you’re more into making noise than making music, maybe …

[@vintervinter282]

thanks man.. I enjoyed this!
..and at last someone gets their voice to music volume right.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks so much! Just posted a new gear vid as well, check it out!