Moog’s DFAM has become almost a genre of instrument — like the Minimoog architecture or original Moog modular. Look no further than this delight from Rainbow Circuit. On the surface, it looks like another model of the percussion synth (Mom!). But it sounds like nothing else, and if you’re looking for more synthesized, sequenced percussion to infuse a smile into your day, Motherly is like uncut dopamine.
Yes, as the days grow shorter here in our beloved corner of the northern hemisphere, I’m looking back on some of the Synths I Have Known this year, including the Massive Folder Of Videos I Shot But Didn’t Get Around To The Review. And it seems plenty of people are hoarding fun toys in preparation for synth winter/Synthmas, like chipmunks with acorns. Bite into this, then.
Rainbow Circuit continues to concoct some of the most endearing, visually engaging tools on the market. (See below.) Motherly is I think one of the best, actually one of the best software drum machines of late.
Sure, the name and the verbatim patchbay, the FM synthesis and step sequencer, would make you think this is a software rendition of the DFAM. But it’s not. Take all the best bits of the DFAM’s patching and playful sequenced sound design, but change it up. It’s so natural that you almost Mandela Effect some of these features back onto the Moog — so let me check your memory.
Features unique to Motherly (either totally unique or in a different form):
- Three operator FM synthesis (the DFAM has two)
- FM algorithm section with multiple algorithms (even before you start repatching)
- Tension and Inharmonicity modes, Position, master frequency amount
- New eight-step sequencer with per-step repeats, direction
- Clever per-step pitch envelope controls
It has that analog immediacy of its inspiration, but it’s a totally new instrument — its sound character, the way you work with it, and all those repeats. But likewise, when you do want to patch it, you can do all the analog-ish stuff that made this a category, including, as the developer points out, noisy analog-style FM just below analog rate.
Here it is in action:
Honestly, Moog, I hope you feel a twinge of jealousy and imagine a DFAM II. Sister, maybe?
I am 100% back to this thing as a pairing for some of the other effects you’ll be seeing here soon. And percussive synthesis is just something you never get tired of, not least because it really does not even have to translate to “drum machine” in the conventional sense. Motherly is right up with Tekno as one of my favorite percussion breakthroughs of 2025.
No Black Friday sale here, but you don’t need one — $49 is a steal. VST3 for Windows 10/11+; VST3 and AU for macOS 10.14+ (Mojave).
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Rainbow Circuit Shop / Buy Motherly
Thanks, Takuma! (More Rainbow Circuit goodies live over at Isotonik Studios, too.)
Spotted in the video, some Arturia faves that pair well: Arturia MIX DRUMS, Arturia Efx REFRACT
(See also their FX Collection 5, which gets rinsed on my machine, anyway!)
Oh and you can still pick up Moog DFAM hardware:
Sweetwater (with a free Patch & Tweak with Moog Book!)
Previously:
Look, these DFAM-inspired things really do make me instantly happy; I’m not lying! This also sounds great, and it also does not really sound entirely like a DFAM: