Cherry Audio Memorymode 2 is the second generation of its Memorymoog emulation, now with a dual-layer engine, improved analog modeling, and more.
In 2021, Cherry Audio shook up the small market of Memorymoog emulations with the Memorymode plugin. At just $39, it attracted many people at the time, especially since few emulations of this classic instrument were available.
Over the past five years, CA plugins have improved not only in quality but also in features. This trend has now continued here. With Memorymode 2, Cherry Audio is showcasing its first plugin upgrade and leveling up one of its “flagship synths” for 2026.
Cherry Audio Memorymode 2
Memorymode 2 is the successor to its 2021 Memorymoog emulation for macOS and Windows.
According to Cherry Audio, Memorymode 2 has been redesigned using advanced analysis and design techniques, establishing a new standard for analog modeling accuracy in software instruments.
Reminder: the original Memory synth was a pretty straightforward polysynth. It was often described as six Minimoogs in one, with six-voice polyphony, three oscillators per voice, a 24dB/oct ladder filter, two envelopes, an LFO, and more.
Memorymode 2 builds on the previous version, keeping its original features while adding many new options and engine improvements.
At the core of MM2 is a new CPU-optimized dual-layer architecture, each with a complete 16-voice polyphonic Synthesizer that can be layered or split per preset. Turn on unison stack to get up to 48 voices per layer.
Version 2 still uses an analog-modeled subtractive engine, now with significantly improved oscillators, filters, and envelopes. Three multi-wave oscillators still form the synth’s basic framework. They offer the same features, but with improved quality.
Improved Filter & Modulation
The signal then flows into a four-channel mixer with a built-in noise generator. New in this section is an analog drift control that introduces the beloved voice fluctuations from vintage hardware.
It features a refined ladder with 24dB and an additional 12dB/octave option. Unlike Memorymode 1, it comes with a new modern setting for beefier lows and more crystalline highs.
Using this option gives you more of the vibe of modern Moogs than the Memorymoog. A welcome addition is also the resonance compensation for the filter to maintain sound level and low-frequency weight. A feature that should be mandatory in today’s Moog-style synths, in my opinion.
The modulation remains largely the same, but benefits from the improved analog modeling engine and from new expressive options. Four lanes of touch-oriented modulation with 52 routing destinations, velocity sensitivity, polyphonic aftertouch, and MPE support.
However, the differences are more significant elsewhere. Cherry Audio Memorymode 2 includes two extra UI pages, which are familiar from other CA plugins.
New Sequencing & Effects
The first bottom-layer UI page features a multimode arpeggiator and a 16×4 programmable polyphonic step sequencer per layer. It has various playback modes, a transpose option, chance, feel, swing, and more
On top of that, it introduces performance-based automation through the new touch animator accessible via the sequencer steps. You can map four lanes to various parameters. You can use these to add deep movement to the sounds.
Taking it a step further, the second new sub-UI features a multi-FX processor with three independent effects chains, delivering 22 studio-quality effects. Here you will find all the effects you know from other CA plugins from past years.
Good news: it also comes with two new effects that are exclusive to Memorymode 2 for now: a wide phaser and a rotary speaker.
Each effect has numerous adjustable parameters, and you can modulate one of them. For this, each FX layer houses an independent multi-wave LFO. It’s a shame that the FX modulation is still limited to a single parameter.
Other new features in Cherry Audio Memorymode 2 are a new multi-voice mode, a single-key chord mode, and more.
The instrument comes with over 800 presets created by professional sound designers: James Terris, Andrew Longhurst, Steve Peglar, Drew Schlesinger, Dave Polich, Huston Singletary, and J3PO.
The original version 1 presets and Memorymoog factory patches are also onboard. Nice: it supports Tape Data Import and SysEx drag-and-drop compatibility with original hardware.
Cherry Audio Memorymode 2: First Look Review
It seems to be the Memorymoog year. After Arturia’s Memory V and the sample-based AIR Fabric Vintage Synths Vol. 1, there is now the third Memorymoog release. Cherry Audio sent me an early version to check out.
Memorymode 2 is a solid evolution of the original, bringing it up to the level of the newer Cherry Audio plugins. The ARP/sequencer and effects have been integral parts of recent CA plugins, so they had to be included here as well.
They make the synth significantly more comprehensive. Since I’m not a lucky Memorymoog owner, I can’t say much about the new analog modeling engine’s impact on the sound’s authenticity.
Compared directly to the MM1, you can definitely hear a sound-quality increase that isn’t solely due to the new two layers. However, I’m undecided with the Arturia comparison, because both sound quite different with the original Moog patches loaded.
Availability
Cherry Audio Memorymode 2 is available now for $69. Owners of Memorymode version 1 can upgrade to Memorymode 2 at the discounted price of $39. It runs as a standalone and VST, VST3, AU, and AAX plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows.
The Foundation Preset Pack for Memorymode 2 with 250+ new sounds is exclusively available from Cherry Audio for $9.99.
All proceeds from August 2026 sales of the soundset will benefit the Bob Moog Foundation in celebration of its 20th anniversary of preserving Bob Moog’s legacy through education and the Moogseum
Additionally, until September 7th, customers can take advantage of Cherry Audio’s “Build Your Own Bundle” promotion at the official website. They can select the Pick 3 bundle for $99 (regularly $119) or the Pick 6 bundle for $149 (regularly $169).
This promotion allows customers to mix and match any of Cherry Audio’s award-winning instruments, including Memorymode 2, for less than $25 per plugin.
More information here: Cherry Audio
Oh well, yet another release from CA that doesn’t tickle my fancy…
Why can’t they release synth plugin that is NOT emulation of old same old synths..?!