Xils Lab MemoryTone: the year of the Memorymoog emulations isn't yet over

Xils Lab Memorytone is a new authentic Moog Memorymoog Synthesizer emulation and joins the others this year

The year 2026 was heavily influenced by the Memorymoog in the emulation space. Two companies, Arturia and Cherry Audio, released emulations. If you include Akai’s sample-based synth, that makes three Memorymoog synths that hit the market this year.

And anyone who thinks things will be quiet for the next few years is mistaken. Xils Lab has just released MemoryTone, another Moog Memorymoog emulation.

Xils Lab MemoryTone

Following its acclaimed CS-80 emulation “The Eighty,” Xils Lab has recreated another legendary flagship vintage Synthesizer in software. The Xils Lab MemoryTone is an authentic emulation of the 1982 Moog Memorymoog.

Unlike Cherry Audio with Memorymode 2, Xavier of Xils Lab takes the 1:1 feature route with just one layer. This comes with three multi-wave oscillators, each with pulse-width modulation (PWM). You can also use a new sub-oscillator with an LFO mode.

From here, it goes into a four-channel mixer with a built-in noise generator on the fourth channel. Then MemoryTone includes a recreation of the Memorymoog filter section.

This is a 24dB self-oscillating ladder filter with control over the cutoff, resonance (emphasis), contour amount, and key tracking. There doesn’t seem to be any bass compensation for sounds with high resonance, or it’s not directly visible.

Modulation & FX

Modulation also remains traditional and true to the original, with small additions that make it more versatile and expressive.

Xils Lab MemoryTone features two ADSR envelope generators with a dedicated keyboard follower with switchable return-to-zero, unconventional contour, and release functions.

Alongside these, you have a single main multi-wave LFO with FM and PWM routings to all three oscillators and the filters. Oscillator 3 with the filter contour is also available as a secondary LFO, routable to FM, PWM, and the filter.

And don’t forget, the sub-oscillator also works as an LFO. By using the features differently, you have not one but three LFOs to animate parameters.

Other modulation sources are pitch bend, velocity, aftertouch, and MPE. A 6-slot matrix with all the sources and destinations on the left handles your modulation assignments.

MemoryTone also expands the original concept with a creatively routable effects section, featuring chorus, delay, phaser, reverb, EQ, and a resonator. Also onboard is an advanced arpeggiator.

Xils Lab ships the synth with a large factory library with patches designed by professional sound designers. An advanced preset manager makes it easy to explore, organize, and shape your own sounds.

Every parameter is MIDI-controllable, giving producers, keyboard players, and sound designers a fast, hands-on workflow in the studio or on stage.

First Impression

I’m pretty sure nobody expected another Memorymoog emulation so soon after the other two. Whether we need another emulation of this classic after the Arturia and Cherry Audio versions is debatable. And let’s not forget Memorymoon.

One thing is certain: Xavier from Xils Lab has developed some very high-quality emulations. His CS-80 emulation, “The Eighty,” is fantastic. I haven’t played the MemoryTone plugin, but I have a good feeling it will be on the same level as his latest releases.

Xils Lab MemoryTone is now available at an introductory price of $79/79€, down from 199€. On Audio Deluxe, you can get it for $71,10 with the code HEAT2026 for a limited time.

It runs as a VST, VST3, AU, and AAX plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows. It requires iLok software or a dongle to register it.

More information here: Xils Lab

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