The Moog Messenger features a few extra glide functions that is not immediately obvious when looking at the synth's front UI. Exploring these hidden features can offer a variety of creative performance possibilities to explore. 


TABLE OF CONTENTS


What does the Glide do?

Increasing the GLIDE control will increase the amount of time it takes to move from one note to the next, creating a portamento effect. 



Changing the Glide Configuration

Enter CONFIG view by pressing SETTINGS and then PGM button 16 (CONFIG) 

  • Ensure Page LED 16 is lit – indicating you are on page 1 of the CONFIG options
  • Press PGM button 3 to select CONFIG option 3 on page 1 (Glide Config). PGM button 16 will slowly flash to indicate you are in CONFIG view while PGM button 3 will quickly flash to indicate the currently selected CONFIG option
  • You can now select your desired glide configuration:
    • PGM 1 - Legato Glide On (lit) Off (unlit) 
    • PGM 2 - Gated Glide On (lit) Off (unlit) 
      • Both or neither of Legato & Glide can be selected per patch
    • PGM 14 - Glide Type - Exponential 
    • PGM 15 - Glide Type - Linear Constant Rate 
    • PGM 16 - Glide Type - Linear Constant Time

      • Only one glide type can be selected per patch
  • Press SETTINGS to confirm your selection and exit CONFIG view.


Legato Glide

Legato glide only happens when notes overlap.

  • When you play a second note while still holding the first, the pitch glides smoothly.
  • If you release the first note before playing the next, there is no glide—the new note starts normally.
  • Often tied to legato playing mode, where:
    • The envelope (filter/amp) does not retrigger on overlapping notes.


Gated Glide

Gated glide happens on every note transition.

  • Every new note will slide from the previous pitch, regardless of whether notes overlap.
  • Even if you play staccato (separate notes), glide still occurs.
  • Typically:
    • The envelope retriggers for each note (unless separately set to legato mode).


Glide Type - Exponential

This is the synth's INIT setting glide type.

  • The rate of change slows down as it reaches it's target location.


Glide Type - Linear Constant Rate (LCR)

The pitch will change at a constant speed.

  • Short intervals glide quickly 
  • Large intervals glide slowly


Glide Type - Linear Constant Time (LCT)

Glide always takes the same amount of time, regardless of interval size. 

  • Short intervals glide slowly
  • Large intervals glide quickly

  • Linear Constant Rate (LCR) - The pitch changes at a constant speed.

    • Short intervals glide quickly.

    • Large intervals take much longer to complete.

  • Linear Constant Time (LCT) - The pitch change always takes the same fixed duration, no matter the interval size.

    • Small intervals glide slowly 

    • Large intervals glide very quickly

  • Exponential glide - The rate of change slows down as it approaches the target note.