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Synthesizers
The hardware based synthesizers seen throughout this site, are analog in most cases monophonic and need to be patched. Although the ARP2600 is semi modular as with the Moog Voyager XL, the Synton System 3000 is completely modular with no pre-made patch connections. The Moog Voyager XL is considered to be a hybrid analog synthesizer, as it has a MIDI control surface mechanism with patch recall, and can be used as a MIDI keyboard controller. In any case, the output signal for all the synths is completely analog.
Mini Moog Voyager XL
The Mini Moog Voyager XL is the culmination of Bob Moog’s vision for the mini Moog. The Voyager XL is a completely analog sound generating device with a digital control surface hybrid MIDI engine. It can store up to 896 recallable patches, 8-banks of 128 patches with bank G, being user definable. As a monophonic analog synth, its 3-oscillator (OSC) with sweeping waveform shape control and noise generator, stereo low-hi-pass filter, separate ADSRs for both filter and amplifier, 2-LFOs, X/Y touch pad, ribbon controller, pitch-bend and modulation wheel, and a 5-octave velocity and pressure sensitive MIDI keyboard gives everything needed for an outstanding live performance experience. But it doesn’t stop there. The “XL” refers to the onboard patchbay with voltage control inputs and outputs. There are outputs for all performance parameters, and inputs to the filter, amplifier, multi mixer, the second LFO, 2-attenuator potentiometers, and a 3x1 multi-mixer, all patchable using a traditional quarter inch patchbay cable.
Mini Moog Model D
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Released in 1970 the mini Moog synthesizer quickly became the most popular performance based mono phonic synthesizer in the world. It’s 3 and-a-half octave keyboard, three oscillator bank with mixer, along with the famous Bob Moog ladder filter, made the mini Moog the choice of performers such as Keith Emerson, Rick Wickman, Chick Corea, and bands such as The Beatles, The Monkeeys, 9-Inch Nails, Craftwork, Tangerine Dream, and so many others. The specialized sound of the original Mini Moog was created by an overdrive filter design error and a transistor audio pathway giving the Mini Moog a distinctively warm and edgy sound. Here you see my personal 1976 Mini Moog still in use today.
ARP2600
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The ARP2600 is legendary. From the progressive jazz ensemble, Weather Report, to the avant-garde of Depeche Mode, from the rock stylings of The Who, to the mastery of Stevie Wonder, the ARP 2600 semi modular synthesizer was known for its ability to make unique and experimental electronic music sounds. The 2600 features, a 3-oscillator architecture with low-pass filter, ADSR envelope generator, noise generator, sample & hold circuit, voltage processor, envelope follower, input audio preamp, and its classic stereo spring reverb. The ARP2600’s popularity was primarily due to its semi modular, pre-patched configuration and the fact it was the only commercially available synthesizer having two on-board speakers.
Synton Modular Synther 3000
The Synton Modular System 3000, distributed by Bob Moog in 1980 through his company Big Briar is a one-of-a-kind synth. This fully analog vintage modular synthesizer, having a signature sound, required knowledgeable sound designing skill. The Synton is comprised of 2 components, the case module and the keyboard module. The case module can contain up to 24-modules, and each module uses banana-jack inputs and outputs allowing for an open patch cord architecture. Seen here, there are 19-mods including the 3-OSC, 1-NG, 2-filter, 2Mixer, 2-LFOs, 2-ENV, 1-Mult, 1-Stereo Amp, 1-SH, 2-Inv/VPC 1-SLU/LIM, the power supply with keyboard connection, and 3-in/out quarter-inch audio jacks. The best thing about the Synton modular system 3000, is there are no pre-made patches. You need to know about control voltage levels, gates, pulses, signal flow, and basic audio acoustic principles. Because any input can be connected to any output within the case, to get a sound you clearly need to know what you are doing.
Moog Mother 32
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The Moog Mother 32 module, seen here as a standalone module, and in use at the Owen studio is a monophonic expansion to my Voyager XL. The Mother 32 provides a single oscillator with saw and square waveforms, pulse width modulation control, a low and high pass filter, a low frequency oscillator, and best of all, a 32-step, 64-pattern sequencer with memory storage. There is an extensive 8th inch mini-jack patch-bay for voltage control inputs and outputs. Voltage levels are between + or -5 volts. Analog synthesizers that require higher voltage levels may not respond properly.
Moog Theremini
The Moog Theremini is an instrument you never touch. In 1918 Leon Thurman a Russian physicist, while experimenting with magnetic fields, discovered you could pitch sinewaves by disturbing a magnetic field antenna with your hands. In 1953 Bob Moog began producing and selling Thurmans as the first hands-free electronic music instrument. The Thurman seem here is the latest incarnation of Bob Moog’s Thurman. The Theremini is a complete synthesizer with a filter, selectable waveforms, and preset storage. It also features a quantizing engine which gives precise intervals between the distance of the antenna and the movement of the right hand. If you are a purist, you can disengage the quantizing engine and play the Theremini just like the original Thurman. With USB connectivity, stereo quarter inch outputs, and a delay effect processor, the Moog Theremini is a great lead performance instrument.
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