Author Topic: Moog (Read 233 times)

olieoliver · « **on:** February 06, 2009, 07:13:19 AM »

I happened to catch the last half of a documentary about Robert Moog last night. It was very enlightening to say the least. If you should get a chance to watch it, DO.

I remember when my old band in high school got our first Moog. Man we thought we were it man. We?ve hit the 20th century and were ready for the big time. LOL

Robert explains how he came to invent his Synthesizer and how he came up with the name Synthesizer?.

It?s kind of funny, when I think of a Moog I think electronic instrument therefore digital right? WRONG, Robert was very emphatic in his explanation that his Moog is an analog instrument. It doesn?t use numbers and such digitally to create tones. I would be the wrong person to explain it in any great detail, but if this kind of stuff interest you this documentary is a must see.

OO

terryc · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2009, 08:03:54 AM »

Analogue synths were voltage controlled that is, it was actual volts and amps that created the sounds, oscillators, ADSR modules, ring modulators, hence they were prone to go out of tune in temperature extremes.
Digital synths have the sounds pre programmed into the chips & IC's.
The classic british synthesiser was the VCS3 developed my EMS..the BBC had a huge synthesiser in their Radiophonic workshop.
King Crimson, Roxy Music, Hawkwind were some of the 60's/70's prog rock bands that used them. A unique sound in themselves..just like old fuzz boxes and tape reverb units.

terryc · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2009, 08:09:12 AM »

Oops I meant spring reverb & tape echo units

olieoliver · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2009, 08:15:10 AM »

I remember my dad's old Echo-Plex that used tape and I do remember bumping into an amp with the spring-reverb units. BBooiiinnnggggg!!!.

Rick Wakeman told a funny story in the documentary about one of his first Moog's that he bought. The guy was selling it cheap because he said it didn't work. Rick bought it, hooked it up and said it worked great. Contacted the seller to find out what was supposed to be wrong with it and the cat says it'll only play one note at a time. LOL

OO

hieronymous · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2009, 08:18:22 AM »

The Moogerfooger pedals and later Moog synths like the Micromoog and Little Phatty were essential parts of my development as a musician.

To me Moog and Alembic are two of the great American music companies - I think it would be great if they could collaborate! Moog recently released a guitar (?!!) - they should have had Alembic do the design!

olieoliver · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2009, 08:25:09 AM »

The 5 pin connector on the guitar looks familiar, hmmm wonder where I've seen that before.

OO

terryc · « **Reply #6 on:** February 06, 2009, 10:14:27 AM »

I know we can lose ourselves in nostaglia but todays bands are after that vintage sound.
Another old keyboard was the Mellotron, tapes with notes recorded on them for violins, cellos and flutes..totally unreliable in the gigging situation as they were not supposed to be moved.
I have a old Colorsound Wah wah and Tonebender, the latter sounds very retro, not like the clinical digital distortion units.

slawie · « **Reply #7 on:** February 06, 2009, 01:15:57 PM »

Back in the late Eighties I worked in a studio that was based around a Fairlight system.
Any of these ever get out of Australia?
slawie

dnburgess · « **Reply #8 on:** February 06, 2009, 03:34:44 PM »

Yes - I think there were more Fairlight's sold internationally than within Australia. For a while it was the must have sampling keyboard.

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** February 06, 2009, 05:31:58 PM »

Where is the documentary?

olieoliver · « **Reply #10 on:** February 06, 2009, 08:32:11 PM »

I caught on cable last night. I beleive it was on Showtime.

olieoliver · « **Reply #11 on:** February 06, 2009, 08:42:14 PM »

It is airing on Showtime and here is the schedule.
On Showtime
02/07/09 at 5:15 AM
On Showtime Family Zone
02/09/09 at 12:45 AM
On Showtime Showcase
02/10/09 at 9:00 AM
On Showtime
02/11/09 at 5:30 AM
On Showtime Family Zone
02/13/09 at 1:00 AM

crobbins · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2009, 09:24:21 AM »

I love everything about Moog..

terryc · « **Reply #13 on:** February 09, 2009, 03:10:57 AM »

Kate Bush used a Fairlight on her 'Hounds of Love' Album..it was the state of the art back then, now you can get keyboards form catalogues which do the same for very little money, progress does have it's merits.

lbpesq · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2009, 12:51:42 PM »

Thanks for the head's up on this one, Olie. I watched it last night. Moog seems like a fascinating guy. I was so impressed, when it was over I went on ebay and bought a Moog Theremin. Soon I'll be able to play tunes by Lothar and the Hand People!

Bill, tgo