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Tag: Moog

  • Moog, Suzanne Ciani, Expert Sleepers — Synth News Digest 2

    Moog, Suzanne Ciani, Expert Sleepers — Synth News Digest 2

    Welcome to another edition of the TabMuse Synth News Digest. If you are interested in checking out the last music technology news report, simply click on this link. As always, thanks for reading!

    Moog announces new Subsequent 37 CV Synthesizer

    Just in time for Moogfest 2017, Moog announced the impending release of the new Subsequent 37 CV, an evolutionary upgrade to the now venerable Sub 37. Before we get into the feature set of the new Moog, what’s with yet another crappy synth name out of Asheville? The Moog Sub 37 – Silver Machine Edition simply sounds cooler, while also giving a well-deserved shout-out to spacerock legends, Hawkwind. Nobody asked me!

    moog-subsequent-37
    The new Moog Subsequent 37 CV looks to be a great synth despite its name. Photo copyright Moog Music Inc.

    Other than its silver faceplate, the most notable new feature of the Subsequent 37 CV is probably its four CV output jacks, facilitating the integration of the synth into a Eurorack or other modular setup. An improved keybed – I’ve had nary a problem with mine – is another upgrade. In addition to enhancing the filter multidrive circuit, Moog also beefed up the synth’s headroom so it sounds better in Duo mode.

    At a street price of $1,799, the Subsequent 37 is priced $300 more than the original Sub 37. Moog is planning a limited edition run of 2000 units, with the first 125 to be available at Moogfest 2017. Other music retailers are expected to have them in late June.

    Suzanne Ciani earns Moog Innovation Award

    In other Moogfest news, synth legend, Suzanne Ciani is receiving this year’s Moog Innovation Award. Ciani, known for her exploratory 70s synth output as well as her piano-based contributions to the nascent 80s new-age scene, is recently on a career renaissance. Her work with fellow Buchla artist, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith is transcendent and worth checking out.

    Expert Sleepers disting mk4 Eurorack Module

    Eurorack users need to check out the new disting mk4 module from Expert Sleepers. This fourth edition of the disting fits quite a large mixture of CV and processing algorithms into a 4 HP rack space. Expect everything from oscillators to filters to bit crushers to envelopes and more. Whew!

    Previous editions of the disting earned a few awards in the music tech industry, and the same can be expected of the mk4, considering the massive amount of useful synth functionality contained in the unit.

    StudioLinked Studio Rack Producer Plugin

    In a similar manner as the disting mk4, StudioLinked manages to wedge tons of functionality into its new Studio Rack Producer plugin. The included speaker emulation helps producers put together a great final mix – no matter the genre. A variety of effects, including delay, reverb, stereo chorus, hi & low pass filters, and a compressor round out the package.

    Studio Rack Producer is available in most of the popular plugin formats for only $59.

    ESI introduces Two New USB Audio Interfaces – U86 XT and U168 XT

    If you are in the market for a new USB audio interface, check out these two new models from the German equipment manufacturer, ESI. The U86 XT offers eight inputs and six outputs with 24-bit audio over USB 2.0. Its larger brother, the U168 XT, sports sixteen inputs and eight outputs.

    Both 24/96 interfaces are compatible with the Mac and PC and feature other useful functionality, like support for ASIO 2.0 and CoreAudio. The inputs feature a mixture of XLR, quarter-inch, and S/PDIF ports with the U168 enjoying four XLR inputs compared to the U86’s two. Check out both product pages linked above for additional details.


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  • NAMM 2015 and the Analog Synthesizer Renaissance

    NAMM 2015 and the Analog Synthesizer Renaissance

    Sorry for the relative lapse in new content here at TabMuse. I’ve been working hard on the new Church of Hed album, Electric Sepulcher, so my time for TabMuse is more fleeting. We’ll work on fixing that in the future.

    As usual, gear lust ruled the day at this year’s NAMM show in Los Angeles. This time last year, I was cleaning up myself after spewing copious amounts of foam due to the NAMM 2014 announcement of the Moog Sub 37. After waiting impatiently for most of the year I took delivery of my own Sub 37 in October.

    This year featured even more exciting product announcements in the analog synth realm, but with my gear budget essentially gone after the Sub 37, I’ll be staying on the sidelines this time out. Nonetheless, we’ll take a look at some of the promising NAMM announcements now populating the wish lists of many synth freaks.

    The Return of the Moog Modular

    Arguably the biggest synth news out of NAMM 2015, Moog reintroduced its classic line of modular synthesizers to the marketplace. Priced from $10,000 to $35,000, these are essentially luxury musical instruments; wise shoppers can get a similar setup from Synthesizers.com at a fraction of the price. But…. Moog!

    Moog System 55
    Moog’s System 55 modular synthesizer in all its glory. Photo copyright Moog Music, Inc.

    Still, it was cool to see Suzanne Ciani and other industry legends, old and new, patching up a Moog Modular System 55. It is expected that Moog plans to sell individual modules from these systems, but no news as of yet. Ultimately, those larger Moog systems are beasts; Eurorack makes more ergonomic sense for this dreamer.

    Dave Smith brings back Sequential Circuits

    Legendary synth designer, Dave Smith, regained the rights to use the “Sequential Circuits” moniker, and what better synth with which to reintroduce that brand name than the new Prophet 6, announced at NAMM 2015. This reimagining of the classic analog poly synth set many hearts aflutter.

    In addition to the standard features of an analog synth, the Prophet 6 raises the bar with 24-bit multi-effects (with true bypass for analog purists) and a polyphonic step sequencer. Street price on this bad boy comes in at $2,799. It is expected to ship in the summer of 2015.

    Korg goes on a Mini Odyssey

    One of the most anticipated synth rebirths at NAMM 2015 was Korg’s reintroduction of ARP’s classic Odyssey synth. Korg offers new versions of all three of Odyssey models, albeit in a plastic casing with mini keys, causing much controversy amongst synth heads. With a street price of $999, the smart shopper might spend a bit more on a Moog Sub 37 or wait to see what Behringer’s reported Odyssey clone looks like when it hits the market.

    Korg also introduced a desktop module version of its MS-20 kit that includes the new SQ-1 hardware step sequencer. Considering the street price of $1,199, thankfully the SQ-1 is also available separately for $99 putting it square within my wheelhouse. The fact that the sequencer includes a separate CV out compatible with the littleBits Synth Kit, means I am all over this once the new Church of Hed album is finished and I can go back into R&D mode.

    The modular synthesizer cottage industry was also in full force at NAMM with Make Noise, Doepfer, and others displaying new modules and more. I am still a couple years out from making a dive into the modular world, but it is inspiring to see a thriving scene afoot.

    Well, that’s all I’ve got this time out. Maybe one year I will actually attend NAMM instead of lusting from a distance? In the next few weeks here at TabMuse expect reviews of VirSyn’s cool additive synth app for iOS, Cube, and coverage of the upcoming Sub 37 firmware update that includes full sequence editing and other neat features.

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  • The Moog Minifooger MF Delay paired with a Sub 37

    The Moog Minifooger MF Delay paired with a Sub 37

    Within a day after working with the Moog Sub 37 analog synthesizer in my studio I needed some delay. I had purchased an Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Boy a few months ago to pair with the Sub 37, but it ended up being used in another part of the studio. I wanted a dedicated delay pedal for the synth.

    Enter the Moog Minifooger MF Delay.

    Moog’s Inexpensive Minifooger Effects

    Moog entered the effects pedal industry a few years ago with the excellent, but quite pricey, Moogerfooger line. Considering the money I just spent on the Sub 37, a more inexpensive solution was needed. Moog introduced the Minifooger line in the past couple of years for just this reason.

    Moog MF Delay
    Moog’s Minifooger MF Delay resting on top of my Korg Z1. The Sub 37 lies just outside view. Photo by Author.

    The Minifooger MF Delay sports a street price of just under $200, making it a perfect partner for the Sub 37. One arrived at my door two days later.

    The MF Delay is the Antidote for Anger

    Sitting on top of my Korg Z1, the MF Delay easily found a home with its partner in crime, the Sub 37. The controls and their functionality feel familiar to anyone who has ever used a delay pedal. The standard array of Time, Feedback, Drive, and Mix controls work as expected.

    I/O is also as expected, with 1/4-inch inputs and outputs as well as an input for an expression pedal. A switch in the battery compartment allows for pedal control of either the Time or Feedback parameters as needed. The pedal’s delay time varies from around 35 to 700 milliseconds, more than enough to give a synth a bit more color and motion.

    The MF Delay’s Drive knob adds up to 22 dBs of signal boost, which is really useful for grunging the sound up, especially when the Sub 37’s filter Multidrive setting is also boosted. Cranking the Feedback knob to 11 causes the pedal to self-oscillate, perfect for a bed of outer space inspired freak outs.

    Needless to say, Moog’s Minifooger MF Delay makes for a perfect companion to any of the recent spade of analog and virtual analog synths. Don’t let guitar players have all the fun — pick one up today!

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  • Moog Releases Werkstatt-01 Synth Kit to the Public

    Moog Releases Werkstatt-01 Synth Kit to the Public

    One of the more intriguing happenings at this year’s Moogfest in Asheville, NC featured a workshop where all the attendees got to build their own Moog analog synthesizer. Nary two months later, and Moog has released the Werkstatt-01 synth kit — used in the workshop — to the public. Anyone interested in building their own analog synth need to check out the Werkstatt, which is available in extremely limited numbers from a selection of Moog’s normal vendor community.

    But I still wait for my pre-ordered Sub 37 to ship. It was recently delayed to the end of the summer for its original May ship date. Ultimately, who cares about my whining!

    Moog Werkstatt — No Soldering Gun Needed!

    The Werkstatt-01 kit, in a similar manner as the Korg MS-20 kit, doesn’t require the use of a soldering iron, so it should be relatively easy for the electronically challenged to construct. The Werkstatt is a basic analog synth, with one VCO capable of square and sawtooth waveforms with PWM possible using the square wave. The classic 4-pole Moog filter is in there as well, along with an EG and LFO to provide modulation, if desired.

    werkstatt-moog
    The Moog Werkstatt-01 Kit in all its glory. Photo copyright Moog Music.

    A mini patch bay adds to the functionality of the unit. The CV input means the Werkstatt can find a home as part of a modular synth setup — there is no MIDI functionality. A mini push-button keyboard provides a means to play the thing beyond using some form of a CV input, although an “always-on” drone setting is possible on the VCA.

    If you are interested in picking up a Werkstatt at its retail price of $329, strike quickly, as numbers are extremely limited, as mentioned earlier. Considering the popularity of Korg’s MS-20 kit, the littleBits Synth Kit, as well as the robust “maker” community, maybe these kinds of synthesizer construction kits will become commonplace? If so, how about MF-101 and MF-104 kits, Moog? Please!

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  • Moogfest 2014 Intrigues and Inspires

    Moogfest 2014 Intrigues and Inspires

    Observing the news from this year’s Moogfest, held once again in Asheville, NC, headquarters of Moog Music, it is obvious that the modular synthesizer revival is coming full circle. At the festival, Moog announced they are reintroducing Keith Emerson’s classic modular unit, used in pretty much every ELP tour since the early 70s. I Dream of Wires, indeed. (Speaking of which, the theatrical version of this excellent modular synthesizer documentary saw its debut at Moogfest.)

    Moog says “contact us” for New Modular System Price

    It appears Moog’s new Emerson modular system is a very limited edition. The company says to contact them for the price; one rumor I saw placed the behemoth’s cost at a stunning $90,000. Whoa!

    Emerson Moog Modular
    The new Emerson Moog Modular synthesizer in all its glory. Photo copyright Moog Music.

    Hopefully, Moog decides to offer the individual modules on a separate basis. While, Moog’s modular format isn’t necessarily as popular as Eurorack, enough synth freaks want that classic filter sound to make it worth their while – MoogerFoogers notwithstanding.

    The Moog Engineering Workshop a Success

    One of the events at Moogfest inspiring a lot of jealousy in me was an engineering workshop where participants built their own analog synthesizer — the Werkstatt. Bob Moog’s Theremin kits were his first product way back when, and the Werkstatt pays tribute — more or less — to that part of Bob’s legacy. Very cool!

    Check out the details behind the synth in this video from Sonic State which features an interview with Moog engineer, Steve Dunnington. (Note the Korg MS-20 on the rack behind Steve. Hmmm…)

    Moogfest is also an Electronic Music Festival

    Moogfest also plays host to one of the larger electronic music festivals in the US, which is many festival goers’ prime reason for attending. Kraftwerk, Chic, RJD2, Giorgio Moroder, Mix Master Mike, Bernie Worrell, and Keith Emerson were some of the musical highlights.

    Seminars, Workshops, and More

    Moogfest featured a number of seminars, panels, and workshops of interest to anyone enthralled by the art of analog synthesis. The workshops covered practical topics, including sampling analog instruments as well as a variety of modular synthesis advice and tutorials. Alternative musical interfaces were featured in a seminar, and the folks from the DIY bible, Make Magazine, even hosted their own five hour panel/workshop.

    Non-Moog industry legends like Don Buchla, Tom Oberheim, Roger Linn, and Dave Smith each were featured in panels, providing that Moogfest goes beyond the brand name to cover analog synthesis in general. Also: Moog Yoga, anyone?

    Needless to say, I need to find a way to actually attend next year’s Moogfest. This is a festival that showcases both the analog synthesizer industry and the beauty of Asheville, NC and its surrounding region. For the time being, I’ll just have to wait for my Moog Sub 37 to arrive in about three weeks.