I have a vague recollection of something called a moog constellation… Was there such a thing? If so, I assume it dates from the Thomas Organ era of the Satellite?.. Anyone?
The Moog Constellation was a prototype system consisting of three prototype devices; the Lyra, the Apollo, and the bass pedals.
The Apollo was a polyphonic synth that evolved into the Polymoog, but it was a cheesy organ-like top octave division system with a master VCF so not really a proper polyphonic synth. It was designed by Dave Luce.
The bass pedals evolved into the Taurus pedals.
The Lyra is a 3 VCO monosynth that never made it into production. Bob Moog designed it and the bass pedals.
The Constellation made an appearance on ELP “Brain Salad Surgery”. The Lyra is heard a lot as the solo synth, the Apollo is featured on “Benny the Bouncer”. ELP took the Constellation less bass pedals on tour in 1973, and the Apollo didn’t last a month. Keith Emerson kept the Lyra for a long time until he donated it to Audities. The Apollo and the Lyra are currently in the possession of the Audities.org collection. The bass pedals are long gone.
The Lyra still functions, but the Apollo has been long cannibalized and is beyond salvaging.
The Constellation was a multi synthesizer package that consisted of the Lyra solo synth, the polyphonic Apollo, and an early version of the Taurus pedals. Keith Emerson used the Apollo and Lyra on ELP’s “Brain Salad Surgery” album and took them on the subsequent '73/'74 tour.
The Constellation was never put in production, it ended up instead being the prototypes for the Polymoog, Multimoog and Taurus pedals.
Wow!!
Thanks for that!!
I thought I’d remembered seeing an advert for a Constellation for sale in the early 80s, but I must’ve been dreaming!1
Cheers !!
I’m sorry, but as a Hammond Novachord owner and user, I have to protest the unfair but persistent characterization of divide-down circuitry as “cheesy” and inauthentic.
Granted, a divide-down polyphonic synth that features a VCF and VCA per note (like the Korg PS-3100, etc.) is more effective at emulating traditional polyphonic synth playing, but that is not to say that polyphonic synths that used divide-down technology and don’t feature multiple VCFs and VCAs aren’t real synthesizers, are cheesy, or are unusable.
I’ve never heard an Apollo, but I’m sure it didn’t sound that cheesy when Keith Emerson played the dang thing. I’m a BIG fan of the Polymoog… which doesn’t sound REMOTELY cheesy to my ears, either.
In addition to my Novachord (which sounds like nothing else on earth… over 160 tubes!), I also have a Korg Delta which has very frequently been slandered for its paraphonic situation. Granted, the single envelope and filter for all of its keys can create some unique and unexpected effects, but that’s what playing a synthesizer is all about!!
I think combo organs ruined it for everyone. ; )
Who believes the “new Moog” should resume development of the Lyra and the Apollo?
~Ben
The advertisement for the Constellation appeared in Keyboard in the mid 70’s as a mock up drawing.
The MultiMoog PolyMoog and Taurus I is the vintage Moog market equivalent of the Constellation.
Nowadays we have the Voyager and Taurus III. Theres definately a modern day polysynth missing. It is debatable if and when we might see one from Moog.
Images courtesy of Roger Luther, moogarchives.com
Eric
Maybe the understudies related to the men who came up with the Apollo design could go back and finish its (pre-Polymoog) design.
~Ben
Hi,
Has anyone here ever gigged with a Polymoog Synthesizer, Multimoog and Taurus I together (the Taurus I is hooked up to the Polymoog; and the Multimoog is stacked on top of the Polymoog) so as to get a representation of the market-version Constellation Ensemble?
Also, has any one ever played the trumpet leads of “Karn Evil 9 (3rd Impression)” on the Multimoog?
~Ben
Uh, no.
When we tried to contact Dave Luce for any documentation on the Apollo, he had next to nothing.
Luce has no desire to re-enter the business.
His Polymoog/Apollo was an expensive and inefficient approach to polyphony which was quickly overshadowed by the modern day voice assignment scheme.
Frankly, the Polymoog/Apollo architecture is extremely limiting soundwise. It is more of a glorified organ than a proper synthesizer.
Besides, the mere mention of “Polymoog” strikes fear and dread in many a musician who had to endure touring with those unreliable beasts.
But would it have made the exact same sounds as the Apollo that it was born out of? Particularly, its use during parts of the Emerson, Lake & Palmer song “Karn Evil 9 (3rd Impression).”
It also strikes fear and dread in many a repair technicians. Polymoogs and CS-80s are a bastard to maintain.
I liked my Polymoog… don’t forget the poly-pedal! We have a pretty awesome modern day equivalent in the MP-201 I’d say.