A couple of very basic questions please. I just received my Model 15 (s/n 84) and 953 controller. I connected the 953 to the 1-2 input on the Model 15 as instructed. The trigger seems to be operating backwards to what the quick start sheet says for the 953. When I use Trigger 1, it only triggers on the second key press. When I use Trigger 2, it triggers on the first key press. Is that correct?
This leads me to my second question which is about setting the trigger to work with the Model 15 versus System 35/55. The quick start says to press and hold D3 for 2 seconds while powering up to set the trigger behavior for a model 15, do the same but with C3 to set it for a System 35/55. Which key on the 953 is D3? I tried what I thought should be D3, no difference. I then tried pressing each “D” and “C” on the keyboard while turning it on and have not noticed any difference in the trigger behavior.
What is the difference in the triggering between the system 35/55 and Model 15? Is this setting related to the first question I had above?
What an amazing instrument. Thanks Moog for bringing these systems back to life. Teenage dream come true.
If not, I can only add that I too have a Model 15 but do not have the 953. I play mine from a Liberation and direct patch (no barrel connector).
But I had a look at the doc which on the Moog web site and it could not be more confusing : )
I also have the original technical service manual from Norlin days and I cannot see a difference between the pinouts or wiring diagram on the Model 15 or 35/55 with the exception of a trig buffer which I assume is required for proper ‘extension’ via Trig 1 output.
If I had to guess, the correct key to press to configure the 953 is the center octave. On a Midi keyboard, with a centered logical switching of octave, the lowest C is typically bound to a Midi note which might be C2 (and the lowest midi is “C0”) But on a CV keyboard, I would assume that C1 is the lowest key on your 953 therefore the middle octave is C3 and D3 respectively. I’m just guessing.
I can tell you that I’ve had a problem with my synthesizer.com keyboard in ‘remembering’ the initial setting. Note that the Moog says that your INITIAL setting will be remembered so it’s possible that there is an issue. Obviously, the synthesizer.com keyboard has zero to do with the Moog keyboard but my point is that perhaps there is a firmware issue and your keyboard is permanently stuck on the 35/55 setting.
Best to just call tech support tomorrow when they re-open.
Also, looks like they just raised the price by $300. If I’m not mistaken, it was originally $799 but some of the outlets such as Humbucker Music down in Rossville, GA still have it at this price.
In my opinion $799 was a good deal and the only thing that stopped me from buying one for my 15 was that it was 5 octaves, not 4 and was not covered in Tolex in a nice case like the original. Hopefully whatever problem or lack of documentation that might exist is fixed/clarified shortly.
What sort of response did you get from Moog and/or how did you resolve the issue? I’m having the same issue, and I’m pretty sure I followed the instructions to the letter in terms of setting the keyboard for the Model 15.
Thanks,
Stefan
Update: I contacted Moog, and they recommended that I try the calibration procedure several times over, and voila! It finally triggered correctly. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to remember the setting between restarts, so I need redo the procedure whenever I turn it on. But I can live with that.
Got my 953 a couple days ago and I’m having the exact same issue as dingebre with my Model 15, how was this solved exactly? By calibrating the controller over and over until the calibration works? Also, did we ever decide what octave was the correct octave to hold down the D?
That’s basically what I did (go through the procedure multiple times), although as I mentioned, I have to hold down the key every time I turn the modular on. I should also note that I hold the key down for much longer than the specified 2 seconds (maybe 5 or so). Pretty sure it’s the 3rd D on the keyboard-- that’s what’s working for me.
So I’m going to send in my 953 for a repair which bums me out.. but its ok. I contacted Moog and they were super helpful and quick to respond and are paying for shipping etc, so not that big a deal. This stuff happens.
BUT, the reason I’m posting is I did get a final word on what octave is D3 is. The Keyboard starts at D0 so the 4th D on the 953 would be the correct D to press to calibrate it.. just if anyone has any issues with it in the future.
Just FYI: I ended up sending my 953 in for service, and received a replacement keyboard that works perfectly (they wanted to investigate the failure of my original keyboard).
I ended up sending my keyboard in for repair as well and Moog confirmed that it was not functioning properly. I will just say Moog was very easy to deal with. Responded to my emails within hours instead of days. They paid for the return shipping and I had a new keyboard in my apartment within a week. Very happy with their service.
This keyboard works perfectly. I did have to do the calibration procedure (ended up pressing the middle D, contrary to my previous post) and it worked.
Digging up this old thread, as I have just taken delivery of a Model 10 and a 953 today. Much to my annoyance, I think my 953 is faulty. The triggers only fire from the channel 2 outputs and if I have both envelopes connected, the sustain is always behaves as if the knob fully up (in other words, the envelopes act like an A/R with the sustain always up while a key is held down). If only one envelope is connected, the sustain acts as it should.
I only have a single old Voltage-to-S-trigger from Synthesizers.com (I’ve ordered another) so I can’t test this sustain behavior with any other controllers for now.
It would seem that others here have had to swap out their 953s for replacements, It’s kind of a drag that they are still going out with issues years later.
(yes, I held D3 when powering on. I have tried this repeatedly with no change)
Has anyone else experienced this sustain issue? Am I not understanding something basic or did I just get a lemon 953?
I’m confused about what you are doing. To connect the 953 to the 10, you don’t need the synthesizers.com voltage-to-s-trigger cable.
When you connect the 953 to the back of the 10 with the long gray cable that comes with the 953 and turn it on holding D3 for 2 seconds, the triggers are available via the cinch-jones connections on the Controller Outputs module on the bottom. If you bought the Model 10 new, it should have come with 2 cinch-jones to cinch-jones cables (male to female). They are skinnier than the other patch cords. To trigger the envelopes, you connect those from the controller outputs on either row 1 or 2 to the envelopes.
Are you connecting the synthesizers.com voltage trigger to s trigger cable from the 1/4” jack on the Controller Outputs module to the cinch-jones on the envelope? If so, that’s why its not doing what you expect; all of those 1/4” jacks in rows 1 and 2 are sending pitch voltage, not trigger. The only way to get s trigger out of the 953 with the Model 10 is to plug a cinch jones plug into the cinch-jones connectors on the Controller Outputs module.
Synthesizers.com also sells cinch-jones to cinch-jones cables (i.e. the ones you want for this), so pick some up there if you don’t already have them.
If I’m wrong and you ARE using the cinch-jones to cinch-jones cables that came with the model 10, it is worth it to re-seat the cable that connects the 953 to the back of the model 10. Just make sure the pins are all the way in and you’ve tightened the connector well. You don’t have to crank it or anything; just make sure its all the way in when you are done.
Finally, if the above didn’t help you, or you still have issues, call Moog on Monday and tell them about your issue. Its a great company and they are extremely helpful.
(Where the synthesizers.com v-trig to s-trig cable comes into play is if you are wanting to play the Model 10 via a synth that sends voltage triggers, like say a Grandmother)
Thanks for the response, and thanks for the help (despite my confusing post). I will try re-seating the cable between 953 and Model 10 this morning. It would be lovely if that did the trick.
Regarding the 953, I am not using the Synthesizers.com cables, just connecting it up as instructed in the “manual” with the included DIN/barrel connector cable and patching with the included cinch-jones cables for the envelopes and 1/4" cables for the oscillator CV (the pitch is acting as it should).
I mentioned the Synthesizers.com voltage-to-s-trigger cables merely because I can use those to test the Model 10 with my Synthesizers.com keyboard to make sure the trouble lies in the 953 rather than the Model 10 (I suspect it’s the 953).
Alas, reseating the cable didn’t help. I have tried repeatedly to ‘re-calibrate’ the keyboard (holding down D3 when powering up) and have gotten different - though no less faulty - results. Now Control channel 1 is partially working monophonically, while control channel 2 only works duophonically. The sustain issue persists, regardless.
