At the suggestion of another contributor to the forums, I read the book “Analog Days” by Trevor Pinch and Frank Trocco (published just a few years before Dr. Moog died). It accounts for a wide range of narratives about the creation and use of the analog synthesizer from the 1950s to the early 1980s/1990s. A highly recommended read for anyone who visits this forum regularly.
The book got me particularly interested in modular synthesizers and thinking about how I might get my own modular system someday. As I looked into what is out there, my attention ultimately focused upon the Voyager Old School as a good choice: It has a lot of built-in design features that seem to recreate the experience of playing a modular synthesizer, it has a wider range of possible sounds than my current synthesizer, and it would fit in well with the other analog gear I already have…
Thinking that the Voyager OS was discontinued, I e-mailed a number of Moog dealers asking about the price range of any new, open box, or used instruments. One response from ------------------------ in Austin, TX surprised me. The message read–“Yes, we can get a new Old School. Moog has started making them again, thankfully.”
Can anyone (particularly from Moog) confirm/elaborate on this?
Also, could any Voyager OS owners with first hand modular experience weigh in on my thoughts/expectations about playing with this instrument? I’m not so much interested in playing it as a keyboard (although this is a feature that I do want to have)–but in setting up patches and exploring sounds by turning knobs…Does the Voyager OS afford the same kind of “magic” of fooling with a bigger/more expensive system?
Although it is a very cool machine, it doesn’t come close to the modular vibe. Not being able to repatch the oscilators or use the VCA for anything but final output, etc. That is why I have a modular. An OS is normalled for the standard OSC-VCF-VCA. With a modular, you can do it any way you want.
I just spoke with my contact at the music store who was just on the phone with Moog in regards to the future availability of the Voyager Old School. Seems like he was in error; the official line from Moog is that the Voyager OS is not due to be reissued.
This is a bummer–it it’s features look like a really good match to what I would like to do. I hope that in the near future, Moog reconsiders producing more of these instruments. In the meantime, can anyone offer any insights about what the price range for second hand Voyager Old Schools might be? Has anyone bought one second hand?
Looks like they are all gone. I freaked out when I saw that Moog wouldn’t be making any more a year ago and bought a whitewash from NovaMusik (it was openbox but absolutely perfect).
Checked Humbucker who usually has product hanging around and no dice. Maybe eBay at this point.
Speaking of ‘better hurry up and grab one’, NovaMusik has a Taurus III Demo for $1,799 which is a damn good price (but I have a feeling that Moog may be making another run of them, that is unless they are onto something bigger/else).
You say it is true? How do you know? This is shockingly good news - that Moog has manufactured additional Old Schools. Every body has been saying it would never happen.
This has likely bee said/written before, but I’d really like to see a XL sized Old School but I’d like to see it slightly modified to have Midi (like Model D), to have Midi clock drive the LFOs optionally, but otherwise have no presets, no display… Old School in every other regard.
I love turning off my OS then come back a few days later and have it exactly as I left it… makes perfect sense that the patching component of the VX and CP integration belong on the Old School platform.
Moog has produced a small number of Voyager Old Schools, which are for sale directly from the website. But it sounds as if they’ll be available only for the time being.
