Hello to everyone!
I’m fairly new to the moog community, and to this type of music in general.
I would really like to start experiencing the world of synthesizer, and by doing a little search, i discovered that the minimoog voyager electric blue edition is what fits for me.
However, i don’t really know anything about…“how to set it up”.
I mean, he does have a lot of connections on the back, and i don’t know if i need any other machinery / cables / whatever , other than the actual minimoog.
So, actually, i would really like if anyone could kindly explain to me the whole thing, i’ll make some basic questions for helping:
Lots of connections on the back: Do i need any other thing, other than the voyager? (cables? what type of cables?) (Keep in mind that i’m still a novice, and i wouldn’t do anything professional.)
Does the voyager have a built in speaker? If yes, is the thing up here (^) necessary?
What do i have to know about the voyager in terms of connections? (input/output)
Since i live in europe, if i buy an american one with the u.s power cord, will it work (with an wall plug adapter usa to eu?)
Thank you for all the replies. I do appreciate it.
As Red says, reading the manual is the best idea along with coming here.
To fulfill some of your interrogations yet:
You CAN play the MiniMoog with a set of headphones, no cable needed. The Voyager doesn’t have any integrated amplification system so you may want to connect it to any PA/amp/monitors. To do so, a simple instrument cable (1/4 inch jack on each end) is what you need, or a couple of them for some stereo duties which are not absolutely necessary in the beginning.
With a US model, you’ll only have to get a EU power cord (which is not a power chord haha) since the Voyager accepts any voltage (ANYONE CORRECT ME).
A few questions in order to make you even more happy:
have you been a musician? If so, what instruments?
do you know anything about substractive synthesis yet?
No offense, it’s just so that we know how to help you
Hey, thanks for the replies!
I do live in germany, and i do have an electric guitar which i started to play 1 year ago.
I started to enjoy this world after watching some masterpiece from Giorgio Moroder or from Youtube users, it’s very awesome.
Substractive synthesis? No, I know only the very basic function of the voyager, is there something i need to know?
Oh, and i’ll read the manual.
P.S: I saw that there’s an headphone jack, i don’t have any real good headphones, i have a pair of gaming one, with a 3.5 mm jack, if i buy an adapter, would that work?
Most of the extra IN/OUT-puts on the back are for Control Voltages, which you’ll probably get into later. So, basically you just need the ONE instrument cable (or TWO for stereo) to get started. And believe me, you can still do a LOT without even getting into the CV routing. In fact, most professional keyboardists you see playing them on stage only have audio out… mostly. ha. And of course, READ the MANUAL. ha
If you don’t already have something, you probably want to invest in some good monitors or PA speakers. A keyboard or bass amp is another option, especially if you already have one laying around. ha. But, if you’re just going to be a hobbyist at first, you may want to start with some decent studio monitors, particularly if you’re going to be recording anything (even if it’s just for fun…note: it should always be fun, ha).
Being in a band I’m quite fortunate, as I have access to all three.
If you decide to go with monitors, you may want to pick up a sub while you’re at it… That Voyager needs plenty of bottom-end to stretch its legs. ha.
edit Also, I’m curious why you’re going with the Electric Blue? Do you just like the color scheme and backlighting? You do realize that they are sonically the same as the Performer Editions, just aesthetically different? Not trying to be rude, just wanted to make sure you understood that before you spent the extra grand.
Hey, thanks for the reply!
Well, i’ll start from the bottom. I like the electric blue exactly because of it’s dark-blue finish, i love it, and i don’t mind saving some extra money if i really want to buy it.
Now, one thing i forgot to mention in the last message was that i do have a Roland Microcube for my guitar, and i also have a pair of 1/4 inch cable, that i use for my guitar, would that be enough to start?
Also, i don’t really know anything about professional audio, but does mono sound a bit…“low quality”? I mean, stereo is 2 channel, wouldn’t that be better? Using mono sounds a bit…“old and outdated” but i may be wrong, i’m probably wrong.
Also studio monitors? You’re not going to believe me but i’ve never heard of them. As i said, i’m the newbiest of the newbie in this kind of things, and the only monitors i know are the display monitor
What are them? And is there one that i can find for good price to start? Thanks for the future replies.
http://youtu.be/unHKJx9VN8ostart here and watch the whole series, also subscribe to Marc Doty’s channel http://www.youtube.com/user/AutomaticGainsay there is a TON of great demos and explanations of synthesis and its applications in music and sound design. not only for the voyager but for other synths as well (which the voyager will be able to emulate to some degree)
the voyager is an amazing synth to learn on, everything is (well most of everything) right in front of you and you can keep it basic in the beginning and as you start to understand things more you can make things very complicated, specially if you ad moogerfoogers or a modular synth.
and yeah the micro cube will do OK until you get something that can handle the fuller range of frequencies, i would run my voyager through my jazz chorus sometimes when still had it . i think roland makes a small keyboard amp like the micro cube that would be better suited to use with the voyager.
studio monitors are speakers that you would connect to a mixer. they have a very wide range of frequency response and a very flat, uncolored tone which is great for synths and listening to a mix of a song since you would eq each part of song on its own either on the mixer or in your DAW (digital audio workstation, which is basically a computer program that records and produces music like Ableton Live, ProTools, Cubase Sonar, Propellerhead Reason etc)
Have fun with it and dont be afraid to ask questions, we all still have them too. there are a lot of very knowledgeable people on this forum so at least one of them will be able to answer whatever questions you have.
Hey, thanks for the reply!
Yeah, i’m going to watch that series for sure, it looks interesting. And hopefully i’ll learn something more about this world.
I have one or two more questions, which are related to “making songs”
I don’t want to jump into making songs yet, because i still don’t know nothing about the voyager’s resources, but i have two questions:
Is there a software…i’d say not child-like easy, but at least comprehensive to understand and to work with the voyager? Something that it’s very open to possibilities, and that can be understanded by an amatorial like me.
In a song, one of the most important things is the drum base. It’s what gave the song a “rythm” and makes it more complete. Now, i never understanded how to make a drum base loop. I’ll make an example:
This is one of the latest songs from Daft Punk, this song is based off the work of the amazing Giorgio Moroder, who used to work with the synth. As you can hear, besides the amazing sound of the modular, there’s an awesome drum loop in the sound that makes it more “complete”.
Now, is there a software or something that lets me make these drum loop base, so i can then use them for my “creations” with the voyager?
Yes, the headphones adapter will do the job. Oh and mono is not outdated: look at your guitar
I asked about the substractive synthesis because I think you’d benefit a lot of fun if you have some basis whe your Voyager comes in. Basically, I’m talking about being aware of what are oscilltarors, filters, envelopes, of what is the concept of modulation… nothing really complicated. You say you already know about each function of the Voyager, well that’s what I’m talking about actually Again, the manual and the mooguys here are your friends
I’m not very aware of the software applications that allow to program drumloops. Others here will help you.
I just wanted to say: in the first days/weeks with your Voyager, I wouldn’t consider the options in the menus but rather change presets, turn knobs and learn what they do to the sound.
Yeah, that’s probably what i’m going to do, but i still would like to have a drumloop behind my “creation”, because yes, the voyager output is awesome, but is a bit “flat” without a rythm behind, like every other sound in the universe. At least, that’s my opinion.
Get a drum machine, or use some sort of software like Ableton Live or ProTools to sequence beats. Software makes it a bit easier to actually make the e-drum sounds with your Voyager, sample them individually, and then build a kit with the Moog samples. If you tweak it enough you’ll get some amazing bass drum sounds (great snares and hi-hats too. hint: use noise for these).
I have a Korg Electribe SX, which is a drum machine/sampler/sequencer. It can be a lot of fun, but lately I’ve made a few e-kits with the Voyager and have been enjoying using them in Ableton. I’m currently considering an Octratrack to replace the SX because modules/boxes are just more fun to me.
Yeah, the drum machine looks really interesting, do you have any idea about which to get…keep in mind that i’m still a newbie so nothing really fancy
So, speaking of things to “have” we have:
The voyager
Drum machine
Monitor Speakers? (probably)
Software
Now, which software? I know ableton by its name, because it’s really famous, but is it simple enough to understand?
I am completely lost when it comes to computer recording/production and I have had ableton for about 2 months and I have been able to navigate, sequence, record, sample and make drum tracks pretty well. It has a very helpful and clear user guide that is right on the screen (you can close it if you need to) that walks you through each of its features.
Ableton works exactly the way it should and how I at least want it to. There is a free demo on their website if you want to try it
Now, another question (i know, i’m annoying)
Monitor, voyager, drum machine, computer…lots of connections, cable needed.
Do i need some sort of “mixer” or “control panel” to connect everything to computer? Or is it an easy things? Basically, what are the connections?
Thanks for the future replies.
Well you need an audio interface, that is a device that make the instruments signal enter the computer/software, or the sound of the software going out of the box.
Those guys can be of various shapes, my point being some feature onely one input and others take the shape of mixers. The later kind can be handy if you want to have eveything sent into the computer. Other than this, a simple mixer and a simple audio interface are ok.
I would do as follow:
a simple 2 inputs interface (anyone advise some references)
a little mixer with enough inputs so that you can plug your instruments and computer in it
a pair of monitors
the needed cables
Hey, we haven’t talked about money here, huh? Just suggestions. I’m a forum-mate, neither a banker nor a gear seller haha
Okay…i finally have a brief idea of what i need.
Now, let’s talk about models.
Anyone has samples of models for these things to buy? LIke, the monitors, maybe a yamahaa model or something?
And an usb mixer would do it? If yes, which model?
Like always, keep in mind that i don’t need anything “professional”, and my wallet is already suffering from the voyager price.
Anyway, thanks for the future replies.
I know only the very basic function of the voyager, is there something i need to know?
