Suppose so. That or could run MIDI out of the Phatty into the MIDI in of one of my synths with noise, then run output of that into the Phatty. Really would like self contained though. Why Moog why, why could you not just have built in noise!? shakes hands in air
I knew about the Mono/Poly using a digital noise chip at first, then later changing it. Didn’t know that about the Moogs though.
I can’t be certain, but I think one synth (Chroma?) used two of the MM5837s in order to get around the “rhythmic” quality of it.
Might have been the MM5437 tho. I’m too lazy to look it up right now.
The MM5437 was an attempted improvement, btw. It had a longer shift register and other improvements.
(..and no, you can’t directly replace an MM5837 with an MM5437 in case you’re wondering.)
Reversed biased transistors were the standard way of making noise in the “old days.”
Another method is using a zener diode, which can often sound cleaner.
The Arp Odyssey service manual had an addendum explaining how to replace their noise transistor with a zener.
Kevin, as per usual, excellent information. Thanks! 
I know that in the Rev 3 (and up) Prophet 5 they used two MM5837, one for white noise audio source, and another for pink noise modulation source for the mod wheel. Don’t know about the Chroma though…
Edit: the later MM5437 had a 23 bit shift register, providing a much longer cycle of about one full minute instead of just one second. That chip came out too late and never caught on with synth manufacturers who had gone back to the tried and true methods of either diode or transistor fully random noise generation for their subsequent models.
Interesting and useful information!
Got to looking around feeBay again, seems some of the older Voyagers go for around $2,000. $850 is the most I’ve ever spent on a musical instrument, quite a jump.
Or you could opt for a second mortgage and get the XL. 
Hard to mortgage what you don’t own. 
Will just have to sell my project car. Anyone want a 67 Coupe DeVille? 
I wish my driveway and garage was big enough. 
I’ll throw in another vote for the LP + CP-251. I also had a hard time dealing with the lack of an audio noise source and the single mod bus, but adding a CP opens things up enough that the LP really becomes a pretty powerful semi-modular. For years I owned a Model D, and could still get it back pretty cheap (plus the extensive restoration it would need), but in the end I opted to stick with modern synths. The D certainly does have its own sound/feel, and for some it’s a peak experience, but honestly I just found it to be a different flavour rather than better, and not worth the extra expense and effort of vintage. That’s a personal choice, so you won’t really know unless you try one.
My style requires tweaking in a sound-design sort of way, and also playing the keyboard extensively, and the LP is an OK compromise for both of those. The hands-on parameter control isn’t as extensive as the Voyager, but really is quite good. I do feel slightly constricted compared to what I remember the Model D being like, but not unacceptably so (especially with the CP added). And the keybed is certainly not the best, but it’s perfectly serviceable. So the Voyager is probably better in terms of overall ergonomics/control, but the LP is still a pro-level instrument in these respects. Also, a big selling point of the LP for me was the smaller size. And where knobage is concerned, I find the LED rings around the LP controls a huge bonus compared to the plain Voyager knobs.
Of course the LP sounds fantastic – different from the Voyager so again there’s a preference choice to be made there rather than a quality one. Personally I slightly prefer the sound of the LP, especially given the price difference, but I can see how some people would prefer the Voyager. In terms of Moog versus other synth brands, it’s true that they have their own sound(s) and if that’s what you want, that’s what you need. I’ve also got a duophonic Mopho setup (keys plus module), and in the past I’ve had a chance to play a lot of Rolands, Korgs, and Yamaha analogue gear, and none of them sound like a Moog. Again, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that Moog sounds better or worse, but they are certainly different and so I’d suggest finding out which is right for you, rather than wasting time trying to make one synth substitute for another.
Driveway/garage stretcher! It’s only 18.5 feet long.
Will have to look into this LP/CP-251 combination. Maybe GC will bring in/have a LP since it’s over half the price of the Voyager, didn’t the last I checked. They had all the top end workstations though… 
I just always have heard that Moog was IT. The Roland analogues I have now, sound very nice. Some of the older Yamaha and Korg synths look really cool too. Yamaha CS-15/30 and Korg Mono/Poly come to mind. I’ll try and see if any local stores have the Little Phatty by chance. There should be some kind of place, where there’s every synth known to man and you get to try them out. Save trouble on this finding out what you really want program, oh well.
there are so many good synthesizers, don’t simply buy anything for the name. buy it because you’re up to it.
i can’t play guitar very well , so i don’t buy a top gibson. i don’t play violin very well , so i have a shitty violin and not a stradivarius.
afcourse on the moog forum everybody will explain to you, moog is best.
so will i if you ask me, and as a model-d owner i say: yes it’s worth every penny.
question is if you’re really up to it. if so then the question has answered itself for you, if in doubt , take your time and train yourself, every synth might suit you..
how much are you already “into synth’s” ?
FWIW, as I said before, I have a Minimoog D and a Korg Mono/Poly (and a few others too). I love them both. The Mini has the unequaled “Minimoog” sound, and the Korg can do interesting things that the Mini cannot. One example, out of many, the Korg can glide at different speeds on each of its four oscillators, producing a very powerful and unmistakable Mono/Poly sound. It also sounds very good, even next to a Mini.
Of all the analog/hybrids synths that I was fortunate enough to have tried and/or owned during the last 30 years, there’s only one that I set aside (and quickly sold) because of its poor sound quality despite having Curtis chips. But in all fairness to those who do like it, I won’t tell you wich one it was. All the other ones had something worth keeping them, either a fantastic sound, or amazing possibilities, or both !
As Sunny pedaal said; “there are so many good synthesizers, don’t simply buy anything for the name. buy it because you’re up to it.”
And I would add; “…and because you like it.”. Even if you’re not sure if you’re gonna like it, you can always sell it if you don’t.
Very much so. Been playing synths for 5 years now. Doesn’t sound like a long time, but I’m 20. Would’ve started sooner, but it took awhile for me to get the money for my first synth, an Alesis Ion. I like programming just as much as I do playing. Right now I’m tossing it between a Moog, Korg Mono/Poly, or Yamaha CS-15/CS-30. The Yamaha has the multi-mode filters, an audio input, fast LFO, but lacks a self oscillating filter and sync. The Korg has 4 VCO’s, arpeggiator, cross mod and sync, self oscillating filter. Depends on which Moog, but in the same price range the Little Phatty and Source fall in. Phatty doesn’t have noise, but a CP-251 takes care of that and adds more. Rogue, Prodigy, and MG-1 also in that range. Just a lot to weigh out. Always have wanted a synth that has all hands on control, no menus etc. Something without patch memory would make for a nice change I think. Always having to fiddle with things, make new sounds. Make for a nice change from patch memory and presets. I have to rely on YouTube and reviews, seeing as I have to buy off Ebay. Now with eBay and PayPal’s outrageous fees, harder to just buy something and resell if you don’t like it. Losing $100+ on fees a couple of times is something I can’t manage.
in this case i’d go for a voyager , or voyager oldschool.
forget the yamaha ( real nice synth but )
the monopoly has lots of possibilities but the moog sound i prefer.
the voyager second-hand has all the phatty has, + the possibilities like a monopoly( especially the “normal” voyager+ a lot more, for not much more money
also it’s modern/ easily fitting in a modern soundsystem, reliable and great
and you can sell it , and if you want it spare some money later to buy a model -d ( which serial ?) after some time ( with less possibilities , but even better basic sound )
Have read a lot of good things about the Yamaha. Mainly the multi-mode filters. Guess I’ll be selling the Cadillac then. Should be able to get enough out of it to buy a Voyager, or be real close to it anyway. Have my Celica now anyway, and it doesn’t suck down premium leaded gas like it’s 20 cents a gallon still.
it’s more of a speciality to me , the yamaha i mean, nice one after i’d bought other synth’s .
but afcourse that’s personal.
why not consider yourself to be a rich man ?
keep the car, and simply find a good way to get the money for a voyager secondhand. ( 1700 ?)
be patient a bit, spare money, do something …
You HAVE to be rich to drive a 60’s Cadillac. They get about 10 miles to the gallon, and run on leaded 100+ octane gas. In other words, racing fuel that sells for $9.00 per gallon (if you can find it) plus lead additives. I understand that for a European, that’s cheap, but for the average 20 year old American, it just isn’t practical.
I’m far from rich. 60’s Cadillac isn’t as expensive as you’d think, just all the parts are. Today’s premium fuel with lead additive is more than enough for it. It was gotten at a time when I really wasn’t thinking in a practical sense. I have a 95 Celica ST 5-speed now, gets combined 29 with being a lead-foot. Can’t really justify holding onto the Caddy, I like it and all, but if I’m going to have an older car like that I rather have something like a Pontiac Tempest or Oldsmobile Cutlass. Something you can actually get performance parts for, and all the stock parts. Can’t even buy a water pump for the Cadillac, have to send it off to be rebuilt. Any who, it’d be better off being transformed into musical gear especially with having the Celica now. Cheapest Voyager I’ve seen is the Electric Blue for right under $2,000.
That looks like a great deal !
That or find a plain Performer model. Kind of want to hold out and get the Select series.
Just how beautiful is that? Unless I can find someone that shares my tastes and is selling theirs.