Just thought I’d tell you all, I received my Maple AE today - really great looking machine. I plumbed it into my mixing desk this evening, and spent a couple of useful hours playing, which resulted in the creation of a great sounding Square Lead!
Not sure what the rest of you think, but having checked out the presets, I don’t rate them that highly - good but not exceptional. I wonder if this is deliberate on the part of Moog Music, as fantastic presets tend to discourage you from creating your own sounds. Eighties synths were notorious for this, but then again, they were hardly user friendly when it came to programming new sounds.
Anyway, I’ll let you all get on with whatever you are doing, and if possible, try to post some photos of my new friend at some point…
Basically, it comes with the same sounds as the standard AE. I can see myself creating many patches with this great synth, as it is so user friendly, and just plain fun to play around with. I have been looking for something like this for years.
Glad to hear you’re getting to grips with MIDI, by the way!
Hey Mr. Unknown, just checkin’ the forum and noticed your from Kent, so am I! Was beginning to think I was the only one out here! Just got my Voyager so if you no any useful tricks let me know…
Look after your Moog
I’m not as extravagant as you, had to go for the performer as money was an issue! I like the look though, reminds me of the original mini - wood is good. Didn’t even know about the maple AE, thought the black version was ugly apart from the blue lights which are wicked.
Yes, the black version isn’t as pleasing on the eye. I was originally going to buy one, and it was only due to a chance viewing of a posting on this forum, that I looked into the possibility of getting hold of a maple from the USA. Needless to say, I’m very glad I did!
The lights do look great, but I tend not to use them too much, in order to preserve their life.
Regarding tips, I don’t know how familiar you are with synths generally, so it’s a bit difficult, really. However, the best thing to do with the Voyager, is to find a preset you don’t like - it shouldn’t be hard - initialise it, and then start playing around. The thing is such a joy to use, and you will soon begin to see the relationship between the various sections of it.
For what it’s worth, I think the black AE version looked fairly crap and that the best look is the walnut stain. I think all the blue lights of the AE version look a bit gimmicky and detract from the ‘classic’ Moog analogue synth look. Unless you’re on stage, perhaps.
That said, I do think the touch screen looks too black and boring and something like the Korg Kaos pad TS would be cool.
If you’re on stage, and have the AE facing you, then who else is going to see the backlight, unless you have the panel set flat, then it would be harder to reach the controls.
Why is everyone hating on the AE? I think it’s a gorgeous instrument. It’s not like Moog is committed to make everything in black cabinets now. Can’t please the masses, buy hey you at leat have a choice which is nice.
Red back lights. That would be cool. Although some might find it hard on the eyes. I wondered if they considered it an option. You know, pitch/mod wheel and panel red lit instead of blue.
Well, I think the point is so YOU can see the controls while onstage, not the crowd ;O) - same goes for the rest of the synth being black. That being said - if anyone decides they are displeased with their Maple unit, prefferably AE, I would be willing to trade them for my Walnut stained Oak with performance upgrade and blue wheels. Fell in love with the Maples after a few months having my Oak.
I originally wasn’t fond of the black AE model, but i decided to purchase anyway.
If i had discoved that there was a maple model available i probably would have purchased that one instead (it is very pretty).
But, while the sound was what i was after (and the AE model is cool) i was pleased to discover that the black cabinet is actually very attractive (at least in my opinion).
Also, there is an even more attractive advantage to owning the black AE model.
When gigging (if you gig with it), i’ve noticed that when i’m situated on stage in a dimmley lit area, people tend to pay more attention to the me because all they see are these weird blue lights attached to something that is making really cool sounds. The black cabinet give the lights an almost floating effect that trips people out. Please don’t get me wrong! I could care less about which band member get’s the most attention. It’s the jam and the audience’s delight that i’m interested in and the floating blue light’s making weird/delightfull sounds seems to give the audience some added delight!
I feel that this is good for the band and the fan’s:)
