As a Moog Voyager owner (and once long-time-ago MemoryMoog Plus owner), I am so glad to see Moog always advancing forward either improving existing Moog products or introducing new products, BUT…
When I found out that MOOG was introducing a tabletop/rackmount version of the LP (a.k.a SP) I was praying that Moog would include a way to connect the SP to the LP so to increase the polyphony to at least 2-notes. But, after reading the SP specs, I was sickin’ to find out that there was no way to PolyChain the synths together. Yes, I know… Polychaining is idea of competitor synth- design DAve Smith. So why would Moog follow suit in implementing such a powerful feature??
Several months ago I suggested to Moog that they develop a LP rackmount Modular “Brain” similar to Yamaha’s 80’s modular TX816 brain (i.e. 8 DX-7’s in a rack). The LP Brain would work exclusively with the LP via the Polychain connection. The LP Brain would include say up to 7 slots which would allow the end-user to add LP Modules as desired. The LP Brain would be “knobless” thus only programable via LP keyboard. Furthermore,each of the LP Module could be independently isolated and assigned a Rx MIDI channel for Multichannel operation for sequencing.
A fully loaded LP Brain + LP keyboard would create a massive 16 Oscilator, 8-voice polypohonic analog synth!!
Maybe I’m missing your point, but isn’t page 34 of the Slim Phatty manual describing exactly this capability? (Not the part about the slots, but the ability to link LPs and SPs and get multiple voices).
Don’t be so hasty, there, buddy. The following is from the SP manual, page 34:
“The seventh page of the MIDI Setup menu allows you to set up multiple
Moog synths as a polyphonic synth stack. The settings are ‘POLY: OFF’ or
‘POLY: (#) of (##)’. The first number represents which note this par-
ticular SP is assigned to play, the second number sets the total number
of available voices. For example, if you had an SP and a Little Phatty, you
would set the Little Phatty to ‘POLY: 1 of 2’ and you would set the SP
to ‘POLY: 2 of 2’. Connect the MIDI OUT from the Little Phatty to the
MIDI IN on the SP. You should now be able to play duophonically, with
the Little Phatty sounding the first note played on the keyboard and the
Slim Phatty sounding the second note. If all available voices are in use,
additional notes will not sound until enough keys are released to free a
voice. MIDI Continuous Control numbers (MIDI CC’s) are consistent
between the Little Phatty and Slim Phatty, so any parameter changes
such as pitch bend and mod wheel, filter cutoff and so on, should affect
all voices simultaneously.”
No worries, engineerjoel! Poly-chaining works as described in the manual. Be sure to try it when you get your SP!
A simple & quick tip to make things a bit easier to explore duophony with an LP/SP combination: install the same preset bank on the LP and SP. That way, as you select presets on the LP master controller, the same preset is selected on the SP.
@ everyone…
Sorry, I don’t own a SlimPhatty or have access to a manual. I just looked at the spec sheet and it did not say anything relating to PolyChaining capabilities.
I think that this feature should be in BOLD PRINT as it could be a great selling point for those (like me) who are interested in building a Polyphonic Analog Synth.
You’re right - the polychaining feature SHOULD be emphasized as a selling point. My personal expectation is that many SP buyers will be obtaining several of these (as expenses allow) for that exact purpose. However, since Moog only provided me with one for writing the manual (three more would be been sublime!), I was unable to experiment beyond a simple LP/SP duophonic arrangement, but it was enough to confirm that polychaining does indeed work, and work well.
Besides the ‘screw up’ in my original post…doesn’t anyone like my Idea for the “LP Modular Brain”??? Imagine 7 LP modules in about 4 space rack. If anyone can’t picture this, search the VintageSynth website and look up the Yamaha TX816 Module. That’s what I envision.
I posted exactly this idea a while ago in another topic, forgot that this synth existed, but yes. Voiceboards would be awesome! Like 600 for the first voice and case. and 250 a piece for the extra voice modules. This would be awesome. With a midi input and an audio input for the original phatty voice.
And a stereo out, panning voices would be great, if only with 1 master “stereo spread” button. (like on the prophet 08). With a unison function on the rack version!!! This would be soooo awesome.
Only one thing has me confused…does the SP come with rack ears? If not, how does one rack it? This (and lack of funds) are the only reasons I haven’t looked into this option in earnest yet. But I WILL be buying one at a time until I’ve maxed out the number of voices once I fix up my house. Another question…is the Little Phatty capable of driving 15 of these for a total of 16 voices like the Voyager RME?
There is a rack kit available… Nova Musik is already selling bundles with the rack kit + wood ears for 849$ (Same price as the moog site, without the extras.)
I personally am just waiting untill I can get these for 500$ each on the used market… considering I can get a LP s2 for 750$ used now, it seems I’m not far off with my expectations… and even then.. I’m only waiting cause I want to buy 2 at the same time… 1000$ is better than 1600$
not sure about the 16 voices… would you really buy 15 of these puppies? haha. I thought a 4 voice would be cool. Haha.
@jwaltman…You and I are on the exact page. I totally agree to what your thinking. Though to add to the LP modular wishlist: as well being able to route each LP Module’s voice output to the Main Stereo Buss output on the mainframe, each LP voice module would also have its own discrete audio output that can be taken out of the Stereo Master output buss. I’d like to be able to bring back each LP Module’s audio to individual channels of the console. Of course, all this is totally programable per patch/mulitcombi setup. Loving your idea of the Unison Funcion…oh don’t forget, with the multiple voices, we’d now have Polyphonic Portamento. Whoopeee!
Hey, I’m telling you…this thing would sell like hotcakes! Thus, the resurrection of the PolyAnalog would be eminent.
A 16 voice Moog synth would be my number one dream! So, yeah…I would buy 15 of them. It would probably still be cheaper than even a 10 voice Moog self-contained synth, and take up less floor space, too. I just need of of those mega tall racks that have, like, 120 spaces.
Just found this on Facebook. It’s a contest to win a Moog Slim Phatty!! Astralwerks, the premiere dance/electronic label in the land, teamed up with Moog Music in this sweepstakes.
All you have to do is ‘like’ the page from the link below, and then enter. I just did it - it’s really easy and I promise it’s for real.
