I’m about to buy a Moog, but for each model there’s somehow a downer
Voyager
Off course the first choice…but out of budget…price is the downer
Little Phatty
I once had this model, but had a lot of tuning and timing Problems. I like the sound of the Little Phatty very much, but I’m afraid to have tons of bugs again. Another downer is the interface which is not hands on at all.
Sub Phatty / Sub 37
Actually the Sub37 would be my first choice considering the handling. Just the very best interface Moog ever did imo. I tried it several times in a store, checked probably every demo on YouTube and I have to say…I don’t like the Sound as much as on the LP. Sounds way too harsh and not that creamy.
Minitaur
This on would be my second choice, as I like the simplicity and the Sound. The big downer here is the 3 octaves…I want to play high leads as well…big downer.
So…my dream Moog would be the Sub37 with the Sound of the Little Phatty. I’M LOST
I have the Slim Phatty and the Sub37 and while I do think they each sound different, I can tell you the Sub37 is actually the smoother sounding of the two. The harsh/noise-oriented reviews online are misleading, because the Sub37 does classic Moog-creamy very well IMHO.
I’ve posted this before, but here is a short piece I did a while back using the Sub37 for the lead lines. First solo is a classic Moog lead with after-touch sent to both resonance and LFO. Second solo is a clean organ sound using duo mode, where the Mod Wheel controls the LFO Speed. Hopefully, this helps you hear the smooth side of what you can do with the Sub37.
somehow I dont see doing those kind of sounds on the sub phatty / sub37…shame though…the sub37 is such a nice looking gear and so nice in use.
I’m tempted to re-buy the LP…kinda stupid as i sold mine two years ago. But I had so many problems using it with my DAW and Cubase. Still those demos from keybdwizrd on youtube are exactly what im looking for. Its to me the classic moog sound. Adding some decent delays and reverbs it will blast out in ambient sounds.
Still I hope someone can convince me in buying the Sub37…so much less to care about. Tuned OSC, Proper working editor, best handling etc…
If the Voyager is out of your price range then get a Sub 37, you will never regret it! The functionality blows away the the Slim and Little Phattys, although their oscillators sound more like a Voyager, but the variance setting on the 37 can achieve some of that flavor.
If you havent seen it yet watch Daniel Fisher’s demo of the Sub 37, it is absolutely the best and most diverse demonstration of the Sub 37 I have ever seen. It’s just 40 minutes of masterful tweaking. He is DemonDan on here btw. https://youtu.be/aDXESToG4p8
I’ve been considering selling my Solar Phatty (burnt orange back, CV Outs, black end caps) as I now have a Voyager RME, along with my Sub 37s, Minitaur, and Braille Sub Phatty. It is in excellent condition and has its original box and manual.
@motion drive, if you can’t swing the Voyager*, then I would go for the Sub37 - which has been my focus since I bought it last week - so much modulation functionality than the LP, not to mention the sequencer. I think a lot of the flavor of the video you posted comes from the MX200, once you subtract that, or conversely add it to a Sub37, you’ll have much the same, if not identical sound.
In any case, you can’t go wrong with any of the Mooog synths listed - although I found the Sub Phatty really limiting with the indirect ‘hidden’ option controls, and small preset memory. It had a huge sound though, and I loved the overdrive sounds you could get with it.
*- if you think you’ll go modular or Foogular some day, then the Voyager is a slam dunk as a central control keyboard with it’s expanded CV I/O.
@MacAquias
Of course I watched the demo from Daniel Fisher. Nice one…but still not many soft and smooth sounds in there. But it shows very well some of the variance this beast can do.
@Demondan
Thx for the offer, but I guess sending it over to Switzerland would cost a lot, so at the end getting a second Hand over here would be cheaper.
How much you think is a fair Price for a second hand Voyager?
I’m a big fan of the LP, though I haven’t tried the 37 to be honest, my wallet doesn’t want me to. I like the sound, hands-on operation and the CV outs. You can get a great deal on a used LP at the moment
*edit: It needs to settle after being switched on to play in tune, but I have no other issues with mine at all.
I love the LP’s sound, have CV outs (…I’ve barely used, in fact…) and like the immediacy of it. The only-4-knobs factor has proved not to be too annoying actually (I bought it when I discovered that ) plus tweaking the presets live is way more comfortable with those LED collars. The filter configuration and the overload seduce my ears more that the Sub line’s.
On the other hand, the Sub37 is so much capable and so much hands-on. I have to say the only two points retaining me are the CV-out impossibility and the sound. But it may change some day
Than you Dan for all your contributions in here, I can’t tell you how much I have learned from your posts. You are the Moog Yoda. May the Moog Source be with you!
I was again in a store and checked the Sub37. Still feeling the same about it. Great interface but not the sound I admire in a moog. Theres some second hand Little Phattys online here in Switzerland for around 700 dollars. I’m almost sure to give the Little phatty another try. I think at the time i didnt had OS 3.2…so maybe the midi issues are better now. Lets say I prefer to take the risk again. Watched all the Jordan Rudess Phatty demos again…and i think im convinced
If you are a purist about the Moog sound then go vintage. But right now the prices are very high.
If you can save money for the bigger purchase, then save. If you can afford a Voyager it doesn’t take much more to get a Model D minimoog. If you desire something mythical like the Minimoog, then nothing will satisfy that desire but a minimoog.
You can also achieve the Moog sound with modular equipment, but that is an entirely different ballgame and is a very expensive money pit.
It sounds like you have an idea about what you want in mind, but are attempting to settle for something less.
Atomicsynth, if the price of a Moog Voyager is a downer for him, don’t you think that the current crazy prices for a Minimoog D would also be an even BIGGER downer ?
well…Model D’s are super expensiv i think. My price limit is around a new Sub37…so voyager and model d are out anyway.
Nah guys…I’m almost sure to buy another Little Phatty. The value wont go a lot more down then the 700 bucks, that i have to pay now…so i guess i still could resell it one day, if I feel the need for the mothership Voyager…
If someone out there wants to convince me for the SUB37…last chance
The Sub37 has a knob-per-function interface, is paraphonic, has a sequencer, has a modularesque routing capability. It is clearly the better instrument, hands down.
I don’t really see how they can sound difrent. Any benefit of the Phatty’s overdrive can be achieved with external gear.
From a synthesis perspective there is no competition. Sub 37 is a better design and you are likely to see further improvements over the OS and features before you will a discontinued product.
