MG-1 vs. Rogue.. which to get?

[eibon]

I've heard the MG-1 is actually capable of better sound... ???

I am making mostly space/new age type music, which would be better at making these sounds?

Thanks!

[sundaeclubber]

Rogue.

[nicholas d. kent]

Rogue.

Based on what exactly? I thought the oscs and filters etc. were pretty much the same but maybe you know something else. I had a Concertmate for a couple years and only played a Rogue a couple times.

The Rogue has pitch and modulation wheels and "countoured sync"

The MG-1 just has regular sync, a ring modulator-like "Bell Tone" (it's one of those square wave only affairs but does make many FX sounds you won't get out of a Rogue) and an a very basic polyphonic organ sound in addition to the VCOs and noise. One would guess on the latter was there only so people didn't return it saying it only plays one note at a time - but hey, it makes sound, you can detune it a little from your oscs and doesn't make it typically any more expensive a synth to buy.

[eric coleridge]

MG-1, no question

A. its cheaper
B. except the for the mod wheel, it is the same synth with several extras.

[Rogue]

I've had a Rogue for several years, and just got an MG-1. So I'm not as familiar with the MG-1 quite yet, even though it's pretty much the same as a Rogue. Some diferences I've noted... The MG-1 has separate selectable waveforms for each osc, as well as separate octaves for them. Though they're not the same range... osc 1 has "-2, -1, & 0," whereas osc 2 has "-1, 0, & +1." I think the MG-1 is better for lead sounds in that respect. There's no pitch wheel (or slider) though. That's another setback in my opinion, so many damn sliders. I'd rather have knobs The bell tone and polyphnoic section are neat. You can get some cool effects-type sounds out of that bell tone.

But yeah, the MG-1 should go for a bit less than a Rogue. So if price is an issue, look for an MG-1. I love my Rogue though...

[sundaeclubber]

There's no pitch wheel (or slider) though. That's another setback in my opinion, so many damn sliders. I'd rather have knobs .

My main anti-MG1 point I think, although the Rogue has its fair share, which is why a Prodigy is even better. Sliders are less user friendly, potentially noisier and also less reliable.

I also think a Moog is less of a Moog without the performance controls. The mod wheel is such an intuitive device, and that lovely tactile wheel setup has been cribbed by every other synth manufacturer on the planet. The siting of the wheels on the Rogue is less than ideal, but at least it has them.

The polyphony section on the MG1 is hardly useable IMHO. Come on MG1 users!.... Be honest, when was the last time you used it? (Nick and Anna need not answer....)

[eric coleridge]

I kinda liked filter sweeping chords and then running the sound through a delay... or just using the LFO to simulate a delay effect. Yeah, the polyphony is not ideal, but I'd rather have it than not. it sounds like a rather weak organ tone, yes; but it has it's uses.

The other huge thing about the MG is the bell-tone ring modulator that the Rogue doesn't have. In fact, the MG-1 might be the only Moog with on-board ring-mod (?).

True, the lack of mod-wheel is a drawback... but I'll take Bell-tone over Rogue's wheel. All my other synths have wheels.

i had a MG for many years that I bought at a pawn shop in '93 for $40. I eventually had to sell it, around 2003, because the sliders became too loose and unreliable (Rogues probably have a little better build, with knobs, it's true). But I knew I could get $350 for it, and I bought a Korg Monopoly in great condition with the money.

Which is the crazy thing about both these little Moogs anyway: They're crazy expensive.

I loved the Moogs i've had over the years, they do what they do better than any other synths (filter effects, rich oscillator tone)-- but sometimes it's hard to justify the prices they trade at.

When I've played my friend's Rogue (minus some of the unusual features on the MG that I was used to) I found it kinda limited. Kinda a lot limited.

it's a Moog though, and theres something inspiring about playing on a Moog. It just feels like it's a part of electronic music history... and I guess thats worth alot... but I'm not sure how much.

I used to have a Micro also... I think maybe I'll try another one of those some day.

[carbon111]

MG1 cannot do envelope-driven sync sweeps like the Rogue.
The MG1 dosen't have CV in and out like the Rogue.
The MG1 does not have Mod or Pitch wheels like the Rogue.
I don't think the MG1 has an external filter input either... like the Rogue.

Whichever one you get, make sure the black goo has been scraped out or that the pots and switches have been replaced if it hasn't. That gasket decay is a disaster!

Check my Little Phatty page for some info regarding that:

http://www.carbon111.com/moog_lp.html

[nicholas d. kent]

Which is the crazy thing about both these little Moogs anyway: They're crazy expensive.

Well braging rights are a factor (hence the MG-1 being cheaper since you have to explain why it says "Realistic" on it)

But part of the reason why you get to brag you have a Moog is that the sound delivers even when the feature set or build quality doesn't say so. It's the fact that you can pick out that sound and say it's a Moog sound rather than just an analog synth sound.... and then of course they are so easy to quickly make good sounds with.

... and yes, because polysynths cost many times the price when the MG-1 was new I used that "poly" section on my MG-1 a lot.

And then I missed the Moog so much after I sold it that I had to get a used Memorymoog as soon as I had the money. And at that point I didn't miss the "poly" section at all but I did have to eventually get something with a ring modulator. (p.s. the MG-1 "bell tone" is like a poorman's ring mod, it only works with square waves, not external waves or even other internal waves).

[Rogue]

The MG-1 does have CV input, but not CV output. I mean the MG-1 can't control another synth, but can be controlled by another synth. Though the poly section can't be controlled by CV... at least not with my Rogue.

[neonlights84]

MG1 cannot do envelope-driven sync sweeps like the Rogue.
The MG1 dosen't have CV in and out like the Rogue.
The MG1 does not have Mod or Pitch wheels like the Rogue.
I don't think the MG1 has an external filter input either... like the Rogue.

Whichever one you get, make sure the black goo has been scraped out or that the pots and switches have been replaced if it hasn't. That gasket decay is a disaster!

Check my Little Phatty page for some info regarding that:

http://www.carbon111.com/moog_lp.html

The Rogue does not have independent oscillator waveshapes, like the MG-1.
The Rogue does not have independent oscillator footings, like the MG-1.
The Rogue can not simultaneously apply differing amounts of pitch and filter modulation.
The Rogue does not have ring mod.
The Rogue can not employ 3 VCOs in a single monophonic voice, nor can it play polyphony.

You are correct with the wheels and the filter input. As far as C/V goes, the MG-1 does have trigger and pitch inputs.

[museslave]

I would like to invite you to check out my MG-1 videos on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE7aQpA4XVA
(that is the first, but there is a whole series)

The MG-1 is positively LADEN with functionality, and a great sound. The sound, however, is different from the Rogue. You pretty much have to listen to the Rogue's sound quality to decide whether it pleases you more than the MG-1's sound and functionality.
That being said, I can guarantee that the MG-1 has more functionality.

My biggest beef with anyone's comments about the polyphony on the MG-1 is that everyone describes it as a "cheesy organ," or "limited." I promise you that it doesn't take long to find ways to make the MG-1's polyphony sound like a valid synthesizer, or work well in a mix. It may not suit your specific intent, but that is VERY different from it not being useful. Anyone who needs tips on how to generate great polyphonic functionality on an MG-1, feel free to check out my video series, or contact me directly. Paraphonic sound can sound non-paraphonic with a little knowledge and skill.

[johnll]

I'd go back to the person's original question:

I am making mostly space/new age type music

Not sure if you are a keyboard player or not, in the sense of using the keyboard more than the knobs and sliders.

I've never used a Rogue, but I've used an MG-1. I'm more of a knob and slider person than a keyboard person. And for that type of music, I've found that to be pretty good.

This track
http://www.ironlocks.com/tweak/media/wc.mp3

Is mostly MG-1

Cheers,
JL

[stiiiiiiive]

I would like to invite you to check out my MG-1 videos on YouTube.
[...]
Paraphonic sound can sound non-paraphonic with a little knowledge and skill.

I've just watched the series: great presentation, really(stic).
I had me wanting to try paraphonic

[filtered]

I've owned both- The Rogue looks cooler, which does count for something if you're on stage, but the MG-1 wins out functionality-wise!