Will Moog Music make a more affordable synthesizer?

analogcontrolfreak · Post by **analogcontrolfreak** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 7:59 am

Now that Moog Music has the new Minimoog Voyager, will they ever produce a more affrodable version of the new Mini? As much as I would love to own a Voyager, they are just out of my price range. Same with the classic Mini. I read somewhere that Moog had produced a more affordable synth with the Micromog. Maybe they could new a new version of the Micromoog? Just a thought.

Demokid · Post by **Demokid** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 11:15 am

I still think a moog-light will be expensive to produce and therefore expensive to buy compared to say a used Roland SH101, SCI Pro~One and VA sizers. But it would be nice if Moog made a sizer with just e.g. one (maybe two) VCO, VCF, LFO, one ADSR no 3D touch surface.

Regards
Demokid

JHY · Post by **JHY** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 1:44 pm

Much though I want less expensive equipment, I cannot see that budget equipment is consistent with the Moog ethos. I suppose it's like the dream of a cheap Bentley....if it's a Bentley it ain't ever gonna be cheap and if it's cheap it ain't ever gonna be a Bentley.

but really

sundaeclubber · Post by **sundaeclubber** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 2:43 pm

JHY wrote:....... I cannot see that budget equipment is consistent with the Moog ethos. I suppose it's like the dream of a cheap Bentley....if it's a Bentley it ain't ever gonna be cheap and if it's cheap it ain't ever gonna be a Bentley.

but really

Hmmmm . Moog did it once with the Prodigy. That was a truly affordable synth in the early 1980s. I'm sure they could do it again now, but it would probably hit Voyager sales if it was priced too cheap and wouldn't sell if it was too expensive. A Prodigy reissue with MIDI woul be a killer synth, and the technology to create one is not expensive. If a standard version was say, $750-$900 and a Signature version with nicer bits of wood and Bob's magic silver marker pen was $150 more, they'd sell like hot cakes!!

How about it, Mr. Moog?!

SCx

PS in the UK a nice Bentley T series can be bought at auction for less than £4,000...... a Royce is even cheaper!

FreqOut · Post by **FreqOut** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 3:45 pm

Solution: make more money!

But seriously folks, we can daydream about Dr. Moog making another synth and make all sorts of guesses as to what it would be like, but it's not going to happen.

Analogcontrolfreak, the Voyager is not out of your price range. Just sell everything you own! It will be worth it, I promise.

FreqOut

sundaeclubber · Post by **sundaeclubber** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 3:50 pm

FreqOut wrote:But seriously folks, we can daydream about Dr. Moog making another synth and make all sorts of guesses as to what it would be like, but it's not going to happen. FreqOut

Hey!

Do you have insider info?

The Voyager happened; a genuine mini for the 21st Century, so why not a littler version?

JHY · Post by **JHY** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 3:58 pm

Sundaeclubber, nice point about cheap Bentleys etc. Let' encourage the good doctor to redouble his efforts while halving his prices!

How are the Cotswolds still sleepy despite all your equipment?

FreqOut · Post by **FreqOut** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 4:22 pm

I'm just saying "Don't get your hopes up".
In recent interviews with Dr. Moog, he says quite plainly that they have no plans for another synth. Don't rule it out, but don't count on it either.

BUT, if you ask me, it will be a duophonic version of the Liberation with built in sequencer AND a vocoder.

FreqOut

sundaeclubber · Post by **sundaeclubber** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:52 pm

JHY wrote: How are the Cotswolds still sleepy despite all your equipment?

He he!!

We have a well soundproofed studio here at Technostalgia Towers!!
(album out on the 31st August too.........!)

SCx

analogcontrolfreak · Post by **analogcontrolfreak** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 8:51 am

Well it was just a thought? I did read somewhere that there was talk about doing a new version of the Tarus Base Peadles? But have not heard any more about that.

Freqout, I can't sell everything I own. Maybe one keyboard but that's about it. The only reason why I have not bought a voyager is becuse the price of one is the same ammount I have in all three of my Bank Accounts Combined. That would wipe me out completely. But don't worry I'm sure I will figure out a way to buy one.

mee3d · Post by **mee3d** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 2:05 pm

Sorry Guys

Unless we were duped when interviewing Bob recently for www.rlmusic.co.uk there are no immediate plans for either a set of Taurus pedals or a cheaper moog monosynth.

The modern Moogmusic company is a very different beast to the Gibson/Norlin owned one of the 70's and 80's. Then there was pretty much only analog kit and every manufacturer had to have a range of synths to sell accross the widest demographics, now it's all effectively bespoke and moog need to aim high to keep top of the tree.

Yes, Moog could produce a cheaper monosynth, the technology and patents are there right now to do it but it would detract from the Voyager . . . my bet is they will try and tackle something not currently done at Moog . . . either re-issue a modular system or create a polysynth . . . something they can charge a premium on but actually not have to invest too much into R'N'D as it's affectively been covered with the Voyager . . . just my thoughts.

mal

sundaeclubber · Post by **sundaeclubber** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 4:26 am

And very accurate thoughts they are I'm sure, mee3D!! (GREAT site at RL Music btw.... Wonder if they'll do me a deal with that AKS!?) A new modular could be great, but it's an area well covered by the likes of Analogue Systems and synthesizers.com. Also remember that EMS are still extant and will build you to order a VCS3 to the original recipe for a mere £2k- A highly flexible modular in a tiny wooden box, or choose the Synthi A version if you prefer the plastic briefcase!

It just seems a bit of a pity. Moog Music could still be top of the tree with an entry-level monosynth... Just look at BMW. They bring out a budget hatchback in the shape of a Mini (car, not synth.....) and it's a bestseller because of its retro associations and clever BMW marketing. (The actual car is an unreliable heap, but that's another story not appropriate for these pages......) Moog already sell their Moogerfoogers which are simple, intelligently designed and well built little units and their Etherwaves which are logical progressions from the earliest Moog products, and they sell for sensible money.

I reckon they could be missing a trick by not making a Prodigy reissue........

SCx

mee3d · Post by **mee3d** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 7:40 am

Hey SC

You are absolutely right in that moog are missing out not having a modern day Prodigy . . . that unit was almost more popular then the minimoog and in my experience it is the only other moog that comes pretty close to the mini sound (not including the whacky OSC sync). Personally I would rather see a rack version of the Voyager . . less all the wood and Touch surface and the other items that add to the expense . . . selling for about £699 (or less), that way you could buy one per note of poly you required and then have the midi route to each?

Regarding the BMW mini . . . it might be mini but it's maxi on price!

Mal

The Unknown · Post by **The Unknown** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 8:23 am

With regard to a rack version of the Voyager, I couldn't agree more. To me, this is only common sense, as buying a second Voyager in order to gain two voice polyphony seems crazy, given the expense. I'd also like to see an expander offering another oscillator, capable of producing a sine wave, if possible.

The Guvnor · Post by **The Guvnor** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 1:15 pm

FACT Mr Moog is an older gent who honestly doesn't really care that much about many of the things that we think are great ideas - while hes at the helm, I don't think that there will be much new gear apart from moogerfooger expanders .

At a recent staff training session at Turnkey the conversation went something like this;

staff:"Dr moog we all love the new mini, but what we would all love to see is a polyphonic moog. Whats the position on that?"

Bob Moog(after a long pause with his head down he lifts it and says;
"we could build one........but we're not going to"

Then quickly moved onto another subject.