Voyager tuning

Tips and techniques for Minimoog Analog Synthesizers
msjlra
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Voyager tuning

Post by msjlra » Wed Nov 21, 2012 11:53 pm

So I've just realised my Voyager has some tuning issues, sharper higher up and flatter the lower I go.

Is this something that happens and can be fixed myself or is this a job that requires sending it away to a professional?

I read some other threads but wasn't 100% sure on what it was...

Thanks

msjlra
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Re: Voyager tuning

Post by msjlra » Thu Nov 22, 2012 12:25 am

So further reading up on it, it is indeed a send away job. :(

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thealien666
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Re: Voyager tuning

Post by thealien666 » Thu Nov 22, 2012 3:11 am

If it's still covered by warranty, yes. If not (over one year since purchased new, or bought second hand), then no.

In the second case, with patience and good tuning equipment (precise tuner, or frequency meter) you can do it yourself.

The tuning procedure can be found on the Net.
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voyager0500
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Re: Voyager tuning

Post by voyager0500 » Thu Nov 22, 2012 5:33 am

Ive found that every now and then I have to re-tune my electric blue.

The weird thing is I tune all 3 osc's to be the same at the 0 setting but after a few days (without moving the Voyager) I need to tune osc's 2&3 to -2 in order to match with osc 1.

My guess is that osc1 goes slightly out of tune or something inside makes it go -2.

I just love the sound of all 3 oscs tuned properly, its such a powerful sound!

Good luck!
'i used to be a plastic cup..'
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thealien666
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Re: Voyager tuning

Post by thealien666 » Thu Nov 22, 2012 12:22 pm

The reason for this frequent detuning is, by Moog Music's own admission, the use of single turn trimpots for the scaling adjustment which are, as Amos has once said himself : "ridiculously sensitive..."
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Kenneth
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Re: Voyager tuning

Post by Kenneth » Thu Nov 22, 2012 1:22 pm

You may not have to send it away. Do a google search for synthesizer repair in your area. synthmuseum.com also has a reliable resource for finding synth techs near you. Support people who do this kind of stuff, it's a dying art.
Moog Matriarch, ARP Odyssey MKII, Roland Juno-60, Yamaha DX7, Yamaha VSS-30

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thealien666
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Re: Voyager tuning

Post by thealien666 » Thu Nov 22, 2012 1:25 pm

Kenneth wrote:You may not have to send it away. Do a google search for synthesizer repair in your area. synthmuseum.com also has a reliable resource for finding synth techs near you. Support people who do this kind of stuff, it's a dying art.

...unless it is still under warranty. In which case, better let Moog Music take care of you at their own expense.
Moog Minimoog D (1975)
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msjlra
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Re: Voyager tuning

Post by msjlra » Thu Nov 22, 2012 10:58 pm

It's out of warranty, so I'll do it myself.

nms
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Re: Voyager tuning

Post by nms » Fri Nov 23, 2012 5:22 am

voyager0500 wrote:Ive found that every now and then I have to re-tune my electric blue.

The weird thing is I tune all 3 osc's to be the same at the 0 setting but after a few days (without moving the Voyager) I need to tune osc's 2&3 to -2 in order to match with osc 1.
It definitely can take a few additional nudges later to get it sitting just right. Also, in case anyone isn't aware - when tuning osc 3 you need to detune Osc 2 fully using the front panel freq & octave knobs as osc 3 gets pulled towards osc 2 when they're close.
Voyager RME | Virus Ti2 Polar | Juno 60 | EL8X Distressor | UBK Clariphonic | Lynx Hilo | Motu 828mk2 | Focal Twin6be

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thealien666
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Re: Voyager tuning

Post by thealien666 » Fri Nov 23, 2012 3:19 pm

@msjlra

Did you find the tuning procedure for Voyager ? If not, I can tell you where you can get it...
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msjlra
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Re: Voyager tuning

Post by msjlra » Fri Nov 23, 2012 8:31 pm

No I haven't really been looking, I emailed Moog for it the other day, waiting for a reply.

But it would be great if you could direct me to it :D

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thealien666
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Re: Voyager tuning

Post by thealien666 » Fri Nov 23, 2012 9:29 pm

You can find it here (half way down the page under a long post by Revstate)

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/electron ... -tune.html
Moog Minimoog D (1975)
DSI OB6
DSI Prophet REV2
Oberheim Matrix-6
Ensoniq SQ-80
Korg DW8000
Behringer DeepMind 12
Alesis Ion

nms
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Re: Voyager tuning

Post by nms » Sat Nov 24, 2012 12:15 am

Careful though, there's no mention of the proper way to tune osc 3. Here's the exerpt as it appears in the tuning guide:

"Note on Osc 3 tuning: Osc 3 has the tendency to sync with Osc 2. You may find it helpful to de-tune Osc 2 before tuning
Osc3. Go to “init parameters” and turn Osc 1 off. Then, turn the Osc 2 Freq knob fully counterclockwise and turn the Osc
2 Octave switch down to 32.'
Voyager RME | Virus Ti2 Polar | Juno 60 | EL8X Distressor | UBK Clariphonic | Lynx Hilo | Motu 828mk2 | Focal Twin6be

msjlra
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Re: Voyager tuning

Post by msjlra » Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:28 pm

Thanks, but is there an official guide?

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thealien666
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Re: Voyager tuning

Post by thealien666 » Sat Nov 24, 2012 5:26 pm

msjlra wrote:Thanks, but is there an official guide?

You're welcome.
Since that was written by Amos Gaynes himself (of Moog Music Inc), I believe we can rely on it.

BTW, if you ever receive a reply from Moog, and get the "official guide" from them, you will be able to compare what they send you to what Amos had written...
Moog Minimoog D (1975)
DSI OB6
DSI Prophet REV2
Oberheim Matrix-6
Ensoniq SQ-80
Korg DW8000
Behringer DeepMind 12
Alesis Ion

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