Prodigy key mod

[the art of noise]

Hi there! First post here because I've got my first analog synth on the way to me - an early MOOG Prodigy - and yes, I'm excited!

Anyway, before even laying hands on it I've got various ideas ... I don't really want to do any mods to it but this one should be totally reversible and shouldn't do any damage ... I hope!

I'm a guitar player and I'm kinda used to start everything from 'E', but the Prodigy keyboard starts with a 'F'. Soooo... is it possible to remove all the keys, put the high 'C' to the far left and shift the other keys one position to the right, and then detune the whole synth to start with an 'E'??? (then the keyboard would be 'E' to 'B', instead of 'F' to 'C')

If I'm being a total idiot then please excuse me. I really don't want to do any damage to it, therefore I prefer to ask first.

Cheers

[thealien666]

Hi, and welcome to the forum !

The master tune knob will permit you to lower the pitch of the whole keyboard (transposing it) by one semitone, so that the first key is effectively playing an E instead of an F.

But as for removing all the keys and re-arranging them so that physically the keyboard starts with an E, it is possible I guess, you'd simply have to use the last C key as an E key to add to the start of the bottom of the keyboard. Also, by tuning the synth down one semitone, you wouldn't have the same complete range of the master tune knob anymore.

And, between you and me, it's a big job for not a lot of gain (removing and reinstalling 32 keys and springs).
Besides, you would end up with a non-standard keyboard.

One thing positive about it is, that by removing all the keys, you could inspect all the rubber bushings (key stoppers) for signs of wear and hardening and replace them if need be.

Anyway, it's up to you. And it would be a non-permanent, reversible, modification.
Congrats on your first Moog vintage synth !

Alain.

[the art of noise]

Hey Alain, thanks for the kind words. I still don't know if I'm gonna do that but I wanted to inform myself beforehand.

The Prodigy should be with me within a few days. I have some old keyboards, but nothing like this. I actually never even played a MOOG synth before, I'm really excited!!

[the art of noise]

Well, I played it yesterday for the first time ... WOW!!! Now that's what I'm talking about! I tried to squeeze out that 70's prog lead sound, and it does sound very good, really. I still need to get used to the controls and what they do.

For the moment I'm going to leave the keyboard as it is; now that I've actually played it I really don't see much advantage in changing the key order. But if I need to do it one day then it's good to know it's possible.

Mine probably wasn't serviced before and sometimes I get volume-drops, seems like the keys don't have a good contact. Does this happen often and what should I check first to resolve this? Anyone know a good tech in central EU to give it a proper service?

Also, my Prodigy is missing one of those white slider knobs - if you have one or know where to get it, please let me know!

[thealien666]

...Also, my Prodigy is missing one of those white slider knobs - if you have one or know where to get it, please let me know!

Here, scroll down the page under Moog Prodigy 925-040922-001 Slide Switch Cap White

http://www.vintageplanet.nl/pages/moog2.html