What Should I Buy? Voyger OS or Voyager Performer

Pastoral · Post by **Pastoral** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:21 am

I've had three Voyagers - Anniversary, Signature and now the OS. The OS was the Voyager I wish they would have made from the start, but that's because I don't use MIDI, presets, the touch screen, and I really care about a vintage asthetic. The lack of memory really goes a long way in shaping your programming skills too, because you're constantly starting from scratch (which you can do on the regular voyager as well, of course).

There's a purety about the OS that's just impossible to match. It forces you to use a synth in the same creative sense that the original pioneers did because of the "limitations" of the interface. It brings you to square one each time you turn it on.

Greatest synth ever made.......

Pastoral · Post by **Pastoral** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:22 am

I've had three Voyagers - Anniversary, Signature and now the OS. The OS was the Voyager I wish they would have made from the start, but that's because I don't use MIDI, presets, the touch screen, and I really care about a vintage asthetic. The lack of memory really goes a long way in shaping your programming skills too, because you're constantly starting from scratch (which you can do on the regular voyager as well, of course).

There's a purety about the OS that's just impossible to match. It forces you to use a synth in the same creative sense that the original pioneers did because of the "limitations" of the interface. It brings you to square one each time you turn it on.

Greatest synth ever made.......

DocT · Post by **DocT** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:12 am

Pastoral wrote: ...shaping your programming skills too, because you're constantly starting from scratch

Yes, sometimes it takes more time to set the knobs back to "scratch" from an existing sound then to build a new sound from scratch

gianluca13_2 · Post by **gianluca13_2** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:13 am

From my point of view only two reasons justify the purchase of a Voyager OS instead of a normal one. The price and, but this is to demonstrate, a better sound quality. If the OS sound is better of normal Voyager and then identical to the old model D you have a good reason to purchase it. If you want to save money this is a good reason. Otherwise I see only disadvantages.

MarkM · Post by **MarkM** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:47 am

When you need to go quickly from one patch to another in live performance, the Voyager would be the most logical choice. When working in a studio, the OS would fit the bill.

Pastoral · Post by **Pastoral** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:53 am

It really depends on how you work and configure your studio. If you midi up all of your existing synths, and sequence them to run all at once (very 1980's type setup), than midi will be essential to you. If you play live and need banks of sounds at your disposal, than memory will be essential. But...if we go back to the 1970's or earlier, we see artists doing amazing things without the aid of midi or memory, so the limitations of the OS can be an advantage in terms of creative thinking.

Amazing things were done before unlimited tracks, unlimited polyphony and unlimited syncing capabilities....the OS keeps you in that place, I think.

EricK · Post by **EricK** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:09 am

I really can agree with you, Pastoral. I don't know how you mamaged to have all three Voyagers though hehehe. I would have kept the Signature!

I agree 100% that having no memory increases your understanding of the instrument since I cut my programming teeth on the Micro (and that has relatively simple building blocks but still a high learning curve). It forces you to really learn why a sound is made if you ever plan on reproducing it. Myself though, Ive spent too much time trying to tell my friends "I have it set just how I want it", Ive also gone to great lengths to document the patches, making notes, taking pictures and for me...that is for the birds.

You can definately use the Voyager as an OS and some members here do just that. I never relied on the presets when I had mine, but I created about 10 presets of my own to be used on future recordings. I think that the vintage aesthetics are great, but there is also something to be said about embracing the technology. Imagine having Midi controlling video images on a screen behind you, or having a midi or CV light show being controlled by any knob, or other midi gear like drum machines being controlled simply by the touchpad. Thats great stuff, there if you want it and waiting for you if you don't.

I always try to encourage peopel to think about the future because something that you may reject now may be something that you would like to embrace tomorrow.

I don't think that the OS will sound like the Model D though just by taking out the digital brain.

Respectfully,
Eric

Pastoral · Post by **Pastoral** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:36 am

I agree completely....there's no "logical" reason to go back to patch sheets, right? I have a particular philosophy when it comes to making synthesizer music, so to constantly be at the roots of how it was made is important to me, but I'm in a niche so narrow that it would appear to be extinct to most who even noticed.

I really wonder how the OS is going to do sales wise, given that most people can find excellent condition Performance Editions for less than a new OS? Seriously, besides the oddest of the purists out there (ok, me), why would anyone feel the need to buy one?

Now I'm a pragmatist....

///OSS · Post by **///OSS** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 12:12 pm

I definitely understand you guy's points...having limitations definitely makes you more one with the instrument and makes you tweak it to the edge of its synthesis capabilities...BUT

If you already have a very deep understanding of synthesis, then that school of thinking is respected but omitted for my work flow... I have been synthesizing since the 80's and I was one of those that eventually traded analog for the digital and VA and then the software world came and I embraced it as well...

I can definitely get what I want out of certain VSTi like NI's Massive and Predator from rob Papen to name a few gems, but all the software and digital VA in the world still cant get certain things right like filters!, the way FM truly sounds from real circuits as examples.

So its lead me to go get some modern Analog synths, and let me tell ya there's so much garbage out there right now its halarious...makes you have to go back to get the old ones which suck as they are old unreliable and retarded expensive according to all these resellers trying to rape the musicians out there. For the price of a memory moog or a Model D I can just get a tons of stuff..lol

the eurorack modular world is very interesting to me and I almost went with a full PlanB/Livewire/Harvestman setup but after much thought and attention to the speed of how i work, I'm going for an all Moog setup with a Phatty II a Voyager Select, CP251, and 351 expander... a Murf, FreqBox and Ringmod.

Ill further control that setup with a Kenton PRO 2000 and a FR Mobius, and process it with a few other modules like the Jomox T-resonator, TM-7 from metasonix, Zvex Box of metal amongst a few others.

should be exiting!

now I just have to start buying...LOLOL

Thanks for all your comments and response concerning the OS... It's definitely put things in perspective towards my final decisions.

calvinistsandlutherans · Post by **calvinistsandlutherans** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:18 pm

I'm thinking you might find my experience instructive. I have a Voyager Performer, and at the time bought it only for what the OS is now - that is, I had no use whatsoever for midi, presets, driving other devices via CV, and I even thought the touchscreen was sort of gimmicky and superfluous. I might have bought an OS if it had been available (and cheaper!). Now, I've still never used a preset (not that doing so is bad) but I've found that I've really grown into all of the features that I didn't think I needed when I bought it. For example, I use midi sequences all of the time to drive Moogerfoogers in time with my music, and I couldn't imagine being without that capability now. I do solo recording so this is especially useful for me in this context.

My advice then would be to get the Performer, even if you are certain it has a bunch of features that you won't need, because you just might find that you like them. Still, it took me two years just to get a midi interface (originally for my microkorg, and I didn't even consider hooking up my Voyager until months later), so it might be a slow burn. Either way, and no matter which you choose, you'll definitely be happy with your purchase.

jimkost2002 · Post by **jimkost2002** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:23 am

i'd like to add my 2 cents..... if i may ....... i've also owned multiple voyagers and am now the proud and happy owner of a old school whitewash (from nova musik) ...... first and foremost THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN SOUND QUALITY between performer and old school ..... i used the right out to ext in on both models and still found a huge difference in richness of sound (OS is the champ) between the two models.

also, when i did use the patch save feature, i found it to be much more of a crutch ... whereas w/ the OS, i really have to use my cognitive skills to get from patch to patch ( i do notate all of my patches for reference.....hey, js bach copied all the music he wanted to learn by hand so if it was good enough for him, it's good enough for me)

if i need midi, i can always get a kenton pro solo or a signal arts midi analog performance step sequencer (http://www.signalarts.ca/index.html#nav1)

but, everyone has their own application needs and you gotta go w/ what works for you....... i will re-emphasize that there is a HUGE SONIC DIFFERENCE and for me, that's the name of the game.

it is great that we have these choices in the moog universe!

EricK · Post by **EricK** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:08 pm

What could posibly be the difference in the chips that make such an extreme difference in the sound?

Eric

18watt · Post by **18watt** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:15 pm

Congrats on your OS, Jim! You and I chatted on eBay when I was selling my OS, I think. I still think it's a killer synth, and I'm sure I'll end up regretting it one day - but for now, I need an RME. I'll be sure to add my thoughts when it arrives (any minute now! Come on, UPS!).

18watt · Post by **18watt** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:19 pm

OK, got it, plugged it in. Initial reaction - could be placebo effect, but there does appear to be a difference in the sound (not necessarily a difference of quality, just a difference) between the two. Hard to tell without them both in front of me. Better or worse? Not even going to go there.

However, the RME will greatly enhance my workflow. I can already tell I'm going to enjoy a lot of the presets!

Jazzpunk · Post by **Jazzpunk** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:33 pm

jimkost2002 wrote:i will re-emphasize that there is a HUGE SONIC DIFFERENCE and for me, that's the name of the game.

Can you provide some technical data as to the actual build differences between the Voyager and the OS?

Apart from the OS not having the digital controls, what are the actual changes in circuitry/design that make it sound drastically different than the Voyager? Is Moog using different components in the OS? Have there been any changes to the design of the oscillators or filters?

There is no mention of any such changes in the OS description which seems a bit odd. I would think any sonic enhancements would be a big selling point and something Moog would want potential buyers to be aware of.

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What Should I Buy? Voyger OS or Voyager Performer

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os vs performer