Voyager purchase

[GregAE]

Speaking of modulars...

One of the cool things about the Voyager is that you can expand it if you wish, and end up with what I call a semi-modular system. The CP-251 and VX-351 Moogerfoogers add patchable capability (like a modular) and additional LFOs and voltage controllers to expand what the Voyager can do. Of course, it comes at a cost for the extra hardware, but a you get a flexible system that goes beyond what the stock Voyager can do.

Given the Voyager's I/O capability, any modular components are fair game for interfacing. The Voyager can serve as the centerpiece of a modular system, or as an adjuct to an existing modular - such is the beauty of voltage control.

Who knows - maybe the Voyager is the first piece of kit on your way to a modular!

[modulagirl]

Hi GregAE, well, I was thinking of getting an RS Integrator, or Doepfer A100, for the money I will spend on the Voyager the previous options are a distinct possibillity, with money over for extra modules. The Voyager is a product of following my heart rather than my head maybe because I have owned a few Moogs in the past. I have to make up my mind as to what is going to be the most usefull to me. I am not rich by any means, so every purchase has to earn its keep. I am missing that Moog sound though.
The type of music I do is all based on uncertainty, random events etc, a modular would be great for that, the Moog Mini/Voyager are less well equiped in that department I guess.
In reality a Buchla woiuld be my dream synth, but I may as well wish for the Moon.

Take care,

Sonia.

[peter ripa]

the voyager is the synth i would choose over any. doepfer has too small knobs, you dont want to tweak them and its holes are too tiny, the cables from my ms20 doesnt fit.

[modulagirl]

Hi, I went to Turnkey today and tried out the Voyager, the signature edition. The first thing that struck me was that the parameter values jumped, rather than being taken up from the actual value as seen on the knobs, this occured when selcting a preset and then turning a knob, not acceptabl at all as far as I'm concerned. The guy said it was due to the synth being out on the shop floor being used a lot, and it could have a few faults The sound was just not inspiring, dare I say it, even a bit cold, just not happening, not for me. I know that this will promote a lot of other oppinions, but I have to go by my instinct. I am going to get either an RS Integrator or a Doepfer, Doepfer have started to make replicas of the "Source Of Uncertainty " modules that Buchla used to use, so it sounds ideal for me. I am glad I checked out the Voyger though, and I am sure it will suite most people down to the ground, but I think it would be wrong for me.

Take care,

Sonia.

[MC]

The first thing that struck me was that the parameter values jumped, rather than being taken up from the actual value as seen on the knobs, this occured when selcting a preset and then turning a knob, not acceptabl at all as far as I'm concerned.

Ummm... most programmable analog synths made in the last 25 years behave like this.

[Qwave]

he first thing that struck me was that the parameter values jumped, rather than being taken up from the actual value as seen on the knobs, this occured when selcting a preset and then turning a knob, not acceptabl at all as far as I'm concerned.

If you don't like it, you have only three options:
1- buy a synth without patch memories
2- buy a synth with rotary encoders
3- set the Voyager into panel mode

The last option gives you the sound you see on the display. I use this mode to design new sounds from scratch.
The first option means "go for an original Minimoog"
And the second option means no Moog at all. And most likely VA (dsp based) synths.

I made up my mind. That's why I am on the Moog Music Forum:
I was lucky enough to be able to choose option 1 and 3. And the second option from other brands.

There is no good or bad. Its just depending on your personal point of view. What more or less important to you might be totally different for others. So go YOUR way. Choose the synth that fits to You. You will have to pay and play it. And your music will not be worse or better depending on your synths. They are tools.

I have heard music much, much better then my, done on synth only worth 5% of the synths in my studio.

[modulagirl]

Hi Yes, my Pro 5 does this, because it is digitaly controlled, and I find it really anoying. But the Pro 5 has other reasons for me to keep it, I wish the Voyager had "other reasons" but it didn't.
I am going to buy an old Mini Model D, it will give me back that dirty thick magik sound that I should never have sold in the first place. It has no digits on board, but who wants memories in the first place, "Dady, do you remember a time when people used to listen to the same piece of music over and over again, did people really do that ?" (Brian Eno)


Take care,

Sonia.

[modulagirl]

I have just set all my synth's to random mode, ARP's on random, LFO,s on random, (you need loads of LFO's to do this) pure bliss, mixed into a sonic firework display, powder bass's, (distant thunder flashes) sky rockets, starlight explosions, shear heaven, I leave it on all night, and wake up to a mega sonic landscape. I have moved my bed into my studio, I recomend it.
One thing I found interesting, the Voyager did not have one single Random element on it.

Sleep well Don Buchla, any chance of a free Music Box ? I am giving you enough publicity

Sonia.

[Qwave]

...
One thing I found interesting, the Voyager did not have one single Random element on it.
...

And the Sample and Hold of the Voyager's LFO isn't THE typical source of random modulations ? And you can patch noise as modulation source too.

The Minimoog (model D of cause) only had his noise as random modulation source available.

[modulagirl]

Hi Quave, well, I found the Voyager hard to navigate, not one bit as easy as the Mini, I know it has a lot more features, but it didn't seem logical, and it was confusing to say the least, I certainly did not notice any random wave shapes making themselves noticable ! I guess its back to the old fixed routing formula, I hate it, I totally agree with Bob Moog on that one, and can totally sympathise (or should that be synthesise ) on the keyboard/ osc/filt/env issue, it could be seen as a sell out I suppose, I guess that was why he was so upset when the Mini was designed without his permision. Buchla mangaed to maintain his position in the classical avant-garde circles that Bob Moog had always aimed for, but i gues they both had their success in quite unpredictable ways, typical !
God bless him, and all who sail in him, regardless of the present Moog's, Bob Moog will always be a hero of mine, and an essential catalyst in my musical career. The funniest thing about my Voyager episode today: I was twidling with the little knob on the end of the keyboaord, not noticing any change in the sound, but did notice after a considerable time, a dimming of the panel lights

take care !

Sonia.

[martin]

The Voyager is fun but although I own one, if asked today, I'd probably opt for a studio system from www.synthesizers.com: No OS, excellent modules (from what I read...), good old patching, and everything well built.

I think my MMV has too many quirks and bugs to really enjoy it to its full potential. E.g., my unit has the PB issue (needs calibration etc - can't fix myself so I'd have to ship the whole thing for calibration instead of just a module).

I love the Moog nonetheless as the sound is excellent. But there are buts.
(Maybe I'm just old-fashioned because I prefer modular synthesizers... I had modern workstations too, and enjoyed them, but I think a true modular is more expandable and flexible than the MMV, even with the CV expanders etc.)
Martin

[modulagirl]

Hi Martin, totally agree with what you say, I will check out the link, sounds interesting. Yeah, all keyboards are interesting in thier own way, workstaions, analogue, digital etc, all have thier uses, but when the gear becomes the focus of attention the music takes a back seat, that is unacceptable. Any instrument should be a means to express what it is you want to say in the most unobtrusive fashion, it should dissapear in a way, if it gets in the way then that instrument is not for you or your music. Three instruments that for me personally have achieved that are the accoustic piano, my Old Mini D, and my Yamaha DX7, desert island intruments.

Take care,

Sonia.

[modulagirl]

Hi Martin, just had a look at the site, looks good, a bit on the expensive side maybe. I live in the UK, but the pound is strong at the moment, so that may make a difference. They certainly look well made, and have all the right bits in all the right places ! plus, they look cool !!
The only other thing I am worried about is the voltage, we are 240 50 hertz here in the UK, I guess I would need a transformer, plus their is the shiping cost, i would have to work out if I could save the shipping cost on the purchase price if the exchange rate made it worthwhile,

Take care,

Sonia.

[Demokid]

Modulagirl:

My friend bought a system from Synthesizer.com. We live in Sweden and Sweden has 240V. The Q102 AC Power Interface Module can be used from 110V-240V…
http://www.synthesizers.com/q101.html

Regards
Demokid

[goldphinga]

Hey Sonia, i really think you are being far too quick to judge the voyager. i have a mini model d and a source and it is up there with them both in terms of sound quality and expressiveness. any truly great instrument takes a while to get to know and the voyager is no exception. it can sound exactly like my minimoog or impersonate just about any other analogue synth as well. the voyager is more hands on than the mini now that the touchscreen is there and all the main controls are available to hand. you only need to dig into the menus very occasionally. the fact that the values jump is insignificant, espicially in real panel control mode where the dial positions are exactly as u see them.

who needs presets you say? well it does depend on what sort of music you make but for live gigs and recreating parts from studio recordings, it is essential. there was no way on tour that i would have been able to set up a patch quickly enough between songs on the minimoog, nevermind the fact that it is problematic for tuning. as far as i'm concerned the mini is consigned to the studio along with my source. the voyager is an all round great that is now bug free with latest os. for the money you cannot buy a better monosynth. and for that matter, you cannot get a better monosynth in my opinion. i believe that if you spent any significant period of time with the voyager that you would be blown away by its expressiveness and versitality. trying it at turnkey would in no way do it justice.

for me the only oversight with the voyager is the lack of octave up and down switches and a numeric keypad but these are the only drawbacks.otherwise it kicks the minis backside. you'll regret not getting one in the end.