Voyagers, I have 2. Am I crazy?

Alienation · Post by **Alienation** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 4:12 pm

Sidewind wrote:I have three Voyagers and am looking to get 2 or 3 more before I am done. So, I don't think 2 is crazy at all. I did not opt for any OS's though. I spent a great deal of time with one and it is a fine instrument.

To me, they sound the same (barring the slight programming possibilities between the two). I did not notice any difference in playability or "becoming one with the instrument" on the OS vs the Voyager. I think the perceived difference between one being all analogue vs the Voyager have digital control over the analogue path is non-sense. They both play like a Minimoog. They both have that instant playability. They both have that "Moog magic". I also own a large modular system and both instruments played exactly like my modular in the "knob-twisting" and response sense. I own other analog synths and the same can not be said for them.

In the end, I could not bear to lose the touch plate and the possibility of chaining multiple units together for polyphony. Prior to the release of the OS, I have always been confused as to why someone would care about the Voyager having digital control or MIDI. Just use real panel mode and don't use the MIDI. Simple as that. I do applaud Moog for creating the OS for these users though as it allowed them to not have to pay for these features - especially if they are not going to use them. It may have even allowed some to afford a Voyager.

A couple of questions to ask yourself: How important is it for you to recreate the exact same sound you come up with? How easily do you want polyphony? When using polyphony, how important is it to have the exact same sound on each note? How important is the touch plate? If any of these are important, you are probably going to be happier with a non-OS Voyager.

Since you mentioned polyphony, my advice for you is that if you are looking for easy polyphony, you will need to have MIDI on both units if you want to utilize MIDI Key Order (built into the Voyager & RME - not the OS). Another possibility is to use the Synthesizers.com keyboard. It is capable of allowing up to two notes. But if you add another Voyager, you will need to find something else though. I do not know of another easy way to get polyphony otherwise. I know many have gone mad trying various methods though!

Whoa that's alot of Voyagers. Well If I can't hook them up together that's gonna be a problem. I should of researched this but I guess I got a little carried away. I might have to double think this investment.

Analog! · Post by **Analog!** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:29 pm

Sidewind wrote: I do applaud Moog for creating the OS for these users though as it allowed them to not have to pay for these features - especially if they are not going to use them. It may have even allowed some to afford a Voyager.

The OS appealed to me for both of those reasons. It was definitely easier on my wallet. I also specifically wanted to not deal with presets, midi, or any of the extras from the Voyager. I am pretty sure I was born in the wrong era, all of the older gear appeals to me so much more.

I don't see myself acquiring another voyager anytime soon though. Maybe get one for my kid one day far down the road. Before that, I want to find a vox continental, a hammond b3/c3, and possibly an old prophet 5 (i wasn't too much of a fan of the p '08).

Brian G · Post by **Brian G** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:44 pm

Well said Alenation

.
Two Voyager SE's here along with a Model D and a Little Phatty TE, So no you are not crazzy

. It all depends on what you want to do with them. If you are hoping to hook the OS up to your other Voyager the only way ypu can do it is through CV.

The OS is nice, but it is not going to be any better than a Voyager with "digital" both use the same analog signal path.

On my Voaygers I'll MIDI them to each other or something else depending on the project. I'll store presets for recall later and or live performance. I will also program a new sound from what ever "preset" us called up at the time, then program aniother from that point. It's a great to have the features the "Digtial" provides.

What ever you wind up doing have fun.

Alienation · Post by **Alienation** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 7:04 pm

Brian G wrote:Well said Alenation .
Two Voyager SE's here along with a Model D and a Little Phatty TE, So no you are not crazzy . It all depends on what you want to do with them. If you are hoping to hook the OS up to your other Voyager the only way ypu can do it is through CV.

The OS is nice, but it is not going to be any better than a Voyager with "digital" both use the same analog signal path.

On my Voaygers I'll MIDI them to each other or something else depending on the project. I'll store presets for recall later and or live performance. I will also program a new sound from what ever "preset" us called up at the time, then program aniother from that point. It's a great to have the features the "Digtial" provides.

What ever you wind up doing have fun.

Yeah I'm starting to think of the other stuff I could get instead. Will see what happends. I keep the updates coming.

spittingoutteeth · Post by **spittingoutteeth** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:07 am

Sidewind wrote: I think the perceived difference between one being all analogue vs the Voyager have digital control over the analogue path is non-sense.

You're right--it's complete nonsense.

CloseToTheEdge · Post by **CloseToTheEdge** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:37 pm

Voyagers, I have 2. Am I crazy?

Yes you are. Crazy like a fox.

Voltor07 · Post by **Voltor07** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 12:48 am

CloseToTheEdge wrote:
Voyagers, I have 2. Am I crazy?
Yes you are. Crazy like a fox.

He rides the same fine line I do...he just wobbles more.

ColorForm2113 · Post by **ColorForm2113** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:39 am

The only benefit I could see to having and OS and voyager is if you're a really intense knob tweaker I've heard the OS is smoother when turning more than one knob, where as the voyager has a slight zipping/stepping when multitasking the knobs. So you can get two different modulation effects.
I own neither, and haven't played a voyager in several years so I can't confirm this. Anybody notice this or is it a myth?

latigid on · Post by **latigid on** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:06 am

ColorForm2113 wrote:The only benefit I could see to having and OS and voyager is if you're a really intense knob tweaker I've heard the OS is smoother when turning more than one knob, where as the voyager has a slight zipping/stepping when multitasking the knobs. So you can get two different modulation effects.
I own neither, and haven't played a voyager in several years so I can't confirm this. Anybody notice this or is it a myth?

I believe this was fixed in the latest OS update. The processor now remembers the last two knobs turned and dedicates more time to them. If you've got more than two hands you might have some trouble, but it's probably good enough for most.