There are enough owners out there that own them now, so I'm curious if you feel you made a wise investment in the Voyager. In retrospect, would a different synth that is less expensive to expand, or a modular be a better investment now that you can look in the rear view mirror?
Mike T.
Is the Voyager worth the money?
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Cruel Hoax
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2003 1:44 am
As for myself, I feel I've invested wisely. I got a good deal on two Voyagers. Though a period of hardship forced me to sell one (at a profit), I can't see ever selling my Signature Edition.
I don't think that this is "my investment talking". As I said, I've sold one at a profit, and could sell this one at a profit at any time. So I don't think it's the fact that I spent a bit of cash on this that's making my decision for me.
Really, the Voyager fits my style extremely well. It sounds great, and is extremely flexible, yet some design choices have been made by the designer, like the dual mod matrix and Pot Mapping feature. These provide interesting and challenging lines to "color within". None of my other analogs respond quite like the Voyager. When you push it, it pushes back, for lack of a better description. When I play or design sounds, the Moog feels like an active contributor, not just a limp piece of gear that simply does what it's told with a sigh.
Is it the right voice for everybody? Probably not. Some people like to play piano-style, and some need auto-double-reverse-arpeggiators. Some people want passable pianos and brass sections to play in a cover band or at weddings. The Voyager may not be for them.
Is it the right voice for me? Oh yes. Without a doubt. I've had her for well over a year, and I'm still discovering tricks and cool techniques. There's no shortage of controllability to make the sound come alive, just a shortage of my limbs! To me, this is a good sign: when you can push an instrument as far as you like and not hit a wall, never feel like you've exhausted every possibility, always come away from a playing/recording/sound design session feeling inspired and not drained: this is what makes a good voice.
The mod matrix and Pot Mapping inspire me to want a modular, though. Guess it's a VX351 and CP251 next for me, then some modules by synthesizers.com or MOTM. Even within a full modular setup, I wouldn't need a better keyboard controller than the Voyager. Non keyboard, though - hmmm...
-Hoax
I don't think that this is "my investment talking". As I said, I've sold one at a profit, and could sell this one at a profit at any time. So I don't think it's the fact that I spent a bit of cash on this that's making my decision for me.
Really, the Voyager fits my style extremely well. It sounds great, and is extremely flexible, yet some design choices have been made by the designer, like the dual mod matrix and Pot Mapping feature. These provide interesting and challenging lines to "color within". None of my other analogs respond quite like the Voyager. When you push it, it pushes back, for lack of a better description. When I play or design sounds, the Moog feels like an active contributor, not just a limp piece of gear that simply does what it's told with a sigh.
Is it the right voice for everybody? Probably not. Some people like to play piano-style, and some need auto-double-reverse-arpeggiators. Some people want passable pianos and brass sections to play in a cover band or at weddings. The Voyager may not be for them.
Is it the right voice for me? Oh yes. Without a doubt. I've had her for well over a year, and I'm still discovering tricks and cool techniques. There's no shortage of controllability to make the sound come alive, just a shortage of my limbs! To me, this is a good sign: when you can push an instrument as far as you like and not hit a wall, never feel like you've exhausted every possibility, always come away from a playing/recording/sound design session feeling inspired and not drained: this is what makes a good voice.
The mod matrix and Pot Mapping inspire me to want a modular, though. Guess it's a VX351 and CP251 next for me, then some modules by synthesizers.com or MOTM. Even within a full modular setup, I wouldn't need a better keyboard controller than the Voyager. Non keyboard, though - hmmm...
-Hoax
Though I wouldn't mind owning a Voyager, I can't justify that expense on a monophonic synth that doesn't have the same warmth and snappiness as the original. I was lucky enough to find a Model D that needed repair but was a bargain. But had I not found it, I still wouldn't have purchased the Voyager.
YMMV
YMMV
I probably would spend my money elsewhere and am thinking of selling mine now. Though the voyager does sound great it just doesn't do enough for the money in my case, it fills a small niche relatively well. I think I would have been much happier with the modular v and about $2500 to spend on my car or plugins or reaktor 5 or whatever. Bottom line to me is that the voyager is kinda like the icing on the cake of gear.
Too true.
I recently sold my Model D (sorry Kelly!), which had a LAM midi upgrade and some RMS add ons which made it sound the business. I sold it because after restoring her, I made money on it and given that my early serial, Vger SE cost an arm and a leg I thought I would stick with the Voyager (as I am sure I'll loose money on it).
After a few months of trying to get the lead sounds that I used to get from my 'D' out of the Voyager I have decided that she' not for me and now I am selling . . no doubt at a loss . . in fact, recently I resurected my old SOURCE out of the loft and stuck in a MIDI kit and she really does sound hot . . and has 256 patches !!!
So I'm keeping the SOURCE . . and Im lucky to have a reliable memorymoog and I'll probably buy the GMEDIA minimonsta VSTi as that, IMHO sounds pretty darn close to a model D (although Arturia have just anounced an upgrade to their minimoog V).
I reckon it's only a matter of time before these plug-ins and new hardware units like the Creamware minimax desktop start to eat into moog sales . . sure, pro musicians and collectors will always want the real hardware but working musos might be happy to live with a virtual version . . I think moogmusic have to get off the Voyager rebranding bandwagon and get back to the drawing board as it's time for something new!!!
Mal
I recently sold my Model D (sorry Kelly!), which had a LAM midi upgrade and some RMS add ons which made it sound the business. I sold it because after restoring her, I made money on it and given that my early serial, Vger SE cost an arm and a leg I thought I would stick with the Voyager (as I am sure I'll loose money on it).
After a few months of trying to get the lead sounds that I used to get from my 'D' out of the Voyager I have decided that she' not for me and now I am selling . . no doubt at a loss . . in fact, recently I resurected my old SOURCE out of the loft and stuck in a MIDI kit and she really does sound hot . . and has 256 patches !!!
So I'm keeping the SOURCE . . and Im lucky to have a reliable memorymoog and I'll probably buy the GMEDIA minimonsta VSTi as that, IMHO sounds pretty darn close to a model D (although Arturia have just anounced an upgrade to their minimoog V).
I reckon it's only a matter of time before these plug-ins and new hardware units like the Creamware minimax desktop start to eat into moog sales . . sure, pro musicians and collectors will always want the real hardware but working musos might be happy to live with a virtual version . . I think moogmusic have to get off the Voyager rebranding bandwagon and get back to the drawing board as it's time for something new!!!
Mal
Please don't.......
Hey Mal,
Please don't sell your Voyager. Sure, I've never played a Model D in the flesh, but I've fingered the Voyager and used it to simulate miscillaneous Model D sounds created by famous players. I'm firmly of the opinion that (as I said in the Model D Vs. Voyager thread) the Model D started out the same way as the Voyager and that someday, the Voyager will most likely sound / respond the same way. Also, the thing is supposed to have those extra patching options that aren't present on the Model D.
To anyone currently in posession of the Minimoog Voyager, I implore you. DON'T SELL IT!! IT WAS WORTH ALL THE MONEY - AND THE LOSS OF THE MODEL D!
Please don't sell your Voyager. Sure, I've never played a Model D in the flesh, but I've fingered the Voyager and used it to simulate miscillaneous Model D sounds created by famous players. I'm firmly of the opinion that (as I said in the Model D Vs. Voyager thread) the Model D started out the same way as the Voyager and that someday, the Voyager will most likely sound / respond the same way. Also, the thing is supposed to have those extra patching options that aren't present on the Model D.
To anyone currently in posession of the Minimoog Voyager, I implore you. DON'T SELL IT!! IT WAS WORTH ALL THE MONEY - AND THE LOSS OF THE MODEL D!
"The greatest thing we ever have is the will to survive," - Eric Benjamin Gordon, 2001
Thank you Lord for Doctor Robert Moog!
http://www.ericbenjamingordon.com
http://www.myspace.com/ericbenjamingordon
http://cdbaby.com/cd/ebgordon
Thank you Lord for Doctor Robert Moog!
http://www.ericbenjamingordon.com
http://www.myspace.com/ericbenjamingordon
http://cdbaby.com/cd/ebgordon
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Boeing 737-400
- Posts: 684
- Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2003 12:16 am
- Location: Oxford, UK
Hey, don't get me wrong . . I think the Voyager is a great synth, and like you said, in years to come it will be the diffinitive analog . . I'm sure.
I have owned and played 100's of vintage synths over the last 20 years and you get to a point were you just like what you like . . . the great thing about the original minimoog is that there was a knob for every function, so dialing in a sound was easy and instant. When I bought my Voyager in 2001 (!) there were no extra functions and as moog added more and more I liked it less and less. I know you don't have to use it all but I like things simple.
There are some synths that are just more exciting . . go play a model D, through a decent amp and you'll know why it's still the number one vintage synth.
Mal
I have owned and played 100's of vintage synths over the last 20 years and you get to a point were you just like what you like . . . the great thing about the original minimoog is that there was a knob for every function, so dialing in a sound was easy and instant. When I bought my Voyager in 2001 (!) there were no extra functions and as moog added more and more I liked it less and less. I know you don't have to use it all but I like things simple.
There are some synths that are just more exciting . . go play a model D, through a decent amp and you'll know why it's still the number one vintage synth.
Mal
I doubt the MiniMax will be biting into the wallets of analog purists anytime soon. Just listen to these demos:mee3d wrote: I reckon it's only a matter of time before these plug-ins and new hardware units like the Creamware minimax desktop start to eat into moog sales . .
http://www.creamware.com/page.php?seite ... ly&lang=en
Blech!
I guess that's why I said "its only a matter of time". I think it's foolish to think that one day soon computers won't be be able to emulate analog sounds.
With regards moog sales . . moog are a low number manufacturer . . they have been toppled before due to limited investment and changing markets . . the market is changing again, VST instruments are not too dissimilar to the coming of the DX7 which killed off analog synths in the mid 80's. All I am saying is that moog might have to create something new and interesting, and not rely on the most emulated sound out there . . the moog filter.
Just before the demise of Moog in the mid 80's they were about to create a new polysynth (SL-8) that had a new style of oscillator which used harmonics to fatten the sound from just one OSC . . could have been interesting.
Mal
With regards moog sales . . moog are a low number manufacturer . . they have been toppled before due to limited investment and changing markets . . the market is changing again, VST instruments are not too dissimilar to the coming of the DX7 which killed off analog synths in the mid 80's. All I am saying is that moog might have to create something new and interesting, and not rely on the most emulated sound out there . . the moog filter.
Just before the demise of Moog in the mid 80's they were about to create a new polysynth (SL-8) that had a new style of oscillator which used harmonics to fatten the sound from just one OSC . . could have been interesting.
Mal
Analog Sampler?!?!?!
How about a synthesis system that can use analog tone generators to play back sampled sounds?
I know what you're thinking: Mellatron. But, I'm specifically thinking of an analog synth that can analyze samples and play them back. Such a synth could easily bridge the gap between addative / FM synthesis and classic subtractive synthesis.
I know what you're thinking: Mellatron. But, I'm specifically thinking of an analog synth that can analyze samples and play them back. Such a synth could easily bridge the gap between addative / FM synthesis and classic subtractive synthesis.
"The greatest thing we ever have is the will to survive," - Eric Benjamin Gordon, 2001
Thank you Lord for Doctor Robert Moog!
http://www.ericbenjamingordon.com
http://www.myspace.com/ericbenjamingordon
http://cdbaby.com/cd/ebgordon
Thank you Lord for Doctor Robert Moog!
http://www.ericbenjamingordon.com
http://www.myspace.com/ericbenjamingordon
http://cdbaby.com/cd/ebgordon
So far the head count isn't really in favor of the Voyager. Both from a cost standpoint, as well as the sound standpoint. I think my biggest beef about the Voyager is that its a mono synth. As long as that's the case, I would never buy one at the price it sells for. Even if it sounded totally awesome, a mono synth doesn't cover enough musical ground anymore. I won't knock Moog Music for selling a very expensive synth, obviously they need a certain amount of money to built, support, and service it. I understand they are just about hand built, so that isn't going to be cheap. Dealers have to make some money on them too. But as a buyer, I just can't justify the cost for what it does. Too bad, I wouldn't mind contributing to keeping Moog in business, but not with the current lineup. I can get a DSI KB Evolver for about the same amount of money as a Voyager. That's what my next synth is going to be.
Mike T.
Mike T.
As understandable as those remarks sound, I doubt that they'll be taken too seriously. There's a whole seperate branch of musicians out there that are in their teens, 20's & 30's and have next-to-no access to "original" Moog gear.miket156 wrote:So far the head count isn't really in favor of the Voyager. Both from a cost standpoint, as well as the sound standpoint. I think my biggest beef about the Voyager is that its a mono synth. As long as that's the case, I would never buy one at the price it sells for. Even if it sounded totally awesome, a mono synth doesn't cover enough musical ground anymore. I won't knock Moog Music for selling a very expensive synth, obviously they need a certain amount of money to built, support, and service it. I understand they are just about hand built, so that isn't going to be cheap. Dealers have to make some money on them too. But as a buyer, I just can't justify the cost for what it does. Too bad, I wouldn't mind contributing to keeping Moog in business, but not with the current lineup. I can get a DSI KB Evolver for about the same amount of money as a Voyager. That's what my next synth is going to be.
Mike T.
For them, the Voyager is the one vestage of classic Moog technology and building technique that they can currently depend upon. One example of this class is Jessie Carmichael from Maroon 5.
If I thought I represented a class of musicians, that would be the one.
[Maybe, there'll come a time that I'll also purchase both the Poly Evolver keyboard AND the module version, but not before I get my hands on a Voyager. And, I think it'll be the rackmount version.]
"The greatest thing we ever have is the will to survive," - Eric Benjamin Gordon, 2001
Thank you Lord for Doctor Robert Moog!
http://www.ericbenjamingordon.com
http://www.myspace.com/ericbenjamingordon
http://cdbaby.com/cd/ebgordon
Thank you Lord for Doctor Robert Moog!
http://www.ericbenjamingordon.com
http://www.myspace.com/ericbenjamingordon
http://cdbaby.com/cd/ebgordon
Quote by Ebg31
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As understandable as those remarks sound, I doubt that they'll be taken too seriously.
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You doubt they'll be taken too seriously by whom? I doubt that anything that you or me say is going to be taken into consideration when a player decides he/she is going to buy a particular instrument. I've owned a number of Moog Model D's and still have a Moog Source as well as Taurus One bass pedals. I'm not taking the sound lightly.
My whole point is the Voyager is too expensive for a mono synth FOR ME. But I already have a Source as well as a VA so my criteria is different than someone that wants to have the Moog sound and doesn't have any Moog gear. If it were a poly synth or a least a duophonic synth, it would have a larger role in my sonic pallet than ANY mono synth has for me.
Honestly, I want Moog Music to suceed. Same holds true for other makers of RA's today, including DSI, MacBeth, etc. If we don't support them and they can't be profitable building RA's, they won't be in business. But again, as a BUYER, I have to look at contribution an instrument makes to my music.
Mike T.
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As understandable as those remarks sound, I doubt that they'll be taken too seriously.
----------------------------------------------------------------
You doubt they'll be taken too seriously by whom? I doubt that anything that you or me say is going to be taken into consideration when a player decides he/she is going to buy a particular instrument. I've owned a number of Moog Model D's and still have a Moog Source as well as Taurus One bass pedals. I'm not taking the sound lightly.
My whole point is the Voyager is too expensive for a mono synth FOR ME. But I already have a Source as well as a VA so my criteria is different than someone that wants to have the Moog sound and doesn't have any Moog gear. If it were a poly synth or a least a duophonic synth, it would have a larger role in my sonic pallet than ANY mono synth has for me.
Honestly, I want Moog Music to suceed. Same holds true for other makers of RA's today, including DSI, MacBeth, etc. If we don't support them and they can't be profitable building RA's, they won't be in business. But again, as a BUYER, I have to look at contribution an instrument makes to my music.
Mike T.