panorama1003 wrote:@museslave,
man, what a bummer you are. why don't you save your sarcasm.
You know, a lot of people come to this forum to learn about Moog synthesizers. I personally feel, with a fair amount of experience, that the notion that all synthesizers are equal (despite differences in sound, functionality, etc.) is really disingenuous. There is simply no point in discussing various models if the end conclusion is "everything is awesome, and it's up to you to decide."
As should be evident to anyone who knows who I am, I love Moog instruments. I am, perhaps, one of the biggest supporters of Moog instruments. In fact, I'm even often described as a shill for Moog. Despite all of that, no one does ANYONE any favors by blithely stating that every synth is good, they're all just as good as every other, and everything is flowers and rainbows. Yeah, we're all sick of the MInimoog vs. Voyager troll debate, but that's not to say there aren't significant differences that might appeal to the various tastes of individuals. Moog instruments are professional instruments. They're not toys for the general public. As such, making distinctions between them is very consistent with their professional fan base.
I am a Minimoog (1973) owner who likes the LIttle Phatty. My like of the Little Phatty was quite a shock to me, because I am a professional synthesist, and I resent a lack of knob-per-function on a Moog instrument. I specifically decried the Little Phatty... until I was fortunate enough to play with one. It was at that point that I realized that it really is a useful synthesizer... especially as a Moog with its pricetag. I like the Phatty, and support it. It's a functional synthesizer with a distinctive sound and a very exciting pricetag. It serves the purposes of a more consumer-based synth player with a limited budget.
But would I compare it to a MInimoog or a Voyager? Never in a million years. Yes, each artist finds his or her own voice, but the more functionality and great sound a synth has, the better it is (no musician ever says "Yeah, I tried a Moog modular, but it just wasn't for me. I preferred a Moog Satellite"). There IS an objective truth to it. Let's drop the Minimoog out, and simply compare the Phatty with the Voyager. The Voyager vastly exceeds the sound AND the functionality of the Phatty. To say "to each his own" in regard to these two synths is just obnoxious starry-eyed ignorance. The Voyager blows AWAY the Phatty in sound AND functionality. And is that my opinion? Heavens no... it's the opinion of anyone who recognizes the value of sound and functionality... including MOOG, who prices the Voyager QUITE differently than the Phatty.
So, when I'm a sarcastic asshole, it's not because I'm a troll... it's because there is an OBJECTIVE viewpoint out there in regard to these instruments. The Phatty, as great as it is, is NOT the equal of the Voyager. And, as a guy whose whole career is based upon his worship of the Minimoog, the Phatty is about as distant from the MInimoog as you could get in regard to Moog instruments.
So, please excuse me if I am obnoxious and sarcastic about the Pollyanna view about "everything is equal and sunshine and roses." Some of us try to be objective about this stuff, and the more functionality and great sound a thing has, the more valuable it is. (Not a bash against the Phatty, but a Minimoog or Voyager it is NOT).
