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Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 3:42 pm
by eric coleridge
Not that this brand new synth should have significantly distracting background noise, but (because someone asked about vintage analog noise) from someone who has owned several older Arps and Moogs, this is not at all unusual (and is fairly normal) on vintage analog equipment.
There are alot of sources in analog circuits that produce low levels of background noise, and by the time the audio signal makes it's way through all of the various components these sources add up to a sometimes significant noise level.
Even when using several Moogerfoogers in a chain, I believe in some cases I've noticed a build up of noise. Although, I don't remember ever hearing any background noise on the Voyager.
You may want to try using a different outlet or powerstrip, or one without other outlets being used to see if this has any effect.
On a brand new instrument, I would think that most any unwelcomed background nosie would be calibrated/engineered to negligible and reasonable level. But some (small) amount of noise and or distortion/ gain is pretty typical and some would argue benificial to the "analog" sound.
Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 10:58 pm
by synthpimp
This is reminiscent of the noise problem on early Voyager SE units. Spent over $3000 and had to have it immediately serviced.
I hope I have a better experience with the LP!
Over-drive!
Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 2:19 am
by Fanny
hahaha!
been reading people slamming the buzz for a couple of days
Ever owned an overdrive pedal?
Ever turned the knobs full up?
It buzzes!
Its called gain structure
some of us out here will even make music with the buzz
like you'll even notice it when there are other elements present
get a noise gate!
Its like complaining your car gives off exhaust
or karaoke people complaining mike's feedback when you're standing in front of the subs......
Yup It'll do that!
Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 3:43 am
by carbon111
Hey guys, how loud is the buzz? Is it as bad as a ground loop "buzz"?
One thing to possibly remember is that unlike digital gear that should have the output volume maxed for optimum s/n ratio, a lot of analog gear's sweet spot is like 75% of max volume...or even lower to achieve maximum s/n at the output. Very careful gain staging is called for.
Hope the buzz turns out to be nothing serious...or at least an easy fix!
Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 4:47 am
by goldphinga
Moog are currently fixing the issue, and all is back on track. They responded immediately in light of the first concerned forum post. Not sure what the cause was tho or how its being fixed, but rest assured it is!
Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 5:55 am
by industrial_gypsy
Moog are currently fixing the issue, and all is back on track. They responded immediately in light of the first concerned forum post. Not sure what the cause was tho or how its being fixed, but rest assured it is!
Does anyone know if any LP's have reached the UK yet? If so, anyone got one? Also, the logistics of getting it back to Moog for 'sorting' don't bear thinking about. There's always Turnkey

Re: Over-drive!
Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 8:30 am
by calyx93
Fanny wrote:hahaha!
been reading people slamming the buzz for a couple of days
Ever owned an overdrive pedal?
Ever turned the knobs full up?
It buzzes!
Its called gain structure
some of us out here will even make music with the buzz
like you'll even notice it when there are other elements present
get a noise gate!
Its like complaining your car gives off exhaust
or karaoke people complaining mike's feedback when you're standing in front of the subs......
Yup It'll do that!
Yes, Fanny - we all know that grungy guitar pedals both generate and amplfy noise - and I'm sure we all know about gain structure. However, This is an issue that Moog has recognized and is dealing with.
Smart ass comments founded on no first-hand experience with this particular issue are really of no help here.

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 8:42 am
by calyx93
eric coleridge wrote:Not that this brand new synth should have significantly distracting background noise, but (because someone asked about vintage analog noise) from someone who has owned several older Arps and Moogs, this is not at all unusual (and is fairly normal) on vintage analog equipment.
There are alot of sources in analog circuits that produce low levels of background noise, and by the time the audio signal makes it's way through all of the various components these sources add up to a sometimes significant noise level.
Even when using several Moogerfoogers in a chain, I believe in some cases I've noticed a build up of noise. Although, I don't remember ever hearing any background noise on the Voyager.
You may want to try using a different outlet or powerstrip, or one without other outlets being used to see if this has any effect.
On a brand new instrument, I would think that most any unwelcomed background nosie would be calibrated/engineered to negligible and reasonable level. But some (small) amount of noise and or distortion/ gain is pretty typical and some would argue benificial to the "analog" sound.
This buzz/noise, with the overdrive turned up, becomes a fixed third oscillator. Unless you've heard this, you don't understand. I'm talking about a loud, fixed-pitch tone - not just a buzz. When the overdrive is low, or off - this buzz creates a noticeably hissy/airy sheen over sounds - you should hear what reverb does to it. This makes deep, filtered basses and pad-like sounds distracting since you're hearing a very high frequency sound blanketing it.
Again - this may have been present in only a few of the units - and Moog is servicing these now that they have a fix for it - mine included. They've been very gracious and helpful in this matter - and I'm sure upon return, I'll hear the synth the way it was meant to be heard.

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:58 am
by goldphinga
The LP now has background noise levels in line with the voyager:so, excellent signal to noise ratio.
Mine is due to arrive here in the UK within a few weeks.
Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 11:42 am
by godzilla
they didn't send any of the bad ones to australia before fixing them did they!
does anyone know why/how the problem occurred?
i hope there aren't any other problems that pop up later on, or if there are i hope they're just OS bugs that can be fixed without too much pain ie: OS update
i guess all we can do is trust in the force
Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 11:58 am
by thewaag
godzilla wrote:i hope there aren't any other problems that pop up later on, or if there are i hope they're just OS bugs that can be fixed without too much pain ie: OS update
i guess all we can do is trust in the force
I think that the best thing here is to trust in Moog.
It sounds like they have realized that there may be a problem and have addressed it, like a responsible company should.
I have no doubt that by the time my LP arrives, it will be hiss free.
I guess that these are the little growing pains that you have to deal with when you are on the cutting edge of Moogdom. I imagine that they were under some pressure to get the LP shipping ASAP after the first delay. Sometimes the best of intentions come back to bite you in the rear....
Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 12:57 pm
by linearnorth
Hey everyone, received mine today(#17). Although my box was quite tattered the LP is perfect, thankfully. The knobs are as tight as they are on my Voyager. As for the hissing, I was only able to get audible noise(with keys depressed) when I turned both Oscillators down and the overload all the way up. I don't really see it as a problem as it isn't noticable with oscillators up.
I must say I was shocked to see the UPS guy walk up with a naked LP box though. I figured they would've put a thicker protective box around it. But, oh well, I'm just glad it's here in one piece. Well, you all know what I'm going off to do now. I hope that all you guys gets your LP home safe.
the colors on this baby......beautiful.

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 10:39 pm
by rachel
godzilla wrote:they didn't send any of the bad ones to australia before fixing them did they!
does anyone know why/how the problem occurred?
i hope there aren't any other problems that pop up later on, or if there are i hope they're just OS bugs that can be fixed without too much pain ie: OS update
i guess all we can do is trust in the force
I was thinking the same thing. If we get a HissyPhatty here in Australia,
it will be hard to get them updated so I hope the Aussie ones have a
late-ish serial number!
BTW, I contacted AudioChocolate, by email but didn't get a reply yet....
rachel
Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 6:19 am
by godzilla
i called up awave last week, and they said within a month
well actually i said "within a month?" and the guy said "maybe"
Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 12:43 pm
by Nick Montoya
My 2 (!) LPs are "out for delivery" today from UPS... I can't wait to get em' and when I do I'll let yall know what the haps is.....
- Nick