Poly Phonic Moog?

Voltor07 · Post by **Voltor07** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 1:36 am

Bryan T wrote:
Voltor07 wrote:16 voices? I see ten voices being the absolute maximum amount necessary.
You like notes to die out when you trigger new notes?

I'm looking at it from an affordability standpoint. Now, they could always incorporate divide down technology for infinite and affordable polyphony.

Just Me · Post by **Just Me** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:51 am

Yes, I want the decay from released notes to continue when new notes are triggered. Also, as you add multiple timbres, you lose polyphony. You would have 8 note with 2 voice and 4 note with 4 voice.

I replaced my Memory Moog with an Ensoniq ESQ-1. If Moog built a machine like that with Moogs quility of build and knobs instead of menus, I'd buy it. (The Ensoniq keyboard was cheap-o feeling. It's menu system was better than most and fast to use. I loved the sequencer.)

MC · Post by MC » Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:20 pm

These rumours pop up every six months.

I'll repeat the official word from Bob Moog back in 2003:

"We can build one, but we're not going to"

An analog polyphonic is too big of a project for a company the size of Moog. The moog company that built the Memorymoog back in 1982 was a different company and the market was more favorable.

Subtronik · Post by **Subtronik** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:53 pm

I didn't see any rumors, where are they?

As for Moog being too small to produce a poly, I think that's going to change in the near future.

CZ Rider · Post by **CZ Rider** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:28 am

Doesn't the Voyager qualify as the new polyphonic Moog?
While it is not the most affordable or perfect solution, the Voyager is capable of MIDI chaining as many as 16 voices together. After all, the CS-80 back in 1978 was more than 5 grand. In today's money that's something like 15 grand, but that's what is cost to get that sound. It seems today, there is a desire for a vintage sounding polysynth, but no one is willing to pay what a machine like this would cost ?
A three voice Voyager plus mono Moog bass! (Sounds huge!)

Voltor07 · Post by **Voltor07** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 5:23 am

CZ, I hear and understand what you are saying, but consider for a second, the cost of a MiniMoog D. What did those sell for new? $3200? Now consider the Voyager. What does a Voyager cost? $3200? I think five grand might be a bit low for a Moog polysynth, but they could probably get one out for $7500.

MC · Post by MC » Tue Jul 21, 2009 10:42 am

An economical solution is a rack chassis with slots you can install analog boards from the Voyager line. You populate as many analog boards as the chassis can hold to create an n-voice polyphonic.

No knobs - use a Voyager or editor to edit patches. Saves $$$ and keeps the cost reasonable.

Multitimbrality would be a challenge - we'd need a new digital board to support that feature. The current digital board only has enough DACs and S&Hs to support a monophonic and monotimbral system.

Sure it wouldn't have the modulation depth of an Andromeda, but it would be slighty better featured than a Memorymoog - one extra filter, one extra mod buss.

ColorForm2113 · Post by **ColorForm2113** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 12:01 pm

Basically it would be kinda like the oberheim SEM, little modules to add on to a bigger synth to create more polyphony. At least im pretty sure that's how they work

DIGITAL SCREAMS · Post by **DIGITAL SCREAMS** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 12:07 pm

MC wrote:These rumours pop up every six months.

I'll repeat the official word from Bob Moog back in 2003:

"We can build one, but we're not going to"

An analog polyphonic is too big of a project for a company the size of Moog. The moog company that built the Memorymoog back in 1982 was a different company and the market was more favorable.

Sorry, but your wrong. Moog are currently designing a polysynth and some big named artists are providing input on its design. Sure, the current economic crisis will delay its ultimate release....but I know they are investing R&D on the circuit design.

Expect a release within 3-5 yrs. Thats not a million miles away....gives you time to save up.

Why dont you phone up Amos at Moog and ask him - he'll tell you.

Thanks

DS

Voltor07 · Post by **Voltor07** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 5:50 pm

DIGITAL SCREAMS wrote:
Sorry, but your wrong. Moog are currently designing a polysynth and some big named artists are providing input on its design. Sure, the current economic crisis will delay its ultimate release....but I know they are investing R&D on the circuit design.

Expect a release within 3-5 yrs. Thats not a million miles away....gives you time to save up.

Why dont you phone up Amos at Moog and ask him - he'll tell you.

Thanks

DS

Uh huh. I e-mailed Amos when you first started spouting off about your friend who is well-connected talking about a polysynth being developed by Moog. Amos said that there IS NO polysynth in the works. They aren't even in a planning stage, and the closest thing to a prototype they have is a sketch on a napkin.

EricK · Post by **EricK** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 6:00 pm

MC,
A Moog with no knobs. Man I think that would be hell!

Subtronik · Post by **Subtronik** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 6:58 pm

What's the major differences between making an analog synth poly and making an digital synth poly?

Voltor07 · Post by **Voltor07** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:00 pm

Subtronik wrote:What's the major differences between making an analog synth poly and making an digital synth poly?

An analog polysynth requires one of everything. It would need two or three oscillators, a filter or two, two envelope generators, and a VCA...per voice. A digital synth...well, it's a lot simpler to make a digital polysynth. Which is why RolanKorgaha no longer makes analog synths.

Subtronik · Post by **Subtronik** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:24 pm

So the box would have to be 16 times bigger too?

Voltor07 · Post by **Voltor07** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 12:46 am

Subtronik wrote:So the box would have to be 16 times bigger too?

Not really. There are ways to miniturize the boards. Make them longer and narrower. Also, use smaller components by utilizing surface mount. Surface mount would also lower the cost.