Moog Music Forum

Hi team! I'm looking to make me a Moog purchase pretty soon.

Question: why should I go for a Moog Voyager when I can pay almost half for 2 Slim Phattys?
Voyager has only 3 oscillators, while 2 Phattys have 4.

What will I be missing if I decide to go for the Phattys over the Voyager?

Thanks in advance!!

Completely different machines. Methinks you may want to look into them both a little deeper.

Rick is right. Both are very different machines.

I'll tell you what though... I sold an SP I didn't like much and used the extra funds to buy the Voyager Lunar Impact. I have not looked back since.

In any case, determine your budget, needs, and wants... then look at both synths again. I was disappointed by the SP (lengthy warmup time on my unit back when I had it that interfered with my workflow... while the other synths it was chained to were ready to go, the SP required some added patience I did not possess and it was not as stable as the other guys), but I know that many others have enjoyed theirs and that's cool because that's what matters.

When you polychain (or simply note priority chain) two phatties, you don't have the modulation options between the two synths that you would enjoy on the Voyager itself. While 2 SPs give you 4 oscillators, the Voyager gives you three that interact fairly well with each other. This is not to say that you can't do a lot with a polychain or note priority chain. The latter has led to great results in my experience, in fact.

In my setup, the Minimoog Voyager is my bassist while other instruments fill other roles. Think about what you would use the two SPs for as opposed to one Voyager and vice versa. The possibilities may not be endless, but they are interesting.

Add to that the different specs on both machines. Do an A/B test if you can. Think about redundancy either piece would bring to your current setup, if any.

I hope that helps.

In the words of Forest Gump, "That's all I have to say about that."

Moogian wrote:What will I be missing if I decide to go for the Phattys over the Voyager?

one word: modulation

another word: voyager's filter is way more flexible.

But modulation is the main difference I noticed when first using the phatty.

The 3 osc / 4 osc arithmetics is flawed. Too long to explain here. Everybody seems to equate "stacking" or "layering" with "power". It is not so. A 32-oscillators synth in unison could sound thinner than a two-osc synth with pwn, sinc, freq mod, etc.

In the short amount of time I've owned a Voyager, I have noticed how very beefy its oscillators are. Playing just one saw osc on the Voyager feels and sounds somehow complete, like it doesn't need anything else to go along with it. This is not so with the Phatty. Playing just one osc on my old Phatty made me feel strangely naked. Lacking, to rephrase. Also, due to the Voyager's extensive modulation capabilities and remarkably smooth keyboard, it is infinitely more expressive than the Phatty. Velocity sensetivity, aftertouch, the ability to use osc 3 as a 2nd LFO, or, something I particularly like, using osc 3 as an individually tunable drone note... But now I'm gushing about my new instrument. I digress.

Spitfire wrote:Rick is right. Both are very different machines.

I'll tell you what though... I sold an SP I didn't like much and used the extra funds to buy the Voyager Lunar Impact. I have not looked back since.

In any case, determine your budget, needs, and wants... then look at both synths again. I was disappointed by the SP (lengthy warmup time on my unit back when I had it that interfered with my workflow... while the other synths it was chained to were ready to go, the SP required some added patience I did not possess and it was not as stable as the other guys), but I know that many others have enjoyed theirs and that's cool because that's what matters.

When you polychain (or simply note priority chain) two phatties, you don't have the modulation options between the two synths that you would enjoy on the Voyager itself. While 2 SPs give you 4 oscillators, the Voyager gives you three that interact fairly well with each other. This is not to say that you can't do a lot with a polychain or note priority chain. The latter has led to great results in my experience, in fact.

In my setup, the Minimoog Voyager is my bassist while other instruments fill other roles. Think about what you would use the two SPs for as opposed to one Voyager and vice versa. The possibilities may not be endless, but they are interesting.

Add to that the different specs on both machines. Do an A/B test if you can. Think about redundancy either piece would bring to your current setup, if any.

I hope that helps.

In the words of Forest Gump, "That's all I have to say about that."

Possibilities of Voyager aren't endless?

ricknboogie wrote:Completely different machines. Methinks you may want to look into them both a little deeper.

I used to own a Phatty. They aren't much different in their texture of sound are they? Other than the SP having less presets and oscillators?

newtoslim wrote:

Moogian wrote:What will I be missing if I decide to go for the Phattys over the Voyager?

one word: modulation

another word: voyager's filter is way more flexible.

But modulation is the main difference I noticed when first using the phatty.

The 3 osc / 4 osc arithmetics is flawed. Too long to explain here. Everybody seems to equate "stacking" or "layering" with "power". It is not so. A 32-oscillators synth in unison could sound thinner than a two-osc synth with pwn, sinc, freq mod, etc.

Thought as much tbh.

Kenneth wrote:In the short amount of time I've owned a Voyager, I have noticed how very beefy its oscillators are. Playing just one saw osc on the Voyager feels and sounds somehow complete, like it doesn't need anything else to go along with it. This is not so with the Phatty. Playing just one osc on my old Phatty made me feel strangely naked. Lacking, to rephrase. Also, due to the Voyager's extensive modulation capabilities and remarkably smooth keyboard, it is infinitely more expressive than the Phatty. Velocity sensetivity, aftertouch, the ability to use osc 3 as a 2nd LFO, or, something I particularly like, using osc 3 as an individually tunable drone note... But now I'm gushing about my new instrument. I digress.

Would it be accurate to say that the Voyager sounds fatter?

--

Thanks for the feedback guys. Might have to go for the Voyager.
Also would it be smart to ask for a comparison of Voyager VS Prophet 08 on this forum?

Kenneth wrote: Also would it be smart to ask for a comparison of Voyager VS Prophet 08 on this forum?

No... (polyphony)

Moogian wrote:Would it be accurate to say that the Voyager sounds fatter?

Thanks for the feedback guys. Might have to go for the Voyager.
Also would it be smart to ask for a comparison of Voyager VS Prophet 08 on this forum?

I think it would be accurate to say that. We can sit here and talk up the Voyager all day long, that's just what we tend to do. I don't, however, want you to think that going with a Phatty would be in any way a bad decision. I had a Little Phatty for four years. I loved it to death, and I used it extensively on every recording I did during that time. Why did I swap it out for a Voyager? I outgrew it. The Litle Phatty is an amazing place for budding synthesists to get their hands on a real analog synth, and actually learn how to sculp sound with one. It sounds fantastic too, by the way. That being said, eventually you will get to the point where you know the Phatty like the back of you hand, and you'll become aware of the many things you'd like to do as a synthesist, but aren't able to do with the Phatty. The Phatty is not so basic as, say, a Rogue or a Prodigy, but it has its limitations and as you grow as a synthesist, you will recognize them. What I'm trying to say I guess, is that if you can sit down and play a Phatty for three hours and not feel limited, then you should go with the Phatty.

The way I see it is the Voyager is for people who have played synthesizers for a number of years, and have said to themselves: "Okay, this is something I'm really serious about. I don't want to have any limitations on my creativity, and I don't give a hoot how much it's going to cost me."
Don't get me wrong: the Voyager, like every other synthesizer, or musical instrument for that matter, has its limitations. You just don't really notice them.

Comparing a Voyager to a Prophet would be pointless. They are both analog synthesizers, yes, but they sound absolutely nothing alike and are used for completely different things. You're not going to get anywhere asking a question like that.

Kenneth wrote:
I think it would be accurate to say that. We can sit here and talk up the Voyager all day long, that's just what we tend to do. I don't, however, want you to think that going with a Phatty would be in any way a bad decision. I had a Little Phatty for four years. I loved it to death, and I used it extensively on every recording I did during that time. Why did I swap it out for a Voyager? I outgrew it. The Litle Phatty is an amazing place for budding synthesists to get their hands on a real analog synth, and actually learn how to sculp sound with one. It sounds fantastic too, by the way. That being said, eventually you will get to the point where you know the Phatty like the back of you hand, and you'll become aware of the many things you'd like to do as a synthesist, but aren't able to do with the Phatty. The Phatty is not so basic as, say, a Rogue or a Prodigy, but it has its limitations and as you grow as a synthesist, you will recognize them. What I'm trying to say I guess, is that if you can sit down and play a Phatty for three hours and not feel limited, then you should go with the Phatty.

That's very true. I have outgrown the Phatty. I know it in and out, backwards and forwards. I've accomplished every sound possible using the LP, MF102, MF103, and CP-251. Having these items at my disposal, and discovering I needed more, is what prompted me to go modular. Why not Voyager, you ask? Because I've heard the LP and I've heard the Voyager. I like the way the LP sounds, as opposed to the Voyager. They definitely have a different sound, and it goes beyond the LP's Filter Overload.

Kenneth wrote:I think it would be accurate to say that. We can sit here and talk up the Voyager all day long, that's just what we tend to do. I don't, however, want you to think that going with a Phatty would be in any way a bad decision. I had a Little Phatty for four years. I loved it to death, and I used it extensively on every recording I did during that time. Why did I swap it out for a Voyager? I outgrew it. The Litle Phatty is an amazing place for budding synthesists to get their hands on a real analog synth, and actually learn how to sculp sound with one. It sounds fantastic too, by the way. That being said, eventually you will get to the point where you know the Phatty like the back of you hand, and you'll become aware of the many things you'd like to do as a synthesist, but aren't able to do with the Phatty. The Phatty is not so basic as, say, a Rogue or a Prodigy, but it has its limitations and as you grow as a synthesist, you will recognize them. What I'm trying to say I guess, is that if you can sit down and play a Phatty for three hours and not feel limited, then you should go with the Phatty.

The way I see it is the Voyager is for people who have played synthesizers for a number of years, and have said to themselves: "Okay, this is something I'm really serious about. I don't want to have any limitations on my creativity, and I don't give a hoot how much it's going to cost me."
Don't get me wrong: the Voyager, like every other synthesizer, or musical instrument for that matter, has its limitations. You just don't really notice them.

Comparing a Voyager to a Prophet would be pointless. They are both analog synthesizers, yes, but they sound absolutely nothing alike and are used for completely different things. You're not going to get anywhere asking a question like that.

I hear you loud and clear. I've had a Phatty and Micron for many years. Nows the time for me to up the game by getting my hands on an Access Virus and Voyager. I would want to be fully confident that I have the maxed out weapons to materials my ideas with.

In your own personal opinion, what do you think the Voyager and Prophet 08 are each intended for?

I would also like to add that I don't believe in pigeon-holing synthesizers to a specific genre. Especially sophisticated ones that have advanced sound design capabilities.

Voltor07 wrote: That's very true. I have outgrown the Phatty. I know it in and out, backwards and forwards. I've accomplished every sound possible using the LP, MF102, MF103, and CP-251. Having these items at my disposal, and discovering I needed more, is what prompted me to go modular. Why not Voyager, you ask? Because I've heard the LP and I've heard the Voyager. I like the way the LP sounds, as opposed to the Voyager. They definitely have a different sound, and it goes beyond the LP's Filter Overload.

Interesting. I thought they all sound the same. How would you describe the difference in sound?

Voltor07 wrote:Why not Voyager, you ask? Because I've heard the LP and I've heard the Voyager. I like the way the LP sounds, as opposed to the Voyager. They definitely have a different sound, and it goes beyond the LP's Filter Overload.

I completely agree. I have, on a number of occasions now, found myself frustrated at the fact that I cannot recreate some of my favorite Little Phatty patches on my Voyager. The Little Phatty definitely has a certain bite to it that the Voyager doesn't. I'm fond of its tone, and I miss it quite a lot actually. For the music I create, however, I do prefer the Voyager's more refined, subtle tonality. To each his own.

Kenneth wrote:Why did I swap it out for a Voyager? I outgrew it. The Litle Phatty is an amazing place for budding synthesists to get their hands on a real analog synth....

That is an astonishingly patronising attitude there compadre... I could not disagree more. By your own peremptory logic you would have also "outgrown" a Model D or an ARP 2600.

Both instruments have their own sound and the interface is a part of that. To imply it is some sort of beginners synth completely disregards the musicality of the instrument and the player.

I'd still take the Voyager over 2 SP's though.

Mike wrote:

Kenneth wrote:Why did I swap it out for a Voyager? I outgrew it. The Litle Phatty is an amazing place for budding synthesists to get their hands on a real analog synth....

That is an astonishingly patronising attitude there compadre... I could not disagree more. By your own peremptory logic you would have also "outgrown" a Model D or an ARP 2600.

Both instruments have their own sound and the interface is a part of that. To imply it is some sort of beginners synth completely disregards the musicality of the instrument and the player.

I guess what I meant to say is that I wanted something more expressive. The Little Phatty is a great synth, not in any way should it be considered a "beginner's instrument", but I think it is a perfect synthesizer to learn analog synthesis on.

Kenneth wrote: I guess what I meant to say is that I wanted something more expressive.

This I can get on board with!

Moogian wrote:

Voltor07 wrote: That's very true. I have outgrown the Phatty. I know it in and out, backwards and forwards. I've accomplished every sound possible using the LP, MF102, MF103, and CP-251. Having these items at my disposal, and discovering I needed more, is what prompted me to go modular. Why not Voyager, you ask? Because I've heard the LP and I've heard the Voyager. I like the way the LP sounds, as opposed to the Voyager. They definitely have a different sound, and it goes beyond the LP's Filter Overload.

Interesting. I thought they all sound the same. How would you describe the difference in sound?

The LP uses a different oscillator design. One that is more bare-bones than the Voyager's oscillator. The LP oscillator sounds...how do you say...harsher, I guess. It has more growl and bite than the Voyager's oscillators which are softer, I would say. I prefer the LP's sound over the Voyager's even though I could use the various modulation possibilities that The Voyager has to offer. The sound for me is more important, because I have a .com in the works. I do a lot of experimental type stuff, that wanders into the almost musical, and the LP offers the kinds of sounds I want. It truly comes down to A.)How much you have to spend, B.)The type of sounds you're trying to get, and C.)What features you absolutely can't live without. I don't require aftertouch, and while certain modulation options would be nice, there are things one can do with a full-on $3000 modular that can't be done on a Voyager. I would NEVER sell my LP, even if someone gifted me a Voyager, simply because they are two separate instruments, and I really NEED a dedicated pads machine. My opinion, TIFWIW.