Moog Music Forum

An SP showed up on Craigslist near me. I am thinking of picking it up. What advice would you give me, regarding putting it through it's paces?

(I am quite familiar with midi controllers and digital synths, but this will be my first analog, and my first Moog!)

The seller has offered to demo it but apparently hasn't used the unit in awhile. I can't assume the seller has much knowledge about the unit. I know how to do a filter sweep, check each oscillator separately, see if the front panel knobs appear to do what they are supposed to do.

Is there a calibration I should do if the tuning is not right?

I will be checking midi in (of course) regular out and headphone out but would you recommend checking CV/gate ins for example?

Should I check for a certain OS update?

Thanks in advance for any advice you might offer.

Tuskerfort wrote:Is there a calibration I should do if the tuning is not right?

It doesn't make sense for you to do the calibration yourself: it takes too much time.

Accurate calibration takes many hours, so I don't think you will be able to perform it at the sellers' home while discussing the sale details.

Ask the seller to calibrate the synth the day before you meet.

Then, once the SP is turned on, it takes from 10 to 30 minutes for it to get in tune.

So, ask the seller to turn it on before your meeting, and let it run until you meet, for - let's say - 30/45 minutes.

IF the OS is updated, IF the OSCs and filters have been calibrated, and IF the SP has been running for 30 minutes,

you should then test a synth which is as stable and well-tuned as any modern analogue even if it's got VCOs.

Thank you very much. I'll follow your directions!