Moog Music Forum

Ok, I recently sold my Korg Lambda ES-50 for $300. Combined with a few paychecks, that puts me up to $550. I currently own a MicroMoog, which I do like alot, but it is so freaking limited, and I know the instrument inside and out by this point.

I was kind of thinking about buying a Prodigy, but I'm afraid it will be more of the same (with my MicroMoog and all). I want something that will open new doors, but preferably still remain in the analog side of synthesis.

I also could hold out till I get enough to buy a MiniMoog Model D. Those things are just retarted in price though. It's unreal. I can't fork up that kind of cash.

Just PLEASE help. What do you think is the most advanced synth I could get for $550? Maybe I'll even sell my MicroMoog to help me push that up to $1000.

You ought to consider one of the following, all of which are cheaper than the Minimoog D:

Rogue: 2 oscillators, but ridiculously affordable; has same keyboard as Mircro
MG-1: same as Rogue, but with no pitch bend / mod wheels and a slider to add nine extra notes of polyphony
Prodigy: (the one you mentioned) precurser to both of above, yet may be just a pinch better in quality
Multimoog: successor to the Micro and bearing similar front-panel layout; simply adds a second oscillator to the mix and an octave to the keyboard; often priced between the Minimoog and the
Source: microprocessor-controlled synth with same electronics as Multimoog, plus 16 digital memory patches, an arpeggiator and sequencer; MINUS the realtime front panel knobs, replace by membrane switches and a single tweaking knob

I've only played the Prodigy, myself. However, many people give all the above rave reviews. It's up to you. If you've got access to some, or all of them, pick and choose. If you want the Source, or the Multi, you might wind up selling the Micro, as a result. The Prodigy, Rogue and MG-1 could each be had for in and around $500 dollars.

I would also say go for a Multimoog but I am not sure you'll get one for the budget as only 1000 or so were made and there's probably only half that amount still functioning, so they are becoming rare . . . I sold mine in April for $1000.

There are some considerable differences between the Micromoog and the Multi, not only an extra VCO but also extended modulation, a very usable aftertouch keyboard mechanism and sample and hold (plus extended connectivity).

i think you will not gain much looking at a Rogue or MG-1 as these aren't much different to what you have, sure the Rogue has 2 Oscillators but they are limited, both Oscillators being tied to the same waveform and octave. The MG-1 is an interesting machine but all you are gaining is a cheap poly organ section.

The Source is a lovely little unit (one of my favorite moogs) but it is also simplified and much more of a direct minimoog copy . . . and the Prodigy is kind of like a Source but with knobs . . . I get the impression you are looking for more synthesizing ability . . . possibly extra modules to make more complex sounds.

Dare I say it but have you thought about other vintage analog manufacturers . . . like Korg (I know you sold your Lamda but what about an MS20/50 or MONO/POLY) or are you just looking for the moog filters? (and I don't see the point in buying an external filter effect unit to put on the output of a moog . . . unless it's a MuRF).

Mal

Yeah, Mal's right about the difference between the Lamda vs. an MS synth. The Lamda appears to be more like a Moog Opus 3, or an ARP Omni. If I were an expert, I'd say to chose one of the MS synths - also because they're semi-modular.

Or, if you considered the ARP Odyssey, or Sequential Pro One - both synths are similar in architecture - not to mention the early Odysseys had a duplication of the Moog filter.

I've had my Micromoog for three years now. While I do occasionally wish for a second oscillator, primarily for timbral variation and a little detuning, I'm astounded at how UNlimited the Micromoog is. I was about to say "for a one oscillator synth," but I won't even do that. The Micromoog is exceedingly powerful! The modulation routings ALONE are mindblowing.
Reasons why the Micromoog is powerful:
1. Come on, VARIABLE WAVESHAPE... how often do you see that in an analog synth? Not very.
2. Variable sub-oscillator. Sure, we know it isn't REALLY another oscillator, but still... usually sub-oscillators are a switch that you turn on, at a fixed level and octave. On the Micro, you can variably shift between octaves and mix level!
3. The "wide" octave selection: This is EXTREMELY useful for effects, or playing like a theremin! Totally uncommon as an octave setting!
4. Modulation: This thing is almost modular in it's modulation routing! How often on monosynths do you get to use noise as a modulation? Noise is a WONDERFUL modulation. How often do you get to use pulse width modulation driven by a triangle, square, NOISE, the mod wheel, or two different types of sample and hold in a small monosynth? AND.. that is VARIABLE WAVESHAPE pulse width modulation, due to the variable waveshape! Right there, we have some astoundingly cool and uncommon sounds! (get that going, filter mod by oscillator, etc... you have a totally unique sound)
5. Filter Mod: The filter can be modulated by the oscillator! You NEVER see that on a monosynth, and it creates some fantastically gritty sounds... and then combine that with a noise-modulated PWM... come on!! This is a POWERFUL synth!
6. Filter Mode: Some very interesting timbral changes here, as well.. mainly: set this to Tone, set the cutoff knob in the right place, and you've got a pure tuned sinewave to add to whatever waveshape you've chosen (that might also be doubled). The modulation routings still affect the filter if you have them set so, and this does some wonderful things to your filter-acting-as-CV-controlled oscillator!
7. Ribbon Controller. Need I say more?
8. Full complement of external CV controls, and audio input: Audio input, here. Audio input. Buy two or three Micros, and you've got yourself ONE INCREDIBLE MONOSYNTH, for the price of a Mini, and far more powerful. (although bulkier)

You realize, of course, that many of these features exceed the capability of the Minimoog.
So, I gotta say... I don't know what you want in a monosynth if the Micro is "freaking limited." (excepting, of course, another oscillator, or ADR or ADSR envelopes)

While the Prodigy, Rogue, and Realistic all have two oscillators, they don't give you a lot of control over them, and NONE of the approach the modulation abilities and other features of the Micromoog. PLUS, they're invariably MORE EXPENSIVE... which is laughable. The Rogue is a piece of GARBAGE compared to the Micromoog. I'd say that about the Realistic, but I gotta say that I love that wacky square-wave divide-down organ aspect.

If you want an advanced synth for $550, I say you buy a cosmetically challenged Micromoog to ADD to your Micromoog, an S-trig cable, a cable to connect audio input and output, and a CV cable. Two Micromoogs will give you a sound that no other Moog will give you, apart from a modular. I've often considered doing this.

Filter FM is indeed a great plu on a synth if you need some more distorted and agressive sounds. And some nice FX sounds.
I did the Osc 2 to Filer FM mod on my Prodigy and it added some really nice new timbres to this synth. And it took only 5 mins to do the mod for a real DIY soldering amateur.

In addition to Voyager and A6, I have a pile of vintage synths from Minimoog model D to Memorymoog.

But I still keep a Micromoog around. They are a cool noisemaker. For a simple panel they make a LOT of sounds. It ain't no Minimoog but it's neat to play with, esp with Moogerfooger pedals.

You could buy a DVCO from Modusonics (moogce.com) and use that with your micro. I'm not really sure if it would work, but I can't see why it wouldn't. A micro with three oscillators would be one nasty synth.

I couldn't agree more with Museslave. Don't sell your Micro for anything less than a Multi or Mini. The Rogue is way over-rated, I'd say the same about the Prodigy even; talk about limited. To me, those synths are just boring compared to a Micro. The MG-1 is pretty cool, but as far as versatility, stick with the Micro.

For near $1000 if you want something different try an Odyssey, MS20 (high pass filter, semi-modular) or Roland SH5/7. If you can find one, the EML 101 is a super cool synth (remember Whip It by Devo?) that doesn't even sell for that much. These are top of the line synths that competed with the MiniMoog in it's day. For under $1000, definitely get a Korg MonoPoly. Monopoly kills a Rogue/Prodigy for the money.

I know this is a Moog Forum and it might be sacrilige to mention these other brands, but lets face it, some of these little Moogs (that weren't even designed by Bob Moog) are trading at crazy prices that do not match their features or sound.