First IImpressions of the MP 201
Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:05 am
My MP 201 just came yesterday in the mail. I have not had a chance to use it yet in my home studio but I did get a change to sit down with it last night and the manual and try to learn the menu system and footsiwtch functions before I use it.
I have seen a lot of foot controllers out there and frankly, most are glorified exprression pedals. The MP 201 is not but I would have to say its real strength, which is why I bought it, is if you are a Moog gearhead and I must admit I am, then this is a fantastic way to put a lot of the CV power of Moogerfoogers, the Voyager or the Little Phatty right at your feet.
I do believe that the power of Moog products seems to multiply as you have more because the ability to interconnect is much more powerful using CV than trying to push to many MIDI CCs message through a standard that was not meant to handle it. There has always been something so powerful to me about control voltages because they are simple. You don't have to understand complex timing or high and low bits or stop and start bits or any of the geeky details of MIDI. Sure, a little knowledge of electronics can help but pretty much buying a few packs of TRS patch cables and your on your way to a miriad of possiblities.
Now don't get me wong, I would love to see a bit more power on the MP 201. Some CV and gate ins would be nice but MIDI does compensate a bit for triggering envelopes so I am not that displeased and there is really nothing out there with this much power so I am pleased. The addition of envelopes is also a huge plus. An example of an application is the use of a Moogerfooger LPF with a MIDI based keyboard.
When I started to go though the menu system and the footswich functions I started to see something that I did not see before. A very smartly designed system to control a lot with the foot. When you are getting controlling effects and switching programs, if you are doing it while playing a keyboard, it's not that easy to get a free hand even for a moment. The design of the functions of the MP 201 in relation to the footwtiches is clearly a carefully designed system to make it easy to use ones foot to control multiple CV controlled and MIDI controlled keyboards, pedals and effects.
In reading the manual before I even got the MP 201, I also did not realize the lighting system on the MP 201 which is frankly brilliant. If someone is using a footpedal, expecially in performance, you are not going to go look at the menu screen to see where you are. The MP 201 lights up like a Christmas tree with cues for knowing if a channel is on (top red light) and the other lights to give and effective visual cue to the type of modulation used on each channel from pedal controlled, S&H or LFO. This became quickly apparent to me switching through presets and watching the lights show ensue. Impressive visually but on the practical level, this is very useful because again, one can't go reading LCDs while playing music. Visual cues like this are very effective in my mind.
I also love the quad and single mod idea. Either of these would made for a good pedal but the combo of the two really adds to the power of this pedal. Having multiple controllers changing CVs or CCs simultaneously is a very powerful idea and being able to eaily switch channels in and out (with visual cue in a different color than the modulation cue - nice idea !) makes this mod a very power way to create effects that frankly are not possible with any other gear. Also being able to control 4 CVs or CCs individually also allows for another added flexiblity. I can see creating complex effects changes in a single performance.
My intital impressions are that Moog did an outstanding job with this one and I can't wait to start exploring everthing I beleive I can make this beast do.
Thanks Moog
I have seen a lot of foot controllers out there and frankly, most are glorified exprression pedals. The MP 201 is not but I would have to say its real strength, which is why I bought it, is if you are a Moog gearhead and I must admit I am, then this is a fantastic way to put a lot of the CV power of Moogerfoogers, the Voyager or the Little Phatty right at your feet.
I do believe that the power of Moog products seems to multiply as you have more because the ability to interconnect is much more powerful using CV than trying to push to many MIDI CCs message through a standard that was not meant to handle it. There has always been something so powerful to me about control voltages because they are simple. You don't have to understand complex timing or high and low bits or stop and start bits or any of the geeky details of MIDI. Sure, a little knowledge of electronics can help but pretty much buying a few packs of TRS patch cables and your on your way to a miriad of possiblities.
Now don't get me wong, I would love to see a bit more power on the MP 201. Some CV and gate ins would be nice but MIDI does compensate a bit for triggering envelopes so I am not that displeased and there is really nothing out there with this much power so I am pleased. The addition of envelopes is also a huge plus. An example of an application is the use of a Moogerfooger LPF with a MIDI based keyboard.
When I started to go though the menu system and the footswich functions I started to see something that I did not see before. A very smartly designed system to control a lot with the foot. When you are getting controlling effects and switching programs, if you are doing it while playing a keyboard, it's not that easy to get a free hand even for a moment. The design of the functions of the MP 201 in relation to the footwtiches is clearly a carefully designed system to make it easy to use ones foot to control multiple CV controlled and MIDI controlled keyboards, pedals and effects.
In reading the manual before I even got the MP 201, I also did not realize the lighting system on the MP 201 which is frankly brilliant. If someone is using a footpedal, expecially in performance, you are not going to go look at the menu screen to see where you are. The MP 201 lights up like a Christmas tree with cues for knowing if a channel is on (top red light) and the other lights to give and effective visual cue to the type of modulation used on each channel from pedal controlled, S&H or LFO. This became quickly apparent to me switching through presets and watching the lights show ensue. Impressive visually but on the practical level, this is very useful because again, one can't go reading LCDs while playing music. Visual cues like this are very effective in my mind.
I also love the quad and single mod idea. Either of these would made for a good pedal but the combo of the two really adds to the power of this pedal. Having multiple controllers changing CVs or CCs simultaneously is a very powerful idea and being able to eaily switch channels in and out (with visual cue in a different color than the modulation cue - nice idea !) makes this mod a very power way to create effects that frankly are not possible with any other gear. Also being able to control 4 CVs or CCs individually also allows for another added flexiblity. I can see creating complex effects changes in a single performance.
My intital impressions are that Moog did an outstanding job with this one and I can't wait to start exploring everthing I beleive I can make this beast do.
Thanks Moog
