Moog Music Forum

I own a few foogers and I have just purchased the entry level system from synthesizers.com. I've asked this before but I cannot find the post for the life of me. Does anyone have any suggestions for books (not forums or posts or threads, not trying to sound picky or snotty but I just absorb books better) which would introduce me to the basics of analog synthesis? Like I said I own a few foogers so I know the basics, I'd just like to have a few reference books. Also, could anyone suggest any books that teach HOW the individual circuitry of a given module works? Thanks!!!

Interesting side note, my aunt informed me that her best friend is none other than the daughter of Bob Moog, and she has agreed to meet with me so I can check out some of his personal effects, very cool, hopefully I can make a video and post it.

You might try this Wizoo book. I'm not sure that Amazon.com would have the best price, but it was there, so I posted the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Analog-Synthesis- ... 3927954373

It's a pretty good book for getting familiar with the basic modules, and it includes sound samples on a CD.

Actually the manual for Logic Pro has a very good chapter about synthesis.
I have the book Power Tools For Synthesizer Programming. Haven't fully read it, but it might be of interest.

You can also download the "Micromoog Owners Manual" for free from this web page:

http://www.synthfool.com/docs/Moog/

It's a very good basic tutorial on analog, subtractive synthesis.

The Micromoog owners manyual was written by Engineer Physicist Tom Rhea, a close friend of Bob Moogs and co designer of the Crumar Spirit.

Even if you don't have a MicroMoog, the lessons on synthesis will have you returning again and again, learning something new each time.

There is also a Welsh Synthesizer Cookbook that explains the universals of certian patches (horns pads ect).

http://www.synthesizer-cookbook.com/
Congrats on your purchase!


Be sure to tell us about how it was shipped and the quality of the componants (Im sure everything was pristine, as I coudl tell just from opening the rack frame that I ordered the packing was legendary.

Eric

First of all, congratulations; that's quite a plunge. I was going to start my own Synth.com rack this past month by choosing modules that Moog didn't make like the instrument interface, tub reverb, and some others (I already have a Phatty and a Voyager Old School) but ultimately, I blew my cash on a set of Taurus pedals instead... so maybe next time.

Some good suggestions above but I would also add that the manuals from the Voyager keyboards have a section on basic analog (subtractive) synthesis.

There are a bunch of books out there but I haven't had the opportunity to read any of them. One of the motivations for me of buying the Old School (besides the lower cost) is that it forced me to learn (the old fashioned way) vs. just monkeying around the hundreds of presets.

Foogers are indeed a great start and I got my hands on the FreqBox, MurF and LowPass filter to compliment my Moog synths and Bass rig.

You should also get your hands on the Welsh book of Analog patches as Eric mentions above as it is applicable universally. It takes a bit of work to translate the somewhat generic form to the synth that you are 'programming' but you'll be amazed by how natural sounding the patches are and also learn how to tweak your own synth (your modular in this case) to sound even better. If you click on the link that Eric provided you can grab the Cookbook sample pdf which includes his introduction which is very informative and a few sample patches. Gold !!

Post a picture after you get it all together. Though a Moog forum, we're all into this stuff and since Moog no longer manufactures modular gear, the Synth.com products are a damn good fill-in.

-Mike W. from NJ

The books used in one of my electronic music classes at university included: Electronic Music: Systems, Techniques and Controls by Allen Strange and The Technique of Electronic Music by Thomas Wells/Eric S. Vogel. Check out the Amazon description of these gems as they are out of print but still available as used or pdf. I still have them in my library and consider them a great reference from 36 years ago. We worked mainly with Moogs, ARPs, EMLs and EMS (Putney).
http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Music- ... 0697036022

Learning music with synthesizers.
David Friend, Alan R Pearlman, Thomas D Piggot
Hal Leonard Publishing

I think that Wendy Carlos has a CD out called "Secrets of Synthesis". I haven't heard this but I have heard that it is supposed to be very informative.

i bought this set of books in 1980....another set currently available on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-1979-Roland ... 3358ea9430

Roland: The Synthesizer

The Moog Modular Owners Manual by Dan Wyman would be a good choice. If you can track down Mike Bucki from Modusonics (MoogCE), he might still have a copy to sell you. If not, I see copies on eBay from time to time--keep your eyes peeled!

Congrats!

Moog Modular Owners Manual is not hard to find online.

For understanding the programming of analog synthesizers, I would highly recommend "Analog Synthesizers," by Mark Jenkins.

Thanks to all, just bought a few mentioned here, including the "Analog Synthesizers" one. I'll be sure to post pictures, however it'd be like showing off an 86 honda civic at a hotrod convention. Not to say .com synths are bad, but compared to what I've seen on here, haha, won't be much to look at. Thanks for all the help.

edpoulsen wrote:Thanks to all, just bought a few mentioned here, including the "Analog Synthesizers" one. I'll be sure to post pictures, however it'd be like showing off an 86 honda civic at a hotrod convention. Not to say .com synths are bad, but compared to what I've seen on here, haha, won't be much to look at. Thanks for all the help.

Don't worry about that...we like ALL synth pictures here...perhaps you'll feel more confident as the modules come in.