Moog Music Forum

Hi. I just got my first moog. A prodigy. Everything works well, but...
Once I tune the second oscilator to the first, then sync them, it drops roughtly 1/4 step. Is this normal?

Congratulations!... The best value moog ever!

Quite normal to shift in pitch a bit.... Is it unbearable?

It's bearable as long as I remember to adjust when locking or unlocking the oscilators.
Can this be fixed or is it inherent?

Just how much does the pitch change?

You should note that the sync function disables the pitch bend function of the bend wheel, and changes it to a phase adjuster.... Is your pitch bend wheel in its center-detent position when you operate the sync switch?

Hummm.....
I'll have to check on that. I'm pretty sure, because is seems to be about a 1/4 step up every time.
Also, since I'm just getting use to the pitch bend feature (I dont pitch bend a hammond that often, so its a little strange) I generally leave it alone, (in the middle) but I like the phase shift when the oscilators are locked.

Doesn't sound like a serious fault, but could do with checking out I think.......

What Hammond do you have?

a 1938 AB
a 1948 CV
a 1957 M-3
a 1963 M-3
a 1968 M-100
a 1971 B-3

Quite a little music room, huh?

Lovely!!

I have an A102.... The one that looks like Celine Dion and sounds like Aretha Franklin......

Check out the photos on http://www.technostalgia.org

No Hammond, but a few other goodies!

Nice photos.
There's a couple of my dreams in them: (clavinet and a CP-70)

Also, what are your thought on putting an input on the prodigy? I've heard later models had one.

That's a CP*80*!!!

The later Prod had jack sockets for trig, cv-in and audio in for processing thru the Moog filter I think.... Not totally sure because mine's an early one, but that's what I remember of the one I borrowed sometime in the 80s.

The cv and trig inputs mean that it's reasonably easy to rig up an external control from say, a MIDI out using a Philip Rees or Kenton box of tricks, but the Moog filter processing of external sources is far better when it's done with a Moogerfooger I reckon. I don't think it's worth drilling holes in the back of a tidy Prodigy for.

HRx

Is that one of the new Mellotrons?

MC wrote:Is that one of the new Mellotrons?

No fear!!

That's a genuine Streetly!

Hi,

here a possibility for the tuning-problem:

please center the pitch-bend-wheel. Then measure with digital voltmeter the voltage between GND and the wiper from pitch-bend-potentiometer. This should be ideally 0V. But i think in reallity you will measure some hundred millivolts. Add a resistor (perhaps in the range of 100 kOhm, you have to try) from the wiper of pitch-bend-potentiometer to +12V or -12V depending to your voltage measured before.

Please excuse my bad english.
Best regards.

Hey bro...

The reply before mine sounds like a good possibility but only if you're an experienced tech. I own an early Prodigy as well (#2329) without CV/Audio In jacks etc..... I notice the same with mine and have chosen to be lazy and not do anything to fix it.... Do you have the Service manual? I believe I have two differnt versions of it. One is a very Technical one from Norlin and has all of the test procedures (if of course you have the right equipment i.e. digi voltmeter , etc) and the know how. For me its not a huge problemo.. I love the osc sync function and usually leave it there, especially for live performance.
I own four other synths too (including one of the three model D's that Kevin Lightner has graced his beautiful hand-cut blue back lit wheels to) . http://www.synthfool.com/nicksmini.jpg I usually get my shows started with a nice minimoog bass line, get some way dubby Ms2000 in there and then hit em with the osc sync super loud and clear on the Prodigy ! The prodigy and mini together, live- through a great Analog system can get all the ladies movin' their butts The solo out some hi hat action and get r2d2 going on the Realistic/Moog MG1... Random shape mod is the shizznit...

Does any one have a ledgable scan of the Prodigy schematics?

I found one on the web, but I cant read the R values for the Modulation Rate circuts.

My modulation rate is basically useless now. It does not make any noticable difference until almost completely turned. Then, there is only a minute range from nothing to fully modulated.

Thanks