Moog 55 (click to enlarge)

If you could look up "Vintage Synthesizer" in the dictionary, you would likely find a picture of a some monstrous Moog modular system. These systems are simply racks of modular components, a VCA module, different types of Oscillator modules, VCF filters and other modules. This modular system allows you to build your synth to your needs and liking. These systems require you to use patch cables to route your signal from the keyboard through the modules and out the amp... think you can do it? This is analog synthesis at its finest and rawest. And the sound is legendary Moog sound. Commanding very high prices even today, almost 30 years later these machines are the property of only the lucky few. Below are some example systems and their modules.

Moog 3P

A common problem with these synths is their incompatibility with the gate/trig systems used in most other synths. Moog equipment for the most part used a 'high-state' logic called 'S-trig', which maintained a +5V until a trigger was sent, and this was done by dropping the voltage to 0. This is the opposite of what's commonly used in other synths of the time. It also can lead to a problem if a patch used an extensive amount of triggering connections, as each module would cause a voltage drop...and enough of them would send the logic over into low-state and fire the S-trigger. This problem is little-known, and does lead to a good bit of frustration with users who've never worked with Moog gear. But nobody ever said modular synthesis would be easy! These systems have been used by Keith Emerson, Hans Zimmer and Vangelis.

Click here for detailed descriptions of all Moog Modules including diagrams of the systems pictured above.

Check out Arturia's Moog Modular V - an amazing, authentic, and realistic software synth plug-in modeled after the Modular Moog synths, with major enhancements including stereo and polyphonic voices, non-drifting oscillators, advanced modulation abilities, MIDI/Tempo sync, patch memory, total recall, controller automation, and much more - all for less than $350!

12 VISITOR COMMENTS

Roger Reddy

January 24, 2012 @ 4:37 pm

I just bought the Arturia "Dr. Bob's Combo Pack" with the Mini & Modular both. I had a minimoog & memorymoog plus and sold them last year, too much maintainance...
The Arturia Moogs are awesome, developed with Bob Moog, starting about 10 years ago. Both have a toggle switch to go polyphonic! They sound a little thin using the sound card in my PC, but through my M-Audio Firewire 410 and Yamaha PA system, they are powerful. Also, they operate as a standalone, or as a plug in for Pro Tools. Haven't even opened that up yet... too cool... Thanks Dr. Bob, synthesize on, up there in Moog Heaven!

Bill Plummer

December 30, 2011 @ 10:49 am

I've done a bit of work for The Bob Moog Foundation and Larry Fast did a presentaion at NEARfest including an audio tape of Bob describing the first Moog Modular for Herb Deusch. Standing on the side of the stage with Eddie Jobson, our jaws dropped when we found out that the prototype Moog Modular was polyphonic! No doubt, the tape played will be a part of the exhibit at the Moogseum when it open is Asheville NC.

Terry

March 26, 2011 @ 1:00 pm

Own a very low mileage 1969 System IP. Still sounds amazing. The IP is a 3 oscillator, 2 cabinet portable, sort of like a 60's Minimoog. The only synthesizer I own where I sometimes have to trim the bass back, even a flute like patch can shake the floor. The 901 oscillators, along with the CP3 mixers, overdrive nicely into the 904A low pass filter, for that classic Moog sound. No problems with tuning stability. The 950 keyboard controller was a big part of that instability with it's range and scale trimmers. With a MIDI to CV tuning is very stable. My favorite synthesizer, I play it every day!

Eric

December 11, 2010 @ 2:51 pm

A moog 55 is recently being used by The Arcane Paradigm for Mantrika Shakti.

Gerry

August 25, 2009 @ 2:50 am

The Moog 55 was my first synth, I still have it today and blieve it or not...it STILL works

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