The Moog Rogue could be the very definition of cheap Moog bass. It's a two-oscillator analog monosynth from Moog that, while having genuine and highly desirable Moog componentry, its design cut many corners to make this Moog's most compact and inexpensive offering of its time. In fact, the design was so simplified and streamlined that Moog licensed the design to Tandy/Radioshack who built the nearly identical Realistic Concertmate MG-1, which actually offers more features for less bucks! Incidentally the Rogue is also utilized as the Moog Taurus II Bass Synth with 1-1/2 octave bass pedals instead of the Rogue's 2-1/2 octave keyboard.

The Rogue could be considered a very scaled down version of the Prodigy (which was itself a very scaled down Minimoog) offering far fewer synthesis options and flexibility. Only two waveforms per oscillator (saw and square/rectangle) and, unlike the Prodigy, the oscillators must play the exact same waveform and pitch range, for a much more limited sonic range of synth tones. You cannot mix Sawtooth with Square/Rectangle waves on the Rogue, whereas you can on the Prodigy and Liberation. Another cutback is the single envelope generator that is shared by both the Filter and the Loudness Amp, offering just Attack, Release and a switchable Sustain mode (OFF, HALF, FULL). Still, the Rogue has a decent Moog filter with an external audio input.

Moog was definitely cutting costs with this model, making it the smallest, simplest and most basic synth in their line-up; yet still versatile and user-friendly enough to be used as the Taurus II Bass Pedal synth and an entry-level electronic tinkering Radioshack junkies music machine. To this day, the Rogue is still an inexpensive place to get good Moog sounds! It is used by Peter Gabriel, Add N To (X), 808 State, Stereolab, Mr. Oizo and KMFDM.

Here is a table highlighting some of the differences pointed out by a user between the MG-1 and Rogue.

Ian

April 10, 2010 @ 6:56 pm

I think the Rogue is a cute little synth with a nice warm sound. It's pretty basic but I guess thats part of its charm. I remember these used to go for around £100 in 1994 but have seen them rocket in price in recent times possibly more on the back of the MOOG name than anything else. I'd defo buy another if I found one for a decent price though.

McFullon

March 18, 2010 @ 9:51 pm

My first synth!!!! Bought it back in ´81 and found it to be the perfect introduction into the world of synths...the manual also had a useful section for novices like myself....10/10!

Sawa

March 18, 2010 @ 9:19 am

I had it. It looks impossible because I'm from Ukraine))) Yes, I had that instrument. I sold it in a very crisis time. And it never come back, that's it.

Bob

February 3, 2010 @ 5:04 pm

Rogue is not identical to the Tandy MG-1 the later of which has a small polyphonic "organ" section. Also, the Rogue has some features that are more advanced than the Prodigy such as sample and hold and complete CV input/output capability. I drive mine with a sequencer - try that on a Prodigy.

axel

January 30, 2010 @ 6:26 pm

i love my rogue. it's simple and sounds pretty great. a little limited on features..but that's okay. i have had some amazing sounds come out of this. i do wonder though..if the audio in on mine is defected..? i plkus something in but dont hear an Audio In signal..almost like it doesnt pick up the incoming audio..do i have to set it a certain way to use this function? if anyone knows..let me know. thanks

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