The Sonic Six is an interesting, although obscure synthesizer from the Moog history books. Its predecessor, the Sonic V, was designed by an ex-Moog employee for the muSonics brand. When muSonics eventually bought out R.A. Moog, forming Moog muSonics, the Sonic V’s basic design was moved into a portable brief-case style synthesizer, and with only a few tweaks, the Sonic Six was born.

The fact that the Sonic Six originated from another company’s design not only accounts for why the Sonic Six looks different than any other Moog, but also for some pretty unique differences under the hood as well. To start, it is duo-phonic, utilizing two analog oscillators with three basic waveforms each plus tuning, modulation and scaling controls. There are two independent LFO generators with advanced control options not seen on other Moog synths (for instance, an X/Y knob is used to mix and balance the LFO outputs). Also on-board is a Ring Modulator (that can modulate either Osc. B or external audio) and pink/white noise generators.

Moog synthesizers are known for their filters, and the Sonic Six strays from the usual Moog in this area as well. While it is known that ARP stole a filter design from Moog for use in some of their 2600 and Odyssey models, leading to lawsuits between Moog and ARP, according to Mark Vail in "Vintage Synthesizers," the Sonic Six actually used some circuitry in its filters which were stolen from an ARP design, although ARP never sued Moog over it. However, later models of the Sonic Six were eventually fitted with a more traditional Moog designed filter. In either case, the filter is a low-pass 24dB/oct which offers the usual controls and is capable of self-oscillation. The VCA, however, has a rather limited set of controls - attack and decay plus a sustain on/off switch.

Not commonly seen, they are actually rather durable devices and used ones generally (if proper care was taken of them) are found in good working order. It was originally designed for educational and home use so it is light and portable and even has a built-in amplifier and speaker. It’s a genuine Moog synth that is equally as obscure as useful these days. And its rather simple looking front-panel layout hides the uniquely flexible, powerful and great sounding little beast it truly is! It has been used by Freddy Fresh, Stereolab and Spectrum/EAR.

Alex Hewetson

December 19, 2011 @ 1:28 am

I have one, in Sydney Australia, it's possibly even more obscure over here. I see someone posted there were no accessories made for it, even though there is a port on the synth. Excuse my ignorance, but can the Control inputs be used? They have 1/4 inch jack inputs, might they be voltage controlled?

theremaniacs

August 16, 2011 @ 8:50 pm

One Sonic Six went through a fire destroying everything I owned. (I had borrowed this synth the night before) The top of the case deformed into the circuit boards. A lot of water was poured out of it. Everything still works and it is making a most pleasing sound right now. That fire was 36 years ago!

joe

May 10, 2011 @ 10:04 pm

Hey Bill,

Love your "dreamies album" ! Any vinyl copies left. I would buy one!

Thanks
Joe

Tierra de Antilopes

January 21, 2011 @ 10:30 am

CHROMEO are using one, or at least they did at their Letterman performance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VO0aQxxGK8

John

December 25, 2010 @ 4:42 pm

Fantastic sounding synth with even more fantastic looks.
Bargain (still) at current prices

<54321>

 

Post Comment!

Your Name: (Required.)

Email Address: (Required, not published.)

Image verification: (required)

Message:

 

Posting Rules:
Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

I have read and understand the posting rules.