Moog's Source was their first to offer patch memory storage as well as some other new features. It boasted 16 memory locations so you could finally save and recall your synth patches. A casette-tape jack was also implemented to transfer your patches to and from an external tape and free up the on-board memory for additional new patches. But in an effort to modernize with the eighties, the Moog had replaced all buttons, knobs and sliders with flat-panel membrane buttons and a single data-wheel assignment format. At the time, this may have seemed far-out, but in all actuality it is the Source's downfall.

Parameters are edited not with hands-on sliders and knobs but by assigning a selected parameter to the dedicated data wheel. This is very tedious and does not allow for true hands-on tweaking during performances nor can you adjust different parameters simultaneously or while playing. These days, the membrane buttons don't always seem to work quite right either. However, those famous monophonic Moog sounds are still inside this synth which has two fat analog oscillators and the legendary 24 dB Moog filter.

The Source has been used by Tangerine Dream, Jan Hammer, Depeche Mode, Devo, Vince Clarke, New Order, Ultravox, Josh Wink, Front Line Assembly, Moog Cookbook, Kitaro, Imperial Drag, The Cars, Phish, The Rentals, King Crimson, Blur, and Gary Numan.

Mike K.

May 18, 2013 @ 10:41 pm

This is the main stage synth of Jeremy Schmidt of Black Mountain.
Really great sounding synth. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a few backups, in case of membrane button failure.

John R.

January 19, 2013 @ 7:30 am

The Source is the only Synthesizer that is 1 to 1 sounding to my Minimoog D!!!!
I have a Moog Voyager,LittlePhatty and much other monophonic Synths, but they all dont have the original Minimoog D sound like the Moog Source have! Think about it like a ugly Minimoog D with 16 Memory!!!

Mooli

December 18, 2012 @ 7:10 pm

While having one of my synths repaired in London, I ran into New order who were also having their synths seen too. This synth was in for repairs , and Peter Hook told me that they'd used the Moog source on their track ' Blue Monday'. The bassline you're hearing on that track is moog source.

storyofthestone

November 6, 2012 @ 12:08 pm

Disagree on lack of bass. It can pound, move air, etc. The wheel is genius, actually. The best way to tweak presets live, since it always starts from whatever the saved value is without an awkward jump. The membrane panel is easy to work with if you know synthesis. Very sweet tone, able to overdrive. Envelope not super fast - I will agree on that. I tried to make a bass drum patch but it wouldn't really thump. Maybe not enough resonance available, I dunno.

raradna

August 4, 2012 @ 10:47 pm

featured in this old ministry video, around 2:16
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sqaBZQkSHI

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