Moog

Pre-order the new Minimoog Model D synth from Vintage King to download an exclusive Model D Patchbook featuring the custom patches in this video!  As the world’s first portable synthesizer, the Minimoog Model D ($4,999) put the iconic sound of Moog’s massive modular synths into a format that was practical for touring musicians, making Moog a household name thanks to artists like Herbie Hancock, Kraftwerk, Gary Numan, Rick Wakeman, Sun Ra and Bernie Worrell (of Parliament-Funkadelic). With prewired modules that didn’t require patch cables, a streamlined layout and an attached keyboard with pitch and modulation wheels, the Model D made synthesis accessible to the masses. Continue reading →

Analog synthesizers (and specifically modular synths) are undeniably cool, but some people still shy away from them due to a perception that they’re complicated and expensive. Thankfully, Moog has solved both problems with the new Mavis semi-modular synth kit ($349). Mavis is a genuine analog Moog synth that you put together from pre-assembled components, teaching you the basics of electronics and synthesis while saving you money. When you’re done, you’ve got a powerful little instrument that you can play as a standalone unit or integrate into your modular rig. Follow along as we dig into the surprisingly versatile Moog Mavis! Continue reading →

If you’re interested in analog synths, it’s almost impossible to have a conversation about building a rig without talking about Moog. Since the 1960s, Moog has shaped the landscape of popular music with its industry-leading synthesizers. The signature Moog sound can be found in almost any genre of music ranging from artists like The Monkees, Stevie Wonder, Kraftwerk, Nine Inch Nails, Donna Summers, Parliament-Funkadelic, Pink Floyd, Olivia Rodrigo and many more. Continue reading →

The world of synthesizers is a vast landscape with lots of options. One of the reasons for its explosion in popularity is that music makers are afforded the freedom to create any kind of rig they can dream up. For some though, this can be a barrier to entry. With the release of the Moog Sound Studio, the historic brand is giving new and old synth enthusiasts all the tool they to start creating music instantly. On the surface, the Moog Sound Studio appears to simply be two different bundled options, the Mother-32/DFAM ($1399) and DFAM/Subharmonicon ($1449). These entries into Moog's semi-modular synthesizers lineup are world-class instruments that have been adopted by knob tweakers and patch-friendly artists all over the world. The best part? You don't need to understand modular synthesis to make interesting sounds with these instruments. Continue reading →

Lisa Bella Donna is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and modular synthesist. She has many years of experience as a session musician and has developed extensive techniques with a variety of genres including musique concreté, micro-tonal music, orchestration, film composition, and more. Recently, Lisa put out two new albums, Night Flight and Orchards of Churchyard Departures. Both records are sonically fitting for the Halloween season, as they feature a number of dark and brooding tones created using a wide range of analog and digital synths. Continue reading →

Moog has been one of the world's biggest proponents of the theremin and has given us several different interpretations of it throughout the years. In honor of the 100th anniversary of the otherworldly instrument, the brand is introducing the Claravox Centennial Theremin, which Moog explains will encompass the technology of the "past, present, and future." Named in tribute to Clara Rockmore, perhaps the most famous theremin player, the Claravox Centennial Theremin is Moog's most versatile theremin yet. Players can switch back and forth between Traditional and Modern performance modes. In Traditional mode, the theremin utilizes classic heterodyne oscillators true to old school instrument designs and can cover five octaves. Flip the Claravox to Modern mode and you'll be able to choose between multimode DSP oscillators with different waves (saw, sine, triangle, wavetable) and can assign scales, octave ranges, quantization, and more. Here you can go from four to seven octaves. Continue reading →

When Moog first launched the Matriarch and Grandmother, we were among the many excited by the vibrant colors they choose to adorn each synthesizer. For those that have been longing for the semi-modular synths with the classic look of the brand's blacked-out modular panels, your time has officially arrived.That's right, Moog has just announced the Matriarch Dark and Grandmother Dark. These are the same classic synthesizers that we've all come to know and love, but with the added touch of cool and nostalgia factor. These beauties will now perfectly match with classic Moog gear and new favorites like the Mother-32, DFAM, and Subharmonicon. Continue reading →

One of the most exciting releases we’ll surely see in 2020 is the Moog Subharmonicon, the brand's latest addition to its semi-modular synthesizer line. Everyone with a Mother-32, DFAM, and three-tier rack can now experience the semi-modular feng shui of this trinity of synths all jamming in harmony (or chaos).I got to have a first look at the Subharmonicon at the 2018 Moogfest when it was introduced as one of the DIY kit builds. Only 120 were produced for the festival. Ever since, I’ve seen synth heads on muffwiggler and the Moog forums asking when a full production model would be released and we’re elated to report that it’s here and it’s fantastic. Continue reading →

Moog has announced today that the brand is reviving its classic 16 Channel Vocoder for 2020. The news comes more than four decades after the Moog Vocoder first appeared in gear shops around the world in 1978. The new Moog Vocoder will be extremely faithful to the classic design of the original. The storied synth brand has left the schematics completely intact and each unit will be hand-soldered at the brand's factory in Asheville, North Carolina. The only update to the Moog Vocoder will be improved connectors and power supply for reliability. Continue reading →

It's been an incredible week at the 2020 NAMM show, one that will have the pro audio community buzzing all the way until next year's show. There was a monumental amount of new releases on the convention center floor, and we're here to tell you about the best of what we saw. From new monitors and outboard gear to interfaces and converters, the new releases at NAMM are all about bettering your audio signal and simplifying workflow. Read below to discover our top ten releases from the NAMM Show and check out our New At NAMM category to see everything that was announced. Continue reading →