1972 Moog MuSonics Sonic V Super Rare Synth #96/100 Made

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via this Reverb listing

You can find a video covering the Sonic V previously posted here.

"Super-rare Moog MuSonics Sonic V synthesizer from 1972! This is #96 out of only 100 made and the only one I’ve seen with a front panel overlay that differs slightly than others I’ve seen (which, admittedly, is not many and not at all in-person). It’s actually more in the aesthetic style of a VI, as far as that particular detail is concerned.

The elusive predecessor to the Sonic VI was designed by Gene Zumchak, who also designed the 960 Sequencer, 961, and 962 modules. According to advertising literature, it was “designed for the music educator” and features “ring modulation, microtonal keyboard scaling, two-note keyboard capability, and extended modulation resources”.

The sounds this thing can make are absolutely insane. For those of you who are in to noise, sound effects, and sound design — this is a formidable and wildly entertaining beast. It is capable of some really beautiful, melodic sounds, as well, so it’s not just for pure craziness. It’s a unique instrument not often seen out in the wild and only in the collection of distinguished collectors, studios, and synth aficionados. A rare chance to grab an incredibly rare instrument!

Just serviced with the following:

- PSU recap
- all pots cleaned and a few jacks replaced
- ground hum eliminated
- 741 op-amp replaced in Oscillator A
- full calibration"

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MOOG MuSonics Sonic V 1972 - Signed by Original Inventor Gene Zumchak

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via this listing

"This is a very rare synthesizer, the Moog MuSonics SONIC V, from 1972. Only 100 of these were made, and this is serial number 90. They were only available in 1971 and 72 when Moog joined MuSonics. I bought it many years ago in Buffalo New York, the same town where they were created. I took it to original inventor Gene Zumchak who still lived in Buffalo and he signed it for me on the front panel. He said he had not seen one since 1972 and never signed one before or since.

It is in all-working condition, 2 oscillators, 2 lfos, low pass filter, ring modulator, envelope generator, and VCA. (These are very similar in design to the later Sonic 6, which was a redesigned by Bob Moog and Dave Luce.) in some ways I consider this superior to the Minimoog, has it allows wilder and crazier modulation - plus the ringmodulator. As we say, it sounds more like a 'baby Moog modular.'

Please see the YouTube video I made a while ago, showing how great and fascinating this instrument can be." You can find them in previous posts here.

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Bob Moog Signed muSonics Moog Sonic V

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via this listing

"Musonics (properly spelled "muSonics", per its trademark), was a synth manufacturer that existed briefly in the late 1960s. It is notable for the fact that its owner, Bill Waytena, bought Moog Music from Bob Moog in 1970. Waytena created Musonics in 1967 or '68, with the idea that he would market a synth as a home entertainment device, a market that Waytena saw as much larger than the professional musician market. He hired ex-Moog employee Gene Zumchak to design a synth called the Sonic V. However, the synth did not sell, and Waytena reasoned that it needed a well-known brand name for marketing purposes. In 1969 he learned that Bob Moog's existing company, R. A. Moog, was in financial trouble, and arranged to buy the company from Moog in 1970. He then merged Musonics with it. Thus, Waytena became the owner of the first incarnation of Moog Music. The merged companies were first called Moog/Musonics, changing to Moog Music in 1972. The Sonic V was Musonics' only product prior to the merger. Post-merger, Bob Moog took the design and made a few improvements, fitting it into an integrated flight case design that had been proposed during theMinimoogprototyping stage. This became theSonic Six, a model that Moog himself subsequently often used for public lectures and demonstrations. The Sonic V is virtually the same but it has the diode ladder filter, same as found in the EMS VCS3. People that have owned both the Sonic V and the Sonic 6, claim there's something special about the way the Sonic V sounds. This is currently being carefully restored as this one is signed by Bob Moog, dated 2/87, there were less than 100 of these ever made and far few of those are probably still even around. This is also getting a cinch jones conversion to cv/gate."

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muSonics Moog Sonic V

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Moog muSonics Sonic V Demo video upload by MOS-LAB

"The sonic V is a synth developed around 1969/1970 by ex Moog employee Gene Zumcheck (the idea of a portable synthesizer had been refused at the time by Robert Moog).
This synthesizer was built by the company muSonics when Gene Zumchek join them, and was released "officially" when the company bought R.A Moog in 1971 under the Moog muSonics badge.
There were less than a hundred units built (mine has serial number 18).
Unfortunately, very few models are still in existence today, making it a very rare instrument. Not having been exported at the time, it was mainly
intended for universities in USA.
Its successor, the Sonic 6 is an improved and portable
version, but with a different filter (Moog ladder filter)
So it doesn't sound quite the same."

Spotted the above video in the listing below. I'm not finding it previously posted so up it goes. You can find additional demos in previous posts.

via this auction

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1972 muSonics Moog Sonic V Signed by Bob Moog in 1987

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Musonics (properly spelled "muSonics", per its trademark), was a synth manufacturer that existed briefly in the late 1960s. It is notable for the fact that its owner, Bill Waytena, bought Moog Music from Bob Moog in 1970. Waytena created Musonics in 1967 or '68, with the idea that he would market a synth as a home entertainment device, a market that Waytena saw as much larger than the professional musician market. He hired ex-Moog employee Gene Zumchak to design a synth called the Sonic V. However, the synth did not sell, and Waytena reasoned that it needed a well-known brand name for marketing purposes. In 1969 he learned that Bob Moog's existing company, R. A. Moog, was in financial trouble, and arranged to buy the company from Moog in 1970. He then merged Musonics with it. Thus, Waytena became the owner of the first incarnation of Moog Music. The merged companies were first called Moog/Musonics, changing to Moog Music in 1972. The Sonic V was Musonics' only product prior to the merger. Post-merger, Bob Moog took the design and made a few improvements, fitting it into an integrated flight case design that had been proposed during theMinimoogprototyping stage. This became theSonic Six, a model that Moog himself subsequently often used for public lectures and demonstrations. The Sonic V is virtually the same but it has the diode ladder filter, same as found in the EMS VCS3. People that have owned both the Sonic V and the Sonic 6, claim there's something special about the way the Sonic V sounds. This is currently being carefully restored as this one is signed by Bob Moog, dated 2/87, there were less than 100 of these ever made and far few of those are probably still even around. This is also getting a cinch jones conversion to cv/gate."

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MUSONICS ACQUIRES STG SOUNDLABS, SHIPS 902 VCA REVISION

muSonics is back.

First a little background from Wikipedia:

"1971–1977: Moog Musonics, Moog Music, Inc.

In November 1971, rival company muSonics bought R. A. Moog, Inc. and relocated the company to Williamsville, New York. An old factory at the north end of Academy Street was purchased. The company was renamed Moog Musonics, then Moog Music, Inc.[3]

In 1972, former televangelist and successful salesman David VanKouvering joined the company as VP of Marketing, creating a network of retail stores throughout the United States and then the entire world.[5] Despite the increased commercial success the company saw with the introduction of the Minimoog than with previous products, competition with contemporary manufacturers such as ARP Instruments, Oberheim Electronics, and Electronic Music Studios drove the company steadily deeper into debt.[6][7] Moog Music, Inc. was ultimately sold to Norlin Industries in 1973. At this point, rival companies such as the aforementioned ARP Instruments were producing both monophonic and polyphonic synthesizers that rapidly outpaced the Moog in popularity. By 1975, ARP owned 40% of the synthesizer market share, effectively boxing out Moog Music, Inc.[8]

In 1976, Norlin moved the company to a facility on Walden Avenue in Cheektowaga. In 1977, once his contract with Norlin expired, Robert Moog officially left the company to pursue his own ventures, founding the firm Big Briar.[9]"

---

And the press release for the new muSonics:

For Immediate Release

January 23, 2023

Chillicothe, Illinois - muSonics has acquired very failed Eurorack manufacturer STG Soundlabs in a private equity trade valued at 6 million Dogecoin. Based in the greater Buffalo area, muSonics is America's oldest synthesizer company whose first instrument, the Sonic V educational synthesizer, is highly-regarded as one of the most reliable analogue instruments of the 1970s.

Suit & Tie Guy, former STG Soundlabs president and newly appointed CEO of the merged company, STG muSonics, was quoted as saying “I’m excited to be an important part of a history-rich American brand such as muSonics, which exists in a unique category alongside names like Abercrombie & Fitch, Montgomery Ward, and Radio Shack."

The first STG muSonics product, the Voltage Controlled Amplifier in the American modular synthesizer format, is currently available at Noisebug of Pomona, California. It is the final revision of the Voltage Controlled Amplifier made by muSonics in the early 1970s as part of their very famous and well-regarded modular synthesizers. Updates and improvements include 15 volt power support, selectable AC coupling, and a new shallow profile of less than 2 inches behind the front panel.

Pending the completion of the acquisition, muSonics will be moving from their current office, a vintage dumpster located behind the Wegman’s grocery store in Williamsville, New York, to downtown Chillicothe, Illinois, making it possibly the only company moving to the state this year.

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MOOG MuSonics 1972 Sonic V synthesizer - ringmod unison demo

video upload by OFR

"Someone had told me they thought that ring modulators were not useful - they made such ugly sounds. But that's a common use of them, so easy to think so. However, the Moog Sonic 6 and Sonic V models have ringmod built in, and it's REALLY great thickening when the two oscillators are tuned near unison. Listen..."

MOOG MuSonics Sonic V vintage analog synthesizer 1972 - ringmod detuned demo 2


"Similar to the other video of tuned oscillators, here's the ringmod demo using detuned oscillators, still cool, and still musically useful. I it's comparable to having wavetable synthesis or similar sources."

AJH Synth Low Pass Filters Compared: 3 Eurorack VCF's - Sequences & Sweeps (dry audio/no talking)

video upload by AJH Synth Official

"A purely functional video this week - we're sometimes asked which filter we'd recommend, but really it's a subjective thing, so here's some examples of the current 3 AJH Synth Low Pass filters compared, with both a sequence and static sawtooth sweeps. The settings are mostly kept similar, bearing in mind that it's impossible to get an exact match with different VCF designs. The video timeline has an index, so you can skip to particular sections by using the links below, or by hovering the mouse over the timeline on the video player.

Filters featured:
Transistor Ladder Filter (based on the R.A.Moog Minimoog)
Sonic XV Diode Ladder Wave Filter (based on the 'muSonics' Sonic V)
Gemini 2412 Dual Vintage State Variable Filters (based on the Oberheim SEM)

INDEX:
00:00 Intro
00:29 Video Overview
01:20 Sequence + 1VCO - Ladder Filter
02:18 Sequence + 1VCO - Sonic XV 24dB
03:16 Sequence + 1VCO - Sonic XV 6dB
03:57 Sequence + 1VCO - Gemini 12dB
04:26 Sequence + 1VCO - Gemini 24dB
04:58 Multiple VCO's
06:33 Fast sequence
09:03 Filter Sweeps - Ladder Filter
10:25 Filter Sweeps - Sonic XV
12:56 Filter Sweeps - Gemini 2412

Video by DreamsOfWires

vcf comparison analogue voltage controlled filters compared analog filter shoot out no talking dry audio only examples no fx transistor ladder filter vs sem filter vs diode filter"

See the AJH label below for more.

Moog muSonics SONIC V (1971) - test du 21/08/22

video upload by MOS-LAB

"test du Sonic V, lors de la visite estivale de Stephen (NR-Synth) au studio Mos-lab.
Stephen travaille sur un son de basse en première partie, puis Seb teste les possibilités de bruitages sonores de la machine dans la deuxième partie de la vidéo."

"Sonic V test, during Stephen's (NR-Synth) summer visit to the Mos-lab studio.
Stephen works on a bass sound in the first part, then Seb tests the sound effects possibilities of the machine in the second part of the video."

Moog muSonics V project A

video upload by MOS-LAB

"The sonic V is a synth developed around 1969/1970 by ex Moog employee Gene Zumcheck
(the idea of a portable synthesizer had been refused at the time by Robert Moog).
This synthesizer was built by the company muSonics when Gene Zumchek join them, and was released "officially" when the company bought R.A Moog in 1971 under the Moog muSonics badge.
There were less than a hundred units built (mine has serial number 18).
Unfortunately, very few models are still in existence today, making it a very rare instrument. Not having been exported at the time, it was mainly
intended for universities in USA.
Its successor, the Sonic 6 is an improved and portable version, but with a different filter (Moog ladder filter)
So it doesn't sound quite the same."

Moog Sonic Six Vintage Duophonic Analog Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

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AJH Synth Patch of The Week Videos

video uploads by AJH Synth Official

Videos by supoorting member, DreamsOfWires.

Playlist: 1. Patch of The Week: The Sonic XV's Wave Folder - So many tones from just 1 VCO's Triangle wave

'Sonic Arps': The Sonic XV Transistor Diode Ladder Filter has a built-in Wave Folder, and in this video I'm using an arpeggiator in random mode to show the many subtle flavours of sound it can achieve from just a simple triangle wave from a single VCO. I will also pull a huge variety of timbres from a sine wave in a similar fashion.
The filter is a re-creation and expansion of the VCF from the Musonics Sonic V (5) synth of the 1970's (predecessor of the Moog Sonic Six), and shares a similar character to that of the EMS Synthi and VCS3, also being early diode filters. Bearing that in mind you might expect it to produce aggressive tones and chaotic feedback, which it can do well enough, but you might not have expected that it can also be very subtle, organic and warm in character, particularly well-suited to melodic arps/patterns and percussive sounds. With the added wave shaping functionality that wasn't present on the original, along with 24dB and 6dB low pass modes, and band pass filtering, this module packs a lot of tone shaping into 14hp.

Index:
00:00 'Sonic Arps'
00:34 Introduction
01:01 Assembling the patch
01:39 Sounds & Settings
04:33 Patch Sheet

A PDF file of the patch can be downloaded here: https://kvisit.com/8AE/xfUG

Patch notes:
Green dots show approximate pot and switch positions. Where a pot has two dots, this illustrates the range I move them during the video. Pots and switches that do not have green dots are not used in this patch, and should be left at their zero or off positions.
I'm using the VCA as a mixer so that I can use the outputs from both the BP and 6dB outputs of the Sonic XV. Notice in the video they are set at different volumes at different points depending on the sound - you will need to adjust this too, as different combinations of IN LEVEL, IN MIX, IN WAVE, and filter settings can make a significant difference to volume levels.
Modules used from left to right: Vintage Transistor Core VCO, Sonic XV, Contour Generators, Discrete Cascaded VCA.

2. Patch of the Week: 'Schulze School' - Melodic Eurorack performance + 'how-to' guide & patch sheet

This week's patch makes use of the V-Shape wave shaper/wave folder to sculpt the great analogue tone of the MiniMod VCO to create some delicate timbres that reminds us of Klaus Schulze's mesmerising sounds created on his sequencer-driven Moog modular synth systems in the 1970's. It also makes particular use of the Ring SM as a sub oscillator generator, and the rich tones of the Sonic XV diode filter.

Check out the AJH Synth playlists for more 'Patch of The Week' videos, which will be either performances or 'how to' guides detailing a range of sounds, some familiar, some less so, and each containing a patch sheet at the end to show you how to construct it for yourself.

3. Patch of the Week: 'Singing Gemini' - Dual Analogue VCF as a Dual Sine Wave VCO How to & patch sheet

This patch uses each of the 2 analogue filters of the Gemini as a dual VCO, self-oscillating, so that they produce sine waves and can be sequenced melodically using the Korg SQ-1 or any analogue step sequencer. This guide shows you how to make this patch, along with a patch sheet at the end. It is one of the many ways you can use just a couple of Eurorack modules to make music, as modular synthesis can be rewarding even with a minimal gear list.

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AE#80 Moog Sonic Six Synthesizer Repair And Checkout, Part 2

Published on Mar 9, 2019 Artifact Electronics

"In this second part we button up the machine and test some of its functions."

SN 1797. According to them the original Moog Sonic Six's below SN 1300 or so had ARP diode filters as they weren't designed by Moog. When Moog took over they switched it to the classic Moog ladder filter. via Wikipedia: "The Sonic Six is the result of Bill Waytena, then the owner of synthesizer manufacturer Musonics, acquiring R.A. Moog Inc. Interested in the marketing opportunity afforded by the Moog name, Waytena acquired R.A. Moog Inc., moved the company to Buffalo, New York, and renamed it Moog/Musonics (which eventually was shortened to simply Moog Music). It was under this new brand that a new version of the Musonics Sonic V was released as the Moog Music Sonic Six.[2]"

Artifact Electronics Moog Sonic Six Synthesizer Repair

AJH Sonic XV filter drone (analog Eurorack modular)

Published on Mar 27, 2018 DreamsOfWires

"AJH Synth Sonic XV analogue filter for Eurorack modular. A simple drone using one AJH Transistor Core VCO (triangle out) as sound source, and another to provide audio-rate modulation of the filter cutoff frequency. An additional slow LFO was used to modulate the input waveshaper (a feature that makes this filter particularly unique). The input level, cutoff, and cutoff modulation level are being adjusted manually. A very simple patch, plus a bit of Audio Damage EOS reverb.
The Sonic XV filter is based on that contained in the Musonics Sonic V synthesizer from the early 1970's, which was the predecessor to the Moog Sonic Six.
My music is available here: https://tomorrowthecure.bandcamp.com/"

MOOG MuSonics Sonic V 1972 vintage synthesizer demo

Published on May 26, 2017 OFR

"It took me some time to appreciate how amazing this synth really was. I had a Sonic Six for a long time, which has the same basic circuitry, but I never quite got it sounding as good. The only demos I could find show very basic and minimal synth sounds.

However, the Sonic V has amazing routing options, making it more like a modular system than almost anything around that time. With only 2 oscillators and a non-Moog filter, it certainly does not sound like the Minimoog. Yet it does SO much more, that I prefer the Sonic V now. It has so much range and possibility. You can leave it running on endless self-generating soundscapes..."

Moog Sonic Six

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via this auction

"This keyboard is in good working order. It will need a minor restore to get it sounding great.

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."

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MOOG MUSONICS SONIC V

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via this auction

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Moog Musonics Sonic V

This one in via Soviet Space Child spotted on Switched On.

Note the panel graphic coloring is different compared to others.

"This Sonic V is fully functional and in decent condition, with a few scratches, and a couple missing slider, switch, and knob caps. The Sonic V was never put into full production; as such, it is designed internally like a prototype with some limits to it's integrity, and is available for Local Pickup only.

The Sonic V is a rare predecessor model to the Sonic Six, designed during Musonics' ownership of Moog. In regards to the synth architecture, the Sonic V remains very similar to the Sonic VI, but has a diode filter rather than the Moog ladder filter. It has two audio VCOs with a 3 octave range, selectable waveforms, and manual pulse width contrl over the Square wave. The LFO is really made up of 2 LFOs mixed together with selectable waveforms and individual rate control for each, as well as a Master rate control for both, crossfading mixer, and a unique Transient feature for each that has a ramp down effect on the rate. The modulation section can also be used to trigger the Envelope. Other features include Ring Modulation, White Noise source, AD & ADS envelope generator, and built in speaker. The Sonic V is a very unique design from Moog's history and really excels at effect sounds."

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Happy New Year From MATRIXSYNTH! - A Look Back at 2014

Happy New Year everyone!

I want to start by thanking everyone that comes to MATRIXSYNTH and helps make it what it is - the readers, the supporters, and of course all the sponsors on the right.

THANK YOU and have a GREAT 2015!!!

This site is a labor of love and a ton of work. This site is ultimately meant to be an testament to everything synth in the making. We have over nine years of daily synth history captured here, 119,983 published posts. I can't wait to see what the future brings us in 2015!

That said, here are a few interesting bits from 2014 in the longest post of the year. ;)

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Rare Musonics Moog Minimoog D Synthesizer SN 1194

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here

"this is a very rare musonics minimoog in mint condition fully working , perfectly tuned. no issues at all. it will be shipped with an original moog norlin case."

Regarding Musonics:

via Wikipedia on Moog: "In November 1971, the company moved to Williamsville, New York. An old factory at the north end of Academy Street was purchased. The company was renamed Moog Musonics, then Moog Music. In 1976 the company moved to much better facility on Walden Avenue in Cheektowaga..."

via Wikipedia on the Moog Sonic Six: "The Sonic Six is the result of Bill Waytena, then the owner of synthesizer manufacturer Musonics, acquiring R.A. Moog Inc. Interested in the marketing opportunity afforded by the Moog name, Waytena acquired R.A. Moog Inc., moved the company to Buffalo, New York, and renamed it Moog/Musonics (which eventually was shortened to simply Moog Music). It was under this new brand that a new version of the Musonics Sonic V was released as the Moog Music Sonic Six..."

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