The End of an Era - Moog Voyager to be Discontinued

It's hard to believe it's true, but the Moog Voyager, Bob Moog's first synthesizer after getting the Moog Music name back, is being discontinued after 13 years.

I was fortunate enough to pick up a Signature Series Voyager, brand new in the box, on clearance years ago when the last ones were being blown out. It never left the studio and I never sent it out for updates. I wanted to preserve Bob Moog's Voyager exactly as it left the factory, as he signed off on it.

I also have a Minimoog Model D, a Minitaur and the Sub Phatty. What set the Voyager and Model D apart of course was that third oscillator. It makes a difference. I'm curious if Moog will replace the Voyager with another three osc synth. Perhaps a re-issue of the original Model D? Owning both, I have to say each stands on it's own and is different enough to warrant both. The Voyager is refined, yet exudes power. The Model D is wild, aggressive, rough around the edges, but can be tamed.

Whatever Moog comes up with next, I'm sure it will be great. All of their synths to date have something special to offer.

An interesting side note is Bob Moog's Moogerfooger and theremins, released before the Voyager under the Big Briar name, will live on.

The official press release from Moog Music with a tribute video from Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor follows below.

"After 13 years & 14,000 instruments, production of the Minimoog Voyager is coming to an end. Moog will lovingly handcraft 600 final units of the Minimoog Voyager at their factory in downtown Asheville, NC before saying goodbye.

The Minimoog Voyager is the foundation of the modern Moog synthesizer. When it went into production in 2002, it signaled the rebirth of Moog Music, and the re-emergence of the analog synthesizer as a viable creative tool in our increasingly digital world. The design philosophy behind the Minimoog Voyager set the pattern for all of Moog’s subsequent work: where beauty, high mechanical quality, and sonic excellence are equally paramount in the service of musical ideas. The Minimoog Voyager is an embodiment of this ideology, and a wellspring of inspiration for Moog’s instrument design now and into the future.

Most importantly, the Minimoog Voyager is the last synthesizer that Bob Moog designed from start to finish. His DNA is in the circuits of this machine, and it is the culmination of Dr. Moog’s life’s work, which was dedicated to electronic musical instrument design.

Recently, Moog had the honor of sitting down with Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor, the genre-defining music innovator, master synthesist and Academy Award winning composer. In the interview, Reznor recounts his intimate relationship with the Minimoog Voyager, which he feels “is the archetype of what a synthesizer is and should be.” Through personal stories, Reznor reveals his decades long history with the instrument and how it has shaped the way he views and creates music. The video is set to an original score by British electronic music producer, The Haxan Cloak, co-producer of Bjork’s Vulnicura. Befitting the occasion, the artist used a Minimoog Voyager and a prototype Mother-32, Moog’s newest synthesizer, to create the score.

Over the course of its 13-year production run, the Minimoog Voyager has become one of the most iconic analog synthesizers in history. Its impact on modern music can be heard on countless records and seen on stages around the world with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Dr. Dre, Radiohead, Herbie Hancock, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Daft Punk, Bjork and many more.

As a thank you to existing Minimoog Voyager owners, Moog is offering 20% off on all Minimoog Voyager upgrades, modifications and calibrations to domestic customers until the end of the year. Contact techsupport@moogmusic.com for more information.

The Minimoog Voyager is still available in limited quantities at stocking dealers in Performer and Electric Blue versions while supplies last. For pricing and availability, please visit www.moogmusic.com/dealers."

Please check with MATRIXSYNTH sponsors on the right of the site.  They help make this site possible.

Trent Reznor | Archetype of a Synthesizer

Published on Sep 30, 2015 Moog Music Inc

"Through personal stories, Trent Reznor recounts his relationship with an iconic analog synthesizer and describes how it has fit into his creative process over his storied career.

Original score by The Haxan Cloak, co-producer of Bjork’s Vulnicura. Befitting the occasion, the artist used a Minimoog Voyager and a prototype Mother-32, Moog’s newest synthesizer, to create the score."

http://www.moogmusic.com/news/end-voy...

Moog Minimoog Voyager 50th Anniversary Edition Signed by Bob Moog

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

"Limited Edition Moog Minimoog Voyager Anniversary Edition (serial number AE0657) produced only during 2004 to celebrate 50 years of Bob Moog designing electronic musical instruments.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Foxrox Paradox Moog Voyager

YouTube via inanaloghaze
"Foxrox Paradox TZF in the mixer out, filter in jack on the beatuiful Moog Voyager analog synthesizer."

Sherman Filterbank 2 Moog Voyager

"The almighty analog sounds of the Sherman Filterbank 2 in the mixer out, filter in jack on the one and only Moog Voyager mono synth. Supreme distortion and insane sounds!"

Moog Ring Modulator and Voyager

"Moogerfooger Ring Modulator in the mixer out, filter in jack of the Moog Voyager."

Moogerfooger phase Moog Voyager

"Moogerfooger 103 phase shifter in the mixer out, filter in jack on the incredable Moog Voyager analog mono synth"

Moogerfooger FreqBox Moog Voyager

"Moogerfooger FreqBox 107 in the mixer out, filter in jack of the Moog Voyager."

2011 Moogfest Voyager: Signed by Eno, Moby, Chromeo and More

via The Bob Moog Foundation

"Moogfest Minimoog Voyager signed by over 20 Moogfest artists including Moby, Chromeo, Brian Eno, Edgar Froese, Terry Riley, STS9, Beak, TV on the Radio, Ghostland Observatory, Passion Pit, Holy F@*k, Suicide and more. Find out more about the raffle to win this synth at:" [link]

Top: "Passion Pit and Sound Tribe Sector Nine (STS9) grace the side panel."

Left: "Moby, Edgar Froese of Tangerine Dream and Dave 1 of Chromeo grace the top. David Murphy of STS9, Brian Borcherdt of Holy F@*k and Matt from Holy F@*k on the keys."

Center panel: "Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips makes a sunny mark front and center on the control panel."

More pics on FB here.

Update: Video and audio added below.



The Most Valuable Moog Voyager: How it works, and how you can own it.
YouTube Uploaded by AutomaticGainsay on Nov 22, 2011

"Moog Music donated a gorgeous white and blue Moog Voyager to the Bob Moog Foundation, and the Bob Moog Foundation is raffling it off as a part of their Indiegogo campaign which is designed to help expand their hallmark educational program Dr. Bob's SoundSchool nationwide. This Moog Voyager was signed by a lot of Moogfest artists! The artists who signed include Brian Eno, Moby, Edgar Froese (of Tangerine Dream), Chromeo, Amon Tobin, Suicide, STS9, Passion Pit, Beak, Ghostland Observatory, Holy Fuck, and TV on the Radio. Donate to this worthy cause today, and get the chance to own the most valuable Voyager in the world!"

Signed Voyager Demo

Recondite · Signed Voyager Demo

"This song is going to get a better name at some point. All of the sounds are Moog Voyager except drums. I really focused on playing the frequency knobs on this one, and the result is a deliciously messy not-always-in-tune slap in the face. Like the last Voyager demo, I feel like this should be made into a full-length song. Maybe, since that's the case, I should feel a little less ambivalent about the Voyager."

Moog Voyager Editor / Programmer for LOGIC v4 - X

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

Available on Reverb.

See the listings for other editors.

"This software is a Virtual synthesizer programmer for use with the Moog Voyager synthesizer. It simulates the Voyager front panel in a software environment within the APPLE LOGIC audio/sequencer program (formerly Emagic Logic). To use this software you MUST have a valid copy of LOGIC on your computer (see below), a Moog Voyager synth, and a MIDI interface which connects your computer via MIDI cable to your Moog Voyager synthesizer.

This software CANNOT be used as a stand alone application under any circumstances. It will NOT run in Ableton, Reason, VST or any other host - it is not a plug-in but a single importable layer of the Logic environment.

Upon purchase, you will ultimately receive a ZIP archive of the editor you purchased for Logic. UNZIP this archive and you will have a LOGIC song document you can now open in the Logic program. Once open, you will see the editor on your screen and you can then discover the pleasures of a virtual programmer for your Moog Voyager synthesizer!

FULLY LOGIC X COMPATIBLE!

OVERVIEW:

This editor is physically laid out to simulate the Moog Voyager front panel. If you're familiar with the Voyager layout then you should feel right at home here. I've adopted certain additions including some text feedback, a RESET function, and a few other things.

All programmable functions of the Voyager front panel are represented here - with the exception of a few parameters that Moog did not designate to be included in their realtime control set (please see the included photo to understand the layout). Essentially, all that is missing is the FINE TUNE control which is hardware only and not editable via MIDI.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Moog Music Polarizes its Synthesizers, Releases All White Instruments

"ASHEVILLE, NC – November 14, 2012 – Today Moog Music announced the limited edition release of an all white series of its classic analog instruments. Moog has polarized the color of their traditionally black steel and natural wood instruments to a solid white finish. Included in this limited edition white release are the Slim Phatty, Minimoog Voyager, and the Minimoog Voyager XL analog synthesizers. Moog has also included the entire line of Moogerfooger Analog Effects Modules in this all white release.

In addition to the polarized color, the Slim Phatty now ships with 100 new, artist-designed presets made specifically for this limited edition analog synth. The sound designers that crafted the new preset bank are Phil Hartnoll and Paul Hartnoll of Orbital, Production wiz Chad Hugo of N.E.R.D. and The Neptunes, and DJ/Sound Designer Dom Kane. The Slim Phattys optional wood sides, and optional rack ears are also now available in white.

The Minimoog Voyager and Minimoog Voyager XL have also been transitioned to an all white finish with reversed artwork. The pitch and mod wheel of the Minimoog Voyager XL has been upgraded to a white backlit design, which is a feature that was previously only available on the Minimoog Voyager.

Lastly, the Moogerfooger family of analog effects modules are also ghosts of their former selves. The MF-101 Lowpass FIlter, MF-102 Ring Modulator, MF-103 12 Stage Phaser, MF-104M Analog Delay, MF-105M MIDI MuRF, MF-107 Freq Box and the MF-108M Clusterflux have all been transitioned to white and are now a perfect match to the limited edition Minimoog Voyager, Voyager XL and Slim Phatty Analog Synthesizers.

These all white Moog instruments are available for a limited time at select dealers and are shipping now. International customers must check with the Moog distributor in their country for pricing and availability.




Street Prices:
Minimoog Voyager XL WHITE: $4995
Slim Phatty WHITE: $845
Slim Phatty Wood Kit WHITE: $89
Slim Phatty Rack Ears WHITE: $25
MF-101 Low Pass Filter WHITE: $335
MF-102 Ring Modulator WHITE: $335
MF-103 12 Stage Phaser WHITE: $379
MF-104M Analog Delay WHITE: $749
MF-105M MIDI MuRF WHITE: $479
MF-107 FreqBox WHITE: $399
MF-108M Cluster Flux: $639

Links
Slim Phatty Product Page
Minimoog Voyager Product Page
Minimoog Voyager XL Product Page
Moogerfoogers Page
Moog Music website

About Moog Music:
Moog Music synthesizers and other electronic musical instruments are designed and lovingly handcrafted in the Moog factory in downtown Asheville, N.C. Moog Music and its customers carry on the legacy of Dr. Robert Moog, inventor of the Moog synthesizer and Founder of Moog Music Inc."

Moog Officially Launches Gold Moog Voyager Contest

via Moog Music:

"The 10th Anniversary Minimoog Voyager Giveaway

As a thank you to our customers for making the Minimoog Voyager the best selling analog synthesizer of the last decade, Moog has set aside one of these extremely limited 24 Karat gold Minimoog’s (est. value $15,000) for one very lucky person to win.

The decade long success of the Minimoog Voyager has enabled us to continue handcrafting analog synthesizers in Asheville, NC to this day. To show our gratitude for your support, all registered Minimoog Voyager owners are automatically entered in the 10th Anniversary Minimoog Voyager Giveaway. If you have not registered your Minimoog Voyager, please do so HERE.

All others may enter by submitting a photo of themselves "celebrating" with a Moog instrument HERE.

Also, all registered Minimoog Voyager owners will receive a small gift as a token of our appreciation.

Good luck everybody!

Love your friends at Moog. See the full contest rules here."

Follow-up to:
10th Anniversary Minimoog Voyager Video & Pics
10th Anniversary Gold Moog Voyager
Gold Moog Voyager with Clear Knobs

Minimoog Voyager XL Product Page is Live

"Designed in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Minimoog, the Minimoog Voyager XL is a sonic powerhouse that pays homage to important milestones in the Moog synthesizer legacy. It starts with the heart of a Minimoog Model D. Fat oscillators and warm Moog filters give it that unmistakable Moog sound and the rugged construction and intuitive user interface design immediately tells you that you’re playing a high-quality musical instrument.

From the current Voyager lineage, the XL inherits a 100% analog signal path with stable oscillators, patch storage, touch surface, pot mapping and extensive MIDI control functionality. To all this, add a ribbon controller and 61 note keyboard and you have a monster analog monosynth built on a 40 year legacy of sonic exploration."

Official product page

Thanks goes to UniQue Werkx for the tip!

Update: Official Press Release:

"Modern Design, Modular Flexibility and the Heart of a Minimoog
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Minimoog with the Minimoog Voyager XL

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (September, 2010) – Designed in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Minimoog, the Minimoog Voyager XL is a sonic powerhouse that pays homage to important milestones in the Moog synthesizer legacy. It starts with the heart of a Minimoog Model D. Fat oscillators and warm Moog filters give it that unmistakable Moog sound and the rugged construction and intuitive user interface design immediately tells you that you’re playing a high-quality musical instrument.

From the current Voyager lineage, the XL inherits a 100% analog signal path with stable oscillators, patch storage, touch surface, pot mapping and extensive MIDI control functionality.

To all this, add a ribbon controller and 61 note keyboard and you have a monster analog monosynth built on a 40 year legacy of sonic exploration.

“To celebrate the 40th anniversary of a ground-breaking product like the Minimoog Model D, we knew we had to design something special” said Mike Adams, President of Moog Music. “The XL draws from the Model D and the entire history of our company to create an outstanding new instrument tailored for production, performance and sound design.”

Incorporating virtually all of the sound resources and functions of the original Minimoog Model D and Voyager, The Minimoog Voyager XL features extensive front-panel patchability that harkens back to the original ground-breaking Moog modular synthesizers. A host of features previously found only on massive modular synthesizers combined with state-of-the-art analog technology make it a sound design and control dream machine. Highlights include:

61-Note Velocity Sensitive Keyboard with After-Pressure
Ribbon Controller with Pitch and Gate CV Outputs
Touch Surface Controller with X, Y, A and Gate Outputs
External Audio Input
Effects Loop Insert
2 Active Attenuators
4-Input CV Mixer
Lag Processor
Additional MIDI-Syncable LFO
3 Four-Way Mults
20 Control Voltage Outputs
3 Gate Outputs
10 Control Voltage Inputs
4 Gate Inputs
2 Modulation Busses
Solid Oak Cabinet
Tilting Control Panel

Priced at $4995, the Minimoog Voyager XL will ship in the 4th quarter of 2010.

Visit moogmusic.com for more information.

About Moog Music: Moog Music and its customers carry on the legacy of Bob Moog, the inventor of the synthesizer. Moog designs and manufactures electronic musical instruments, including Little Phatty® and Minimoog® Voyager® synthesizers, Moogerfooger® effects modules, Etherwave® theremins, Taurus Bass Pedals and The Moog Guitar. Founded by Bob Moog, Moog Music designs and manufactures its products in Asheville, N.C."


Update: Novamusik has a special deal going on. Link for more info here.

Electronic Voyager: Discovering Bob Moog Documentary From the Makers of I Dream of Wires & the BMF

via The Bob Moog Foundation

"We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Waveshaper Media, the producers of the acclaimed modular documentary “I Dream of Wires”, on a new film about Bob Moog, Electronic Voyager.

A Kickstarter campaign in support of Electronic Voyager has begun.

In association with the Wave Shaper, we aim to create a definitive and personal documentary about the life of Bob Moog. Through the eyes of our Executive Director and Bob’s own daughter, Michelle Moog-Koussa – also a dedicated Moog archivist and historian – we will give viewers an insight into the man behind the iconic Moog brand.

Electronic Voyager takes us on a sonic journey into the often unpredictable life and stunning brilliance of Bob Moog, a man who ‘fell backwards on a banana peel’ into the music instrument business, as well as the psychedelic world of the 1960s music scene. Bob unwittingly revolutionized the face of music, and helped birth an enduring industry.

With Michelle Moog-Koussa as our guide, we are in a very unique position to tell Bob Moog’s story in a new and profound way – from the perspective of his own daughter, who has not only a deep personal connection to Bob Moog, but also a firm dedication to his work and legacy. Bob’s friends, associates and admirers open up when they speak to Michelle about her father, leading to uniquely candid, revealing and joyous stories and insights about Bob Moog.

Electronic Voyager documents a special personal journey for Michelle, to trace her father’s iconic story – visiting the places and meeting the people who were a part of Moog’s history. With exclusive access to unseen family photos and rare historical artifacts from the Bob Moog Foundation Archives, Electronic Voyager opens a window for the outside world to better understand the man behind the legendary Moog synthesizer.

Support the Kickstarter campaign here.

The recent, tragic passing of Bob Moog’s close friend and important collaborator, Keith Emerson – perhaps the most iconic Moog keyboardist – was just another reminder of how important it is to document Bob Moog’s crucial chapter in the history of electronic music, NOW. We are turning to Kickstarter – a direct link to Bob Moog’s friends, admirers and fans – to help us get to work on this important documentary as soon as possible.

Confirmed participants include:

Early electronic music pioneers: Herb Deutsch, Morton Subotnick, Bernie Krause (Beaver & Krause, Moog modular session musician – George Harrison, The Doors), Joel Chadabe, David Borden (Mother Mallard’s Portable Masterpiece Company).

Contemporary Moog musicians: Moby, Adrian Utley (Portishead, Moog Ensemble).

Friends and music industry contemporaries: Dave Smith (Sequential Circuits), Tom Oberheim, Roger Linn, Dave Rossum (E-mu), Mark Vail (Keyboard Magazine), David Mash (Berkelee College of Music), Dominic Milano (Keyboard Magazine), Wayne Kirby (University of North Carolina – Asheville).

Session musicians, composers, technicians: Patrick Gleeson (Herbie Hancock, film composer), Greg Phillenganes (Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson), Edd Kalehoff (tv/film composer), Michael Boddicker (Michael Jackson, film composer), Will Alexander (Keith Emerson’s synth tech).

Moog employees/collaborators: Bill Hemsath, David VanKoevering, Tom Rhea, Roger Luther, Greg Hockman, Tom Gullo, Dale Ong.

As with any great Kickstarter campaign, we are offering a host of exciting perks, many of which are limited to the campaign and are not available elsewhere. Read all about them and get more details about the project here:

http://tinyurl.com/ElectronicVoyagerKickstarter

Please join us on this incredible journey, the sonic journey of Bob Moog!"

Electronic Voyager: Retracing Bob Moog’s Sonic Journey - OFFICIAL TRAILER

Published on Apr 30, 2019 Waveshaper Media

"Electronic Voyager is slated for release in 2020. Now in the final stages of post-production, the film is raising finishing funds via Indiegogo.

From Waveshaper Media, the Toronto-based production company behind the pivotal electronic music documentary I Dream Of Wires, seen widely on Netflix, comes Electronic Voyager. Electronic Voyager is a new feature-length documentary on electronic music pioneer Bob Moog – his story recounted through the eyes of his daughter, Michelle Moog-Koussa. In Electronic Voyager, we follow Michelle on an emotional road trip journey across North America and Europe, retracing her father’s groundbreaking footsteps. Michelle’s voyage is an effort to reconcile the father she knew, with the world-famous icon. Michelle’s father is the late Dr. Robert Arthur Moog (1934 - 2005), inventor of the iconic Moog synthesizer. Moog’s archetypal synthesizers defined electronic music in popular culture, and revolutionized the sound of music across genres. The “Moog” brand became, and remains, the “Kleenex” of synthesizers, and a key part of that branding is Bob Moog himself; iconic photos of a young Bob, looking confident, determined, and surrounded by his own inventions, loom large in contemporary Moog Music marketing materials, and at Moogfest, one of North America’s biggest music festivals, dedicated to Bob’s legacy.

Growing up, Michelle had an inkling of her father’s fame, and of the importance of his innovative work, but had no idea of the depth and magnitude of his influence; he was, first and foremost, dad. When Bob passed away in 2005 after a brief fight with cancer, the curtains were pulled back on Michelle’s dad, and at the age of 37, Michelle was introduced to Bob Moog. Thousands of people came forward at that time with testimonies about how Bob’s instruments had inspired them, leaving their lives transformed. Discovering the monumental significance of her father’s life and accomplishments was the turning point for Michelle, and she’s gone on to dedicate her life’s work to preserving and celebrating Bob Moog’s legacy, as founder and Executive Director of the Bob Moog Foundation.

Electronic Voyager takes the shape of a road-trip journey, where the viewer is looking over Michelle’s shoulder as she travels to the places where Moog history happened, and meets the people whose lives were changed by Bob and his inventions, including legendary musicians like Rick Wakeman, Gary Numan, and Jean-Michel Jarre. Michelle hopes to uncover clues about who her father really was, and how his work not only impacted the world, but had consequences for her and her family. Every person that Michelle meets, who knew Bob, offers another piece of the puzzle that Michelle is driven to complete. For herself, and for the world, Michelle wants to reveal a full picture of who Bob Moog really was, the man behind the iconic Moog brand.

Electronic Voyager not only recounts the fascinating story of the most pivotal figure in electronic music’s history, but also sheds light on the personal and financial struggles endured by one of America’s true great innovators; it’s a universal story highlighting the difficult relationship between creativity/innovation and business/commerce."

Moog Voyager: Low Oscillator Volume + FX

Moog Voyager: Low Oscillator Volume + FX from Calvin Cardioid on Vimeo.

"bit.ly/​dnyXG2
From CL516 BLOG:
A simple video just to hear the sounds, headphones ON!

With all the recent talk about the upcoming Moog Voyager XL, I thought I'd take the Voyager out for a spin. Everything played here exited the Voyager's left mono output only, making use of the dual filters and spacing knob. For another Moog Voyager video, please visit: vimeo.com/​12410737 [below]

bit.ly/​dnyXG2"

Thickening Up the Moog Voyager from Calvin Cardioid on Vimeo.

Moog Music Discontinues the Last of the Voyager Line with the Minimoog Voyager XL

The end of an era. Note the original Minimoog Voyager was discontinued back in 2015.

I'm a proud owner of an original Signature edition Voyager SN 446.

via Moog Music:

"Today we say goodbye to the Minimoog Voyager XL, the last of the Minimoog Voyagers in production at the Moog Factory.

The Minimoog Voyager family of synthesizers holds a special place in our hearts--the Voyager was the final synthesizer that Bob Moog designed from start to finish and the culmination of his life's work; his DNA runs through the circuits of this family of instruments, which includes the Voyager, Voyager RME, Voyager Old School, and Voyager XL. The XL is the last member of this family currently in production, and as of today, we are announcing its official discontinuation.

Introduced in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Minimoog Model D's release, the Minimoog Voyager XL combines the heart of the groundbreaking Minimoog Voyager with a patch bay, informed by the original Moog modular systems.

Since its release in 2010, the Minimoog Voyager XL has made its mark in film scores, sound design, on platinum records, and on stages the world over. Artists and producers ranging from Trent Reznor to Kanye West have used the legendary warmth and versatile patchability of the XL to craft their unique sound.

As we bid a bittersweet farewell to the Minimoog Voyager XL, we keep the spirit of its circuits front of mind as we design the instruments in our future, acknowledging that the XL is the last of the Voyager family but not the last of its legacy.

We will build a highly limited number of units while parts and materials last, before bringing production to a close. Contact your local authorized Moog dealer or distributor to inquire about purchasing one of the final Minimoog Voyager XL analog synthesizers."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Moog Discontinues the Voyager RME with Robert Rich Commemorative EP

via Moog Music

"VOYAGER RACK MOUNT EDITION DISCONTINUED

Moog Releases Robert Rich EP to Commemorate Discontinuation of Iconic Synth

Today, Moog Music announced the official discontinuation of the Minimoog Voyager Rack Mount Edition (Voyager RME) analog synthesizer – a tabletop, rack-mountable version of Moog's flagship analog mono synth, the Minimoog Voyager. The Minimoog Voyager was Bob Moog's modern day re-imagining of the Minimoog Model D, the most iconic analog synthesizer of all time.

Since its introduction in 2005, the Minimoog Voyager RME has found its place on thousands of records and stages around the world. On the Alive Tour, Daft Punk's monolithic pyramid was powered by 4 Voyager RMEs, while electronic musicians like Orbital, Deadmau5, Tycho and R&B producer Brian Michael Cox all rely on the sonic abilities of the Voyager RME to deliver new sounds for their studio productions.

'Ten years ago, Bob and I struggled over whether or not to release the Minimoog Voyager RME. Thankfully we did, because so many wonderful works of art have been produced with it,' said Moog Music President Mike Adams. 'It's always difficult for us to end the life of a product, especially one that Bob designed himself, but I am happy to know that the artists fortunate enough to own one of these expressive tools will enjoy a lifetime of rich musical experiences,' said Adams.

To celebrate the legacy of this powerful analog instrument, ambient electronic music pioneer, Robert Rich has composed a 3 song EP of evolving soundscapes titled 'Hiding In Daylight'. Rich's work is a meditative exploration of organic analog sound, drawing on the rich tonal palette of the Minimoog Voyager RME.

Listen to and download "Hiding In Daylight" here. [embed below]

To purchase one of the remaining Minimoog Voyager RMEs please contact an authorized Moog dealer." See the dealers on the right.

Some History on the Development of the Moog Little Phatty

For whatever reason a thread cropped up on AH questioning Bob Moog's involvement with the Little Phatty and specifically whether he was involved at all. One, I remembered the project started when he became ill and two, core bits of the tech is based the Voyager! Even if he wasn't hands on, much of the technology that makes it what it is would still have come from him. I don't get it. That aside the following is an intersting insight to Bob Moog's involvment as well as the involvment of his team.

"Bob was completely involved in the genesis and design of the Little Phatty. He was actively working on the project when he became ill. He wired up the first prototype, which was built from a modified Voyager analog board wired directly to a panel of pots. The original idea was a stripped-down all analog two-oscillator performance synth, with a minimal but effective feature set and a knob per function on the panel. No MIDI, no patch memory.

This concept did not survive any opinion surveys, which all indicated that MIDI and memory were required features. Once we added a digital board to the design, the knob-per-function interface became too expensive to keep cost within our target for an inexpensive two-oscillator performance synth.

So, the final Little Phatty interface was conceived, using a knob per synth section rather than a knob per function. I believe this layout was conceived by Axel Hartmann. The Real Analog Control [RAC] system, where pots are both scanned for digital value and physically switched into the analog circuits which they are controlling, was conceived by Steve Dunnington.

So, Bob Moog brought the Little Phatty project into being, and shaped its original feature set. Most importantly for this project, he select Cyril Lance in particular to be his assistant/successor, after a very discriminating search. Cyril stepped in at the point when the project code-named "el P" was making the transition from all-analog to midi & memory, so he designed the Little Phatty digital board as one of his first projects for Moog Music. Prior to this, of course, Cyril had been a consulting engineer, a particle physicist (graduate of Cornell; same university as Dr. Moog), and of course a touring blues guitarist of some repute. Even though the digital board design was ultimately Cyril's, it was done in close reference to the digital board of the Voyager, which was rather similar to the digital board of a Memorymoog. As for the Little Phatty analogue board, it is comprised almost entirely of circuits taken directly from the Moog Voyager. The're the exact circuits Bob designed well before his untimely passing, simply configured for a different synth concept. The circuit layouts and corresponding component values for a given little subsection are generally identical between the Voyager and LP.
A notable exception is the Little Phatty's Overload circuit, which was designed and painstakingly tweaked by ear by Steve Dunnington. I think he did a good job with that circuit.

So, the LP has Bob's Voyager oscillators and Bob's Voyager envelopes (complete with quirks and circuit errors just like on the Voyager), the same implementation of the ladder filter (only times one instead of two), the same VCA design. An instrument is a whole The digital control, the RAC system, the panel layout, overload... these things were designed by other people, all of whom desired to continue Bob's legacy and to create a real, playable instrument that stood on its own merit. I should mention that the original Little Phatty firmware was written by Chuck Carlson, a programmer who had worked with both Moog and Buchla prior to working on the LP.

I have been the alpha tester for the Little Phatty firmware as it has developed, and I've gotten to make a suggestion or two along the way.

I'm writing this instead of getting sleep here at the NAMM show, so I'd better leave it there.

Hope this helps,
Amos"

Note Axel Hartmann also designed the interface for the Voyager, and a numbe of other synths. Check out this post for the list of synths. You might be surprised. He is the face of many of our modern day knob laden synths.

Moog Celebrates 10 Years of the Minimoog Voyager

"The Minimoog Voyager turns ten. For the next 60 days Moog will release exclusive content, free giveaways, special offers, and big announcements on this timeline.


As the first Minimoog Voyager left the Moog Factory on August 31st 2002, it carried with it a message, that Moog was back and a new era of analog synthesizer had begun. The Voyager is the crowning achievement of one of the centuries greatest minds, and has stood as a testament to Dr. Robert Moog, and his dream to make electronics sing. Ten years later the Minimoog Voyager stands as the world's most iconic synthesizer. To this day each instrument is made by hand with the love and care of Moog's craftsmen..."

Check out the Voyager timeline here.

via Moog Music on Facebook

Update: just wanted to capture the following regarding the prototype Voyager. If you haven't already, be sure to click on the link above for the full timeline. It's fascinating history.  I can't see a way to larger versions of the images there though.  If anyone knows how,  feel free to comment or shoot me an email (icon on the bottom right).  That said, on the prototype:

"The first fully functional Voyager prototype was built from Bob’s original oscillator and filter development, combined with modified Moogerfooger circuitry to serve as functions such as the LFO.

The Voyager was originally envisioned as an interconnected collection of independent circuit boards, however it was realized that this type of hardware architecture would limit the capability to make production model Voyagers. To circumvent this problem and stream line production the smaller modules were combined into larger boards reducing the amount of wiring necessary in the final product.

The original Voyager prototype did not have the white overlay seen on modern Voyagers nor did it have a functioning touch pad. While the touch pad was planned as can be seen in the photos actual functionality was not added until the Voyager went into production. The first touch pads were hand made by Bob Moog and tempered in his home oven."

Moog Mars Musings Part I - a Moog Voyager Tribute by Todd Barton

via Todd Barton

"Back in January 2004, when NASA’s Rover Lander touched down on Mars, Todd Barton began creating and posting a one minute daily music composition based on that day’s image from NASA’s website. Using his new Signature Moog Voyager as the exclusive sound generator, a looper and an effects pedal he created 110 Moog Mars Musings tracks.

Soon after the first few posts Edmund Eagan responded with the idea of tying each score to a current Mars image. Near the end of February Edmund started to create and synchronize his video manipulations with the music and posted those on his site.

The mars musings project ran online every day from January 25 to May 14th, 2004.

Here are the first 20 of the Moog Mars Musings project. More to follow over the next few months.

all best wishes,
Todd"

Moog mars musings part ii


"Back in January 2004, when NASA’s Rover Lander touched down on Mars, Todd Barton began creating and posting a one minute daily music composition based on that day’s image from NASA’s website. Using his new Signature Moog Voyager as the exclusive sound generator, a looper and an effects pedal he created 110 Moog Mars Musings tracks.

Soon after the first few posts Edmund Eagan responded with the idea of tying each score to a current Mars image. Near the end of February Edmund started to create and synchronize his video manipulations with the music and posted those on his site.

The mars musings project ran online every day from January 25 to May 14th, 2004.

Here are the second batch of 20 of the Moog Mars Musings project. More to follow over the next few months."

Part 1 here

This one in via Soviet Space Child.

Moog mars musings part iii


"Continuing to upload these, here is part iii

Back in January 2004, when NASA’s Rover Lander touched down on Mars, Todd Barton began creating and posting a one minute daily music composition based on that day’s image from NASA’s website. Using his new Signature Moog Voyager as the exclusive sound generator, a looper and an effects pedal he created 110 Moog Mars Musings tracks.

Soon after the first few posts Edmund Eagan responded with the idea of tying each score to a current Mars image. Near the end of February Edmund started to create and synchronize his video manipulations with the music and posted those on his site.

The mars musings project ran online every day from January 25 to May 14th, 2004.

Here are the second batch of 20 of the Moog Mars Musings project. More to follow over the next few months."

Remembering Bob Moog

[ Note: This post stays on top for the day. Tons going up below. Originally posted at 8:36 AM PST. ]

Today marks the fourth year of Bob Moog's passing. Play a little something for him today.

Be sure to visit The Bob Moog Foundation, and Moog Music where you'll find this wallpaper free of charge.

Don't forget, the "Waves of Inspiration: The Legacy of Moog Museum Exhibit" runs from August 29 - April 30. Keith Emerson and others will be there opening weekend.

Thank you for everything Bob. The synths, the inspiration, the humor, positive vibes and the magic.

Update: Mark Pulver's Moog tattoo. Mark was good friends with Bob Moog. I remember him getting this tattoo after his passing.

BTW, if you have anything Moog specific you'd like to send in, feel free. You can reach me at matrixsynth at gmail. Of course feel free to comment.

Also, I don't ask for a dime to run this site. I've had people suggest I put up a Paypal Donate Here button. I don't because I do have ads on the site and I believe in offering the site for free. But if you do want to donate, even just a few bucks, donate something to The Bob Moog Foundation. Little donations can add up. They are keeping not only Bob Moog's memory alive, but the magic and history of synths.




Update: On the technical side of things, here is a list of patents (creations) from Bob Moog via Jerry on the SDIY list: "well to name a few, "Voltage-Controlled Electronic Music Modules" (R.A. Moog, Journal of the Audio Engineering Society , Vol.13, No. 3, pp 200-206, July 1965...

Update on the Patents via ASSI:
Here's the fulllist of patents where he is named an inventor:
EP000000157821A4 PEPPER WILLIAM JR MOOG ROBERT A [DE] LEITFÄHIGE
ELEKTRODENMATRIX UND MATRIX VON WIDERSTANDSELEMENTEN ... no
EP000000157821A1 PEPPER WILLIAM JR, US MOOG ROBERT A, US [DE] LEITFÄHIGE
ELEKTRODENMATRIX UND MATRIX VON WIDERSTANDSELEMENTEN ... yes
US000004778951A PEPPER JR WILLIAM, US MOOG ROBERT A, US [EN] Arrays of resistive
elements for use in touch panels and for producing ... yes
US000004280387A MOOG ROBERT A [EN] Frequency following circuit yes
US000004213367A MOOG ROBERT A, US [EN] Monophonic touch sensitive keyboard
yes
US000004202238A MOOG ROBERT A, US [EN] Compressor-expander for a musical
instrument yes
US000004180707A MOOG ROBERT A, US [EN] Distortion sound effects circuit yes
US000004166197A MOOG ROBERT A, US WALBORN RICHARD M, US [EN] PARAMETRIC ADJUSTMENT
CIRCUIT yes
US000004117413A MOOG ROBERT A [EN] AMPLIFIER WITH MULTIFILTER yes
US000004108041A MOOG ROBERT A COX ROGER FLAVIUS [EN] Phase shifting sound effects
circuit yes
US000004050343A MOOG ROBERT A [EN] Electronic music synthesizer yes
US000003475623A MOOG ROBERT A [EN] ELECTRONIC HIGH-PASS AND LOW-PASS FILTERS
EMPLOYING THE BASE TO ... yes
WO001985001375A1 PEPPER WILLIAM JR, US MOOG ROBERT A, US [EN] CONDUCTIVE
ELECTRODE ARRAYS AND ARRAYS OF RESISTIVE ELEMENTS FOR ... yes

Other patents listed at the site of Don Tillman are either from employees of Moog
Music or related to some inventions that have been used in Moog products (like the
Bode frequency shifter). This is not to take away from Bob, but I'm sure he would
have been the first to point out that some other guy had invented something. The
patent family he's got together with Mr. Pepper is of course for the touch panel
for the Voyager.
Polyphonic Modes
US 4,778,951: Arrays of Resistive Elements for use in Touch Panels and for Producing Electric Fields"

Update via The Bob Moog Foundation:
"August 21, 2009 -- A Moog Day of Rememberance and Celebration
When August 21st comes around each year, we pause to remember Bob and the remarkable legacy that he left for us all to enjoy. His impact is so widespread that people remember him in all kinds of ways that are meaningful to their particular connection with him. Take a moment today to pay tribute to Bob by:

* Connecting with Bob through your instrument. Lay down a killer lead on your synth or play an ethereal melody on your theremin.

* Listening to some of your favorite Moog tunes. Bob loved working with musicians and fed off their creative drive. He was often astonished at what they could do with his instruments.

* Going out and hear some live music tonight. Bob believed deeply in live music as a force that brings people together in community.

* Reading about Bob's life, work, and legacy. Visit the CaringBridge site and read Ileana Grams-Moog's reflection on today's significance.

* Supporting the Bob Moog Foundation. We carry Bob's legacy forward by inspiring and educating people through electronic music. Donate here so that we can continue our important work.


Today we also celebrate the Bob Moog Foundation's third anniversary of making waves. Next week we head to the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, CA for the opening of the first exhibit featuring Bob's archives. The exhibit, Waves of Inspiration. The Legacy of Moog, pays tribute to Bob's impact and celebrates his legacy, just as we are doing at the foundation today.


The Bob Moog Foundation

Make Waves by donating to the Bob Moog Foundation"

Update via Richard Lainhart in the comments:
"Here's a link to Part 1 of Jordan Rudess and Richard Lainhart's Moog Birthday Space Jam, from May 23, 2004, featuring an introduction by Bob Moog:

http://www.otownmedia.com/Polaris_Part_1.mp3 [link updated]

"50 years ago, American maverick inventor Robert Moog began developing electronic instruments that altered the course of modern music for all time and have since become an integral part of our musical culture. Jordan Rudess, keyboard virtuoso, and Richard Lainhart, synthesist extraordinaire, will be performing live online on Sunday, May 23, at 1 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time, to honor Bob Moog on his 70th birthday, and on the 50th anniversary of his company Moog Music. We'll be using old and new Moog instruments exclusively, including a vintage Mini-Moog, a modern Moog Voyager Mini-Moog, Arturia's Moog Modular V software, and a Moog Etherwave Theremin, in a classic electronic space improvisation streaming live on the Internet from O-Town Live."

Bob was a great man, and a good friend, and we still miss him."

Update: new flickr images in today

Vintage analog synthesizer - Moog

flickr by nra24

Below: moog hockey
Hmm...
flickr by theres no way home

Update: the Moog hockey table has been verified as real. You might remember the Moog phone. Note these were made by Moog in the 80s long after Bob Moog left the company.

Update via NOISECOLLECTIVE
Saint image below with Moog and Roland and: "Here are some pictures of my moog prodigy exposed @the past 'TORINO SYNTH CLINIC'"

Update on the hockey game via brian in the comments: "It's not called Moog hockey, but "Super Chexx" hockey. Sadly, the Super Chexx game has ALWAYS been collectible in the arcade world anyway, due to it's clear plastic bubble look and the sound effects.

With "sound by Moog" written up there at the top as I recall. It sounds REALLY bad, but grainy as hell in a good way. I'd be surprised if it was 8-bit. More like 4..."

PARAPHONIC MOOG VOYAGER - ipad app Patch Morpher

Published on Jun 29, 2014 jerry dibella·27 videos

iTunes: Patch Morpher - Richard Meyer - the app supports other synths as well.

"Play the Moog Voyager paraphonically - addressing each of its three oscillators independently!"

Video description: "Little demo of the Paraphonic Scene for the Moog Voyager in the iPad app "Patch Morpher" from Jazzman Ltd. This is not just an editor and a patch morpher allows to create new sound morphing from one sound to another, but allows your Moog Voyager to become a real paraphonic synthesizer, with all the three oscillators perfectly in tune!

Piccola demo dell'app per iPad "Patch Morpher" di Jazzman Ltd.
L'app non è soo un semplice editor per vari sintetizzatori tra cui il Voyager (la licenza costa circa 8 dollari ed è presente per il prophet 12, prophet 08, blofeld waldorf e tanti altri) ma oltre alla creazione di nuove patch unendo i vari suoni presenti, permette con la scena "paraphonic" al Voyager di diventare un synth parafonico, con i tre oscillatori che si accordano automaticamente a seconda dell'accordo suonato. Soccia ragaz, che roba!
consigliatissima!"

Minimoog Voyager Select Series to be Phased Out with Price Drop

via Moog Music
"Moog has announced its plans to discontinue production of the Minimoog Voyager Select Series, the top selling backlit analog synthesizer of all time.
Over the last 6 years the Select Series has been used in studios and on stages around the globe. Whether it’s Madonna, Dr. Dre, Alicia Keys, CeeLo Green, Lady Gaga or Sugarland, the custom combinations of color and finish reflects the unique aesthetic and personality of its owner. Moog will continue building the Select Series through the end of the year, with the final Select Series leaving the factory on Jan 1, 2013.

This is the last chance ever for prospective buyers to purchase a Select Series Voyager, but it will also be their best chance. During the remaining months of production, Moog has reduced the selling price on all Select Series Voyagers from $3,659 to $2,999.

“We felt it was important to give musicians who had always dreamt of customizing a handcrafted Voyager a final chance to build one at an unprecedented price," said Mike Adams, CEO Moog Music Inc. “We are a small company that still builds by hand, so sometimes we have to make hard decisions about ending the life of even our most favorite products. However, history has shown that discontinued Minimoogs, like the Model D and the Old School, have a tendency to become highly sought after collector's items. I'm sure we'll see them on stages and in studios for years to come.” said Adams.

The discontinuation of the Select Series comes just as Moog begins celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Minimoog Voyager. The first Minimoog Voyager introduced the world to the next generation of analog synthesizers in 2002. To honor this milestone, Moog has created an interactive ten-year retrospective containing the untold history of the Voyager, artist profiles and performances, free gifts, and other announcements that are yet to come.

Minimoog Voyager Select Series will be gone by 2013. Until that time the price has been reduced from $3,659 to $2,999. Available direct from the Moog website or your favorite Moog Dealer."

Only 12 Days Left for Bob Moog Foundation Raffle

"Time Running Out to Enter to Win One-of-a-Kind Moogfest Voyager Synthesizer

November 19, 2012 (Asheville, NC) -- There are only 12 days left to enter the Bob Moog Foundation’s raffle for the Minimoog Voyager synthesizer signed by a host of artists and panelists who performed or spoke at Moogfest 2012. The four week raffle began on November 2, 2012 and ends at 11:59pm on November 30, 2012 or until all 700 tickets are sold, whichever comes first. Tickets are $20 each or six for $100 and are available for purchase through the Bob Moog Foundation’s online store. All proceeds benefit the education and historical preservation initiatives of the Foundation. The winner will be drawn on Monday, December 3, 2012.

Donated to the Bob Moog Foundation by Moog Music, Inc., the Moogfest Voyager is the Electric Blue Edition featuring a gorgeous electric blue backlit panel and fractal blue (black with tiny blue specks) solid ash cabinet. The retail price of this award-winning instrument is over $3,500.

The following Moogfest 2012 artists and panelists signed the Voyager, making it a one-of-a-kind collectors item:

Squarepusher, Nas, Ana Sia, Shpongle, Paul and Phil Hartnoll of Orbital, the Magnetic Fields, Santigold, Thomas Dolby, GZA, Richard Devine, Carl Craig, Miike Snow, Les Claypool of Primus, Bear in Heaven, Explosions in the Sky, Morton Subotnick, Richie Hawtin, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Alessandro Cortini, Chad Hugo, Herb Deutsch, and the team that created the Robert Moog Google Doodle, released on May 23, 2012, Moog's 78th birthday.

Ryan Germick, Lead Designer from the Google Doodle team, crafted a miniature replica of the now infamous “Goog” browser synthesizer on the back of the Voyager.

The Minimoog Voyager, designed by Bob Moog himself and released in 2002, is an updated version of the original Minimoog with 21st century advantages to carry the archetype into the future. The Voyager is the definitive American synthesizer, a lovingly hand-crafted, monophonic, monotimbral high performance instrument with enormous sonic range and possibilities. From its famous ladder filters to its innovative Touch Surface Controller, the Minimoog Voyager is the ultimate in analog. – Moog Music, Inc. website."