MATRIXSYNTH: MOOG The Source


Wednesday, January 09, 2008

MOOG The Source


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"The Moog Source is a monophonic microprocessor-controlled analog synthesizer manufactured by Moog Music from 1981 to 1985. The Source was Moog's first synthesizer to offer patch memory storage. The design was also the first (and only) Moog synthesizer to feature a flat-panel membrane keyboard to replace the standard buttons, knobs and sliders.

In addition to the memory capable of holding 16 presets, the Source features a 37-note keyboard, and two VCOs that can be selected between three waveforms and three octaves. Programmed presets can be saved to a cassette interface to free up the onboard memory for additional new patches. The 24dB/octave VCF has parameters for keyboard tracking, cutoff frequency, resonance, and envelope amount. There are two ADSR envelope generators that can be set in single or multi trigger modes, one for the VCF and one for the VCA. For modulation, the Source features LFO and sample and hold.

Features:
* 2-VCO
* Micro-processor-controlled
* Programmable monophonic synthesizer
* 16 memory locations
* 3-octave, 37-note (C-C) keyboard
* Arpeggiator and a digital sequencer with memory for two seqences of up to 64 notes
* First to use digital parameter access for programming, a method now commonly found in today's synthesizers, using membrane switches, a two-digit LED display and a single data knob
* VCOs have three available waveforms (sawtooth, triangle, and pulse; with pulse width modulation) and three available octaves (32', 16', and 8'). VCO2 can be detuned at fixed intervals and it can be also synced to VCO1
* Mixer section features levels for VCO1, VCO2 and Noise
* VCF (24dB/octave) has parameters for keyboard tracking (off, 1/2, and full), cutoff frequency, resonance, and contour (Moog's word for envelope) amount
* Two ADSR envelope generators, one for the VCF and one for the VCA
* Envelopes can be set in single or multi trigger modes
* LFO (triangle and square waveforms) can be routed to the VCOs and the VCF
* Sample-and-hold can be routed to the VCF
* To the left of the keyboard is the pitch bend and the modulation wheel, along with two octave-switching buttons
* These and a volume knob are the only dedicated controls.
* Back panel includes audio out, cassette interface, a recessed pitch knob (for fine tuning), and CV and S-trigger inputs and outputs
* 16 factory pre-sets are: Lead 1, Lead 2, Horn, Flute, Clav Bass, Vibes, String Bass, Harpsichord, Organ, Trill Voice, Taurus, Synthevox, Sax, Wind, Snare Drum, and Lead 1 (duplicated here so that if you wanted to, you could use this extra slot to move patches around).
* Programs are saved and loaded via a cassette interface.
* 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 cassette-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.
* 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.
* Parameters are edited not with hands-on sliders and knobs but by assigning a selected parameter to the dedicated data wheel.
* Those famous monophonic Moog sounds are still inside this synth which has two fat analog oscillators and the legendary 24 dB Moog filter."

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