Moog Song Producer

Remember the Moog Song Producer? Click here for more shots pulled via this auction.

via adrien.

Details from the auction:
"It is a midi interface(4out / 1in / 1 thru) for the Commodore 64. It also has 8 trigger outs, clock in/out and foot switch control. It has a faux cartridge which is how it interfaces with the c64. It includes software an extensive manual and schematics."

Update via Gerald in the comments:
"I have one of these. Someone found a warehouse of them and put them up on ebay a couple years ago. You can tell this one is from this lot by the box's water damage. Although it is cool beyond cool, it doesn't work with any of the existing SID-midi software such as Triad's Midislave. I believe that it would be next to trivial for Midislave to be changed to work with the Moog, but alas the author seemed annoyed by the request. Since there are at least 20-30 of these midi interfaces in existence, it may in fact out number the Sequential Circuits, Datel, and Passport catridges.

The software is painful... not particularly graphical, with keyboard shortcuts galore. The best thing about the software is that it is an early example of open source... they encourage you to copy as often as you like."

Moog Song Producer

Update: Interesting comment in from Bohus Blahut:
"These aren't actually rare at all. I've seen them on Ebay dozens of times. I think that I got mine for $30 a few years back. I haven't used it yet (know how that feels?), but it is an amazing package. The thing that wouod make it even more amazing is if Moog had ever come out with the device mentioned in the manual; an analog sound module. How hip would that be?"

That would be pretty hip. : )

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Interesting bit of gear up on the *bay. Title link takes you the auction pictures saved for posterity. I found this via the C64 Blog. Pretty interesting piece.



Notes from the auction:
A super-rare Moog Song Producer MIDI and Trigger interface for the Commodore 64, with sequencing and MIDI-processing software. The Moog Song Producer boasts:

· 1 MIDI in

· 1 MIDI thru

· 4 (!) MIDI outs

· 8 drum trigger outs

· 2 Footswitch ins

· 1 Clock/sync in

· 1 Clock/sync out

Wow! That means the Song Producer’s capable of interfacing your MIDI and pre-MIDI gear. What’s most amazing about this package, though, is that it’s mint in box. Just check out the photos. It comes complete, with:

· Song Producer hardware interface

· Connection cable (it plugs into the Commodore 64’s expansion port)

· Ring-bound manual with software disk

· Original warranty card

· Technical service information leaflet (includes schematic, picture of circuit-board layout and complete parts-list)

· Quick-start/introductory guide

· Service-locations poster/leaflet

· Original quality-control slip (yes, it passed!)

In its condition (immaculate), the Moog Song Producer simply makes a great piece of memorabilia (as one person said: “I cannot imagine anything with a higher coolness factor: Something for the Commodore 64 with the Moog logo.”), but I used it with its supplied software. Perhaps most excitingly, though, is the possibility that – with the detailed technical information included – a competent C64 programmer could use it to control the C64’s SID chip through MIDI, as it just runs on a stock Commodore with a stock interface (the cartridge – ‘expansion’ – port).