Minimoog-style Lead Sounds - Inspired by Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, & the sounds of the seventies

video upload by AJH Synth Official

"These are just sound examples, but I am not a keyboardist, so please don't expect any Rick Wakeman/Keith Emerson keyboard wizardry. The intention is just to illustrate the kind of tones that can be created with the basic MiniMod voice in Minimoog configuration (Glide, 3 VCO's, Ladder Filter, etc), along with some overdrive/distortion from driving the audio levels hard.

Generally, input levels significantly beyond 12 O'clock (50%) on the Ladder Filter or Discrete Cascaded VCA should start to apply more overdrive to the audio from the VCO's or other Eurorack level signals. This will noticeably change the character of the sound at extreme settings.

The GAIN SWITCH module is also used a couple of times here, as it conveniently activates the high-gain mode featured on both the Transistor Ladder Filter & Discrete Cascaded VCA modules, which is otherwise set by jumpers on the rear of the modules. Using the Gain Switch just means you don't need to pop the module out to enable/disable the feature. Audio-rate modulation of VCO3 from VCO1 is added at a couple of points... just because it sounds good, not necessarily because it was commonly used in famous lead sounds.

Rick Wakeman has famously used the Minimoog throughout his career, whereas Keith Emerson is equally associated with the Moog modular system that preceded it. Since the AJH Synth MiniMod system is directly based on the early, more desirable R.A.Moog version of the Minimoog, whilst also being fully modular, this makes it an excellent choice for recreating the sounds of those original, iconic instruments, and going way beyond it in the world of Eurorack.

Video by DreamsOfWires"

Mellotron Beer Review Hop Butcher For The World

video upload by Rat’s Beer Review

This one was spotted and sent my way via John L Rice who had the following to say about it:

"It’s a video from a guy who does reviews of beer. The one he reviewed happens to be called “Mellotron” but the image art on the can seems to be a caricature of Keith Emerson’s Moog modular from the mid 70‘s?! 😄 It really cool art and I wouldn’t mind having a t-shirt or poster of that! I looked around and the beer only seems available in South Carolina?"

Sign me up for a T as well.

See the Synth Beer label below for additional posts featuring synths and beer.

ANTOINE BARIL'S ONE MAN ELP: Backstage Pass @ EMEAPP

video upload by EMEAPP

"After over two years in the making, we are proud to be a part of the One Man ELP project; the brainchild of the amazingly talented Antoine Baril of Québec, Canada. As with his previous "One Man" videos that he has released over the last 7 years (Rush, Genesis, Yes), his attention to detail and accuracy is second to none and it was amazing to watch him at work within our walls for an intense week of keyboard craziness in July 2022. Along with his amazing videographer Paul DiGiacomo, they captured some stunning footage and audio to make this epic video project one for the ages. It was a blast to play a supporting role in this, we gave full access of our Keith Emerson keyboard rig (as well as our extensive collection of vintage analog synths) to Antoine and it was like turning a kid loose in a candy store, a cornucopia of awesomeness! Join us for an exclusive backstage peek at some of the recording processes and video shoots during this one week period. The ELP material he performed and recorded runs Then EMEAPP's executive director Drew Raison will take you on an up close and personal tour of all the keyboards and synthesizers that were used in this project.

Complete list below:

Yamaha GX1 (6:55)
Keith Emerson’s Hammond/Goff C3 w/dual Leslie 122s (7:13)
Keith Emerson’s Split Moog Minimoog Model D (7:51)
Keith Emerson's Hammond L100 (8:09)
Moog Minimoog Model D Pair (Bernie Worrell's Minimoog on right) (8:45)
Keith Emerson’s Moog Modular Synthesizer (9:16)
Mellotron M400 (9:39)
Oberheim Eight Voice (9:58)
Oberheim OB-X/OB-Xa (10:20)
ARP Quadra (10:55)
KORG PS-3300 (11:06)
Moog Taurus I (11:22)
Hohner Clavinet L (11:34)
KORG M1 (11:55)
Keith Emerson’s Steinway Model D (12:10)"

SWITCHED ON - BOB MOOG AND THE SYNTHESIZER REVOLUTION - Forward by Francis Ford Coppola

Francis Ford Coppola is into synths? Both the Moog Modular and Steiner EVI were used in the soundtrack for Apocalypse Now. See here for a couple of mentioning the story.

As for the book, detail via The Bob Moogfoundation, where you can pre-order it, follow:

SWITCHED ON - BOB MOOG AND THE SYNTHESIZER REVOLUTION PRE-ORDER

BY ALBERT GLINSKY

PUBLISHED BY OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

FOREWORD BY FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA

The Moog synthesizer "bent the course of music forever" Rolling Stone declared.

Bob Moog, the man who did that bending, was a lovable geek with Einstein hair and pocket protectors. He walked into history in 1964 when his homemade contraption unexpectedly became a sensation---suddenly everyone wanted a Moog. The Beatles, The Doors, The Byrds, Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, Yes, Stevie Wonder, and many more discovered his synthesizer, and it came to be featured in seminal film scores including A Clockwork Orange and Apocalypse Now . The Moog's game-changing sounds saturated 60's counterculture and burst into the disco party scene in the 70's to set off the electronic dance music movement. Bob had single-handedly founded the synth industry and become a star in the process.

KEITH EMERSON'S 1973 MODULAR MOOG - Handmade Miniature 1/6 scale

video upload by Ronaldo Lopes Teixeira ROLT

ELP’s HOEDOWN: LIVE @ EMEAPP FEAT. MANTICORE w/KEITH EMERSON’S MOOG MODULAR AND HAMMOND/GOFF C3

video upload by EMEAPP

"As mentioned in past videos, EMEAPP feels a deep responsibility to share our historically significant collection of rare, unusual and artist-used musical equipment with the world. As a part of this, we have opened up our doors to several tribute groups that are dedicated to recreating the music of great acts accurately and with the utmost respect to the source material. We are heavily involved in preserving the legacy of Emerson, Lake & Palmer and we do get behind those who share a similar mindset. The Long Island based group Manticore for example is one of the primary acts that is dedicated to paying tribute to the music of Emerson, Lake & Palmer and they have become a part of the EMEAPP fold. Here is the group (Rob Shepard on Keyboards, John Cristando on Drums and Ron Ponella on Bass) performing their high-energy rendition of “Hoedown” from ELP’s third studio album “Trilogy” (celebrating it’s 50th anniversary on July 6, 2022). The rig for this shoot prominently features Keith Emerson’s legendary Moog Modular Synthesizer and heavily modded Hammond/Goff C3 with dual Leslie 122 cabinets, as well as Greg Lake’s legendary stage used Persian carpet!

You can find us at www.emeapp.org where we invite you to join us as a member."

Rather Have the Story - The RHS podcasts w/ Steve Porcaro, Matt Fink, & Roger Manning

video upload by Rather Have the Story - The RHS podcast

"'Let's do it...'
- This week we welcome Steve Porcaro, of Toto, of film and TV scoring, co-author of "Human Nature" for Michael Jackson, session musician - and much more.

We talk about the world and work of session musicians, Jeff Porcaro growing up and in the studio, the Rosanna solo, making the Toto albums in the studio, our tributes to the GREAT Keith Emerson, film and TV scoring, James Newton Howard, Roger Linn, Greg Ladanyi, Tommy Mars...

The Roland Microcomposer and early sequencers and synths, the venerable Yamaha CS80, DS1 and 2, the DX7, Polyfusion modular synthesizers, "The Blip" (Steve's creation of complex attack sounds) based upon Frank Zappa and his synthesizer horn sound, and much more!

"Back To You", from Steve's solo album (Someday/Somehow) features, Steve/Mike/Jeff Porcaro together: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yCZC...

*** See the rack of gear I set upon Steve's old keyboard stand at 58:17. Brownie points for all the weird stuff you can identify in the photo - drop a comment if you spot something!"

Rather Have the Story: Matt Fink = Dr Fink of Prince and the Revolution

video upload by Rather Have the Story - The RHS podcast

"This week we have the iconic musician, the longtime keyboard player for Prince and the Revolution, Matt Fink aka Dr. Fink.

We explore some of the lesser-known parts of Dr. Matt's life: Cool unknown bands from Minneapolis, the long evolution of the Dr. Fink character, vintage keyboards of the '70s, albums with meat on the cover, tribute bands, AC/DC, The Revolution reunited, When Doves Cry video, K-TEL Records, A Clockwork Orange, and (of course) working with Prince.

Stay tuned, more coming each week. We've got a lot of great guests coming, both known and unknown. Like and Subscribe, if you will - and we'll see you next time!

Thanks to Andra Fink, Max Fink, Liesl Bradner in the Peanut Gallery.
Closing Music: "1999" by Dr. Fink, "Old Boston" by Sir George Martin

MUSICIANS: Transfer your old tapes and media to digital at www.RoundAndWound.com"

Rather Have the Story podcast - ROGER MANNING: Pt1 (Beck, Jellyfish, Moog Cookbook, etc!)

video upload by Rather Have the Story - The RHS podcast

"The one, the only (almost, we discuss this) ROGER MANNING.

Incredibly talented and positive soul, RJMJ joins us for a great chat about music stuff. Great stories of digging for the then-unwanted "old keyboards" and what one does with them...

Join us for Part 1 (of likely 647 more episodes where RJMJ will return).

You will hear about vocal harmonies, classic arranging, French music, Beck, Jellyfish, and not much else - because we have a lot more to come when he returns later (like Lickerish Quartet, Imperial Drag, The Moog Cookbook, Load, Malibu, TV Eyes, Roger Joseph Manning Jr, Morrissey, Blink 192... and on and on.)

The Was Not Was song we discuss was finally released nearly 15 years later, on their Boo! album. That track is "From the Head to the Heart" - hear it here in finished form. String quartet, Orchestron Cello, Mellotron flutes! https://youtu.be/FnnU2Cx3w9s"

EMEAPP Synthesizer Museum Featured on the FOX 29 Philadelphia News

Synthesizer Museum: Musician creates home for iconic instrument video upload by FOX 29 Philadelphia

"A former musician has created a home for the synthesizer -an instrument with a sound that defined 80's pop music. Philadelphia news, weather, traffic and sports from FOX 29, serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Watch breaking news live or see the latest videos from programs like Good Day Philadelphia."

It looks like they picked up Rick Wakeman's synths as well as Keith Emerson's Moog modular.

You can find additional posts mentioning EMEAPP here.

The 'Keith Emerson' Moog 901 series oscillator and controller...

video upload by noddyspuncture

"Less than a year after Keith got his Moog Modular, Bob extensively modified his 901 series oscillators and oscillator controllers. He made them much more stable, solid and reliable tuning wise. There are drawings of schematics of his modifications, which are dated February 1971. I have built a 901A oscillator controller and also a 901B oscillator from these drawings and here is the first time I fired them up and got them to work. Initially they didn't work because I discovered that the FET transistor - which I had bought over a year ago and was still in it's 'anti-static' bag - was actually dead..! It probably originated from China...? I can't remember. Anyways, after installing a generic (the wrong) FET from my stock it all started making noises. Of course, being the wrong component it now won't calibrate according to the instructions but I did manage to tweak the calibration controls by ear to get it to play on one of the octave settings. When I manage to source a good FET of the correct type I'm sure it will all behave as intended - or at least I hope so...!"

KEITH EMERSON'S NEW MODULAR MOOG - Handmade Miniatures 1/6 scale

video by Ronaldo Lopes Teixeira ROLT

See the miniature label below for more.

Honoring the Indelible Keith Emerson on the Fifth Anniversary of His Passing

video by moogfoundation

"Today we pay respect to a spirit who touched so many lives and hearts.

'Keith Emerson was more than his music. He was more than massive modular synthesizers, knives in organs, incomparable keyboard technique, savant-level musicianship, and spinning pianos. Keith Emerson was a fearless, revolutionary visionary who used technology and the transcendental language of music to demonstrate for all of us that surmounting monumental challenges could reap rewards of cosmic proportion.' - Michelle Moog-Koussa

To read the tribute from 2016, visit https://moogfoundation.org/michelle-m...​

Music:
'Synthphonic'
Robert Schindler/Robeone
Robeone Music BMI"

Live! @ EMEAPP- RACHEL FLOWERS performs TARKUS on Keith Emerson's gear!

video by EMEAPP

Update: full performance here.

"Keith Emerson would have been proud to see keyboardist Rachel Flowers tear up his song TARKUS on his own stage gear! Check out Rachel taking Keith's custom Moog synthesizer for a ride along with his custom Goff Professional Hammond C3 organ. This performance is from a live event at the Electronic Music Education and Preservation Project (EMEAPP"

Also see Rachel Flowers on the Modular Moog - intro by Keith Emerson. You can find additional posts featuring EMEAPP here.

Moog Matriarch: Exploring Stereo Delay and Modulation

Published on Sep 26, 2019 Getsemani Music

"Put on your finest headphones as we explore the new Moog Matriarch. Today we'll focus on experimenting with the built in stereo delay and modulation modules. This demo uses no external effects and no special patching, just using the Matriarch's default internal wiring. We ended up with some interesting spacy effects, and sounds ranging from the delicate to shredding with some reminiscence of Emerson's modular."

Vintage Aries 300 Series Modular Synthesizer with 61 key Control Keyboard

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

via this auction

"What you are looking at is a special instrument.

300 Series Modules
The core of this system is five modules from the Aries 300 Series. There is one VCO module, one VCF module, one EG module, one VCA module, and one Clock/Noise/S&H generator. Yes, this is basic; here are the module names:

AR-317 VCO
AR-312 EG
AR-314 VCF
AR-316 VCA
AR-318 SH/Clock/Noise Generator
But of course, that's only the core. This system is bookended with some interesting devices. To say that it is "modified" would really be an understatement. It has been lovingly built by a lifelong musician.

The great thing about this system is that it was used by a professional musician as part of his home studio and performance rig for decades. It's often the case with these vintage units that they have aged poorly due to being left for decades in a closet or basement or whatever. But this was used consistently over its lifetime, up to the time of its builder's death. It has been played, as pieces like this need to be.

As you can see, the VCO module has been modified to include a further fine-tuned frequency control, right in the middle of the four knobs.

The Sound

There are an enormous number of modular and semi-modular systems available for musicians right now; the possibilities are almost endless. However, this has an edge that many modern synths don't have: the sound. These modules together sound much more like an ARP 2600 or vintage Moog modular than anything currently on the market. In fact, the sound of the filter is somewhere between Moog modular and early ARP filter. This probably isn't a coincidence, since Aries was a DIY synth-kit company founded by a former member of ARP in Massachusetts.

CLICK FOR MORE »

EMEAPP: KEITH EMERSON'S MOOG MODULAR SYNTH DEMO

Published on Apr 16, 2019 EMEAPP

"A live demo of Keith Emerson's actual Moog modular synthesizer, from your good friends at EMEAPP."

THE RIVER Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer & More Handmade Miniature Synths

Published on Mar 30, 2019 Ronaldo Lopes Teixeira ROLT

And more: (I believe I've posted some of these in the past - here's the full set - see the miniature label at the bottom of this post for others)



Update: the list:
MINI KORG 2 - HANDMADE MINIATURE
HANDMADE CLASSIC KEYBOARDS COLLECTION MINIATURES by Rolt
Making a Mellotron M400 Miniature
MINI MOOG MODEL D - HANDMADE MINIATURE
ARP ODYSSEY HANDMADE MINIATURE
HAMMOND B3 ORGAN HANDMADE MINIATURE
FENDER RHODES SUITCASE PIANO - HANDMADE MINIATURE
PROPHET 5 - HANDMADE MINIATURE
WURLITZER ELECTRA PIANO (BEIGE) - HANDMADE MINIATURE
HOHNER CLAVINET D6 - HANDMADE MINIATURE
MOOG LIBERATION - HANDMADE MINIATURE
Celeste - CLASSIC HANDMADE PROG KEYBOARDS

CLICK FOR MORE »

SYNTH-WERK SW905 5U Reverberation Module Now Available

via SYNTH-WERK

"The SW905 Reverberation Unit utilizes a dual spring type acoustic delay line to produce a succession of decaying echoes of an audio signal. A single panel control determines the ratio between the amounts of reverberated and non-reverberated signals that appear at the output jack. In addition the SW905 offers two modes of operation:

Regular mode
the relative amount of the echo signal and direct signal can be continuously changed from 100% direct signal to 100% echo signal.

„Emerson“ modification
the output signal is continuously mixed with the direct signal and the knob on the faceplate controls the level of the mix. The direct signal is passed through unaffected.

Both modes of operation can be selected on the board of the module.

MUSICAL APPLICATION
When a dynamically varying signal is applied to the input of the SW905, the output will consist of a series of closely spaced echoes, the subjective effect of which is similar to that of reverberation of sound. When a static signal is applied to the input of the SW905, the output will also be static. The SW905 will perform in this application like a formant filter, strongly coloring the timbre of any signal with appreciable harmonic content."

Update: for those curious why there isn't a switch for the two modes on the front pannel, I asked SYNTH-WERK and they replied with the following: "As you know we reproduce the Moog modules 100% like the original and therefore it is our policy not to add additional functionality on the front panel. We have a lot of customers using SYNTH-WERK modules to complete an existing Moog System and this requires 100% Moog from the outside and the inside.

And…You are right the Emerson Moog had a modified 905 including an additional Input…But…We are always discussing what is the right approach.

The next level of SYNTH-WERK will be an answer to the question „what would have happened if the Modular 900 series would still be alive with Robert Moog?“ How would actual modules look like…And we have already a couple of answers."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Vintage Moog Modular Demo | NAMM 2019

Published on Jan 28, 2019 Under the Big Tree

"Electronic Musician Walter Holland shows us his gorgeous Moog Modular - a synthesizer that has been in continuous use since 1967. Previously owned by Patrick Gleeson and Don Preston, this instrument is a thing of beauty. Musician Michael Gough then shows us how it's done, tickling the ivories in an improvisation that would make the late Keith Emerson proud."

1964 Modular Moog Synthesizer To Be Inducted To The TECnology Hall Of Fame In 2019

This one was spotted and sent in via Atomic Shadow.

via Forbes.com:

"At the 2019 NAMM Show, to be held in Anaheim, California, eight hugely significant audio inventions will be inducted to the TECnology Hall of Fame (THOF). Founder of the THOF, George Petersen announced the eight products for induction.

The inventions were chosen span from a period covering the 1940s to the present day. The event was presented by the NAMM Museum of Making Music and hosted by Petersen, a veteran pro-audio journalist.

The eight TECnology Hall of Fame inductees for 2019 include: the anechoic audio test chamber (Leo Beranek, 1943); beyerdynamic M160 ribbon microphone (1957), Bell Labs’ electret microphone patent (1964), Robert Moog’s 1964 Modular Moog Synthesizer; iZ Technology’s RADAR (24-track disk recorder, 1991); Meyer Sound Labs Source Independent Measurement (SIM) system (1991); Millennia Media HV-3 microphone preamplifier (1992), and the JBL Professional VerTec line array live sound system (2000)"

On Moog:

"Each inductee represents significant milestones and fascinating histories. The late Robert Moog is a household name for his music synthesizer development. His Modular Moog quickly became adopted by The Beatles, The Monkees, The Rolling Stones, Keith Emerson, and Wendy Carlos’ landmark Switched on Bach album."

Also note both Bob Moog and the Moog ladder filter were previously inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame:

BOB MOOG INDUCTED INTO INVENTORS HALL OF FAME
The Moog Ladder Filter - National Inventors Hall of Fame for Patent No 3475623

Rare Vintage Moog System 55 & LHC Modular Controller

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

This one is in via a supporting member of the site. You can find the Moog System 55 listed here, and the left hand controller listed here.

Details on each follow:

"Vintage Moog 55 Modular Synthesizer - now being sold separately from the LHC at a ***hugely reduced price*** - seriously tempting for an original machine with known provenance. An all original vintage Moog 55 Modular Synthesizer. (Note: The incredibly rare factory-custom-made LHC “Left Hand Controller” 3 wheel box has been moved to a separate listing) . This is a complete Vintage Moog 55 Modular Synthesizer that was special ordered directly from Moog in 1979 and delivered to the original owner in 1980. The modules inside show they were assembled between 1974-1980. There have only been 3 owners of this 55... we are all good friends and have worked with many of the same recording artists in LA. This modular sounds amazing and huge! There are several advantages to the Vintage Modular Moog including holding its value, and appreciating over time. This 55 was serviced and restored a few years ago (around ‘09) by Keith Emerson’s Moog tech. Every detail was checked and tested including (fresh keyboard bushings/quiet) etc. It’s in very good shape inside and out. Sequencer is perfect. Has original back-panel perforated boards too. Front panels look great. Maybe 5 small scratches, mainly near screws. Cabinet overall very good: Minor wear. Top cabinet has corner chip around the back. I just tested every module this week and they are all good and sound great. It will leave here all working. Should be ready to play and record, but, since it has sat unused recently, you may wish to exercise the pots and use a jack burnisher here and there. This has a nice switchable power supply for use worldwide. System 55 Modules 5 x 902 Voltage-Controlled Amplifiers 1 x 903A Random Signal Generator 1 x 904A Voltage-Controlled Low-Pass Filter 1 x 904B Voltage-Controlled High-Pass Filter 5 x 911 Envelope Generators 1 x 911A Dual Trigger Delay 1 x 914 Fixed Filter Bank 1 x 921 Voltage-Controlled Oscillator 2 x 921A Oscillator Drivers 6 x 921B Oscillators 1 x 960 Sequential Controller 1 x 961 Interface 1 x 962 Sequential Switch 1 x 992 Control Voltage Panel 1 x 993 Trigger and Envelope Voltages Panel 1 x 994 Dual Multiples Panel 1 x 995 Attenuator 1 x CP2 Console Panel 3 x CP3A Console Panels 1 x CP8 Console Panel 1 x 350 Watt 120 VAC or 230 VAC Switch Selectable Power Supply"


"Ultra RARE Factory Custom Original Moog LHC. Left Hand Controller / 3 pitch-wheel box for Moog Modular. Likely only 2 made. The original owner custom ordered a Moog Modular 55 back in 1979. He asked the Moog company directly to custom-make this for him. They delivered it in 1980. It plugs into the back “accessory port” with a multi-pin connector. It can “normal” to most of the modular, and using switches and a patch or two, quickly set up the wheels for pitch-bends, vibrato, filter sweeps, volume swells, etc. It is a joy to use, works great, and really helps make the performance expressive. One other Moog Modular LHC was made for a famous Jazz artist, that is a friend of the original owner. It was told to me, by him, that there may have only been two of these made. This seems likely, since his was also one of the last modulars made during the original period (see other listing) and modular production stopped roughly a year later. There have only been 3 owners of the vintage Moog Modular 55 that this was custom made for (and that is listed separately today). We are all good friends and have worked with many of the same recording artists. I have never seen another... Nor has any other expert that has seen it! The original serial number and Moog “Custom LHC” tag is still attached to the bottom of the unit. Looks great, works great, highly collectible."