You might remember Electronic Perspectives: Vintage Electronic Musical Instruments by Tom Rhea previosly posted here.
Heath Finnie wrote in to remind me of the book and I noticed a few new pics of the inner pages have gone up on the Electronic Perspectives website. I thought they deserved a new post. If you are not familiar with the book, here are some details:
"Forty-five years in the making, Electronic Perspectives: Vintage Electronic Musical Instruments contains all of Tom Rhea’s fifty-two influential columns that were first published in Keyboard magazine from 1977-1981. This 400-page tome greatly expands on the original content with updated information and hundreds of newly restored images. Electronic Perspectives: Vintage Electronic Musical Instruments includes two CDs of unearthed recordings; spanning multiple eras of electronic music. All in a gold foil-embossed hardcover book, housed in a deluxe slipcase."
Note Tom Rhea helped design the Crumar Spirit with Bob Moog and Jill Scott. He also penned a few classic synthesizer user manuals. You can find additional posts mentioning him here.
Vintage Moog synth made in Williamsville, N.Y. 1976 serial #2641
32-key analog Monophonic synth.
One VCO with variable waveshape, which can be transposed 5 octaves/ sub-octave doubling/ Moog classic VCF with cutoff frequency, resonance and depth control of envelope generator/ Envelope generator has both Filter contour, and VCA contour. Attack, sustain, release times adjustable./ Modulation section allows for selecting source and sending it to VCO, VCO+VCF, or VCF only./ Noise generator, an LFO or sample+hold circuit can be selected as source./ Ribbon controller for pitch bend + modulation wheel./ Can process external audio in the VCF and VCA sections/ Portamento Glide 1 msec to 5 sec./ S+H auto and S+H keyboard triggered
Rear panel: -10 or +12db outputs/ S-Trig input+ output/ keyboard voltage out/ Filter input/ oscillator input/ audio input/ modulation input-output jack for external switch or pedal control
Serviced July 2023 by Bell Tone Synth Works " Replaced all key bushings, leveled all keys/ Cleaned all switch contacts, fine tuning pot, and mod wheel/ Calibrated oscillator tuning; tested all functions after stress testing and touched up oscillator tuning again." (see copy of service receipt in pix)
**Minor cosmetic damage. See pix. Left rear aluminum frame has dent. Left rear corner bottom chipboard base has some seperation.
Comes with original MicroMoog 100 page operation manual by Tom Rhea."
"Super Rare Bob Moog Designed Crumar Spirit Monosynth (the Italian Minimoog). Unique sounds, unique routings, excellent condition (minor marks, nothing major).
The Spirit synthesizer from Crumar was an analog synthesizer designed by Bob Moog, Jill Scott, and, Tom Rhea. It features 2 oscillators with basic sawtooth, triangle and square waves that can be synced together. The filter was highly regarded as well. the filter has low, high, and band-pass modes and is switchable between 12dB and 24dB slopes. Another plus is an independent envelope with key tracking. Other features are an external input, ring Modulator, and an arpeggiator with 3 patterns that could be synced with the LFO section."
"Rare, vintage Moog-Made Crumar Spirit in excellent working and cosmetic condition with original case. This is a prototype made for Crumar that never actually went into production. Depending on who you talk to, this is 1 of 100, or 1 of 200 units made. This is serial number 0078.
Designed by Bob Moog, Jim Scott & Tom Rhea and released back in 1983. The Spirit is similar to a 2 VCO MiniMoog, but is considerably more flexible. 37-note keyboard, and the 2 oscillators feature basic sawtooth, triangle and square waves and can be synced together.
The filter section features low, high, and band-pass filters and switchable 12dB or 24dB slopes. Other features of the filter include an independent envelope with inverted and normal ADSR, key tracking and single or multiple triggering of the filter. Some other features of the Spirit include a built-in ring-modulator, an Arpeggiator with 3 different patterns that can be linked to the LFO, and there's an external audio input for running external sounds through its filters, LFOs or Ring Mod.
24 knobs, 10 switches and 15 sliders. 3 performance wheels for controlling the Pitch, Mod-X and Shaper-Y modulation effects. The Arpeggiator features 3 modes: Ripple (Up/Down), Arpeggio (Up several octaves) and Leap (Goes up 1 and then 4 octaves)."
"The Crumar Spirit was originally designed by Bob Moog (himself), Jim Scott & Tom Rhea and released back in 1983. It is a full featured analog monophonic synthesizer with 2 VCO's so it's got a pretty fat tone, but not as much as the classic 3-VCO Minimoog. However it is considerably more flexible than the latter. It has a basic 37-note keyboard without velocity or aftertouch. The two oscillators feature basic sawtooth, triangle and square waves and can be synced together.
The filter section is very nice featuring low-, high- and band-pass filters and switchable 12dB or 24dB slopes. Other features of the filter include an independent envelope with inverted and normal ADSR, key tracking and single or multiple triggering of the filter. Some other features of the Spirit include a built-in ring-modulator, an Arpeggiator with 3 different patterns and that can be linked to the LFO, and there's an external audio input for running external sounds through its filters, LFOs or Ring Mod."
I think the seller is mixing up the Crumar Spirit with the DS2. From the listing:
"Der letzte von Robert Moog in den späten 70er Jahren entwickelte Synthesizer."
"The last synthesizer developed by Robert Moog in the late 70's."
Moog worked on the Crumar Spirit from 1983.
via Wikipedia: "In 1978, Crumar released their first full-fledged synthesizer, the DS-2, which had one of the earliest digitally controlled oscillators (DCO).[2] Crumar synthesizers are comparable and contemporaneous to Moog synthesizers and other analog synthesizers; in fact, the Crumar Spirit synthesizer (1983) was designed by Bob Moog himself, along with Minimoog co-designer Jim Scott and Tom Rhea (who wrote Moog manuals)."
“A Love-Letter for Fans of Electronic Musical Instruments”
… from one of the foremost historians in the field, Dr. Tom Rhea.
Forty-five years in the making, Electronic Perspectives: Vintage Electronic Musical Instruments contains all of Tom Rhea’s fifty-two influential columns that were first published in Keyboard magazine from 1977-1981. This 400-page tome greatly expands on the original content with updated information and hundreds of newly restored images. Electronic Perspectives: Vintage Electronic Musical Instruments includes two CDs of unearthed recordings; spanning multiple eras of electronic music. All in a gold foil-embossed hardcover book, housed in a deluxe slipcase.
Electronic Perspectives: Vintage Electronic Musical Instruments is in pre-production. Price/release date to be determined.
This one was sent my way via Brian Kehew who tells me it will feature the "first Buchla and Moog recordings ever made (both unreleased) as well as Con Brio, etc." See the link above for full details including video featuring the inside of the book. It's a beauty.
"The Crumar Spirit was originally designed by Bob Moog (himself), Jim Scott & Tom Rhea and released back in 1983. It is a full featured analog monophonic synthesizer with 2 VCO's so it's got a pretty fat tone, but not as much as the classic 3-VCO Minimoog. However it is considerably more flexible than the latter. It has a basic 37-note keyboard without velocity or aftertouch. The two oscillators feature basic sawtooth, triangle and square waves and can be synced together.
The filter section is very nice featuring low-, high- and band-pass filters and switchable 12dB or 24dB slopes. Other features of the filter include an independent envelope with inverted and normal ADSR, key tracking and single or multiple triggering of the filter. Some other features of the Spirit include a built-in ring-modulator, an Arpeggiator with 3 different patterns and that can be linked to the LFO, and there's an external audio input for running external sounds through its filters, LFOs or Ring Mod.
This one is in very good cosmetic and technical condition. 2 slider caps are lost. See the pictures. 100 % working. 220 volt version. No cracking sliders."
"Super Rare Bob Moog Designed Crumar Spirit Monosynth. Unique sounds, unique routings, excellent condition (minor marks, nothing major). The written specs don’t do the sonics of this one justice..
The Spirit synthesizer from Crumar was an analog synthesizer designed by Bob Moog, Jill Scott, and, Tom Rhea. It features 2 oscillators with basic sawtooth, triangle and square waves that can be synced together. The filter was highly regarded as well. the filter has low, high, and band-pass modes and is switchable between 12dB and 24dB slopes. Another plus is an independent envelope with key tracking. Other features are an external input, ring Modulator, and an arpeggiator with 3 patterns that could be synced with the LFO section."
"#085 of 200 units ever made!! This is a special piece of analog synth history. One of the rarest most exotic monophonic synths ever made.
The Crumar Spirit was originally designed by Bob Moog (himself), Jim Scott & Tom Rhea and released back in 1983. It is a full featured analog semi-modular monophonic synthesizer with 2 VCO's so it's got a pretty fat tone that is considerably more flexible than the Minimoog. It has a basic 37-note keyboard. The two oscillators feature basic sawtooth, triangle and square waves and can be synced together.
The filter section is very nice featuring low-, high- and band-pass filters and switchable 12dB or 24dB slopes. Other features of the filter include an independent envelope with inverted and normal ADSR, key tracking and single or multiple triggering of the filter. Some other features of the Spirit include a built-in ring-modulator, an Arpeggiator with 3 different patterns and that can be linked to the LFO, and there's an external audio input for running external sounds through its filters, LFOs or Ring Mod.
For the hands-on approach, the Spirit is sure to please. There are 24 knobs, 10 switches and 15 sliders to start. There are 3 performance wheels for controlling the Pitch, Mod-X and Shaper-Y modulation effects (see LFO specs below). Using those with the Arpeggiator can get pretty wild. The Arpeggiator features 3 modes: Ripple (Up/Down), Arpeggio (Up several octaves) and Leap (Goes up 1 and then 4 octaves). There are also Auto and preset Glide modes for getting some elasticity or bending effects. Since all the LFOs, envelopes and filters are quite flexible you are sure to get some weird noises, fat basses, synths, etc. with the Spirit."
"I'm selling my vintage Micromoog that I've owned for about 40 years. I've used it mostly for left-hand bass and wired in a jack on the bottom to accommodate a Yamaha BP-1 bass pedal unit (13 notes, lower C to one octave up). The keyboard was rebuilt in late 2015 with all new rubber bushings using the proper Dow Corning lubricant. The keyboard action feels like new. The potentiometers and switches were cleaned at the same time. Everything works as expected and the unit sounds great.
Note the following:
1) The ribbon controller has a small tear near the bottom as can be seen in the photos, but it works fine and doesn't affect the functionality.
2) The white rectangular area to the left of the Moog logo (on the back) is from an adhesive label I had there at one time. I wasn't able to get it off with a mild adhesive remover, but a stronger one may work.
Included in the sale is the original "preliminary" operation manual from Moog dated July 1975, a Micromoog operation manual by Tom Rhea, some extra rubber keyboard bushings and a like-new Gator case."
"This auction is for a Moog Micromoog model keyboard synthesizer. Item is used in good working condition, keyboard keys all good, complete with all top panel knobs and switches. Also includes the original Viking padded road case, an the operations manual by Tom Rhea. Overall an excellent original example, shows few signs of use. Road case measures 27 x 18 x 8.5 inches, weighs 40 lbs total."
"This is a vintage Moog Multimoog Analog Synthesizer. Excellent condition, very clean, minimal wear, no issues, all functions work perfectly. Fantastic & powerful analog synthesis with an incredible Sample & Hold, plus the filter on this synth sounds really gorgeous... Included are the original manual written by Tom Rhea & ac power cable. This synth can be used as a keyboard controller for Moog Modulars such as the Model 15 reissue, plus you'll have the two oscillators on board out to your mixer for more flexibility. A rare find in this condition, apparently only a 1,000 were made. Features include: 2 oscillators, a ribbon controller, variable waveforms, flexible Sample & Hold, LFO, aftertouch (for pitch, VCF, or LFO rate) and a great sounding 24dB Moog filter."
Some shots of the inside below, including a pretty cool shot of one of the circuit boards with some light passing through.
Auction description: "One word best describes this MiniMoog: Minty! Not as in peppermint, but as in mint condition. This Mini has lived comfortably in an air-conditioned living room beside my beloved Steinway Model B for the last 30 years and played only by me, the owner. Never on the road. The circuitry is 100% pure, unadulterated analog factory original stuff, no MIDI modifications or added junk.
This is the real deal, the one you’ve been waiting for. Beautiful wood, no significant dents or dings, no gashes. Knobs, wheels and switches are all original and mint with glistening aluminum inserts, panel is perfect, clean, lovely. Pots are perfect, no noise, no static, no hum. Includes the revered buffer board. Fine, solid white Modulation Wheels with all stops, not the cheesy ribbed plastic. All 3 oscillators are perfect, stable, pure. Even the 440 oscillator is on pitch. Keyboard needs new bushings, and the red power light needs to be replaced, but all else is pure unadulterated awesomeness. Once used in concert here in Atlanta by Rick Wakeman when his own Model D was down for the count.
This is no fake remake; this is the real McCoy. Own it. Play it. Love it. Make Bob Moog proud. Included is the vintage, original Tom Rhea MiniMoog Sound Charts book, which shows exactly how to recreate ELP/Keith Emerson’s Aquatarkus, Rick Wakeman’s Catherine of Aragon, steel drums, jet engines, earthquakes – 51 sounds in all! Maxwell House percolator tune? MiniMoog Model D is on it. This unit does it all! Serial number in the Golden 5,000’s when the bugs were worked out, but the glitches of tawdry modernization and volume production had not set in. As you can see from the pics, this baby is built by hand. Not only is it the best-looking Mini you’ve ever laid eyes on, it’s the best-sounding Mini you’ve ever laid ears on!"
This is a playlist of ContinuuCon 2016 videos starting with the teaser video. The full playlist follows the description below. Note Tony Rolando of Make Noise's video went up previously here. You can skip any video using the video controls at the bottom of the player.
"ContinuuCon, the First Continuum Fingerboard Conference took place June 9–11, 2016, at the Altamont Theatre in Asheville, NC.
Performers, sound designers, composers and electronic music enthusiasts who attended ContinuuCon explored this uniquely expressive instrument through concerts, workshops, lectures and more. Dr. Lippold Haken, inventor of the Continuum, and Edmund Eagan, developer of the Continuum’s synthesis engine EaganMatrix, were among those sharing their knowledge and musical talents.
With sponsors including the Bob Moog Foundation and modular synthesizer manufacturer Make Noise, the event opened with a reception at the Make Noise factory and included an evening concert, and a dinner (with multiple jam sessions) at Streamside.
Cameras: Geary Yelton, Chris Stack, John Schwenk
Editing: Chris Stack
ContinuuConcert Visuals: Greg Waltzer
Special thanks to: The Bob Moog Foundation, Make Noise, Hong Waltzer, Lora Tannenholz, The Altamont Theater and all the ContinuuCon attendees and guests.
Learn more at continuucon.com and hakenaudio.com/Continuum"
Playlist:
1. ContinuuCon Teaser Video
2. ContinuuCon :: 2016
3. ContinuuCon Quick Take :: Pallav Pandya
4. ContinuuCon :: Continuum History with Lippold Haken - "History and Deconstruction - Dr. Lippold Haken :: A chronological look at the development of the Continuum, from the first design goals to the current state of the art. Including design philosophies and the evolution that has occurred due to exposure to performers and new synthesis techniques."
5. ContinuuCon :: Continuous Pitch-Space Instruments with Dr. Tom Rhea - "A journey through time with the Hellertion, theremin, ondes Martenot, Trautonium, Moog Ribbon, Moog Trazor, and of course now, the Haken Continuum.
Dr. Tom Rhea pioneered introduction of synthesizers internationally as a Moog synthesizer clinician, functional design consultant, artist relations specialist, documentation writer, and marketing executive. Publications include articles and reviews in Computer Music Journal and many owner's manuals, e.g. the Minimoog Owner's Manual.
A noted lecturer on the history of electronic musical instruments, his Ph.D. dissertation on the topic is cited in The New Harvard Dictionary of Music, and in multiple entries in The New Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments, and now The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments, Second Edition.
Conceived and oversaw development of, and wrote the first music for OxyLights, the world's largest permanent music and light installation, as recognized in The Guinness Book of World Records. Artist in Residence at the IEA (Institute for Electronic Arts) 2000-2001 at Alfred University, NY to explore use of DVD technology for presentation of film clips with focus on electronics in the soundtrack.
Cameras: Geary Yelton, Chris Stack
Editing: Chris Stack
Audio: John Schwenk"
6. ContinuuCon :: EaganMatrix pt1 with Ed Eagan - "Design philosophy, the reason for it’s existence, inspirations, why a matrix, what is a matrix, module by module descriptions, simple and complex patching examples, the reasons behind the percular formula construction, integration with MIDI and Max MSP."
7. ContinuuCon :: Tony Rolando on East Coast/West Coast Synthesis - "Make Noise founder Tony Rolando fills us in on the historical differences and similarities in the development of synthesis and electronic music on the East and West coasts. He also includes a demo of Make Noise's new 0-Coast synthesizer module."
8. ContunuuCon :: Continuum Playing Techniques pt1 - "Ed Eagan, Sally Sparks and Rob Schwimmer in a panel discussion and open forum about Continuum playing techniques, and how each has developed their own personal style. Learn more at www.continuucon.com"
"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.
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.
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:
"This is a working unit and all knobs and keys operate. The control panels still have the original factory protective plastic covering. The unit has normal cosmetic wear and scratches on the cabinet sides, but can be refinished easily. The metal rear flap for the control panel tilt has a brushed/cleaned area. This was necessary to remove the social security number of the original owner, (remember back in the day you marked your valuables with your SS#). The oscillators sound good, but the bus bar and some knob controls will need cleaning. Some keys will also need to be adjusted. I'm not the expert on Moog restoration, but I believe a person familiar with the brand won't have any problems bringing this unit back to 100 percent.
Included with this auction is a Sound Chart by Tom Rhea to get you started..."
"Forty-five years in the making, Electronic Perspectives: Vintage Electronic Musical Instruments contains all of Tom Rhea’s fifty-two influential columns that were first published in Keyboard magazine from 1977-1981. This 400-page tome greatly expands on the original content with updated information and hundreds of newly restored images. Electronic Perspectives: Vintage Electronic Musical Instruments includes two CDs of unearthed recordings; spanning multiple eras of electronic music. All in a gold foil-embossed hardcover book, housed in a deluxe slipcase."
