Paul McGowan of PS Audio Explains the Moog Synthesizer

video upload by Paul McGowan, PS Audio

"The classic Moog changed the world. Paul helps us understand what all the wires and modules actually do."

https://www.psaudio.com

Fascinating bit at 1:50. Paul McGowan actually created his own synthesizer, The Infinitizer. Curious if there are any images of it out there. He almost sold one to Wendy Carlos. It gets a mention in his book 99% True: Almost a National Bestseller which you can find on Amazon here (note this is an affiliate link - see the site's privacy policy for more info).

Update: I asked Paul if he had any pics of The Infinitizer. Unfortantely he didn't, and he no longer has any of the parts, but he did send over the following additional info:

"I don’t have any photos of the Infinitizer, unfortunately. I remember a very sad day back in 1995 or so when I was cleaning out my lab and had to own up to hauling it off to the dump (it was a mere skeleton of PCBs, a keyboard, and lots of wires and didn’t work)."

"The idea was to make 10 synthesizers into one unit that was easy to use. This meant it would be the world’s first polyphonic synth, since musicians only have 10 fingers.

I designed a complete analog chain of 10 modules (the usual: VC filters, oscillators, envelope generators, amplifiers, etc.). Then, I hired an engineer out of Vandenburg Air Force Base who was a whiz at this new thing called “digital”. He designed for me a multiplexed keyboard that constantly scanned all the keys looking for ones that were pressed. The keys were all internally numbered and when pressed, the multiplexer would find an available VC oscillator and assign that number to the oscillator. Because we know the number of the key, the appropriate voltage was sent to that oscillator and it produced the appropriate frequency for that key. In order to have the entire keyboard voltage move up and down (like if you wanted to bend the notes or modulate the frequency with a LF oscillator) the master voltage (that got divided by the individual keys assigned to it) could be accessed as one might normally do through the patch bay.

I also wanted to have the keys pressure sensitive so for that, I invented the use of conductive foam under each key (and that too could manipulate the master voltage to the oscillator banks) and could be assigned to modulate any of the other modifiers too. My patch bay was a switch matrix and pots kind of like ARP used to do.

It was a very cool device which I wrote about extensively in my memoirs, 99% True."

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As for the first non organ based poly synth, currently that honor likely goes to one of the following depending how you define it:

1975 - Buchla 502 - six voice polyphonic with minicomputer and ability to save patches to tape drive. Development on the 500 series began in 1969.

1975 - Oberheim FVS - four voice polyphonic with Polyphonic Synthesizer Programmer. Not sure if the 502 or FVS was released first.

1977 - Yamaha - CS50/CS60/CS80 - first single enclosure polyphonic keyboard synthesizers, with the CS80 to be the first synth with poly aftertouch

1978 - Sequential Circuits - microprocessor control the SCI prophet 10 (briefly) and the P-5 --- again based on existing E-mu tech stuff

via The First Synth to...

A true balanced audio system

video by PS Audio

"What makes a true balanced audio component? Paul walks us through."

Note this is about stereo systems, but I couldn't pass up that vintage Moog Modular blinking away in the background. Wow!

It was also featured here: Tubes vs. solid state amplifiers and Bi amping with mixed amp types.

PS Audio are makers of hi-fi audio equipment: https://www.psaudio.com.

Update via John L Rice in the comments:

"He also briefly mentions the Moog in the long company tour at around 31 minutes in:"

Synth Spotting with PS Audio: Bi amping with mixed amp types

video by PS Audio

Not a synth video but that is one nice Moog Modular system in the background. :) You might remember it from previous posts here.

"If you are bi-amping your speakers, is it alright to mix amplifier types between the tweeter and woofer?

Get a copy of Paul's new book, The Audiophile's Guide, and its companion reference audio disc. Together, you can make magic. https://www.psaudio.com/products/the-..." [Also on Amazon here]

Tubes vs. solid state amplifiers

Published on Oct 16, 2019 PS Audio

This has nothing to do with synths, but there you have it. Vintage Moog Modular at PS Audio.

http://psaudio.com

What makes a speaker good for a tube amplifier and, as a secondary question, what are the 4Ω and 8Ω settings on the back of tube amplifiers for? Have a question you want to ask Paul?

I have finished my memoir! You can go read it now: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/173... It's called 99% True and it is chock full of adventures, debauchery, struggles, heartwarming stories, triumphs and failures, great belly laughs, and a peek inside the high-end audio industry you've never known before.

I plan a few surprises for early adopters, so go to https://www.paulmcgowan.com and add your name to the list of interested readers. There's an entire gallery of never before seen photos too."

Moog Modular at PS Audio: Do high resolution systems have to go to 40kHz?

Published on Jun 11, 2019 PS Audio

More synth spotting in a non synth oriented video. This time a Moog 5U modular owned by Gus at PS Audio. Last Friday's video featured the ARP 2600 in a wall and a Roland Juno-106 with custom wood sides.

"The highest resolution systems capable of discerning the most minute of details buried deep in the music are often wonders of reproduction most people have never experienced. Do they have to have ultra bandwidth to work? Have a question you want to ask Paul? http://www.psaudio.com/ask-paul/

I have finished my memoir! You can go read it now: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/173... It's called 99% True and it is chock full of adventures, debauchery, struggles, heartwarming stories, triumphs and failures, great belly laughs, and a peek inside the high-end audio industry you've never known before.

I plan a few surprises for early adopters, so go to https://www.paulmcgowan.com and add your name to the list of interested readers. There's an entire gallery of never before seen photos too."

Synth Spotting - What gives us the feeling of being there?

Published on Jun 7, 2019 PS Audio

OK, this video is not about the synths, but look at what's embedded in the wall. :) Curious if you have to hang over the couch to play it. Also a Roland Juno-106 with custom wood sides and the Fender Rhodes. Not sure what's behind him and/or on the right.

"Some recordings just make us feel as if we're there and in the room with the musicians. But, why? What makes the difference in recordings and what can stereo owners do to enhance that experience? Have a question you want to ask Paul? http://www.psaudio.com/ask-paul/

I have finished my memoir! You can go read it now: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/173... It's called 99% True and it is chock full of adventures, debauchery, struggles, heartwarming stories, triumphs and failures, great belly laughs, and a peek inside the high-end audio industry you've never known before.

I plan a few surprises for early adopters, so go to https://www.paulmcgowan.com and add your name to the list of interested readers. There's an entire gallery of never before seen photos too."

ARP 2600 in the wall...