Everything About Moog Synthesizers

The range of Moog synthesizers was invented by Dr.The Moog synthesizer reached its first zenith of
Robert Moog around 1966. These synthesizers arepopularity in the late 1960s with the success of Carlos'
large modular ones with quite a few distinct modulesSwitched-On Bach. Actually Wendy Carlos's 1968
connected together by several patch cords, whichalbum "Switched-On Bach," a collection of synthesized
would route sounds created by oscillators through ainterpretations of Bach classics, was the synthesizer's
set-up of filters and effects. This structure enables thefirst commercial success, selling more than 1 million
instrument to provide unprecedented flexibility in soundcopies. It enthused other musicians and bands to follow
design thereby making the Moog Synthesizer an iconsuit and accordingly many albums tried to get the
of electronic music culture.name of Moog incorporated into their album names as
In this decidedly digital age, more and morewell, for example Country Moog Classics, Martin
contemporary musicians and rockers are rediscoveringDenny's Exotic Moog, etc.
the analog sounds of the Moog synthesizer. Dr. RobertIn the present day several Moog products can still be
Moog, the inventor started the company Moog Music,purchased, such as Moogerfoogers, Little Phatty, and
initially known as R.A. Moog Co. that manufactured andMinimoogs. In fact the Minimoog is very popular as they
marketed these synthesizers.sell for over US$3000 on online auction sites on a
The first Moog instruments were modular synthesizers.regular basis.
In 1971 Moog Music began production of the MinimoogIn spite of the fact that the Moog Music created so
Model D that was among the first extensivelymuch uproar in the electronic music industry with the
available, handy and relatively inexpensive synthesizers.Moog synthesizer, yet it failed to survive for long. Later
The Moog synthesizers were designed in collaborationcompanies like the Arp and Roland took up the onus
with the composers Herbert A. Deutsch, and Wendyon themselves to continue in the lines of the Moog as
Carlos.they developed the instrument and came up with other
Another feather in the cap of the Moog range ofprototypes. As days passed the Moog became all the
synthesizers was the Taurus bass pedal synthesizermore sophisticated and affordable.
that came in 1975. Much like the organ pedals itsThe last Moog synthesizers were manufactured in
pedals triggered synthetic bass sounds. The Taurus1985 before the original Moog Music declared
was known for a "fat" bass sound and was used bybankruptcy in 1986. By the mid 1990s, analog
the bands Genesis, Rush, Electric Light Orchestra, Yes,synthesizers were again highly sought after and prized
Pink Floyd and many others. The modern version of itfor their classic sound. In 2001, Robert Moog's
is known as the Taurus II.company Big Briar was able to acquire the rights to
According to the American Physical Society, "The firstthe Moog name and officially became Moog Music.
live performance of a music synthesizer was madeMoog Music has been producing the Minimoog
by pianist Paul Bley at Lincoln Center in New York CityVoyager modeled after the original Minimoog since
on December 26, 1969. Bley developed a proprietary2002. As of 2006, more than 15 companies are
interface that allowed real-time performance on themaking Moog-style synthesizer modules.
music synthesizer."