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olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2020
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 7:13 am:   Edit Post

I happened to catch the last half of a documentary about Robert Moog last night. It was very enlightening to say the least. If you should get a chance to watch it, DO.

I remember when my old band in high school got our first Moog. Man we thought we were it man. We’ve hit the 20th century and were ready for the big time. LOL

Robert explains how he came to invent his Synthesizer and how he came up with the name "Synthesizer”.

It’s kind of funny, when I think of a Moog I think electronic instrument therefore digital right? WRONG, Robert was very emphatic in his explanation that his Moog is an analog instrument. It doesn’t use numbers and such digitally to create tones. I would be the wrong person to explain it in any great detail, but if this kind of stuff interest you this documentary is a must see.

OO
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 699
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 8:03 am:   Edit Post

Analogue synths were voltage controlled that is, it was actual volts and amps that created the sounds, oscillators, ADSR modules, ring modulators, hence they were prone to go out of tune in temperature extremes.
Digital synths have the sounds pre programmed into the chips & IC's.
The classic british synthesiser was the VCS3 developed my EMS..the BBC had a huge synthesiser in their Radiophonic workshop.
King Crimson, Roxy Music, Hawkwind were some of the 60's/70's prog rock bands that used them. A unique sound in themselves..just like old fuzz boxes and tape reverb units.
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 700
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 8:09 am:   Edit Post

Oops I meant spring reverb & tape echo units
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2021
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 8:15 am:   Edit Post

I remember my dad's old Echo-Plex that used tape and I do remember bumping into an amp with the spring-reverb units. BBooiiinnnggggg!!!.

Rick Wakeman told a funny story in the documentary about one of his first Moog's that he bought. The guy was selling it cheap because he said it didn't work. Rick bought it, hooked it up and said it worked great. Contacted the seller to find out what was supposed to be wrong with it and the cat says "it'll only play one note at a time". LOL

OO
hieronymous
Senior Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 522
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 8:18 am:   Edit Post

The Moogerfooger pedals and later Moog synths like the Micromoog and Little Phatty were essential parts of my development as a musician.

To me Moog and Alembic are two of the great American music companies - I think it would be great if they could collaborate! Moog recently released a guitar (?!!) - they should have had Alembic do the design!
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2022
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 8:25 am:   Edit Post

The 5 pin connector on the guitar looks familiar, hmmm wonder where I've seen that before.

OO
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 701
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 10:14 am:   Edit Post

I know we can lose ourselves in nostaglia but todays bands are after that vintage sound.
Another old keyboard was the Mellotron, tapes with notes recorded on them for violins, cellos and flutes..totally unreliable in the gigging situation as they were not supposed to be moved.
I have a old Colorsound Wah wah and Tonebender, the latter sounds very retro, not like the clinical digital distortion units.
slawie
Junior
Username: slawie

Post Number: 49
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 1:15 pm:   Edit Post

Back in the late Eighties I worked in a studio that was based around a Fairlight system.
Any of these ever get out of Australia?
slawie
dnburgess
Senior Member
Username: dnburgess

Post Number: 588
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 3:34 pm:   Edit Post

Yes - I think there were more Fairlight's sold internationally than within Australia. For a while it was the must have sampling keyboard.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 7498
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 5:31 pm:   Edit Post

Where is the documentary?
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2027
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 8:32 pm:   Edit Post

I caught on cable last night. I beleive it was on Showtime.
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2028
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 8:42 pm:   Edit Post

It is airing on Showtime and here is the schedule.
On Showtime
02/07/09 at 5:15 AM
On Showtime Family Zone
02/09/09 at 12:45 AM
On Showtime Showcase
02/10/09 at 9:00 AM
On Showtime
02/11/09 at 5:30 AM
On Showtime Family Zone
02/13/09 at 1:00 AM
crobbins
Advanced Member
Username: crobbins

Post Number: 218
Registered: 6-2004
Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 9:24 am:   Edit Post

I love everything about Moog..:-)
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 703
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 3:10 am:   Edit Post

Kate Bush used a Fairlight on her 'Hounds of Love' Album..it was the state of the art back then, now you can get keyboards form catalogues which do the same for very little money, progress does have it's merits.
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 3518
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 12:51 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks for the head's up on this one, Olie. I watched it last night. Moog seems like a fascinating guy. I was so impressed, when it was over I went on ebay and bought a Moog Theremin. Soon I'll be able to play tunes by Lothar and the Hand People!

Bill, tgo
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2044
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 12:59 pm:   Edit Post

I actually have it on the DVR, and plan on watching tonight. I only caught the last half the other night. I believe Robert died not long after this doc. was made.

OO
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2045
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 1:02 pm:   Edit Post

2005

OO
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2046
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 1:33 pm:   Edit Post

Hey Bill, have you ever tried a Theremin before. If not don't forget to come out for food every now and then. They're addicting.

OoOOOOO OoOOOOO
artswork99
Senior Member
Username: artswork99

Post Number: 560
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 2:30 pm:   Edit Post

If you're in the Asheville, NC area call ahead and try to schedule a stop at the Moog facilities. They were kind enough to tour me through an amazing journey a couple of birthdays ago. The play room was phenomenal.

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