Status: Single
City: ASHEVILLE
State: North Carolina
Country: US
Signup Date: 6/15/2007
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Thursday, May 07, 2009
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Current mood:  amorous
Category: Music
This is the first in a series of Moog Featured Artist profiles, which will highlight the work of musicians making innovative use of Moog gear.
Roger O'Donnell is a luminary in the world of music and we are very proud to have him as our first Moog Featured Artist. We recently asked Roger a few questions to find out more about his creative process.
Moog- Roger, you have been involved with some of the most influential bands of the 80’s and 90’s, including The Cure, The Thompson Twins, Berlin, and Psychedelic Furs. How have you seen your approach to music and gear change over the years?
Roger- My approach to gear hasn't changed. I still want everything, but I suppose now I'm lucky and have most everything. In the old days I would perhaps be more inventive. Maybe I have come full circle now, though, as most of what I do is with just one instrument...my Voyager.
My approach to music has definitely changed as everything does with age. I am more comfortable with what I can do, yet at the same time much less comfortable with doing things within my comfort zone. The only thing that really interests me in music is going forward and discovering, creating and doing things differently.
One of the biggest revelations to me on stage was that my instruments were my friends and when I stepped on stage and looked down at the pattern the keys made, I was no longer intimidated. I was there with old friends. It was a strange feeling, but very warming.
Moog- At what age did you start playing/performing music?
Roger- I think I probably started playing piano as soon as I could walk or stand...there was one at home. As I grew up, I was never very far away from a piano and whenever I am, I feel uncomfortable.
I started performing in my late teens, but my first real show was when I was 21 in Oxford with Arthur Brown, a quite eccentric English rock icon.
Moog- How do you use your Moog gear with other software programs? What software do you use?
Roger-Well I don't, not in any kind of syncing or controlling way. Since the day I realized the Voyager wasn't multi timbral I stopped using midi (hahahah). I use the librarian software for back ups and transferring my sounds to other instruments. The weird thing with that is they never ever sound the same on two different instruments and I love that.
I use Logic in the studio for recording and remixing and Ableton Live for the stage. The most important thing for me in software is that it is transparent and allows me to record my ideas easily, if the Voyager is my paint palette, then the software has to be the canvas and I need it to be clean and white and take the colours without changing them.
Moog- What Moog gear do you use?
Roger- My most important instrument is an Anniversary Edition Voyager which Amos and Cyril (of Moog Music) modified for me. It has red backlighting and the most incredible touch sensitivity and after touch. It transcends electronic. It is an organic acoustic instrument to me.
I have another Voyager which Moog custom painted powder blue for me which I use on stage, an LP (Little Phatty), which I am honoured to have been involved in the design process of. I own all the Moogerfooger pedals, an Etherwave Theremin....and in my vintage collection a Mini Moog Model D which has a midi retrofit, a Micro Moog which is the first Moog I ever owned. A Moog Source, a Memory Moog and a Moog 4 band Parametric Equalizer. I made a video demoing all the Moogs which you can see on YouTube (and below). To be honest though, I don't use the old synths. The tuning is diabolical !
Moog- Do you use the same setup in the studio as you do live?
Roger- On stage, I use two Voyagers running into a MOTU Ultralite interface into my MacBook Pro and I use Ableton Live software to loop. Without Live I couldn't play a show, so it's an amazing piece of software which just keeps getting better. I also have a range of tiny midi controller boxes called FaderFox which allow me to control everything in Ableton.
In my studio I generally only use one Voyager...my AE, and that's always hooked up in stereo to a Focusrite Platinum preamp into my MOTU 828 interfaces and into my MacPro running Logic software. I use everything inboard, the software with no external effects. I love working like this, everything is instant recall, apart from me, that is .... Logic is an incredible applicatioin.
I try to recreate on stage what I do in the studio, but its very different and very difficult and am rethinking my approach. I may just improvise entirely on stage from now on. There's no real point in trying to copy something you may have written in a moment of inspiration years ago better to try and let that moment happen again in a new way. I spend way too much of my career playing 20 year old songs every night.
Moog- What aspects of music inspire you the most these days?
Roger- Not a lot, I have to be honest. I despise the way old bands rest on their laurels and new bands seem content to reprocess and reissue what was done years before. I honestly don't see where we are going musically unless people are prepared to take risks again.
However, I believe that we will soon see the end of the music business as we know it and I find that inspiring. The fact that the control of it will be removed from the hands of the few and democratised.
Music instrument technology on the other hand I find totally inspiring, the new possibilities that instruments put in the hands of musicians. We just need a new breed of musicians that are prepared to step up and use it. Having conversations with people like Cyril and Amos and hearing what they have planned is very very exciting.
Moog- What has been the biggest challenge for you in the music world?
Roger- Leaving the comfort and security of a big band and going out on my own. Reminding myself of why I started playing music in the first place.
Right now, trying to keep up with how things are changing so quickly in the industry. I have also just recently started managing a band and I am finding that really stimulating and hugely rewarding. I love the idea of giving something back.
My biggest challenge when I started was making enough money to pay the rent but now it's a much more internal thing, it's about saying something new. Not saying the same thing differently, really striving for the new.
Moog- Do you remember your first concert?
Roger- Yes I do. It was at a folk club on a Friday night and I was completely blown away by hearing music played live. I have to recapture that feeling, thanks for reminding me.
Moog- How has Moog changed the way that you approach music?
Roger- I was lucky enough or rather old enough (haha) to know what music was like pre-Moog , pre-synthesizer. For a keyboard player, it was another world and one dominated by guitar players. When Jan Hammer came along with his Minimoog, it took keyboard players out of the shadows and placed them centre stage. It allowed us to express ourselves...
For me over the past 5 years it has been an amazing transformation rediscovering synthesizers. The Voyager has given me a voice and a way to express myself in a unique and emotional way. I'm not bound by sound designers or engineers. I can make any sound I imagine...I am totally without boundaries. I have created two records entirely with a Voyager and to me they are just gifts. They came at the exact right moment in my life and I can never thank Bob enough for his creation.
I remember a jazz drummer explaining why he didn't have keyboards in his band saying that keyboard players think to linearly. Moogs have always broken down the lines, its not black and white when you look at a Moog keyboard it is totally technicolor.~
We have posted a sample of "The Crow Flies" by Roger on the Moog Music Myspace Page. Moog's Jason Daniello was lucky enough to add The Moog Guitar to his song.
Click Here to listen.
For more information about Roger, Click Here
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Tuesday, March 10, 2009
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http://www.moogmusic.com/controllers/?section=prod...
The Moog MP-201 Multi-Pedal is a programmable four channel CV/MIDI foot pedal controller featuring:
4 Analog Control Voltage Outputs
- each with an Independent LFO
Standard MIDI In & Out and
MIDI over USB
MIDI Clock Sync & Tap Tempo
User Editable Presets
Programmable Heel & Toe Voltages
Optical Pedal Mechanism
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Monday, July 02, 2007
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Current mood:  creative
Category: Music
Some really nice words from Moog Artists:
"My Little Phatty is sleek, slick, and always makes other musicians jealous on looks alone; then they hear it and it seals the deal. There is something unique both physically and psychologically about a real Moog instrument that is undeniable and simply can't be achieved in any other way than with the real thing. And although the LP has some very modern features, it has not lost one iota of that 'thing'; congratulations to Moog Music for finding a way to push the analog synth to the future without losing touch with what makes each unit a little bit alive, a little bit unique."
-Asher Fulero, Keyboardist of Sourrounded by Ninjas and writer for Remix Magazine
We just wrapped up the new record and wow! My Voyager made a real difference. Thank you all for the great help. I love what Bob created more than you can imagine.
It's the most alive electronic instrument I've ever played with. Very inspiring. The new operating system is so easy now too. It makes a difference.
I got two hands. One for each Moog,
Zac Baird
keys for KoRn
______________________________
"Bob Moog absolutely changed contemporary music. His synthesizer and what it developed into, had as great of an influence on today's music as anything, including Elvis and The Beatles."
Paul Shaffer
Late Show Band
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"The MOOG is the sound of my childhood, part of my DNA. I've played other "analog modelers" and nothing else even comes close. I consider the MOOG an "acoustic" instrument as its voice resonates in my body just like a piano or acoustic guitar." Geoffrey Keezer
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"I use a Moogerfooger lowpass filter with two expression pedals in my bass
rig. It is great! The pedal covers such a wide range of sounds from
twany funk to deep trance. It is the most musical effect pedal I've ever
experienced - with the expression pedals I can control the dynamics of my
other effects and get all kinds of great synth sounds - which is great for Lotus's music. The moogerfooger revolutioned my sound."
Jesse Miller, Lotus
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"I used the minimoog Voyager a lot on the new Ricky Martin record because it's so freakin' good. It's fat, ballsy, and it sounds great. Even when people see it, they all think it's look amazing. Everybody loves the way it sounds."
Randy Cantor, keyboardist, producer, arranger
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Moogerfooger
"My moogerfooger low-pass filter breathes new life into any digital keyboard. Used in conjunction with my guitar rig, it helps me conjure truly unique soundscapes from the musical to the absurd."
Theremin
"There is nothing like a Theremin. I've owned an Etherwave for 5 years now, and playing it as well as watching someone playing it, is a breathtaking experience."
Voyager
"At last, all the greatest sounds of yesterday can be brought up without the hassle of having to program the sound from scratch. The Voyager touchpad brings a whole new world of interactivity with synthesizers. Moog finally topped themselves. I didn't think anything could top an original minimoog, but they did!"
Fernando Perdomo
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"Early last year I actually tested a prototype of the Piano Bar which Don Buchla brought over to my studio. I knew it would be perfect for my album writing trip to Italy in August. I immediately ordered one from Moog and easily packed it off to my cousin's villa in Dentecane, along with my laptop."
"Thanks to the Piano Bar, ideas for 6 of the new pieces on my June release, Silver Ship, were
immediately captured in the computer."
"Thank-you!"
Suzanne Ciani
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"I was about 7 when I saw my first Moog synthesizer. My dad was a recording
engineer working in New York City during the mid 70's. There was a keyboard
repair shop in New Jersey near where we lived, and every now and then he would
pick up a repaired keyboard on his way home to bring back to the studio the
next day. I vividly remember when the Minimoog showed up with it's big sexy
black and silver knobs, cool blue and orange switches and the fascinating
flip-up control panel. My dad hooked it up to the stereo in the basement and
I was completely enamored with this wacky device that made the craziest sounds
by twisting knobs, flipping switches and playing the keyboard.
I play and record music in Chicago and it's safe to say that I've used a Moog
instrument or Moogerfooger effect pedal on nearly every project that I've been
a part of.
Thank you for creating the most beautifully bad-ass, wonderfully weird,
electronic instruments."
Mikael Jorgensen
Wilco
August 2005
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Thanks
very much for helping me locate one of those units! It's been a busy
week at work, and I haven't had a chance to play with it too much
yet, but what I have done so far - WOW! Moog gear is just
incredible, not to mention monstrous when unleashed. The sound
quality and sheer possibilities just leave you without competition.
I connected my moogerfooger ring modulator to the external loop on
the analog delay last night, and was just amazed with the sounds I
was getting. There is so much in these boxes that one can unlock. I
am looking forward to further explorations with this new device and
incorporating it into my sound.
- Eric Lanzillotta
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"I now own and treasure 3 of Bob Moog's legendary theremins--a Melodia, an
Etherwave, and now the Etherwave-Pro. I used the Etherwave on the Simon and
Garfunkel tour to play the solo on The Boxer--People would go nuts! It also
features prominently in my band, Polygraph Lounge. I own and love my Moogerfooger
pedals and am using the Voyager in the studio this very afternoon!"
Rob Schwimmer
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"The MF-104Z is smooth, warm, and organic sounding. The delayed signal has just the right amount of high-frequency de-emphasis and thick lows. The decay is natural at any lower feedback setting, and cascades beautifully into total chaos at high feedback settings. At the shorter delay times, I was able to get that 50's Sci-Fi echo with my MiniMoog, that can only sound right with an analog or tape delay. Hard slapbacks and subtle reverb effects were easily achieved. The long delay settings were beyond impressive. This is the longest analog delay in history. Wow! You can loop phrases, create rhythmic effects, and do amazing things with vocals. I only scratched the surface of the possible applications.
We asked, we begged, you came through. Well done! You have created a classic once again!"
-Robert Littauer
(For his full unabridged quote, please see "What are customers are saying on the MF-104Z page).
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"In my experience, nothing has affected my consciousness as a musician as much as Bob Moog's brilliant designs. Using a Moogerfooger gives you a feeling like you have been reborn as a player, as the pedals allow you to explore territory within yourself you previously didn't know could exist. The Murf, for instance, is an instrument within itself that seems almost infinite in possibility by creating beautiful cascading runs or manic rhythmic accompaniment with an unparallel mix of chaos and control that time and time again yields something purely inspiring. There is no arguing that Bob Moog has changed music for the better with his amazing gift for design. I am humbled every time I activate my Moog pedals. That is wonderful feeling."
- Chris Vos, Freshwater Collins
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"I received the Voyager yesterday. Wow! It's awesome. What an instrument! Yesterday I had the day off so I spent the
whole day playing and recording up in my hotel room. It was a lot of fun. This evening I put it in my rig for the Barry Manilow
show. It sounded so nice and fat and added a big bass sound on our dance version of Copacabana."
-Ron Pedley
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I have been a hard-core Minimoog fan for 30 years. I still own several of the classic Minis; one since 1976. Over the years, whether playing bass lines with Miles Davis or soloing with my bands Brave New World or The Fents, the Minimoog has always been absolutely the best at what it does.
When the Voyager came out I must admit I was a little skeptical at first. I figured it might be hip but there's no way it will sound like my old Mini. Because Moogfest 2006 is coming up (I will be playing with the Mahavishnu Project and Jan Hammer) the folks at Moog asked me to take a new Voyager out for a spin. Alright, twist my arm! :)
When I first started checking it out it felt like it might take some getting used to... I programmed a few sounds (which, to an old Minimoog Head, is a
miracle in itself!) and took it to a gig. After the first set I thought "Wow, this sucker really cuts..." After the second set I wanted two of them! I haven't been this excited about an instrument in long time.
All of the new features are great (I especially like the sync function, the extra modulation routings and the touchplate), but the bottom line is that it has THE sound. Nothing sounds like that. I'm convinced!
- Adam Holzman
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"The Little Phatty is the most fun keyboard I've put my hands on in a
long time. Moog has yet again captured that magic thing that
distinguishes an instrument from a mere machine. The action is fast.
The interface is surprisingly immediate. The sound is excellent. Bob would be proud."
- Eric Frampton
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Monday, June 25, 2007
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A partial listing of Voyager users...
Nigey Nige, Chris de Burgh
Adam Jones, Tool
Steve Ferlazzo, Population 1, Avril Lavigne, DramaGods
Jamie Arentzen, American Hi-Fi
Air
Jerome Rodgers (w/ George Clinton)
Roger O'Donnell (The Cure)
David Rosenthal (Billy Joel)
Chad Hugo - The Neptunes, n.e.r.d.
Richard "Jah" Ace
Page McConnell
Keith Emerson
Herbie Hancock
Rick Wakeman
Jamie Muhoberac - Ace session musician
Fred Wreck - hip hop producer (Snoop Dogg)
Khari Simmons - India.arie
Nick Rhodes - Duran Duran
Larry Dunn - Earth, Wind and Fire
Paul Simon
John Fogerty
Charlie Clouser
Aron Magner - the Disco Biscuits
John Herndon - Isotope 217, Tortoise
Leroy Bach
Kevin Antunes - Musical director for Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake tours
John Frusciante - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Hans Zimmer - Film composer extraordinaire
Brian Kehew - 1/2 of Moog Cookbook
Darrell Diaz - Solo artist, works with Herbie Hancock
Bernie Worrell
Gabrial McNair - No Doubt, Oslo
Thursday
Deftones
John Medeski - Medeski Martin and Wood
Thelonius Moog
Printz Board - Black Eyed Peas
Randy Cantor
Jordan Rudess - Dream Theater
DJ Logic
Don Preston
James Lumb - Electric Skychurch
Nellee Hooper
Sheldon Reynolds-Earth,Wind and Fire
Jeffrey Keezer - Christian McBride Band
Anthony "Fu" Valcic
Morcheeba
Frank Lucas
Al Schneier - Moe
Roger Manning Jr.- The other 1/2 of the Moog Cookbook, keyboards for Beck
Gary Carolla
Chris Cox
Darian Sahanaja - Heart
Vince Wilburn
Mark Linkous - Sparklehorse
Skip Dorsey
Jason Epperson - Nelly
Steve Lindsey
Patrick Moraz - Yes, Moody Blues
Manfred Mann
Stevie Wonder
Goffrey Downs - Asia
Kenna
Roger Powell - Todd Rundgren
Onree Gill - Alicia Keys, John Mayer
Ricky Peterson - Dave Sanborn
Mike Farrell - Morrissey, Macy Gray
Brandon Bush - Train
Doug Fieger - The Knack
Money Mark
Stereolab
Ray Angry - Kellis, Joss Stone
Jesse Carmichael - Maroon 5
Kern Brantley - Musical Director for Beyonce, Mary J Blige
Silk - Multi Grammy Winner
Drew Neumann
Zac Baird - Everlast, Maimou
John Delay - Dido
Ginger Fish - Marilyn Manson
Nuno Bettencourt - Extreme, Population1
Rhett Lawrence - Producer for Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Clarkson, Mariah Carey
Ben Wilson - Blues Traveler
Fernando Permdomo - Cristian Castro
Ryan Peak - Nickleback
Mike McKnight - Musical Director for Madonna
Herman Jackson - Session Player
John Hawken - The Strawbs
Steve Molitz - Particle
Randy Cantor
Ricky Martin
Shaggy
Scott Storch
Myron Dove
Santana
Ken Jordan
The Crystal Method
Todd Tamanend Clark
Brian "Brain" Mantia- Primus, Les Claypool, Guns-n-Roses
Tommy Zvoncheck- Blue Oyster Cult, Dream Syndicate
Jacob Chidester-Existo
Jimmy (the Fish) Messer- Goudie
Kevin "Gift" Alves
Jimmy Eat World
Vinnie Moore-Vicious Rumors
Eric Slvagard- Project Object
Joel Cummins- Umphrey's McGee
Elijah Allman- Deadsy
David Borden- Mother Mallard
Nick Conceller - Men, Women and Children
Andre Cholmondeley- Project Object
Douglas Tyler Pope- LCD Sound System
Christina "Bella" Gleason- Action Reaction
Jeff Babko - Jimmy Kimmel Live
Brian LeBarton- Beck
Drew Neumann
Kevin Hunter
Debbie Shair- Heart
Joey Karam- The Locust
Jae Deal
Rex Ritter- Stephen O'Malley
Stu Brooks- G Unit
Tim Williams- Omarion
Matt Johnson- Jamiroquai
Josiah Sherman- The Listening
Howard Benson
Julian Hamilton
Rob Sweitzer- MAE
Terance Key
Chris Kilmore-Incubus
Gerard Smith- TV on the Radio
Derek Hilland- Rick Springfield
Tony Russell- Diddy
and many more....
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Monday, June 25, 2007
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A partial listing of Little Phatty users...
Chris Spies- Strut
Michael Ramos- Los Lonely Boys
Louie Fleck-NYC Reggae Collective
Robert James Mitchell- The Hermit
Ikey Owens- Mars Volta
Matthew Taylor- Motion City Soundtrack
Roger Powell- Todd Rundgren;Utopia
Keith Harris- Black-eyed Peas
Adam Wakeman- Ozzy Osbourne
Derek Hilland- Rick Springfield
Nigel Hopkins- Elvis Costello; Chris DeBurgh
Stereolab
Rie Tsuji-Eric Benet
Michael Klvana- Josh Groban; Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young
Jared Followill- Kings of Leon
Jennifer- Conlee- The Decemberists
Ron Pedley- Barry Manilow
Chris Firebaugh- InVitro
Eric Frampton- B52's
Nick and Anna Montoya- Volt Per Octaves
Jeff Babko- Jimmy Kimmell: Larry Carlton Band
George Pajon Jr.- Black-eyed Peas
Fred Wreck-Snoop Dogg
Jimmy Lavalle- The Album Leaf
John Medeski- Medeski, Martin and Wood
Clayton Janes- Usher;Seal; Black-eyed Peas
Gabe Andruzzi- The Rapture
Steve Choi-RX Bandits
Kojo Samuel- Sugababes
Kyle Hollingsworth
Charles "Volley Craig- Aretha Franklin
Paul Green School of Rock Allstars
Eric Levy- Garaj Mahal
Alejandro Rosso- Plastilina Mosh
and many more...
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Monday, June 25, 2007
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Current mood: creative
Category: Music
A partial listing of Moogerfooger users...
Tariqh Akoni- Josh Groban
Jamie Arentzen - American Hi-Fi
Adrian Belew - King Crimson
Brendan Buckley - Shakira, MInnie Driver
Mike Burns - Blue Man Group
Will Calhoun - Living Colour
Terry Case - Trouble Is
Jacob Chidester- Existo
Charlie Clouser - Nine Inch Nails, Fastlane
Chick Corea
Benjamin Curtis - Secret Machines
Jason Epperson - Nelly
Ginger (Ken) Fish (Wilson) - Marilyn Manson
Bela Fleck - Bela Fleck & the Flecktones
Victor Wooten- Bela Fleck & the Flecktones
John Fruiscante - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Keith Golden - Dido
David Haskins - Bauhaus/ Love & Rockets
Joe Hill - Alien Ant Farm
Juanes -
Greg Kurstin - Beck, Gwen Stefani
Tim LeFebvre - Wayne Krantz
Michael Leonhart - Lenny Kravitz, Steely Dan
Mark Linkous - Flaming Lips, Sparklehorse
Tom Linton - Jimmy Eat World
John 5 (Lowery) - Formerly with Marilyn Manson
Edmund Lowman - Trouble Is
John Medeski - Medeski, Martin, & Wood
Jesse Miller - Lotus
Randall Neiman - Füxa
Graham Pattison
Ryan Peak - Nickelback
Fernando Perdomo - Jorge Moreno DC3
Martin Pike - Stereolab
Vernon Reid - Living Colour, Yohimbe Bros
Benny Rietveld - Santana
Al Schnier - Moe
Drew Shirley - Switchfoot
Khari Simmons - India.Ari
Nikki Sixx - Motley Crue, Brides of Destruction
Neil Spies - s.t.u.n.
Jeff Stinco - Simple Plan
David Torn
James Valentine - Maroon 5
Rob Wasserman - Ratdog
Vince Wilburn - Nefdrum Productions
Alejandro Sanz & Julian "Adam" Zimmon - Shakira
Money Mark
Rick Robinson - Black Crowes
Air
Ziggy Marley
Lenny Kravitz
Dave Schools - Widespread Panic, Government Mule
Fred Wreck - Snoop Dogg
John Herndon - Isotope 217, Tortoise
Matt Chamberlain- Critters Buggin
Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. -Beck
Tim Mitchell - Shakira, Gloria Estefan
Lee Ranaldo - Sonic Youth
Paige Hamilton - Helmet
David Torn
David Bowie
Rob Mazurek - Chicago Underground Duo
Crystal Method
Linkin Park
Ryan Moore - Twilight Sound Dub Circus
Brian Kehew - Moog Cookbook
The Cure
Disco Biscuits
Andrew Everding - Thursday
Wilco
Dave Gilden
Project Object
Joel Cummins- Umphrey's McGee
Dan Schwartz
Luis Resto- Eminem
Chris and Brian Vos-Freshwater Collins
Jeff Babko- Jimmy Kimmel Live; Larry Carlton Band
Nathan Slade - Atomship
Luke O'Malley - Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra
Hadji Bakara- Wolf Parade
Derek Hilland- Rick Springfield
The Shins
Dylan Moon
Aaron Dugan- Matisyahu
Jeffrey Holm- Ryan Cabrera
Telefon Tel Aviv-( Joshua Eustis, Charles W. Cooper III, and Alfredo Nogueria)
James Valentine- Maroon 5
Ryan Stasik- Umphrey's McGee
Kynch Pedraig O'Kaine
Gregory Hinde
Mac McCaughan- Portastatic, Superchunk
Brian LeBarton- Beck
Arcade Fire
Prophet Omega
Erik Deutsch- Charlie Hunter Trio
Takeshi Akimoto- Ziggy Marley
Terry Wollman
Aaron Diskin- Golem
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Monday, June 18, 2007
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What would the world of modern music be like without the inventions of Bob Moog? One answer would be: very boring. Bob Moog's namesake analog synthesizers have affected popular music in ways he might not have expected back in 1954 when he began building theremins with his father. But 50 years later, Bob's musical instruments have catapulted so many styles of music into the future, and his contributions to both players and technicians grow even more profound in retrospect.
Where would R&B, rap and hip-hop be if groups like Parliament and Funkadelic hadn't used Moog keyboards? Where would rock and roll be if groups from Yes to the Beatles hadn't used Moog keyboards? Would jazz music have branched off into fusion without Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea using Moog keyboards? And would classical music have enjoyed such resurgence without Wendy Carlos and her modular Moog synthesizer? The questions are hypothetical, of course, because synthesizers have infiltrated every style of music, and so many companies have tried to recreate that analog sound. But above all the copycats and spin-offs, it always comes back to one name: Moog.
After ten years of making theremins, providing unearthly sounds to science fiction movies and avante garde musicians, Bob Moog met experimental composer Herbert Deutsch, whose search for electronic sounds inspired Bob to create the first Moog Modular Synthesizer. Though Bob took on the project just for fun, when he premiered it at the Audio Engineering Society Convention in October of 1964 the response was immediate and Bob started taking orders on the spot. By the time he received a graduate degree (PhD in Engineering Physics, Cornell University) in the summer of 1965, the R. A. Moog Co. had delivered several modular synthesizer systems, mostly to academic and experimental composers. But it would be a few years later when public awareness of Moog synthesizers would leap ahead beneath the nimble fingers of Wendy Carlos.
Carlos' renowned album "Switched-On Bach" was released on Columbia Records at the
end of 1968, achieving immediate success. The album went on to sell over a million copies, creating a sharp demand for Moog modular synthesizers throughout 1969 and early 1970. Many "switched-on" records were produced during that period. By the end of 1970, the now incorporated R. A. Moog Inc. introduced the Minimoog®, a compact performance synthesizer based on the technology of Moog modular products, enabling keyboardists to take the Moog on the road. And that began a decade of music that would be forever altered by the Minimoog and its incomparable sounds.
R. A. Moog Inc. officially changed its name to Moog Music Inc. in 1971 and became a division of the now defunct Norlin Music in 1973. Moog synthesizers were widely used by professional musicians and the "Sound of the Moog" became an integral part of our musical culture. The list of songs is far too long to print here, but from rock to R&B, from jazz to classical music, the Moog sounds were everywhere.
At the end of 1977, Bob left Moog Music and in 1978 founded Big Briar for the purpose of developing and building electronic musical instruments with novel player interfaces. Actual Moog keyboards were made for the better part of the next decade by Norlin Music, but with the heart and soul of Moog gone, Moog keyboards ceased production by 1986. Though gone from his namesake company, Bob's interest in synthesizers and instruments could not be quelled. From 1978 to 1992, Bob operated Big Briar on a small scale and kept building custom instruments. He was also representing Synton, a Dutch manufacturer of modular equipment, and providing consultation services to other music technology manufacturers. In addition, Bob served as Kurzweil Music Systems' Vice President of New Product Research from 1984 through 1989, and taught music technology courses at the University of North Carolina at Asheville from 1989 to 1992. However, Moog keyboards and the music they graced began a cult following amongst players and aficionados, and Bob's inventions never quite left the spotlight. Interestingly, it was his first foray into musical electronics, the theremin, that was to enjoy an early 90's renaissance.
In response to the rise in interest, Bob designed the Series 91 theremins in 1991, and Big Briar produced them for the next five years. In 1996, Bob wrote a do-it-yourself theremin article, which was published in Electronic Musician magazine. The design formed the technical basis for the Etherwave® theremin, which Big Briar/Moog Music has built and sold continuously since then. In addition to the Etherwave, Bob designed the Ethervox® MIDI theremin in 1998. About this time, Bob designed the product line of Moogerfooger® analog effects modules, which are based on the technical principles of the original Moog modular instruments and were designed to bring the benefits of analog synthesis to all performing musicians. The result was instantaneous, as musicians worldwide scrambled to own one or all of these amazing devices.
In 2002 Bob resurrected his namesake analog synthesizer, designing the new Minimoog Voyager® for a new generation of Moog players. Like the Moogerfoogers, this instrument is based on the technical principles of the original Moog modular instruments and the original Minimoog, but in addition incorporates a wide range of contemporary features such as fully-implemented MIDI and a three-axis touch surface. Reviews have been nothing but positive, and Moog's Etherwave theremin, Moogerfoogers, and Minimoog Voyager have all won numerous musical instrument industry awards.
Bob reclaimed the right to use the MOOG MUSIC and MINIMOOG trademarks in 2002, and immediately changed the name of Big Briar to Moog Music Inc. In 2003 Moog Music released the MOOG PIANOBAR®. Invented by Donald Buchla, a long-time colleague of Bob's and a renowned electronic musical instrument designer in his own right, the PianoBar fits onto any acoustic piano and enables the player to use the piano's keyboard to control electronically generated sounds.
Moog Music's new products of 2004 (our fiftieth anniversary year) were the award winning Moogerfooger - the (MuRF™) Multiple Resonance Filter Array and the Etherwave Pro, a professional theremin. The MuRF is a totally new effects processor that enriches the spectrum and animates the sound of all musical material. The Etherwave Pro is fully professional theremin that incorporates much of what Bob learned about theremin design over the past fifty years.
In short, the past 50 years have been an adventurous time in music, and Bob Moog's contributions become ever-important and evident in retrospect. His dedication to the craft of making instruments is as legendary as the instruments themselves, and Bob has helped make possible the creation of some of the most important music of the 20th century and beyond. Bob has employed two guiding principles that have helped shape Moog's reputation for fine music technology products, and have enabled Moog's musician customers to create so much of the great music of our contemporary culture. In his own words, Bob states:
"First, we have sought out musicians who make creative use of electronic instruments, and have asked them for their advice and opinions on what sorts of products we should offer, and what features these products should have. Keeping in constant touch with musicians from all fields of music, and from all over the world, has enabled us to design instruments that have proven to have enduring musical worth.
Second, our design work is an ongoing collaboration with many technically-trained people. For instance, many Moog products, including our recently-introduced Minimoog Voyager, have benefited from our collaboration with Rudi Linhard, a German colleague of mine. And of course, the Piano Bar, our latest product, is an ongoing collaboration between Don Buchla and us. Don has been a fellow designer for forty of the past fifty years."
In keeping with the tradition of excellence, the first new editions of 2005 from Moog Music Inc. will inspire and amaze. The Minimoog Voyager is now available in a new 19" Rack Mount Edition. With many features, including the backlit front panel and presets from the Voyager, this Rack Mount is "designed for anyone who is looking for an exceptional value in a state-of-the-art analog synthesizer." - Bob Moog
Moog Music Inc. has also announced a new edition to the Voyager family, the Minimoog Electric Blue. The Electric Blue incorporates virtually all of the functions of the original Minimoog Synthesizer with sound and beauty all its own. It is housed in an ash cabinet with a fractal blue finish and the electric blue backlit front panel.
Here at the beginning of the 21st century Moog Music is still producing the quality tools to create music that could not otherwise exist without them, making instruments so unique that they represent a genre of their own: Moog Music. Perhaps back in 1954, Bob Moog and his father were only trying to make something cool, to create a sound that as of yet was only in the realm of imagination, never dreaming how far their invention would take the Moog name. Whatever the original purpose, there is no doubt that Bob Moog has made his mark, and that modern music has been forever changed for the better.
Thank you Bob Moog.
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