Tag: modular synthesizer

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Classic Synthesizers Synthesizer Models

Buchla 100

The Buchla 100 is a modular synthesizer developed and designed by electronic instrument pioneer Don Buchla in the 1960s. The Buchla 100 is considered to be one of the first modular synthesizers ever created, and it has since become a legendary instrument in the world of electronic music.

The Buchla 100 was created in 1963, and it was one of the first electronic instruments to use a modular design. This means that the synthesizer is made up of a series of individual modules that can be connected together to create different sound-generating and processing configurations. This approach was in stark contrast to the traditional keyboard-based synthesizers that were popular at the time, which had a fixed architecture and were not as flexible in terms of sound design.

The Buchla 100 featured a unique set of modules, including oscillators, filters, and envelope generators, that were specifically designed for the creation of electronic sounds. One of the most notable features of the Buchla 100 was its use of a touch-sensitive keyboard, known as the “Buchla Touch-Sensitive Keyboard,” which was designed to provide more expressive control over the sound. It also featured a set of Voltage Controlled Amplifiers (VCA), Voltage Controlled Filters (VCF), and Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCO) that allowed for precise control over the sound.

The Buchla 100 was also notable for its use of a unique control voltage system, which was used to control the various modules in the synthesizer. This system used a series of knobs and switches to control the different parameters of the modules, such as frequency, amplitude, and envelope shape.

The Buchla 100 was used by a number of notable musicians and composers in the 1960s and 1970s, including electronic music pioneer Morton Subotnick, who composed several influential works for the instrument. The Buchla 100 was also used by other notable musicians such as Stevie Wonder, and composer and electronic musician Suzanne Ciani.

Despite its groundbreaking design and features, the Buchla 100 was not as commercially successful as its main rival, the Moog synthesizer. However, it has since gained a cult following among electronic music enthusiasts and has been used on a wide range of recordings, from experimental electronic music to pop and rock.

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Synthesizer Manufacturers

Moog Synthesizers

The Moog synthesizer, also known as the Moog synth, is a type of electronic music synthesizer that was first developed by Robert Moog in the 1960s. Voltage-controlled synthesis, which allowed for precise sound control by modulating the voltage of electronic signals, was the foundation of Moog’s early synthesizers.

The Moog Modular Synthesizer, the original Moog synthesizer, was created in 1964. It was a modular system made up of separate modules that could be combined to produce a variety of sounds. This system quickly gained popularity among experimental and electronic musicians because it gave the user a great deal of control and flexibility over the sound.

The Minimoog, a more compact and portable variation of the Moog Modular Synthesizer, was introduced by Moog in 1970. A built-in keyboard and a more user-friendly control scheme were included in the Minimoog’s design. Rock, pop, and electronic music were among the many musical genres that used the Minimoog, which quickly gained popularity among musicians.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Moog synthesizer’s recognition grew, and many well-known musicians, including Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Jan Hammer, and Giorgio Moroder, used it. Many legendary recordings, including “Walking on the Moon” by The Police, “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder, “Space Oddity” by David Bowie, and “Hot Butter” by Popcorn, also featured the use of Moog synthesizers.

The Polymoog, the Prodigy, and the Source are just a few of the new synthesizer models Moog released in the late 1970s and early 1980s. These new models were created to be more reasonably priced and available to more types of musicians.

The Moog synthesizer’s appeal started to wane as digital synthesizers and samplers increased in the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, Moog continued to produce new synthesizer models, such as the 2002 release of the Moog Voyager. Moog synthesizers are still regarded as some of the most coveted and esteemed musical instruments in the contemporary electronic music scene.

The classic Moog synthesizers are still widely used by musicians today. Moog has also kept up its innovative streak, introducing fresh synthesizer models and adding modern features to vintage models. The business is still operating today and keeps on creating new synthesizers and electronic musical instruments.

In conclusion, Robert Moog invented the Moog synthesizer, an electronic music instrument, in the 1960s. Its foundation was the idea of voltage-controlled synthesis, which made it possible to precisely control sound by varying the voltage of electronic signals. The Minimoog, a smaller, more portable version of the Moog Modular Synthesizer, quickly gained popularity among musicians of various genres. Moog’s early synthesizers were popular among experimental and electronic musicians. Even today, many people still use Moog synthesizers, and the company is still going strong, creating new synths and other electronic musical instruments.

Important Models

  • Moog Modular: The original Moog synthesizer, was created in 1964. It was a modular system made up of separate modules that could be combined to produce a variety of sounds.
  • Moog Minimoog: A monophonic analog synthesizer released in 1970, known for its portability and warm, rich sound.
  • Moog Taurus: A pedal-controlled analog synthesizer released in 1975, known for its bass and lead sounds.
  • Moog Prodigy: A compact, affordable analog synthesizer released in 1979, known for its powerful sound and ease of use.
  • Moog Memorymoog: A polyphonic analog synthesizer released in 1982, known for its advanced synthesis capabilities and wide range of sounds.
  • Moog Source: A compact, affordable analog synthesizer released in 1981, known for its powerful sound and ease of use.
  • Moog Voyager: A flagship, monophonic and polyphonic analog synthesizer released in 2002, known for its advanced synthesis capabilities and wide range of sounds.
  • Moog Sub 37: A monophonic analog synthesizer released in 2013, known for its powerful sound, portability and easy-to-use interface.
  • Moog Matriarch: A semi-modular, 4-note paraphonic analog synthesizer released in 2019, known for its advanced synthesis capabilities, wide range of sounds and user-friendly interface.
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Moog Modular Synthesizer

The Moog modular synthesizer, also known simply as the Moog modular, is a type of electronic music synthesizer that Robert Moog first developed in the early 1960s. The device, which was among the first modular synthesizers ever made, had a significant influence on the evolution of electronic music.

The Moog modular synthesizer is made up of a number of individual modules, including oscillators, filters, and envelope generators, that can be connected using patch cables. This allows the musician to create complex sounds and control the various parameters of the instrument in real time.

The Moog 901, the original Moog modular synthesizer, was first released in 1964. This early design included many separate modules, such as an envelope generator, a filter, and a voltage-controlled oscillator. Avant-garde musicians and experimental composers were the instrument’s primary users due to its high cost.

Robert Moog continued working on the Moog modular synthesizer for several years, introducing additional modules and bolstering the instrument’s capabilities. He launched the Moog Model 15, a more portable and cost-effective variation of the original Moog modular, in 1967.

The Moog modular synthesizer gained popularity among a broader variety of musicians in the 1970s, including rock and pop performers. Numerous popular songs, such as Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” album and Hot Butter’s “Popcorn,” featured the instrument.

As newer, more affordable digital synthesizers became available in the 1980s, the Moog modular synthesizer’s appeal started to wane. But in recent years, the instrument has undergone a resurgence in popularity as more musicians and producers rediscover the distinctive and plentiful sounds that can be produced with a Moog modular.

In the world of electronic music, the Moog modular synthesizer is now viewed as a classic instrument. It continues to attract musicians and producers from a variety of genres thanks to its distinctive sound and flexibility. Modular synthesizers are still produced and sold by Moog, and numerous businesses also offer copies and replicas of the original Moog modulars.

Used by

  • Wendy Carlos: Wendy Carlos was one of the first musicians to extensively use the Moog modular synthesizer in her music. Her 1968 album “Switched-On Bach,” which featured electronic renditions of compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach, was a commercial and critical success and helped to popularize the Moog modular.
  • The Beatles: The Beatles used a Moog modular synthesizer on the song “Because” from the album “Abbey Road” in 1969.
  • Keith Emerson: Emerson, keyboardist for the band Emerson, Lake & Palmer, was a pioneer of using Moog modular synthesizer in a rock context. He used the instrument extensively throughout the band’s career, and is widely credited with popularizing the use of the Moog in rock music.
  • Tangerine Dream: The German electronic music band Tangerine Dream was another early adopter of the Moog modular synthesizer. They used the instrument on a number of their early albums and helped to establish the Moog as a staple in the world of electronic music.
  • Giorgio Moroder: Italian producer and composer Giorgio Moroder is known for using the Moog modular synthesizer in disco and electronic pop music, especially in the 1970s.
  • Isao Tomita: Japanese electronic musician and composer, Isao Tomita, was known for his use of the Moog modular synthesizer in his classical music arrangements.
  • Pink Floyd: The band Pink Floyd used a Moog modular synthesizer on their 1975 album “Wish You Were Here.”
  • Jan Hammer: Jan Hammer, the keyboardist of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, used the Moog Modular synthesizer on the band’s album Inner Worlds(1976)
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Common Synthesizer Controls

Gate Signals

A gate signal in a modular synthesizer is an electrical signal used to control the duration of a sound. It is a binary signal frequently used to activate envelopes and other sound amplitude-controlling modules.

A gate signal is typically a positive voltage signal that rises when a note is played (for example, to 5V) and falls (for instance, to 0V) when the note is released. By turning it on and off, it is used to regulate the length of the sound. It can also be used to activate other modules, such as an envelope generator, which governs the sound’s amplitude.

Gate signals can be sent to different modules using patch cables and are typically produced by a gate-source, such as a keyboard or sequencer. They make it possible to precisely control the sound’s duration, enabling the creation of intricate rhythms and patterns.

In a nutshell, the duration of a sound is controlled by an electrical signal called a gate signal in a modular synthesizer. It is a binary signal that is frequently used to activate the envelopes and other sound amplitude-controlling modules. The duration of the sound can be precisely controlled, enabling the creation of intricate rhythms and patterns. It is typically produced by a gate-source, such as a keyboard or sequencer, and can be sent to various modules via patch cables.

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Common Synthesizer Controls

Control Voltages (CV)

Control voltages (CV) in modular synthesizers are electrical signals used to control various parameters of the modules, such as pitch, frequency, and amplitude. They are used to control the sound in a similar way to how notes on a keyboard or knob movements on a traditional synthesizer control sound.

CV signals are typically low-frequency signals, usually in the range of 0-5V, and are typically generated by a control voltage source, such as an LFO or an envelope generator. These signals are then sent to various modules via patch cables, where they are used to control different parameters, such as the frequency of an oscillator or the cutoff of a filter.

CV is a standard feature in modular synthesizers and it allows for greater flexibility and expression than traditional synthesizers. CV signals can be used to control multiple parameters at once, and the signal can be modulated by other modules, allowing for complex and dynamic sound creation.

In summary, Control voltages (CV) in modular synthesizers are electrical signals used to control various parameters of the modules, such as pitch, frequency, and amplitude. They are low-frequency signals usually in the range of 0-5V, generated by a control voltage source and sent to various modules via patch cables, allowing for greater flexibility and expression than traditional synthesizers.

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Synthesizer Types

Modular Synthesizers

A modular synthesizer is a type of synthesizer in which the various functional modules, such as oscillators, filters, and envelopes, are separate units that are connected using patch cables. As a result, the user can create distinctive sounds and signal processing chains by patching the modules together in various ways, allowing for a high degree of flexibility and customization.

Experimental musicians and sound designers frequently use modular synthesizers because they offer a wide variety of sound possibilities and the capacity to produce complex and evolving sounds. They also provide extensive sound control because users can change each module’s parameters.

There are several different types of modular synthesizers, including Eurorack, 5U, Buchla, and others. Each has its own electrical standards, physical dimensions, and shape. Companies like Moog, Buchla, Eurorack, and Doepfer commonly make modular synthesizers.

Modular synthesizers can be very expensive due to the system’s design and require a significant time and financial commitment to exploring their potential fully.

In conclusion, a modular synthesizer is composed of independent functional modules, like oscillators, filters, and envelopes, that are connected to one another using patch cables. Experimental musicians and sound designers frequently use this as it allows for a high degree of flexibility, customization, and sound experimentation. They can be expensive, come in various formats, and demand a sizeable time and financial commitment.

Examples