Moog Voyager
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- Here is my first - but hopefully not my last - video on the incredible Minimoog Voyager and featuring music using the two Voyagers I have in my studio, an XL and an Old School. This is a tribute video, not a review.
I have commandeered a lot of old video footage and images for this video, everything was freely accessible on social media and had been published, copied and republished countless times over. Given the documentary nature of my video I am hoping the original copyright owners will look kindly on my "fair use" of their material.
One particular film of Bob Moog stood out for me as being a very touching portrait of this wonderful, kind and thoughtful man. That film is a documentary made by Hans Fjellestad, here is a link to it on UA-cam but there are many other UA-cam uploads of the exact same film:
• Moog (Documentary)
And here are some more links to archive footage of Bob Moog which I came across as I was researching for my tribute video, some short excerpts of footage I included in my video:
Red Bull Music Academy: • Bob Moog talks Moog re...
Bob Moog TV Interview 2002: • Bob Moog #3
1980's BBC TV Program: • Dr Bob Moog demonstrat...
Museum of Synthesiser Technology: • Bob Moog interview fro...
Bob Moog Radio Interview 1970: • Robert Moog Interview,...
Bob Moog 7 Wendy Carlos Interview: • Bob Moog & Wendy Carlo...
Tryptych Festival 2004: • Dr Robert Moog at the ...
Archive Footage: • Robert Moog - Electron...
TV INterview Compilation: • Bob Moog y Emerson, La...
Canadian TV Documentary: • Bob Moog Modular
Swedish TV Documentary: • Robert Moog and the sy...
There are three UA-cam videos that I referenced for quotes from Dave Smith, they are as follows:
Pyramid Training Interview: • An Evening with Dave S...
SonicState at NAMM 2015: • NAMM 2015: Dave Smith ...
Sound on Sound at NAMM 2015: • Sequential Prophet-6 -...
Finally, as promised, here are links to Voyager reviews on Sound on Sound:
Performer 2003: www.soundonsou...
Old School 2008: www.soundonsou...
I’ve recorded & toured with my Voyager since 2003, and I still feel like it’s a perfect synth… for me anyway. Also, glad you liked my film :)
Hi Hans. Thanks so much for commenting. Your film is absolutely amazing, such a sensitive portrayal of a brilliant man. It's a must-see for any Moog fan. Do you have an official link to it, or maybe where it can be purchased?
@@TimShoebridge Thanks for the kind words, Tim! Pretty sure there are still some DVDs for sale from a few places, and the Japanese version is available for folks over there... but after the film's run in the US on Showtime and Netflix, I'm not sure where it's currently streaming except for the bootlegs on UA-cam. The low quality is kind of a bummer, but I'm happy people can still discover it... And I enjoy your work too, keep the videos coming!
I remember you filming for Moogfest 04' . I was at both the Moog clinic at Manny's Music and at the show at B.B. King's. One heck of a show and an awesome documentary that followed!
@@hans.fjellestad Is the Japanese version different?
@@videotowatch2000 that time with Bob in New York was definitely a highlight for me :)
Thank you for another great video Tim. In many respects it was very relatable to me.
This year I bought a Voyager 50th anniversary edition and it was love at second sight.I admit I wasn't interested in the Voyager back in the day when it was released. Maybe for some of the reasons you mentioned. My first affordable synth was a MS 20 in 1980. A few years later I took advantage of the common desire for fancy digital stuff and got another MS 20 for a tenth of its original price. Living in Cologne in 1989, I bought a relatively cheap Model D (1000 DM then/425 Pounds today) but in mediocre condition. Anyway, finally a Moog within reach. Never really played it because its yodeling keyboard issue resisted all cleaning attempts. With no technician and no www around, I eventually gave up on it and moved towards digital gear and filming.
So my Model D sat quite forgotten in the basement for nearly 30 years.
Then two things happened:
1.The pandemic (and, I won't deny it, a bit of nostalgia) struck.
2.Behringer's System 55 led me into Eurorack.
Who needs a Keyboard when you've got CV and TRIG in? Let's give it a new chance.Unfortunately, I managed to mute my Model D completely in the process. No affordable Model Ds on Ebay either. Instead more or less every type of Voyager ever issued by Moog. Prices from reasonably overpriced to "are you f** serious?". Back to the Minimoog then. After fixing a shortened transistor, a fuse and hours of key contact brushing with a DIY cleaning mixture, I was finally rewarded with pure Moog sound bliss.
But the Voyager kept staying on my mind. An old Ebay ad was still online. The seller was a nice guy living just an hour away and the price was ok, too.When I picked the synth up, there was a little surprise. Although it wasn't the signature edition, it still had a sharpie signature of Bob Moog on it which the seller didn't mention, because he smudged it a bit and had no proof of authenticity.
After the first happiness buyers remorse crept up upon me. Yes, I liked the synth with its beautiful backlit panel. But something was...not quite right.The sound was ok, although a little thinner and maybe a bit to clean compared to the Model D. And on top of deep bass sounds was a noise floor like the quantization noise of an 8-bit sample not to mention the overdrive LED working in the opposite way. No DIY anymore.
I called the legendary Rudi Linhard and learned a lot about the history of the Voyager and some funny anecdotes about Bob Moog, too. So Rudi thoroughly overhauled it and the results were marvelous. The replacement of cheap opamps among other suboptimal factory parts and proper calibration literally made a new instrument.Furthermore he added the latest OS-version he had programmed (3.6).
Now I really love the sound, the modulation possibilities, the interconnectivity with my other gear, the look and feel of it. After 10 months, I'm still happy and inspired by this machine.
The creative connection depends on more than sound and features. To me the Voyager is not merely a tool which can be judged by its price-performance ratio. It's all about the character of an instrument and if you resonate with it. And that, of course, is subjective.
Last but not least comes the icing on the cake: Rudi Linhard confirmed the authenticity of the signature.He told me that it was not uncommon for Bob Moog, who always had lots of pens in his shirt pocket, to sign some Voyagers in his factory at random.
Also the disdain for the voyager in the early to mid 2000s was weird to me. I’m hiphop and R and B they are loved and appears on countless jams. My fav producer of all time is JDilla and he was known for his use of it with his MPC 3000. That combo is lethal to this day.
When I first became a full time gigging keyboardist around 1980 I bought a brand new Model D. Two years ago I owned two Voyagers, a Fire Red and an Ice Blue. There is one difference that no one seems to talk about. If they wanted the Voyager to be more like the Model D they should have designed Osc 2 to drop out of tune consistently. The Model D drove me crazy and service techs told me it was a design issue. I never had that problem with a Voyager.
Tim, you've outdone yourself with this video! A love letter to Moog if ever there was one. Thoroughly enjoyed it. And why is owning cats a thing with us synth lovers? :) Cheers!
Who owns who?
True, I work, they don't. I feed them and even clean out their litter tray! And after all that, the cat acts snooty to me! 🐱
What an enjoyable, ethereal journey of a video. Loved everything about it. The thought really shows, Tim. Beautifully paced and scripted (both the verbal and musical content). Just a lovely ride and a stylish tribute to a worthy topic! Sending thanks from Carlsbad, California.
Really enjoyed your in-depth research and presentation of the Moog Voyager's history and placement in the market. Fickled though many complainers
were at the time..
Thanks for posting this Tim, a very interesting and thoughtful commentary
Tim, your way of narration and your voice/articulation never fail to amaze me. Of course your videos are great, too!
I have wanted to buy a voyager xl for so long. Its on the list for sure. This and grandmother are my favorite moogs
Top video Tim! Very nice combination of nostalgic video fragments, (home made?) moog music and ofcourse your comments👍🏻🎹. Always loved the Moog sound and I still love my Voyeger XL. Looking forward to more Moog video's.
I have the rack mount version of Voyager the RME, the VX-351 - VX-352 CVs expanders and the CP -251 control processor, I have connect Voyager to JAM analog pedals, Dreadbox's HYPNOSIS and DEMETER's reverbs and I love them! Great synth the Voyager is indeed!
Thank you. I applaud your approach to this video and your reasoning. I have the tolex as well and it astounds me. My fav. I really really look forward to the next voyager video from you. Bon voyage.
Very well put together. I still have my Signature/Anniversary Edition. Truly a remarkable synth.
Long live Bob Moog and The Voyager. Even Gary Numan has one
Great video and very interesting and entertaining as usual :) I agree with you about the Voyager, it’s always been something I’ve lusted after
Voyagers are so gorgeous. Trent Reznor being an avid user of them makes me want one. However, the price and value of a Minimoog will probably continue to skyrocket.
Fantastic Tim ! so brilliantly put indeed... I never understood people putting this amazing machine down - I own a 50th Ann. unit and love it to bits... Can't sit in a mix Huh ?? Hilarious :)
Absolutely great !!
The Voyager is an amazing and beautiful instrument! To fully appreciate it, one should consider it in context of combining it with the full Moogerfooger pedal lineup. Bob saw the modular trend years before its resurgence (oddly enough it doesn't output 1/v per octave but why quibble over small stuff). In that context, not only is the Voyager unique, but there is no sonic ground the Voyager cannot cover, and it surpasses plenty of the popular monosynths and reissues of today. I still have and play mine. Great video and conversation starter!
brilliant video. great insights
Great video and wonderful insight Tim! Cheers 👍
The Moog lineup of Matriarch, Model D and Voyager are so similar yet so different. All are absolutely amazing pieces. It just depends what you like. I have had all 3 at one point and I think they are all fantastic.
Thank you again for another GREAT VIDEO !!
Dope mini doc on the voyager. I’m really enjoying it. There is one other Voyager that I don’t think you had in your list. It was an aluminum version but there were only 100 made
Very warm musical instrument there in your musical samples. I like the bass tones. Very engaging.
The Voyager has always been this big dream synth of mine. I didn't really want an OG Minimoog, I wanted a Voyager. I remember constantly hearing complaints "it doesn't sound like a Minimoog". I think Moog's mistake was naming it "Minimoog Voyager".
I was extremely lucky to get (and be able to afford) one of the last Voyagers made, a beautiful electric blue with a black front panel where the regular models were silver.
I don't use it nearly as often as it deserves and I want to play it more.
Great video Tim, fantastic account of a changing contemporary narrative on the Voyager. How opinions change.
Great video. I love my Voyager.
Yes, me too, always wanted a Moog because I believe from listening that Moog oscillators are the most musical sounding in the world. After 54 years playing keyboards I still don't own a Moog. Wanted the SubPhatty, but never could afford it. Now the Sub25 costs over a thousand and won't be buying a Moog anytime soon. Had the opportunity to buy a Behringer Poly D for $500 and a Model D for $200....but still did not buy. Mono synths are not needed in my studio very much, so I will probably die never playing a Moog once in my life.
It’s a great synth - liked it then and still use it now alongside my Matriarch. My guess on the sawtooth location was a printing issue as it’s exactly at the 10 o’clock position and the square at the 2 o’clock position vs 11 o’clock and 2 o’clock it’s printed as. I live in Asheville so I’ll have to ask next time I’m in and see if anyone there knows. Lovely video as always btw.
Brilliant video…..👍🙏🖖👋🤟💪❤️🇬🇧💯
😭 *Fires Up Voyager* 😭
Voyager is superb synth. I have keyboard+rackmount combo for a bit more versatility. Truly great machine. Agree with Tim 100%
Lol. Tim, you've talked me out of buying a Nord Wave 2 and a Quantum at least twice (I still ended up buying one), and now here I am hoping you'll convince me to not drive a couple hundred miles to pick up a Lunar Impact model of the Voyager. Wish me luck on my decision. 😅
Now that I’ve seen this video, I believe Russell’s teapot is out there somewhere.
It actually outsold the original minimoog. And for at least ten or more years it was the flagship of analog synths in this World, until other modern products came out.
One of the greatest tricks is to MIDI out the keyboard notes into a polyphonic buzzy thin synth. Then run that audio back into the external input of the Voyager. Then filter and shape it live as you play...
Great content
very informative
I still wonder, why they put the name „minimoog Voyager“ on the label next to the keybed. Its is for sure not a real minimoog. It wasn‘t intended to be one. It is a then new, improved mono synth by Moog. I got a minimoog and a Voyager. They are different synths. Different sounding. And with different feature sets. But both are great synths to play.
Hey Tim, nice vid as usual, when you do you're investigations have a dig into pot mapping.....I've never had the time to look at this on mine and I'm not sure there are many videos covering this or the PRACTICAL uses of it.
"No one want's to buy it..."
That's turning now, but now it's too late. The prices are exploding.
After i sold my Model D (yes, i was that stupid!), i needed that Voyager. Many occasions passed, beeing too expensive, too far away (my D was picked up by hand from a guy of the netherlands, driving to germany on a sunny sunday), too anything. My XL was offered the next town, but beeing far off my budget, as i really was searching a "classic" Voyager.
Two years later, that same XL was offered again and with Covid in background (no vacancy, lots of money in the stash.), but one grand more on it's pricetag. I shot it.
Today, ordinary Voyager Electric, OS, etc. explode! There are offers for an Electric, hitting five grand, OS ~4k. RME are all stable about three grand. A Model D (no re-issue, a classic) is now offered for ten.
The morphing fluidity of the wave forms on the Voyager is very much part of its strength and beauty as a synth.... if you want precision in analog synthesis, then you should probably get out more! ✌️👍
It's funny to me how the same synth get completely different opinions depending on "time". You know it's the same synth. The voyager today sounds the same as the voyager in 2002. What changed is not the voyager. Not the musicality of it. What changed is people. Which makes me wonder, what are the things that we like or dislike today are going to be considered rubbish or gold 20 years from now. I wonder also why we should believe or disbelieve either opinions while the audience almost never cares.
I do have one of these by the way, with the two expounders. IMO, probably one of the best analogs I have.
very nice!
The Voyager is my favourite Moog synth of all times. The negativity around it was based on its "poor" design. It was incredibly unstable (for a modern analog synth) and it was a pain in the 4$$ to re-calibrate it without sending it back to the factory. Also, poor decisions and probably inadequate quality control led to many problematic units with dying VCOs. After the company found out what was going on and fixed the problems, the prices went out of space and people found rational excuses to avoid it. That was it. Otherwise, it was Moog's finest synth. Premium build, beautiful, defined sound at an almost good price (initially).
About 1st part of the video:
The opinions from the early 2K and 90s are valid. In 90 and in 2K.
Our opinion about monophonic synths changed with the time.
Now we have cheap and powerfull DAWS capable of audio recording, we've access to almost limitless polyphony with virtual instruments, so we use monophonic synths as they are, not the as the backbone of our set.
Like all of us I've tons of pads and "atmospheres" in my patches library, so if such synth doesn't do pads bu if t I've the money and I like its sounds? No problem!
It's like old synths without MIDI. In the 90s I would love to have my old Juno6, my TR606 or my MS20 MIDI capable. Today I don't care, if I need them I play and audio-record them. And even if the oscilators frequency drift after half an hour I can fix that without effort.
And we don't want them to imitate "a real piano" no more. 🙂
If I summarize, you're right to have bought such a synth!
I’ve been fortunate enough to own a collection of superb hardware synths, including a Rhodes Chroma, PPG Wave 2, Memorymoog, MS20, Prophet 5, and more. This December 2024, I’ll be adding the Minimoog 2022 reissue to my collection. When using these synths together, the sum of their sounds produces something truly special-far superior to their digital counterparts. There’s a depth, warmth, and silky smoothness that envelops and integrates into my productions in a way that virtual instruments simply can’t replicate.
Each sound seems to complement and enhance the other, creating a lush, cohesive sonic experience that stands head and shoulders above any single digital source. The Voyager isn’t in my plans just yet, but I’ve had the opportunity to use it in a couple of studios, and it is undoubtedly a fantastic machine! Next on my radar is the Waldorf Quantum MKII and the UDO Gemini-both of which I can’t wait to get my hands on!
Out of all the synths I've bought and sold, the Voyager is the only one that I'd buy again. I've wasted so much of my life trying to get cheaper analog modelling type synths to sound like the sounds I instantly got out of the Voyager, and frankly, it was the high point in my production. I have a hard time using soft synths now as it set such a high bar.
Funny, as that has been the exact same experience I made with soft synths. It's a waste of time to spend little or no money on some kind of "secret tips", when you want the sound you get from the really popular stuff. Not because it's popular, but, because it's popular for a reason, and that's because it sounds great.
25:00 they had even other variations. I have one with a green backlit panel and LEDs. I think there was one with purple or something like that as well.
My Moog Voyager in Black Ash with lit green background will be buried with me.
Until I saw this I didn't realize "Tim and his cat read internet comments" would be such an entertaining show. More please!
So Tim,
What waveform setting yields the shark tooth waveform.
It's one of my favorites from my old minimoog and I don't know how to dial it in on the Voyager.
Thanks,
Dana
Have you come across the slew rate mod? I had my Voyager done and it is transformed. Even with the waveform set properly to saw it isn’t as bright as a D. It now is. Highly recommended
One thing to remember Tim is that the 'Voyager" was intended to be a next generation Minimoog and It is. It's Bob Moog's last work. Continuous variable waveforms was something that went back to the Multi/Micro moog series along with aftertouch. Voyager was the first all analog to incorporate patch memory and midi implementation. Quite a feat back then. Lintronics wrote the firmare. Same outfit that wrote the firmware for the Memorymoog. some bugs but overall Awesome!! Voyagers (pricewise) are out the roof these days as is anything 'Moog'.
Those early haters of the Voyager didn't see the analog renaissance coming.
I certainly loved it when it came out, I could just never afford it. Back then everything was workstations that had some synth samples built in, but nothing like a Moog. The Voyager was innovative and visionary
The Andromeda and the Access Virus TI were the only synths in that price range in the catalog at the time IIRC, and I was looking probably 2003-5.@@JonJenkins1982
I’d always been in love with Moog sounds (among other analog breeds - Korg, for examples), but it was at Grandmother release l felt the urge to buy a new one. It relate perfectly with my soul. Sometimes l go sleep with a sequence patiently crafted going on and on, sorrounding my dreams all night long.❤
Glory to Dr. Bob Moog.
The people that don't like the sound are overlooking J Dilla.... whose own Signature version is now in the Smithsonian.
I really liked how you made a point to honor the Legend Bob Moog. This was an excellent video. Thanks Tim! I love your content. I got a Typhoon after your videos.
An excellent critique Tim. I am a very happy owner of a fire red voyager select series - an utterly wonderful synth.
I used to own that exact same model, in a beautiful cherry wood housing. You can see some demos of it on my channel. I really miss that synth… 😢
Great video, I loved the old clips and music you added. What are your thoughts on the Moog Little Phatty?
The last product Bob was involved in.
Thank you for these videos
I have not owned a Little Phatty but I played one for a while and it sounded to me very similar to my Sub Phatty, which I like the sound of very much 👍
What about the rest of the select series and the aluminum chassis voyagers?
I think that the basis for failure of the Voyager as a synthesizer that is appealing on first sight is that terrible design mistake of that central square touch surface. At first look people think it must be a screen, only to find out there is a tiny screen above it and this huge space in the middle is a modulation device that is hardlybeing used while playing. This was a terrible mistake, comparable to the Ford Edsel in terms of impact on potential buyers. It is an awful factor that many people cannot get around, often subconsciously.
The second reason is that everybody expected it to be a minimoog like the model D, this time even more sophisticated. And in the eyes of Bob Moog it was, only he was an engineer and not a musician. He took out all the technical flaws, which turned out to make the minimoog such a special instrument. That made the Voyager rather dull in comparison and many people sold their voyagers and went on pursuit for a vintage model D. None of these people really investigated the voyagers in depth.
I am one of them, I tried an Old Scool without the terrible touch pad, but parted with it for the second reason. It was so correct, that it seemed more like a task than a joy to play it and inspiration never came. So now, at the beginning of this video, as I am writing this, I am very curious what Tim is going to show me that I never found. And I trust him that it will change my mind about the voyagers. Will that be even up to the point that I regret having sold it?
I'd love to own one of these, thanks for the vid.
The Voyager is the most-core "Bob's Soul is here" synth for me. Nice work Tim. ;)
I loved my Voyager, it was great, but had to sell it to start GEOSynths and buy newer Synths to make Patches on. This is a great Video though Tim, off the charts Production and sounds great...A***
The cat bit crush effect is insane, i defintely should try this. Is it included in the voyager pack?
I’m not an analogue snob (for example, I bought the KORG Modwave this year and I like it), but every time I plug in the Voyager and put it through a decent reverb, I think, ‘that’s what a really professional synth sounds like’.
Love it Tim!!! Your videos rule!!!!
Wow! I got a voyager electric blue & an xl too
Great video, would love to see you do a shoot out with it vs the Model D, which I know you're a fan of. Side note do you still have you 2600? you're set up seems to evolve from video to video. Always curious which gear you keep or sell off over time. Would be cool to see a studio walkthrough and learn what you use your gear for typically, from one synth to the next or workflows for making/recording music. Anyway, great video, I enjoyed it!
Thanks for the interesting video! It's probably worth mentioning for the whiners that the Voyager was not the first Moog analog mono synth with patch memory. That would have been the 1981 Source, which also had a very good sequencer.
It's also probably relevant that the entire Eurorack craze has changed the game completely. The Voyager - especially the XL - was less useful in a MIDI world, but now in a CV/Gate world, it has regained a lot of its value as a logical front end for a Moog modular system - a thing that [crazily] didn't exist while the Voyager was in production. How much would it cost to put together a real Moog synth with genuine Moog VCO, VCF, VCA, EG, LFO, etc. plus a keyboard/ribbon controller in a walnut case with patch memory? If you try to create a Voyager XL in MU format, you can't for the same price. Moog chose to position the Voyager at the top of the synth market, and it was no different than buying a top of the line professional-grade Gibson guitar. I could still buy the cheap version for thousands less - but it's not the same instrument. More money doesn't always mean getting more functions, sometimes it means getting more quality, durability or something classic and inspiring. A lot of my favorite keyboards are the most simple ones that enable the most creativity (i.e. SH-101, Ensoniq workstations, old samplers). Unfortunately for the Voyager, limited features make it a player's synth rather than a type of groovebox with keys. You have to be ready to pair more talent or more gear with the Moog for it to really shine.
There will always be a market for the Voyager with the purists; but there will be a lot more weekend warriors who want to get more capabilities with their money and aren't sentimental or audiophile enough to care.
Don't forget the special edition colour ones sound a LOT better!
Just when I thought I had enough synthesizers lol ❤🥂 Another great review you handsome devil☆☆☆☆☆
Haha!
I'm torn. The Moog Voyager is one of the best and worst synths at the same time. Excellently made, with great capabilities, but completely out of character. It's sound is boring - no matter if you use one or three oscillators it always sounds the same. Perfect for experimenting or for boring electronic music. However, if you are looking for something with character or vintage sound - Voyager is out.
Yes, thanks for this infovideo on the Voyager. I managed to scoop one up (Voyager XL) brand new about three years prior to them being discontinued. Let’s just say “it’s vast”! I’m currently using it to control my Model 15. Having said that I’m hoping with all the focused interest Tim has drawn together here that someone along the way will read this and help to solve these two questions: 1 - how can I use the Voyager XL to control the glide on the Model 15 and 2 - how can I use the Voyager XL to control the 921’s clamping point feature on the Model 15? PS I do have a pair of (well functioning) S-trig to 1/4”mono cables. The biggest complaint I’ve heard over the years was regarding price point. However, the touch pad and ribbon controller are really awesome additional features. Excellent presentation Tim.
Fantastic video! entertaining & very well done! I use my Voyager XL on almost everything: it's a great MIDI controller, modular controller, and anything CV too. Looking forward to part two!
I also think Moog reissued the model D & modular systems ( 10, 15, 35, 55 ? ) as an engineering exercise, to get back to their roots. That DNA ended up in the Grandmother & Matriarch circuits, with similar sonics & appeal.
Nice tribute. RIP Bob Moog
If I ever get the opportunity to buy a voyager for a decent price, I will without hesitation. It’s such a beautiful synth.
Listen to all of the beautiful sounds and compositions you had, before and after the sections where you mentioned some of the worst criticisms people had for the synth. With one fell swoop, you made all the hate and negativity surrounding this synth, though largely outdated now, seem trite and whiny, illegitimate and outright wrong.
What a fantastic presentation you've made here, Tim.
Thank you! I love my Voyager more than any synth I have. It sounds enough like a minimoog, yet is so much more. You did your part to right the obvious wrongs of the past. Another great video!
I appreciate you making this video. I was starting to feel like the only one that really loved the voyager. No one seems to talk about it much, and there is a lot of negativity. I think the XL sums up Bob's legacy quite well, as it utilizes modern technology, while still being perfectly capable of delivering the classic analog sound. The synth community can get posh in some areas, and the obsession with vintage just becomes counterproductive. The voyager can do everything the model D can and so much more, because it takes advantage of our wonderful modern technology, and not crippling itself just to be considered vintage. A synth is a tool, not a painting.
I own both the Model D and the Voyager XL, and I must differ: The Voyager absolutely can *_not_* do everything the D can do. Nope. No way. Sorry... (btw, I love my XL and won't part with it, but neither would I get rid of my D, because it has snappier filters, simple as that.)
Still love my Voyagers, have owned new since they came out. Love my Model D. Both have their own charm and character.
Do the D and Voyager sound exactly the same, no not on everything. Are there times when the D is best others the Voyager. Like others, I would not get rid of either. Would also not get rid of the Little Phatty Tribute It has enough of its own character that it’s another tool choice. Same for the other brand synths.
Sold my Grandmother to buy wavestate / Modwave. Just keeping my subsequent 37 as moog legacy.
Great video Tim, well done. Thanks very much. Oh I was lucky to meet Bob twice, decades apart. He WAS a real gentleman. Even helped me crash a Fairlight party in London when I was a student. Happy to share that story if you’re interested.
You lucky man! Yes I've seen online a few Fairlight videos featuring Bob
I wish I had kept mine, they are very complete "instruments" that can really create almost all the sounds you need with all the internal modulation routing possible.
I got one 5 years ago in lunar white. It has been my favorite synth ever synthce.
Just to follow up, I just finished the whole video. The Prophet 6 is totally the Voyager of polysynths. my favorite synth combo is a Voyager+P6
Good video, I am looking for a couple of " strong " baselines. Any chance you know of there names in the presets that you like ?
On the sawtooth issue-I had the same issue with my old Moog Slim Phatty! It confused me for years. Where it said the sawtooth was on the knob was actually a sawtooth with a little pulse, and the sawtooth was actually the next marker to the left on the knob. I wonder if it was some sort of weird design decision? If they stuck with it for an entire new instrument...
Thank you for paying homage to the Voyager with this fantastic and very personal video! In my opinion, the Voyager was - again - a brilliant work of art of Bob Moog: Fantastic sound, extensive modulation capabilities, comprehensive midification and with the plenty CV ins and outs (using VX-351 with my 50th AE) bridging the "old" world (modular systems) and the "new" one (midi). Somehow it seems, that Bob was anticipating the rebirth/expansion of modular systems. In this context (and since your Behringer System 100 videos infected me and made me also step into modular ;-) ), I would highly appreciate a video with your XL being integrated in your modular system - a perfect symbioses. Any plans for this?
..........sometimes Tim, you get the feeling that many have missed the plot because 'they' have taken things way too much for granted. Someone like yourself is never really going to be lost on a minor hiccup of Bobs Work as, you have an understanding of the radio shack bucket brigades initial endeavours. You ask many what was 'Radio Shack' all about back in the day and many are just going to frown at you. Many modern musicians ask too much in the initial mix these days of the form and capability of analog synthesis, and even partaking to the 'can you tell the difference' party - keen to pick a fight where, none is actually needed. You take a good long look at what Ashville was, and still is all about, and to this day, there is not the word 'compromise' I can readily call in any of his legacy and instruments. Each has a personality and character that his/her fellow brethren in all things moog, can only emulate, and, further now with such offerings as MS20 and Arturias two finest offerings. Just a few going back to a day where the understanding of wave form was as much the piece as the notes themselves. If you look back at Bob Moog himself though, he turns up in life in the strangest of places you wouldn't think, for an electronics whizz, but there, as you dig and then, even chance upon by accident, you see all his personal love and adventure, in every work he has carried out. You see him with 'rondo' or emerson etc. And yeah, we all get that, but then a subtlety to bob moog can sometimes hit harder than any moog one 16 voice offeriing or system 55. Just a simple catch of him, in the crowd at Nina Simone singing ' I Got Life. ' And there begins a secret love, in everything he has done and given, most, of which people don't even know. Bob, like Nina, has been a 'send.' When you sense that in all his endeavours;- there is no monophonic offering to turn a nose up at, as all, is love. In an uncertain age upon us, where geek speak doesn't know radio shack of the World. I know from where Bob lay down his foundation. I wish there were still people such as he, upon this World. Nice video Tim. I even had to get the polybrute jamming wth your end credits. Nice one. ua-cam.com/video/L5jI9I03q8E/v-deo.html
I absolutely loved your cat! But I have to say I would never let my cats get in my studio haha
Anyway, as always, great video!!
I totally relate to what you said at the beginning of the video about all the "bad reputation" you found online; I recently received my Behriger Poly D, and I felt quite the same as you. I wish you had made this video before, so i could´ve made up my mind sooner haha
Cheers!!
I can understand Hans and his ancient comment. It seems Moog does not want to sell instruments, they seem to want to produce collectors items. In my case, I wanted a minimoog, but everybody knows how overly expensive the original ones are. I was pleasantly surprised when they announced their re-edition. Would I be able to save up the still HUGE amount of money and get a new one in a few years (the time it would take me to save up for one)? Oh, of course not. Half in, they discontinued it and the new ones became collectibles, too.
Thank you, Uli. Your clone is cheaper than a broken key on a moog, but not worse.
The voyager? I like it and always did, but I was not into synths when analogue came out of fashion. Maybe I would have been one of the "it's all dinosaur tech" guys.
28:15 ...what's so bad about that?
28:24 "caved in"
The Model D is a great instrument. Why does it have to be stuck in the used market, 40 years old? I just don't get it. Maybe the Voyager is an amazing synth AND the Model D reissue was a good idea. Look at Sequential - the Prophet 5 rev.4 reissue is great, AND stuff like the Pro-3 is great. These don't need to be mutually exclusive.
I guess a big part of being such a geniuses inventor is the negativity you get at first when presenting new ground breaking inventions to the public. He felt that through all his years but also had “Hardcore fans” who told him how he influenced them mentally. His goal was also to create musical instrument and empower musicians, which he knew that he did. The man was a legend and you gave him so much respect with a brilliant film and music. Thank you for that 🙏
Few synths and a cat (need one!) that’s the perfect formula 🙂... Great video, as always. Never had Moog but Matriarch seems like the one to get.. Quite happy with my three synths at the moment, Neutron and DeepMind12 by Behringer and a Modal Cobalt8.. that one keeps surprising me.
Great video! Really impressive all the research and the passion put in it. Congrat! I have a Matriach and I really love it. Unique!
Studio where I worked had a Taurus, an original Mini, an updated Mine, the original Voyager and the old-school Voyager.
It went bankrupt in the banking crisis.. They were all sold for cheap and still privately didn't have enough money to buy one... (because I'd been working for half my salary for the better part of a year) The old-school Voyager sold for 800 euros... :'(
But, it was awesome while it lasted nevertheless... Spend many nights there playing with them.
I’ll begin by saying that I do NOT hate the Voyager, but I think some things are worth considering.
Bob Moog did not design the Minimoog. In fact, workers at Moog reported his initial response was shock and anger. And the Minimoog bite was the result of a miscalculation in regards to overdriving the filter. And Bob Moog did not have a hand in making other great synths like the Prodigy, Source, and Rogue. In fact the Prodigy and Rogue were cheaper synths marketed to customers with more humble budgets.
My point is that when Robert Moog took a swing at remaking the Minimoog, his reference points were the large modular systems he himself designed.
You have to admit that the Voyager is a touch over engineered. The Minimoog was admittedly limited, but in the hands of a great player, it could be both nimble and flexible.
I think that the people who wanted a Minimoog wanted the elegance and simplicity and bite of the original synth, but they received an over-engineered, complicated machine.
Arguably Moog’s best synths are the Minimoog, Prodigy, and the Source (all synths Bob Moog did not personally work on). With the exception of the Little Phatty, his idea of a synth tended to be the large modular systems.
My personal favorite is the Subsequent 37, and I all I hear is, “It’s not a Minimoog.” It’s it own synth with its own sound and many complications, but some people could care less.
I think Moog’s reference points were radically different than the expectations of those who adore the Model D, and never the two shall meet.
I think the Voyager is fantastic unit and great peice of engineering and would probably go for one over the model d.
To me I respect the Voyager for what it is .
Tim... Brilliant as always. I so appreciate your heart. You wear it on your sleeve. Passion. Love it. Thank you for this piece. Appreciate you.
My Electric Blue Voyager was not a good experience. As others have reported, the filter cicuits failed shortly out of warranty. Initially, Moog wanted £1000 to replace the main board. Then about a year later, Moog finally admitted that a batch of Voyagers had been built with faulty chips and if the serial number and date of unit was within a certain range, they would fix it for free. Great! Except my Voyager's serial was out of range even though it had the same make faulty chips. I wrote to Moog three times on this with absolutely no reply. This experience poisoned the well with Moog for me. So I currently have a 20kg paper weight sitting in the studio - the Oscs work but nothing past the mixer. I want to get it fixed but Behringer changed the landscape.