Music Thing: Moog's new thing
by Ryan Block 
posted Mar 19th 2006 at 9:31AM
Each week Tom Whitwell of Music Thing highlights the best of the new
music gear that's coming out, as well as noteworthy vintage equipment:
Music geeks have
never seen anything like it. The hype surrounding Moog's new product launch on 29th March is pretty much unprecedented.
Ok, nobody has yet made an hoax video of the thing, but we're waiting.
Why all the buzz? Because people love Moog as a company. Not like people love / hate Apple, but like people love The Simpsons -- unconditionally. Bob Moog helped invent the synth 40 years ago, and the company sells expensive, sexy, American-made gear today. There's no backlash, and -- apart from a few gripes about how expensive the stuff is -- I've never met a Moog hater. This will be the firm's first new product since Bob Moog died last year. If it turns out to be a new synthesizer, it will be a big deal.
The hype started at the end of last year, when a Moog staffer started dropping hints on message boards about an affordable analog synth from the company. Given that their only other synth costs $3,000 , people got very excited. Then the staffer went quiet, and the NAMM trade fair came and went without anything from the company.
Then, the
theories started. It was going to be a $20,000 polyphonic analog synth. Or a set of Rush-style bass pedals. Or a drum
machine. Or a completely digital recreation of the legendary Memorymoog. Or a keytar.
Last week, Moog confirmed that something new was on the way, and started dropping hints - an ad with what looked like a classic chunky Moog knob, surrounded by LEDs, then one apparently showing wooden side panels of what looked like a classic slope-fronted Moog synth.
We'll find out what they're up to on the 29th. Two things seem certain. It will still be expensive and it will be cool. I can't wait.
Why all the buzz? Because people love Moog as a company. Not like people love / hate Apple, but like people love The Simpsons -- unconditionally. Bob Moog helped invent the synth 40 years ago, and the company sells expensive, sexy, American-made gear today. There's no backlash, and -- apart from a few gripes about how expensive the stuff is -- I've never met a Moog hater. This will be the firm's first new product since Bob Moog died last year. If it turns out to be a new synthesizer, it will be a big deal.
The hype started at the end of last year, when a Moog staffer started dropping hints on message boards about an affordable analog synth from the company. Given that their only other synth costs $3,000 , people got very excited. Then the staffer went quiet, and the NAMM trade fair came and went without anything from the company.
Last week, Moog confirmed that something new was on the way, and started dropping hints - an ad with what looked like a classic chunky Moog knob, surrounded by LEDs, then one apparently showing wooden side panels of what looked like a classic slope-fronted Moog synth.
We'll find out what they're up to on the 29th. Two things seem certain. It will still be expensive and it will be cool. I can't wait.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dan @ Mar 19th 2006 11:02AM
I havent really ever purchased something from moog before, but this sounds very interesting. definatly out of my price range. hehe i would definatly like a drum machines.
Jon @ Mar 19th 2006 12:15PM
Everyone should checkout moogmovie.com if you can find a copy of this film/go see it somewhere, you really should.
Nate MC @ Mar 19th 2006 1:37PM
I will still always equate moog with something I'm too poor to own.
But it will still be interesting to see whats coming, hopefully something like the MicroKorg.
TheKhakinator @ Mar 19th 2006 8:14PM
Yeah, looks cool. Always wanted a synth. Hope its not too expensive. Analog sounds good, I don't like digi synths.
fever @ Mar 19th 2006 8:15PM
I own that "Country Moog" album. Surprisingly good, considering I'm not a big fan of country.
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