Robert Moog Dr Robert A. Moog (born May 23, 1934) is the inventor of the Moog synthesizer. (The name Moog is pronounced so that it rhymes with vogue.) A native of New York City, he earned a bachelor's degree in physics from Queen's College, a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in engineering physics from Cornell University. Moog synthesizer The Moog synthesizer was one of the first widely used electronic musical instruments. Robert Moog created the first playable modern configurable music synthesizer in 1963, and showed it at the AES convention in 1964. It sometimes took hours to set up the machine for a new sound. It is believed the first record to feature a Moog synthesizer was Cosmic Sounds by The Zodiac. The first mainstream music album to feature the record was Pisces, Aqaurius, Capricorn, & Jones, Ltd. by The Monkees. Wendy Carlos (then Walter Carlos) released two major Moog albums in 1968: Switched-On Bach and The well-tempered synthesizer. The former earned Carlos three grammys. Robert Moog set up a company to manufacture and market his synthesizers. Unlike the few other 1960s synthesizer manufacturers, Moog shipped a piano-style keyboard as the standard user interface to his synthesizers. Moog also established standards for analog synthesizer control interfacing, with a logarithmic 1-volt-per-octave pitch control and a separate pulse triggering signal. The first instruments were modular synthesizers. In 1971 Moog broke into the mass market with the Minimoog Model D, an all-in-one instrument. The Minimoog was a 44 key scaled-down version of Moog's custom modular synths and featured 3 oscillators with six choosable waveshapes, an oscillator mixer, and a pitch wheel and a modulation wheel. The third oscillator could also function as an LFO (low frequency oscillator). The Minimoog attained and remained the status of "the ultimate monophonic synthesizer" during the 70s. Another widely used and extremely popular synth of Moog's was the Taurus bass pedal synthesizer. Released in 1974, these pedals were similar in design to organ pedals, but triggered bass synth sounds, instead. They were known for their huge, "fat" bass sound and were used by musicians such as Rush, U2, Yes, The Police, and many others. Production of these amazing synths was discontinued in 1981. Eventually, digital synthesizers began to replace their analog counterparts. However, since the mid-1990s they have seen a resurgence in popularity and are now highly sought after and prized for their "retro" sound. As of 2004, more than 15 companies are making Moog-style synthesizer modules. The company making the Moog synthesizers went through various changes of ownership, eventually being bought out by musical instrument manufacturer Norlin. Norlin produced a number of synthesizers under the Moog name, but they were less successful than Moog's own designs. Moog Music closed its doors in 1986. After leaving his namesake firm, Bob Moog started making electronic musical instruments again, with a new company, Big Briar. Their first specialty was theremins, yet by 2000 Big Briar was producing synthesizer modules again. Moog managed to buy back the Moog Music name in 2003 and is producing a new version of the Minimoog called the Minimoog Voyager. The Voyager features all of the above in regards to the model D, as well as a variable waveshape controller, dedicated LFO, FM capabilities with oscillator 3, and expansion capabilities via the Moogerfooger effects and the VX-351 Voyager Expander. Theremin Robert Moog constructed his own theremin as early as 1949. Later he described a theremin in the hobbyist magazine Electronics World and offered a kit of parts for the construction of the Electronic Worlds theremin -- which became a big success. In about 1989 he repaired the original theremin of Clara Rockmore so she could play it again -- an accomplishment which he considers as high point of his professional career. He helped to produce her album "The Art of the Theremin". In 1996 he published another do-it-yourself theremin guide. His company sells theremins worldwide. See also Clavivox Raymond Scott List of Moog synthesizer users External links Synth Museum article about Bob Moog Amazing Sounds interview with Bob Moog Salon article about Robert Moog's career Moog Music official website Pictures of Bob Moog Article with pictures of Bob Moog and various Moog synthesizers Audio Samples from the Moog Modular Picture archive of a large number of analog synthesizers, including Moog Bob Moog's links List of current modular synth mfrs http://www.tauruspedals.com Most Popular Articles: Music    Musical Instruments    Guitar    Classical Music    History    Music Definition    Country Music    Rock Music    Pop Music    Hip Hop    Rap    DJ    Video Games    Casino Games    Poker    Blackjack    Casinos    Real Estate    Loan    Auction    eBay    Marketing    Search Engine Optimization    File Sharing    MP3    Music Industry    Kazaa    Internet    Supermodel    Fashion    Fashion Designers    Erotica    Modeling    Clothing    Boots    Shoes    Diamond Engagement Rings    Diamond    Rugs    Gospel Music    Affiliate    E-Commerce    Radio This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License at http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html You may copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license. 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