Moog has always been a reference brand for professional keyboardists and electronic music enthusiasts worldwide. Moog synthesizers are renowned for their build quality, versatility, and, most importantly, their unique and distinctive sound. Many world-famous artists and bands have used these iconic instruments in their performances, contributing to the brand’s popularity and respect within the music industry.

The history of Moog

The story of Moog began in 1954, when Dr. Robert Moog started building modular synthesizers. In 1964, his first commercial product, the Moog Modular, was introduced to the market and quickly gained popularity among musicians and electronic music composers. In 1970, Moog launched the Minimoog, a more compact and affordable instrument, which became a standard in music production for decades. Over the years, Moog continued to develop new products and technologies, including the Polymoog, Taurus, and Source.

From the 1980s to today, Moog Music has undergone several phases and changes, eventually declaring bankruptcy in 1986.

In 2002, Bob Moog managed to reacquire the lost rights to his own brand, relaunched his business, and resumed synthesizer production with the Minimoog Voyager, released in 2004. The Californian company’s founder passed away the following year, but the enterprise continued producing high-quality synthesizers, remaining faithful to the tradition and high standards of the original products. In 2017, Moog Music introduced a new synthesizer, the Moog One, which received critical acclaim for its sound quality and versatility.

Overall, since Robert Moog left the company, Moog Music has experienced several transitions but has consistently upheld its reputation for product quality and innovation, continuing to be a benchmark in the synthesizer industry.

The most iconic models

Moog Music has produced numerous synthesizer models that have become famous over the years, continually innovating its commercial offerings and the market at large. Some of the company’s most notable products include:

• Moog Modular: Moog’s first commercial instrument, introduced in 1964. It was a modular synthesizer that allowed musicians to create customized sounds using separate modules.

• Minimoog: (1970) One of the first portable and compact synthesizers, becoming a standard in the music production industry.

• Polymoog: (1975) This instrument offered multi-voice sound generation, being one of the first analog polyphonic synthesizers available on the market.

• Taurus: (1975) A foot-operated synthesizer designed for low-frequency sound production; it allowed musicians to keep their hands free for playing other instruments.

• Source: (1977) One of the first instruments to use frequency modulation synthesis technology, enabling more complex soundscapes.

• Moogerfooger: Launched in 2002, this series of effect pedals provided musicians with extensive sound manipulation options, including distortion, filters, and modulation pedals.

• Minimoog Voyager: (2004) A replica of the original and now rare Minimoog, retaining its predecessor’s quality and versatility with added features like MIDI, CV/Gate, and preset memory.

• Little Phatty: (2007) Designed as a more affordable and compact alternative to the Voyager, incorporating useful digital features.

• Sub Phatty: (2013) An instrument focused on delivering powerful low-frequency sounds.

• Moog One: (2017) Celebrated for its sound quality and versatility, it was Moog’s first polyphonic synthesizer in over 30 years.

• Moog Subharmonicon: Introduced in 2018, this compact semi-modular synthesizer generates rich, complex sounds using subharmonic synthesis techniques.

Moog’s contribution to modern music

Moog synthesizers have had a significant impact on modern music, particularly in creating iconic electronic sounds and modulation techniques. Many renowned artists, such as Wendy Carlos, Keith Emerson, Jan Hammer, and Jean Michel Jarre, have used Moog synthesizers in their compositions, helping popularize electronic sounds in pop and rock music. Moog synthesizers have been featured in many successful albums since the 1960s. Some notable examples include:

• “Switched-On Bach” by Wendy Carlos (1968): This album, featuring works by Johann Sebastian Bach performed on a Moog synthesizer, was one of the first to extensively use electronic sounds and even won a Grammy.

• “Tarkus” by Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1971): A progressive rock epic, including a 20-minute track titled “Tarkus” that heavily uses Moog synthesizers.

• “Oxygene” by Jean Michel Jarre (1976): A cornerstone of electronic music, selling millions of copies worldwide, created using various Moog instruments.

• “Trans-Europe Express” by Kraftwerk (1977): This German electronic music album, featuring a Minimoog, inspired many artists to explore electronic sounds.

These are just a few examples of albums that extensively used Moog synthesizers and influenced modern music. Many other artists and bands have creatively used these instruments in subsequent decades up to the present day.

Modern evolutions

Moog Music continues to design new synthesizers based on the classic technologies and sounds developed by Robert Moog, adding modern features. Compact synthesizer models respond to market demand for greater instrument portability without sacrificing the brand’s sonic power and versatility. Examples include the Mother-32, DFAM, and the previously mentioned Subharmonicon. These small semi-modular instruments offer high-level performance while taking up minimal space and being affordably priced. They are often purchased together to provide a vast array of sonic possibilities in a recording studio.

These instruments are designed to offer the flexibility and creativity of Moog’s original modular synthesizers in more accessible and affordable formats for modern musicians. Thanks to patch panels, they can interact, creating potentially infinite sounds and modulations. Additionally, Moog Music has developed numerous software versions of its physical instruments, such as the Animoog app for iPad, providing an intuitive interface for creating classic and experimental sounds using Moog’s synthesis models, replicating existing physical products while adding features made possible by digital technology.