MOOG or MS-20?

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POMMON

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MOOG vs. MS-20

What's up people.

I'm fasinated with the moog sound. I really want to buy one, but not only are they expensive, they are also hard to fix if they need repairs. There's a rumor that the Yamaha MS-20 sounds the same, and is easier to fix than a moog.

Can anyone confirm this?
 


:D moog is mentioned 2 times in 5 minutes. rise of the machines?

 
-Moved To Synthesizers Forum-

also edited the thread name since i cant stand Blah vs. Blah
 
He probably means KORG MS-20

THe sound is different, and what you can do with each is different..

The MS-20 lets you change the original signal path via simple patch cables.

The Minimoog has 3 oscillators, the MS-20 has 2 (etc).

THe MS-20 is a very good choice if you don't want to break the bank and still get that vintage sound.

I posted a thread asking what the maintenance was on those KORGs, as I am considering getting one this year.
 
The Korg MS-20 has 12dB per octave filters, while the Moog has 24dB per octave filters.

What this means to you is that the Korg will let more high frequencies through (often sounding "buzzy" or "fizzy"), while the Moog will sound more "bassy".

They definitely do not sound the same. They are quite different instruments. What role are you looking to have this synth fill in your own band or productions?

Strictly speaking, the MS-20 is more flexible (as it gives you hardware patch points that you can use to override the "preset" internal signal path.) If this will be your first synth, you will be able to learn a lot from the MS-20 (but keep in mind that, to use it proper;ly, you will need to learn a lot.)

The Moog has a more tried-and-true arrangement of Oscillators->Filters->Amplifier. It's not quite as flexible (unless you go for the Minimoog Voyager!), but it does have that tone. Nothing sounds like a Moog, and they go for big money for good reasons.

You didn't mention: What Moog were you thinking of getting? I'm assuming the Minimoog, but there are others. The later, polyphonic Moogs (made after Bob Moog left the company) are more unreliable, as far as I hear. Generally, Moog stuff is built like tanks.

Let us know more about what you want in a synth, and we can give you better recommendations.

Cheers!

-Hoax
 
All this info is great people.
cheers!

Sorry for originally posting in the wrong section, and, yes I was talking about the Korg MS-20.

I guess I'm comparing to Moogs like the Prodigy, Rogue, Mini, micro. Those ones are quite similar from what i understand.

i'm going for a real 70's soul sound. herbie hancock, stevie wonder etc...
I'll need a more midrange and high sound for leads. But a nice low LFO growel would be nice at times.

I just don't want to hunt high and low for a moog, trade my left arm for it, then end up breaking it.
A tech told me that they can't be fixed.

So that's my main issue.
But i really want one!
:(
 
i'm an absolute MOOG addict... i have had two in the past (original, old ones) and they are the absolute machines that you love to hate. just like a motorcycle or a woman.


now i have Arturia's MOOG Modular and, while it still has its quirks, is an absolute dream to work with and i am currently planing to dedicate an entire computer to it with a top sound card just because it's so good but takes 2 to 3 times the processing power of a good VSTi.

but this leathal combo, for the money involved, is well worth it compared to the real thing if it's really only for studio use. i don't do live unless it's on wax ;)

so, i'm happy as larry and...
"Bob is my God !"
 
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I'd be highly critical of the "can't be fixed" comment. Some of the later Moogs (again, made after Bob left the company) really are a nightmare to tech. Rat's nest cabling, not designed with an engineer in mind, etc. That'd be the memorymoog, minitmoog, etc.

Earlier stuff is well-designed, with all discrete components, which actually makes it quite easy to tech.

The Minimoog is the Moog sound. It sounds awesome, and will do wonky midrange stuff, high leads, and thunderous bass with ease. You can also run an instrument into it to make use of its filters. Nice!

The Rogue is smaller, and only has two oscillators. What this means is that, generally, the sound won't be as thick and rich as the Mini (which has three oscillators.) But the Rogue does have Oscillator sync, which can sound warm and vocal-y or screaming and ripping. (The Cars song "I like the night life" or whatever, uses oscillator sync on the main synth sound. Also, the synth breakdown in Emerson, Lake, and Palmer's "Tiger in a Spotlight" uses it to sound like a screaming cat. (That was on a Moog modular, but that's what oscillator sync sounds like.) Very nice, and a source of aggressive and expressive sounds that a guitar just can't make.

Modern virtual analogs can often sound quite good, but they just ain't analog. In general, their oscillators start to wound weird in the very highest octaves (and in the harmonics of lower notes, too, due to aliasing), and they generally can't do an oscillator sync that sounds as raw and ballsy as a real analog. 90% of the time, though, your audience won't be able to tell the difference. A real analog is for somebody who wants that final level of quality and realism. When a good digital photo just won't do, you want an excellent oil painting executed by a master artist. Most people won't care to look for the differences, but it's all in the details.

The MS-20 will be coming out in software soon, if that matters to you. It'll come with a mini-ms-20 controller that plugs in via USB. Nifty and kinda weird. Ain't a Moog, but nifty.

Obviously, this is coming from a true analog-head. I love my Moog, and I'd buy more if I had the resources. If this is your first synth, you may want to buy a digital synth. But if you have the basics covered, and want something sublime, responsive, and that sometimes pushes back when you push it, get a real analog.

-Hoax
 
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mano 1 said:
He probably means KORG MS-20

THe sound is different, and what you can do with each is different..

The MS-20 lets you change the original signal path via simple patch cables.

The Minimoog has 3 oscillators, the MS-20 has 2 (etc).

THe MS-20 is a very good choice if you don't want to break the bank and still get that vintage sound.

I posted a thread asking what the maintenance was on those KORGs, as I am considering getting one this year.
Click to expand...

To set the record straight, the MS-20 does not allow you to reroute the audio path, just control voltage.
 
Thanks to Cruel Hoax and all for your wisdom.
I have a ton of synths already, but have overlooked the moog all these years.
Now i'm nuts about the Moog.

tell ya what. I'm going to gather a few audio clips and post links here so ya'll can tell me if i can get sounds like these from a Moog Rogue or Prodigy. Hopefully i can save my self a $1000 by settling for a Rogue(if i can even find one).

stay tuned!
 
http://www.futureboogie.com/audio/phuturistix.ram

I want you guys to listen closely to the link above.
It's a .ram file as you can see.

so, If you scroll to exactly 22:10, you'll hear a nice mellow moog waver under everything else. It's beautiful.

I also want you to listen to the whole track that begins at 27:00. Focus on the squalchy moog parts that play throughout, and later on you'll hear a wicked decrescending moog progression. wicked wicked wicked.

let's see if all your ears can tell me if those are Rogue's, Prodigy's, Mini's or whatever
happy listening!
 
I'm down with that. I just sold a Mini and a Midi moog. Still kept one of each in my main studio.
MS20's nice but a different toy entirely.
Good advice on them, but be wary of prices on them as they seem to go thru fad stages , much like the Oscars.

Personally, and some would attack me for gear lust, I believe if you're into the analogue vibe then if you can afford it, buy one of each make, but be selective and you will have one mama of an arsenal. Each one has it's own character and interface.
 
BUY ONE OF EACH MOOG?
i'd love to.
but, ya know.

My aaim is to own at least one synth of most synth companies(maybe that's what you meant).

It's nice to work on a track, and be able to turn to whatever sound you want in your rig.

I'm getting there.


you must be doing something right!
 
i own a korg ms20, i also have a minimoog, a polumoog and a moog source. they are very different beasts.

the ms20 is very fat and juicy sounding, but it's no moog. i guess it really depends on what you're after. virtual analog is pretty cool as well, and getting better all the time, but there is just no subsitution for the real thing.

shapeling
 
Nothing sounds like a MOOG! The closest thing I've heard is the Studio Electronics SE1-X. It's so damn close, it's scary. I actually like the SE1 better for bass, because it has more presets.

The price difference should tell you something. Plust the Korg is not analog, and nothing sounds like a REAL analog machine.
 
ok, has anyone ever known of anyone with a broken moog, who tried to get it fixed?

I really gotta jump that hurdle before i buy one. I'd hate to pay $2000 fro a moog and then have something go wrong in a month.
 
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