Micromoog

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Micromoog
Micromoog
Micromoog
Manufactured by Moog Music
Dates 1975–79
Technical specifications
Polyphony Monophonic
Timbrality Monotimbral
Oscillator 1 variable waveshape
LFO 1 pulse/sawtooth
Synthesis type Analog Subtractive
Filter 1 lowpass
Attenuator 1 AR
Input/output
Keyboard 32-keys
Left-hand control Ribbon controller
mod wheel
External control Moog Open System

The Micromoog is a monophonic analog synthesizer produced by Moog Music from 1975–79.

The Micromoog was designed by Robert Moog and Jim Scott as a scaled-down, cheaper alternative to the Minimoog. It was designed to tap into a market of musicians who wanted an introduction to synthesis, but could not afford the $1,500 Minimoog. It thus is extremely basic in design. It is a monophonic synthesizer, featuring 1 variable waveshape voltage-controlled oscillator. It has a -24dB per octave low-pass filter with envelope generator, a voltage-controlled amplifier, noise generator, sample and hold circuit, low-frequency oscillator, and modulation routing. It has a 32-key keyboard and was one of the first synthesizers to include a built-in ribbon controller, in this instance for pitch bending. The Micromoog has an audio input allowing external audio to be run through the filter and VCA. It also features the Moog Open System control inputs, a pre-MIDI control system which enabled the unit to be controlled by other Moog synthesizers.

A classical piece recorded using only the Micromoog

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A recording using only the Micromoog and some external reverb

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A recent piece recorded using a Micromoog and Roland TR-808 Drum Machine

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The Micromoog served as the basis for the Multimoog, a similarly styled but more generously equipped synthesizer featuring two VCOs, a larger 44 note keyboard, greater modulation options and an early implementation of keyboard aftertouch functions.

Filter Modification[edit]

The Micromoog has a "fault" that limits its bass timbre. The modification can be found here and has said to make it able to compete with the actual Minimoog (on a one oscillator level).

See also[edit]

External links[edit]