Robert Moog (original) (raw)

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.)

The Moog synthesizer was one of the first widely used electronic mucical instruments.

Robert Moog created the first playable modern configurable music synthesizer in 1964. It took hours to set up the machine for a new sound. Among the first pieces of recorded music performed on this synthesizer are the records "The well-tempered synthesizer" and "Switched-on Bach" by Walter Carlos.

Robert Moog set up a company to manufacture and market his synthesizers. Unlike several other contemporary synthesizer manufacturers, Moog shipped a 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, and Moog broke into the mass market with the Minimoog an all-in-one instrument. Eventually, the advent of digital synthesizers made analog synthesizers less popular.

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.

Analog synthesizers have made a comeback in recent years, and they are prized for their "retro" sound.

After many years, Bob Moog is making electronic musical instruments again, with a new company, Big Briar.

See also: