Spectrasonics has launched a unique, multi-faceted tribute to honor the legacy of synthesizer pioneer Dr. Robert Moog. The company released a new Bob Moog Tribute Library created by renowned artists for Omnisphere, and kicked off a contest, where participants enter to win the one-of-a-kind "OMG-1" hardware synthesizer created by Eric Persing. 100% of the proceeds from this Tribute go to benefit the Bob Moog Foundation.

Bob Moog Tribute Library

Produced by Eric Persing, the Bob Moog Tribute library features over 700 new sounds for Omnisphere, Spectrasonics' flagship synthesizer virtual instrument. The sounds in the library were created by more than 40 of the world's top synth artists, remixers and sound designers, including Hans Zimmer, Vince Clarke (Erasure/Depeche Mode), Jean Michel Jarre, The Crystal Method, Jordan Rudess, Money Mark (Beastie Boys/Beck), Bernie Worrell (P-Funk/Talking Heads), Larry Fast (Peter Gabriel/Synergy), Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Air/Fiona Apple), Ryuichi Sakamoto (YMO), Morgan Page (Madonna/Katy Perry), Keith Shocklee (Bomb Squad/Public Enemy), Steve Porcaro (Toto), Fredwreck (Snoop Dogg/50 Cent), Jan Hammer (Jeff Beck/Mahavishnu Orchestra), Michael Boddicker (Michael Jackson), Richard Devine (Aphex Twin), Patrick Moraz (Yes/Moody Blues), Eddie Jobson (UK/Roxy Music), Diego Stocco, Danny Elfman, The Moog Cookbook, and many more.

The 2.4GB of new Soundsources in the library were developed using highly creative processing techniques - often with exotic gear like rare Buchla Modulars, Jean Michel Jarre's EMS Synthi AKS, Hans Zimmer's massive Modular Moog (including 1027 round robin Moog Drum samples) and even Persing's unique OMG-1. With so many different world-class artists contributing, the library is very rich in style and filled with inspiring, cutting edge sounds.

All of the proceeds from the sale of the new "Bob Moog Tribute Library" go to supporting the innovative projects of the Bob Moog Foundation including the MoogLab student outreach program, the creation of the 'Moogseum' in Bob's home town of Asheville, NC, and to preserve and share Bob Moog's extensive and historic archives. The goal of the foundation is to 'educate and inspire children and adults through its mission of educating and inspiring at the intersection of music, science and innovation.'

The OMG-1 Contest

The grand prize in the contest, the OMG-1 hardware synthesizer, was designed by Persing as a live performance instrument and is not a commercial product - it's truly one-of-a-kind, integrating the worlds of analog synthesis, computers, software synthesis and the latest multi-touch surfaces into one extraordinary instrument. The state-of-the-art dual-manual OMG-1 combines a Moog Little Phatty analog synthesizer, Spectrasonics' flagship Omnisphere software synthesizer, a powerful internal Apple Mac Mini computer, dual Apple iPads, dual iPods, and Spectrasonics' brand-new Omni TR iPad app - all integrated into a beautiful, hand-crafted curly maple cabinet created by American artisan Daniel Auon.

Contestants vying to win the OMG-1 buy and download the $100 "Bob Moog Tribute Library" for Omnisphere, then write one or more pieces of music utilizing the sounds from the library. The deadline for submission is July 15, 2011. The music will be judged by members of the Spectrasonics team and artists who contributed to the library. Numerous additional prizes for runner-ups will be presented when the contest winners are announced on September 15th, 2011. The OMG-1 grand prize will be presented by Eric Persing to the contest winner at the 2011 "MoogFest" in October in Asheville, NC; Spectrasonics will be flying the winner to the event.

"The Bob Moog Foundation is proud and grateful to be the beneficiary of Spectrasonics' Bob Moog Tribute Sound Library for Omnisphere." stated Michelle Moog-Koussa, executive Director of the Bob Moog Foundation. "The combination of artistry, creativity, passion, goodwill and generosity from Spectrasonics and the contributing artists makes this library a unique and powerful homage to Bob's pioneering work. The library is an important musical tool, providing a rich palette of new sounds for musicians to incorporate into their musical canvas, thus expanding their creative voice. Giving musicians tools with which to broaden their capability to explore the sonic landscape was, after all, Bob Moog's focus and passion, making this project particularly fitting."

"It is especially gratifying to see a leader in the music technology industry paying tribute with a project of this magnitude" added Michelle, who, besides running the Foundation, is Bob Moog's daughter. "Eric Persing's goal to help the Bob Moog Foundation move closer to achieving its mission will undoubtedly provide significant resources by which our organization will grow and continue to carry Bob's legacy into the future."

Check out the Bob Moog Tribute Library and learn more about the contest to win the OMG-1 synthesizer.