Moog Voyager vs. ???

[danielmm]

I went to the local music shop and took the Moog Voyager for a spin and I was impressed with it's lush sound and solid build. It sounds great in fact.

I was not impressed with the price and the fact that it is monophonic. It's a great synth for the old analogue die-hards and for the knob junkies but will they sell a lot of them?...I mean with all the great software emulations out there, how can they make money on this thing?

I think it has it's place, but it would appeal to a very small market in my estimation and anyone who wants that sound could pick up a number software packages for less than 1/10th of the cost for guys like me with a small bedroom studio.

If you have tried the Voyager, what are your thoughts and what software would you suggest comes closest to this sound?

dano

[fishbowl.tucson.az]

I was not impressed with the price and the fact that it is monophonic.

That's a bit like going to a Steinway dealer and complaining that the pianos are expensive and made of wood.

[danielmm]

That's a bit like going to a Steinway dealer and complaining that the pianos are expensive and made of wood.

Well, not quite. A piano would appeal to a much larger market and therefore you can justify making it because you know it will sell... I was trying make the point that if you had 3000 bucks, would you use it to buy a Voyager...

dano

[nuffink]

I think they'll sell loads. When the whole software / va hardware thing eventually shakes down there will be computers and boutique "real analogues" like this.

[shamann]

Given that Moog have 2 new versions coming out, I'd guess they've been selling well. They are boutique items, designed for those who are in to those kinds of things. If you had $500,000, would you buy a Lamboghini? Probably not, but there are people who would.

Maybe the rack version that's coming will be cheaper.

[edit] nuffink got boutique in first. Drats.

[danielmm]

I think they'll sell loads. When the whole software / va hardware thing eventually shakes down there will be computers and boutique "real analogues" like this.

Good point..never really thought of the software/hardware link. Korg obviously is a good example of this and they have done it successfully with a mini keyboard. The Voyager looks and feels very solid compared to the Korg setup and I think that would be a great controller especially with the touch pad.

Still, 3000.00....thats a lot of money for hardware. No?

dano

[paul minot]

Given that Moog have 2 new versions coming out, I'd guess they've been selling well. They are boutique items, designed for those who are in to those kinds of things. If you had $500,000, would you buy a Lamboghini? Probably not, but there are people who would.

Maybe the rack version that's coming will be cheaper.

[edit] nuffink got boutique in first. Drats.

I was thinking of exactly the same analogy. IMHO, the Voyager is a status piece of kit for professionals--great looking on a TV performance, for example--but not of practical use for people like us who have budgets.

[neverwhere2012]

the one time i played with a voyager i had trouble getting my jaw off the floor for the rest of the day. i'd say judging by the fact that everytime i open up an issue of keyboard/remix/EM/etc. and read and interview or see a gear list there's a voyager in there is proof enough that they sell.

[Bruce Bartlett]

That the Voyager exists is proof that the Mini is not just another synthesizer, but a serious musical instrument in its own right. Real instruments cost a lot of money -- look into the cost of a cello, an upright piano, or most band instruments, and the Voyager will look a lot more reasonable -- but the cost can be justified, because they are used for a lifetime or more. They are built out of decent materials and require a certain degree of craftmanship to assemble; they are not well-suited to mass-production. But most of all, they don't fall out of fashion or become "obsolete"... unlike many past synths which were trendy for a few months, and then discarded when something "better" came along.

[seamonkey]

Hi daniel, I bought the Moog Voyager w/maple &blue lit wheel several months ago.
You are correct when you say the sound is lush & full.

The craftsmanship & quality of every detail can be seen & felt.
It took me some time to decide to make the plunge for $2695US but for me it is well worth it.

For me it is a treat to myself to own such a piece of equipment, I have longed for a Moog since selling my Model D some 10 years ago.

I have seen Model D Moogs going on e-bay for as much as $2000,so to own a brand new one for almost the same price is almost a bargain.

As far as software goes, when I first got my Moog I compared it soundwise to Arturia's Minimoog V and it was quite impressive.

I think the release of Ohm's mini will really shine as a Moog emulation and from what everyone says will blow the Minimoog V out of the water.

http://www.kvraudio.com/get/846.html
I now own a "new" piece of history and am also happy to honor the man who many feel is the "granddaddy" of analog synthesis(moog filters).

[MarkM]

I've played a Voyager for about an hour. It's quite impressive, especially the low end. Nothing seems to match those bass notes. I found it lacking when making pads, but for leads, fx and bass the Voyager is outstanding.
I own the Mood Modular V2 which has a very Moogish quality, but just can't get the same quality of bass. But I like it much better for pads since it is polyphonic. Plus the MMV2 has a step sequencer. The Voyager has a certain electric/organic sound that the MMV2 can't touch. However, I absolutely love the MMV2, and it will give you a very Moogish sound to your music.
Now I have not tried the Arturia MiniMoog V. Perhaps it will sound closer.

[danielmm]

Hi daniel, I bought the Moog Voyager w/maple &blue lit wheel several months ago.
You are correct when you say the sound is lush & full.

The craftsmanship & quality of every detail can be seen & felt.
It took me some time to decide to make the plunge for $2695US but for me it is well worth it.

For me it is a treat to myself to own such a piece of equipment, I have longed for a Moog since selling my Model D some 10 years ago.

I have seen Model D Moogs going on e-bay for as much as $2000,so to own a brand new one for almost the same price is almost a bargain.

As far as software goes, when I first got my Moog I compared it soundwise to Arturia's Minimoog V and it was quite impressive.

I think the release of Ohm's mini will really shine as a Moog emulation and from what everyone says will blow the Minimoog V out of the water.

Agreed.... I think this is the same reason that I haven't sold my Oberheim Xpander. There is no question the Voyager is remarkable. Despite it's incredible sound, do you find yourself still wanting more from it?

I guess it really comes down your needs. I would love to have one and I'm sure I could find a use for it on nearly everthing I do...it's just a matter of budget for me. If I were given 3K to spend at the music store, I would want more than one monophonic synth (despite it being the pinnacle of monophonic synths).

The touch pad is amazing, the knobs are solid, I like the feel of the keys and I was floored by the lower end. There's really nothing bad to say about it for what it's designed to be. I guess if you want the best, you gotta pay for it.

dano

[fitch]

dan have you got your hands on an andromeda A6 at all ?


still a beautiful analogue beast .. but lots more polyphony and lots cheaper..

tweaky heaven

i love mine

[ukm]

In my opinion the Voyager is a "real" music instrument. Software is interesting too but its not the same regardless of the sound - they can coexist. Seems that now is the time for many keyboardists to remember that they should rather play an instrument than spend their time in searching (or creating) sounds from workstations to fill the arrangement.

ukm

[danielmm]

still a beautiful analogue beast .. but lots more polyphony and lots cheaper..

tweaky heaven

i love mine

Hi Claire,
I was thinking the same thing about the A6...just didn't want to step on anyone's toes. I think the A6 can be had quite cheap on ebay now(relatively speaking). I played one some time ago but again couldn't justify the price in my budget...again it's another one of those that I would love to have,but...

I like the A6 for it's big sound and flexibility...it would also make a great controller keyboard.

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the comparison of the two...are you able to try a Voyager out somewhere?

In my opinion the Voyager is a "real" music instrument.

I think this is a valid point to a degree. I'm not sure the fact that you can touch and feel each part qualifies something as a real instrument. This could become a whole new thread but I would consider "voice" to be one of the most expressive real instruments of music but it doesn't fall into any of your criteria for "real".

dano