Moog's Brought Back the System 55 and Others For a Limited Time

http://www.moogmusic.com/news/return-moog-modular

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January 19, 2014 Asheville, NC: 50 years ago the Moog modular synthesizer represented as radical a transition as Kandinski’s abstracts or Kodak’s cameras – offering both a break from yesterday and a startling glimpse of tomorrow. And, as with all cultural explosions, the impact of Dr. Moog’s invention was impossible to evaluate from the epicenter. It’s only now, 50 years down the line, that we can get some measure of the importance and sheer untapped potential of the Moog Modular Synthesizer.

 

Today, it is with great excitement that we announce our plans to recommence a limited run, manufacturing of three of our most sought after 5U, large format, modular synthesizers: The System 55, the System 35 and the Model 15. These three modular synthesizer systems were originally created and manufactured by Moog in 1973.

 

To commemorate the announcement, we shot a short film at our factory about the deeply inspiring and multifaceted relationship artists have with modular synthesizers. The video features electronic music pioneers such as Suzanne Ciani, Malcolm Cecil, David Borden, Dick Hyman and Herb Deutsch alongside performances by contemporary modular artists like Holy Ghost! (DFA), Gavin Russom (ECSTATIC/Entropy Trax), Max Ravitz AKA Patricia (L.I.E.S./Spectral Sound/Opal Tapes), Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith (Western Vinyl), Jacques Greene (Vase/LuckyMe) and M. Geddes Gengras (Stones Throw). Each artist played a patch live, in one take with no overdubs, on one or more of the new Moog Modular systems.

 

The foundation for this announcement was laid last year at Moogfest 2014, when we released the Emerson Moog Modular System – a faithful recreation of Keith Emerson’s legendary modular instrument, which was the culmination of three years' worth of research and engineering. Now we will use the techniques learned recreating the EMMS manufacturing process to once again build these modular systems. Crucially, in deference to the unique character and appeal of the original instruments, these systems will be made entirely to their original product specifications and manufacturing techniques and processes.

 

Working from the 1970s schematics, each instrument will be meticulously handcrafted, as a true recreation of the original. The modules are built from the original circuit board films - just as they were in 1973- by hand-stuffing and hand-soldering components to circuit boards, and using traditional wiring methods. The front panels are photo-etched aluminum, a classic process rarely used in today’s synthesizer manufacturing, to maintain the classic and durable look of vintage Moog modules.

Upon their first release in 1973, the System 55, the System 35 and the Model 15 represented a high watermark for modular synthesis, and their inimitable tones can be heard shaping many much-loved albums. They were fundamental in the development of contemporary soul, RnB, and disco, from giving Stevie Wonder’s classic run of 70s LPs their questing, innovative edge, to providing Giorgio Moroder with the pulsating machine melodies that ushered in electronic dance. At the same time, these were the instruments that inspired Brian Eno to push further out into seas of layered tranquillity on his pioneering ambient albums, and provoked bands like Yes and Tangerine Dream to blast their sonic freak outs into the cosmos.

 

However, the reintroduction of these instruments is not about reliving the past – while much incredible work has been done with the Moog Modular, there is so much yet to be explored in this relatively young instrument. Artists had only begun to grasp the vast possibilities of these large format modular synthesizers when they went out of production over thirty years ago. Decades of electronic experimentation have enabled musicians to move on from viewing the Moog Modular as a replacement for traditional instrumentation. Now, a new generation of artists, with a greater understanding and more complex tools, will have the opportunity to explore the power of these singular sonic machines. Today, the modular synthesizer is viewed in the manner Bob Moog originally intended: to “discover endless offbeat, unconventional, and even irrational ways of working.”

 

The dedicated nature of the Moog modular rebuilding process is such that the units will come in extremely limited quantities. There will be 55 units of the System 55, priced at $35,000 per instrument; 35 of units of the System 35, priced at $22,000 per instrument; and 150 units of the Model 15, priced at $10,000 per instrument.

 

Alongside these Moog Modular Systems will be the Sequencer Complement B Expansion Cabinet, a dual 960 Sequential Controller, an accompaniment to the System 35 and System 55, that has been out of production for over 30 years– as well as an optional 5-Octave duophonic keyboard.

Will these synths actually go into the hands of active musicians, or will some super rich collectors snag them up? Very limited and very costly...

those prices are insane. You can have a top quality clone for much less. I hope they got other things in stock for naam !

  On 1/21/2015 at 4:12 PM, psn said:

Will these synths actually go into the hands of active musicians, or will some super rich collectors snag them up? Very limited and very costly...

Well, depends if the active musicians in question have the dosh to cough up for one, I suppose...

  On 1/21/2015 at 4:26 PM, Joyrex said:

 

  On 1/21/2015 at 4:12 PM, psn said:

Will these synths actually go into the hands of active musicians, or will some super rich collectors snag them up? Very limited and very costly...

Well, depends if the active musicians in question have the dosh to cough up for one, I suppose...

Wow moog.

This was a rather difficult one to keep secret...

i made a thread yesterday with this in it to catalogue synth reissues and clones. not whining about jazz or anything, but for those interested in this sort of thing, there's loads going on!

  On 1/21/2015 at 4:12 PM, psn said:

Will these synths actually go into the hands of active musicians, or will some super rich collectors snag them up? Very limited and very costly...

I was thinking more the university/studio sector would be interested. The larger format seems like it'd be a much better tool for learning than euro and hands on still beats digital, at least as learning/experimenting goes :)

  On 1/22/2015 at 5:18 PM, cloudbreaker said:

 

  On 1/21/2015 at 4:12 PM, psn said:

Will these synths actually go into the hands of active musicians, or will some super rich collectors snag them up? Very limited and very costly...

 

I was thinking more the university/studio sector would be interested. The larger format seems like it'd be a much better tool for learning than euro and hands on still beats digital, at least as learning/experimenting goes :)

 

I can tell you now that there are certain universities over here which are certainly interested.

I'll buy one when all the universities start throwing out "that big old junk" in 15 years time, then.

We had an ARP 2500 at my college and never fucking used it.

Typical!

bah

so emerson can play "fanfare for the common prick" at some stadium surrounded by thousands of old cunttards?

let's go backwards 5 decades and charge a fucking ransom so some punk ass twat stockbrokers can bleep and blurp in his home studio.

the whole modular thing in general is such a fucking wank at this point it's sickening

oh and btw ...yea yea i get it analog sounds better

so how does it affect you? let people have their fun, stop being bitter

He's got a point, there are far more interesting modular systems out there IMO.

But "the whole modular thing in general is such a fucking wank at this point it's sickening"

if i had ......say 3-5k to blow on a real toy i would get kyma or an eventide and explore the future

i realize moog is the flagship brand name but this stuff is priced for rockstars not common pricks

"the low end model- priced at $10,000 per instrument."

  On 1/25/2015 at 11:44 PM, modey said:

so how does it affect you? let people have their fun, stop being bitter

i'll do as i please

thanks judge!

  On 1/26/2015 at 3:26 AM, yikes said:

if i had ......say 3-5k to blow on a real toy i would get kyma or an eventide and explore the future

 

i realize moog is the flagship brand name but this stuff is priced for rockstars not common pricks

 

"the low end model- priced at $10,000 per instrument."

moog have products targeted at common pricks too (the phatty range, few modular things here + there).

yes, there are other companies doing modular in more exciting fashion. a limited offer recreation of the modular systems being 1to1 faithful to original designs is obviously a. not targeted at common pricks b. not interested in being competing with current modular innovations.

it's its own thing that's playing to moogs own legacy and reputation, and there are people out there who would love this kinda thing. you seem pretty pissed off over something pretty cool?

ie. If I had the money ( I don't) I would love this kinda thing because .. why not? moog are cool.

  On 1/26/2015 at 3:26 AM, yikes said:

if i had ......say 3-5k to blow on a real toy i would get kyma or an eventide and explore the future

 

It is interesting they are back on the market but it is more of a collection piece than anything. If Bob Moog was still alive and kicking and had designed a new system I think it would be worth paying attention to but the Moog clone market is pretty well established with cheaper modules which would be easier to integrate into 5U and to a certain extent Euro systems.

I take back what I said. The System 55 is marvellous.

Love it. It's so big it will end up in the bin then a teen will find it 20 years later, take it home then create a new genre called TWOT

Rehash rehash. Why not make eurorack modules?