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I write this with a mixture of disillusionment, bewilderment and disgust. Having been an owner of a Moog Voyager, for some months now, I no longer believe that the Voyager can replace a Minimoog, as it was so assertively stated on the Vintage Synth Explorer and other industry articles. My first reaction to Moog Music's web site, before I bought my Performer Model, was of almost incredulous suprize at the crass exploitation of the Moog name. However, I thought that if the quality of sound was behind it, then it was a trifle. It is my decided opinion now that Dr.Moog has compromised, as he peddles the Voyager like some old time huckster masked as a music demi-god, the actual quality of the sound of the synthesizer and its functions. Here are the reasons:
The oscillators in the Voyager, unlike the early Moogs, are not discreet, but are generated by a copious amount of op-amps, and transistor packs, even more than the later Moogs, that indeed, used integrated chips (including the ua-726). This is not generally known, and indeed, my salesman claimed the circuitry was completely discreet.
All this might seem academic, but for the reason that is crucial to the craft of music making, the Voyagers sounds brighter and ��THINNER�� than the older Minis, even including the later ua-726 ones. This has often been attributed to the dual filters, but the fact is still apparent when one filter is used. (I have noted how curiously silent the old Moog players have been, Stevie, Bernie, Wakeman, et al, regarding the Voyager'��s supposed glories, while they continue to play their old Minis.) This is not just 'my'�� opinion, in fact numerous people have expressed this on the web, including on the Moog Forum post of May, 24 2004, entitled Voyager vs Model D. This discussion was actually REMOVED�� from the forum so is no longer available for the perusal of those interested in the appraisal of the facts in a democratic forum. Here is an excerpt.- "�I've been a little disturbed to have been reading so many posts that claim that the model D is still way phatter then the new moog voyager...I thought Moog would develop the voyager so to never lose a bit of the originals' phat-ness."��
One contributor to the post stated that the greater '��fatness'�� or '��sonic density'�� as he called it, was wrongly attributed to a lack of oscillator stability, but of the non-discreet nature of the Voyager electronics. He then goes on to say that it would be prohibitively costly to build it with discreet circuitry today. I cannot ascribe to this view. There are a number of synth manufacturers today building entirely discreet audio paths; the Omega 8 and the MacBeth come to mind. The latter is actually marketed as a Mini alternative, and though it has far less midi capabilities, it also costs about half as much. Midi software is cheaper to develop, so Dr.Moog chose the cheapest way rather than most musically optimal.
Finally, regarding function, another cynical cost cutting ploy was the decision to not include the same elegant portamento function as on the original moog, where the filter follows the glide. The only way to do this is to spend more money on a vx351 and a cp251 add on module, a cumbersome and expensive solution, that still does not allow for patch saving of parameters. Some voiced their displeasure about this, and it was taken off the the forum, although I notice it has since been re-instated, no doubt after more protests.
Probably the most informed and balanced appraisal of the Voyager is to be found at - Harmony Central User Forums > Keys, Samplers, & Synths > Keys,Synths & Samplers > how does the moog voyager stand up to old moogs? Here is some telling excerpts- Posts: 23 "��OK here is my opinion, as a user of both, side by side....so i must admit the mini is bassier than the voyager. the waveforms sound a bit different too... the mini is "rounder" so better for thick basslines, especially funk....still, the mini has what counts: unbeatable sound ...so if you're looking for pure sound and nothing but it, from a discrete analog purist point of view, get the old early minimoogs ..but if you want a pretty good analog sound, a monosynth that is ultimately flexible (makes a great front-end for a modular *plus* you can link voyagers for multiple voices if you've got the cash =) ) and more then get the voyager...btw yes macbeth products do rock as well' - I didn't spend over 3 Grand for a MONOSYNTH to get a '�pretty good' analog sound!!! (And who but the most rich and decadent can afford to link them up!)
I am not saying the Voyager sounds bad, and as a mid/cv controller it is the best in the world, both in looks and function. It does much that the old minis can't, including formant type sounds and tones and textures outside the scope of the Mini due to its variable wave forms, dual filter and switchable poles, and modular interface. However it could have been a TRUE masterpiece instead of the compromised synth it is because corners were cut in the interest of profit.
All told, since the Voyager in my estimation, fails to deliver the goods, as expressed by Moog Music and industry reviewers whose bread and butter is dependent on new products, I can only give it a 3 out of five. It most certainly will NOT replace a mini-moog. Postscript - Moog music should release a rack mount FULLY DISCREET Mini, that is both a stand alone or compatible with the Voyager, providing it cost under 2000 American Dollars (If the English can do it -ie. MacBeth- why not Moog?) Despite all the bad feeling Moog Music's sniffing after filthy Lucre has engendered, I WOULD BUY IT ! -In for a few pounds in for another.
Most Sincerley - Rick Van Eyes
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