Moog Discontinues Rack-Mount Minimoog Voyager, Releases Robert Rich EP

Minimoog-Voyager-rack-mount-editionToday, Moog Music announced the official discontinuation of the Minimoog Voyager Rack Mount Edition (Voyager RME) analog synthesizer. Moog Music calls the Minimoog Voyager “Bob Moog’s modern day re-imagining of the Minimoog Model D, the most iconic analog synthesizer of all time.”

Introduced in 2005, the 5U-format Minimoog Voyager RME has figured in the music of Daft Punk, Orbital, Deadmau5, Tycho and R&B producer Brian Michael Cox, to name a few.

“It’s always difficult for us to end the life of a product, especially one that Bob designed himself, but I am happy to know that the artists fortunate enough to own one of these expressive tools will enjoy a lifetime of rich musical experiences,” said Moog Music President Mike Adams.

Robert-Rich_Hiding-In-Daylight_EPTo “celebrate the legacy of this powerful analog instrument,” the synth company has called on ambient electronic musician Robert Rich to compose a 3-song EP of “evolving soundscapes,” titled “Hiding In Daylight.”

Moog Music calls Rich’s work “a meditative exploration of organic analog sound, drawing on the rich tonal palette of the Minimoog Voyager RME.”

Listen to and download “Hiding In Daylight” here:

Pricing and Availability. The Minimoog Voyager RME retails for $2795. You can find an authorized dealer to sell you one of the remaining Minimoog Voyager RMEs, via the Moog Music website.

More information about Robert Rich and his music is on the Robert Rich website.

 

 

27 thoughts on “Moog Discontinues Rack-Mount Minimoog Voyager, Releases Robert Rich EP

  1. They just discontinued the Slim Phatty rack module, too.

    People must not be buying rack-mount modules like they used to. Or maybe these things just don’t die, and companies have sold them to all the studios that need them.

  2. I think this signals the end of a long-underway strategic shift. They started the RME run at a time when their competition was their own vintage synths. Back then, they didn’t make anything affordable, but they were the only game in town.

    A little desktop/rack mono is no longer something you need to pay nearly 3k for, not with the affordable mono wave, including Moog’s own recent products.

    But Moog can’t drop the Voyager RME price or they insult all the customers who paid up the nose. So kill the product line, check to see if the tears are dry, and then put out a Sub 37 RME for $899.

    1. Sub 37 RME for $899 would be a deal!

      High-end rack mount synths are just getting squeezed out. They don’t present a budget option – people will buy a MiniBrute for a nice starter analog. And, at the high end, if you’re going to spend more than a thousand dollars on a synth, I think most people would prefer a complete instrument, rather than a module.

      1. Sub 37 RME would be amazing, that would go on my Xmas list for sure!
        Perhaps they could manage to squeeze in some CV outs too!

  3. I’m sure a complete synth in a rack mount format no longer competes with modular rack mounted components. More variety, more choice, better price.

    1. I would say that rack gear is better than modular. Some of us producers want patch memories and don’t have the time (on stage or in the studio) to be faffing about with modulars.
      19 inch rack is here to stay thankfully .

  4. CNN was reporting that Moog will be replacing this with a new analog poly synth. It will essentially be a modern version of the Memorymoog that will be priced in the range of the Prophet 12 and Virus T1.

    Pop. Oh yeah, that’s right. Moog doesn’t listen to their customers when it comes to a poly synth. Let’s rehash another mono or make modular synth recreations that mere mortals can’t afford.

    Prove me wrong Moog. Please!

    1. “modular synth recreations that mere mortals can’t afford”

      What do you suppose a Moog poly synth would cost? Genuinely curious. Be honest.

    2. A new Moog poly…Hmmm?
      When the Memorymoog MKI came out in ’82 I bought one new for $2,600, far cheaper than the JP8/P5/Obxa. It was a wonderful sounding machine …until it started to have dire tuning issues (hence the voice disable function via the keypad!). A few months later Moog released the MkII (or Memorymoog plus) with both MIDI and arpeggiator, adding insult to injury for many MKI owners. As for myself, I ended up selling the Memorymoog and switched to the newly released JP-6 which I kept for many years. I never bought a Moog product since.

      If Moog are really going to make a new Memorymoog type poly, lets hope that it is competitively priced like the original (although judging the price of their current monos, I don’t see it). If they can do that, and keep those 18 VCOs stable…I would definitely be interested.

    1. Here! Here! I’d love the Sub 37, but in its keyboard form, I’d struggle to find enough room for it in my studio. However, a rack mounted version – Presto!

      Robert Rich’s EP is great! Thanks for sharing!

  5. I don’t think Moog is interested in going downstream price-wise with their synths. They seem to consistently market themselves to the higher margin end of the market and avoid the race to the bottom. They also seem to like controlling their own manufacturing for the most part – barring the mini pedals. The Werkstatt and Theremini are the only exceptions and both of those are, IMO, more aimed at generating interest and creativity in the younger market. They have sold every one of the modulars. Voyagers are in wide fairly wide demand and staples among many relevant artists. Hard to make an argument that they aren’t listening to their customers when you look at those facts.

  6. the factory is tooling up for the upcoming Moog Poly synth. they simply dont have the room to keep making these older models.

    Plus, the new Moog Poly is going to sell BUCKETLOADS. and they know it. so they will need all hands on deck for that one!

  7. no proof.. but perhaps the main reason is that most people are going to table top devices. I’ve seen more table top hardware in the last year then ever before. Maybe Moog is heading that direction?

  8. To me it doesn’t make sense to discontinue this one. If they are still making a Voyager keyboard, then the parts ought to be available to make this. I always wanted an RME but could never justify its price.

    It is true that years ago Moog introduced this product 10 years ago to a different, less competitive market. I would like an RME without the EL backlighting – and hell, I don’t even care so much about programmability. That would be the $1000 module to have.

    Or just reduce the price of the existing product. Of course, that would leave a lot of people feeling butt hurt for being overcharged. Rich people. All 25 of ’em.

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