Moog Minitaur Revolution 2 Review

moog-minitaur-synthesizer-review

Moog Music recently introduced the Minitaur Revolution 2 – an updated version of their analog bass synthesizer module, with new firmware that introduces some significant new features.

The Minitaur Revolution 2 is a deep synth out of the box – delivering classic Taurus-style sounds. And it just gets deeper as you dig into it, offering interesting control voltage modulation options, extensive MIDI options and more.

What is the Moog Minitaur?

Here’s how Moog describes the Minitaur:

Minitaur is a powerful, compact Analog Bass Synthesizer that features a classic one knob per function design. It is the first instrument in the Taurus family that does not have foot pedals. At only 8.5″ x 5.25″ and less than 3lbs, the Minitaur puts legendary analog Moog bass into a package designed to fit seamlessly into today’s performance and production environments.

Two key things to note:

  • It’s a bass synth in the Taurus family. Expect it to deliver the bass, not the soprano (It plays notes C5 and lower). And expect it to deliver the classic Moog bass synth sounds heard on so many recordings of the 70′s – not 80′s FM sounds or digital bass sounds.
  • It’s designed for modern production and performance environments. So it dispenses with pedals, which few keyboardists are used to playing, and assumes that you will control it via MIDI, computer or control voltages.

The Moog Minitaur retails for about $600. Does it deliver $600 of synth action? Let’s check it out……  Continue reading

Novation Bass Station II Updates Classic Analog Design

Novation-Bass-Station-II

Musikmesse 2013: This morning Novation announced the launch of Bass Station II - a new analogue bass synthesizer that they say is equally well adapted to leads.

Based on the classic Novation Bass Station from 20 years ago, the Bass Station II has been “completely re-worked for the 21st Century,” with two filters, two oscillators plus a sub-oscillator, patch save and a fully-analogue effects section.

Plus the Bass Station II boasts a step-sequencer, an arpeggiator, a two octave (25-note) velocity-sensitive keyboard with full-sized keys and a powerful modulation section. There’s also MIDI I/O and USB connectivity.

And the street price is a cool $500. Schwing!

Want to know more? We’ve got the details: Continue reading

Chauliodus Bassline Synthesizer For iOS

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Developer Sobal Corporation has released Chauliodus Bassline Synthesizer, a new software synth for iOS that focuses on bass.

Chauliodus Bassline Synthesizer is designed to let you play basslines from the built-in sequencer, external MIDI devices, external sequencers, and other iOS applications. In addition, you can manipulate the sound with a modulation pad or by using the gyroscope.

Here are the details: Continue reading

The Moog Taurus 1 Bass Pedals

Marko Ettlich takes ’a voyage into the heart of the Moog Taurus 1 bass pedal from the year 1976′, with his latest RetroSound video.

Even though the Taurus 1 led to three other Moog bass synthesizers, many owners would argue that the sound of the original Moog Taurus 1 has never been equaled.

If you’ve used the Moog Taurus 1, let us know what you think of it! Continue reading