First New Moog Model 15 Modular Synthesizers Now Built

Model-15_black

Moog Music today announced that the first of its new Model 15 modular synthesizers are now coming off of their production line:

https://twitter.com/moogmusicinc/status/619569808888197120

The new Model 15 synthesizers are reissues of the classic 1973 originals. Moog engineers have hand-built recreations of the original instruments, based on their 1973 factory specifications, documentation, circuit board and art files, 

Each individual module is hand-stuffed and the components are hand-soldered to circuit boards using traditional wiring methods. Each module is then finished with a photo-etched aluminum panel, and placed in a modular cabinet.

Details on the Model 15 are available at the Moog site.

40 thoughts on “First New Moog Model 15 Modular Synthesizers Now Built

  1. I really don’t understand this. Instead of hand soldering boards like it’s 1973, wouldn’t it be smarter to use modern assembly techniques like they do in their current instruments?

    These just come across as expensive fetish items for wealthy collectors.

    1. it’s definitely a fetish in that it works for fetishists. I thought I heard some fo the reissue Moogs were being done with old stock parts from old bins in their warehouses?? Maybe not on this one. In either case still, it’s possible that modern method wouldn’t be a practical investment to develop just for a limited run product. Moog is a small and chaotic company tho remember that too- their ideas and methods change with new designers and new management continuously, on the business and technical sides both which continuously influence each other. Lots of crazy projections about the market and all that, who knows. Maybe they know they can trust on a certain number of buyers for these so are aiming to sell them all that way and just try it out, then follow up if it goes great or if it gave any ideas for new products.

      1. modular synthesis is probably more esoteric than fetish, although from a purely consumption point of view it does adhere to a more fetish like value. whilst their is a lot to desire in this, from a more pragmatic and professional point of view if you have to earn money from such an item the return is poor value.

        but yes i’d love one!

      2. “Moog is a small and chaotic company tho remember that too- their ideas and methods change with new designers and new management continuously, on the business and technical sides both which continuously influence each other.”

        Mike Adams has been running the company for at least a decade and most of the engineers have been around that long, too. They’ve been growing every year, too, so I’m not sure where that particular criticism is coming from.

    2. These are being build exactly like they were originally, using the same processes and ‘new old stock’ parts, so they are basically brand-new vintage moog modulars.

      And yeah, they could have done any of a dozen things differently to make them cheaper, but they’re not trying to make a cheap version of their classic modulars, they’re making new Moog modulars for the people that could afford one but can’t find one to buy. Companies like Synthesizers.com, Cors, STG have the inexpensive modern Moog modular format covered really well already.

    3. Perhaps Moog might someday design a lower cost system. A little smaller, surface mount (but with high QC) – most of the stuff sent overseas for construction, but assembled and knobbed here in the states. Give it some differences, call it something different. But it would still be a tall box format, full size modular, with big jacks, classic Moog look, etc.

      It might cost $1999 – still a big chunk of change but within the grasp of mortals. And it would preserve the pedestal for the vintage ones and these 10k systems, making everyone feel smarter than everyone else.

      Then we can be done with these sticker shock hot takes.

    4. I don’t think it will sound exactly the same, it also needs a new design in order to be serviceable, and the synth won’t age the in the same way. Besides, they will be able to find out which of the old techniques should be updated and which one not for their upcoming products.

  2. Why on earth is this 10,000 usd?! Who on earth is actually going to waste the money on this! There are way better modular options for the price, I think this is disgusting and pretty much a big middle finger to the consumer….

    1. Why on earth would Moog want to make cheap knockoffs of themselves, when they make reissues of their classic modular synths and sell everything that they can make?

      This talk about it being for fetishists or collectors is BS.

      It’s the knockoffs that are for hobbyists and collectors that want a Moog modular to play around with, but can’t afford or justify one.

      There are plenty of musicians that DO make enough money with what they do to afford a $10,000 instrument. They are professionals, not fetishists and not people that spend their money foolishly. You don’t see professional musicians of any type, though, looking for cheap instruments or knockoffs – they’re always looking for the best possible instrument that they can afford.

      1. yeah, precisely. because guys like Trent Reznor are some low life fetishists with no music released! modular stuff might get high end but if one can pay the price, why can’t there be someone selling it? this is not like old synths needing to be serviced, going on ebay for thousands. this is a whole other animal.

  3. Soundwise I really do not understand what these offer that you can’t get with other equipment equipment for a much cheaper price. I suppose it could simply be viewed as a investment, but will they always hold their worth?

    1. You don’t understand electronics or have not thought this through, then.

      Old school parts and updated designs do perform differently than modern designs with SMT parts. The circuit designs might theoretically be designed to perform similarly, but the completely different implementations will make differences that are audible.

      Isn’t it clear that they are not trying to make a cheaper instrument that’s more affordable, they’re trying to make ‘new vintage’ moog modulars?

      1. Don’t be so presumptuous, or rude. So your saying anyone’s going to notice more than a 5% difference in sound between this Moog and a clone built by Club Of The Knobs which is only 3000 euros. About a third of the price of this Moog. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion and I simply do not in any way think these Moog Modular systems are worth their money, unless it’s simply purchased to be a non depreciating physical asset. Assuming of course that analog synthesizer’s value does not alter much over the years, where it previously has making it ultimately a risky investment for a musical instrument that could be had elsewhere for cheaper.

        1. “unless it’s simply purchased to be a non depreciating physical asset”

          Great point. This is a totally valid reason to buy something like this. If 10k investment will depreciate at 25% the rate of the 3k investment and you have the scratch, why wouldn’t you?

          I know a guy who only buys absurdly overpriced (to me) vintage guitars. He uses them and loves them. To him, they sound great AND he can almost always sell them for more than he paid—plus, little bonus here, he gets the use of great old guitars in between purchase and sale. It’s way too rich for my blood but if you can enter that game I can’t blame you.

          No one can see the future but this is a hand built Moog modular using some amount of NOS parts. It’ll depreciate 20% the moment it’s delivered but after a few years it’s fair to guess that it’ll flip the other way.

  4. I have lost my faith in Moog. They simply don’t try enough to bring their legacy to the masses. Their legacy is not the basic structure of a synthesizer. It’s not an osc, an lfo and a filter. It’s their vintage Moog sound. After so many years, they stopped the production of the only affordable instrument that sounded similar to a Minimoog (in a very basic way) and instead of improving it, they developed a new (almost digital sounding) synth with more features. After doing that, they thought it was a good idea to make ultra expensive modular systems with the old manufacturing techniques and all this for selling them to 100-500 people around the world! Thank God , there are so many options in the market today, so, we can ignore companies like Moog.

    1. If you can’t afford Animoog, the Wprkstatt, MiniTaurus, the Sub Phatty or the Sub 37 – which all sound very ‘moogy’ – what do you call affordable?

      If you want a great Moog modular that’s much more affordable, there’s the Voyager XL, which can do way more than the Model 10 and is half the price.

      Your complaining makes it sound like you either don’t know their line – which is already one of the biggest analog synths line of any manufacture – or you are just angry that they couldn’t make a system 15 reissue for $1,000. Either way, those seem more like your problems than problems with what Moog is doing.

      1. All of the synths you have mentioned, might sound “moogy”, but they are definitely worst compared to a Little Phatty. I know some software synths like Monark, which sound much more “moogy” than everything Moog has made in the last years. So, no, I don’t consider them as a good base for a discussion about affordability, because they don’t even have a proper Moog sonic signature.

        Also, when we talk about affordability, it’s useless to include instruments that cost over $2000 and I seriously don’t think that a Voyager sounds like a Minimoog.

        A system 15 reissue for $1000? Most musicians don’t even need something like that, even at $1000. not all of us are modular freaks.

        1. “definitely worst compared to Little Phatty”. That’s simply your opinion. Just as many or more people think the Sub37 is one of the best, if not the best bang for the buck analog synths on the market.

  5. I don’t know if reissue is the right word for this, isn’t this a replica? As a reissued car wouldn’t have 1970’s spongy brakes, but a replica 1970’s car would be a worthy deathtrap. A reissue would imply that a certain amount of thought has been engaged with, but a replica would imply no thought what so ever – this isn’t the same sh*t with a new smell, nor is it a new sh*t with an old smell – it is old shit with an old shit smell, and that is what makes it so special?!

    1. If you were talking about Volkswagen reissuing a ’73 Scirocco, your comments might make some sense.

      When it comes to classic instruments, not so much.

    1. Congratulations, but be prepared to look up and find that two days have zoomed by. If you have a wife or girlfriend, prepare to get the Stinkeye, because they’ll never understand. Compensating with added housework and new shoes is recommended. I had a friend who owned a 55 and a few times, we all but forgot to eat.

  6. Prediction: Moog will suddenly announce an analog polyphonic that compares nicely with the Prophet-6 and a lot of this argument will stumble to a halt. Its pretty senseless when “Moogs” come in a long line ranging from freeware MiniMoogs to the new hardware modulars. I think Bob would be generally happy with the newer gear that bears his name; its all musical and solid. You guys should lighten up and enjoy things more. Go to see “MINIONS” and drink 1/3 of a bottle of Nyquil during the previews. That’s almost like a worthwhile new Oblique Strategies entry for a sticky artistic conundrum.

  7. Thanks guys…. I wish that I could just write the rest of the month off to live with my new baby but unfortunately deadlines mean that I’ll hardly get chance to play with it for a couple of months…

    Gutted… but hey… it’ll still be here… looking at me.. going “play me play me”….

    🙂

    1. You’re doing it wrong. Hang out with it and your new baby! Let the bugger reach for stuff—anything s/he touches gets patched. Take a photo each day for a month and make a book for 20 years from now: “Your first 30 patches on the Moog Modular”.

      Congrats on the both by the way.

  8. Is it possible Moog looks at the price point of producing a lower cost truly modular system and decided their margins wouldn’t work. They already have product lines at the low, mid and mid-high price points. Perhaps they just saw this as a luxury product for high-end professionals as well. The Sub37 has been on the market for just over a year and they are just barely keeping up with demand. Perhaps these reissues (or whatever you want to call them) were simply a product they know they could make with limited resources and get a good return out of them. It’s called smart business decisions. If the decision is surely wrong, nobody will buy them.

    Price debates are totally pointless. The face that these are limited run ought to tell you they aren’t for you every day consumer. I’d love to have one (well a System 35 w sequencer actually) but know I cannot afford it. So, I turn my interest elsewhere and wait for that lottery win. I don’t begrudge those who do buy them or the company who chooses to cater to them.

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