‘West Coast’ Synthesis On A Moog Mother-64

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qESeUrOxLJ4

Sunday Synth Jam: This video, via Tobor Experiment, captures a ‘West Coast’ style patch, using dual Moog Mother-32 synthesizers.

Technical Details:

Self-playing patch using two Mother-32 synthesizers.

The two filters are used as oscillators (the second VCO AM modulates the first, also) and the sequencers are set in a feedback configuration, using the two assignable outs as random voltages that trigger each other. Mixers, assignable outs and multis are essential to the patch design.

16 thoughts on “‘West Coast’ Synthesis On A Moog Mother-64

  1. Can so someone expxplain west coast synthesis??? Or is it a pretentious term without merit like”Berlin school” not trying to be dismissive but what are its parameters?

    1. In a nutshell:

      East coast: Generally subtractive synthesis; take a complex waveform and use filters to shape the sound. Usually tied to equal-tempered tuning.

      West coast: Sort of additive synthesis; take basic waveforms and use waveshapers to shape the sound. The intention was not to be tied to equal-tempered tuning and create new sounds.

      Someone can probably explain it better/more detailed answer.

    2. West coast and East coast synthesis are short terms for two different approaches to the use synthesizers. East coast modules (the Moog factory) where more geared for tonal music and recognizable notes. West coast (Buchla’s shop) modules where more interested in sound exploration.
      That’s the basics. There is, obviously, a bigger story about each approach, the merits of, the tools used, and the current crossovers between.

    3. “is it a pretentious term without merit like”Berlin school” not trying to be dismissive”

      Looks like you failed pretty hard.

    4. ‘West Coast’ synthesis refers to patches that follow in the tradition of musicians like Morton Subotnick and the instrument designs of Don Buchla.

      ‘East Coast’ synthesis refers to patches that follow in the tradition of musicians like Wend Carlos and the instrument designs of Bob Moog.

      The approaches are extremely different, and this is something that any serious synthesist should learn about.

      Tony Roland lays it out pretty well in this video:

      https://www.synthtopia.com/content/2016/06/23/tony-rolando-on-east-coast-synthesis-west-coast-synthesis/

    5. One is historically regarded as Linear and the other ælinear.. this distinction is no longer really relevant though as this video demonstrates.

    6. west coast: some obscure early random bleeps and blops. example: “silver apples of the moon”

      east coast: everything else in electronic music

  2. Expected my question to be censored , lovely you pucked up on spelling error.So I am amused by the term and the idea really.Emperors new clothes.

    1. emperor’s new clothes how? i don’t catch your meaning. what’s your framework for assessing this piece? what’s your rubrik for criticism?

  3. i like the sound of the mother but not a fan of that sequencer built in.
    would rather have another oscillator or some more lfo or sample hold or noise

    moog make more euro.

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