NAMM 2022: Oberheim OB-X8 Synthesizer with Marcus Ryle

Watch the video below: 

Moog Music Resumes Production Of The World’s First Portable Synthesizer

Asheville, NC, July 20, 2016 — Today, Moog Music announces that they have resumed production of the Minimoog Model D synthesizer after more than 30 years. Introduced in 1970, the Minimoog Model D was the first portable synthesizer and served as the archetype for all electronic keyboards that followed.  Conceived as a response to the large-scale modular synthesizers of the 1960’s, the Minimoog’s portability, affordability and accessibility made it the go-to instrument for musicians looking to expand beyond the traditional sounds of the time.  Bernie Worrell used the Minimoog to establish Parliament Funkadelic’s futuristic funk sound.  Kraftwerk employed the Minimoog on the successful concept album Autobahn, sparking an entirely new genre.  Gary Numan replaced his live band’s guitars with Minimoog’s, creating the prototype for industrial music.  The classic sound of the Minimoog Model D can be heard on Bob Marley’s Catch A Fire, Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Dr. Dre’s The Chronic; Detailed in the mini-doc series “A Brief History Of The Minimoog”. Moog Music today releases the second installment of the series chronicling the influential artists of the 80’s & 90’s who used the Minimoog Model D to explore new genres and discover the sounds of tomorrow.

Each Minimoog Model D is lovingly handcrafted at Moog’s employee-owned factory in Asheville, NC.  This legendary 3-oscillator monophonic instrument is securely housed in a hand-finished aluminum chassis and  locally-sourced Appalachian hard-wood enclosure.  To realize the unmistakable sound of the world’s first performance synthesizer,  Moog Music preserves the component placement and through-hole design of the original analog circuit boards, employing military-spec precision resistors and custom-reissued transistors to complete the circuit.

Though no changes have been made to the original sound engine or audio signal path, the Minimoog Model D now includes a series of functional modifications to expand the instrument’s sonic capabilities beyond the factory specifications of a 1970’s production unit. These modifications include a premium Fatar keybed with velocity and after pressure available via top panel CV jacks, a dedicated analog LFO with triangle and square waveshapes, CV outputs for pitch, gate, velocity and after pressure, basic MIDI integration, and a mixer overload modification, which when engaged, allows the Minimoog Model D to conjure thicker and far more overdriven sounds than before.

The Minimoog Model D is now available for order through authorized Moog dealers world-wide.

*NOTE: Due to the complexity of the build process coupled with the demand for other Moog instruments, we are only able to produce a small number of Minimoog Model D units per month. 

Introducing The Model 15 Modular App from MOOG

First Synthesizer Utilizing Metal, Apple’s Advanced Graphics Engine

ASHEVILLE, NC – May 3, 2016 – Today, Moog announced the release of the Moog Model 15 app, an iOS version of the iconic 1970’s modular synthesizer. It is the first Moog modular synthesizer and synthesis educational tool created exclusively for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.
 
Designed to evoke the joyous experimentation and sonic bliss of its predecessor’s vintage hardware, the Moog Model 15 app meticulously recreates the look, feel and sound of its highly expressive analog namesake. From the legendary Moog 921-series oscillators and 904A Low Pass Filter, to the coveted 907 Fixed Filter Bank; each module’s character, harmonic complexity and mystique has been ardently preserved.

NAMM 2016: Dave Smith

Dave Smith has teamed up with Tom Oberheim to create the OB-6! It is a new polyphonic 6-voice analog synthesizer inspired by Oberheim's original SEM now with complete stability and flexibility and it will be going for $2,999 MAP.

There is also a new Prophet-6 Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer for $2,799 MAP and a Desktop Module version for $2,199 MAP.

NAMM 2016: Nord

Nord's biggest news was their new Piano 3, handmade in Sweden. Their focus was on creating a keyboard that felt exactly like a piano using their Virtual Hammer Action Technology. It comes with some extraordinary sound libraries as well both electric and acoustic.

NAMM 2016: elektron

electron's primary focus is on "Overbridge," bringing real analog VST/AU instruments under complete control. It is compatible with Windows and Mac OS, provides CoreAudio, ASIO, WDM sound card drivers, 16- or 24-bit resolution, DAW automation of Overbridge device, DAW synced Overbridge device sequencer, DAW procject recall of Overbridge device settings, and more!

NAMM 2016: Teenage Engineering

Teenage Engineering was sharing a prototype of the Op-Z, which allows for video manipulation and will even trigger outside robots! You can connect video wirelessly through something like Apple TV for example. It's scheduled to release sometime next year.

NAMM 2016: Buchla Electronic Musical Instruments

Buchla has a new stand-alone 218 keyboard with MIDI in&out, polyphonic, with euro-rack outputs and they can be put into a 260e system. The 260e also has a new duo-phonic pitch class generator / oscillator. 

NAMM 2016: Casio

Casio had their new reinvented MZ-X Music Arranger on display. The MZ-X500 and Mz-X300 are the successors to the MZ-2000 with Multi Pads - 16 for the 500 and 4 for the 300 - and built in professional rhythms of many styles from Latin to Jazz with high-quality 20W + 20W high-capacity speakers.

NAMM 2016: Big City Music

big city music has a bigger showroom and launched a new website! 

See it here: 

http://www.bigcitymusic.com/

NAMM 2016: Arturia

Arturia was presenting the MatrixBrute, an analog synthesizer with waveform mixing, wave shaping, many different noise sources, feedback option, 3 envelopes, 2 LFO's with 7 different wave forms, synchronization with the sequencer even with MIDI input, a very flexible matrix, and more! They also had the KEYSTEP controller & Sequencer made for its portability.

And, look who we happened to find experimenting on their new gear, none other than Richard Devine!

NAMM 2016: Synthogy

Synthogy was presenting Ivory, now available as a hardware instrument! 

Learn more about it courtesy of Saved By Technology:

NAMM 2016: Roland

Roland had much to announce this year with the launch of their premium accessories line, EC-10 EL Cajon, FP-30 Digital Piano, Blues Cube Hot Guitar Amplifier, SYSTEM-500 Complete Set, JC-01 Bluetooth Audio Speaker, A-01 MIDI Controller and Sound Generator, and the Ultimate Blues Tone Capsule. They also had some pretty nifty accordions on display, and a timeline of their synth history beginning with the Jupiter-8 in 1981. We also ran into NANCE, Azlan, and Daniel Kristoff of EMAEL.

NAMM 2016: Malekko Heavy Industry

Photo by Peter Vincent

Malekko Heavy Industry was part of Exhibit 5000, the Modular Synth Collective. Their featured instruments included:

Varigate 4
- 4-Channel, 8-Step Sequencer
- Probablity
- Repeat and Delay with Randomizer
- Global Parameter Controls
- Clock Input and Reset Gate

6AD LFO
- Attack/Decay
- Loop
- Sum Out
- +10 (For Long Modulations)

Malekko Case
- 5 Amp Total
- LED Strip Controlled by module
- Rugged Contruction
- Movable/removable Kickstands

Photo by Peter Vincent

---

Peter Vincent is an event photographer, specializing in live performance photography with a style consisting of colorful and energetic imagery. He believes that great creativity often is the result of team effort and values working closely with his clients. Based in Orange County, California, he is ready to capture outstanding images at your event. Also, explore his musical side as V1NC3NT!

NAMM 2016: Foxtone Music

Photo by Peter Vincent

Foxtone Music was part of Exhibit 5000, the Modular Synth Collective. Their featured instruments included:

ZVEX Effect Instant Lo-Fi Junky & Fuzz Factory
- Eurorack Module Format
- CV Inputs

Custom Patch Cables, Splitters
- Fun Colors
- Inexpensive

Colour Palette
- DIYRE Color Platform (Easy Build, Low Cost)
- Triple VCA
- Up to 3 Modules
- Parellel and Serial Routing
- Sum Output

Photo by Peter Vincent

Photo by Peter Vincent

Photo by Peter Vincent

Photo by Peter Vincent

Photo by Peter Vincent

---

Peter Vincent is an event photographer, specializing in live performance photography with a style consisting of colorful and energetic imagery. He believes that great creativity often is the result of team effort and values working closely with his clients. Based in Orange County, California, he is ready to capture outstanding images at your event. Also, explore his musical side as V1NC3NT!

NAMM 2016: Abstract Data

Photo by Peter Vincent

Photo by Peter Vincent

Abstract Data was part of Exhibit 5000, the Modular Synth Collective. Their featured instruments included:

ADE-32 Octocontroller
- Modular Control Panel
- 8 Outputs
- 12 Modulation Types

ADE-50
- Triple VCA
- Compact Size

ADE-51
- Envelope Generator
- Compact Size

ADE-33 Logic Boss 2 *protoype*
- 2-Stage Logic & Pattern Generation
- A/B Inputs

---

Peter Vincent is an event photographer, specializing in live performance photography with a style consisting of colorful and energetic imagery. He believes that great creativity often is the result of team effort and values working closely with his clients. Based in Orange County, California, he is ready to capture outstanding images at your event. Also, explore his musical side as V1NC3NT!