Today’s Google Doodle is a fully interactive synthesizer to celebrate the life of synthesizer pioneer Robert Moog. The sound of so many classic recordings from the 70s owes almost entirely to Moog and his crew from the small Trumansburg, New York manufacturing facility hand-wiring these innovative musical instruments.
The ‘Moog Sound’ is not just due to analog circuitry, but more due to the limitations of the technology and some errors made in designing the circuits. I remember having to do most calculations by hand in undergraduate school, from electromagnetic waves to statistics and more … and certainly don’t miss those days! But aside from an error in the design, the nature and variability of circuits and lossy connections gave each instrument a unique sound and feel.
Interestingly, last week I was watching a cool history of the MiniMoog, which looks at the major leap from the massive ‘wall of wires’ that was the Moog Modular to the tiny powerhouse that launched the synthesizer as a popular portable touring instrument for keyboard players from Chick Corea to Rick Wakeman to Keith Emerson and more.
Here is the Minimoog History:
Also, for the next week the Moog synth app Animoog is on sale for $0.99! Definitely grab this one!
Head to MoogMusic for more info – and be sure to check out the Google Doodle (Or Moogle as I have seen it called)!