Moog has had a guitar for a couple of years now and have recently come out with their new Lap Steel. A Lap Steel is a kind of fretless guitar that is played using a piece of metal or glass to change the pitch of the strings.
I think it’s kind of interesting that Moog is now coming out with these new instruments that are alternative ways to control a synth. I remember watching a film with Bob Moog talking about the early days of synths and the discussions about whither they should be using a keyboard for control or if they should come up with something new to control this new type of instrument.
I have one of these… They are really wonderfully beautiful both in sound and look.
That said, they are not a synth controller (although they do have the option of a hex output that can be connected to a guitar midi controller to generate MIDI).
They *are* a wonderful sound source for various (Moog and other) devices, particularly the Moogerfoogers. They also have a (single) CV *input*. So, they integrate well.
I’d say that they are primarily a way to make sound (music) in the context of modular synthesis, principally replacing (or perhaps working beside) the oscillator as a source.
Thanks for the info.
Hey, you are most welcome… I realize that my post above seems to suggest that the MLS is something focussed on synthesis.
In fact it is a *great* lap steel. In addition the the built-in filter, the ability to shift the drive between pickups lets the player change the resulting harmonics in the string vibration in interesting ways. This is at least as powerful a feature as the sustain itself.
Cheers, m
Thanks again for the info. After re-reading my post I release that it didn’t really say what I was trying to say. I guess that’s what I get for writing posts a 2am.
The way it is in my mind is is that something the Moog mini or Little fatty is a synth with a keyboard interface and the new LS and Gutair are synths with a guitar interface. The strings with infinite sustain the end up replacing what would be the VCO, which I see as kind of the infinite sustain of the piano world.
Yes, that would work and be a lot of fun to explore. I’d add some foogers to that mix, particularly the MuRF
Mike,
I have one, too, and I’m just starting to explore the sonic possibilities. I was considering a MIDI Murf but don’t have any experience with the Moog pedals. I’d be interested in hearing what pedals/effects you would suggest.
Best, GP
Gus… Feel free to circle me on G+ (click my name above) for a fuller discussion.
The MIDI MuRF is quite an interesting thing and the ClusterFlux is as well. As far as Moog components go, they get the most use from the ones I have. The MuRF dose a lot of interesting rythmic stuff (search for it on YouTube for examples). You either like that, or not).
I also use a PodHD 500 which I like because it is compact and comprehensive although it offers less controllability of the individual effects than I’d like (compared to the moog CV stuff which I control with a MP201
One step ahead of you regarding G+. G+ is so new to me, too, that I couldn’t figure the best way to send a response there, so I am relying here.
I think I have my name down at Sweetwater to notify me when they have the ClusterFlux in stock. I think I need a primer on CV. I have a MOTU interface which can output CV and some software that can generate it, but not sure how best to use it. I have been experimenting with the MLS a bit with my VG-99 (I added the 13-pin option). I think there are some possibilities there, but am intrigued by the possibilities of the other pedals.