Nord User Forum

[kozmo]

Can any of the Nord Leads make those fat moog sounds from the 70's?

[Marlowes]

Maybe not so fat (because of different filters) but a recipe might be using more layers (in PERF mode) of same patch and, also, the Unison mode.

[Spider]

Can any of the Nord Leads make those fat moog sounds from the 70's?

Short answer: no.

Long answer: analog Vs.digital, 3 oscillators vs. 2, different filters, different modulations...they're really two completely different things.

You won't get THE Moog sound, but you can get some pretty fat sounds anyway, especially using layers as suggested. The general consensus is that the most vintage-sounding Lead is the A1, the most digital-sounding are the 3 and 4, and the 1-2-2X somewhere in between.

That said, most depends on your ears, tastes and setup (if you use the synth clean or processed through effects will make a HUGE difference, more than the basic tone differences between Lead models)

[Rusty Mike]

I recently started using the Minifooger MF Drive pedal on the synth output on the Stage 2EX. It's meant as an overdrive pedal, but it has a Moog ladder filter and a tone control that just fatten it up in a serious way. It's been an affordable and significant upgrade to the sound. The synth output has gone from wimpy to downright muscular!! I keep the Tone knob at about 2:00, filter all the way, and output level to taste. Really fattens up the sound, almost like a suboctave.

It's also got a nice crunchy overdrive quality - very warm. There is a Peak switch on it, which puts a little emphasis at the frequency on the filter knob. Very versatile little box that has opened up new vistas for the Stage's synth patches.

[kozmo]

thanks for getting back to me....so in your opinions is there a less expensive alternative to a minimoog?

[maxpiano]

thanks for getting back to me....so in your opinions is there a less expensive alternative to a minimoog?

Check the demos of the new Behringer Model D (Minimoog clone), it gets pretty close for such a low price...

Watch on youtube.com

[Spider]

Also the new Roland SE-02, that also includes onboard delay, sequencer and user memories

Watch on youtube.com

[Quai34]

So, two new "Beats" to get Moog sound without spending 1500$, Which is the price of the Sub Phatty 37, but which one? Which one would you buy and why?

[criss]

I would recommend a Novation Bass Station 2 (a lot cheaper than a Moog).

[maxpiano]

Kozmo, lots of good advice here. I would add this.

Depending on your ears, you might find your happiness in a Nord, or a Bass Station or any other. Some people do not hear any difference between different substractive synths, other can tell the difference between a 1972 Minimoog and a 1980 one. So first of all, evaluate your own ears by, for example, trying as much instruments as you can. If you end being sure that you want that Moog sound and no other, the SE-02 and Behringer D are good candidates, I guess, so can be the Studio Electronics ATC, the Creamware MiniMax etc.

Now, if you just want a proper Moog synth...

If you are not afraid to go vintage, a Prodigy or MicroMoog are cheaper solutions than a Minimoog. An Opus 3 or an MG-1 (same as the Rogue, BTW) will run a bit off-road but can be interesting in their own way too.

Otherwise, for less than a grand, you can find some good candidates, without even considering the Mother 32 and Werkstatt that are a bit apart.
The cheapest Moog synth is Minitaur. It is however limited to bass and no-so-treble leads (C4 is the limit IIRC) and has few modulation possibilities (well, the v2.2 OS is full of surprises though). Just beyond, you can find a Slim Phatty, with a bit more modulation possibilities. Then, you can go Sub Phatty and Little Phatty, still under a grand.

Beyond a grand are the Sub 37, Susequent 37 and Subsequent 37 CV, as well as used Voyagers and MiniMoog Model D reissue.


Besides money, there are some points to take into account.

Sound.
The Sub series as well as the Minitaur have a quite straight, rigid sound, very efficient for modern music, maybe less vintage-ish. The oscillators are steady and do not need much time to get in tune. These can sound mellow in a vintage way, but you'll have to program them in such a way.
The Little/Slim Phatty are far more likely to remind those 70's sounds: oscillators drift more, take time to get warm (sometimes a problem, not for me).
The Voyager is a beast of possibilities, really nice synth. The sound can be vintage sounding but don't take it for a Minimoog Model D. There is something different about its sound.

Interface.
I always get back to Moog when it comes too interface: big knobs well laid out, quite sturdy instruments... I feel I can maltreat it live on stage, just like a guitarist would There is something about the way I interact with the instrument in space, difficult to explain. Maybe it's because I've grown up watching lives of Nirvana and not Aphex Twin. I've tried a Bass Station and could not feel at ease (maybe it would have needed more than 15 minutes, though...). Same for the Minibrute: my fingers ask for bigger knobs. I cannot see myself playing live with a SE-02. Not trying to convince anyone, just sharing and rising a finger saying that this may figure to some.
On the other hand are the weight and size: I go to rehearsal studios twice a week with a NE4D and a Little Phatty + couple of pedals, and it's a 20kg package each time. But to me, it's worth the pleasure of playing. Of course, the keyboard vs desktop/rack form factor matters here.

Voilà, hope this helps