Monday, February 20, 2012
Minimoog
The impact of the minimoog is probably unknown to many average americans but not to audio professionals. This invention has changed the way we listen to music and the sounds we hear. Even one of the late greats Michael Jackson used the minimoog on his record Thriller. Just imagine the world without Thriller well this album would have never been possible without the minimoog. Another legend that used the minimoog was late great Bob Marley on his record Stir it Up. The minimoog also had a major impact on the world of electronic music.
The minimoog was a monophonic synth created by Bill Hemsath and Robert Moog in Trumansburg, NY. During its first production run it sold over 13,000 units. This tool was considered the first popular synth and help redefine the sound of music. Robert Moog attended where he received a bachelors degree in physics and also attended Columbia University where he received a bachelor degree in electrical engineering. He would later receive a PHD from Cornell University. I say all of this to say that he was definitely up for the challenge.
The thing that made this 44 note instrument different from everything else that was on the market at the time is the fact that it allowed the user to bend the pitch of the notes being played and created sounds that were unheard of. It stepped outside of the usual sounds we were use to hearing from a keyboard and opened our ears to something different. No instrument before it allowed you to alter the sound to the extent that this instrument did. It also included three vcos,one VCA and one VCF. You could create so many different waves it was insane. Its no wonder that the minimoog was such a success.
I cannot imagine what music would have been like if minimoog had never been invented. Trying to point each song that utilized this synth would be impossible and I am sure you would loose count after awhile. I believe that the minimoog should go down in history as one of the most influential instruments of our time and I believe that few would argue with me on this suggestion.
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Hey Yung Fly. There is really nothing bad I have to say about you blog. it was professionally written and i think you did a good job on it! Also I think it would've been cool for you to also add the year they were innovated. But other than that, your blog was very informative. You and I also feel the same way about how music would be without them. Yes, they were very innovative and the pioneers of the electronic music we hear these days. Thanks to the Minimoog.
ReplyDeleteYeah Phillip, I agree with you and Wes about the innovations of Robert Moog. I am forever indebted to him for creating the minimoog. Electric Piano is my favorite kind of piano sound. I remember going into Guitar Center and playing with one a couple of years ago. For me it was basically a life changing experience. When I make music I use electric pianos all the time. I wish I had a physical one with me. Nobody would probably ever see me out in public again because I would be playing with it compulsively trying to see what kind of combinations of sounds I could layer it with.
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