Maximize Your Moogfest Experience

"GET THE MAXIMUM MOOG AT MOOGFEST 2010 HALLOWEEN WEEKEND – 10/29-10/31 IN ASHEVILLE, NC

Going to Moogfest 2010? Be sure to get the most out of your festival experience. You’ll enjoy the music even more if you take advantage of these unique opportunities to immerse yourself in the world of Moog:

PROJEK MOOG
Saturday, 6:00pm – 6:50pm at The Orange Peel

A stellar lineup of some of today’s most proficient multi-instrumentalists (including Moog Chief Engineer, Cyril Lance), Projek Moog has composed a specific piece of music for Moogfest, one that highlights the various instruments for which Moog Music is renowned. Joining the group will be Brian Kehew, a close friend of Bob Moog’s and best known for his work in the Moog Cookbook as well as being the historian for the Moog Foundation. If you want to see the many facets of Moog Music at work, this has to be on your must-see list.

The inspiration in creating this show was to feature new instruments and the artists whose valuable input helped perfect them. Both Brian Kehew and fellow Projek Moog musician Billy Cardine have been involved in helping create instruments that are truly inspirational. Brian has been associated with Moog for years and Billy recently helped with a brand new stringed instrument which will make its debut at Moogfest.

Having these great musicians involved in product development is emblematic of what Bob was all about and the legacy of Moog Music. Instruments are collaborative - they need to be intuitive and soulful. Brian and Billy's involvement have kept this spirit alive and Projek Moog is about celebrating that legacy.

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Moogfest Panels Feature Mavericks, Legends and Pioneers

"Moogfest History and Technical Panels Draw on Deep Legacy and Industry Connections

The Bob Moog Foundation is bringing together top minds in history, technology and education for this year’s history and technical panels. Experts, ranging from Bob’s colleagues in the seminal days of synthesis to the more contemporary sound sculptors of today, are coming from around the country to share their ideas and vast experiences. The Bob Moog Foundation will be responsible for the historical content at Moogfest, including items from Dr. Bob’s Archives such as rarely seen vintage photographs and historic audio clips from recently restored reel-to-reel tapes.

All panels, demonstrations, and workshops will take place between Noon and 6:30 PM EST at the Moogaplex, located at the Haywood Park Hotel complex at 1 Battery Park Avenue in downtown Asheville, just a stone’s throw from many of the music venues. They are first come, first serve for those who bought either weekend passes or have a pass for that particular day.
Convergence – Hardware and Software Integration in the 21st Century & The Award of OMG-1 One-Of-A-Kind Synth (Friday, 3pm)


The One-Of-A-Kind OMG-1, designed by Eric Persing

The creation of electronic music has always relied on exploring all technologies available. In the modern context, that often means transcending the divide between the tactile experience of hardware devices and the ever-increasing capabilities of computers. An incredible panel of sonic explorers moderated by Spectrasonics’ founder Eric Persing will investigate the challenges of how electronic instruments can reach their ultimate potential through the convergence of multiple technologies.

During this panel, Persing will be awarding his one-of-a-kind OMG-1 synthesizer to the winner of the OMG-1 Contest, Torley Wong. You won’t want to miss this historical moment!

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Moog Sonic Infinity Clinic (2005)

video uploaded by Rhythmicons

"In 2005, Moog offered this DVD for free to anyone who asked. It consists of a product clinic led by Brian Kehew and showcased the Moogerfoogers up to the 105 and the Voyager.
I am offering this for educational purposes only. The DVDs are scarce, the Moog products are discontinued."

The DVD was actually free back in 2006.

Update:

MoogerFooger Training DVD Clinic, 2007

video uploaded by Rhythmicons

"This is the no longer available MoogerFooger Training DVD featuring Brian Kehew demonstrating the Moogerfoogers through the Murf and Bass Murf.
This DVD is no longer available on the market, the Foogers are discontinued, so I thought that I'd upload the DVD for educational purposes to suit the fancy of Fooger enthusiasts everywhere."

Minimoog Voyager Training DVD 2007

video uploaded by Rhythmicons

"This is the no-longer-available Minimoog Voyager Training DVD clinic hosted by Brian Kehew. Since the DVD is out of production and the Voyager has been discontinued, I thought I would share this excellent demonstration of the Voyager's features for educational purposes and to suit the fancy of Moog Synthesizer Connoisseurs everywhere.

Clinician: Brian Kehew
Videographer: Mark Mahoney
Producer: Jared White
Sound Production: Collapsible Studios
Original Music: Mark Mahoney"

Moogfest Workshops

"MOOGFEST 2010 ANNOUNCES RED BULL MUSIC ACADEMY MOOG WORKSHOPS AND PANELS AT THE MOOGAPLEX

HALLOWEEN WEEKEND – 10/29-10/31 IN ASHEVILLE, NC
MoogFest 2010, the extraordinary three-day festival which celebrates the innovative spirit of sonic pioneer Robert Moog, during Halloween weekend, October 29-31, in Asheville, NC, has already announced most of its outstanding lineup. Now, in addition to MoogFest’s excellent musical offerings, the festival will also give attendees the opportunity to dig deeper into the world of Moog with a wide range of panel discussions and workshops.

The Red Bull Music Academy has teamed up with AC Entertainment, Moog Music and the Bob Moog Foundation to bring together top minds in history, technology and education of Moog. Experts, ranging from Bob's colleagues in the seminal days of synthesis to the more contemporary sound sculptors of today, are coming from around the country to share their ideas and vast experiences. The Bob Moog Foundation will be responsible for the historical content at MoogFest, including items from Bob Moog's archives such as rarely seen vintage photographs and historic audio clips from recently restored reel-to-reel tapes.

News on the other activities will be announced in the coming weeks. With all of these exciting elements solidifying, MoogFest is proving itself more and more to be an essential experience for music fans and sonic adventurers from all over the world.

MoogFest 2010 Red Bull Music Academy Moog Workshops, Demonstrations & Panels:

SYNTH HISTORY PANEL – THE BIRTH OF THE MINIMOOG
Featuring:
Herb Deutsch (co-collaborator on first Modular in 1963)
Dave Van Koevering (first salesman for Minimoog and VP of Marketing at Moog Music in the 70s)
Tom Rhea (Former clinician, design consultant, and director of marketing at Moog Music; wrote Minimoog manual)

Moderated By:
Brain Kehew (Bob Moog Foundation Historian and keyboardist (Moog Cookbook)
TARA BUSCH – ARTIST PERFORMANCE & DISCUSSION ABOUT REMIXING WITH MOOGERFOOGERS
Tara is a synth siren well known as a prominent analog synth-blogger for AnalogSuicide.com. Her performances are ethereal explorations of analog sound.

TECH. PANEL - ADVANCED APPLICATION & SYNTHESIS
Featuring Cyril Lance, Head Engineer at Moog Music, and other Moog engineers.

SYNTH HISTORY PANEL – EXPLORATION OF THE BOB MOOG ARCHIVES

Featuring:
Brian Kehew (Bob Moog Foundation Historian, Keyboardist)
Michelle Moog-Koussa (Executive Director, Bob Moog Foundation)
Seva David Ball (Archive Preservationist, currently restoring Bob Moog's reel-to-reel tapes with a grant from the Grammy Foundation)

TECH. PANEL - MODERN DAY SOUNDSCULPTING

Featuring:
Richard Devine (acclaimed sound designer)
Tara Busch (prominent analog synth-blogger and synth-performer)
RICHARD DEVINE – ABOMINATRON II PERFORMANCE

Richard is one of the world's most acclaimed, young sound designers. His clients include top names in film and advertising. Richard will be performing on Moog Music's Abominatron II, a homage to Bob Moog’s original synthesizer prototype, created with current Moog synthesizers and effects processors.

SYNTH HISTORY PANEL - EXAMINING THE LEGACY OF MINI SYNTHS
Featuring:
Craig Anderton (Founder EM Magazine, signal processing guru, editor EQ Magazine)
Geary Yelton (Associate Editor of Electronic Musician, freelance journalist)
Steven Fortner (Editor, Keyboard Magazine)

Moderated By:
Brian Kehew

THEREMIN PERFORMANCE & LESSON WITH DORIT CHRYSLER
Dorit is an accomplished musician and composer best known for her ethereal Theremin style. After Dorit's performance, Moog Music will distribute 20 Theremins to the audience and participants will receive an interactive lesson from Dorit.


TECH. PANEL – THE POWER OF MODULAR SYNTHESIS
Featuring:
Erik Norlander (Synth rock legend, Moog aficionado, accomplish synth designer)
Amos Gaynes (Moog Music engineer)
The Wall of Doom (Erik's massive custom Moog Modular synthesizer)

MOOG GUITAR SOUND SCULPTING WITH SAUL ZONANA
Saul is a killer guitarist who has worked with Adrian Belew, Ace Frehley, Crash Test Dummies. He will integrate the Moog Guitar, Moogerfoogers, Multi-Pedal, and Little Phatty into an exploration of the guitars amazing capabilities.

All panels, demonstrations, and workshops will take place between Noon and 6:30 PM EST at the Moogaplex, located at the Haywood Park complex. They are first come, first served for those who bought either weekend passes or have a pass for that particular day. The dates, and times will be announced in the coming weeks.

MoogFest 2010 tickets are on sale now. To purchase weekend passes or single day tickets and for more information about the festival visit moogfest.com. To see the weekend schedule visit http://moogfest.com/2010/moogfest-2010/schedule/friday/.

MoogFest 2010 Lineup:

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Rare Vintage Synth Scans via Brian Kehew

Brian Kehew gave a presentation on his vintage synthesizer brochures at Knobcon this year. He sent in a few select scans to share with readers of MATRIXSYNTH. Enjoy! Be sure to see the channel labels at the bottom of the post for any you are not familiar with. Three of these warranted separate posts that just went up. You'll find links to them below. These are an amazing bit of synth history, many of which have never been shared online before. HUGE THANK YOU to Brian Kehew for sharing these with us!

The scans pictured in order:

Moog Sonic V Synthesizer "Makes Waves"

ARP Synthesizers

ARP Modular Synthesizer Lab

EML

EMS SYNTHI FLI (always thought of it as the Hi-Fli but the had only has FLI)

Performer by Ionic

Variophone

Sequential Circuits Model 600 Sequencer (see this post for a write-up)

Digelius Electronics Finland DEMI (see this post for a write-up)

DMX-101 Computer Sound Processor for a whopping $35,300 at the time. (see this post for a write-up)

CLICK FOR MORE »

Minimoog Voyager Instructional Videos - Introduction

YouTube via MoogMusicInc — April 09, 2010 — "If you're an experienced Voyager player or are just thinking about taking the step up to one, these videos are for you. Brian Kehew (Moog Cookbook, The Who) unlocks the mystery behind every knob, switch, and button, revealing the secrets to putting your finger in the electronic pulse.

These videos taken from the Moog Sonic Infinity Series DVD collection are an easy way to learn more about this iconic synthesizer and about synthesis in general."

Update:

Voyager DVD_oscillators.mov


3 - Voyager Instructional Videos - Envelopes

YouTube via MoogMusicInc — April 23, 2010 — "If you're an experienced Voyager player or are just thinking about taking the step up to one, these videos are for you. Brian Kehew (Moog Cookbook, The Who) unlocks the mystery behind every knob, switch, and button, revealing the secrets to putting your finger in the electronic pulse.

These videos taken from the Moog Sonic Infinity Series DVD collection are an easy way to learn more about this iconic synthesizer and about synthesis in general.

For more information, visit www.moogmusic.com/voyager"

4 - Voyager Instructional Videos - Filters

YouTube via MoogMusicInc — June 14, 2010 — "If you're an experienced Voyager player or are just thinking about taking the step up to one, these videos are for you. Brian Kehew (Moog Cookbook, The Who) unlocks the mystery behind every knob, switch, and button, revealing the secrets to putting your finger in the electronic pulse.

These videos taken from the Moog Sonic Infinity Series DVD collection are an easy way to learn more about this iconic synthesizer and about synthesis in general.

For more information, visit www.moogmusic.com/voyager"

Brian Kehew and The Mellotron MKII...

YouTube via tarabusch
"http://analogsuicide.com
http://tarabusch.com
http://hometown.aol.com/mellot/mcb.html
Part One of our series featuring Brian Kehew and his Mellotron MK II! Join us- Tara Busch, Maf Lewis and Brian Kehew (of Moog Cookbook) - as we take a closer look at The beautiful Mellotron MKII."
Update via Klockwerk in the comments: "You HAVE to watch the switched on Tara Busch and the T.D. video in the munu also... You HAVE to."
Klockwerk is referring to the thumbnails at the bottom of the video player when this video ends. If you mouse over them you will find the names of the videos. Click on them to launch, then click on the little gray icon on the bottom right of the newly loaded video to expand it. BTW, you can do this for all videos on the site.

Mellotron Mk.II Part 2

More Mellotron Mk.II goodness via Brian Kehew of The Moog Cookbook.








If you haven't yet, see this prior post for more including a great story.

Update: Shaft added above and some info via Brian Kehew:
"So - those three tracks are the last ones of the quick demos I did before a wedding. They were done with the Mk.II (pronounced "mark two") seen here; I played a live rhythm track and then one melody track after. No punch-in's or fixes - it was just a demo for fun. Shown in the other pic is Markus Resch of the Mellotron company. He's been very helpful, working with me to rebuild this machine and load new tapes (not done yet at the time of the recordings).

I'll attach another photo of the Mk.II that I play at home (in the living room, as they were intended!) which is the nicest of the three, in original brown wood finish. I also have this white Mk.II machine which is almost done being rebuilt - a long, long process.

These are (by far) my favorite instrument in the world. Incredible idea, it's a wonder they ever worked well at all, and what a history! They failed in their intended use (home entertainment) to become one of THE defining instruments of a style of music that wasn't even born yet... There is a Chamberlin and Mellotron documentary that is supposedly almost done, it should make a nice film when it comes out.

Thanks -
Brian Kehew" You can find more images here.

FUTURESPACE ORCHESTRA

flickr by Kiel Bryant

full size

"VintageTech electric organ/synthesizer looks to be on loan from a Tatooine Cantina -- or Captain Kirk's garage band."

That would be the Con Brio ADS200. Click on the Con Brio label below for more.

Update via Kiel in the comments: "Here's what Sellam (VintageTech president) gave me about it: 'That's the famous Con Brio ADS-200, a way-ahead-of-its-time synthesizer produced in the late 1970s/early 1980s. It was a project by 4 gard students at CalTech. They turned it into a company but since they were all engineers it failed pretty quickly, and only a couple of these were made. This is one of only two known to exist.

It was exhibited at the last VCF, along with the ADS-200R (the portable version). We got the ADS-200R working again recently, thanks in part to one of the original designers who lives in San Jose.

Both belong to Brian Kehew, and this one has been in my warehouse for a while as I'm trying to restore it for him (needs a new disk drive and a few electronic connectors fixed).' "

Update via Sellam in the comments: "I'm not sure what Brian has done to document our restoration progress online, but I'm sure at some point there will be ample web space devoted to these synths.

This is what I currently know (some details might be a little off):

1) Details about the ADS-200 in Kiel's photo can be found on the Con Brio Wikipedia page1b) According to the above link, it was THREE CalTech grad students, not four ;)

2) The 200R model is a portable version of the 200 pictured above. Brian Kehew scored it from Don Lieberman a couple years back. Don (one of the original of the three CalTech grads) had it in his workshop and was just about to throw it out when Brian made contact. Brian brought it up from San Jose to my warehouse, we plugged it in, and it came right up. It was actually in nearly flawless condition. We were able to get it mostly functional using the system disks from the 200 model above.

2b) We finally got it totally functional (well, 98%...) earlier this year. Don and Brian came up and we worked on it for half an afternoon and got the last problem solved (the keyboards). We played old samples stored on dusty old 8" floppy disks. The 2% that still needs to get functional is the video. The system disks we're using were coded for the 200, which uses a different video driver chip or something. We can boot the 200R using the same disks but the video is horizontally shifted and rolling. We can alleviate it by manipulating the video controls, but we don't get to see the whole screen. We get to see enough to load/edit/play samples, etc. Fixing this will be a matter of software, and that will take lots more work and hacking. Unless we can find an original system disk for the 200R.

3) The 200 model needs a new 8" floppy drive. Oddly, the one that it used is some rare CDC (Control Data Corporation) model for which I cannot find documentation. If anyone knows where to get documentation and a schematic for a CDC BR8A8 8" floppy disk then that would be fab. I tried substituting different 8" drives but none will work. Hmm...I just had a thought: maybe it's NOT the disk drive but rather the controller, or a cable. But anyway, can't say for sure until I know what the BR8A8 is equivalent to, or what's special about it, if anything.

4) As soon as the 200 is restored it will go back to Brian and he will do some magick with it. We (or at least I) hope to reprise the demo at the next VCF.

5) I video'd our restoration session as I thought it might be historically significant. It includes audio from the 200R. I'll get that digitized and up on YouTube as soon as someone invents a time machine so I can get more hours in the day. If someone wants to volunteer to do this then I'll be happy to get you a copy of the tape (Kiel?)

http://www.vintage.org
http://www.vintagetech.com"

Waves of Inspiration: The Legacy of Moog Exibition Updates

"Exhibition features Keith Emerson's Legendary “Monster Moog” Modular Synthesizer through October 18th, 2009

CARSLBAD, CA/ASHEVILLE, NC – The Museum of Making Music (Carlsbad, CA), in partnership with the Bob Moog Foundation, has opened Waves of Inspiration: The Legacy of Moog exhibition, to run through April 30, 2010. The exhibit is the first of its kind, marking the first public display of the artifacts from Bob Moog’s archives and an examination of the impact of his work on the world of music.

MONSTER MOOG INSTALLATION
On August 30th, Keith Emerson's (Emerson, Lake and Palmer, The Nice) mammoth “Monster Moog” modular synthesizer was added to the exhibit after it was featured the previous evening in a musical celebration of the exhibit opening by Emerson and Erik Norlander. Emerson used this remarkable instrument on numerous recordings over the past 40 years, including his solo in “Lucky Man” (1969), possibly the most popular synth solo in history. He also used the synthesizer on countless world tours and is generally credited with pioneering the use of the Moog modular as a touring musician.

The “Monster Moog” began as a modest system, but grew over time as Emerson
requested that Moog create custom additions for his touring instrument, including extra modules, custom sample-and-hold, and several pre-sets, an innovative addition for that time. The synthesizer grew into a massive cabinet of five sections and over 75 modules. It stands more than four feet above its special base – almost 8 feet high. Its sound is noticeably clearer and stronger than any other keyboard Emerson plays – it is an instrument of significance and legend, and arguably the most famous synthesizer of all time.

Bob Moog and Keith Emerson enjoyed a special relationship of toolmaker and musician that grew in to a lifelong friendship. Moog is noted for listening to musician's needs and technical specifications which he then used to improve his instruments: This dynamic is explored throughout the Waves exhibit.

KEITH EMERSON

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Brian Kehew's Studio and The Con Brio ADS

Brian Kehew of The Moog Cookbook sent me this shot. Note the Con Brio ADS 200. Only two of these were ever made. Brian has the first of two that was made from parts of the first Con Brio, the ADS 100. You are looking at the first ADS 200 in that shot. Simply amazing.

Synths:
(close) Con Brio
(middle) Alesis Fusion, Andromeda, CONN Electric Band, ARP String Ensemble, 360 Systems Keyboard, Chroma
(next) OB-Mx, Akai 612 sampler, Chamberlin 200
(last) Moog Voyager, Chamberlin M1

Thanks Brian!

Brian Kehew of The MOOG Cookbook Looking for a Website Designer

Via Brian Kehew of The MOOG Cookbook.

"I have some good info collected on old Minimoog, lots of details of the variations/changes over the years. It was intended for a website that never happened. Also have good info on the 360 Systems keyboard - which is a constant mystery to people who own one. I have spent some years doing research on it. Finally, the Con Brio restoration/documentation is going on - and also need a good website. I want simple stuff, nothing tricky, but would like it to look good. This is nothing "for pay" as these sites would be just to disseminate good information to people who need it. I want help from someone who is quick at website work. Just text and photos, maybe hosting and playing a few soundfiles?"

You can reach Brian at briankehew at gmail.com

Waves of Inspiration: The Legacy of Moog Museum Exhibit

"Waves of Inspiration: The Legacy of Moog Museum Exhibit Features Electronic Music Pioneer's Archives for the First Time

Carlsbad, CA/Asheville, NC – The Museum of Making Music and The Bob Moog Foundation announce Waves of Inspiration: The Legacy of Moog exhibition to run from August 29, 2009 – April 30, 2010 at the Museum’s facilities in Carlsbad, California. The exhibit is the first of its kind, marking the first public display of the artifacts from Bob Moog’s archives.

Bob Moog (1934-2005) was a pioneer in the field of electronic music, inventing the Moog synthesizer in 1964. His invention made synthesis accessible to musicians for the first time and in doing so provided them with new realms of sonic expression. The instrument revolutionized the face of music and was used by such early synthesists as Wendy Carlos, Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Stevie Wonder, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Jan Hammer, and more.

“The Moog synthesizer defined the sounds of progressive rock and was regarded as the best sound in synthesizers. ” – Keith Emerson(Emerson, Lake and Palmer)

The Moog synthesizer is widely used today in almost every genre of music and continues to be coveted for its rich, warm analog sound and high level of expressiveness.

“Bob Moog was one of the great visionaries of our time. His ideas far transcend just music, and to this day continue to have impact on everything from rock to rap to quantum physics” – Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins)

Moog's career spanned over 50 years and his work left an indelible impact on music, musicians and music-lovers alike. Bob Moog's unique legacy is one of expanding musical expression through innovation and inspiring musicians to explore the boundaries of sonic reality. Tens of thousands of musicians worldwide were, and continue to be, inspired by Moog's work, and the sonic palette it provides.

Bob Moog was awarded two GRAMMYs for his work: the NARAS Trustee's Award in 1970 and Award for Technical Achievement in 2002. He also won the Polar Music prize in 2001 from the King of Sweden and numerous other awards that recognized his contributions.

The exhibition, which highlights the inventor's career and the impact that it had on the world of music, will feature rare vintage synthesizers and other related Moog instruments and memorabilia from the Bob Moog Archives and from various private collections. A custom video presentation created by Moog historian and exhibit consultant Brian Kehew will form a central part of the exhibit. The exhibit will explore the numerous musicians, engineers and colleagues who played a vital role in the evolution of the Moog sound and the relationship between and the inventor/toolmaker and the musician, as well as the genesis of a variety of musical interfaces.

The instruments featured in the exhibit will trace the history of Moog’s work. The exhibit begins with vintage theremins and a prototype of the first modular synthesizer which originally belonged to Herb Deutsch, an experimental music composer from Long Island whose 1963 meeting with Dr. Bob Moog would help define the synthesizer as a musical instrument, and set a course for the future of electronic music. Other excellent examples of modular instruments from the late 1960s and early 1970s will be on exhibit, most notably Keith Emerson’s famous “Monster Moog” will be featured for the first time as a part of the museum display.

The exhibition will highlight and explore crucial steps that were taken in the advancement of the Moog synthesizer during the years following the development of the modular system. The display will showcase a sequence of models that led to the emergence of more compact instruments, such as the Minimoog. The main impetus behind this tremendous work was Moog’s vision to create a portable electronic music studio on which musicians could compose and perform.

The opening weekend (August 29 -31) will kick off with a launch of the Moog exhibition featuring an intimate musical performances by Keith Emerson and Erik Norlander and talks by Larry Fast and Brian Kehew.

Tickets for the opening weekend events can be purchased on the Museum's website beginning August 3, 2009. The Museum is planning an array of exciting programming throughout the seven month exhibition with panel discussions featuring people who collaborated with Moog throughout his lifetime, and concerts featuring top synthesists. The ultimate goal of this exhibition and its programs is to highlight Moog's career while celebrating synthesis as a whole.

This exhibition is funded in part by The Norris Foundation.

-------------

The Museum of Making Music is a division of the NAMM Foundation.

Founded in 1998 under NAMM’s organizational umbrella and with its sponsorship, the Museum of Making Music explores the multifaceted history of the American music products industry from its beginnings in the 1890s to today. Housed at NAMM Headquarters in Carlsbad, California (north San Diego county), the Museum tells stories of hard work, challenge, inspiration and pioneering innovation, and reveals the profound relationship between the industry, popular music, and global culture. For more information see www.museumofmakingmusic.org.

The Bob Moog Foundation is a non-profit organization founded upon Moog's passing in August 2005. The mission of the foundation is to educate and inspire children and adults through the power and possibilities of electronic music and through the intersection of science, music and innovation. The foundation has three main projects: preserving and protecting Bob Moog's archives, creating a Student Outreach Program that brings electronic music into the schools, and its hallmark project, the creation of a Moogseum in Asheville, NC, for which it was recently awarded a $600,000 lead grant by the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. The Moogseum is planned to open late 2012.

For more information see www.moogfoundation.org."

Brian Kehew Talks Synths at AES Studio City LA

via Brian Kehew on Facebook

"Hey music friends - I'm giving a talk on (cool, old) synthesizer instruments at the Audio Engineering Society meeting this TUESDAY night 8.00pm at Sportsmens Lodge,
12833 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604. It won't be technical, and I have tons of old photos and catalogs from a collection I've hidden-away all these years. It will be fun, informative and, hopefully, inspiring!"

Brian Kehew and the Chamberlin 200.mov

YouTube via MellotronMovie
"An outtake from Mellodrama, the Mellotron documentary, in which Brian Kehew, author of "Recording the Beatles" talks about the very first Chamberlin keyboard invented by Harry Chamberlin in 1951. To find out more about the history of the Chamberlin and the Mellotron and the documentary that recounts the history, go to www.mellotronmovie.com or www.bazillionpoints.com."

Fifty Years of ARP: The 2500 in 2020 Online Event This Saturday, September 26

via The Alan R Pearlman Foundation:

ALAN R. PEARLMAN FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES “FIFTY YEARS OF ARP: THE 2500 in 2020” SYNTHPOSIUM EVENT

Celebrating five decades of the 2500 synthesizer with interviews, panels and more

STONE RIDGE, NY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020– The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation has announced “Fifty Years of ARP: The 2500 in 2020”, a virtual event to be held on September 26th at 12PM EST on Zoom via Eventbrite. The event will be free for all participants with a suggested donation. Registration and other information can be found here.

The event will focus on the ARP 2500, the groundbreaking synthesizer made famous in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It will feature panel discussions and interviews with original ARP engineers, software developers, artists, composers, producers, educators, and others. Participants will be able to interact live with panelists via Zoom.

"We are beyond thrilled for this deep dive into the iconic ARP 2500,” said Dina Pearlman, ARP Foundation founder and daughter of Alan R. Pearlman. "We’ve assembled an amazing collection of engineers who made the original 2500s, artists who have used them, and ARP historians and organizations that work to preserve them."

The Foundation continues its work with contributors, collaborators, vendors, manufacturers, venues, and owners of rare original ARP synthesizers. Among their goals is the creation of installations where students can utilize ARP synthesizers as part of their music curriculum, and to explore the endless possibilities of electronic music.

For more information about the Foundation, visit www.alanrpearlmanfoundation.com.

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Moogseum - Images and a Letter from Brian Kehew

via Brian Kehew of The Moog Cookbook on the new Moogseum:

"So - the announcement was made of the first museum show from the Bob Moog Foundation Archive. This is the stuff we've been sorting and cataloging over the last many months. It will be at NAMM's own museum, a perfect place, as NAMM's about making music and the instrument industry. Michelle Moog-Koussa has arranged to release the first pieces from the Archive to be seen in public; a tiny fraction of stuff was in this case at NAMM. Prototypes and production models of Bob's designs, tape masters and copies, photos, schematics, his daily notebooks; lots more will be coming. In some ways, it will be a perfect preview of the proposed Moogseum plans that were unveiled at the NAMM show as well...

The show begins in September, I know they will be having opening celebrations and almost certainly hosting concerts/talks relating to Moog history and Bob's life throughout the run of the exhibit. It should be pretty popular. Much of it will be geared to the teaching of the history and relevance of the Moog story - as they have over 100,000 students a year come through.

I know they are interested in loans of instruments than can be shown during this museum exhibit. I have already arranged for some of the main designs to be loaned, but I know they are currently lacking an original R.A.Moog theremin, certainly an important featured item. If anyone has one to loan - please contact the Moog Foundation Archive.... Other items to loan or donate would probably also be welcome, if you have anything special (signs, photos, etc). It's already an astounding collection of stuff if you're into Electronic Music; and fantastic that it's finally going to see the light of day."


You can find contact info at the bottom of The Bob Moog Foundation

Wendy Carlos' Clockwork Orange

more images here

The Massive Moog Giveaway via the Museum of Making Music

"The Museum will be hosting an opportunity drawing to win one of several great prizes donated by Moog Music, Inc., The Bob Moog Foundation, the Museum of Making Music, George Duke and others:

* A private look at The Bob Moog Archives in Asheville, North Carolina with The Bob Moog Foundation Executive Director Michelle Moog-Koussa and Mike Adams, President/CEO of Moog Music Inc.

* A VIP tour and luncheon at the Museum of Making Music on January 18, 2010 with Moog exhibition advisor Brian Kehew, Moog Foundation Executive Director Michelle Moog-Koussa, Moog Music Inc. President/CEO Mike Adams, Museum Executive Director Carolyn Grant and Curator Tatiana Sizonenko.

* Moog Little Phatty Synthesizer autographed by George Duke and Moog luminaries (including Brian Kehew, Michelle Moog-Koussa and others).

* Two (2) tickets to the George Duke & Anita Baker concert at the Nokia Theatre on November 7, 2009.

Starting October 15, 2009 the Museum will offer opportunity drawing tickets for $1 per ticket. Additionally, for every 25 entries purchased, the Museum will provide 2 complimentary entries."

Full details at the Museum of Making Music
via twitter.com/MuseumMaknMusic

Waves of Inspiration. The Legacy of Moog - Pics by Brian Kehew

Some shots of the event via Brian Kehew

"Keith Emerson's big Moog was installed and a few late-coming visitors to the museum got to see it go in up close. Emerson was there too and made sure everything went well, then checked out the exhibit and museum."

Remember, a search on Waves of Inspiration will bring up all posts.

Prototype Controller from Bob Moog

via the Bob Moog Foundation blog on the upcoming Museum Exhibit, Waves of Inspiration. The Legacy of Moog. See the link for more. Keith Emerson will be performing.

"The exhibit will also include many artifacts from other private collections including the Moog Modular prototype previously owned by Herb Deutsch, a full Moog Modular IIIC and a working and extremely rare Eaton-Moog Multi-Touch Sensitive Keyboard loaned by avant garde opera composer John Eaton. Of particular note, Keith Emerson’s (Emerson, Lake and Palmer) custom built “Monster Moog” synthesizer will be displayed for the first month of the exhibition along with notes and schematics from Bob’s archives regarding the instrument." Note I gave this post the DIY label, just to make the point that it all starts with DIY. Click on the image.

Update: the following official newsletter came in from the Bob Moog Foundation on the event. I thought I would capture it here for the archives.

Keith Emerson to Perform at Opening of Moog Archives Exhibit
Synth legend Emerson and Erik Norlander will both perform at the Museum of Making Music to celebrate the opening of the first exhibit of Moog Archives!

Who: The Bob Moog Foundation & The Museum of Making Music
What: Waves of Inspiration. The Legacy of Moog. An exhibit, interactive engagement and opening weekend of performances including Keith Emerson and Erik Norlander.
When: August 28-30, 2009
Where: The Museum of Making Music, Carlsbad, CA

Interested in purchasing a ticket? Email to request details.

Visit our blog for details on the exhibit and "sneak preview" pictures of Bob Moog's archives, including a schematic drawing Bob drafted for Emerson's "Master Module".

See the pictures.

The Museum of Making Music, a division of the NAMM Foundation, is a small museum located 35 miles north of San Diego. The museum is dedicated to the exploration of the multifaceted history of the American music products industry from its beginnings in the 1890s to today. The Bob Moog Foundation has been planning this exhibit over a year and a half ago with the museum’s Executive Director, Carolyn Grant and Curator, Tatiana Sezinenko. Moog historian Brian Kehew has been involved as the consultant for the exhibit and is responsible for introducing the two parties at Winter NAMM 2008.

Here at the Foundation we regard Bob’s archives as a fascinating testament to history, innovation, and a lifetime of perseverance. Since retrieving the archives from unstable storage conditions in January of 2006, we have worked to preserve and protect this priceless collection that traces the 50 year career of a dedicated pioneer. With this exhibit, we are delighted to be sharing an extensive part of the archives with the public for the first time.

A special thanks to Carolyn Grant and Tatiana Sezinenko for their generous energy and thoughtful attention to telling a rich, fascinating story with an emphasis on accurately portraying Bob Moog as the toolmaker he so often described himself to be while giving careful consideration to the many people who make up the Moog Legacy. Thanks also to Brian Kehew who has worked (and will be working over the next six weeks!) tirelessly to help bring this exhibit to fruition. Finally, our deepest thanks to Douglas Babb, who made the trek from Indiana to North Carolina five times (on his own dime) to help us sort out and understand Bob’s archives.

We encourage all of you who are in the San Diego area to attend this unique exhibit. It will be an excellent opportunity to share in the life and work of Bob Moog – and for all you gearheads out there, it will be a chance to see many rare, if not one-of-a-kind pieces. Come share in the legacy that continues to inspire!

Continue to check our blog and the museum’s website for updates.

The Bob Moog Foundation
Make Waves by donating to the Bob Moog Foundation"