The Moog synthesizer is a modular, voltage-controlled analog synthesizer invented by Robert Moog in 1964. It was the first commercial synthesizer and established the analog synthesizer concept through its use of patch-cord-connected modules—including voltage-controlled oscillators, filters, envelope generators, and amplifiers—to implement subtractive synthesis.
The Moog Rogue is a monophonic analog synthesizer introduced in the early 1980s. It has a 32-note keyboard and two VCOs. VCO 2 tunes from a half-step below to an octave above VCO 1. This allows atonal sounds. It includes Sample-and-Hold. Its hard-wired patch system enables varied sounds but offers no full patch programming flexibility. VCF and VCA controls are simple to operate.
The Moog Source is a monophonic analog synthesizer made by Moog Music from 1981 to 1985. It was Moog’s first with patch memory and the only Moog with a membrane keyboard and multihued panel graphics. It stores 16 presets onboard and expands memory via audio cassette. Its 24 dB/octave VCF, two analog ADSRs, LFO and sample-and-hold deliver classic Moog tone — but its interface sacrifices playability for recall.
The Multimoog is a monophonic analog synthesizer built by Moog Music from 1978 to 1981. Derived from the Micromoog, it adds a second circuit board to deliver aftertouch and expanded modulation routing—features missing from the Minimoog. It was intended as a less expensive alternative to that flagship instrument. It does not store patches. It drifts. It demands attention. But it gives aftertouch control over filter, pitch and amplitude in real time—rare in 1978.
The Micromoog is a monophonic analog synthesizer produced by Moog Music from 1975 to 1979. Designed as a scaled-down, lower-priced alternative to the Minimoog, it was intended for musicians new to synthesis who could not afford the $1,500 Minimoog. Priced at $650–$800, it features a single VCO with variable waveshape from sawtooth to pulse, sub-octave generation one or two octaves below the fundamental, a −24dB per octave low-pass filter with its own envelope generator and VCO frequency modulation capability, a voltage-controlled amplifier with its own envelope generator, and two A(S)R envelope generators with switchable sustain — a design choice that distinguishes it from most budget synths of the era which used a single ADSR. It includes Moog Open System control inputs, an audio input for external signal processing, and uses 0.95V/oct CV scaling. It was designed by Moog engineer Jim Scott in consultation with Tom Rhea, with electronic refinement input from David Luce and Robert Moog.
The Moog Sonic Six is a duophonic analog synthesizer introduced in 1972. It was built for portability and education after Bill Waytena acquired R.A. Moog Inc. and rebranded the Sonic V as the Sonic Six. Its folding control panel is unique in Moog’s history. It was widely used for lectures and educational purposes, often by Bob Moog himself. It delivers weak sound compared to the MiniMoog and suffers from reliability issues. Its single contour generator is shared between VCA and VCF, limiting independent envelope shaping. It is worth your time only if you need a portable, self-contained analog synth for live lecture demos or classroom use — not for studio depth, reliability, or sonic authority.
The Moog Taurus is a foot-operated analog synthesizer introduced in 1975. It uses an organ-style pedal board. It is monophonic, with a single voice generated by two oscillators and one VCA. Taurus I and III offer only a distorted sawtooth wave. Taurus II introduced a pulse wave. All models use a 24dB/octave resonant low-pass filter with key tracking. Early models lack an LFO; Taurus III includes one routable to oscillator pitch or filter frequency.
The Memorymoog is a 6-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer manufactured by Moog Music from 1982 to 1985. It was the first polyphonic Moog to feature dedicated oscillators and filters for each voice. Each voice has three voltage-controlled oscillators with pulse (variable width), saw, and triangle waveforms. Each voice also has its own 24 dB/Octave Low Pass voltage-controlled filter. Moog Music included a discrete implementation of its famed, patented transistor ladder filter. In Mono mode, the Memorymoog functions as a traditional monophonic synthesizer with 1–18 oscillators selectable in unison. A Chord Memory function and an Arpeggiator are included. Audio frequency modulation using Oscillator 3 can produce FM-like timbres.
The Minimoog is an analog keyboard synthesizer introduced by Moog in 1970. It was built as a portable, affordable alternative to modular systems — the first synth sold in retail stores. Its three unsynchronised analog oscillators, unique voltage-controlled filter, and pioneering pitch wheel give it immediate, expressive, monophonic voice — but no chords, no presets, no stability. It made blistering funky bass blurps and spacey whistle leads — not because it was precise, but because it wasn’t.
The Minimoog Voyager is a monophonic analog synthesizer released in 2002. It was modelled after the 1970s Minimoog and intended as its successor. It promised modern features while preserving the original sound quality. Over 14,000 units shipped between 2002 and 2015.
The Polymoog is a 1975 Moog keyboard that gives unlimited polyphony through divide-down oscillator architecture — but sacrifices per-voice synthesis, programmability, and filter control entirely.