The medium is the message
Moog. An iconic name in American synthesizers (and synthesizers universally!). It's no secret that every synthesist, novice to veteran, dreams of Moog*. We could go on about the lengthy legacy of one of the biggest names in analog synthesis, but a history lesson isn't strictly why we're here today. No, today we're talking about the present and all the killer shake-ups going on in Moog's world.
Even if they're too cool to admit it
If you've ever sought out a true-blue Moog experience, but might have never gotten your chance, today's your day. On the chopping block, we've got a real treat, so stick around.
This is the Moog Messenger Monophonic Synthesizer.
It's About Sending a Message
Introducing the Moog Messenger Monophonic Synthesizer
Dropping in at a really cool time for synthesizers across the board, Moog sneaks back into the conversation with their Messenger monophonic synthesizer. Debuting at the Superbooth 25 convention in Berlin, the Messenger made a real splash for the ravenous synth fans of the world. If synths aren't precisely your thing, part of what makes the Messenger such a big deal is its place among Moog's current synth lineup. With the Messenger, Moog presents a new entry point into their analog synth world. The Messenger offers up an authentic analog synth experience without sacrificing a player-friendly keyboard design or an accessible price point.
In short, the Messenger is a welcome addition to Moog's assortment of synths. We all need to start somewhere, right? Under the hood, Moog built in a robust, expressive, and intuitive analog monophonic synth experience for any player to get excited about. Whether the Messenger is your first Moog or your fiftieth, there's a great experience waiting for you here. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, though.
Message in a Bottle
Moog Messenger Monophonic Synthesizer Design
With the Messenger, we're in for a real treat. The Messenger is defined by its intuitive and robust design that is sure to meet quite a few players where they're at. Kicking this all off is the Messenger's semi-weighted thirty-two key keybed. This keybed is a decidedly player-forward feature to bridge some gaps for non-synthesists, guitar players, Moog newcomers, or otherwise. Accompanying these keys is a very intuitive, front-facing control scheme that creates an incredibly hands-on and tactile sound designing experience, again, another great feature for newcomers.
The Messenger's analog architecture features a powerful synthesizing heart. Blissfully monophonic* yet extensively malleable, the core experience of the Messenger hearkens back to Moog's legacy of monosynths. Moog throws back to some of their greatest monosynth hits like the Minimoog Model D, Voyager, Grandmother, and Subsequent 37 with the Messenger. With this heritage, the Messenger is a reverent but thoroughly fresh model to make for a great Moog for those experienced in analog synthesizers or those coming to the table for the first time.
One note at a time
With the Messenger, we're treated to a masterclass in monophonic synthesis. For Moog fans, this might come as no surprise, but let's indulge for a second. Moog's history with legendary monophonic synthesizers seamlessly translates with the Messenger. With models like the Model D, Grandmother, and Voyager in the Messenger's DNA, there's a lush world of monophony waiting for you. If monophony doesn't sound too encouraging with its one-note-at-time-basis, fear not!
Moog Messenger Monophonic Synthesizer Workflow
The Messenger centers its design around a straightforward but deep workflow. Two wavefolding oscillators and a sub-oscillator drop in at square one for basic tone shaping. These oscillators are matched with dual looping ADSR envelopes, two LFOs, and expanded frequency and audio rate modulation options. The alignment of all of these elements – combined with their front-facing dials oh so twistable – establishes a basic foundation for Moog players to really have a field day with sonic exploration and precise experimentation.
Marvelous MonophonyLike any great monophonic synthesizer, the Messenger makes up for its monophonic design with extensive sound-shaping capabilities. The Messenger inspires just about any classic monosynth sound you can imagine from thumping, buzzing lows to singing, screaming highs and warbling, modulated waves to ambient-leaning pads. Essentially, if you're completely new to synths, monophonic or otherwise, don't worry about any sound-shaping or compositional limitations you might imagine from a mono design. The real limitations of the Messenger come only from the imagination.
What is truly valuable about the Messenger is a key addition. Onboard, the Messenger features a revised ladder filter that builds upon Moog's iconic ladder filtering design. With this newer ladder filter, Moog incorporates a new fold of filtering that includes not only Moog's standby high- and band-pass filtering, but a new take on low-pass filtering with 4-pole and 2-pole low-pass filtering. What this adds up to is a Messenger that can get strikingly, fluidly, and expressively low. If you're looking for a way to get those classic, thumping '80s basses or new, undulating, ambient growls, Moog has you covered.
Dial "M" for Moog
Moon Messenger Monophonic Synthesizer Further Functions
While we're singing the praises of Moog's robust inner sound designing capabilities, it's understandable that you might be wondering about its outer connections and functions. Wonder no longer, kiddos. Let's talk about how the Messenger connects.
Something notable about the Messenger is its incredibly modern connectivity. Onboard, the Messenger is built with a suite of connections and functions to bring the design solidly into the twenty-first century. This starts with six analog control voltage patch points. With capabilities to control gate and the internal analog clock, the Messenger is seamlessly integrated with CV control devices. On top of this, Moog built in two more control connections – one for a sustain pedal and another for expression devices. These functions breathe life into the Messenger for playability beyond the keyboard alone. Five-pin MIDI connection pushes connectivity even further for integration into existing rigs (for all you sequencing fiends).
Smaller quality-of-life additions onboard the Messenger include a ¼" headphone out and a USB-C out for playing silently or directly into your favorite DAW. What's more, over two-hundred onboard preset slots allow for building up a library of monophonic sounds all your own. What this all adds up to is a monosynth that is built for either studio experimentation or live performance, so play boldly, the Messenger can keep up.
Moog Messenger Monophonic Synthesizer Final Thoughts
For fans of either Moog's classic or modern sensibilities, the Messenger delivers on every front. A thoroughly modern synth with all the makings of a vintage classic, the Moog Messenger is a monosynth that balances both worlds to the benefit of Moog players old and new. Highly intuitive, expressive, tactile, and powerful, this synthesizer lands at the perfect time. Moog certainly hit the nail on the head for the current synth market and the presence and popularity of the Messenger in the cultural conversation right now has to say something about that fact, at least.
Has Moog gotten their message across?
