It’s the last call on the Moog Little Phatty Tribute Edition, the beautiful limited edition release of Moog Music’s latest synth. Moog Music president Mike Adams says, “We are completely sold out and my understanding is that only a few dealers have the Tribute Editions available.” I’m not sure it’s quite that scarce yet, but if you want the Tribute, act now.
As the Tribute’s replacement, the slightly cheaper Stage Edition will ship in February 2007 with a list of US$1375 (versus $1475 for the Tribute), a new look (above), and a software update. The Stage loses the blue lights and wooden sides, but it looks quite attractive. It now has red lights, orange on the pitch and mod wheels, and a subtle gray livery some may actually prefer. The side panels are now rubberized. Anyone hoping for dirt-cheap street prices on the Tribute will be disappointed; as with list, the street price on the Stage will be about $100 less, so you’ll be able to pick one up for just under US$1300. That’s still a steal for a Moog synth with an analog signal path, though.
Moog Little Phatty Stage [Moog Music Product Page]
The software update’s banner feature is auto-tune and auto-calibration, so you don’t have to adjust the Moog yourself. Naturally, the new software will be available for the older Tribute Edition, as well.
Moog synths — great! Moog advertising — uhhh … For some truly inexplicable reason, Moog Music has launched An independent ad firm (apparently just for the fun of it) has launched a bizarre, abstract ad campaign involving sticking patch cords into sausages, dogs, and bubble gum, with the phrase “Any Sound is Possible.” I agree with Brad Sucks: these are just disturbing. But they make interesting conversation pieces.
Updated: Well, if it seems like these surreal spots didn’t come from the people of Moog Music, that’s because they didn’t. Jared White from Moog Music explains:
I will take issue with the hyperbolic “Any Sound is Possible,” in that most people use Moogs because they like the specific sounds Moogs can make versus the unlimited possibilities of, say, computers. But, no matter.
We have never used nor plan on using these ads. They were created by a highly respected Marketing agency who used them to build their portfolio and to enter their industry’s contests. Of course, we would not have expected to see them side by side with any of our own internal advertising. Oh well, I can appreciate the hearty discussion about what makes a good ad. And, at Moog Music, we see a lot of folks who make cool and sometimes not/so cool images to describe the Moog sound. Moog instruments WILL fuel the artistic spirit. Why quash that.
Well, that makes sense. You have to admire a company whose fans make ads for them, of course — now we just need some Doepfer and Dave Smith fans to step up. In this case, we’re not talking Moog fanboys, either. The ad agency in question is Carmichael Lynch, a well-known firm that has produced ads for the likes of Porsche, the Cub Scouts, and Brown-Forman wines. Click through “Our Stuff”, and check out a TV ad they did for Gibson Guitar. I have to say, in the first spot, I’m pretty disappointed that the young girl getting quizzed on Gibson trivia only winds up going to buy a Gibson for her Dad. Then again, someone that bright and talented isn’t going to want a boring electric. I’ll bet Dad had to tutor his young, budding keyboardist, because all she really wants is a new Moog Voyager.
Anyway, at this point, we’re back to waiting to find out what Moog Music has up their sleeves next, with the NAMM trade show just about a month away. Music thing last week kicked off the rampant speculation, launched by Mooger Amos Gaynes recent promise that “it will defy expectations. It will be the most daring and boundary-defying Moog product to date!” I’d add something here, except of course my expectations will only be defied. I don’t like being defied, so I’ll keep my expectations to myself.
Maybe we’ll be really lucky, and Moog will release a new modular synth. We can dream. I’m guessing it’ll be something altogether different, but whether or not it truly busts genres, I’m interested as always.
Or, if we’re unlucky, Moog Music will defy boundaries with a new Steve Urkel Edition Little Phatty. (No, really. See the sassy music tech blog .)
