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Description

Step into the world of timeless sound with the Moog Opus 3, a vintage polyphonic marvel that brings the lush landscapes of strings, the boldness of brass, and the foundational tones of an organ into your musical arsenal. This analog synthesizer, a gem from the 1980s, stands out with its unique stereo panning and on-board chorus effect, offering a sonic experience that's as rare as it is mesmerizing. Not just a piece of history, the Moog Opus 3 is a testament to simplicity meeting sophistication, embodying the iconic Moog sound that continues to influence music across genres.

Key Features:

  • Analog polyphonic synthesizer with distinct sections for strings, brass, and organ.
  • Equipped with two analog VCF sections for versatile sound shaping.
  • Simple modulation capabilities to craft unique sound textures.
  • Unique stereo panning and on-board chorus effect for expansive soundscapes.
  • Retains the classic, trademark Moog sound.

Product specs

Brand Moog
Model Opus 3
Finish Black
Year 1980
Made In United States
Categories Analog Synths, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital Analog
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Synth Action
Number of Keys 49 Keys
Polyphony 49 Voices

FAQs

Is the Moog Opus 3 polyphonic or monophonic?

The Moog Opus 3 is a polyphonic synthesizer, capable of playing up to 49 voices simultaneously.

What kind of sounds can I create with the Moog Opus 3?

The Moog Opus 3 is known for its rich, analog sounds, particularly excelling in string, brass, and organ tones, making it versatile for various musical styles.

Does the Moog Opus 3 have full-size keys?

Yes, the Moog Opus 3 features full-size keys, providing a traditional playing experience for keyboardists.

What type of keyboard action does the Moog Opus 3 have?

The Moog Opus 3 is equipped with synth action keys, which offer a smooth and responsive feel suitable for expressive playing.

Is the Moog Opus 3 suitable for live performances?

The Moog Opus 3, with its robust analog sound and intuitive controls, is well-suited for live performances, offering reliable and dynamic sound capabilities.

ProckGnosis

ProckGnosis

Moog Opus 3 Synthesizer Overview

Video thumbnail for Moog Opus 3 Synthesizer Overview by ProckGnosis

Moog Opus 3 Synthesizer Overview

ProckGnosis

ProckGnosis

Video thumbnail for Moog Opus 3: An Early 80s Synth You Might Recognize From The Early 90s by gearwire

Moog Opus 3: An Early 80s Synth You Might Recognize From The Early 90s

gearwire

gearwire

Video thumbnail for The Analog Lab-Moog Opus 3-Beethoven Symphony no.7 2nd Movement by TheAnalogLab

The Analog Lab-Moog Opus 3-Beethoven Symphony no.7 2nd Movement

TheAnalogLab

TheAnalogLab

Video thumbnail for 01-The Moog Opus 3- Part One: Strings by AutomaticGainsay

01-The Moog Opus 3- Part One: Strings

AutomaticGainsay

AutomaticGainsay

Video thumbnail for 1980 Moog Opus 3 Analog String Brass Organ Synthesizer by keyboard resource

1980 Moog Opus 3 Analog String Brass Organ Synthesizer

keyboard resource

keyboard resource

Video thumbnail for Moog Opus 3 vs Korg Delta Comparison | Analog Synthesizer Challenge by Ralph Baumgartl

Moog Opus 3 vs Korg Delta Comparison | Analog Synthesizer Challenge

Ralph Baumgartl

Ralph Baumgartl

Video thumbnail for EMEAPP SONIC TEST DRIVE: MOOG OPUS 3 Feat. DON SLEPIAN by EMEAPP

EMEAPP SONIC TEST DRIVE: MOOG OPUS 3 Feat. DON SLEPIAN

EMEAPP

EMEAPP

Video thumbnail for Moog Opus 3 (by synthpro) by synthpro

Moog Opus 3 (by synthpro)

synthpro

synthpro

Video thumbnail for Demo of the Moog Opus 3 synth by Cloud City Cards

Demo of the Moog Opus 3 synth

Cloud City Cards

Cloud City Cards

Video thumbnail for Mike's Opus 3 Demo (by synthpro) by synthpro

Mike's Opus 3 Demo (by synthpro)

synthpro

synthpro

Reviews

PROS

  • Classic Moog sound in the brass section

  • Polyphonic capabilities enhance versatility

  • Ability to blend brass and string sounds for thick tones

  • Vintage digital chorus effect adds depth to strings

  • Organ section includes 5 drawbar type controls for customization

  • Unique mix ability of organ, strings, and brass sounds

  • Stereo panning and delayable LFO for expansive soundscapes

  • Visually appealing with a charming color scheme

  • Maintains value, making it a good investment

CONS

  • Considered less adventurous among Moog models, potentially overlooking its capabilities

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Moog Opus 3.

Features and functionality

  • The Moog Opus 3 allows mixing of strings, brass, and organ sounds for unique soundscapes, with strings described as warm and lush.

    Source
  • Designed by Herbert Deutsch, not Bob Moog, making it unique among Moog models.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners mention the Opus 3 excels at 60’s combo organ sounds, which can be sweet or aggressive, making it versatile for retro music styles.

    Source
  • Excels when connected to a large 6x10 guitar amp, producing nostalgic, past-era sounds.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • One owner purchased the Opus 3 cheaply with plans to refinish and resell, indicating potential for value appreciation despite initial cosmetic conditions.

    Source
  • Owners report offers exceeding $1,000, indicating significant appreciation in value.

    Source

User experience

  • Despite initial plans to sell, the Opus 3's sound quality convinced an owner to keep it, highlighting its strong appeal once experienced firsthand.

    Source

Other

  • Features prominently in early Kraftwerk albums, enhancing its appeal for fans of vintage electronic music.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Moog Opus-3 | Vintage Synth Explorer

vintagesynth.com

The Moog Opus 3 is a vintage gem known for its classic analog sound, offering a blend of strings, brass, and organ tones with impressive clarity. Its design, featuring separate VCF sections for strings and brass, allows for versatile sound sculpting, while the early stereo panning adds depth to performances. Praised by artists like Kraftwerk and Stereolab, it’s a favorite for those seeking vintage vibes. However, it lacks modern control features and memory, which might limit its appeal for contemporary studio use. Despite this, its unique character and straightforward interface make it a delightful choice for enthusiasts of analog warmth.

positive
Add

3.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 5 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
deepsignalstudios

A great synth to evoke 1980

It does organ, strings, and brass synth sounds. The brass sound is very similar to the Mood Realistic MG1 but polyphonic. The strings section can sound like a Solina/Logan when the chorus is on. The organ section has 5 drawbar type controls. You can mix all three sounds in varying amounts and pan each one left or right. The red, yellow, and green color scheme on black is very charming. I have the Tubbutec Organ Donor midi kit installed in mine by Charles at OC Synth Lab.

T

Superb

The Mix of 3 opus is unique and i cant replication with other instrumental so far

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Billy Corgan uses Moog Opus 3

Billy Corgan

Singer, Guitarist

The Smashing Pumpkins

...
Verified via reverb.com

This Moog OPUS 3 is owned by Billy Corgan

See how The Real Mike Dean uses Moog Opus 3

The Real Mike Dean

Music Producer, Audio Engineer

Def Squad

...
Verified via YouTube

In a YouTube video of Selena Quintanilla's 1982 performance of "La Tracalera," The Real Mike Dean can be seen using a Moog Opus 3 synthesizer. This performance is one of Dean's early collaborations with Quintanilla, as highlighted in a Variety article. The connection was facilitated by a local music store owner named Clyde, who introduced Dean to the Quintanillas during his teenage years near Houston.

See how Jon Lord uses Moog Opus 3

Jon Lord

Keyboardist

Deep Purple

...
Verified

In an interview published in Music UK in May 1983, Jon Lord confirmed his use of the Moog Opus 3, stating, "I still use my old Hammond organ, which has been modified I don't know how many times. It's got all sorts of things built into it. On top of that there's a Clavinet and a Moog Opus which I basically use just to fatten-up the sounds. That's all on one side of me on stage."

See how mndsgn uses Moog Opus 3

mndsgn

Singer, Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube
See how Charly García uses Moog Opus 3

Charly García

Singer, Guitarist

Serú Girán

...
Verified via YouTube

Charly uso este sintetizador en Seru y tambien en su disco Yendo de la cama al living.

See how Tim Gane uses Moog Opus 3

Tim Gane

Guitarist, Bassist

Stereolab

...
Verified via Koly

This is a full list of Stereolab's live and studio equipment, circa. 2004.

See how Lætitia Sadier uses Moog Opus 3

Lætitia Sadier

Singer, Guitarist

Stereolab

...
Verified via YouTube

In this live performance Laetitia Sadier can be seen playing a Moog Opus 3.

See how Mauricio Durán uses Moog Opus 3

Mauricio Durán

Singer, Guitarist

Los Bunkers

...
Verified via Photo

Mauricio Durán uses a Moog Opus 3, as seen in his Instagram post.

See how Sonic Boom uses Moog Opus 3

Sonic Boom

Guitarist, Composer

Spacemen 3

...
Verified via Sonic-boom

Included in Sonic's equipment list.

See how John Foxx uses Moog Opus 3

John Foxx

Singer, Keyboardist

Ultravox

...
Verified via The Quietus

On June 5th, John Foxx will be taking his group The Maths to the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm London for a one-off performance of his classic album Metamatic. Now, after our feature on Benge's synths was such a hit with you lot, we thought that some of you might like to get warm under the collar and quivery of the finger tip to learn what John Foxx will be packing in the back of the van for the Roundhouse show - please check out the mouthwatering list below, and have a look at some John Foxx & The Maths on YouTube while you're at it. Find out more about this incredible event (which also features a DJ set by Gary Numan and Ade Fenton) at the Roundhouse website. John Foxx'Metatronic best-of is out now.

Synthesizers:

ARP Odyssey x 2, ARP Sequencers x 2, Crumar Multiman, EDP Wasp, Korg MonoPoly, Korg 700, Logan String Machine, Moog Mini x 2, Moog Modular plus Sequencers, Moog Opus 3, Roland Modular System 100m x 10 Modules, Roland SH2, Roland SH-101, Roland Juno 60, Sequential Circuits Multitrack

Drum machines:

Amdek Percussion Synthesiser, Boss Dr Rhythm, Linn Drum, Klone Drum, Roland CR78, Roland TR808

Effects & Processors:

Boss Chorus, Boss Flanger, Boss Phaser, Electro Harmonix electric mistress Flanger, Furman Spring Reverb, Ibanez AD80 Analog Delay, Maestro PS-1 Phase Shifter, Mu-tron Phasor, MXR Phase 100, Roland Space echo RE-201

Other Equipment

Tascam & Revox Analogue Reel to Reel Tape Machines

See how Alan Braxe uses Moog Opus 3

Alan Braxe

Music Producer

Alan Braxe & Fred Falke

...
Verified via Facebook

Answering a question about the synths used in his 2002 track 'Palladium', Alan comments: "all synth sounds by moog opus III".

See how The Album Leaf uses Moog Opus 3

The Album Leaf

Keyboardist, Composer

The Black Heart Procession

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video titled "Artist Additions by Output - ANALOG STRINGS Expansion Modern String Beds with The Album Leaf," at the 0:32 mark, you can see the Moog Opus 3 synthesizer in the right-hand corner. This serves as proof that The Album Leaf uses this specific piece of music gear. The video is provided by Output, with musician Jimmy LaValle demonstrating the integration of Analog Strings with his setup.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Moog Opus 3, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Moog Prodigy
Moog Prodigy Synthesizers
3
Roland SH-101
Roland SH-101 Synthesizers
2
Roland SH-2
Roland SH-2 Synthesizers
2
EDP Wasp
EDP Wasp Synthesizers
2
Yamaha TX81Z
Yamaha TX81Z Sound Modules
2
Casio MT-45
Casio MT-45 Portable & Arranger Keyboards
1
Korg ARP Odyssey
Korg ARP Odyssey Synthesizers
1

Community setups

Show yours
M

marimoball

Gear IQ 162

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