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Average Price: $483
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$500
$1501+
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Description
Step into the world of analog synthesis with the Moog Prodigy, a renowned monophonic synthesizer that has stood the test of time. From the late ‘70s to the early ‘80s and beyond, its distinctive soundscapes continue to mesmerize musicians and listeners alike. With an array of waveforms at your disposal, this synth offers the ability to craft everything from the smoothest flutes to the grittiest electronic tones. Its Voltage Controlled Filter and Voltage Controlled Amplifier with a three-stage (ADR) envelope are key elements to its iconic sound.
Key Features:
- Monophonic analog synthesizer
- Two VCOs offering sawtooth, triangle, and square waves, and a pulse waveform
- Voltage Controlled Filter
- Voltage Controlled Amplifier with a three-stage (ADR) envelope
- Capable of producing a wide range of sounds from soft flutes to aggressive electronic tones.
Product specs
| Brand | Moog |
| Model | Prodigy 32-Key Monophonic Analog Synthesizer |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1979 - 1984 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Analog Synths, Keyboard Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Analog |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action |
| Number of Keys | 32 Keys |
| Polyphony | 1 Voice |
FAQs
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Is the Moog Prodigy synthesizer polyphonic or monophonic?
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The Moog Prodigy is a monophonic synthesizer, meaning it can play only one note at a time, which is ideal for bass lines and lead melodies.
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What kind of sound can I expect from the Moog Prodigy's analog engine?
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The Moog Prodigy's analog engine delivers classic warm and rich tones, known for its powerful bass and vibrant leads, making it suitable for a variety of musical genres.
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How many keys does the Moog Prodigy have and what is the key size?
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The Moog Prodigy features 32 full-size keys with a synth action, providing a responsive and expressive playing experience.
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What are the standout features of the Moog Prodigy's sound design?
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The Moog Prodigy is renowned for its dual oscillator design, which allows for a wide range of sound modulation and creative possibilities, including classic Moog filter sweeps.
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Is the Moog Prodigy suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Moog Prodigy is well-suited for live performances due to its intuitive interface and robust build, allowing musicians to easily tweak and shape sounds on stage.
Videos
RetroSound
Moog Prodigy Analog Synthesizer (1979) sound demo
Reviews
PROS
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Excellent for learning analog synthesis basics
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Warm, fat sound at a fraction of the MiniMoog price
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Versatile sound palette for bass and lead
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Maintains tune better than a MiniMoog
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Less finicky than a MiniMoog, suitable for studio/home use
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Rich tone for pads and leads beyond bass capabilities
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Offers deep lows and screeching highs, including bleeps and boops
CONS
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Finicky and temperamental, not ideal for gigging
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Hard to tune across the whole keyboard range
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Some find the oscillator sound thin compared to expectations
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Moog Prodigy.
Build quality
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Early models lack standard CV/gate inputs, but these can be modified with mini jacks for compatibility with modern setups.
Source
Setup and maintenance
Features and functionality
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Some models feature fragile controls and rare panel parts, making maintenance a potential challenge.
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Users highlight the need for a Prodigy-like synth with modern features such as presets, arpeggiators, and MIDI, emphasizing the importance of these in live settings.
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The Prodigy Mk1's 0 volts pitch is an F note rather than the typical C, which can be adjusted using a CV converter or modern sequencer settings.
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Comparisons
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Despite limitations, the Prodigy's raw tone is often preferred over modern Moogs for its warmth and richness, particularly in bass and lead applications.
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The Moog Matriarch is noted for having a tighter low-end than other modern Moogs, with MIDI capabilities that make it a viable alternative to the Prodigy.
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The Moog Little Phatty is considered better than the Sub Phatty in terms of low-end tightness, though it still falls short of the Prodigy's performance.
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Users find the Prodigy to have more character than the Moog Little Phatty Stage II, particularly for lead sounds and modulation effects.
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User experience
Mods and upgrades
Use cases and applications
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 5 Reviews and 32 Ratings
612
A good extra add-on mono-synth, but not great
In the '80s, I was able to pick up one of these used for under $100. Multi-timbral sounds and layering hadn't seen the light of day yet, so I wanted a small monophonic synthesizer to play lead lines and other sounds that were different (a second sound) other than what I was playing on my polyphonic synth. The Prodigy ended up being that synth for me, but truthfully, it wasn't that great. It did the job, but it really lacked the fat oscillator sound (sounded thin), aside from the fact that I was never a big fan of the Moog oscillator sound anyway.
236
Really great sync
I cannot give it 5 stars since too hard to tune across whole range of keyboard. A classic, though, and so easy to use.
What can it do? Listen to this!
https://youtu.be/aL6hAgW-S4E
1798
More than a bass synth
The Moog Prodigy is usually meant as a bass synth. But I use it for more than a bass synth. It's got a great tone for Pads and Leads that no one seems to explore all that much. This synth has such a rich unique tone that you just can't help explore the beautiful, subtractive, monophonic synth that it is.
284
I am a lucky b******d
Yup. Keeps tune better than a MiniMoog. Less fussy than a MiniMoog.
1798
It's supposed to be a step above the Rogue and a step below the Model D. So I would imagine that it'd be more sonically stable than the Minimoog.
122
Amazing basses and synced sounds.
Love the sound of it. In the bass department is a monster. Also nice leads and synced sounds
Artist usage
Add artist
the Moog Prodigy is listed on the Instrument List on this article
In a photo posted on his official Facebook page, Franck Roger’s Moog Prodigy synthesizer is visible at the top of the image.
In a YouTube video titled "How Pavement 'did in' Lollapalooza - West Virginia, 1995," Bob Nastanovich mentions his Moog Prodigy at around 1:33, stating, "I had this little Moog Prodigy that I didn't want to get destroyed." This indicates his use of the Moog Prodigy synthesizer, as confirmed by the source provided by Carl Burnett.
Free K Dominguez of Kidneythieves seen using a Moog Prodigy Synthesizer in their studio in a picture posted on their official Instagram.
The instrument appears on the list of instruments on official artist's website (http://olszak.pl/).
In an interview titled "Producing Eminem & Fiona Apple" by Sound On Sound, Mike Elizondo mentioned his use of the Moog Prodigy. He described his work on Fiona Apple's album, stating: "On the track 'Timps' I programmed a rhythm on the MPC4000 that I thought would sound cool with Fiona's vocal, and then we layered that with real marimbas, vibes, piano, a whole load of keyboards, and I played Minimoog bass on it. I felt that Fiona's piano parts called for something ethereal."
Richard Dorfmeister: "I have a Moog Prodigy, the classic Yamaha DX7 Mk2 and use both the Moog Voyager and Memorymoog."
Gerald Woodruffe is confirmed to have used the Moog Prodigy synthesizer during the recording of "Wonders Of The Underwater World" LP, as detailed by Mono Staff at Monorail Music.
Dan uses the Moog Prodigy in studio, as shown on the floor in this picture taken from cut/copy's Twitter profile (https://i.imgur.com/njHlBbN.png)
Album Usage
The Moog Prodigy has been featured on the following albums:
Adult Contemporary
Chromeo (2024)
After Hours
The Weeknd (2020)
The End (Live)
Black Sabbath (2017)
She's In Control (Explicit Content U.S. Version)
Chromeo (2004)
Live at Brixton Academy 1999
Atari Teenage Riot (2000)
You've Come A Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim & The BPA & Norman Cook (1998)
Pretty Hate Machine
Nine Inch Nails (1989)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Moog Prodigy, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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