Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $1,950
High-end/Boutique
$500
$1501+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
Step into the world of vintage synthesis with the Moog Source, a synth that truly revolutionized the music industry in its time. Produced from 1981-1985, the Moog Source introduced the world to the convenience of patch memory storage, making it a game-changer in the synth realm. This was also the first Moog to incorporate a data wheel, a feature that made editing parameters a breeze. Swapping out knobs and sliders, the Source uses small membrane buttons, delivering a smooth, streamlined user experience. The synth also boasts the iconic 24 dB/octave Moog filter, lending your music the legendary Moog sound that's revered by musicians worldwide.
Key Features:
- First Moog to offer patch memory storage.
- Features a data wheel for easy editing of parameters.
- Uses small membrane buttons instead of individual knobs and sliders.
- Contains the iconic 24 dB/octave Moog filter.
Product specs
| Brand | Moog |
| Model | Source Monophonic Analog Synthesizer with Patch Memory |
| Finish | Blue |
| Year | 1981 - 1985 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Analog Synths, Keyboard Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Analog |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action |
| Number of Keys | 37 Keys |
| Polyphony | 1 Voice |
FAQs
-
Is the Moog Source synthesizer polyphonic or monophonic?
-
The Moog Source is a monophonic synthesizer, meaning it can only play one note at a time, which is ideal for bass lines, leads, and solos.
-
What are the standout features of the Moog Source's sound engine?
-
The Moog Source features a classic analog sound engine with two voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs), a voltage-controlled filter (VCF), and patch memory, allowing for rich, warm sounds with the convenience of saving presets.
-
How many keys does the Moog Source have, and what is their size?
-
The Moog Source has 37 full-size keys with a synth action, providing a responsive and comfortable playing experience.
-
Can I save and recall patches on the Moog Source?
-
Yes, the Moog Source was one of the first synthesizers to offer patch memory, allowing you to save and recall your custom sounds easily.
-
What type of music is the Moog Source best suited for?
-
The Moog Source is versatile but particularly excels in genres that benefit from its warm analog tones, such as electronic, synth-pop, and progressive rock.
Videos
RetroSound
Moog Source Analog Synthesizer (1981)
Reviews
PROS
-
Classic Moog tone with a unique soul and feel
-
More affordable compared to vintage or reissue models
-
Simplified control with one value knob makes it user-friendly
-
Spill-safe surface design for durability
-
Powerful filter easily accessible for shaping sound
-
Utilizes legendary CEM3340 VCO for rich, fat sound
-
Versatile for both lead synth and traditional fat bass sounds
-
Preferred keybed feel over competitors like the Pro One
-
Creamier sound in many instances compared to other synths with CEM3340
CONS
-
Lacks MIDI functionality
-
Only two oscillators, compared to three in some competitors
-
Cannot modify two parameters simultaneously due to single knob design
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Moog Source.
Features and functionality
-
The Moog Source has an endless knob that provides a unique tactile experience, preferred by some users over traditional all-knob designs.
Source -
The Moog Source's oscillator sync allows modulation wheel use to create a distinct wah wah effect, a feature utilized by The Rentals.
Source -
The sequencer lacks quantization and step input, leading to timing inconsistencies and making it less practical for precise sequencing.
Source -
The Moog Source's sequencer resolution is unpredictable, making it difficult to synchronize accurately with other gear like the TR-808.
Source
Mods and upgrades
-
Owners have successfully replaced the problematic membrane panel with a mechanical switch panel, maintaining the original appearance while enhancing functionality.
Source
Use cases and applications
Setup and maintenance
-
Membrane buttons are prone to failure due to early 80s technology, but modern replacements and mods with micro switches improve reliability.
Source
Comparisons
-
Users find the Source to deliver a sound closer to a vintage Minimoog than newer models like the Sub37, with added live performance benefits.
Source -
Users note that the Moog Source can achieve similar sounds to the Moog Prodigy, as both were used by bands like The Hippos for ska-style music.
Source -
The Source's sequencer is less efficient compared to standalone sequencers like the Metropolis or Digitakt, which offer more reliable performance.
Source
Software and compatibility
-
An Encore MIDI kit and filter CV upgrade allows integration with modern DAWs like Ableton through the CTRLR app, enhancing control over the vintage synth.
Source -
For budget-friendly options, users recommend pairing a MIDI keyboard with free VSTs like Vital, U-he's Tyrell N6, and discoDSP's OB-Xd for similar sonic capabilities.
Source
4.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 10 Ratings
417
Is it really a Moog, or a toy?
Hey that's a relevant question for everyone looking at it at a distance...
Actually, when you open the owner's manual, you do have the impression that Moog wanted to sell synths that would be easier to use for people starting of on synthesizers. So they only left in one single value knob in there, and they put in a spill safe surface, for the clumsy people...
But when you start using this machine, it's easy to get in touch with the Moog sound, with the very powerful filter, accessible with that value knob :P So is it really usable? Of course! Well you don't have one value knob for each parameter, but you can easily switch parameters just by a press, and keep your hand on that dial, but at the same time you can not modify two values at once. Sooooo... Well you have the pitch bend and the mod wheel, what is there to complain about?
Ok so compared to a Mini Moog, there are two oscillators instead of 3, but here we're talking about the CEM3340 (which came back into production not so long ago). CEM3340 is a legendary VCO,. Every single Synth that used the 3340 is legendary; EVERY ONE OF THEM; Roland Jupiter series, Prophet 5 / 10, Pro One, SH-101 / MC-202, Oberheim OB-8 / OB-Xa, Memorymoog, Voyetra 8...
It sounds fat, powerful, in fact you will never play this on maximum volume form the unit, it is that loud, similar to the Pro One in that regard. What curious is that it doesn't have the same tonality as the Pro One. I find the Pro One to sound rougher / grittier most of the time. The Source has a creamier sound in many instances. I also prefer the keybed of the Source over the Pro One, but really we are talking about two mono synths using the CEM3340 but with a totally different implementation and very different filter capabilities and sound. So you may like one or the other, but liking both means you have a wide taste.
To be enjoyed.
First Moog with programmable presets
Has the classic wailing lead synth sound. Also used for traditional fat bass. No MIDI!
Artist usage
Add artist
In an article by Fred Miketa for XLR8R, Johnny Jewel is pictured with a Moog Source synthesizer in his studio.
Charlotte Hatherley used the Moog Source synthesizer while recording keyboards for her album, as seen in her Instagram post with Nazca Lines.
Peter Baumann is credited with using the Moog Source synthesizer on the album "Strangers in the Night," as documented on Discogs.
In this interview with reverb, Sadie talks about the equipment used in the recording of her solo album.
The best deal was one that I totally didn’t see coming. I bought a Moog Source — the first programmable Moog — for $700 in the late ‘90s. Nowadays, that synth has a little more cachet, but at that time it was seen as kind of a loser, later-era Moog. But that synth taught me the basic architecture of a monophonic analog synth. The battery would die immediately, and it wouldn’t save sounds, but I toured with it extensively. I would put together patches on stage during the show and tell the crowd what I was doing.
Album Usage
The Moog Source has been featured on the following albums:
Strange Behavior: Original Soundtrack
Tangerine Dream (2022)
The English Riviera
Metronomy (2011)
Geography (limited bonus)
Front 242 (2004)
Three of a Perfect Pair
King Crimson (1984)
Blue Monday
New Order (1983)
Eliminator
ZZ Top (1983)
Oh No! It's Devo
Devo (1982)
Lite Me Up
Herbie Hancock (1982)
Geography (2004)
Front 242 (1982)
New Traditionalists
Devo (1981)
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 Source, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Similar
Add recommendation1 alternative for Moog Source, curated by the Equipboard community.
More Moog Synthesizers
Accessories & Related Items
Community setups
Gear Guides
Most Popular Synthesizers
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
IitisleeannGear IQ 1371
-