Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .

Average Price: $1,650

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

Introducing the Moog Taurus I, a foot pedal-controlled analog synth that is a game-changer in the music world. With its 13 foot keys and a five-octave range, it's primarily used for bass work. Originally designed to complement the Apollo and Lyra keyboard synths in an ensemble set-up, the Taurus I has left its mark on the industry. This synth is the first version in the Taurus series, which later saw an unpopular Taurus II and a limited edition Taurus III. The Moog Taurus I, however, remains a classic favorite, offering a unique sound and playing experience that sets it apart from its successors.

Key Features:

  • Foot pedal-controlled analog synth
  • 13 foot keys
  • Five octave range
  • Primarily used for bass work
  • Part of the Taurus series
  • Produced from around 1974 - 1981
  • Originally designed to complement the Apollo and Lyra keyboard synths in an ensemble set-up

Product specs

Brand Moog
Model Taurus I
Finish Black
Year 1974 - 1981
Made In United States
Categories Analog Synths
Analog / Digital Analog
Number of Keys 13 Keys
Polyphony 1 Voice

FAQs

What type of sound is the Moog Taurus I best known for?

The Moog Taurus I is best known for its powerful and deep bass sounds, making it a favored choice for bass lines in various music genres, particularly progressive rock and electronic music.

How many keys does the Moog Taurus I have and what is its polyphony?

The Moog Taurus I features 13 foot-operated keys and is monophonic, meaning it can play one note at a time, which is ideal for creating strong, singular bass lines.

Is the Moog Taurus I suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Moog Taurus I is designed for live performances with its robust construction and intuitive foot pedal controls, allowing musicians to play bass lines hands-free while performing on other instruments.

What is the primary use of the Moog Taurus I in music production?

The primary use of the Moog Taurus I in music production is to deliver rich, analog bass sounds that can add depth and power to a musical arrangement, especially in genres like rock and electronic music.

Does the Moog Taurus I require any special maintenance due to its analog nature?

Like many vintage analog synthesizers, the Moog Taurus I may require periodic calibration and maintenance to ensure optimal performance, especially as components age. Regular care can help maintain its iconic sound quality.

RetroSound

RetroSound

Moog Taurus 3 vs. Taurus 1 bass pedal synthesizer sound battle

Video thumbnail for Moog Taurus 3 vs. Taurus 1 bass pedal synthesizer sound battle by RetroSound

Moog Taurus 3 vs. Taurus 1 bass pedal synthesizer sound battle

RetroSound

RetroSound

Video thumbnail for Moog Taurus 1 Bass pedals & Rickenbacker 4001V63 on a Genesis excerpt track Eleventh earl of mar by Bernard Nicoll

Moog Taurus 1 Bass pedals & Rickenbacker 4001V63 on a Genesis excerpt track Eleventh earl of mar

Bernard Nicoll

Bernard Nicoll

Video thumbnail for Moog Taurus pedal synthesizer function demonstration by Granville Guitars

Moog Taurus pedal synthesizer function demonstration

Granville Guitars

Granville Guitars

Video thumbnail for Moog Taurus 1 Bass pedals & Rickenbacker 4003 Bass Genesis After Glow by Bernard Nicoll

Moog Taurus 1 Bass pedals & Rickenbacker 4003 Bass Genesis After Glow

Bernard Nicoll

Bernard Nicoll

Video thumbnail for Moog Taurus 1 Bass pedals &  Rickenbacker 4001CS on a YES excerpt from track And You and I by Bernard Nicoll

Moog Taurus 1 Bass pedals & Rickenbacker 4001CS on a YES excerpt from track And You and I

Bernard Nicoll

Bernard Nicoll

Reviews

PROS

  • Unmatched bass synth sounds, superior to Minitaur and Sirin

  • Every setting delivers impressive sound quality

  • Renowned for its ability to produce powerful, deep bass

  • Iconic use by famous bands enhances its legacy

  • Versatile for live performances across multiple bands

CONS

  • Limited to mono-synth capabilities, may not suit all musical styles

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Moog Taurus I Bass Pedals (1974-1981).

Features and functionality

  • Owners appreciate the pedal form factor, noting it allows for playing with hands and a foot, similar to a drummer using a kick pedal.

    Source
  • Users suggest that the Moog Taurus I can output at line level, which may require reamping for compatibility with most effects pedals designed for instrument level.

    Source

User experience

  • Some users find the Moog Taurus I reminiscent of iconic bass sounds, describing it as the ultimate for Moog basses.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • It's been noted that using MIDI organ pedals with synths like the Minitaur enhances usability, though can be clunky for band practices without dedicated space.

    Source
  • Flanger and tape delay effects are frequently paired with the Moog Taurus I for users seeking to add depth and dimension to their soundscapes.

    Source

Other

  • Enthusiasts recall the need for special shoes to play organ pedals effectively, emphasizing the physical technique required for optimal performance.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The Arion SCH-1 stereo chorus is recommended for enhancing the raw analog sound of the Moog Taurus I without overwhelming its natural bass tones.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Eventide effects pedals are noted for their compatibility and are highly recommended for use with the Moog Taurus I by experienced owners.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Moog Taurus I | Vintage Synth Explorer

vintagesynth.com

The Moog Taurus I is a revered piece of vintage gear, lauded for its rich, deep bass tones and simple yet effective design. This monophonic bass synthesizer is played with the feet, allowing musicians to multitask on stage. With three preset sounds and one user-configurable option, it offers versatility, although the controls are somewhat limited and hidden to avoid accidental adjustments. Its two-oscillator setup, alongside a classic Moog filter, produces powerful, iconic sounds favored by bands like Rush and Genesis. While its lack of polyphony and limited presets may deter some, its legacy and sound quality make it a cherished tool for the dedicated synth enthusiast.

positive
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 7 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
mach4
mach4

1256

Appropriately named because there are some times you just don't want to get in its way!

The first of the serious synth bass pedals. Naturally, if anyone was going to make a mono-synth that could kick some serious arse, it was going to be Moog. Used to brilliantly thunderous effect (especially live) by the likes of Genesis, Yes, Rush, Steve Hackett and the like, this otherwise "simple" 2-osc, filter, envelope synth was capable of rattling anything from ancient building foundations, to the teeth and bones of rockers long departed.

rothhandlestudios

Moog Taurus I

I have two sets of these and I use them live with pretty much all of my bands. Classic great sound.

Genres:
From Gear Setup

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Don Airey uses Moog Taurus I Bass Pedals (1974-1981)

Don Airey

Keyboardist

Judas Priest

...
Verified via Photo

In a photo taken from ProgArchives.com, it is evident that keyboardist Don Airey used a Moog Taurus I bass pedals synth as part of his gear setup in 1981. The image shows the Moog Taurus I positioned below a chopped Hammond B-3, alongside other instruments such as the Hohner Clavinet D6, Vako Orchestron, Minimoogs, ARP Odyssey, and Yamaha CS-80.

See how Geoff Downes uses Moog Taurus I Bass Pedals (1974-1981)

Geoff Downes

Keyboardist

Yes

...
Verified via Photo

Geoff Downes is confirmed to use the Moog Taurus I, as evidenced by a photograph available on ProgArchives.com.

See how David Lynch uses Moog Taurus I Bass Pedals (1974-1981)

David Lynch

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this footage of Lynch in the studio during the recording of Crazy Clown Time, we see Lynch operating the Taurus with his hands at the 0:43 mark.

See how Pete Trewavas uses Moog Taurus I Bass Pedals (1974-1981)

Pete Trewavas

Bassist

Marillion

...
Verified

Pete Trewavas, the bassist, confirmed his use of the Moog Taurus I pedals in a 1985 interview featured in "Marillion airs" (One Two Testing, Sep 1985), where he recounted an incident during a performance of 'Fugazi'. He described a moment of confusion when he realized the pedals were not working, only to find they had been left unplugged, stating: "My bass pedals weren't working — I use the Moog Taurus One set. It wasn't actually a failure, but somebody, not our crew, had left them unplugged." This anecdote directly verifies Trewavas's use of the Moog Taurus I.

See how David Rosenthal uses Moog Taurus I Bass Pedals (1974-1981)

David Rosenthal

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Rainbow

...
Verified

David Rosenthal is confirmed to use the Moog Taurus I pedals, as detailed in his 1984 Rainbow rig setup. This information is verified through his personal website, where the gear list includes the Moog Taurus Pedals positioned in the center of his setup, alongside other notable instruments like the MiniMoog D and Hammond B3.

See how Kurt Ader KApro uses Moog Taurus I Bass Pedals (1974-1981)

Kurt Ader KApro

...
Verified via Facebook

Kurt Ader, known for his work with KApro, is shown using the Moog Taurus I synthesizer on his Facebook page, highlighting its role in his sound design projects.

See how Erik Norlander uses Moog Taurus I Bass Pedals (1974-1981)

Erik Norlander

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Last in Line

...
Verified via Photo

Erik Norlander is confirmed to use Moog Taurus I pedals, as evidenced by a photo available at https://eriknorlander.com/equipment.

See how James Eller uses Moog Taurus I Bass Pedals (1974-1981)

James Eller

Bassist, Composer

The The

...
Verified via Facebook

James Eller used the Moog Taurus I during The The's 2018 Comeback Special lineup, as shown in a photo on Facebook.

See how Tommy Mars uses Moog Taurus I Bass Pedals (1974-1981)

Tommy Mars

Keyboardist

Western Vacation

...
Verified via Zappasgear

Interview with Tommy Mars TM: And pitch-wise it could run a large gamut. So I had the SynDrums connected to the bottom keyboard, and the minimoog connected to the top keyboard, which was you know OK but you couldn’t do any expressive stuff, you couldn’t add vibrato obviously, there was no touch sensitivity in those days, or polyphonic after-touch, or anything.

So, I, the thing I loved about it though was Frank did buy another (set of Taurus bass pedals), I came to the table with my set of Taurus bass pedals which I keep under the piano, but I said “Hey can we put the Taurus bass pedals under the organ, and then have the last octave of the organ also have the bass pedals on the manual. They hooked it up that way so I had the bass pedals under the organ, and it also would be the last octave of the upper manual.

D

Duncan MacKay

Keyboardist, Composer

10cc

...
Verified

Mentioned in an interview on page 34 of the July 1979 issue of Beat Instrumental.

Sticking with Yamaha a bit longer, he also plays one of their electric grands, the CP70B, with a Roland digital chorus plugged in for a honky tonk sound. Under all this he has a set of Moog Taurus bass pedals.

P

Pascal Languirand

Music Producer

Trans-X

...
Verified via Muzines

"The first synth I got was an old Farfisa Synthorchestra, which at least I could play chords on. I also played guitar, and had the Roland GR500 guitar synth system coupled with a Moog Taurus bass pedal unit."

See how Extreme Danger uses Moog Taurus I Bass Pedals (1974-1981)

Extreme Danger

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Facebook

Extreme Danger utilizes the Moog Taurus 1 bass pedals, known for their distinctive, deep bass sound, often associated with bands like Rush, Yes, and Genesis. This information is sourced from the band's official Facebook page.

Album Usage

The Moog Taurus I Bass Pedals (1974-1981) has been featured on the following albums:

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 Taurus I Bass Pedals (1974-1981), it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Korg VC-10 Vocoder
2
Hohner Clavinet D6
Hohner Clavinet D6 Vintage & Electric Pianos
2
Yamaha CS-80
Yamaha CS-80 Synthesizers
2
Roland GR-500
Roland GR-500 Synthesizers & Sound Modules
2
Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter
Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter Synthesizers & Sound Modules
2
Oberheim DSX
Oberheim DSX Audio Sequencers
2
Roland Juno-106
Roland Juno-106 Synthesizers
1

Community setups

Show yours
rothhandlestudios

rothhandlestudios

Gear IQ 1963

colman_jones

colman_jones

Gear IQ 163

1 alternative for Moog Taurus I Bass Pedals (1974-1981), curated by the Equipboard community.

More Moog Synthesizers

Moog Grandmother

$999.00 - $1,084.00

# 4

Rank

Deadmau5 Dominic Fike Martin Garrix
52 artists using
Moog Subsequent 37

$1,468.05 - $1,899.00

# 14

Rank

Neil Halstead Skrillex Charlie Puth
68 artists using
Moog Matriarch

$1,709.10 - $1,899.00

# 24

Rank

Thom Yorke Fred again.. Kurt Vile
39 artists using
Moog Minimoog Model D

$3,999.00 - $4,999.00

# 28

Rank

Mac DeMarco Kevin Parker Paul McCartney
333 artists using
Moog Theremini

$348.50 - $399.00

# 68

Rank

JPEGMAFIA Owl City Miguel Briseño
17 artists using
Moog Minimoog

$3,999.00 - $6,700.00

 
Brian D'Addario Fito Páez John Osborne
12 artists using
Moog Muse

$2,999.00 - $3,499.00

 
The Real Mike Dean Matt Johnson
2 artists using

Accessories & Related Items

Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    mach4
    mach4

    Gear IQ 1256