MOOG THE ONE 8 61-Key Analog Synthesizer

61-key Synthesizer

MOOG THE ONE 8 is a 61-key tri-timbral polyphonic analog synthesizer. 8 voices, each voice offers three newly designed analog oscillators, two analog filters, a dual analog noise source, a mixer with external input, four low-frequency oscillators, and three envelope generators. Each of the three available timbral sections (Synth 1, Synth 2, and Synth 3) can be controlled from the keyboard in split or layer mode, utilizing the five dynamic and aftertouch-sensitive octaves; each timbral section has its own arpeggiator and sequencer. Thanks to an all-American joint venture, Moog One hosts an Eventide effects section.
The cabinet is made of ash wood, the panel is brushed aluminum and houses 73 potentiometers and 144 switches, for direct control of the most significant parameters. In addition, each operating module is equipped with a "More" switch to tune the full-color display to additional parameter menus.
MOOG THE ONE 8 uses Triangle Core oscillators. The output of each oscillator can be mixed in its triangular and sawtooth components, plus a variable symmetry pulse wave component. Far beyond classic analog designs, the symmetry (i.e., rise/fall ratio) in the triangle wave and the reset cycle in the sawtooth wave can be modulated in real-time to create complex and shifting timbres; the audio sum of tri/saw plus pulse allows reinforcing the fundamental (in the simplest conditions) or creating very complex sounds difficult to achieve through classic poly analog design. Hard sync is available to force the pitch of oscillators 2 and 3 to that of the master oscillator 1; the Ring Modulator section can combine the signals of osc 1-2 or osc 2-3. Three buses are activated for Wave Modulation, Frequency Modulation, and Pitch Modulation (lin ≠ exp).
Each Moog One voice includes a dual-generation noise section, to mix two different energy contents articulable through a dedicated AD/AR envelope generator. In this way, it becomes possible to build timbres with percussive attacks or progressive turbulence.
The analog mixer becomes a powerful timbral sculpting tool when intentionally used in saturation. It receives signals from the three oscillators, the noise section (or any external input connected to the device), and the ring modulator. Each source can be routed to one or both available analog filters.
There are two analog filters available in each voice of the MOOG THE ONE 8. The first is a 12dB/Oct multi-mode State Variable filter well-known to enthusiasts, offering low-band-high-notch behavior. The second is the equally classic Moog transistor ladder, configurable in 1-2-3-4 poles and low-high typology. The two filters can be connected in series or parallel, can be balanced in output level, and provide dedicated Cutoff and Resonance controls, with Link for simplified simultaneous control. Three modulation buses are enabled for LFO 2 Amt, EG Amt, FM Amt with independent SVF/Ladder enablement.
Four low-frequency oscillators with wide excursion. They can be assigned to all possible modulation destinations, provide synchronization to the MIDI clock, with clock divisions, start delay, number of repetitions, and freely programmable fade in/fade out time for LFO.
Three addressable envelope generators: they have Delay-Attack-Hold-Decay-Sustain-Release configuration. They can be synchronized to the external clock or to events decided by the musician, support Loop Mode for conditional or unconditional repetition, have time and level scaling under modulation, and offer independently selectable log-lin-exp curves for each stage.
MOOG THE ONE 8 manages modulations with the classic source-amount-destination system in a display matrix; for faster connections, it is possible to work directly on the control panel through source selection and destination selection buttons.
MOOG THE ONE 8 provides three different levels of audio processing: Synth Effect (there are three independent timbral Synth units in the machine), Master Bus Effect, and Eventide Reverb. Available algorithms include: chorus, delay, phaser, bit reduction, vocoder, Eventide Reverbs (Black Hole, Shimmer, Plate, Room, Hall). Effects can be applied as Synth Effect or as Master Bus Effect: in the first case, they work on individual timbral units programmed in Synth 1, Synth 2, Synth 3; in the second case, they act collectively on all three possible synthesizers. The audio path of the signal remains analog and only the effects section involves AD/DA conversion; when the effect is disengaged, the sound is entirely in the analog domain.
Tri-timbrality and Unison Mode
Tri-timbrality allows managing splits, layers, and stacks up to 48 analog oscillators. Each synthesizer is equipped with its own arpeggiator, step sequencer, and effects processor. The MOOG THE ONE 8 control panel can be tuned to the desired timbral unit (synth focus) via three dedicated buttons; if necessary, two or three timbral sections can be acted upon simultaneously from the same panel control (for example, to open or close the filter of all three sounds).
The keyboard uses the Fatar TP-8S 61-note (five octave) mechanism with dynamic and channel aftertouch sensitivity. The pitch and modulation wheels are made of milled aluminum, and next to them is a touch-sensitive X/P Pad.
Practically every panel module has a triangular More button located in the upper right corner; pressing it tunes the display to the parameters of each module that are not on the control panel.
The Preset saves the data of all three possible timbral layers, with their respective arpeggio, sequence, effects, and modulation data. The device can store tens of thousands of easily categorizable and annotatable presets; presets can be shared via USB port. Up to 64 Presets can be organized into a Performance Set block instantly recallable through Bank/Preset button configuration.
The User Space takes into account not only the Preset, but also global configurations, MIDI, pedal and analog connection port configurations, panel control behavior, LED brightness, etc. Multiple configurations can be saved, recallable at will, and transferable to a USB stick.
By pressing the Snapshot button, the currently elaborated timbral configuration is captured, without further levels of operational complexity.
Analog and digital connections
On the rear panel are 2 pairs of assignable audio outputs, 4 assignable insert connections, 2 external audio inputs with XLR and ¼” support. MIDI connections include In, Out, and Thru; there is a USB Type B connection for MIDI and data transfer. In addition, 9 configurable CV In and Out connections are available (for pedals, controls, and voltages received from external sources).

Specifications

• 8-voice polyphony
• 3 VCOs per voice with triangle/saw + pulse waveshape mixing and OLED display for visualizing the resulting waveform
• Unison Mode for working with 48 oscillators simultaneously (in the 16-voice model)
• 2 filters per voice with mix/balance (2 multimode State Variable Filters configurable as a single unit and 1 Transistor Ladder)
• 3 DAHDSR envelope generators with selectable curves for each stage
• 3-part multitrimbrality
• Independent sequencer and arpeggiator for each timbre
• Chord memory
• Dual noise generator with dedicated AD/AR envelope generator
• Mixer with external audio input and independent routing for each source
• Ring modulator with selectable sources
• Oscillator FM and Hard Sync with selectable routing
• 4 assignable LFOs
• Fatar 61-note TP-8s mechanism with dynamics and aftertouch
• Assignable, pressure-sensitive X/Y Pad
• Independent Digital Effects for Synth 1-2-3 and Master Buss
• Eventide Reverbs
• Selectable Glide type
• USB and DIN MIDI
• Presets savable, categorizable, and organizable into tens of thousands
• Creation of Performance Sets of 64 presets for easy management
• 2 headphone outputs
• 2 pairs of assignable ¼” audio outputs with TRS and TS jack support
• 4 assignable ¼” Insert TRS inputs
• 1 ¼” audio input for external line signal
• 1 XLR+1/4” Combo audio input for external signal with level control
• 9 assignable CV/Gate inputs/outputs (five inputs and four outputs)
• USB support for system expansions and data backup
• LAN port for future expansions