Moog Voyager Firmware Update

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Milton Beaty

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Aug 3, 2024, 3:21:52 PM8/3/24

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For those who were excited to see a new synth engine from Moog in 2011,the Slim Phatty was a bit of a disappointment. But for those who hadenough keyboards cluttering the studio and just wanted that big juicyMoog sound, it was most welcome.

The Slim Phatty has the same engine as the much-lovedLittle Phatty but in a rack-mountableunit (3U) that can also be used as a tabletop unit, madeoh-so-retro-chic with the optional wooden end caps. The Little and SlimPhatty share the same firmware so any updates can be made to either one.The Slim Phatty was the first Moog device with USB, which not only makesthose updates easier but also makes integration into a modern studiovery simple. For those who have dreamed of owning a polyphonic Moog butcan't afford a Memorymoog, the Slim Phattycan also be chained with other Phatty devices for multi-voiced Moogrichness.

Moog left off the Little Phatty's rather heavy case, the 37-keykeyboard, and the mod and pitch wheels, so what remains is a lightweightand even portable version of the Little Phatty's main engine, fullycompatible with MIDI, DAW, or CV-based studios. The control panel is abit smaller than the Little Phatty's but still very comfortable and easyto use. Not quite knob-per-function, but nevertheless verystraightforward.

As for the sound, it's exactly the big, thick oscillators and the richwet filter that players expect from a Moog. Modulation is limited,especially compared to more modern mono-synths, but it was made to becompatible with the Moogerfooger line, the MP-201 and theCP-251 for semi-modular flexibility. Laterfirmware updates added velocity sensitivity for volume, alternativescales, LFO reset, and other features, making the Slim Phatty a perfectchoice for players who want the all-analog Moog sound with theflexibility of modern synths.