Moog Music Inc., the Asheville, North Carolina-based company that pioneered the commercial manufacture of analog synthesizers, has released their first new polyphonic synth in over three decades: The Moog One. The new polysynth hasn’t yet been fully unveiled by the synth maker, but Sweetwater Sound has shared the first images and a list of specs for as part of an ongoing pre-sale ahead of its official release later this month.
Announced earlier this week, the Moog One is available in two variations: 8- and 16-voice. Both allow users to play three synths at once, which can be stacked, split, or layered across a 61-key Fatar keyboard. It also features three VCOs, a variable state filter, and a Moog ladder filter.
According to Moog, the new synthesizer is a “programmable tri-timbral analogue synth featuring an intuitive tactile interface that transcends the boundary between instrument and artist, allowing you to achieve your musical goals unimpeded.” The Moog One boasts an analog mixer with external audio input, LFOs, three envelope generators, and a dual-source variable analogue noise generator. It can store thousands of presets, which can be browsed via its central LCD panel.
Earlier this year, Moog Music Inc. denounced the 25% tariffs placed on Chinese electrical circuit boards and components by U.S. President Trump, which took effect on July 6th. The company noted that the tariff will increase the cost of building a synthesizer, putting the company at a disadvantage against other international manufacturers and threatening jobs among U.S. synth makers. While many U.S. companies pride themselves on doing their manufacturing domestically, those companies may be forced to relocate outside the country or have the bulk of their production done in China.
As noted by Moog, 50% of all the components with a Moog synthesizer are from China. With such a high percentage of components coming directly from China—and therefore subject to the new tariffs—it’s easy to see why Moog and other U.S. synth companies will struggle to stay competitive with the tariffs enacted. Immediately, the tariffs could cause layoffs and force individual businesses like Moog to fold. In the long term, the tariffs could threaten the viability of production of U.S.-made synthesizers. These tariffs will not affect completed synthesizers that were fully made in China and exported to the U.S.
For photos and more information on the new Moog One [insert Star Wars joke here], or to place a pre-order, head to Sweetwater Sound’s website.
[H/T Billboard]
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