Back in 1981, this synth hit the scene as Moog's affordable entry into powerful analog monosynths, originally priced around $545 and sharing circuits with the home-friendly Realistic Concertmate MG-1.
It packs two analog VCOs that you can detune for thick intervals or sync for snarly leads, feeding into the iconic Moog 24dB/octave ladder low-pass filter with knob-per-function control over cutoff, resonance, attack, decay, and sustain for the VCF and VCA. A single LFO with triangle and square waves modulates pitch, filter, or amplitude, while sample-and-hold adds random flair, and glide smooths between notes. The 32-key (F to C) fat synth-action keyboard sits on a compact aluminum-paneled chassis measuring 21 by 12.25 by 5.25 inches and weighing 16.5 pounds, with straightforward knobs and switches, mono audio out, CV/gate jacks, and a 24V external power supply—no MIDI or memory, just pure hands-on tweaking.
Players love its super-fat bass tones and stable tuning that nail leads and effects with that unmistakable Moog growl, praising the simple layout for quick results. Some note limits like shared osc controls and occasional pitch wobbles on older units, but its low-maintenance vibe and gritty character keep it a favorite for bass-heavy rigs.
