Moog

The Moog synthesizer is both a pillar of ingenuity and largely representative of synthesis as a whole. It is also one half of the East/West Coast dichotomy, a distinctly-American paradigm that represents two seemingly divergent approaches to synthesis. Initially developed by Dr. Robert Moog in the mid ‘50s as a means of pushing DIY theremin kits, Moog Music, Inc. has engineered some of the most compelling synthesizer equipment in existence. Their synthesizer architecture typically consists of two VCOs, a four-pole ladder filter (a design that would come to be exemplary of the entire brand), and the definitive East Coast ingredient: a keyboard interface.

To date, Moog has released some of the most comprehensive synthesizers on the market. These include the MiniMoog, Voyager, and Little Phatty, among many others. They have also branched into the world of effects pedals with their Moogerfooger line, as well as the world of Eurorack modular synthesis with their acclaimed Mother-32 semi-modular synthesizer, which is most accessible entry points for the modern modular synthesist.