Moog Music today announced that it is reintroducing the Moog Modular Synthesizer IIIc system.
Like the Emerson Modular System and the Moog Modular Systems introduced in 2015, the Moog Modular Synthesizer IIIc system is built using the original documentation, art, and circuit board files and wherever possible, new-old-stock parts.
Each instrument features thirty-six hand-stuffed, hand-soldered modules, including ten 901-Series audio oscillators, the 984 Matrix Mixer, and the 905 Spring Reverb. All modules are mounted into two hand-finished, solid walnut console cabinets at the Moog factory in Asheville, NC.
“It’s a privilege to build instruments in this way,”says Moog Production Engineer Anna Montoya. “It lets us reimagine what future tools can be. There is so much potential in this history.”
Features:
- Limited edition of 25 systems
- Hand-wired using legacy parts and original assembly methods
- 901-series voltage-controlled oscillator
- Meticulous re-creation from original documentation, circuit board schematics, and art files
- Handcrafted using traditional manufacturing techniques
- 36 hand-stuffed, hand-soldered modules custom mounted and hand-wired in two hand-finished, solid-walnut cabinets
- 10 discrete 901-series oscillators (Moog’s earlier, less stable design – not found in the later System 55, System 35, or Model 15)
- 905 Spring Reverb module
- 4 x CP3 mixers
- 984 4-channel Matrix Mixer (for parallel processing, includes dedicated bass and treble controls)
- 100% discrete design (no op-amps; not true of System 55, System 35, and Model 15)
- Built and behaves exactly like the original; exhibits the tuning instability and interference susceptibility inherent in the design
- Includes patch cables; 953 Duophonic Keyboard Controller available separately
Pricing and Availability
The Moog Synthesizer IIIc production is limited to 25 units and has a retail price of US $35,000. See the Moog site for more info.
Prepare for a 100.000$ journey….
I cannot wait for the Behringer IIIc
Eurorack format. €899
/jk
LOL. You beat me to it.
I was going to make a comment about waiting for the $999 Behringer clone.
It’s incredibly bizarre all the criticism they get. At least Behringer makes innovative new instruments. They aren’t just making exact copies of moldy old stuff that became completely obsolete 40 years ago using archaic technology that is highly unstable and failure prone. All these $20k and $100k synths people are buying are going to be impossible to repair the first time something goes wrong since Moog’s bought up all the rare new old stock they could find.
IOS version? 🙂
Suddenly the Hartman 20 is considered as affordable.
That’s it: I’m selling my house!
It’s OK it’s big enough to live inside.
I got no problem with the ‘reissue’ modulars, but Moog is missing the boat on doing something innovative in the 5U world – unlike companies like Moon Modular, Corsynth & Synthesizers.com.
Your absolutely right about 5U, but do you think they have anything new to offer? Maybe they are now just going to play it safe now that Bob is gone?!?
The Mother 32 is a cool, affordable module. Why not do something comparable for the MU market?
They’ve done cool software, too. I’d love to see an Animoog polysynth!
Because euro market is 200 000 users and MU market is 200. Their MU module will be golden
Moog is also missing the boat in the eurorack world. How about some inspired by IIIc or whatever modules for us 3u kids? Roland sort of did an average job of this, Moog should move in for the kill while their brand is strong.
ty unwin already bought all 25 items. /sarcasm off
if i’m going to have to sell a kidney to buy a synth then i’d rather get a buchla
Except it shows that you can make polyphonic patches on this synth, the music really make it sounds totally ordinary, but it must be the music… for a fraction of the price one or two voices of good Cwejman eurorack would be a great choice too for those who can afford it.
25 units at a rediculous price, no wonder companies like Behringer have stepped into the large gap in the market that Moog has helped to create.
People complaining about the expected price don’t get the target market for this beast: Professional musicians who buy this as tax write-off and affluent collectors. All the other manufacturers mentioned in the comments cater to people whose primary goal is to use their stuff to create something or have fun playing around with it. This Moog is one of those “Don’t even look at it” highly collectible pieces of kit.
I am a professional musician with a lot of modular (both 5U and euro). Who cares about a tax write-off. It is not like that is the same as getting all that back as cash in your pocket. It only reduces your taxable income. And a large purchase like that cannot be expensed on your taxes, rather it must be capitalized and depreciated over several years. No, this is solely for those who want to spend a pile of money just to have a copy of an original. I would much rather have a modern modular. Bob would never want a re-release of the same old versions. Don’t believe me, look back in the news. When he re-issued the Minimoog, he stated it would be so easy and frankly boring to just remake the model D. Instead, he updated it and the Voyager was born. Whether one likes that sound or the D better makes is another topic. But make no mistake, engineers want to constantly improve on what they did. Bob was no exception. On the modular front, one of these re-issues in a professional studio creates hassles with all of the connectivity standards that need conversion. I have work to do and don’t need to spend my time adding that to the mix…
Don’t you find it strange that, all people really want Moog to build is a polyphonic synth? And the company behave like a living museum. I guess a hand made MemoryMoog limited to 50 units, is the best and most logical historical build at the present rate of “progress”.
Not to mention…to all those whining, Moog tends to do limited runs of super expensive projects like this (previous limited modulars, Voyager XL, etc.) to fund R&D and/or production for new, more-afordable products like: Slim Phatty, Minitaur, Minifoogers, and the Mother 32 (all of which are under $900, many under $500).
I do, however, agree that Moog should make more Eurorack modules… release the BFAM &DFAM, make module versions of the Moogerfoogers, make euro versions of the 5u modules . . . and who knows, they may be planning any or all of these options, haha.
I’m just excited to see what folks like Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor do with one of these behemoths. It doesn’t really bother me that I’ll never be able to afford one.
Some people wouldn’t buy a 200$ shovel because it’s too expensive. Others will buy a 200.000$ excavator because it will make them money. To each his own.
And some people use a 2 cent empty plastic soda pop bottle to create a whole pop song (true story). Cost or name does not define anything either.
For all the people letting their mind run free about the price… Keep calm and just follow the
link. $35.000. Out of reach for most, but imo it sounds about right for what you’re getting.
Consider that this price is still probably cheaper than the system originally cost, when inflation is taken into account.
You’re absolutely right Based on the 1971 price sheet this sold for over $48,000 in today’s money.
> 10 discrete 901-series oscillators (Moog’s earlier, less stable design – not found in the later System 55, System 35, or Model 15)
If you spend $35,000 can you opt for the more stable design?
By buying the System 55, yes.
Let me get this straight. Greater tuning instability, and greater susceptibility to interference. I think Moog should try their hands at covered wagons next.
Poly Poly Poly Poly!!
I’m worried that moog is the synth company for the super rich. I simply can’t justify a single 35k acquisition for my studio. I love my moog voyager, but I use my Access Virus more. A new polyphonic virtual analog synthesizer, assembled in Asheville would have sold thousands of units. A smaller eurorack format with a mix of analog and digital modules would have been successful. A 35K limited run 1960’s era modular? I guess so. Some people will cry like babies when their IIIC arrives they love moog and big modulars so much. Congratulations moog, you made 3 dozen people happy.
I think that we need to remember that while Moog are bringing their classic modular systems to life at considerable expense, they are also doing some great work in the lower end of the market. Consider the following:
Sub 37 – An absolutely killer product for under two grand.
Mother 32 – I think this is a great starter system. What would it cost to buy those components separately? Don’t forget the sequencer, and note how clean and ergonomic the layout is with the cabling off to one side.
Minitaur – Limited note range but a simple and very powerful synth.
Sub Phatty – Nearly a Sub 37 but more streamlined and under $1000.00.
I would like to see them do a proper hardware polysynth. However, they do have a very interesting product called the Animoog which is polyphonic, sounds great and has a lot of creative potential for iOS. Also, their modular app has gotten very positive reviews.
For these reasons, I don’t think it’s fair to call them simply a museum company. There is that element to it, but for regular working folks like the rest of us, they have a good range of great sounding and powerful monosynths. I went and invested in a Model D Reissue and love it, but I’d still love a Sub 37 at some point.