Big Briar is producing its minimoog« Voyager synthesizer in two editions, the Signature Edition and the PerformerÆs Stage Edition. The function set and sound quality of the two editions are the same.

Extended information

The MINIMOOG« VOYAGER Synthesizer is a monophonic (one note at a time) analog performance synthesizer. It incorporates virtually all of the sound resources and functions of the original Model D Minimoog, which was produced by Moog Music, Inc. from 1970 to 1982. It has many new additional features, including a Tactex« multidimensional touch surface, MIDI IN and MIDI OUT implementation, extensive patching facilities, and a large number of new panel features.
The signal path starts with a bank of three wide-range, high-stability voltage controlled oscillators, one noise source, and one audio preamplifier for externally-applied audio signals. The sound modifiers are two æMoog-styleÆ lowpass filters and one VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier). Modulation sources are two ADSR (Attack Decay Sustain Release) envelope generators and one multiwaveform LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator).Control devices include a 44-key keyboard with velocity and afterpressure outputs, pitch bend and modulation wheels, a Tactex« touch surface, and many control/pedal input jacks.

The MINIMOOG« VOYAGER has a hinged, multi-position panel and a solid hardwood cabinet. The power supply accepts any power voltage from 100 volts to 240 volts.

Technical specifications

Oscillators Module
Three wide-range, high stability VCOÆs (Voltage Controlled Oscillators) with continuously-variable waveforms.
FREQUENCY controls (2) vary the frequencies of Oscillators #2 and #3 over a +/-7 semitone range with respect to Oscillator #1.
OCTAVE selectors (3) set the frequency ranges of the oscillators in six octave steps.
WAVE controls (3) provide continuous control over the waveforms of the oscillators, from triangular, to sawtooth, to square, to narrow rectangular.
1-2 SYNC switch synchronizes the Oscillator #2 waveform to the frequency of Oscillator #1, for dramatic timbral effects.
3-1 FM switch provides linear frequency modulation of Oscillator #1 by Oscillator #3.
3 KB CONT switch disconnects Oscillator #3 from control by the keyboard, thereby enabling it to function as a drone.
3 FREQ switch lowers the frequency of Oscillator #3 into the sub-audio range, thereby enabling it to function as a low frequency audio or modulating oscillator.

Mixer Module
Five-input mixer for combining the audio sources prior to filtering.
Input Level controls (5) adjust the relative levels of the oscillator, noise, and external audio input signals.
Input switches (5) enable the player to quickly switch individual audio signals in and out.
External Level LED enables the player to set the correct external audio signal level.

Filters Module
Two ôMoog-styleö lowpass-resonant filters with choice of two-pole or four-pole response.

CUTOFF control sweeps the frequencies of both filters throughout the audio range.
SPACING control sets the spacing between the frequencies of the two filters, over a +/-3 octave range.
RESONANCE control adjusts the resonance of both filters, from none (pure lowpass response) to filter oscillation.
KB CONT AMOUNT control sets how much the filters open and close as the player presses different keys on the keyboard.
2-POLE 4-POLE switch selects between two-pole and four-pole response for both filters.

Envelopes Module
The Envelopes Module generates two wide-range ADSR (Attack Decay Sustain Release) envelopes. The Filter Envelope sweeps the filter and is available for modulation shaping. The Volume Envelope shapes the overall volume.

ATTACK controls (2) determine the attack times of the envelopes.
DECAY controls (2) determine the decay time constants of the envelopes.
SUSTAIN controls (2) determine the sustain levels of the envelopes.
RELEASE controls (2) determine the release time constants of the envelopes.
AMOUNT TO FILTER control determines how much the filter envelope will open and close the filter, from full negative (inverted envelope) to full positive (non-inverted envelope).
ENVELOPE GATE SWITCH selects whether the envelopes will be triggered by the keyboard, or by an externally-applied gate.

LFO Module
Low Frequency Oscillator generates triangular, square, Sample & Hold, and smoothed Sample & Hold waveforms for use as modulating signals.

RATE control sets the LFO rate over the range 0.2 Hz (one cycle every five seconds) to 50 Hz (fifty times a second).
SYNC selector selects LFO synchronization source to be from the keyboard gate, MIDI, external gate, or off (no synchronization).
RATE LED provides visual indication of the LFO rate.

Modulation Busses Module
Selects the sources, destinations, and shaping signals for the MOD WHEEL bus and the EXT PEDAL bus.

SOURCE selectors (2) selects the modulation source from the four LFO waveforms, Oscillator# 3, or the external modulation input.
DESTINATION selectors (2) selects the modulation destination from all the audio oscillators, just Oscillator #2, just Oscillator #3, the oscillator waveforms, the filter frequencies, or the filter spacing.
SHAPING selectors (2) selects the key pressure signal, filter envelope, or the signal at the Modulation Shaping jack to shape the modulation signal on that bus.
AMOUNT controls (2) sets the overall modulation amount for each bus.

Output Module
MASTER VOLUME control sets the overall level of the instrumentÆs audio output.
HEADPHONE VOLUME control sets the overall level of the headphone output.
HEADPHONES jack: 1/4ö tip-ring-sleeve phone jack for regular headphones.

Glide and Fine Tune Module
GLIDE varies the speed at which the keyboard voltage changes, from instantaneous to several seconds.
FINE TUNE adjusts the overall tuning of the instrument.

MIDI Implementation Capabilities
FRONT PANEL STORAGE AND RECALL: Except for the Headphone Volume control and the Fine Tuning control, the settings of all front panel controls, selectors, and switches are stored in the nonvolatile digital memory. A total of one hundred front panel programs may be stored for instant recall.
CONTROL OF FRONT PANEL PARAMETERS THROUGH MIDI: All front panel parameters are controllable through MIDI Control Change commands.
TRANSMISSION OF FRONT PANEL SETTING VIA MIDI: Setting of all panel controls, selectors, and switches may be transmitted via MIDI Control Change Commands.
TRANSMISSION AND RECEPTION OF KEYBOARD DATA VIA MIDI: Polyphonic note-on and note-off with velocity can be transmitted. Channel afterpressure can be transmitted. Pitch Bend and Modulation (from the wheels) can be transmitted. All these can also be received, although the tone generators will respond to only one note-on message at a time.
UPLOADING AND DOWNLOADING OF BANKS OF SETTINGS VIA MIDI: Individual panel programs, or entire banks, may be uploaded and downloaded via MIDI.
UPDATING OF OPERATING SOFTWARE VIA MIDI: The instrumentÆs operating software can be updated via MIDI files which will be available on Big BriarÆs web site.

Player Control Interfaces
44 KEY KEYBOARD produces Pitch, Gate, Velocity, and Pressure control outputs.
WHEELS: Pitch Wheel bends pitch over a range of up to +/-1 octave. Mod wheel controls the gain of the MOD WHEEL bus.
GLIDE and RELEASE switches provide real-time on-off control over the glide and release functions.
TACTEX« TOUCH SURFACE provides three continuously-variable control signals which are derived from the up-down and left-right position of the playerÆs finger, and the force with which the player pushes on the surface.

Rear Jack Panel
PEDAL/CONTROL INPUTS
These nine jacks are specially labeled with black letters on a white background. They accept either expression pedals or control voltages, and control the following performance parameters:

LFO RATE
MODULATION SHAPING CONTROL
MODULATION SOURCE CONTROL
OSCILLATOR PITCH
OSCILLATOR WAVE
FILTER CUTOFF
FILTER SPACING
FILTER RESONANCE
ENVELOPES RATE
CONTROL OUTPUTS
These five jacks deliver control signals which can be further processed or used with other voltage-controlled equipment (such as Big Briar moogerfooger« analog effects modules).

LFO TRIANGLE WAVE
LFO SQUARE WAVE
KEYBOARD PITCH
KEYBOARD VELOCITY
KEYBOARD PRESSURE
LFO SYNC
A gate or trigger applied to this input will reset the LFO waveform to the beginning of its cycle.
ENVELOPES GATE
A gate applied to this input will start the envelopes.
KEYBOARD GATE
A gate signal is produced at this jack whenever a keyboard key is depressed.
MIXER EXT IN
Plug any instrument-level or line-level audio signal in this jack to combine with the oscillator and noise signals prior to filtering.
GLIDE and RELEASE
A foot switch plugged into either of these jacks will have the same effect as depressing the corresponding switch on the left hand controller panel.
MIX OUT
The output of the audio mixer appears here, before being fed to the filter.
FILTER AUDIO IN
Normally, the Mixer output is bridged directly to this jack. If you plug something into this jack, that breaks the normal connection. In conjunction with the MIX OUT jack, this jack can be used as an effects loop for external processing of the Mix before it goes to the filter.
AUDIO OUT
This is the main audio output. It is a balanced output for noise-free performance on stage or in the studio.
MIDI IN, THRU, and OUT connectors
100-240 VOLT POWER CONNECTOR
Enables the Minimoog Voyager to be plugged in anywhere in the world without special switching or adapters.