The Source is the most unusual Moog ever built: a 1981 monosynth controlled by a Z80 microprocessor, with no knobs or sliders at all, just a sleek flat membrane panel and a single data wheel. It was the first Moog you could store patches on (16 of them), and underneath that space-age surface sits the real thing: two fat oscillators and the legendary 24dB Moog ladder filter. It is rare, it was never a big seller, and players who own one guard it for one reason: the low end. Demoists call it the best Taurus emulation going and one of the finest mono Moogs ever made. A favourite of New Order and a genuine collector's synth. This example ships in a purpose-built, professional flight case.

FEATURES & PROS:

• The Legendary Moog Filter: The 24dB/oct ladder low-pass with cutoff, resonance, envelope amount and keyboard tracking.
• Monstrous Low End: Famous for huge, Taurus-like bass that few synths match.
• Two Fat Oscillators: Three waveforms and three octaves each, for thick leads and basses.
• First Moog With Memory: Store and recall 16 patches, a first for Moog in 1981.
• Unique Membrane Panel: The only Moog with a flat-panel membrane interface and data wheel.
• Arpeggiator + Sequencer: Onboard arpeggiator and a two-track sequencer for instant motion.
• Sample-and-Hold: Classic modulation for random and stepped effects.
• Includes Flight Case: Ships in a purpose-built, professional flight case for safe transport and storage.
• Rare and Collectible: Never a big seller, so genuinely scarce on the used market.

AS USED BY

• New Order, "Blue Monday", the throbbing bassline that runs through the track
• Devo, "Oh, No! It's Devo" (Mark Mothersbaugh's main synth on that tour)
• Depeche Mode, a touring staple from 1981 to 1983
• Jamiroquai, Vince Clarke and Gary Numan
• Tangerine Dream, Ultravox and The Cars

THE WORD: Reverb notes the Source was Moog's first synth with patch memory and its only flat-panel membrane design, built around the legendary 24dB Moog filter. Read more at Reverb.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Moog Source
• Years: 1981 to 1985
• Type: monophonic, Z80 microprocessor-controlled analog synthesizer
• Oscillators: 2 VCO (three waveforms, three octaves each)
• Filter: 24dB/oct Moog ladder low-pass (cutoff, resonance, envelope, keyboard tracking)
• Modulation: 1 LFO, sample-and-hold
• Sequencer: onboard arpeggiator and 2-track sequencer
• Memory: 16 patches, plus cassette interface for external storage
• Keyboard: 37 keys, pitch and mod wheels
• Interface: flat membrane panel with data wheel
• External control: CV/gate
• Included: purpose-built professional flight case
• Condition note: vintage, microprocessor-controlled unit; service history confirmable on request