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: Vintage Synth Explorer notes the Source was Moog's first synth to offer patch memory, with those famous monophonic Moog sounds all present and correct, built on two fat oscillators and the legendary 24dB Moog filter. Read more at Vintage Synth Explorer.

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