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introduction
The Multimoog is for performers who recognize the power of physical
control of electronic musical instruments. Before we had electronic musical^
instruments there was no issue-if you didn't involve your body you couldn't
make music. Acoustic instruments require human energy during
performance-they must be struck, scraped, plucked, or blown into before they
will make sound. Therein lies their power-musical nuance is achieved through
subtle physical control. The performer is an integral part of the instrument.
On the other hand, electronics makes it possible to produce sound that is
disembodied. We can create complex sonic events-clouds of sound-with
minimal physical contact. But most musicians choose to use the synthesizer
primarily as a powerful voice within an ensemble. This usage, and the
immediacy of live performance require physical involvement to yield musical
nuance. Circuitry simply can't match human judgment in anticipating the
dynamic situation on stage. Fixed circuit values that govern attack, vibrato rate
and amount, and other constraints often forced on the synthesist are simply
unacceptable to other instrumentalists. This has come about because we have
asked "what will this synthesizer do?" instead of "what can / do with it?" But
those who have progressed beyond the romance phase of "infinite control"
using circuitry are beginning to demand more and better things to put your
hands on while playing the synthesizer.
It is for these musicians that the Multimoog was conceived. It's a very
complete variable synthesizer with some new bells and whistles. More
important, the Multimoog is an advance in musical engineering that puts new
power to make music where it belongs-in your hands. What does its
sophisticated left-hand controller and force-sensitive keyboard mean? If you
don't use them, nothing. If you do, everything-nuance.
Thomas L Rhea, PhD Electronic Music Consultant
