One of Moog's big innovations was using the nonlinear transfer elbow of 
a transistor to get a log response to voltage input of his voltage 
controlled oscillators (VCOs) - e.g. 1 volt was a 'C' note, 2 volts was 
an octave higher, etc. No one else could do this. And they weren't 
completely accurate, adding to the quirky sound. The voltage controlled 
amplifiers worked this way, too. This made all kinds of nice modulation 
effects possible as well.

Alden

Ray Newman wrote:
> I remember Moog's sequencer very well but did not know the history.
> It was an analog sampler/sequencer.
>
> Instead of the sample/hold circuits with transistor sequencer
> I came up with a/d and d/a with ttl logic and ram for storage and playback.
> Mostly digital logic instead of analog.
> I used DATEL a/d & d/a converters.
>
> Bob always felt that his voltage controlled filter was what made the moog sound so unique.
>
> When I was there he used Harold Bode's 4 quadrant multiplier for some weird sound effect.
> I think they where friends.
>
> Back then I was a fan of Ike and Tina Turner but I still remember to this day
> that when I&TT asked to buy or sample some equipment Bob said "who is Ike and Tina Turner?"
> in a meeting. I thought it was funny but I dared not say.
>
> Ray
>
>
> On Fri, 14 Jul 2006 18:58:11 -0400, Alden Hart wrote:
>   
>>  Robert Moog (and his dad) sold his early Thermin design to Raymond
>>  Scott, who pioneered electronic music in the 40's, 50's and early
>>  60's. Moog was a student of Scott's for about 15 years before he
>>  created the Moog synthesizer he became known for. For more info see
>>  Raymond Scott, "Manhattan Research"
>>  (http://raymondscott.com/mripr.html).
>>
>>  Scott built the first sequencer from Strowger stepper switches in
>>  1960. He used this to create all those 50's "space music"
>>  commercials (spark plugs, etc.)
>>
>>  Scott's story is even weirder as his late 30's band, "The Raymond
>>  Scott Quintet" created a catalog of "acid swing" that was later
>>  purchased by Warner Brothers and used throughout the Loony Toons
>>  cartoons (with new arrangements and direction by Carl Stalling). So
>>  almost everybody alive today has heard Scott's music but doesn't
>>  know who wrote it.
>>
>>  Alden
>>
>>  Ray Newman wrote:
>>     
>>>  Bob was an interesting person.
>>>  Old school.
>>>  Only a Degreed Engineer had any worth.
>>>  I designed Carl Palmer's drum controller, under Bob's direction.
>>>  But when I designed the first digital sampling keyboard he felt
>>>  it had no worth until some of the salesmen sold the product to
>>>  several universities. Had a big row about who owned what rights.
>>>  I won but lost my job. Laid off because they could not fire me!
>>>  (because I did design on my own time)
>>>
>>>  But still had interesting time meeting all the rockers that used
>>>  both the professional and mini moog.
>>>
>>>  Ray
>>>
>>>
>>>  On Fri, 14 Jul 2006 12:51:58 +1200, Jinx wrote:
>>>
>>>       
>>>>  Saturday morning, NZT (GMT +11)
>>>>
>>>>  http://www.radionz.co.nz/cfm/schedules/20060715
>>>>
>>>>  Listen on-line
>>>>
>>>>  http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio
>>>>
>>>>  Moog and the Moog
>>>>
>>>>  Two programmes
>>>>
>>>>  (1) From Theremin kits to Switched-On Bach
>>>>
>>>>  In this first programme on the late synthesizer pioneer Robert
>>>>  Moog, James Gardner traces the development of Moog's electronic
>>>>  instruments from his home-built Theremins to the sprawling
>>>>  modular synthesizersmade famous by Wendy Carlos's best-selling
>>>>  LP and its legions of imitators (CFM)
>>>>         
>
>
>
>
>
>   

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