Basic Mini Moog Features; Audio, Control, And Timing Signals - Moog Minimoog Operation Manual

basic mini moog features

The Mini Moog contains the basic components and features to be found on larger, studio-
oriented synthesizers. Its five sound sources include three oscillators for the production of
pitched tones, one noise source for the production of unpitched sounds, and one microphone
preamplifier for the introduction of live signals. Mixer controls are available for balancing
these signals.
Sound modifiers include a lowpass filter and an amplifier, both of which have their own con-
tour generators. The control devices include a 44-note keyboard for use by the right hand,
and two wheel controls and two switches for use by the left hand.
Provision is made at the rear of the instrument for connecting external controlling devices
such as sequencers, foot pedals, and two-dimensional (joystick) controllers. These may be
used to control volume, pitch, and filter characteristic. Timing signals may also be intro-
duced to trigger the contour generators.

audio, control, and timing signals

Sound travels through the Mini Moog circuitry in the form of electrical signals which are
called AUDIO signals. These audio signals are generated by the five sound sources, and after
undergoing extensive modification emerge as the output signal. It is this signal, amplified,
which is translated into sound by your speaker system.
There are two other types of signals which are not heard directly as sound, but instead are
used to influence the way in which the generating and modifying circuitry performs:
CONTROL signals are used to change the pitches of the oscillators, the characteristics
of the filter, and the amount of amplification by the amplifier. These control signals
are responsible for all of the musically significant changes and contours in the musical
sounds produced by the Mini Moog.
TIMING signals come from the keyboard (or from an external source) and are used to
trigger, or start off, the contours which open and close the filter and amplifier. A tim-
ing signal begins whenever a key on the keyboard is depressed, and stops when all
keys are released. Timing signals are used to initiate and terminate musical sounds,
whereas control signals are used to shape and change these sounds while they occur.