Moog Little Phatty Stage Edition

It's pretty darn easy. The presets are good but the magic is that you can use them to study how to get various effects with analog controls. For the performer, everything is designed for quick switching. Patches load instantly at the turn of a wheel. It's great. The manual is good.

It's monophonic. Keys are velocity sensitive - used more for filter changes, not so much volume changes. Keyboard action is solid. There's an overdrive effect. It could have used a built in reverb and delay in my opinion. There's MIDI in-out (I haven't used that much yet).

So many neat sounds... so expressive! In my opinion, you can really tell analog vs. digital when using pitch bends and modulation. I personally love dips\bends\wobbles in all my playing so for me this thing is a dream come true. Great for funk, techno, bass lines, jazz, noise, RnB, analog-type percussive stuff, etc... I am really in love with the way this thing sounds.

I dunno. Seems pretty solid. Seems sturdy.

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It's expensive. But, it's awesome. This is easily my favorite keyboard of all time. I got it mostly to make bass lines with, but, I'm to a point where I'm throwing a lot of time into chops of all varieties with it. If you're a keyboard player, especially a funky one, you basically gotta have this thing. Other folks will probably like it too. It sounds so cool through delay, so, I do wish it came with that built in. Oh well..

Really easy to use. All parameters that you need are right in the front panel. The user interface is very easy going, and a very clever one because if you need to modify let's say waveform, you just press the boton and the actual value is shown in the knob led.

I've never owned an analog synthesizer before and also I'm new on substractive synthesis, and this interface is excelent to learn.

I think substractive synthesis have never been easier.

The main features of this synthesizer I think that everyone reading this reviews knows the main features: Two oscilators, monophonic, one filter, modulation section, etc.

Also there is one small downside, and that is that this unit desn't have any effects at all, but that's one of the reasons why we can get the Moog sound at this price tag. This can be solved by an external effects unit.

A nice feature is the Overload control, it can add a very interesting texture to the sound.

And another great feature is the mono input, you can plug in a guitar to pass it through the LP filter and add some nice distortion with the overload feature.

The keyboard feel is great for my taste, it is really helpful to play fast solos.

This is where the LP really shines. With no much experience I've re created some classic moog leads like the Tom Sawyer lead from Rush, the Shine On Your Crazy Diamond lead sound from Pink Floyd, also some Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman classic sounds.

You have very deep bases, and ear shattering leads, don't look to recreate any realistic instrument, this is a Moog and that's it.

I've used some soft synths in the past for preset playing only like Arturia Minimoog and Absynth, but there is nothing compared to the real analog sound, I can't describe whit words what is the difference, you will just have to hear for yourselves.

I???ve never used the LP in a live situation, but it feels and looks very solid, this thing seems like is going to last a life time if taken care of. And yes I would gig without a backup.

I'ne never needed to deal with any Moog technician.

This is a great keyboard, may be you can find some virtual synths for a fraction of the price, but computers get obsolete and old, on the other hand Moog instruments become classics and last a lifetime!! This is a Moog, I can???t compare this to other Moog gear because it is my first, but I???m very happy with this synth because I can recreate some of my all time favorite sounds. Of course this is a little expensive keyboard, but it???s worth it.

Really straightforward classic analog synthesis with a well designed & uncluttered front panel. Very friendly. In fact, the lack of a separate knob for every parameter actually makes it easier to edit as everything is so clear.

It's features are what you want/need for a classic analog mono sound. Nothing more & nothing less. What I would like is the ability to trade oscillators for voices, ie. instead of a 2 osc - 1 voice, be able to select an option of 1 osc - 2 voices to allow for natural release when playing live single note string lines. I realise not too many people would want that feature anyway & it would detract from the classic mono nature of the instrument, so no biggie.

Oh my. What a joy. I'm no synth starter. I've had dozens of classic analogs over many years & released 6 albums. The LP is great. From Devo & Nitzer Ebb bass sounds to Billie Currie like leads, this cute thang will keep it real in a software world (& I still like software). It actually wants you to play & tweak it. Moog wise I've played or owned a model D minimoog, Multimoog, Source, Studio Electronics ATC1 with moog filter & SE1, Polymoog, Voyager, Liberation, Prodigy & Rogue. As an overall measure of price, sound, reliability & ease of use, it beats them all & that is a very big call indeed. I realise that's a matter of personal taste but it's an informed/experienced opinion.

For Moog VCO's the tuning is rock solid & I've never had anything go wrong with it. The build quality is superlative.

Never had to deal with Moog but the friendly, personal writing style in the manual is encouraging.

Buy one if you like synthesizers. So much nicer than software. I can't imagine how awesome it would be if it was 8 voice & multitimbral - it would be like finding a secret vault of all the best porn in the world when you were 16!

This instrument is a joy to use. Incredibly easy and straightforward - due to exquisite design. Can't remember the name of the guy who designed it though(!)

With the optional editor/librarian, its completely managable in a DAW environment - your library of sounds grows within the librarian, you can edit the synthe from computer via the exquisite (and scalable) GUI, and upload/download sounds in an instant. Simplicity itself.

The Moog Little Phatty is the perfect combination of 100% Moog sound, analog synthesis and cutting edge computer integration.

Features are also excellent. With powerful VCOs, VCF and VCA plus an LFO with an enormous frequency range (to hundreds of hHz) means that contains enormous depth and breadth with considerable modulaiton possibilities. You'll not find an end to the sound design possibilities.

It's a Moog - what could I possibly add here that hasn't been said by far more illustrious users?

Built like a tank; control surface and keys all totally reliable.

Excellent - every email during presales, and subsequently with several queries, all answered same or next day (I'm in Ireland).

I own many synthesizers, new and old. This is the first Moog I owned (though I 'borrowed' a Moog Prodigy for several years(!) some time back and know the sound intimately). The Little Phatty is all of that and much, much more. Into the bargin it looks stunning.

Its the real McCoy. Nothing more to be said.

1.03

1 Voice - 1 Fat voice. The sound is typical Minimoog and just as bright. It does sound a little more refined and fatter in the lower frequencies. The keyboard action is actually very decent and has a nice light springy feel. The Overload feature is excellent and really makes things sound big and aggressive. It has a midi in and out, as well as a momno main output, stereo headphone out, inputs, etc.

This machine has plenty of juice to keep that fattest of users happy. It's basically a fat sounding synth. The bass is impressive. The analog tone cannot be beat. It blows away my other synths for bass and leads.

So far, great!

Very good on emails.

The best analog mono synth for the price.

The Moog LP Stage Edition is a very easy synth to use. Push a button for the parameter you want to edit and use the rotary knob above it to change the value. Although I prefer one knob per parameter this works great too!
The Moog LP comes with 100 presets and most of them sounds excellent. It's easy to save your own sounds as well and all of the presets can be overwritten if you like.

Mine came with the (now) latest OS installed - 1.03sb. It's an easy procedure to update it when new versions are avalible as it's all done via midi.

I didn't need the manual to get started but I still recommend to read it to learn the hidden features of your Moog.

As most of Moog synthesizers and vintage analogs this baby is monophonic and is - of course - not intended to be your next Fender Rhodes or Hammond B3.
If you buy a Moog you hopefully have an idea of what you get.
If you want built in effects, a massive memory and more features I would recommend you to look for a VA instead. There is also the DSI Evolver for that kind of fun.

This doesn't mean that the Moog LP is limited in any way! It's just not intended to make involved effects and modulation routings. This is all about leads, bass, sweeps and lighter SFX.
Therefor I give it 10 for the features. It does what it is intended for. If you want more than that then you're looking in the wrong way.
You will miss the Moog sound though! ;)

The keyboard on the Moog LP is a dream to play. It responds very fast and can also be set to be velocity sensitive.
To form your sound you have 2 VCO, 1 VCF (that let you choose how many poles you want to use 1-4), 1 LFO (with "sample & hold" among other waveforms), 1 filter ADSR and 1 amp ADSR. Beside the keyboard there are 1 pitchwheel and 1 modwheel and on the side of the synth there are midi connections.
There are also CV connections on the side (pitch, filter, keyboard & volume) and an input for audio in so external sound can be fed through the filter of your Moog. Thanks to the CV inputs you can expand your sonic possibilities on the Moog LP if you own Moogerfooger effects or an expansion board such as Moog CP-251.

As with all analog synths the Moog LP is sensitive to temperature changes and can vary in pitch. I usually leave it on for 15 min before tuning it. Most of the time however it's in perfect pitch after 15 min and stays that way. If you should expeience problems with the tuning Moog has added a calibration feature. This means that it can tune itself without you and your tech involved with screwdrivers. Great!

Let me say this once; The sound of a Moog is FAT. I usually hate that word for describing how a detuned analog synthestizer sound. But with this machine it can't be described better than that.
It can do most of the old Minimoog sounds that we all love from Pink Floyd, ELP, Yes, Beatles, Kraftwerk, Abba and other giants from the past. The range from soft sweeping leads to fat basses and bubbly effects...it's all in there. Your creativity is your limit. :) This is what I love the Moog LP for - because of this true vintage and genuine sound! Also, with midi it's no longer hard to make fast sequences via Cubase, Pro Tools or whatever you're using.

However I wouldn't have any problems to use this in any kind of modern music as well!

I've heard about some bugs in the OS but not in the hardware. This is good as the OS can be upgraded. Hardware issues would be more of a pain to fix. My Moog LP has been a good boy so far.

I would gig with this without hesitation and a backup! Just be sure you have got a good case to carry it in. It's pretty heavy so a good keyboardstand with double bars is recommended!

I haven't dealt with them personally. But Moog is famous for their interest in their customers. You can get help with minor issues directly via their forum.

Before buying this I've always considered the Moog-fetich among synth-community to be nothing but nostalgica. I was wrong! A Moog is a Moog in wich both sound and hardware are pure quality. You're really buying an instrument - like a Fender Stratocaster or Gibson Les Paul. This is going to serve me well as my nr 1 synth. It's worth every penny!

I have been playing synths since the late 90's and I have owned many different synths - analogs, VA:s, digital and software. Right now I have a Korg MS20 and a Solina String Ensemble beside the Moog LP and I couldn't be more satisfied.

I would buy this again if I lost it in some strange and bizarre way!

The user interface of the Little Phatty is great. It is a pleasure to use this synth. I am not missing all the knobs of a Voyager at all. Every parameter is immediately accessible. And the RAC really works - real analogue control of the most important parameters. Great!

Of all the synths I have owned this is the one with the least features. Two oscillators, one filter, one lfo, two envelopes, noise, glide, sample & hold, a limited mod matrix, monophonic. So what? This synth is a real musical instrument. It feels like a musical instrument. Everything that it does it does with the highest quality of sound. So this synth is fun to play - it is a performance synthesizer - easy to use and also great for controlling other synths - hardware or software.

It??s a Moog.

Well, I had to calibrate it two days after I received it because one note had gone completely out of tune. I also had a "fatal error - keyboard overrun" once in only four days that I own it now. I hope Moog Music will fix these bugs. Aside from these software bugs, the hardware looks and feels quite reliable.

Let??s wait and see ...

The Little Phatty is a monophonic performance synthesizer. It looks cool, it sounds great, it feels great, it is not just another synthesizer, it is a real musical instrument.