User’s Manual Table of Contents FOREWARD from Mike Adams .................................. 4 THE BASICS How to use this Manual ....................................... Setup and Connections ........................................ Overview and Features ........................................ Signal Flow .................................................................... 5 6 11 14 THE COMPONENTS A. Mixer Section ........................................................ B. Oscillator Section ...........
Foreward Congratulations, you now own the ultimate analog synthesizer; the most iconic product of its type ever created; the standard by which all other synths will be measured; the successor to the synth that Sonic State has called the Number One Synth of All Time! The Voyager is truly a piece of history and it is truly YOURS! We are so pleased to bring this product to you, and expect it will give you a lifetime of musical satisfaction.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Basics How to Use this Manual This User’s Manual is organized into convenient sections to assist you in setting up, playing and exploring your new Voyager. The Setup and Connections section explains how to unpack, setup and connect the Voyager, and provides a quick start to get you up and running with your new instrument. The Components section offers detailed explanations of the Voyager components that create and modify sound.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Basics Setup and Connections In a perfect world, everyone would read the User’s Manual from cover to cover before connecting and playing their new instrument. For those of you who don’t live in a perfect world and can’t wait to play your new synthesizer (completely understandable!), the following should get you set up and running quickly.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Basics Make your MIDI connections (RME only) Connect the MIDI Out of the the MIDI device that will control the RME to the MIDI In of the RME. Note that the RME’s MIDI channel default is Channel 1. This must match the MIDI channel of the MIDI device controlling the RME.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Basics Now Power up Turn the Voyager power ON. The LCD screen will light up and display a start-up message: After a few seconds the start-up screen will disappear and the current preset will appear in the display.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Basics Backlit Panel (applies to the Select Series, Electric Blue, and Rack Mount Editions only) Check out the Backlit Panel! The Panel Brightness control knob is located on the far right side of the keyboard on all Voyager keyboard editions, and in the lower right corner on the RME panel. This is the intensity control for the Backlit Panel. When this knob is fully counter-clockwise, the panel light is OFF. When the knob is fully clockwise the panel light is all the way ON.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Basics Using the RME as a Table-top Unit The Voyager Rack Mount Edition is designed so it can be used as a table-top unit with the front panel tilted at an angle that is very convenient for tweaking. If your primary use of the RME is as a table-top unit, we highly recommend the purchase of the optional wood handles (Moog P/N VY-WOD-01). They are functional, look really sharp (giving that vintage Moog vibe), and are available from moogmusic.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Basics Overview and Features The Voyager is a monophonic analog synthesizer that is a descendant of the classic Minimoog. Its sound sources are an external audio input, a noise source, and three analog, variable waveform oscillators. The Voyager has front panel controls for real time control of its parameters (Voyager keyboard edition shown).
Voyager User’s Manual - The Basics RME Front Panel The RME offers the same front panel controls as Voyager Keyboard Editions., and is nearly identical in its layout, save for the Touch Surface (not offered on the RME) and a repositioned User Interface/LED Display.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Basics Back Panel: The Voyager’s back panel offers connections for Power, MIDI, Control Voltage I/O and Audio I/O. For Voyager Keyboards, 14 CV inputs are provided on 1⁄4“ jacks. A jack with a red nut indicates a CV/Expression Pedal input, while a jack with a blue nut indicates a gate/footswitch input. CV outputs are provided on a 25-pin accessory port. On the RME, CV input and output connections are provided on two 25-pin accessory ports.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Basics Signal Flow To understand the Voyager’s internal signal flow, it’s helpful to consider the three types of signal routings in the system: the audio path, the control voltage path, and the modulation path. Audio Path The Voyager’s audio path includes all of the signal sources and signal modifiers that produce an audio output. These include the oscillators, mixer, filters and amplifiers (VCAs).
Voyager User’s Manual - The Basics Control Voltage Path When a key is pressed, or a MIDI Note On message is received, a Gate and Pitch Control Voltage (CV) are produced. The Gate signal is used to trigger both the Filter and Volume Envelope Generators (EGs). The Pitch CV is used to determine the pitch of the Oscillators and can be applied to a varying degree to the Filters through the Keyboard Control Amount knob. The basic control voltage path is illustrated below.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Basics The Modulation Buss Path Additional Modulation The Touch Surface controller can control three parameters simultaneously. The position of a finger on the touch pad generates a control voltage for the horizontal (X) position and a contorl voltage for the vertical (Y) position. Pressing on the touch surface generates a control voltage based on the area (A) of the fingertip.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Basics Digital Features (con’t) The Voyager preset is basically a “snapshot” of front panel settings combined with the parameters set in Edit Mode. The preset that is loaded is referred to as the “Current Panel Preset” and is stored in a memory buffer separate from the presets. This preset can be edited freely. The parameters are set by the Voyager’s preset memory until a setting is changed, at which time the current position of that control takes over.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components The Components Now let’s take a look at the individual module components that make up the Voyager Synthesizer, starting with the Mixer section. Then we’ll move on to the Oscillators, Filters, Envelopes, and Output Sections, the LFO and Modulation sections, the Keyboard and Left-Hand controls, the Back Panel, and the User Interface section. For each section, illustrations of both the the Voyager Keyboard and Voyager RME front panels will be shown. A.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components External: The EXTERNAL control allows an external monophonic audio source to be routed into the Mixer, where it can be mixed with the Oscillators and Noise source (an “Ext Audio In” jack on the Voyager back panel is provided for this input). The LED above the EXTERNAL control knob begins to light up as the input signal overdrives the Mixer input. When the light is faint, a small amount of soft clipping is occurring.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components B. The Oscillator Section The Oscillators are the main sound source of the Voyager. The oscillators in the Voyager are all analog Voltage Controlled Oscillators, or VCOs. They feature a temperature regulation circuit that provides them with excellent tuning stability. The VCOs can produce a total musical range of 8 1⁄2 octaves! In addition, the frequency of oscillator 3 can be set to the sub-audio range (<20Hz) for use as a second LFO.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components Frequency: Oscillators 2 and 3 have a FREQUENCY control. When the control is in the center position, the oscillators should be in unison with the frequency of Oscillator 1 (when the octave switches for all three oscillators are in the same position). The Frequency control can change the pitch of Oscillator 2 or 3 a total of +/- 7 semitones relative to Oscillator 1. This allows more than one frequency to be played when a key is pressed.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components 3 KB Cont (Oscillator 3 Keyboard Control): The 3 KB CONT switch disables keyboard control of Oscillator 3 when in the OFF position. By disabling the keyboard control, you can use Oscillator 3 as a drone or as a modulation source whose frequency doesn’t change with the key played. In addition to turning off the keyboard control of Oscillator 3, switching to OFF increases the amount by which the Oscillator FREQUENCY control changes Oscillator 3’s frequency.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components Additional CV Connections (applies to all Voyager keyboards and the RME with the VX-352 CV Input Expander only): Pitch: The PITCH jack allows you to connect an external CV or expression pedal to control the Voyager’s pitch. All three oscillators are effected by this connection. The effective input range is -5 to +5 V, where a positive CV will add to the oscillator dial settings, and a negative CV will subtract from the settings.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components C – The Filter Section Filters are used to adjust the tone color of an audio signal. Filters modify sounds by rejecting some frequencies while allowing others to pass through. To understand the operation of filters and how they process sound, there are a few important terms to know. The first term is ‘Cutoff Frequency’. The cutoff frequency is the point at which an audio signal’s frequencies begin to be rejected.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components The Voyager has two voltage controlled filters (VCF’s) that can be configured either as dual lowpass filters or as a combination of highpass & lowpass through a front panel switch. Additionally, the cutoff slope of each filter can be changed in software, resulting in a wide range of unique and interesting sounds.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components Filter Section Controls: Cutoff: The CUTOFF knob is the main filter control. This sets the cutoff frequency of both of the filters in the both Dual Lowpass and Highpass/Lowpass mode. In Dual Lowpass mode, the frequencies to the right of the indicator on the knob are the frequencies that are filtered out. The frequencies to the left of the indicator are the frequencies that are allowed to pass through the filter.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components Additional CV Connections (applies to all Voyager keyboards and the RME with the VX-352 CV Input Expander only): Filter: The FILTER jack allows you to connect an external CV or expression pedal to control the filter cutoff frequency. Both filters are effected by this connection, regardless of the filter mode setting.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components Envelope Section Controls: Attack: The ATTACK control sets the attack time of the corresponding envelope generator, from 1 msec to 10 seconds. Decay: The DECAY control sets the decay time of the corresponding envelope generator, from 1 msec to 10 seconds. Sustain: The SUSTAIN control sets the corresponding level for the sustained part of the envelope.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components Related Controls: Release Switch: The release time of the envelopes is set by their respective RELEASE control knob, but this control can also be switched OFF. On the Voyager keyboard , there’s a dedicated RELEASE switch located in the left-hand control panel for this. On the RME, the RELEASE function is switched on or off in software (in the PANEL mode menu).
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components E. The Output Section The Voyager has two audio outputs. There is a Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA) for each output, which allows for stereo functions such as panning or the dual lowpass filtering. The main control for the volume is the Master Volume control. The Volume Envelope modulates the output VCAs. Output Section controls: Master Volume: The MASTER VOLUME knob is the main volume control.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components F – The Modulation Buss Section Modulation is the heart of making interesting sounds with analog subtractive synthesis. The Voyager’s two Modulation Busses open up a world of modulation possibilities that were not available on the original Minimoog. The Modulation Busses allow you to select a variety of modulation sources, destinations, modulation shaping, and amounts.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components Three controls modify the amount of modulation: the AMOUNT control, the SHAPING control, and the Mod Wheel (for the Mod Wheel Mod Buss) or MOD1 level (for the Pedal/On Mod Buss). The AMOUNT control sets how much both the Mod Wheel/MOD1 Input and the Shaping CV allow the mod source through to the mod destination.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components Destination: The DESTINATION control selects the destination of the modulation. The modulation destination is chosen in the same manner as the source.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components Additional CV Control (applies to all Voyager keyboards and the RME with the VX-352 CV Input Expander only): MOD 1: The MOD 1 jack accepts an expression pedal or control voltage from 0 to 5 Volts. This input is used as the performance control for the PEDAL/ON Mod Bus. With nothing plugged into this jack, the voltage here is 5V (the ‘ON’ state). With an input applied, when the voltage is at 0, no modulation is sent to the PEDAL/ON Modulation Destination.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components G – The LFO/Sample and Hold Section The Voyager has a dedicated Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) and Sample and Hold (S+H) function. The LFO produces triangle and square waves that oscillate from .2 to 50 Hz. Both the triangle and square wave outputs can be selected as modulation sources in the Mod Busses. For the Sample and Hold circuit, the LFO’s square wave is used as the S+H Trigger input, while the Voyager’s Noise source is used for the S+H Input signal.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components LFO/Sample and Hold Section Controls LFO Rate: The LFO RATE control sets the rate of the dedicated LFO. The control range is 0.2 to 50 Hz. LFO Sync: The LFO SYNC control selects the trigger method for starting the LFO waveform. There are four trigger modes: - OFF/SYNC: This setting allows the LFO to be free running unless there is a connection to the LFO SYNC input (see below).
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components H – Keyboard and Left-Hand Controllers The Voyager has a 44-note keyboard (3 1⁄2 octaves, F to C), just like the original Minimoog. Unlike the original, however, the Voyager has an octave transpose feature (accessed by double-pressing the EDIT button) giving it a playable range of 7 1⁄2 octaves. Also, the Voyager’s keyboard transmits MIDI Note On and Note Off messages polyphonically, and produces velocity control and aftertouch (pressure) voltages monophonically.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components I – Touch Surface Controller (Voyager keyboard models only) The Touch Surface Controller is a real-time, three-dimensional control surface. It can be used to impart complex gestures to the sound of the Voyager by touching it, by moving a finger around on it or by tapping it. A finger movement from left to right controls the X-axis, an up and down movement controls the Y-axis, and the amount of the Touch Surface that is covered by the finger controls the Area.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components J – The Back Panel The back panel provides for all of the Voyager’s connectivity, including power, MIDI, audio and CV expansion connetions. POWER CONNECTOR: This is a standard AC power inlet, Use only a power cord designed to mate with this receptacle. The Voyager power supply is designed to work with power inputs of 100-240 VAC; 50-60 Hz. IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE – Do not alter the power connector in any way. Doing so can result in the risk of shock, injury or death.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components CV/EXPRESSION INPUTS (applies to Voyager keyboard models only): The CV/Expression Inputs are 1⁄4” TS jacks color coded with a red nut. These jacks accept an input from an expression pedal such as the Moog EP-2, or a CV from -5V to +5V. Note that some inputs, such as the MOD 1and VOLUME operate only from 0V to +5V, so applying a negative CV to these inputs will have no effect.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components K – Interface Panel The Interface Panel, located in the top center of the instrument, provides a status display and controls for all of the Voyager’s software functions and instrument settings. Voyager Keyboard Voyager RME The status display is an LCD screen located within the Interface Panel. When the Voyager is first powered on, the screen will display a greeting message.
Voyager User’s Manual - The Components Enter: The ENTER button is used to enter and store all changes (presets and global), and is occasionally used as a navigation control in certain menus. Cursor: The CURSOR button is used to navigate the display and make menu selections. -1/+1: The -1/+1 buttons are used to select presets in Panel Mode, and choose functions and select parameter values in Panel, Edit and Master modes.
Voyager User’s Manual - PANEL Mode Panel Mode Panel Mode is used to access presets and other performance functions. Pressing the PANEL button accesses Panel Mode. The LED above the PANEL button will be lit, and the preset name and location will be displayed. A preset consists of all the stored settings of the front panel controls (except FINE TUNE) plus the preset’s software parameters.
Voyager User’s Manual - PANEL Mode To select a Panel Mode menu function, use the -1/+1 buttons to highlight the desired function and then press ENTER. A description of the Panel Mode functions follows. In PANEL, EDIT or MASTER mode, when you reach the bottom of the menu pages, the next “-1” button press will wrap back to the top item on the first menu page. QUICK MODE: QUICK MODE is used to determine whether the presets change by simply pressing the -1/+1 buttons, or by a combination of +1/-1 and ENTER.
Voyager User’s Manual - PANEL Mode HEADPHONE VOLUME (Keyboard Editions only): HEADPHONE VOLUME is used to determine whether the stored Headphone Volume value is loaded when a new preset becomes active. If this is off, then this value is determined by the current position of the HEADPHONE VOLUME control. To make a change in the Headphone Volume menu, use the CURSOR to highlight the desired choice and press ENTER.
Voyager User’s Manual - PANEL Mode RELEASE FUNCTION (RME only): This function works like the RELEASE switch on the left-hand control panel of the Voyager keyboard – it switches the Release function ON or OFF. To make a change in this menu, use the CURSOR to highlight the desired choice and press ENTER. The change will take effect for the current preset Like all changes, if you wish to keep the change you must save the preset. For more information, see ‘SAVE PRESET’ in the EDIT Mode section.
Voyager User’s Manual - PANEL Mode LCD CONTRAST The LCD CONTRAST function changes the viewable angle of the LCD display. To change this setting, use the -1/+1 buttons to adjust the contrast level. The change will immediately take effect (you’ll see the display contrast change) and the new contrast value will be stored automatically.
Voyager User’s Manual - PANEL Mode PANIC BUTTON (RME only): The PANIC BUTTON function allows you to program the MASTER button as a ‘panic’ button. When the PANIC BUTTON function is enabled, pressing the MASTER button issues an ‘ALL NOTES OFF’ MIDI message that silences the RME and resets the Pitch Bend and Mod Wheel controller values. The message is also sent to the RME’s MIDI Out jack. To enable the PANIC BUTTON function, select ‘YES’ and press ENTER.
Voyager User’s Manual - EDIT Mode Edit Mode Edit Mode is used to assign the parameters of a preset that are not accessible through the front panel controls. Edit Mode is also used assign the preset sound category, set the MIDI clock divider, and name and save presets. Press the EDIT button to enter Edit Mode. To select an Edit Mode function, use the -1/+1 buttons to hightlight the desired function and then press ENTER.
Voyager User’s Manual - EDIT Mode Here are the Edit Mode functions: 1.1 COMPARE TO PRESET The COMPARE TO PRESET function is used to compare the current Panel sound to any other preset in the current Preset bank. Applications for this include comparing an edited version of a sound to its original version in memory, or to find a preset location that you do not use where you can store your current Panel Sound.
Voyager User’s Manual - EDIT Mode 1.4 PITCH BEND AMT. (PITCH BEND AMOUNT): The PITCH BEND AMT function allows you to set separate up and down pitch bend ranges for each preset. To adjust the ranges, use the CURSOR to toggle between the Pitch Bend UP and Pitch Bend DOWN parameters, and use the -1/+1 buttons to select the desired range.
Voyager User’s Manual - EDIT Mode 2.3 PGM PEDAL SOURCE (Programmable Pedal Source) PGM PEDAL SOURCE allows you to program one of 8 additional modulation sources to be used when the Pedal/ON Bus SOURCE control is set to ‘NOISE/PGM’. To select a source, use the -1/+1 buttons to highlight the desired selection and press ENTER. The available sources are: Noise (default) Filter ENV Amplitude ENV Smoothed Sample and Hold Oscillator 1 Oscillator 2 Touch Surface X Touch Surface Y 2.4 PGM PEDAL DEST.
Voyager User’s Manual - EDIT Mode Programmable Shaping Sources are useful for creating presets that respond in complex ways. For instance, you could assign both Keyboard CV (pitch) and Velocity Release (velocity) as the Programmable Shaping Sources. With this assignment, the higher and the harder you play, more modulation source is passed to modulate the destination. Many of the shaping sources are front panel rotary controls.
Voyager User’s Manual - EDIT Mode 4.1 FIL. A POLE SEL. (Filter A Pole Select) This function allows you to specify the cutoff slope of Filter A. Filter A is the filter controlled only by the CUTOFF control. In Dual Lowpass Mode, the output of Filter A appears on the RIGHT output jack. In Highpass/ Lowpass Mode, it is the Lowpass filter. Use the -1/+1 buttons to select the cutoff slope, which is specified in ‘poles’ (1, 2, 3 or 4 poles).
Voyager User’s Manual - EDIT Mode 5.1 T.S. DESTINATION (Touch Surface Destination): The Voyager’s Touch Surface produces four controls signals labeled X,Y, A, and Gate. The X and Y control signals are generated by touching the touch surface and reflect the left-right position and up-down position, respectively. The A control signal is generated by calculating the area of contact with the Touch Surface. The larger the area covered, the greater the control signal.
Voyager User’s Manual - EDIT Mode MIDI Control Number (MIDI CTRL NO.): The Touch Surface inputs can transmit user-selected MIDI CC Messages. For each of the X, Y and A axes, the Touch Surface Inputs can be set to transmit MIDI CCs 1-31, or it can transmit no MIDI information (OFF). If you are using the Voyager with a sequencer, then you’ll want to transmit the CC numbers that corresponds to the Touch Surface Destinations.
Voyager User’s Manual - EDIT Mode 1. The S&H Gate signal is the LFO Square Wave normalled to the S&H Gate Input connection on the VX-352. If nothing is connected to the S&H Gate Input jack, the sample rate of the TS LFO S&H function is controlled by the RME’s LFO. 2.
Voyager User’s Manual - EDIT Mode TS GATE (con’t) The LFO Restart function is the fourth option in the TS Gate Control menu. Since the TS Gate Control menu can only display three options at a time, use the CURSOR to scroll down to the bottom of the list, where the LFO Restart option will appear. Use the -1/+1 buttons to switch the LFO Restart function ON or OFF.
Voyager User’s Manual - EDIT Mode Source and Destination (SRC/DEST): The Source and Destination parameters allow you to select from the 40 assignable Pot Mapping Sources and Destination options. Eight of these are Performance Controls and 32 are Front Panel Controls. Both the Source and Destination have the same assignable options. The complete list is shown below.
Voyager User’s Manual - EDIT Mode Pot Mapping is a very powerful addition to the Voyager’s front panel controls, as it creates the ability to route controls to more than one destination. A simple use is for dynamically controlling Volume with the Keyboard’s Note On Velocity, a common modulation in modern synthesizers. Here are a few more suggested mappings: 1. Keyboard Scaling: This map will adjust the Volume Decay envelope so that higher notes will decay quicker than lower notes.
Voyager User’s Manual - EDIT Mode 6.2 SOUND CATEGORY SOUND CATEGORY allows you to assign the current preset to one of 32 pre-defined sound categories. This function is intended to assist in organizing presets for quick identification when auditioning sounds. This is especially useful in conjunction with the Voyager Editor/Librarian software.
Voyager User’s Manual - EDIT Mode MIDI Note ONs can also be used to name Presets. The 44 keys on the Voyager keyboard (MIDI Note numbers 53-96) address all of the available letter, number and punctuation characters as shown below. The SHIFT key (the lower-most B flat) toggles between uppercase and lowercase characters. 6.4 SAVE PRESET The SAVE PRESET function allows you to store all of the Voyager’s current front panel settings and software parameters to one of the Voyager’s 896 memory locations.
Voyager User’s Manual - MASTER Mode Master Mode Master Mode is used to access the Voyager’s global parameters and the routines sending and receiving data. Press the MASTER button to enter Master Mode. To select a Master Mode function, use the -1/+1 buttons to highlight the desired function and then press ENTER. Voyager keyboard editions have 20 Master Mode functions that span five pages, while the RME has a slightly different set of 16 Master Mode functions that span four pages as shown.
Voyager User’s Manual - MASTER Mode Here are the Master Mode functions: MIDI RUN STATUS The MIDI RUN STATUS (MIDI Running Status) function is used to reduce the MIDI data sent when a number of MIDI messages with the same Status Byte are sent. When enabled, the Running Status function eliminates the Status Byte. Some MIDI devices can handle MIDI Running Status and some can’t, so you have an option of turning this on (‘YES’) or off (‘NO’).
Voyager User’s Manual - MASTER Mode MIDI MERGE FUNC. When enabled (‘YES’), the MIDI Merge function passes incoming MIDI Note ON and Note OFF messages from the Voyager’s MIDI In jack to the MIDI Out jack. When this function is disabled (‘NO’), only MIDI events created by the instrument appear at the MIDI Out. To change the setting, use the CURSOR to highlight the desired choice and press ENTER. MIDI PRG.
Voyager User’s Manual - MASTER Mode MIDI IN ON/OFF (Keyboard editions only) This function is used to enable (‘YES’) or disable (‘NO’) reception of incoming MIDI data. Use the CURSOR to select the desired choice and press ENTER. MIDI OUT ON/OFF This function is used to enable (‘YES’) or disable (‘NO’) transmission of outgoing MIDI data. Use the CURSOR to select the desired choice and press ENTER.
Voyager User’s Manual - MASTER Mode RECEIVE PRESETS The RECEIVE PRESETS function enables or disables System Exclusive reception on the Voyager. When enabled, the Voyager will receive all SysEx preset and bank data. When disabled, the Voyager will ignore all incoming SysEx messages. To make a change to this menu, use the -1/+1 buttons to switch between enabled and disabled, and press ENTER.
Voyager User’s Manual - MASTER Mode MIDI KEY ORDER MIDI KEY ORDER allows multiple Voyagers to function together as a polyphonic synth when controlled by an external MIDI device. Up to 16 Voyagers can be linked together to create a 16-voice synth. To define the number of Voyagers in a polyphonic setup, set the MAXIMUM KEYS parameter to the number of Voyagers in your setup, then configure each Voyager for a different voice number using the ACTIVE KEY parameter.
Voyager User’s Manual - MASTER Mode Factory Setups Factory Setup Menus All Voyager editions (keyboards and RME) have the same Factory Setup menus, which span four pages as shown: The Voyager Factory Setup Menus Page 69
Voyager User’s Manual - MASTER Mode Factory Setups 1.1 FACTORY RESET The FACTORY RESET function resets the Voyager PANEL and MASTER functions to the default factory state (see below for the list of default values). To reset the PANEL and MASTER functions select ‘YES’ and press ENTER. To escape without restoring the Factory presets, select ‘NO’ and press ENTER. REF PANEL FUNCTIONS DEFAULT REF PANEL FUNCTIONS DEFAULT 1.1 Quick Mode NO 1.1 Quick Mode NO 1.2 Parameter Display 3 SEC 1.
Voyager User’s Manual - MASTER Mode Factory Setups 1.2 FACTORY SOUNDS The FACTORY SOUNDS function restores the Voyager to its default factory state. Performing this function will replace the current bank with the standard Voyager Performer Edition Preset Bank, so don’t do this unless you are sure you want to. To restore the Voyager’s factory presets select ‘YES’ and press ENTER. To escape without restoring the Factory presets, select ‘NO’ and press ENTER. 1.
Voyager User’s Manual - MASTER Mode Factory Setups 2.1 T.S. XYAG S&H (Touch Surface XYAG Sample & Hold) The T.S. XYAG S&H function sets the Touch Surface LFO Sample & Hold parameter to “OFF” for all Presets in the current bank (other banks are not affected). To reset the T.S. XYAG S&H, select ‘YES’ and press ENTER. To escape without changes, select ‘NO’ and press ENTER. 2.2 SHAPING 1&2 The SHAPING 1&2 function restores the default settings for the Programmable Mod Buss Shaping Sources.
Voyager User’s Manual - MASTER Mode Factory Setups 3.1 ENV GATES F/A (Envelope Gates Filter/Volume) The ENV GATES F/A function restores the default settings for the Filter and Amplitude Envelope Gates parameters stored in the presets. The default is ENV GATE INPUT for both. To restore the default Envelope gate settings, use the CURSOR to select ‘YES’ and press ENTER. To leave this menu without changes, select ‘NO’ and press ENTER. 3.2 GLOBAL CURSOR This is a placeholder menu having no function.
Voyager User’s Manual - MASTER Mode SOFTWARE VERSION The SOFTWARE VERSION screen displays the current Operating System ROM and BOOT ROM versions and date of the release. When the software version screen is displayed, pressing the CURSOR button will display the current Pitch Bend and Mod Wheel values. SEND SYSTEM ROM The SEND SYSTEM ROM utility allows you to back up your operating system via SysEx data.
Voyager User’s Manual - MASTER Mode RECEIVE UPDATE The RECEIVE UPDATE utility allows you to upgrade the Voyager’s Operating System. Updates are available from our website (www.moogmusic.com) and are found in Minimoog Voyager ‘Software’ section. Instruction for installing the software is provided with the files – please follow these instructions carefully! When you select RECEIVE UPDATE from the Master Mode menu and hit ENTER, the Voyager will display a message about deleting the operating system as shown.
Voyager User’s Manual - MIDI How the Voyager handles MIDI When you adjust any one of the Voyager’s front panel controls, MIDI Continuous Controller (CC) messages are transmitted on the MIDI Out jack. The information contained in these MIDI messages varies according to the parameter each edit control is assigned. For example, when the FILTER CUTOFF control is rotated, MIDI CC data corresponding to the Filter Cutoff parameter (CC#19 & CC#51) is transmitted.
Voyager User’s Manual - MIDI Oscillators LFO Performance Controls SECTION CONTROL FUNCTION CC VALUE/RANGE MOD WHEEL Modulation 1 MSB, 33 LSB - GLIDE SWITCH Turns Glide ON/OFF 65 0-63 OFF, 64-127 ON RELEASE SWITCH Turns Release ON/OFF 88 0-63 OFF, 64-127 ON MOD 1 Mod 1 Input 2 MSB, 34 LSB - MOD 2 Mod 2 Input 4 MSB, 36 LSB - LFO RATE Adjusts the LFO frequency 3 MSB, 35 LSB 0 – 127 LFO SYNC Selects the LFO Sync mode 67 0-31 = OFF 32-63 = MIDI 64-95 = KB 96-127 = Env Gate OS
Voyager User’s Manual - MIDI Envelope Generator Filter Mixer SECTION Vol CONTROL FUNCTION CC VALUE/RANGE EXTERNAL (see NOTE) Adjusts the level of the external audio signal 14 MSB, 46 LSB - EXTERNAL SWITCH Toggles the external audio ON/OFF 81 0-63 OFF, 64-127 ON OSCILLATOR 1 Adjusts the level of oscillator 1 15 MSB, 47 LSB - OSCILLATOR 1 SW Toggles oscillator 1 ON/OFF 82 0-63 OFF, 64-127 ON OSCILLATOR 2 Adjusts the level of oscillator 2 OSCILLATOR 2 SW Toggles oscillator 2 ON/OFF
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices Appendix A - Touch Surface LFO S&H: In Use The Touch Surface LFO S&H function is a recent addition to the Voyager operating system, adding Sample & Hold capabilities to the Touch Surface. To understand what this function does, try this simple example: 1. Initialize a preset using EDIT Mode Menu 1.3 (Init Parameters). 2. From EDIT Mode Menu 5.1 (T.S.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices Appendix B - MIDI Basics MIDI is an acronym for ‘Musical Instrument Digital Interface’, an industry-standard protocol for the interconnection and control of electronic musical instruments. Prior to MIDI, instrument manufacturers designed their own systems for connecting devices together (most were CV/gate based), but few of these systems were compatible, which meant that you couldn’t easily connect synthesizers from Manufacturer A with those from Manufacturer B.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices CONTINUOUS CONTROLLER: The Voyager is a knob-laden synth. Many of its controls provide smooth, continuous change over their parameters. Continuous Controller messages (abbreviated as ‘CCs’) are used to effect changes in a MIDI synth much as the knobs on an analog synth. A Continuous Controller message has a CC number (from 0-127), which is assigned to a synthesis parameter inside the receiving device.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices Appendix C - Initialization Parameters When you select the INIT PARAMETERS function in the Panel Mode menu, the current Preset sound defaults to a single 8’ square wave oscillator with moderate filtering and basic ON/OFF envelopes. From this starting point, you can adjust and tweak the sound to create a new preset, or just explore the various parameters to see what they do. The following tables list the complete default values of the Initialization Preset.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices Initialization Parameters (con’t) Preset Software Parameters: VALUE +/- FOURTH MAP 1 SOURCE VELOCITY ATTACK KEYBOARD MODE LOWER KEY PRIORITY MAP 1 DEST. MASTER VOLUME TRIGGER MODE SINGLE TRIGGER MAP 1 DIRECTION NORMAL MAP 1 AMOUNT OFF FILTER A 4 POLE MAP 2 SOURCE KEY PITCH FILTER B 4 POLE MAP 2 DEST.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices Appendix D - SynthesisTutorial For those who are new to the world of electronic music, let’s take a few moments to go through the basics of sound and synthesis. Sound is simply the audible change in air pressure. When we perceive sound, our ears are responding to variations in air pressure that happen to occur in our range of hearing. The rate of these variations is called the Frequency, which is measured in cycles per second, or Hertz (Hz).
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices The Subtractive Synthesis Model The Oscillator is the starting point of Subtractive Synthesis, for it is here that the initial sound is created. The oscillator creates electrical vibrations which function in a manner similar to the strings of a guitar; they create the signal source that the rest of the system will use to modify and shape the sound. The key oscillator parameters are pitch and waveform.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices Like the square wave, the triangle wave only contains odd harmonics, but the levels of the harmonics in a triangle wave are much less. The triangle wave has a soft, slightly buzzy sound that is suitable for highpitched leads (like a flute) or adding a beefy sub-bass to bass sounds. The sine wave is the purest waveform of them all. It has no harmonics, so it produces a very pure tone.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices The Filtered signal is routed to the Amplifier, which controls the gain (volume) of the signal. The Amplifier controls the dynamics of a sound, turning it on and off as you play. The Amplifier is usually paired with an Envelope Generator (described below). The gain of the amplifier follows the contours of the Envelope Generator signal, shaping the sound from start to finish.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices The last auxiliary component is the Low Frequency Oscillator, also known as the LFO. The LFO operates like the main oscillators in almost all respects, but generally at a much lower frequency. LFO’s are typically used to send modulation control signals to the main components. For example, if you route a 6Hz LFO signal to an oscillator, it will produce vibrato by varying the pitch of the oscillator. If you send that same LFO signal to the amplifier, and you’ll get tremolo.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices Appendix E - MIDI Implementation Chart Moog Music, Inc. Voyager Analog Synthesizer FUNCTION Date: 6/23/08 Version 3.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices Appendix F - Service and Support Information Moog Limited Warranty Moog Music warrants its produces to be free of defects in materials or workmanship and conforming to specifications at the time of shipment for a period of one year from the date of purchase. During the warranty period, any defective products will be repaired or replaced, at Moog Music’s option, on a return-to-factory basis. This warranty covers defects that Moog Music determines are no fault of the user.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices Additional Considerations for the Backlight The Voyager Select Series, Electric Blue, and Rack Mount Editions feature a backlit panel legend. It’s ideal for seeing what you’re doing on stage, or setting the mood in the studio. The light itself is emitted by a special overlay to the metal chassis that when powered, glows. This is then covered by the front panel legend, so it is well protected from wear and tear.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices Appendix H - VX-351 & VX-352 CV Expanders Flash back to the late 60’s: Back in the day, a synthesizer was a behemoth of panels and patch cords. They were known as modular synthesizers, because each function of the synthesizer was contained in a single module. A synthesizer was a collection of modules, and the instrument produced no sound until the proper connections were made between modules using patch cables.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices Connecting the VX351 and VX-352: Make all connections as described below with the Voyager powered OFF 1) If your are using the VX-351 with a Voyager keyboard, the first step is to install the VX-351 output adapter. Refer to the installation guide for this procedure. The output adapter MUST be installed in these units to ensure proper operation of the VX-351. The RME does not require the VX-351 output adapter to be installed.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices This is a very basic use for the VX-351/VX-352, but it demonstrates the fundamental concept of how to use it: a source always goes to a destination. Using this fundamental concept, you can patch together additional modulations and get as complex as you like. VX-351 CV Output Expander - Description The following is a description of the output signals and the various functions contained in the VX-351 CV Output Expander.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices LFO This group of outputs is generated from the Voyager’s LFO. There are two CV waveforms available here (triangle and square) and both can be used at the same time TRIANGLE: This is the triangle wave output of the LFO. SQUARE: This is the square wave output of the LFO. BUSSES: This group of outputs is generated by the Mod Buss signals.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices The table below shows the effective ranges of the VX-351 Outputs. SECTION TOUCH KBD WHEELS PEDALS LFO BUSSES ENVS S&H Noise PARAMETER EFFECTIVE RANGE X -5 to + 5V Y -5 to + 5V A -5 to + 5V GATE +5V ON, 0V OFF PITCH (Note 1) -0.916V to 2.667V Nominal VEL -5 to + 5V PRESS -5 to + 5V GATE +5V ON, 0V OFF PITCH -5 to +5V MOD -5 to +5V MOD1 (Note 2) -5 to +5V MOD2 (Note 2) -5 to +5V TRIANGLE +/- 2.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices VX-352 CV Input Expander - Description The following is a description of the inputs and the functions contained in the VX-352 CV Input Expander. TOUCH This group of inputs allows you to apply an external signal to control the RME’s Touch Surface parameters. Although the RME has no Touch Surface (TS), through Edit Mode you can program the TS inputs as modulation sources for the Mod Busses, modulation shaper sources, or as sources for specific TS routings.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices OUT This group of inputs allows you to connect an external CV or expression pedal to control the Voyager’s Volume and Pan parameters. VOLUME: This input affects the volume of both VCA’s. The Voyager’s MASTER VOLUME control sets the absolute maximum value. A positive CV will then adjust the volume up or down within the range set by the MASTER VOLUME control. PAN: This input affects the panning between the left and right outputs.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices S & H IN This group of inputs allow you to connect external signals to control the Voyager’s Sample and Hold Circuit. S&H In : This is the input to the Voyager’s Sample and Hold circuit. This jack accepts an expression pedal or a control voltage from -5 to +5V. GATE: This input accepts a +5V gate input only. ATTENUATORS The VX-352 contains two active attenuators with offset. An attenuator is used to reduce the amount of a CV signal.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices The table below shows the effective ranges of the VX-352 Inputs. All non-gate inputs supply power, allowing you to connect either an expression pedal or a control voltage.
SOURCE SOURCE Touch X Touch Y Touch A Touch Gate KBD Pitch KBD Velocity KBD Pressure KBD Gate Pitch Wheel Mod Wheel MOD1 MOD2 LFO Triangle LFO Square Mod Wheel Mod Bus Pedal/On Mod Bus Filter Env Vol Env S&H Step S&H Smooth Noise ATTEN. 1/Amount ATTEN.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices The following are some ways to use the VX-351 and VX-352 with the Voyager. Gather up some 1⁄4” patch cords and try these suggestions: 1. Use the Mod Wheel to control the amount of both Mod Buss signals This is a really useful way to use the Mod Wheel as a controller for more than one type of modulation. To try this out, perform the following steps: - Initialize the Voyager’s parameters by selecting ‘INIT. PARAMETERS’ in the Edit Menu.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices As a variation, switch the Pedal/On Mod Buss SOURCE to ‘ON’. Now play a note – pressing down makes the filter brighter. 4. LFO triggers Voyager’s Envelopes This is an alternative to triggering a sound from the Voyager by pressing a key. The last key pressed will determine the pitch, but the LFO will trigger the start of the envelopes. - Using a patch cord, connect the VX-351 LFO square wave output to the Voyager’s Envelope Gate (ENV GATE) Input.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices Appendix I - Using the CP-251 with the Voyager The Moogerfooger® CP-251 Control Processor makes an ideal companion to the Voyager synthesizer. The CP-251 provides an LFO with two waveforms (Triangle/Square), a Sample & Hold circuit with two outputs (stepped/smooth), a Lag Processor, a Noise source, a Mixer and two active Attenuators. The combination of Voyager, VX-351/352, and CP-251 is very much like having a small Modular synthesizer.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices To produce a modulated filter effect: Using a patch cord, connect the CP-251 Attenuator Output to the Voyager’s FILTER jack (or the FILTER CUTOFF jack on the VX-352). On the CP-251, set the LFO RATE control to 6 Hz (about 1 o’clock), and adjust the ATTENUATOR to about ‘2’ on the dial. This will produce a cyclical tonal variation as the filter cutoff frequency is modulated.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices 4. Lag Generator used to smooth Pressure This is a way to smooth a Pressure CV signal to enhance performance expressiveness. - Initialize the Voyager’s parameters. - Using a patch cord, connect the VX-351 KBD PRESS output to the CP-251’s Lag Processor Input. - Using another patch cord, connect CP-251’s Lag Processor Output to an Attenuator Input.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices Now when you play a note, you should hear a noise component at the beginning of the note. Playing with a combination of filter envelope times, filter cutoff, noise level, and Pedal/On Mod Buss amount will make this effect more or less perceptible. Selecting ‘OSCILLATOR LEVELS’ as the Programmable Mod Destination can yield some interesting effects as well.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices Appendix J - Specifications Type: Programmable monophonic analog synthesizer Sound Generation: 3 Oscillators with continuously variable waveform control, 1 Noise source, 5-input Mixer, 2 Filters, 2 Envelope Generators, 1 LFO, 2 Programmable Modulation Sections, Glide and Fine Tune controls Program Memory: 896 Presets in 7 Banks, all locations are user rewritable Keyboard: 44 keys (F-C) Transmits polyphonic MIDI Note On/Off messages along with velocity and aftertouch Perfo
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices Appendix K - Accessories To further enhance the functionality and appearance of the Minimoog Voyager, Moog Music offers the following optional accessories. For complete information on everything listed here, including pricing and ordering info, see your Moog dealer, or visit www. moogmusic.com EP2 Expression Pedal The EP2 Expression Pedal is the finest expression pedal available. Its smooth action gives it the feel musicians need for precise, playable control.
Voyager User’s Manual - Appendices Accessories (Con’t) RME Wood Handle Kit Functional and beautiful, these solid ash wood handles have recesses built-in to make sure you don’t lose your grip. The RME Wood Handle Kit comes with all necessary mounting hardware to replace the standard rack mount end-plates. Moog FS-1 Footswitch The FS-1 Footswitch is a heavy-duty footswitch in a steel enclosure.
Voyager User’s Manual - Glossary Glossary Here are a few key terms that cover the basics of sound generation as used in the Voyager synthesizer. ADSR – Abbreviation for Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release, the four stages of an envelope control voltage. Amplitude – The strength of a sound’s vibration measured in Decibels (dB). Amplitude corresponds to the musical term Loudness. Continuous Controller (CC) – A type of MIDI message used to transmit control commands.
Voyager User’s Manual - Glossary EEPROM – EEPROM stands for ‘Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory’. This is a type of digital memory used to store information, even after the power is turned off. In the Voyager, the EEPROM is used to store global settings and presets, and operating system parameters. Filter – A circuit that removes some frequencies and allows other frequencies to pass through the circuit.
Voyager User’s Manual - Glossary Mixer – A circuit for combining multiple sound sources or signals. Modulation – Modulation is the use of a control voltage to shape a tone. Modulation has a source, a destination, and an amount. This could be as simple as the filter cutoff of a VCF (a modulation destination) being changed by the front panel cutoff control (the source), or as complex as mixing multiple CVs together to modulate filter cutoff.
Voyager User’s Manual - Glossary Timbre – Pronounced ‘tamber’, it refers to the quality of a sound by its overtones. An unprocessed sawtooth wave has a bright timbre, while a triangle wave has a mellow timbre. Tremolo – Technically a form of low frequency amplitude modulation, tremolo is a smooth audible pulsing of volume. In synthesizers, tremolo is produced when a 5-6Hz LFO triangle or sine wave signal is applied to a voltage controlled amplifier. Waveform – The shape of an oscillator’s vibration.
Voyager User’s Manual - Preset List Voyager Preset List The Voyager contains 7 banks of presets with 128 presets per bank (896 presets total). The charts on the following two pages provides of list of all of the presets in each bank. Many of the preset names are self-explanatory, some are for fun, and all are all worth auditioning. As you listen to the presets, remember to check out the Mod Wheel, Touch Surface and Aftertouch for additional performance control.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 Tasty Moog Bass Techno Tuvans Electric Panning Keys A Minor Story Panned Solar Lead Membrane Mallet Acid Mod Grind MajorWerk Wo ist der Sinus? Lead or Follow Really Heavy PWM in the Bass Orgone Box Mellow Brass Bass Soundscape Shifter 8-Bit Video Game Sound!! Wormy Lead Clean Machine Sync or Swim Velocity Temple Bells Mod Whee
65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 The One New Sync Mod Solo Buzzed Pluck Lead Truth In You Theme Tonto Bass Tonto Lead BothHi&Lo (radioTP) Fifths of Fury BorisTheSpider Bass Lo, He plucks it well Interval Lead Wind me up please LoDownSquare Boy My Days Bass My Days Seq 2 My Days Theme 2 Press2 Glide Theremin Lip Buzz Organ
Minimoog Voyager User’s Manual © Moog Music 2008, all rights reserved Text and illustrations by Greg Kist, Steve Dunnington and the resources of Moog Music