The
Moog Rogue is a
monophonic analog synthesizer produced by the original
Moog Music in the early 1980s, but, was not designed by
Bob Moog. Very basic in its design and use, the Rogue featured a 32-note keyboard and two
VCO. VCO number 2 is tunable between a half-step below to an octave above VCO number 1. This allows the Rogue to play atonal sounds like the Moog Prodigy. The Rogue did not have features to allow the user full flexibility to program the patch settings, however the
VCF and the
VCA were simple in operation. The design of the hardwired patch system was well thought out (considering its size and cost) and a wide variety of sounds and modulation effects are possible. The Rogue also includes a Sample-and-Hold feature that the Prodigy does not . The synthesizer is most commonly used for its powerful
bass. The Rogue is similar in some respects to the famous
ARP Odyssey, though smaller and slightly less versatile.
Moog Music was criticized for repackaging the Rogue as the
Taurus II, changing the design to a pedal-operated synthesizer with little difference in sound quality.
The Rogue is very similar in design and sound to the less-expensive
Moog Concertmate MG-1, also made by Moog Music, but rebranded for
Realistic around the same time for home use. This was perhaps the first example of a keyboard designed for the home musician.
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