On Friday, January 28, 7:30pm we saw the documentary "Moog” at the Oklahoma Museum of Art. It’s about Bob Moog who invented the Moog synthesizer.

I am a big fan of old school electronic instruments and unusual sounds so this documentary was really a treat. I love the analog sound of a Moog. There are virtually no boundaries to the creativity you can achieve with electronic sound.

Moog’s instruments gives the artist control over the sound and the ability to make and use sounds never heard before.

[Moog] is convinced that many musicians come to "feel" a circuit in a similar way. "They make contact." In fact, musicians make such strong emotional connections with the electronics inside a Moog synthesizer that Moog himself has reached cult hero status.

It was interesting to see that Moog got his start building Theremins as a kid and selling them when he got older. For years I’ve wanted to try my hand at playing the Theremin (sadly pun actually intended).

It was up close and person focusing mainly on Bob Moog himself, his instruments and the impact they have made in music, as well as his creative ideas and views.

I have always been a big fan of Bob Moog and his inventions. It was great to delve in to his ideas and philosophy of sound, design and interactivity.

If anyone gets a chance to see this independent film, watch it.

"Moog" - Documentary Film

Bob Moog has been inventing and building electronic musical instruments for nearly half a century.

Still active in his workshop in rural North Carolina, Moog continues to shape musical culture with some of the most inspiring instruments ever created. This documentary explores Moog’s collaborations with musicians over the years, and his ideas about creativity, design, interactivity and spirituality.

The film features appearances by an eclectic mix of performers including Keith Emerson, Stereolab, Walter Sear, Gershon Kinsgley, Jean-Jacques Perrey & Luke Vibert, DJ Spooky, Herb Deutsch, Bernie Worrell, Bootsy Collins, Pamelia Kurstin, Money Mark and Mix Master Mike. Director: Hans Fjellestad USA 2004 72min. NR (PG) digital video. Special pre-feature short film presentation of Means and Meditations by Scott Nyerges.

Link to Moog Music: www.moogmusic.com

Link to Moog Archives: www.moogarchives.com

More Films at the Oklahoma Museum of Art.

The First Moog Synthesizer
Built for, and in collaboration with Herbert Deutsch, July-September 1964

This Moog synthesizer is one of two prototypes built by Robert Moog from July-September 1964, with additional modules added in 1964 and 1965. One was taken to Toronto University in 1965, while this one was kept by the inventor and his colleague, Herbert Deutsch. It was used in live public performance for the first time in a concert at Town Hall in New York City on September 25, 1965.