Moogerfooger

When Bob Moog reacquired the rights to use his own name in instrument design in the late 1990s, he didn't simply return to creating synthesizers. Instead, he launched a line of effects units that would bring the unmistakable Moog sound and ethos to a wider range of musicians. This line, dubbed the Moogerfooger, would go on to become a staple in studios and on pedalboards around the world, influencing music production, performance, and even the direction of the effects industry for years to come.

The Birth of Big Briar and the Moogerfooger Concept

After leaving Moog Music in 1977, Bob Moog founded Big Briar, a company focused on creating theremins and custom electronic musical instruments. When he regained the right to use the Moog name commercially in 2002, Big Briar was renamed Moog Music Inc. It was during this transitional period that the Moogerfooger line was conceived and introduced.

The Moogerfooger series was designed to bring Moog's analog circuitry and sonic character to guitarists, bassists, and other instrumentalists who might not typically use synthesizers. Each unit was essentially a single module from a larger Moog synthesizer, repackaged into a rugged, pedalboard-friendly format.

Design and Form Factor

The Moogerfooger's design was a departure from typical guitar effects pedals of the time. Instead of the small, stompbox format common to most pedals, Moogerfoogers were larger, desktop units. This allowed for a more spacious layout with full-sized knobs and plenty of patching options.

Cyril Lance, who worked closely with Bob Moog during this period, explains the design philosophy: "We wanted to create something that felt substantial and invited experimentation. The larger format allowed us to include voltage-controlled inputs and a patch bay, which opened up a world of modular-style sound design in a more accessible package."

The units featured a distinctive retro-futuristic aesthetic, with wood side panels reminiscent of vintage Moog synthesizers and a durable metal chassis. This design not only made the Moogerfoogers visually striking but also incredibly roadworthy, able to withstand the rigors of touring and frequent use.

The Moogerfooger Line-up and Modular Connectivity

Over the years, Moog released several Moogerfooger models, each focusing on a different type of sound processing:

1. MF-101 Lowpass Filter
2. MF-102 Ring Modulator
3. MF-103 12-Stage Phaser
4. MF-104 Analog Delay
5. MF-105 MuRF (Multiple Resonance Filter Array)
6. MF-107 FreqBox
7. MF-108M Cluster Flux

Each unit maintained Moog's commitment to all-analog signal paths and voltage control, allowing for complex modulation and interconnectivity between units. Importantly, the Moogerfoogers were designed with multiple CV (Control Voltage) inputs and outputs, enabling them to interface not only with each other but also with modular synthesizer systems. This feature made them particularly appealing to experimental musicians and sound designers looking to expand their modular setups.

Success and Adoption

The Moogerfooger series quickly gained traction among musicians looking to expand their sonic palettes. Guitarists, in particular, embraced the units for their ability to produce synth-like textures and extreme sound manipulation.

Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails was an early adopter, incorporating multiple Moogerfoogers into his live and studio setups. He praised their versatility: "The Moogerfoogers allowed me to bring that analog synth character into my guitar work. They're incredibly musical tools that can go from subtle enhancement to complete sonic destruction."

Other notable users included John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers, who used the MF-103 12-Stage Phaser extensively, and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, known for his innovative use of the MF-101 Lowpass Filter. In fact, the MF-105 MuRF (Multiple Resonance Filter Array) was used to create the distinctive filtered effect on Radiohead's "Reckoner," showcasing how these units could create signature sounds in popular music.

In the realm of electronic music, artists like Aphex Twin and Autechre incorporated Moogerfoogers into their complex signal chains, using them to process not just traditional instruments but also synthesizers and drum machines.

The Moogerfooger in Film Scoring

The units' ability to create evolving, textural sounds made them particularly useful in film scoring. Renowned composers like Hans Zimmer incorporated Moogerfoogers into their setups, using them to create unique atmospheres and sound designs for film soundtracks. This adoption in the world of film music further cemented the Moogerfooger's reputation as a versatile and powerful tool for sound creation beyond traditional music production.

Educational Impact and Integration with Digital Systems

Many music technology programs in universities and colleges acquired Moogerfoogers for their studios. These units served as hands-on tools for teaching concepts of analog signal processing and modular synthesis to students, bridging the gap between historical analog techniques and modern production methods.

Despite being analog units, many musicians found creative ways to integrate Moogerfoogers into digital audio workstations. Some even created custom MIDI-to-CV converters to control Moogerfoogers from within their DAW, blending analog and digital workflows in innovative ways.

Limited Editions and Collector Culture

Moog released several limited edition Moogerfoogers over the years, further fueling their desirability among musicians and collectors. For example, the MF-104M Analog Delay had a highly sought-after "Super Delay" version with extended delay times. These limited runs often became collector's items, further cementing the Moogerfooger's cult status in the music technology world.

Influence on the Industry

The success of the Moogerfooger series inspired other companies to create their own high-end, analog effects units with extensive modulation options. This led to a renaissance in boutique effects pedals during the 2000s and 2010s, with many manufacturers taking cues from the Moogerfooger's design philosophy and sound.

In response to demand for more compact versions, Moog introduced the Minifooger series in 2013. These pedals incorporated some of the Moogerfooger circuitry into a more traditional stompbox format, making them more accessible to gigging musicians and further expanding the Moog sound to a wider audience.

DIY and Modification Culture

Like many Moog products, Moogerfoogers inspired a culture of modification and DIY enhancements. Users would share circuit modifications to extend the capabilities of their units, echoing the early days of modular synthesis. This community-driven innovation kept the Moogerfooger ecosystem vibrant and evolving, even years after the initial release of the products.

Legacy and Discontinuation

The Moogerfooger line remained in production for nearly two decades, a testament to its enduring appeal and versatility. However, in 2018, Moog announced the discontinuation of the hardware Moogerfooger line, citing the increasing difficulty in sourcing certain analog components.

This announcement led to a surge in demand for the remaining units, with prices on the second-hand market skyrocketing. The discontinuation also cemented the Moogerfooger's status as a modern classic in the world of audio effects.

Michelle Moog-Koussa, Bob Moog's daughter and Executive Director of the Bob Moog Foundation, reflected on the Moogerfooger's impact: "The Moogerfooger series represented my father's ongoing commitment to putting powerful sound-shaping tools in the hands of musicians. They bridged the gap between the synth world and the broader music community in a way that was both innovative and true to the Moog legacy."

Digital Afterlife and Lasting Influence

Recognizing the ongoing demand for Moogerfooger effects, Moog released a set of Moogerfooger effects as software plugins in 2022. While purists might argue that software can't fully replicate the nuances of analog circuitry, this release allowed a new generation of musicians to experience the Moogerfooger sound.

The popularity of the Moogerfooger series continued to influence Moog's subsequent product designs. Elements of Moogerfooger circuits and interface design can be seen in later Moog products like the Mother-32 semi-modular synthesizer and the DFAM (Drummer From Another Mother) percussion synthesizer, showcasing the lasting impact of the Moogerfooger concept on Moog's approach to instrument design.

Conclusion

The Moogerfooger series stands as a unique chapter in the Moog story, successfully translating the company's synthesizer expertise into a format that appealed to a broader range of musicians. Their innovative design, robust build quality, and unmistakable sound ensured their place in music production history, influencing countless recordings and performances along the way.

As with many discontinued music technology products, the Moogerfooger's influence extends far beyond its production run. The concepts it popularized – voltage control in effects units, extensive modulation options, and the melding of synthesizer and guitar pedal paradigms – continue to influence instrument and effect design today.

From studios to stages, from electronic music to rock and film scores, the Moogerfooger left an indelible mark on the sound of modern music. Its legacy serves as a reminder of Bob Moog's enduring impact on the way musicians create and manipulate sound, bridging his early innovations with the modern era of music production and cementing the Moogerfooger's place as a true icon of music technology.