In addition to MoogFest’s excellent musical offerings, the festival will also give attendees a chance to dig deeper into the world of Moog with a wide range of panel discussions and workshops.
Moog Music and the Bob Moog Foundation are bringing together top minds in history, technology and education of Moog. Experts, ranging from Bob’s colleagues in the seminal days of synthesis to the more contemporary sound sculptors of today, are coming from around the country to share their ideas and vast experiences. The Bob Moog Foundation will be responsible for the historical content at MoogFest, including items from Bob Moog’s archives such as rarely seen vintage photographs and historic audio clips from recently restored reel-to-reel tapes.
All panels, demonstrations, and workshops will take place between Noon and 6:30 PM EST at the Moogaplex, located at the Haywood Park complex. They are first come, first served for those who bought either weekend passes or have a pass for that particular day.
Ableton + Moog = Bombastic Success!:
Ableton Live has quickly become the industry standard for songwriters, producers, performers and DJs as the ultimate creative DAW. Combine that with the sound, power and legacy of Moog synthesizers and you have a musical combination that is simply unstoppable. These two tools together have inspired more hit songs and creative music projects than you can shake an oscillator at. Ableton’s lead clinician & product specialist Huston Singletary and Moog Production Development Specialist Amos Gaynes will share workflow tips and production tricks that will show you how it all comes together.
Panel: Huston Singletary, Amos Gaynes
When & Where: Saturday, 1:30 PM @ the Moogaplex
Control Voltage – Modular Connectivity with the Moog Engineers:
Control Voltage is the foundation of synthesis that Bob Moog propagated and this paradigm is fundamental in what Moog Music carries forward in all of their instruments, even in the new instruments Moog makes in the digital world. Steve Dunnington, Product Development Specialist and Cyril Lance, Chief Engineer will have a detailed and informed discussion to demystify this concept and walk you though the wonderful world of control voltages.
Panel: Brian Kehew (moderator), Cyril Lance, Steve Dunnington
When & Where: Friday, 1:30 PM @ the Moogaplex
Convergence – Hardware and Software Integration in the 21st Century:
The creation of electronic music has always relied on exploring all technologies available. In the modern context, that often means transcending the divide between exceptional hardware instruments and fantastic state-of-the-art software. An incredible panel of sonic explorers will guided by moderator and Spectrasonics’ president Eric Persing in a discussion about sound reaching its ultimate function through the convergence of contemporary technologies. During this panel, Eric Persing will be awarding his one-of-a-kind OMG-1 synthesizer to the winner of the OMG-1 Contest. You won’t want to miss this historical moment!
Panel: Eric Persing (moderator), Tara Busch, Torley Wong, Diego Stocco, Marc Doty, Amos Gaynes
When & Where: Friday, 3:00 @ the Moogaplex
Dan Deacon and Tara Busch’s Moogerfooger Mayhem:
Electronic music maestro and Moogerfooger expert Dan Deacon along with Analog Suicide’s Tara Busch demonstrate the insane power and musical flexibility of the Moogerfooger effects pedals. Prepare for a sonic assault. You won’t believe your ears!
Panel: Brian Kehew (moderator), Dan Deacon, Tara Busch
When & Where: Saturday – 3:00 PM @ the Moogaplex
Handmade Synth & Pedal Salon:
An exciting new panel where inventors showcase their buildable, highly playable and hackable DIY creations. At the panel, you will meet some of the leading creative minds in the field including Make Noise Music, Suspect Device Audio, & Critter & Guitari. Experience these original creations up close and hear the musical inspiration of a new generation of musical inventions.
Panel: Geary Yelton (moderator), Tony Rolando, Cyril Lance, Matthew Sherwood, Owen Osborn of Critter & Guitari
When & Where: Friday, 12:00 PM @ the Moogaplex
Journey to the Center of the Theremin with Neon Indian, Dorit Chrysler & Albert Glinsky:
Neon Indian’s Alan Palomo is joined by theremin goddess Dorit Chrysler, and Leon Theremin biographer Albert Glinsky to take you on a time traveling voyage to the epicenter of the theremin past, present and future.
Panel: Brian Kehew (moderator), Alan Palomo (Neon Indian), Dorit Chyrsler, Albert Glinsky
When & Where: Sunday, 1:30 PM @ the Moogaplex
Richard Devine hosts Animoog:
MOBY joins the Moogfest 2011 panel lineup to go under the hood with Animoog, the first professional synthesizer for the iPad. Experience first-hand how a multi-platinum artist and 6-time Grammy nominee uses Animoog’s groundbreaking technology to create a new sonic universe. Audio alchemist Richard Devine leads the discussion where you will learn tips and tricks for creating unique sounds from Moby, Moog Chief Engineer Cyril Lance, Larry Fast, and if you’re lucky enough -win an iPad with included copy of Animoog!
Panel: Richard Devine (moderator), Moby, Amos Gaynes, Cyril Lance
When & Where: Friday, 4:30 PM @ the Moogaplex
Pioneering Moog from the Tech Perspective:
Techs are the heart of any touring band as they are responsible for making sure all of the gear is in top working order. In the early days of synthesis, this was a much more complex task then it is now. This panel discussion will lend all kinds of insights into what it took to make early tours with such bands as ELP, Herbie Hancock and YES a success.
Panel: Brian Kehew (moderator), Bryan Bell, August Worley, Larry Fast
When & Where: Sunday, 4:30 PM @ the Moogaplex
Pioneering Moog in Live Performance:
Ever thought about what it was like to play a Moog Modular synthesizer or an early Minimoog live back in the late 1960s and early 1970s? It was nothing less than a creative adventure. Our panelists are all pioneers in their own right having forged the path of synthesis in live performance when it was in its infancy. With no chance for edits or do-overs, raw talent, knowledge, and a healthy dose of the innovative spirit were the guiding factors as these musicians blazed new trails for music and music lovers alike. Don’t miss the unforgettable stories and reflections that will be shared in this panel!
Panel: Brian Kehew (moderator), David Borden, Larry Fast, Dick Hyman, Herb Deutsch
When & Where: Sunday, 12:00 PM @ the Moogaplex
Sound Design:
In this extraordinary panel, modern day sound sculptors will give insights into the visionary techniques and ideas behind their craft. Listen in as this meeting of the minds compares and explores how sound is constructed from waveform to the complex sonic experience.
Panel: Eric Persing (moderator), Diego Stocco, Richard Devine, Scott Gershin
When & Where: Saturday, 12:00 PM @ the Moogaplex
Sun Ra and Beyond: Exploring Rare Recordings from Bob’s Archives:
Delve deep into the depths of Bob Moog’s historical archives and explore newly restored vintage recordings from the reel-to-reel tapes in the collection. Thanks to two grants from the Grammy Foundation, the Bob Moog Foundation has spent the past two years lovingly and carefully restoring nearly 100 tapes from the archives, including a tape from jazz fusion legend Sun Ra playing the prototype version Minimoog Model B. You’ll hear some astounding music as well as early recordings of Bob and his colleagues forging their way in educating people about the capabilities of the brand new sonic contraption called a synthesizer. Sit back and open your ears – -these recordings will blow your mind!
Panel: Brian Kehew, Seva Ball
When & Where: Sunday, 3:00 PM @ the Moogaplex
The First Moog Rep – Remembering Walter Sears’ Pivotal Role in the Moog Legacy:
Walter Sears’ impact on Bob Moog’s early career cannot be overstated. He was Bob’s first representative, selling theremins and a little known run of R.A. Moog, Co. amplifiers. Based in NYC, he helped Bob grow his theremin business in the early 1960s and quickly transitioned into pioneering the sale of Moog Modular synthesizers in the late 1960s. You may recognize Walter’s name from his conversation with Bob in the “Moog” documentary or from mention of his legendary studio, Sears Sound. Walter Sears passed away in April 2010. His fascinating legacy will be explored through incredible documents from Bob’s archives and other collections.
Panel: Brian Kehew (moderator), Herb Deutsch, Dick Hyman
Where & When: Saturday, 4:30 PM @ the Moogaplex



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