Moog Concertmate MG-1 - Design

Design

Although manufactured by Moog, The MG-1 design was not done by Moog. David Luce of Moog was involved with the creation, but Paul Schreiber (then employed by Tandy Systems Development) was the designer. Schreiber later founded Synthesis Technology and invented the MOTM modular system.

The MG-1 includes features such as:

• Two oscillators with sync & detune, one producing either a Square or Sawtooth waveform, with the other producing either a Pulse or Sawtooth waveform.
• One 24db/oct low pass filter/VCF, that can use the envelope generator, has three-position keyboard tracking, and is capable of self oscillation.
• Three-part envelope generator, with separately adjustable Attack and Decay or Release, and selectable Sustain on or off. The Envelope Generator can be triggered by either the keyboard, or the LFO.
• Oscillator 2 can be tuned independently or hard-synced to Oscillator 1.
• Noise generator. (Digital Pseudo-Random Noise)
• Ring modulation (called "Bell Tone" this is Amplitude Modulation of VCO 1 and 2).
• Polyphonic oscillator. This is a divide-down square wave generator. It is routed to the VCF and the VCA.
• LFO that can modulate the oscillators and the filter using a Triangle, square or random Sample and Hold waveform
• Voltage controlled amplifier with Keyed, Hold, and Envelope modes (accessed via 3-way switch, misleadingly only labeled "Tone Sources" but also affects Poly signal)
• Portamento (called "Glide")
• External Control inputs for pre-MIDI CV/Gate.

The similar Moog Rogue came after the MG-1. An update of Schreiber's Design with Moog's traditional Pitch and Mod wheels added, the Moog developed Rogue also removed the MG-1 polyphonic Tone section. Both models share exactly the same plastic casing, but are different machines in many respects. First, the MG-1 power supply is internal, whereas on the Rogue it is an external wall wart type. Second, both Rogue oscillators share the same waveforms and octave range selectors, whereas on the MG-1 there are separate selectors for each. Third, the MG-1 offers "Bell Tone" (AM Modulation of VCO 1 and 2) not found on the Rogue. The MG-1 has two independent sliders for VCF and VCO modulation instead of the Rogue Mod Wheel. The Pitch Bend Wheel has no equivalent on the MG-1.

Finally, the MG-1 was produced in great quantities for distribution in the consumer market Radio-Shack stores and not just for specialized music stores. Due to this, it is easily found and is usually less expensive than a Rogue despite actually offering more. Mainly because of the big "REALISTIC" name in white letters on the back instead of the letters "MOOG" and the lack of Pitch Bend and Modulation wheels. But in smaller print at the back, it clearly states: "Custom manufactured by Moog Music in U.S.A. for Radio-Shack, a division of Tandy Corporation".