Moog Music has announced the release of Spectravox, a semi-modular analogue spectral processor designed to broaden the horizons of musical expression and sound design.
At Spectravox’s core is a 10-band filter bank, paired with a robust analogue Moog oscillator and a dynamic white noise generator. In 60HP format, Spectravox is designed to excel both as a standalone synthesiser and an integrative component in expansive Eurorack setups, providing control over tonal shaping and spectral movement.
With its dual-mode functionality, it is able to transform from a synthesiser voice into a fully-featured 10-band vocoder. The integrated secondary filter bank analyses the spectral makeup of incoming sounds, allowing users to imprint the timbral characteristics of external sources onto the Spectravox’s rich analogue tones.
The combo XLR/jack program input ensures that whether users are hooking up a microphone or integrating other sound modules, Spectravox adapts seamlessly, enhancing its surroundings with resonant depth and psychedelic spectral movements. It also boasts an extensive patch bay, inviting musicians and sound designers to dive deep into a world of innovative sound design and complex audio manipulation.
In 1928, Homer Dudley developed the Vocoder at Bell Labs, fundamentally changing sound transmission. His insights into speech synthesis paved the way for the Voder, introduced at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, captivating audiences and inspiring future innovations in sound processing. Building on this legacy, Spectravox uses a similar 10-band filter architecture, allowing users to sculpt sounds with historical depth and modern precision.
The collaboration between Wendy Carlos and Bob Moog, which began at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, also significantly influenced the Spectravox design. Their exploration of vocoders led to new ways of merging electronic tones with human expressiveness, epitomised in the iconic soundtrack of Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange.
Spectravox Key Features:
Semi-Modular Design: No patching is required to start, allowing immediate musical exploration.
Dynamic 10-Band Filter Bank: Shift and shape frequencies to create everything from rich basses to ethereal pads.
Extensive Connectivity: Integrate with other Moog semi-modular instruments, Eurorack modules, and external sound sources.
Innovative Modulation: Internal triangle wave LFO and external CV options for real-time control over filter movement and sonic texture.
“Spectravox enhances Moog’s modular synthesis legacy by integrating a sophisticated vocoder alongside powerful analogue synthesis capabilities," said Moog Music product strategist, Max Ravitz. "This instrument is designed to give musicians comprehensive control over their sound, enabling detailed texture shaping and a broad spectrum of sonic experimentation.”