At Moogfest 2014, Moog Music today unveiled the new Emerson Modular System – a museum-quality reissue of Keith Emerson‘s iconic Moog Modular system.

Here’s what they have to say about the new system:

On the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the Moog Modular, the first voltage controlled synthesizer, Moog Music is proud to honor Keith Emerson and his seminal collaboration with Bob Moog.

Today, for the first time at Moogfest 2014, Moog Music reveals its three year effort faithfully recreating the iconic Emerson Moog Modular.

In the intervening 50 years since the advent of the first Moog synthesizer, people have steadily come to appreciate the power and flexibility of the early Moog modular systems. Now in 2014, 60 years after Bob Moog started his electronic musical instrument company, with great respect for the tradition, design, and craftsmanship of the original Moog modular systems, Moog Music proudly announces the recreation of arguably the most famous synthesizer in history–Keith Emerson’s Moog Modular System.

The Emerson Modular System

Over the last 3 years, Moog Music has set out to research and build a faithful recreation of this highly complex, custom instrument.

Moog modular specialists used the original documentation as well as circuit board and art files for nearly every original Moog module to faithfully recreate the original Emerson Modular System.

The Emerson Moog Modular System is made up of handcrafted Moog modules, built from the original circuit designs. They are true recreations of the originals, using the same hand assembly methods used in the Moog Music factory in Trumansburg, NY in 1969.

Many of the parts are new old stock. Moog modular guru Gene Stopp analyzed the original Emerson modular, reverse-engineered it and searched parts suppliers to find vintage components to match the original.

The modules in the new Emerson Moog Modular System are built by hand-stuffing and hand-soldering components to circuit boards, using traditional wiring methods. Even the front panels are photo-etched aluminum (a rare process now), which is the classic and durable look of vintage Moog modules.

The Emerson Moog Modular System is effectively a ‘new old stock’ modular monster synth. We were lucky to get a demo of the synth at the Moog factory, and it duplicates Keith Emerson’s modular down to the smallest detail – retaining the ‘quirkiness’ of old-school pots and components.

As a point of reference, here’s Keith Emerson explaining his original system:

And here is Emerson demonstrating his original system:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxTShKhAm74

Emerson Modular System Photos:

Moog Music, partnering with Emerson, plans to build a handful of the Emerson Moog Modular Systems. Pricing has not been announced, but if you have to ask…..

To inquire about the new Emerson Moog Modular System, contact Moog Music, at 828.251.0090.

Check out this beast and let us know what you think about the Emerson Moog Modular System in the comments!