With a Moog collection that includes the Emerson Modular Synth, a Voyager, a [Minimoog] Model D, and many more, it’s safe to say that Dave is a synth enthusiast. His ever-growing arsenal encompasses some of the finest products ever released by the storied company.
Recently, Sweetwater had the opportunity to sit down with Dave at Moogfest 2018 to talk about his impressive collection, why he stands by companies like Sweetwater and Moog, and what it’s like being the owner of the Moog Emerson Modular Synthesizer, serial number three.
How did you first find out about the Emerson Moog Modular synth?
Well, like all enthusiasts, you’re watching the website, and you see all the great products they have. Then you come across that and say, “Oh my god. For the price of that thing, you can buy a house.” So it never seemed that it was touchable. We had a running joke with Mark Chapman that I was going to buy the synthesizer, sell my house, and then live under a bridge, as long as my wife would go along with that. It was just a running joke. And eventually, when you guys got ahold of it, it seemed like it was attainable.
Mark Chapman is your Sweetwater Sales Engineer. Tell us about your experience working with him.
He’s just a great, great guy. He keeps me abreast of all of the latest products and looks out for me. I like low serial numbers, and the Emerson Moog Modular is number three and the last one built in all things Moog. And he got me the number one [Minimoog] Model D in the newest finish that they just put out. He’s always there for me. He calls me on my cell phone and lets me know what’s going on. We’re looking at the IIIP now, the newest Moog product that’s come out. So he’s putting that together for me. He’s just a great, great guy. He really helps me. That’s part of the reason I bought it from there, because I need that service. You need somebody to stand behind their product line, and that happens all the time at Sweetwater.
So you have a lot of synths! A lot of Moog?
I do. I have a whole synth cave, basically, with a lot of Moog. I have a Little Phatty, which I told my wife when I ordered it, was the only synth I would ever need and that I would never buy another one. It was the tribute edition. I got that early on, and it started the spark with Moog. But I have a Voyager and a Sub 37, a Sub Phatty, two Model Ds, and I just bought a Grandmother today.
Who influences your playing? Are you into the synthesis aspect or the playing aspect?
I love EDM type of music. And I love the whole drum machine and modular stuff. And I want to say something about Moog. One of the other reasons I went with such a heavy-duty piece was because of the great people over at Moog. Before I bought that piece, I had a little issue. And they stood behind that. It blew my mind how attentive they were to helping me. And the piece was a few years old. They just kept doing what was right, and it influenced my decision to spend that kind of money on Moog. They’re just great, great people.
What was the day like when the Emerson arrived at the house?
It was quite the day. It weighs 600 lbs. And I never really thought about how I was getting it into the house. That was a deal. But when we got there, my heart was pounding. We got it in and set it up, and I was just in awe of it. When we played the first note, it was just… I told Mark that the foundation of my house moved a little bit.
Now that you’ve owned it for a while, is there something about it that has surprised you?
Absolutely. Every time I turn it on, it’s a new learning process with understanding the patching. And Gene from Moog — who’s the guy who put it together – he’s been over to my house and helped with the tuning of it and setting it up. It’s amazing to see the guy who built it come help me understand it. It’s intense. It’s an intense piece of equipment.
You’d probably do it again given the chance, wouldn’t you?
I would! My wife and I were just talking that we saw [Keith] Emerson’s stuff is going up for auction because of his passing. And she said, “Well, why don’t you buy his other one too?” And I was like, “I don’t know if I could have two of those in the house” [Laughs].
How often would you say you play the synth?
I do have a full-time job that helps me buy the stuff that I buy. But typically on the weekends I set up and go down there, Saturdays and Sundays. I’ll just spend the time and dig in.
What would you say is the next synth on your wish list?
That IIIP has got me waiting, here. And I think it’s become available now. Mark called me and said, “It’s here!” There are three pieces to it. There’s a sequencer, the keyboard, and the actual synth itself. I wanted it as a package. But he said I could take a couple of pieces now, so that’s probably going to happen. But I can’t wait to get that. And apparently, it’s going to interface beautifully with the Emerson Modular. The two of them together…it’s going to be…
If you have any questions about Moog synthesizers, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700.
