Looking Outwards 12, John Legelis

The MiniMoog and the Casio VL-1 are two synthesizers from the 1970’s. The MiniMoog is an analog synthesizer while the Casio VL-1 is a digital synthesizer. They are both some of the first of their respective kinds. The MiniMoog was a instrument that became an instant success and was used by well known performers of every genre and defined the sound of an era. The VL-1 on the other hand was developed 9 years after the MiniMoog. By this time, synthesizers were less novel and were ready to enter the consumer market and Casio decided to develop a product to fill this market. The VL-1, unlike the MiniMoog, was digital and therefore was not competitive with the MiniMoog. Instead the VL-1 synthesizer took advantage of developments in computing with digital synthesis that allowed miniaturization and portability. Some argue that the Casio product is moreso a toy rather than a practical instrument.

The MiniMoog (left) and the Casio VL-1 (right)

For my final project I am aiming to emulate something of the nature of these instruments, I think it is likely that I will end up creating something closer to the toy-like  LV-1 rather than the professional revolutionary MiniMoog