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Roger Arrick .com

Synthesizers

Q960 Sequencer Reissue

Q960 Sequencer

The Moog 960 sequencer is a highly sought-after component of a classic Moog modular synthesizer, and the largest, most complicated module.

I've always shy'd away from duplicating the appearance of Moog modules because I have my own user interface ideas. This and other issues are some of the main reasons I started Synthesizers.com in the first place.

In 2004 I was finally convinced by loyal customers that there would be enough interest to justify the development time and cost, and began a project to duplicate the 960, 961, 962 Moog sequencer modules.

The goal was to make the modules act exactly like the Moog originals (with all their little quirks) as well as match the panel layout. The electronics behind the panel was a different story - it had to be completely redesigned from scratch. This was not a simple component replacement or PCB layout, it was a ground up design. For me, this sort of design work is drudgery and somewhat boring because I can't stay motivated by adding my own ideas.

Unlike previous product introductions, I required customers to put a down payment on them to assure me there would be enough sales to justify the effort.

The schedule for designing the modules and getting them into production was tight because I was setup for a major surgery at Stanford in July. Add to the mix, I was surviving on very little sleep and every little daily task was a chore.

Well, it all worked out, and the first units were built while I was stuck in a hotel room in Palo Alto CA trying to recover. Thanks to my trusty crew including Allen who pulled a few rabbits out of a hat (capacitor value changes) at the last minute.

The rest, as they say, is history...

Synthesizers

PCB Layout


Here's the PCB layout.
Synthesizers

Undrilled Q961, Q962, Q963 Panels


These first prototype panels are just silkscreened then drilled by hand for quick turn around.
Synthesizers

First Proto


Here's a pic of the first prototype Q960 sequencer on my home-office workbench. The panel was hand drilled and the PCB was hand soldered.
Synthesizers

Signed, Sealed, and Delivered


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