On October 9, 2024, the Audio Engineering Society (AES) is marking the occasion of Bob Moog’s 60th anniversary at the convention with a special panel, “The Technical Legacy of Robert Moog“. Bob showed his first voltage controlled modules at AES in October of 1964, subsequently propelling him into the business of selling “electronic music composition-performance equipment”, which years later became known as Moog modular synthesizers. At the 1964 show, Bob set up a bridge table with a small system of modules to share with curious onlookers. While many had a hard time understanding the new technology, experimental choreographer, dancer, musician, and composer Alwin Nickolais immediately understood the new sonic capabilities that Bob’s technology offered, and placed the first order. 

From Bob’s biography, Switched On: Bob Moog and the Synthesizer Revolution by Albert Glinsky, 

“The Abominatron (Editor’s Note:  The Abominatron was Bob’s nickname for the Moog modular prototype that he was in the midst of developing for Herb Deutsch in 1964) was an unexpected hit at the 1964 Audio Engineering Society (AES) convention, attracting the attention of luminaries and musical heavy-hitters such as Alwin Nikolais, Eric Siday, Lejaren Hiller, and people from the Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Center. Bob found himself taking orders for modules, something he’d never anticipated. Nikolais and Siday become his first customers.”

“The Technical Legacy of Bob Moog” panel on October 9th will take place on the Main Stage of the AES Show at 2pm. Michael Beirylo, Chair Emeritus, Electronic Production and Design at Berklee College of Music will serve as the panel’s moderator. Panelists include Larry Fast, legendary synthesist, Steve Dunnington, Vice President of Engineering, Moog Music, and Erik Norlander, Director of Keyboard Development for the inMusic Family of Brands. The panel will reflect on the development of Bob’s early designs as well as the impact they have had on the industry. 

The panel will be followed by a book signing featuring the panelists. Copies of the Switched On biography will be available for purchase.