The Bob Moog Foundation is excited to announce that a Minimoog once owned and played by Billy Joel is now part of the Bob Moog Foundation Archives. Donated by Eric Crawley, the instrument brings a piece of music history into a collection dedicated to preserving and sharing Bob Moog’s legacy.

The Minimoog Model D, serial number 7872, is accompanied by a letter documenting Joel’s ownership and use. Written on Maritime Music Inc. letterhead and signed “Billy Joel,” the letter certifies that he used the instrument “on tour and/or in the studio.”

Crawley purchased the instrument around 2000 and has shared it at synthesizer events. After more than two decades in his care, the Minimoog and its accompanying materials are now part of the Bob Moog Foundation Archives.

“I’m delighted to have a special instrument that I have enjoyed and shared at synthesizer events in the Northeast, now part of the Bob Moog Foundation Archives to be enjoyed by more people,” Crawley said. “The Bob Moog Foundation’s mission to inspire and educate people of all ages about the instruments that Bob created and the principles of sound and technology resonates with me, and I hope this legendary Minimoog will help inspire that in others.”

Preserving the Instrument and Its History

Along with the ownership letter, the donation includes the Minimoog’s Anvil road case and two vintage manuals: a 1974 Minimoog Model D Operation Manual by Thomas L. Rhea, Ph.D., copyrighted by Moog Music Inc., and a Moog Minimoog Model 204D Service Manual printed by Norlin in 1979.

Before Crawley acquired it, the Minimoog was modified with a Lintronics MIDI Converter for the Minimoog manufactured by Big Briar Inc. During Crawley’s ownership, the keyboard bushings were replaced and minor repairs were made to the power supply. The instrument is in excellent technical condition.

“The Bob Moog Foundation Archives is thrilled to welcome this legendary Minimoog into its vast and growing collection,” noted Michelle Moog-Koussa, executive director of the Bob Moog Foundation. “Iconic musicians like Billy Joel helped to bring these early instruments alive, and to inspire audiences around the world. We look forward to continuing that inspiration when we are able to share this Minimoog in our upcoming ‘Minimoog Through The Ages’ exhibit at the Moogseum in downtown Asheville.”

Billy Joel’s Minimoog joins a collection of rare and historic instruments in the Bob Moog Foundation Archives. Together, these instruments trace the evolution of Moog technology and its influence on generations of musicians.

See It at Minimoog Through the Ages

Billy Joel’s Minimoog will be on view at the Moogseum in downtown Asheville Nov. 12-16, 2026, as part of “Minimoog Through the Ages.” The exhibit brings together instruments with distinctive histories to explore the Minimoog’s enduring influence.

Presented in conjunction with the Asheville Symphony’s Nov. 14 performances of Gabriel Prokofiev’s Concerto for Minimoog and Orchestra, the exhibit offers an opportunity to explore the instrument’s history alongside its continuing role in musical innovation.

The Bob Moog Foundation Archives preserves more than 15,000 historical materials related to Bob Moog’s life, work and collaborators. Donations like Crawley’s help us preserve these instruments and share their stories with future generations. Learn more about the Bob Moog Foundation Archives.

If you would like to donate archival material to the Bob Moog Foundation Archives, please reach out to us at info@moogfoundation.org.

The post Billy Joel’s Minimoog Joins the Bob Moog Foundation Archives first appeared on The Bob Moog Foundation.

Bid Oct. 19–26, 2026, on original artwork, autographed photographs, professionally framed prints, and collectibles supporting education and the preservation of electronic music history. Bidding closes on Oct. 26 at 12 p.m. ET.

Looking for something a little different for your studio walls, or a distinctive holiday gift for an electronic music fan? The Bob Moog Foundation’s online fundraising auction features colorful illustrations, original artwork, and autographed memorabilia celebrating the instruments and people who helped shape electronic music. All pieces are framed, many professionally, and ready to hang or give as gifts.

Bidding opens Oct. 19 and closes at 12 p.m. ET on Oct. 26, 2026. Each winning bid supports Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool, the Bob Moog Foundation Archives, and the Moogseum in Asheville, North Carolina.

Autographed Collectibles with a Personal Connection

A caricature by illustrator Keith Bell depicts Keith Emerson in a Santa hat holding a synthesizer. Signed by Bell and separately autographed by Emerson, the drawing combines playful illustration with a personal connection to the Emerson, Lake & Palmer keyboardist whose performances helped bring Moog synthesizers to rock audiences worldwide.

Photographs autographed by Roger Powell and Larry Fast offer further connections to electronic music’s innovators. Powell, known for his work with Todd Rundgren’s Utopia, is pictured with Bob Moog amid an expansive modular synthesizer system. Fast, the musician and composer behind Synergy, appears surrounded by synthesizers during Peter Gabriel’s first solo tour in 1977.

Synthesizer-Inspired Artwork by Kyle Platts and Dorothy

British illustrator and animator Kyle Platts brings a colorful, surreal perspective to synthesizer culture. His “Land of Modular Magic” poster and “Moog Island of Electronicus” print connect imaginative illustration with the Island of Electronicus presentation at the 2016 Winter NAMM Show.

For those who enjoy discovering the details, UK design studio Dorothy offers two different explorations of electronic music. “Inside Information: Minimoog,” conceived and art-directed by Dorothy and illustrated by Malik Thomas, imagines a miniature world inside the instrument, with 28 musical cameos to discover.

Dorothy’s “Electric Love Blueprint” maps electronic music history onto a design modeled on a theremin circuit diagram. Metallic-silver printing on royal-blue paper connects more than 200 inventors, composers, musicians, artists, and institutions in an intricate visual history.

An Original Painting Created Live at the Moogseum

An original acrylic painting by David C. Lovelace, creator of The Packrat comic, brings Bob Moog and Lovelace’s keyboard enthusiast character together on canvas.

Bob is depicted beside a modular synthesizer while The Packrat tinkers with electronic components at a nearby workbench. Lovelace created the painting live throughout the day at the Moogseum during the celebration of Bob’s 92nd birthday, allowing visitors to watch the scene take shape.

Posters and Displays Celebrating Electronic Music History

Other offerings include framed memorial prints honoring Keith Emerson and Bernie Worrell, a commemorative print celebrating Bob Moog’s 2013 induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and a Moogfest 2014 festival poster.

A substantial Minimoog Voyager XL display traces four decades of Minimoog history, while a double-sided Moog bass history display explores the instrument’s place in popular music through a circuit-inspired timeline.

Many pieces were professionally framed by Asheville businesses, including BlackBird Frame & Art and Frugal Framer. Individual listings explain each item’s presentation, dimensions, condition, and estimated value.

The post Bob Moog Foundation Announces Online Auction of Synthesizer Art and Memorabilia first appeared on The Bob Moog Foundation.

Alongside the evolution of this pioneering analog synthesizer, the exhibit will explore the individual stories of instruments connected to influential musicians, composers, and innovators.

Featured instruments:

• Herb Deutsch’s early R.A. Moog Minimoog
• muSonics Minimoog formerly owned by acclaimed producer Charles Stepney
• Tom Coppola’s modified duophonic Minimoog
• Instruments associated with Gil Trythall, Billy Joel, and Bill Plummer

The exhibit will coincide with the Asheville Symphony’s presentation of the U.S. premiere of Gabriel Prokofiev’s Concerto for Minimoog Synthesizer and Orchestra on November 14. Together, the exhibit and performances offer an opportunity to explore the Minimoog’s remarkable legacy and hear its expressive electronic voice take center stage in a new orchestral work.

The Minimoog Model D: A Groundbreaking Instrument That Changed Music

Introduced in 1970, the Minimoog Model D brought key elements of the large-format Moog modular synthesizer into a compact, portable analog instrument designed for performance. Its three oscillators, distinctive voltage-controlled ladder filter, and immediately accessible controls gave musicians a rich palette of sounds to shape in real time, from deep, resonant bass to bright, expressive leads.

The Minimoog’s influence extended far beyond its compact design. Embraced by musicians such as Stevie Wonder, Rick Wakeman, and Bernie Worrell, its distinctive analog voice became part of the musical vocabulary of funk, progressive rock, jazz, and pop. “Minimoog Through the Ages” will trace this influential design through early production instruments, vintage models with distinctive musical histories, a modified duophonic Minimoog, and contemporary reissues, each with its own place in the Minimoog’s history.

Early Minimoogs: Herb Deutsch and Charles Stepney

Herb Deutsch’s early R.A. Moog Minimoog offers a tangible connection to the pioneering collaboration that helped shape the Moog synthesizer. A composer, educator, and close collaborator of Bob Moog, Deutsch helped develop the first Moog modular prototype in 1964 and later advised on the evolution of the Minimoog. His instrument, serial number 1094, was among the first 100 Minimoogs produced. It became part of the Foundation’s Archives through a generous donation from his estate by his widow, Nancy Deutsch.

The muSonics Minimoog formerly owned by producer Charles Stepney captures a fascinating transition in Moog’s manufacturing history. Its front panel bears the muSonics logo, while its rear markings identify Trumansburg, New York, as its place of manufacture. According to the Foundation’s archival research, these details suggest that the instrument was built by R.A. Moog and later sold by muSonics following the 1971 ownership change and the company’s relocation to Buffalo.

Stepney’s work with Earth, Wind & Fire, Ramsey Lewis, the Emotions, and Deniece Williams links this historic instrument to a celebrated producer whose influence spanned soul, jazz, and popular music. Later acquired by Philip A. DiTullio and donated to the Foundation on his behalf, the Minimoog preserves both a distinctive chapter in the company’s history and a meaningful connection to Stepney’s musical legacy.

Tom Coppola’s Modified Duophonic Minimoog

Tom Coppola’s modified Minimoog reveals how creative ingenuity could expand the possibilities of an already groundbreaking instrument. Modified by Doug Slocum of Synthetic Sound Labs in the late 1970s, it gained duophonic capabilities, allowing two pitches to sound simultaneously rather than the single note of a standard Minimoog Model D.

The instrument also holds a distinctive place in advertising history: Coppola used it to create the signature three-note Duracell sound. Donated by Coppola to the Bob Moog Foundation, this unusual Minimoog connects inventive instrument design with a memorable example of electronic sound beyond the concert stage.

Minimoog Model D Reissues and Tribute Editions

Contemporary Model D editions will bring the exhibit’s story into the present, highlighting the enduring appeal of the Minimoog’s distinctive analog sound and immediately accessible design. These instruments include a Geddy Lee Minimoog Model D and the commemorative Bob Moog Tribute Edition Minimoog Model D.

Released in April 2026 in a limited run of 500 instruments, the Bob Moog Tribute Edition pairs an analog signal path with updates found in the 2022 reissue, including MIDI support and a dedicated low-frequency oscillator. Its quartersawn white oak cabinet features striking grain patterns, while commemorative graphics honor the pioneering designer behind the instrument.

Meet JoE Silva, Author of The Minimoog Book

Music historian and journalist JoE Silva will be at the Moogseum during the exhibit to share insights into the Minimoog’s history and evolution and sign copies of his award-winning The Minimoog Book: The Synthesizer that Changed Music Forever: Sounds, Stories, and Technology.

Published by Bjooks in 2024, the book brings together more than a decade of Silva’s research into the sounds, stories, and technology behind the Minimoog synthesizer. From its early development to its lasting impact on generations of musicians, Silva’s work explores the creative possibilities and personal histories that have made the Minimoog an enduring musical icon.

Hear the Minimoog With the Asheville Symphony

On Saturday, November 14, acclaimed pianist and Minimoog soloist Inna Faliks will perform the U.S. premiere of Gabriel Prokofiev’s Concerto for Minimoog Synthesizer and Orchestra with the Asheville Symphony, conducted by Darko Butorac. Performances will take place at 2 and 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Asheville as part of “Masterworks 3: Double Take” in the Givens Communities Masterworks Series.

Co-commissioned by the Asheville Symphony, Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música, and Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini, the innovative new work places a single monophonic synthesizer in the traditional concerto soloist’s position. The Minimoog’s sounds are manipulated and transformed in real time as it interacts with the orchestra.

The concerto explores a striking range of sounds, including acid house, techno, expressive theremin-like passages, complex multiphonics, drum-machine sounds, and distorted bass lines. Throughout the work, the orchestra shifts between traditional symphonic accompaniment, imitating the synthesizer, expressive solo moments, and rhythmic gestures reminiscent of a DJ.

The program pairs Gabriel Prokofiev’s concerto with selections from his grandfather Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet, bringing two generations of contrasting musical expression to the same stage. Dmitri Kabalevsky’s Overture from Colas Breugnon opens the program.

Presented in collaboration with the Bob Moog Foundation and the Moogseum, the concerts will also offer opportunities for hands-on exploration. The Foundation will have Minimoogs and theremins set up in the church’s atrium for concert attendees to explore before and after the performances and during intermission.

The post Moogseum to Present “Minimoog Through the Ages” Exhibit November 12–16 first appeared on The Bob Moog Foundation.

New interactive series launches October 24 with synthesizer pioneer Dave Rossum in a live, audience-driven conversation moderated by Marcus Ryle

As the Bob Moog Foundation continues its 20th anniversary celebration, we are excited to announce From the Source: Live Conversations with Iconic Music Innovators, a new series of exclusive livestream events connecting audiences directly with the innovators who have helped shape the sound of modern music.

Designed in an “Ask Me Anything”-style format, From the Source puts audience questions at the center of the conversation. Synth enthusiasts, musicians, composers, engineers, and music fans are invited to join these intimate events and hear influential designers, engineers, musicians, and other innovators respond directly to questions about their work, experiences, and contributions to music technology.

The inaugural From the Source session will feature legendary synthesizer pioneer Dave Rossum, with fellow music technology innovator Marcus Ryle moderating and guiding the conversation. The event will take place Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET in a private Zoom session limited to 100 participants.

Participants are encouraged to submit questions in advance when purchasing their tickets. Advance questions will be provided to Ryle before the event and will help shape the conversation. Additional questions may be taken during the live session as time allows.

From the Source: Dave Rossum

For more than five decades, Dave Rossum has helped shape the development of electronic musical instruments and music technology.

Rossum discovered his passion for synthesizers in 1970 when his college advisor, Dr. Harry Noller, introduced him to the Moog synthesizer. Later that year, Rossum and his high school friend Scott Wedge founded E-mu Systems, which would become known for its innovative electronic musical instruments and technologies.

At E-mu, Rossum was responsible for numerous innovations in synthesizer and sampling technology. His work included pioneering polyphonic keyboard technology, early applications of microprocessors in musical instruments, and architectures and digital signal processing algorithms used in sampling instruments.

Rossum also designed much of the SSM family of synthesizer integrated circuits used in instruments including the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, Korg Polysix, Korg Mono/Poly, Fairlight CMI II, and PPG Wave 2. His work brought him into collaboration with numerous other music technology pioneers, including Tom Oberheim, Dave Smith, Roger Linn, Evan Brooks, and Peter Gotcher.

E-mu went on to create influential instruments including the Emulator digital sampling keyboard, Drumulator, SP-12, and SP-1200.

Following Creative Labs’ acquisition of E-mu Systems in 1994, Rossum served as Chief Scientist, continuing his work on DSP chips, algorithms, and analog circuits for music and sound. From 2011 to 2015, he served as Senior Director of Architecture at Audience, Inc., working on multi-core audio DSP technology for mobile devices.

Today, Rossum continues developing electronic musical instruments and technology through Rossum Electro-Music, while also designing synthesizer chips for Sound Semiconductor and working with Universal Audio as a Technical Fellow. He holds more than 40 U.S. patents.

Rossum is also a member of the Bob Moog Foundation Board of Directors.

Hosted by Marcus Ryle

Marcus Ryle is an accomplished engineer, inventor, and music technology developer whose career spans more than four decades.

Ryle began his career working with Oberheim, contributing to the development of influential instruments and technologies before co-founding Fast Forward Designs in 1985. The company developed products and technologies that eventually led Ryle and his colleagues to establish Line 6, which became known for its innovations in digital modeling and guitar technology.

Over the course of his career, Ryle has earned 26 U.S. patents and numerous awards for his contributions to musical instrument design. In 2022, he helped bring the Oberheim name into a new era, contributing to the relaunch of the brand and development of the Oberheim OB-X8 analog synthesizer.

Ryle has served as Vice President of the Bob Moog Foundation Board of Directors since May 2023.

A Conversation You Can Be Part Of

Unlike a traditional interview, From the Source is built around questions from the people attending.

Participants are encouraged to submit their questions when purchasing tickets so they can be provided to Marcus Ryle in advance of the event. These advance submissions will help Ryle guide the October 24 conversation and explore the subjects attendees most want to hear Rossum discuss.

Depending on the number of advance submissions and the time available, additional questions may also be taken during the live session. Because of the event’s limited duration, not every question submitted during the livestream can be guaranteed an answer.

For the inaugural session, participants will have an opportunity to hear Rossum reflect on more than five decades of synthesizer and music technology history—from the early days of E-mu Systems and the evolution of polyphonic synthesizers to sampling, digital signal processing, and his continuing work in electronic instrument design.

By limiting attendance to 100 participants, From the Source creates an intimate setting where music technology enthusiasts can engage directly with the people whose ideas and innovations have helped shape the field.

Ticket proceeds support the Bob Moog Foundation’s mission to inspire the next generation of innovators through interactive educational experiences at the intersection of science, music, history, and innovation. Proceeds from From the Source support the Bob Moog Foundation and its projects, including Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool, the Bob Moog Foundation Archives, and the Moogseum in Asheville, North Carolina.

The post Bob Moog Foundation Announces “From the Source,” a New Livestream Series Featuring Music Innovators first appeared on The Bob Moog Foundation.

The Bob Moog Foundation is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation under the laws of the state of North Carolina for the primary purpose of preserving and honoring the legacy of Bob Moog through science, education, and historical preservation. 

Proceeds from the Bob Moog Foundation’s 2026 summer raffle benefit the important work of the Bob Moog Foundation, including our hallmark educational project, Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool, the vast and growing Bob Moog Foundation Archives, and the Moogseum, located in downtown Asheville, NC.

Purchase one or more raffle tickets during the raffle, and you will be entered in a drawing to win either a vintage Memorymoog Plus, serial number 3067, or a brand new Moog Muse synthesizer. The Memorymoog Plus is valued at $12,500 US. The Moog Muse is valued at $3,500.

Raffle tickets are $25 each, 5 for $100, 12 for $200, or 35 for $500. The odds of winning are based on the number of ticket entries purchased. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Tickets are non-transferable.

Past and current employees of the Bob Moog Foundation and current employees of Moog Music, Inc. are not eligible for entry. Past winners are not eligible for entry—we love you all, but let’s give someone else a turn.

The raffle is open to participants worldwide—contest void where prohibited. The raffle begins at 7 a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 21, 2026. All times referenced are Eastern Standard Time.

Ticket purchases will be confirmed via email. No physical tickets will be sent.

HOW TO ENTER: Go to the Bob Moog Foundation’s online store for more details and to complete your purchase of an entry/ticket with your credit or debit card. 

Due to restrictions placed by PayPal regarding raffles, we are unable to accept payment via PayPal. 

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS: The winner will be selected at random and announced on Friday, September 25, 2026.

Once submitted, entries become the sole property of the Bob Moog Foundation and will not be returned. The winner will be notified by telephone and/or email. If a potential winner(s) cannot be reached within (7) seven days from the first notification attempt, or if an entrant is found to be ineligible, such prize will be forfeited, and an alternate winner(s) will be selected by random drawing.

PRIZES: The first prize is a vintage Moog Memorymoog Plus synthesizer valued at $12,500 USD. The second prize is a brand new Moog Muse synthesizer with a $3,500 retail value.

SHIPPING TERMS: The Bob Moog Foundation agrees to pay up to $200 in shipping costs within the United States and $400 internationally. Any additional shipping and/or customs charges are the responsibility of the winners. By purchasing a raffle ticket, you agree to cover all fees over the above-referenced figures before shipment of the prize. Failure to do so will result in a forfeiture of the prize, and an alternate winner(s) will be selected by random drawing.

TAX OBLIGATIONS: The IRS requires raffle winners to pay federal taxes on the raffle winnings at the time of the award. However, the Bob Moog Foundation will assume the federal tax liability of 25% of MSRP to the IRS. If the winner of the Memorymoog Plus or Muse synthesizer is from North Carolina, they will pay 3% state tax to the Bob Moog Foundation. All local and state taxes are the sole responsibility of the winner. For any prizes valued at $1,200 or more, the Bob Moog Foundation will file IRS Form 1099-MISC with the Internal Revenue Service reporting the value of the prize as income to the winner. If the winner is a U.S. citizen, they must show proof of a Social Security number to the Bob Moog Foundation. This is for tax recording purposes only, and will not be used or released for any other purposes.

MODIFICATIONS OR CANCELLATION OF DRAWING: The Bob Moog Foundation reserves the right to cancel or modify the raffle at any time. If the raffle is canceled, all entries will be refunded.

INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMIT ON LIABILITY: As a condition of accepting a prize, the winner acknowledges that the Bob Moog Foundation is not responsible for any harm, injury, or damage caused to any person or property, proximate or otherwise, through the use of any prize by any person, and agrees to save and hold harmless the Bob Moog Foundation, its principals and employees from any claim of such responsibility. Harm, injury, or damage includes but is not limited to occurrences beyond the control of the Bob Moog Foundation such as death, bodily injury, property damage, or theft, or for the failure of any manufacturer or dealership’s warranties.

GENERAL: Ticket purchases are not a donation and are not tax-deductible. By entering the raffle, participants agree that the Bob Moog Foundation, its agents, and employees have no liability whatsoever for any injuries, losses, or damages of any kind that result from the date of the award. The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. The Bob Moog Foundation may use the winner’s name and likeness for publicity purposes without further compensation. Both winners agree to send the Bob Moog Foundation two digital images of the winner with the prize synthesizer for promotional purposes within two weeks of receiving the instrument. The Bob Moog Foundation reserves the right to modify these rules and will promptly announce any rule changes. All decisions of the Bob Moog Foundation are final and binding in all matters related to this raffle. PayPal is not a payment option for the raffle due to its own payment processing restrictions.

RESTRICTIONS: By participating in the Bob Moog Foundation summer 2026 Memorymoog Plus & Moog Muse raffle, a participant agrees to be bound by these Official Rules, and by all decisions of the Bob Moog Foundation. For further information, please contact us at our offices: info@moogfoundation.org.

ELIGIBILITY: The raffle is open internationally. Present and past employees of the Bob Moog Foundation and any immediate family members residing with the employees are not eligible to participate. Present members of the Bob Moog Foundation Board of Directors and any immediate family members residing with Directors are not eligible to participate. Present employees of Moog Music, Inc. and any immediate family members residing with Moog Music, Inc. employees are not eligible to participate. Past winners are not eligible to participate. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Contest void where prohibited. You need not be present to win.

AFFIDAVIT OF ELIGIBILITY AND LIABILITY / PUBLICITY RELEASE OF GRAND PRIZE WINNER: The winner will be required to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility and Publicity/Liability Release in order to claim their prize.

AUTHORITY AND CONTROL: The Bob Moog Foundation’s decision shall be final in all matters concerning the raffle. The raffle is subject to the laws of the state of North Carolina. The raffle is void where prohibited by law. The Bob Moog Foundation is not responsible for any errors or omissions in the raffle’s advertising and/or any printed, broadcast, or internet-provided materials or information.

For further information, email us at info@moogfoundation.org.

The Bob Moog Foundation is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting the legacy of Dr. Robert Moog. We are not formally affiliated with Moog Music, Inc. Our support comes from people like you.

Sign up for updates on our innovative projects, future raffles, and info on how to be part of inspiring future generations through the convergence of science, music, history, technology, and innovation. 

The post Rules & Regulations for 2026 Summer Raffle for Memorymoog Plus & Moog Muse first appeared on The Bob Moog Foundation.

We are excited to announce our summer fundraising raffle for a vintage Memorymoog Plus synthesizer and a brand-new Moog Muse synthesizer! The Memorymoog Plus, serial number 3067, is valued at $12,500 and will be awarded to the first-prize winner. The Moog Muse carries a retail value of $3,500 and will be awarded to the second-prize winner.

The raffle begins Monday, August 31, 2026, at 7 a.m. ET and ends Monday, September 21, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET

Tickets are $25 each, five for $100, 12 for $200, and 35 for $500

The raffle is open internationally

Please read the rules and regulations HERE before purchasing tickets

All proceeds benefit the projects of the Bob Moog Foundation

First-Place Prize: Vintage Memorymoog Plus — $12,500 value

The Memorymoog Plus was Moog Music’s 1983 follow-up to the original 1982 Memorymoog, adding an integrated sequencer, CV outputs, and MIDI In/Out/Thru. The Memorymoog was one of Moog’s first production instruments to offer programmable “preset” patches saved to a memory bank, enabling users to recall up to 100 pre-programmed sounds instantly.

The synthesizer boasts a massive sound, made possible by six-voice polyphony with three voltage-controlled oscillators per voice like the Minimoog Model D — a distinguishing topology of the Memorymoog that set it apart from its two-oscillator-per-voice competitors like the Sequential Prophet-5, Oberheim OB-Xa and Roland Jupiter-8.

Vintage Memorymoog Plus analog polyphonic synthesizer, featuring six-voice polyphony, three oscillators per voice, and the classic Moog ladder filter.

Rear-panel detail of the vintage Memorymoog Plus analog polyphonic synthesizer, showing its audio and control connections, sequencer interfaces, and MIDI ports.

This Memorymoog Plus has the Bell Tone Synth Works Liberator F-RAM Upgrade installed, which eliminates the need for a battery. It comes with an Anvil flight case and an original Memorymoog manual, written by industry luminary Dominic Milano. Rob Rosen of Rosen Sound serviced the synth, and it is in excellent physical and technical condition.

Memorymoog Plus Features

• The Memorymoog has six voices, each with:
  • 3 Voltage Controlled Oscillators with Sync, VCO 3 switchable to LOW mode
  • Moog-Ladder-Filter with ADSR envelope
  • Voltage Controlled Amplifier with ADSR envelope
• Digital Noise (pink-noise loop)
• Comprehensive low frequency oscillator and voice modulation sections, including Sample & Hold
• Various monophonic / polyphonic keyboard modes
• Two assignable external CV Signals
• Chord function
• Pitch-Wheel (programmable)
• Modulation Wheel and Modulation Amount Knob
• -1 / 0 Octave Switches, Glide, Tune
• Arpeggiator with various modes
• Sequencer

Second-Place Prize: Moog Muse — $3,500 value

The Moog Muse was originally released in the summer of 2024 and is a groundbreaking synthesizer that combines vintage character with modern technology. With cutting-edge digital controls, creative effects like Diffusion Delay and modulation, and tools such as an arpeggiator and sequencer, this versatile synthesizer offers a flexible digital control surface, perfect for quickly dialing in precise parameter adjustments. Its rugged build quality makes it equally at home on stage or in the studio.

Moog Muse eight-voice analog polyphonic synthesizer, featuring a 61-key keyboard, hands-on controls, dual ladder filters, sequencing, and extensive modulation.

Rear view of the Moog Muse eight-voice analog polyphonic synthesizer, highlighting its connectivity, rear-panel design, and distinctive wood side panels.

The Muse’s integrated OLED programmer, along with an expansive array of 44 knobs, 16 sliders, and 129 buttons, allows for dynamic interaction with every parameter, giving the player granular control over tone, modulation, and effects. With 61 piano-size semi-weighted keys that offer rapid responsiveness and durability, this synthesizer delivers a tactile experience that can endure the rigors of touring. Connectivity options, including dual back-panel control voltage in/out, ensure that the Muse integrates seamlessly with both traditional analog setups and modern digital rigs.

Moog Muse Features

• 8-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer
• Bi-Tibral operation
• 2x VCOs with mixable triangle/saw and pulse
• Modulation oscillator can work as a third VCO with sine, saw, reverse saw, square, and noise wave shapes
• 2x Moog transistor ladder filters with stereo, series, or parallel routing
• Analog ring mod
• Per-knob interface
• Diffusion Delay — a digital stereo delay based on vintage multi-tap delays
• Saturating mixer with controls for Osc1, Osc 2, Ring Mod, and Noise with overload control
• 2x Envelopes
• 2x LFOs
• Dedicated pitch LFO
• Glide
• 64-Step sequencer with 16 banks of 16 patterns
• Arpeggiator
• Chord Memory with per-key functionality
• Mod Map with 16 modulation slots per timbre
• 61-Key keybed

Hear the Memorymoog Plus and Moog Muse in Action

Hear the first-prize Memorymoog Plus and second-prize Moog Muse in action with Justin Stanton of Snarky Puppy, who explores these synthesizers’ rich sonic character. Watch the video below for a closer look—and listen—to the instruments two lucky winners will take home.

What Your Raffle Entry Supports

Funds raised through the raffle directly support the Bob Moog Foundation’s mission to inspire people of all ages through the intersection of science, music, history, and innovation.

Raffle proceeds help expand the Bob Moog Foundation’s hallmark educational project, Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool, which has inspired over 40,000 elementary school students through the science of sound. They also support the vast and growing Bob Moog Foundation Archives and the Moogseum, an immersive, experiential museum in Asheville, North Carolina, that brings the science of sound and synthesis to life for people of all ages through Bob Moog’s pioneering legacy. Since opening in May 2019, the Moogseum has welcomed over 50,000 visitors from all over the world.

Every raffle entry helps the Foundation continue this work while preserving Bob Moog’s legacy and inspiring future generations of musicians, engineers, and innovative thinkers.

“The Bob Moog Foundation is proud to be offering two massive synthesizers representing a continuum of Moog ingenuity over a 40-year period. We are especially pleased to provide an opportunity to win these synths to two very lucky winners.” – Michelle Moog-Koussa, Executive Director of the Bob Moog Foundation.

The post Announcing Fundraising Raffle for Vintage Memorymoog Plus and Moog Muse first appeared on The Bob Moog Foundation.

The Bob Moog Foundation is proud to celebrate its 20th anniversary beginning this month!

The Foundation was created by Moog’s family and colleagues after the synthesizer pioneer’s passing in response to an outpouring of testimonials stating how Bob Moog had changed, or in some cases, transformed people’s lives through his inventions and the music that spawned from them. The testimonials came from over 67 different countries, underscoring the global impact of his legacy. The Foundation will mark this momentous milestone with online events, special exhibits, and other offerings throughout the year.

With limited resources, the Foundation started as a grassroots organization with Moog’s daughter, Michelle Moog-Koussa, acting as the volunteer executive director. With the help of the Foundation’s small Board of Directors and supporters worldwide, it formally launched on August 21, 2006, the one-year anniversary of Moog’s passing. Moog-Koussa was formally engaged in February 2007, and the Foundation gained its nonprofit status in March 2007, solidifying its mission to inspire people of all ages and walks of life at the intersection of science, music, history, and innovation.

Since that time, the Foundation has evolved into an institution with a trifecta of significant projects instituted to achieve its mission, including:

• Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool, a 10-week experiential curriculum that teaches second graders about the science of sound through music and technology. Over 30,000 students have been served to date through this program, and the program is poised to grow nationwide.
• The Bob Moog Foundation Archives, a vast collection of 15,000 pieces of historical material that the Foundation protects and preserves in order to share with researchers, journalists, and museums.
• The Moogseum, the Foundation’s outward-facing facility located in downtown Asheville, NC, which brings Bob Moog’s legacy and the history of electronic music alive for visitors from around the world. The Moogseum has welcomed over 50,000 visitors since opening in May of 2019.

“The Bob Moog Foundation has made major strides in accomplishing its mission over the past 20 years. With the help of supporters from all over the world, it has made a significant impact through offering innovative science education to over 30,000 elementary school students, restoring and sharing a world-class archive, and serving over 50,000 visitors to the Moogseum. Our future is bright, and our potential to expand all of our programs is vast.

 

We thank all of those who have supported us in the past, and encourage our community to continue its support this year, so that we can continue to inspire the next generation of innovative thinkers.”

 

– David Mash, President of the Bob Moog Foundation Board of Directors

During its evolution, the Bob Moog Foundation has initiated or participated in a multitude of significant events, including the 2009 “Waves of Inspiration: The Legacy of Moog” exhibit at the Museum of Making Music, the 2014 “Switched On: The Birth of the Moog Synthesizer” exhibit at the History Center of Tompkins County, and “Moogmentum,” the three-day festival celebrating the grand opening of the Moogseum in 2019. It has also participated in the “Music America” exhibit at various presidential libraries from 2024 to 2026, the 2024 “Sonic Booms” exhibit at Oregon State University, the 2026 “Musical Bodies” exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and more.

The Foundation has been an integral part of several media projects, including the 2023 biography Switched-On: Bob Moog and the Synthesizer Revolution written by Albert Glinsky, the 2025 The Minimoog Book published by Bjooks, and the upcoming documentary Electronic Voyager: Retracing Bob Moog’s Sonic Footsteps by Waveshaper Media.

Grants were awarded to the Bob Moog Foundation from the Triad Foundation, the Grammy Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the North Carolina Arts Council, Arts AVL, Explore Asheville, and the Keys to Music Foundation. We are also supported by products from Moog Music, Spectrasonics, MOTU, Native Instruments, Scott McAuley, Alex Ball, and UJAM.

The Bob Moog Foundation looks forward to the next 20 years with great anticipation, as it endeavors to expand all three of its hallmark projects to inspire the next generation of innovators!

Consider making a Donation to the Bob Moog Foundation today! Your support will help ensure another 20 years of growth.

The Bob Moog Foundation is an independent 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. We are not formally affiliated with Moog Music, although we enjoy a mutually supportive relationship with them. Our support comes from donors like you.

The post The Bob Moog Foundation Turns 20 Years Old This Month! first appeared on The Bob Moog Foundation.

On behalf of the estate of Patrick Gleeson, the Bob Moog Foundation shares the passing of the legendary electronic music pioneer. Patrick Gleeson passed away on July 19, 2026; he was 91 years old. Gleeson may be best remembered as the owner of Different Fur Studios, and for his subsequent work with Herbie Hancock. However, his career stretched well beyond those accomplishments, including producing and engineering for a multitude of musicians, recording solo albums, scoring soundtracks, and performing live.

In the 1960s, Patrick Gleeson moved to San Francisco to teach 18th-Century English Literature at San Francisco State University. Soon thereafter he began experimenting with electronic music on the Buchla Box at the San Francisco Tape Music Center. He eventually resigned from teaching and became a full-time musician. In 1968, after being inspired by Switched-On Bach by Wendy Carlos, he began using a large Moog III modular synthesizer and co-founded Different Fur recording studio, with his studio partner John Vieira, until 1985. There, he worked with Herbie Hancock on Hancock’s Crossings (1972) and Sextant (1973) albums, which led to Gleeson going on tour with Hancock’s Mwandishi band, where he helped pioneer the use of synthesizers in live performance, and in the jazz medium, using the ARP 2600. He later became one of Hancock’s full-time band members. Hancock later credited Gleeson with introducing him to synthesizers. Hancock’s albums Sextant and Headhunters were both recorded at Different Fur studio. 

Patrick Gleeson (foreground) with Herbie Hancock (background) at Different Fur Studios in San Francisco

After supporting the work of many other musicians across genres, including: David Byrne , Charles Earl, Brian Eno, Sammy Hagar, Eddie Henderson, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Kronos Quartet, Benny Maupin, Pat Metheny Julian Priester, Michael Shrieve, and Lenny White. He went on to record several solo albums, the first of which was Beyond the Sun – An Electronic Portrait of Holst’s “The Planets” in 1976, featuring the E-mu polyphonic synthesizer. The album was nominated for the 1977 Best Engineered Recording – Classical Grammy award. Wendy Carlos wrote the sleeve notes for the album and noted:

“Our eight‑year wait for someone else to explore electronic music realisation with what we judge to be appropriate technical standards and musical taste has ended,” she wrote, adding: “In short, one hears the ears of a gifted musician at work, in a field where one must exercise unprecedented discipline and self‑control.”

That album was followed by: Patrick Gleeson’s Star Wars (1977), Rainbow Delta (1980), Patrick Gleeson Antonio Vivaldi: The Four Seasons (1981), The Plague Dogs (original soundtrack) (1982), Slide (2007), and Patrick Gleeson / Jim Lang ‎: Jazz Criminal – Featuring Bennie Maupin, Wallace Roney (2007), Driving While Black with Bennie Maupin (2014), Fourever (2021), The Rainbow Delta (2022).  

Gleeson produced or played on over 100 albums. He served as a producer and engineer on the 1978 Devo album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!, some of which was recorded at Different Fur. His work on David Byrne & Brian Eno’s radically groundbreaking “My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts” is testament to his production and editing skills.

Gleeson’s scoring credits include a number of film soundtracks, including The Plague Dogs, Apocalypse Now, Crossroads and The Bedroom Window. He is credited as the Master Synthesist on Francis Coppola’s Apocalypse Now. He has scored nine television series, including Knots Landing. Gleeson’s scores for artist Bruce Conner are in the permanent collections of the Walker Art Center, The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and The Museum of Modern Art.

In 2017 he retired from film and television scoring and returned to live performance, both as a solo artist and with a trio (Michael Shrieve, drums, and Sam Morrison, reeds). He performed at the Cutting Room in New York City in 2018, at Moogfest in 2019, and with KamranV at Synthplex in 2022.

Patrick Gleeson performing at Moogfest 2019

He was the featured guest at the Moogseum’s fifth year anniversary celebration.

Patrick Gleeson at the Moogseum in 2023

Patrick Gleeson (right) with Moogseum attendee Mark Glinsky, 2023

Patrick Gleeson at the Moogseum, partaking in a birthday toast to Bob’s 89th birthday

Gleeson was also interested in architecture and design, having designed two houses, one of which was featured in Architectural Digest. 

Gleeson’s final years of performance and composition involved exploring the possibilities offered by Ableton and other software, and working with quad and multi-channel audio.

He is survived by his wife, Charmaine McClarie, of 34 years.

The post Pioneering Synthesist Patrick Gleeson Passes Away at 91 first appeared on The Bob Moog Foundation.

The Bob Moog Foundation Archives has received an exciting new addition, one of the very first R.A. Moog theremins, the Model 351, built in 1954. Bob Moog was only 20 years old when the company made this model available. It is preceded only by his first commercial product, the Model 201 theremin, released just one year earlier, and alongside the Model 305, a simpler, budget-minded version of the 351.

Tammy and Phil Niemeyer, supporters of the Foundation, generously donated the antique instrument, appraised with a value of $25,000. Tammy’s grandfather, James Gray Everhart, purchased the theremin in Sherman, Texas, around 1955. James, a lover of gadgets, music, and engineering, believed in the theremin’s ability to create beautiful music. He routinely performed memorized ballad compositions for his family members and close friends.

“We are thrilled to have this extremely rare R.A. Moog Model 351 theremin as part of the Bob Moog Foundation Archives. This stunning historical instrument helps us trace the evolution of Bob’s design ethic, while sharing the growth of his fledgling company.” — Michelle Moog-Koussa, Executive Director of the Bob Moog Foundation

The Model 351 theremin is a five-octave, vacuum tube-based instrument. As is usual for these vanguard instruments, they were hand-assembled by Bob Moog. His father, George, assisted him with his own woodworking and engineering skills while they worked together in their basement workshop. The 351 has a small mahogany cabinet with the standard theremin volume control plate and pitch-control antenna attached. Its silkscreened front panel featured a generous number of tone-control knobs, including three separate volume knobs. Interestingly, Moog omitted the specifics of volume knob applications from the operation manual, leaving customers to their own interpretations of creative amplitude techniques.

In the middle of the panel, there are two four-position switches, affecting what Bob called “Synthetic Format,” which were not included with the scaled-down Model 305. Mixing and matching the switch positions created a modest palette of tone possibilities. The first switch could be set at “Principal,” which was the same default tone of the Model 305, or to “Woodwind,” “Horn,” or “String.” The second switch was essentially a pitch-transposing selector, with settings for “Fundamental,” “Octave,” “Quint,” and “Superoctave.” The far-right “Pitch Adjustment” knob enabled more refined pitch control. 

The self-contained nature of Bob’s original Model 201, which retained an internal amplifier and speaker, was changed for the Model 351 (and 305). This was replaced by outputs for external connectivity.

The Model 351 is the latest in a long line of rare, vintage Moog instruments added to the Bob Moog Foundation Archives, including Bob’s very first electronic instrument, The Rensitron, an original R.A. Moog Model 201 theremin, two Moog modular synthesizers from 1967, Herb Deutsch’s Melodia theremin from 1961 and his R.A. Moog Co. Minimoog from 1971 (serial #1094), a Musonics Minimoog, Gary Wright’s Moog Liberation keytar, the Moog Apollo Polymoog prototype, the first Minimoog Voyager ever sold, and much more.

Learn more about the origins of early R.A. Moog Co. theremins with these Google Arts & Culture online exhibits:

The Birth of Moog Theremins, 1953-1956

The Evolution of Moog Theremins, 1957-1964

Your support of the Bob Moog Foundation Archives is vital for preserving vintage electronic instruments like the Model 351 theremin, carrying forward Bob Moog’s legacy while welcoming a comprehensive look back.

The post R.A. Moog Model 351 Theremin Added to Archives first appeared on The Bob Moog Foundation.

UPDATE: Congratulations to William Cassidy from Pennsylvania, USA, who won the Bob Moog Tribute Edition Minimoog Raffle!

MANY thanks to all of you who entered! Our work would not be possible without your support!

The Bob Moog Foundation is excited to announce its spring fundraising raffle featuring a brand new Bob Moog Tribute Edition (BMTE) Minimoog Model D synthesizer, serial number 001, valued at $3,999. This beautiful, limited-edition synthesizer was released by Moog Music on April 14th, 2026. Limited to just 500 units worldwide, the Bob Moog Tribute Edition Minimoog Model D is a rare and collectible instrument for players and music history enthusiasts alike. The design features classic Minimoog badges made using a metal photo-anodization technique on the front and rear panels that evoke the aesthetic of early Moog modular synthesizers, while a custom Bob Moog Foundation decal on the rear panel marks this edition as a true commemorative release

Raffle tickets are $25 each, $100 for 5, $200 for 12, and $500 for 35.

The raffle begins Monday, May 18th at 7:00 am EST and ends 11:59 pm EST Monday, June 8th, 2026.

The raffle is open internationally. 

Please read the rules and regulations HERE before purchasing tickets.

All proceeds benefit the projects of the Bob Moog Foundation.

Listen in as JoE Silva, author of the award-winning The Minimoog Book discusses the history of the legendary Minimoog Model D, along with its impact on how music-making was changed forever:

For a deep dive into the history of the Model D, featuring interviews with Gary Numan, Mark Mothersbaugh, Jimmy Jam, and more, watch “The Sound That Shaped Music | Minimoog Model D | Bob Moog Tribute Edition” by Moog Music,:

“The first groundbreaking Minimoog was shipped in November of 1970, and its lineage has endured for the past 56 years,” noted Michelle Moog-Koussa, Executive Director of the Bob Moog Foundation. “We are excited to offer serial number one of the Bob Moog Tribute Edition Minimoog Model D in celebration of Bob Moog’s indelible legacy of technical and creative brilliance.”

The Minimoog Model D is widely considered to be the most iconic synthesizer of all time, and remains one of the most coveted synthesizers in the world. Its story began in 1969, when Moog engineer Bill Hemsath presented a smaller demonstration unit concept, the Minimoog Model A (or “Min A”). It was a small, boxy cabinet housing a basic array of hard-wired synthesizer modules connected to a 3-octave keyboard. By 1970, the Minimoog had gone through three more prototypical iterations, and the 44-key Model D proved popular and versatile enough to remain in production until 1981, selling over 12,000 units. 

Since then, reissues have been produced, notably the 2022 re-release, which improved stability, added full MIDI support, and included a dedicated low-frequency oscillator (LFO). The BMTE Minimoog contains the same electronic architecture as this re-release. The Bob Moog Foundation is excited to present the very first serial numbered unit assembled as the prize this fundraising raffle.

Funds raised from the raffle will be used to expand the Bob Moog Foundation’s hallmark educational project, Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool, which has inspired over 40,000 elementary school students through the science of sound. The raffle also helps support the vast and growing Bob Moog Foundation Archives and the Moogseum, an immersive, experiential museum located in Asheville, NC, which brings the science of sound and synthesis alive for people of all ages through Bob Moog’s pioneering legacy. The Moogseum opened in May 2019 and has since welcomed over 50,000 visitors from all over the world.

The post Announcing Fundraising Raffle for Bob Moog Tribute Edition Minimoog, Serial Number 001 first appeared on The Bob Moog Foundation.