Editing Moog Taurus

{{Short description|Foot-operated analogue synthesizer}}
{{hatnote|Although "Moog bass" redirects here, the term does not always refer to the Moog Taurus, and can refer to any Moog instrument that is programmed to play bass tones.}}
{{Infobox synthesizer
| image              = Moog Taurus (small).jpg
| image_caption      = Taurus I
| synth_name         = Taurus
| synth_manufacturer = [[Moog Music]]
| synthesis_type     = [[analog synthesizer|analog]] [[subtractive synthesis|subtractive]]
| polyphony          = [[Monophonic (synthesizers)|monophonic]]
| timbrality         = monotimbral
| oscillator         = 2
| filter             = 24dB/oct resonant [[low-pass filter|low-pass]]
| attenuator         = ASR envelope
| lfo                = none {{small|(I)}}<br />1 {{small|(II, III)}}
| keyboard           = 13 pedals {{small|(I, III)}}<br />18 pedals {{small|(II)}}
| memory             = 3 preset, 1 user {{small|(I)}}<br />none {{small|(II)}}<br />52 patches {{small|(III)}}
| fx                 = none {{small|(I, II)}}<br />[[distortion (music)|distortion]] {{small|(III)}}
| dates              = 1975–1981 {{small|(I)}}<br />1981–1983 {{small|(II)}}<br />2010–2012 {{small|(III)}}
| price              =
}}

The '''Moog Taurus''' is a foot-operated [[analog synthesizer]] designed and manufactured by [[Moog Music]]. It was originally conceived as a part of the Constellation series of synthesizers. The initial Taurus I was manufactured from 1975 to 1981; a less popular redesign, Taurus II, followed from 1981 to 1983.  Instead of a conventional keyboard, the Taurus uses an organ-style pedal board similar to the [[pedal keyboard]] of a [[spinet organ]]. This control method was chosen because the Taurus was intended to be played by foot while the player's hands played one or more keyboards, although it was often used by guitarists. While the original Taurus featured its own synthesis engine, the Taurus II was essentially the same as the [[Moog Rogue]]. In 2010, Moog issued the Moog Taurus III which closely emulates the analog circuitry of the Taurus I, in addition to adding some modern features.

The Taurus is mostly associated with [[progressive rock]], and has been used by bands like [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], [[Yes (band)|Yes]], [[Rush (band)|Rush]], and [[Dream Theater (band)|Dream Theater]], among others.

== History ==
The Taurus was originally intended to be part of a larger [[Moog Music]] [[synthesizer]] ensemble called the Constellation. In addition to the monophonic Taurus, the Constellation would have included two keyboards: the [[Polyphony and monophony in instruments|monophonic]] Lyra and [[Polyphony and monophony in instruments|polyphonic]] Apollo. The intention was that the Apollo and Lyra be played with both hands, while bass notes could be played by foot on the Taurus. The sound shaping controls are protected by a removable plastic window in order to avoid accidental adjustments while playing.<ref name="VSE Taurus I">{{cite web |url=http://www.vintagesynth.com/moog/taurus1.php |title=Moog Taurus I |publisher=Vintage Synth Explorer |access-date=October 20, 2015}}</ref> The Constellation configuration was used prominently on the 1973 [[Emerson, Lake & Palmer]] album ''[[Brain Salad Surgery]]''. The band also used the Constellation on their subsequent tour, albeit without the Taurus pedal. However, the Constellation was never formally released. Instead, the Apollo synthesizer, designed by Moog's Director of Engineering, David Luce, was redesigned and greatly upgraded to the [[Polymoog|Moog Polymoog]], which was produced from 1975 to 1980; the Taurus I pedal, also designed by Luce, was released as a separate unit from 1975 to 1981. The Lyra synthesizer, designed by Robert Moog, was never commercially released.<ref name="Reid 1998">{{cite web |url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun98/articles/polymoog.html |title=Moog Polymoog Analog Polysynth |work=[[Sound on Sound]] |first=Gordon |last=Reid |date=June 1998 |access-date=October 20, 2015}}</ref>  William Alexander, an engineer for ELP, described the Lyra as "a [[Minimoog]] on steroids".<ref name="Alexander 1998">{{cite journal |title=On Board with Keith Emerson |journal=EQ |first=William |last=Alexander |url=http://www.popeye-x.com/tech/willalexander.htm |interviewer=Tony Di Lorenzo |date=March 1998 |doi=10.2134/jeq1998.2761356x |access-date=October 19, 2015|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

=== Taurus II ===
{{multiple image|caption_align=center|header_align=center
 | direction=vertical
 | image1=Moog Taurus II, Moog Rogue, Farfisa Combo Compact I, Yamaha SK - Robot Monster Guitars & Collectables.jpg | alt1=Moog Taurus II
 | image2=Moog Taurus 3.jpg | alt2=Moog Taurus III
 | footer = The Taurus II (above) raised the control panel, whereas the Taurus III (below) more closely emulates the original design of the Taurus I.
}}
The original Taurus I was succeeded by the Taurus II, which was produced from 1981 to 1983. The Taurus II uses the same synthesis engine as a contemporary lead synthesizer, the [[Moog Rogue]]. The Taurus II was controlled through 18 foot pedals, [[modulation]] and [[pitch bend]] wheels, and a [[CV/Gate|CV]] interface. The synthesizer also increased the amount of timbres and effects available. However, the Taurus II had no patch memory or foot controls apart from the pedals.<ref name="VSE Taurus II">{{cite web |url=http://www.vintagesynth.com/moog/taurus2.php |title=Moog Taurus II |publisher=Vintage Synth Explorer |access-date=October 20, 2015}}</ref> Instead, the control panel was raised so that the player could manipulate it manually during performance.<ref name="Reid 2010" />

A version of the Taurus II pedal board with CV & gate outputs and no synth module was available  - the model 343C Taurus II Controller.  

The value of the Taurus II did not appreciate as significantly as that of the Taurus I; in 2000, Mark Vail noted that the Taurus II was worth only about half as much as its predecessor.<ref name="Vail 2000">{{cite book|author=Mark Vail|title=Keyboard Magazine Presents Vintage Synthesizers: Pioneering Designers, Groundbreaking Instruments, Collecting Tips, Mutants of Technology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tNci9y0jlRgC&pg=PA44|year=2000|publisher=Backbeat Books|isbn=978-0-87930-603-8|page=46}}</ref> In general, the Taurus II is considered to be inferior to the original model because of its different synthesis engine.<ref name="Reid 2010">{{cite web |url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul10/articles/moogtaurus3.htm |first=Gordon |last=Reid |work=[[Sound on Sound]] |title=Moog Taurus 3 |date=July 2010 |access-date=October 20, 2015}}</ref>

===Taurus III===
In 2010, Moog released a redesigned version of the Taurus called the Taurus III in a limited run of 1,000 units. According to Moog's creative head Cyril Lance, a reissue of the Taurus had been in high demand since his first convention with Moog, the 2006 [[NAMM Show]], shortly after [[Robert Moog]]'s death.<ref name="Lance 2008">{{cite web |url=http://www.moogmusic.com/products/taurus/taurus-3-bass-pedals |title=Taurus 3 Bass Pedals |first=Cyril |last=Lance |publisher=[[Moog Music]] |date=2008 |access-date=October 20, 2015}}</ref> In 2007, Moog CEO Mike Adams proposed that if customers could generate pre-order sales of 250 units, the Taurus would go into production. Work on designing the Taurus III, led by Lance, began that year after 250 units were pre-ordered. Production ceased in June 2012.<ref name="Moog 2012">{{cite web |url=http://www.moogmusic.com/news/moog-music-announces-end-life-taurus-3-bass-pedals |title=Moog Music announces the end of life of the Taurus 3 Bass Pedals |publisher=[[Moog Music]] |date=June 14, 2012 |location=Asheville, NC |access-date=October 20, 2010}}</ref>

The Taurus III overlooks many of the changes made for the Taurus II, instead more closely emulating the original model. For instance, there is only one waveform available for the unit's two oscillators. Some features are added, such as [[USB]] and [[MIDI]] support, a larger memory capacity, and velocity sensitivity. The Taurus III also adds an arpeggiator and an [[Low-frequency oscillation|LFO]].<ref name="Reid 2010" />

==Synthesis model==
The Taurus is monophonic, with its single voice generated by two oscillators running through one three-stage [[Variable-gain amplifier|voltage-controlled amplifier]]. For the Taurus I and Taurus III, only one waveform was available: a distorted [[sawtooth wave]].<ref name="Reid 2010" /> The Taurus II introduced a second waveform, the [[pulse wave]].<ref name="VSE Taurus II" /> All models of the Taurus use a 24db/octave resonant low pass filter with key tracking. Although the early models did not include an LFO, the Taurus III has an LFO that can be routed to either oscillator pitch or filter frequency.<ref name="Reid 2010" />

== Notable users ==
The Taurus is well known for its use by [[progressive rock]] bands, such as [[Pink Floyd]], [[Triumvirat]], [[Rush (band)|Rush]], [[Yes (band)|Yes]] and [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]].<ref name="VSE Taurus I" /><ref name="Reid 2010" /> [[Harmonium (band)|Harmonium]]'s bass guitarist, Louis Valois, used the Moog Taurus I during the band's [[L'Heptade|''L'heptade'']] tour in 1976-1977, which can be heard in the live recording of one of these shows, ''[[Harmonium en tournée]].'' Other bands such as [[U2]] and [[The Police]] have also used the synthesizer.<ref name="VSE Taurus I" /> [[John Hackett (musician)|John Hackett]] was known for playing the foot pedals of a Taurus with one hand, while using the other hand to change the octave range.<ref name="Reid 2010" /> 
[[Starcastle]] bassist Gary Strater was known for using two sets on stage. [[Phil Collins]] introduced the distinctive Taurus sound to top 40 radio with his hit "[[I Don't Care Anymore]]".

According to Moog Music, artists that purchased the Taurus III also included [[The Black Keys]], [[Todd Tamanend Clark]], [[Animal Collective]], [[Jean Michel Jarre]], [[Steely Dan]], [[Weezer]], [[Dream Theater (band)|Dream Theater]], [[Umphrey's Mcgee]], and [[Dave Matthews Band]].<ref name="Moog 2012" />

== Notes ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.synthmuseum.com/moog/mootau01.html Moog Taurus at Synthmuseum.com]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20051029155859/http://www.retrosound.de/taurus.html Comprehensive resource on Moog Taurus]}}
* [http://www.hollowsun.com/HS2/products/taurus/index.htm Moog Taurus at Hollow Sun]

{{Moog Music}}

[[Category:Moog synthesizers|Taurus]]
[[Category:Analog synthesizers]]
[[Category:Monophonic synthesizers]]