First, a little bit about Moog. The synthesizer in question is called COTK Model 15, but we all know that that is a 1:1 copy of the original Moog Model 15 from the 70s. So let’s start with a couple of thoughts about Moog … and a couple of comments based on experience.
Many, many (many, many) years ago I, by chance, became the owner of a Moog modular system. Very large, very beautiful, but also veeery old …
Very old means: A lot of switches with contact problems. Playing that legendary Moog modular system was less a joy than a pain, frustrating and with lots and lots of problems. Now and then a short phase of playability and a couple of seconds of musical happiness. So, no thanks! I sold it to a guy in Berlin who again resold it to producer Thomas Heckmann. He, then, renovated the system and added missing modules to boot. Now the Moog system, that is up and running, is an integral part of Heckmann’s imposing vintage collection. I fondly recall some aspects of that Moog system: the unique filter sound, the astonishing vivacity of the VCOs, the fantastic feel of it all, those big knobs … along with unreliable switches, and … at the bottom line, not satisfaction, but frustration.
Flash back to December 2012. An empty Moog Model 15 cabinet is posted of eBay (that is, an empty case with the bottom modules … mixer and power supply). For a mere 3000 Euros, generously reduced to 2500 Euros near the end of the auction. Of course no one buys it. But I can’t resist telling the seller, whom by chance I know, that the price he’s asking just floors me. At about the same time a Moog Model 55 is posted in the United States for 60 000 hard-earned USD. Dubious, very dubious.
We don’t need to go into the prices in detail. If anybody is willing to pay that much for an instrument, although an empty case is not necessarily an instrument, he should go ahead. Nobody is stepping on anybody’s toes when it comes to personal freedom. It’s the perspective that irritates. Moog, no doubt, has a great reputation, vintage Moog, to be exact, is an exclusive brand. Some musicians show amazing business instincts in association with that magical name. Support for the Moog myth? Fair support? I don’t think so. A lot of those old systems need a lot of repair, they have damaged cases and can be veeeeery shoddy. But even in the case of well-kept instruments there is a limit which, to exceed, bares no logic. So those of us who would rather be called musicians than collectors, those of us who are looking for sound and reliability, should remain sensible and keep an eye out for alternatives to the exotically expensive originals.
One such alternative is Club Of The Knobs. The Portuguese manufacturer out of Lisboa (Lisbon) has been building high-quality modular systems for some years. And, in comparison with the above-mentioned (used) Moog Model 15 cabinet, you get a COTK Model 15 for the same price … full of modules, shiny and new. High-quality workmanship, high-quality sound.
I’d call that a good deal …
Model 15 – a tool for elegant sound
„Tool“ sounds pretty nitty-gritty. But in this case it’s true. A musical instrument is a tool devised to produce sounds. The better the tool, the simpler it is to make good music. I’m over-simplifying, to be honest, but the basic connection between instrumental quality and sound quality is more than obvious with the COTK Model 15. You’re getting the highest construction quality available on the synthesizer market – with the possible exception of EMS / Rehberg and Synthesizers.com as well as Phil Cirocco (CMS) from the USA. All knobs have the same (slightly resistent) masculine feeling. High-quality sockets, solid front panels, elegant labelling. The life on the „inside“ is good, too. The modules have been carefully designed, their integrity is visible and tangible.
There’s only one way to connect the modules internally with the power bus, so you can’t go wrong there. The flatcables just fall into place and can easily be disconnected. That avoids the touch-and-go system other companies subject you to.
How about the quality chassis, the fine tolex, even the COTK plaquette (with the model- and serial-number) … you’re getting a work of art.
Two small points of criticism. The chickenhead knobs have a little play, which seems to be innate to their construction. We all know that there are other knobs which switch without any play.
And, the case fasteners are somewhat problematical. Not in connection with their functionality, of course. It’s about their positioning. They are mounted in such a way that the movable part is on the case (and not on the lid), so that the open Model 15 sports two rather obtrusive metal parts on the right side. If you remove them, you can’t close the lid (of course), so it’s recommended to leave the metal tongues where they are and accept them as part of the design of the Model 15.
But that’s just peanuts. Back to the sunny side. Model 15 sounds incredible. Here I, surrounded by some of the best from synthesizer history, maintain that this is an unbeatable analog (monophonic) sound. Which is not to say that the Minimoog, ARP-2600, EMS AKS, Oberheim SEM (and many others) aren’t fantastic instruments with their own, distinctive individuality.
But why look back? There are synthesizers today that are the classics of tomorrow. If you’re going for a combination of sound, flexibility and performance, the GRP A4 is unsurpassed. And naturally the Moog Voyager is one of the best analog synths of our days. The new tomoberheim.com Two Voice Pro is going to be an eye- (and ear-) catcher, no question about it. And even smaller synthesizers such as the Doepfer Dark Energy II, the MFB Dominion X or the Arturia MiniBrute can be very satisfying.
But interestingly enough, two VCOs of the COTK Model 15 blow all those other candidates away. The potential and sound variability remind me of the original Moog modular. And it is this potential which has led many an owner of a Moog system to sell his old, rickety original in favour of a new COTK system (or, to be fair, a new Synthesizers.com system for US residents).
On the other hand, this unusual potential may lead a prospective buyer of one of those rickety Moogs to the wise decision not to spend 60 000 USD on a Moog 55 or (see above) 3000 Euros on an almost empty Moog Model 15 cabinet. But rather to invest in a new COTK model. This is just a personal recommendation. Take it or leave it.
There is a direct relation between the „tool“ Model 15 and the quality of your music. Exact oscillator tuning is an easy job, for example, thanks to those BIG frequency knobs. Precise filter frequency settings and concisely envelope adjustments help you creating exactly the sound you’re looking for. Compared with standard 3 HE (Eurorack) modules I have to admit that size, quality and feeling of the Moog-style modules is in a class of its own. And it’s especially those chunky knobs that guarantee professional working processes.
Tool and music: the basic connection is so simple and yet so important.
As to Wendy Carlos and other pioneers:
thoughts on the sounds of early modular systems
Switched On Bach … something we’re all familiar with: the masterpiece of early electronic music with Wendy Carlos at the zenith of her success. Then again, there’s Tomita, who was primarily responsible for the success of electronic music in Japan in the early 70s. These and other artists used Moog modular systems to adapt new sounds to „classical“ music. Under pretty primitive working conditions, from today’s point of view. Just monophonic sounds, no MIDI clock, no memories, nothing. The whole score was recorded track for track, sequencing and synchronization were touchy and time-consuming processes. Poor musicians! Each sound needed to be set up individually, no polyphony, no MIDI, no presets, no total recall … Today’s are blessed times by contrast, you could even say we are approaching the pinnacle of expressiveness in electronic music.
False. The enormous increase in features and expressive potential has been paid for with a drastic loss in sound quality. Sound – the crux of the matter. The vibrant sound that makes a musical instrument a musical instrument.
Such thoughts are afloat when you’re playing the COTK Model 15. It’s alive. It doesn’t just sound good, it doesn’t just come out of some loudspeakers somewhere … no, it’s alive. It has depth and dynamic potential that we had almost forgotten about in our years of concentration on modern (digital and analog) synthesizers. Every now and then these pure sounds just shine through. As with the Vermona Perfourmer MKII, where the reduction to a minimum results in a definite sonic plus. Or with the Minimoog. Nothing, absolutely nothing can compete with the sound of the Model 15.
Look at it another way: the great composers of old – Carlos, Tomita and others – had the best sounds at their disposal. Those musicians were far from „poor“, despite the primitive recording techniques they had to deal with.
Model 15 – a Minimoog with patch options?
Just a quick note comparing the Model 15 and the Mini. The latter – synonym for “the legendary” monophonic analog synthesizer – is, after all, very similar to the Moog modular system 15: two regular VCOs plus a third VCO for audio or modulation purposes, a wonderful 24dB low pass filter, mixer, noise, two envelopes … it all seems to be quite identical. So why was there a Moog Synthesizer Model 15, which, in 1972, cost more than double (3500 USD) of a Minimoog (1500 USD)? Because of the fixed filter bank or the two fully equipped ADSRs (instead ADRs)? Because of the second VCA? Due to its modular concept? … maybe, who knows! But let us leave the technical facts aside. It is clear that the Model 15 tops the Minimoog in many aspects: quality of hardware (maybe equally good on both instruments?), sound quality and variety of sounds. The modular system is at least one or two classes above the legendary Mini …
Features
The COTK Model 15 contains:
- C 921A oscillator driver
- C 921B VCO
- C 921B VCO
- C 921 VCO
- C 904A 24dB VCF
- C 907A fixed filter bank
- C 911 envelope
- C 911 envelope
- C 902 VCA
- C 902 VCA
- C 923 pink/white noise, fixed LPF, fixed HPF
- C 995 3x attenuators
- CP15 4-channel mixer, reversible attenuator (+/-), fixed LPF, fixed HPF, 2×4 multiples, trunk lines, 2x attenuators, audio-trigger interface, power module
Oscillators
The two C 921B VCOs are the instrument’s heart (apart from the VCF and the two VCAs). They stay in tune, sound brilliant and rich. I’d say they are the perfect analog oscillators with a beautiful mix of natural (very little) instability, great warmth and playability.
The huge frequency knob feels fantastic and allows adjustment of any tone color from widely detuned to perfectly in-tune sounds. Tuning these VCOs is a joy, really! Remember: the better the tool, the simpler it is to produce good music …
There’s a simple 4-channel mixer sitting underneath the VCOs. It has 4 inputs, independant volume control for each channel and a master output (volume) knob. Feed the mixer with any of the independantely available VCO waveforms and create your own, new waveform! It’s very simple, yet very effective and inspiring.
Listen to the attached soundfiles (40 minutes of music) and make your own opinion of the oscillator’s quality. Aren’t those Model 15 VCOs rich? … wonderful subtle phasing and some slight detuning? The oscillators offer clear and warm sounds throughout the whole audio range, full of vividness and character. These 921B VCOs are a class of their own!
At this point we’d like to note that each of the attached sound samples has been created with two (!) VCOs only. Sure, they are results of overdub / multitrack recording, but basically it’s just two VCOs you hear. The “big” C 921 oscillator served exclusively for modulation purposes …
This leads to the conclusion that a bigger modular system, such as a Model 55, is not necessarily what you need. Why 6 VCOs? There is no remarkable increase in oscillator phasing and detuning – actually, 2 VCOs are enough! Summarized: the 921B VCOs are very, very good …
IF you’re interested in extending your system, I’d suggest an additional rack with the wonderful low pass – filter coupler – high pass combination. And maybe with one of those legendary (Bode) frequency shifters …(?)
The C 921A oscillator driver allows adjustment and modulation of pulse width for both C 921B VCOs. And oscillator synchronization is possible, too, of course, which is a significant difference to the Minimoog.
Filter
The VCOs and the VCF make a perfect team! Coming back to the original Moog (now COTK) filter, I was amazed at how powerful the 904A VCF is. THIS is the famous 24 dB-per-octave filter.
Its appearance is not very spectacular, admittedly: three knobs and five jacks, that’s all. But there is something about its sound which has never been equaled. Again, the chunky frequency knob allows you to create dramatic but also very subtle tone colors … with each fraction of a millimeter you get a new sound (ok, I’m exaggerating a bit, but you know what I mean).
We added an extension case to our COTK Model 15. It houses a second VCF, enabling us to create brilliant stereo-filter effects. So, in quite a few of the attached sound samples you hear a stereo filter unit (2x C 904A).
Amplification
Not many people are aware of the importance of first-class VCAs. Anyway, the amplification is the decisive key to solidity and power in sound. The Model 15 contains two strong VCAs giving the overall sound lots of dynamics and let it appear “on the edge of the speaker”, just in front of you, dominating and powerful.
Two VCAs – another important difference to the Minimoog – allow real stereophonic images. That’s important for ping-pong modulation and other stereo effects. Add the huge 960 sequencer (another recommendation …) and control both VCAs with individual CV-tracks. Wonderful!
Envelopes
The two envelopes are full ADSR envelopes. Strictly speaking, they should be called ADRS! ADR (all time-based) form the top knobs, while S(ustain) – the only level parameter – is at the bottom. This is a little unusual, but from a musical point of view it does make sense.
Each envelope has its own trigger lamp, giving these modules a great vintage character. Thank God that original S-trigger system (Moog’s own, curious trigger system) has been replaced by regular 6,3mm input jacks. So, while maintaining the original high quality sound on the one hand, crucial weaknesses of the old system are eliminated on the other hand. A successful concept!
To sum it up
If you’re looking for a summary with the title „sound“, with an evaluation something like „good – xy – bad – zx – we award 5 points …“, you’re going to be disappointed. The good – the fabulous – sound of the COTK Model 15 can’t be summarized in a few lines. Start here at the beginning. You will find a description, an attempt at historical context, a comparison with the Minimoog and a short explanation of the instrument’s modules, all in the above article.
It must be said that the COTK Model 15 is an instrument for purists. For those who up to now have made do with a single VCO and a traditional 24dB VCF – in short, with a minimum of sound modules. But don’t fear. The quality of the modules in question is superb, even if I risk being redundant.
Which is not to say there isn’t a potential problem involved. The fact is that the COTK Model 15 isn’t available for testing in your music store just around the corner. You really have to trust. To believe that after you have transferred your 3000 Euros (and some extra bucks for shipping) to Lisbon, you will receive an instrument that fulfils your wildest dreams. Which nobody knows until he’s tried it.
You may find assurance in the feedback of those who already have a Model 15 safe at home. Insiders aren’t known to hold back on criticism. And no bad news about the quality of the COTK instrument has come to our ears. To be fair, one must take into account that the shipment of very large modular systems may bear its own risks (another argument for the Model 15, which is relatively small).
Please be aware that Club Of The Knobs consists of two people – Kazike and his wife – whose products must be ordered directly in Lisbon. Delivery time should be generously calculated. Take the one or other verbal misunderstanding into account and have a little patience. Don’t expect the perfect logistics of Roland, Yamaha or Korg. You’re in for a special (!) instrument. Do you want logistical precision and a mainstream (tried-and-true but eventually boring) product? Or have we been able to whet your appetite for a handmade, elegant and rare instrument with lots of character potential?
Let’s be honest: it’s the smaller companies (Vermona, Synthesizers.com, GRP, Analogue Systems, Doepfer, MFB, Cwejman, MacBeth, Anyware Instruments, Waldorf, Access, Dave Smith Instruments, Arturia, Tom Oberheim.com, John Bowen, Livewire, Moog or COTK …) that produce the most interesting products.
Products like the beautiful COTK Model 15.
40 minutes of sound files are attached. It’s all the COTK Model 15, sometimes used with extra modules (extension case: second VCF, additional LFO, …). Korg’s Monotribe contributes drum sounds and Sequential’s classic Pro-One is responsible for those weird modulation effects (“mix” soundfiles). The Pro-One also serves as masterkeyboard (cv/gate, sequencer, glide – very important) for the Model 15 …
COTK (Club Of The Knobs) Model 15
Monophonic Analog Modular Synthesizer
Price: 3,000 Euros + VAT + Shipping
Website manufacturer:
www.cluboftheknobs.com