Customer Reviews

Analog Days: The Invention and Impact of the Moog Synthesizer

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Published by Harvard University Press, this is unquestionably a scholarly and serious work... yet at times it reads almost like a novel. Kudos to Trevor Pinch and Frank Trocco for making this material educational, accessible and enjoyable in all the right ways.

As a "serious" collector of Moog LP's (from "Switched on Bach" onward through the late 1970's) with a lot of interest in the history of the Moogs (specifically) and analog synthesizers in general, I found this book to be enlightening in a number of ways, clearing up many things I'd been wondering about. For anyone interested in "the invention and impact of the Moog synthesizer" (and analog synths in general), this book is a must. Highly recommended.

From the first moment I heard Switched-On Bach, I was hooked. I loved the sounds, the technology, the possibilities of electronic music. I even saved up and bought a Minimoog when I was thirteen; no greater love have I ever had. The early days of electronics shook many people like it did me. The synthesizer was not just a collection of dials and patch cords, but a way into a sonic universe.

Trever Pinch and Frank Trocco's new book, ANALOG DAYS, recaptures that feeling of celestial expectancy. Describing the development of the Moog synthesizer from kit-built theremins to the ubiquitous and glorious Minimoog, the book mainly concentrates on pre-polyphonic modalur synths and how the world embraced them, and then turned them into cheese-making devices a-la "Switched-On Whatever" albums.

Pinch and Trocco give us other ways to look at synths: they discuss women synthesists like Suzanne Ciani who never are mentioned in other histories even though Ms. Ciani's synthesized commercial work is probably the heard electronic music ever. Though Moog-centric, the book gives us the background of the Buchla box, a sort of sprout-and-wheat-germ rival to the Moog modulars. While Moog turned the synthesizer into a keyboard instruments, Buchla kept his machines free of established interfaces, and established musical norms.

As a sythn-freak, I couldn't put this book down, even though much the material is duplicated in Mark Vail's Vintage Synths. Vail, however, choose to be only a technical historian, while Pinch and Trocco aim for a more cultural view of the events surrounding the shifting of musical boundaries.

All your favorites are here; the unexpectedly successful Dr. Moog; the victorious but hubristic ARP company; the offhand eccentricities of EMS and their wonderful VCS3 named by Tristam Cary, son of Joyce Cary, the novelist. Don Buchla haunts the pages too, half Kesian merry-maker, half NASA sub-contractor with his silver, red and blue synths bleeping in the Haight. And good old Keith Emerson's here too, flailing his ribbon controller across the arenas of America.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in electronic music, anyone interested in why their microwave talks to them, anyone interested in the history of 1960's.

Analog Days also has a really cool cover.

Frank Trocco's book "Analog Days" chronicles the full history of an invention that would change music as we know it today. That invention of course is the synthesizer created by Dr. Robert Moog. This book is loaded with historical information dealing with how the instruments were manufactured as well as details about the artists who were among the Moog synthesizer's first prominent users. Moog pioneers such as Walter/Wendy Carlos, Keith Emerson, Beaver and Krause, Margouleff and Cecil, Mother Mallard and countless others are mentioned in this book. This is definitely THE book to own if you're doing research on the history of electronic music or synthesizers. There is so much information, there's bound to be something new each time you read it. Not only is it a perfect research tool, it's just a plain great book to read. The person writing this review doesn't like to read very much so, for me, this is saying quite a lot.
"Analog Days" is a book that does not disappoint and it will be one that you'll want to read over and over again.

Totally recommended. Apart from a little slide into sociological theory towards the end, this is a thoroughly entertaining, authoritative and enthralling look at the world of early synthesizers.
My favourite moment is the story of Bob Moog's first major sale of a modular synthesizer. He had to get it to New York City from Buffalo, and in those days, there was one sensible, cost-effective solution: he took the bus. The synthesizer seemed to survive the trip, too.

Lovely book.. If you are interested in synthesizers or the histroy of electronic music, BUY IT!!

I found this book to be incredibly interesting. So interesting, in fact, that it made me wish I had been involved with the analog synthesizer scene during the era which this book details. Hearing the stories and personal accounts of individual contributions to the development, marketing, and subsequent musical evolution caused by the early analog synthesizers, made me lust for yesteryear.



After reading several compliants regarding the sociological study-aspect of this work, it must be stated that the sociological impact analysis is a vital component of the historical content contained within. In fact, if the sociological discussion was ommitted, the work would suffer, as I feel the Moog's and early synthesizer's impact on society is a fascinating subject. During the time period which this book dissects, individuals were, for the first time, hearing totally unique and original sounds. Unfortunately, humanity has since become jaded to the excrutiating beauty of subtractive analog synthesis. The statement which described the sound of two analog oscillators beating against each other on the morn of (I believe--challenging my memory here) the second day of Woodstock, reflecting it was the first time many had heard that exact sound, made me yearn to be there.



Ultimately, if you are interesting in an account of historical fact, coupled with social impact commentary as it pertains to these now ancient analog synthesizers, and associated early sequencers, read this book. However, if you have no desire to learn of yesteryear and absorb depictions of the early evolution of music technology, which has led to the crap that is virtual analog, don't waste your time.

An enjoyable read. I've been a Moog enthusiast for many years. Recently I've seen the Video Biography on Robert Moog as well and these complement each other. The enjoyable thing about the book is that is delivers good information on early synth development and there appears to be a division as to how musicians wanted to use these synths. Robert Moog worked closely with musicians who wanted a keyboard trigger and this became a worldwide format, but there was an independent group who wanted a different means of triggering and not so set on a chromatic keyboard format. There is also a very detailed chapter on Wendy (Walter) Carlos. Those that were upset at her absense in the Moog Video Documentary can gain a bit more insight here. This triggered more interest for myself in her recordings.
Overall a very good history book on early synth development and good account of early Moog modular synth Development as well as an extensive chapter on the Minimoog as well. ARP and Buchla also included.

It's amazing how distant a past the early years of the synthesizer are. This book is a good reminder that it was not immediately clear that Moog's kind of synthesizer would ultimately win. I had heard of Buchla, but never heard any music made with it. That synth didn't have a keyboard, though it did have a sequencer, and initially it wasn't clear whether that, or Moog's more traditional keyboard orientation was the best idea. Early synthesizers were not even aimed at pop musicians, but at serious composers, or to be used as studio tool. It's also interesting to read how the MiniMoog was invented, and how Bob Moog initially didn't even believe in it. A fascinating read in all, this book.

I had trouble putting the book down. The book deals with the early days of both Bob Moog's and Don Buchla's entrance into the electronic Music scene of the mid 60's and is so easy to read I would suggest anyone with an interest in these extremely expressive instruments which totally permeate today's music to Read This Book!

hey if you love old analog synths this book is a wealth of fantastic info -- I couldn't put it down. a great read, highly recommended!

Great book for all the reasons stated in other reviews. I'm a big synth fan, and was still surprised at how engaging this book is. BUT,I'm reading it on my iPhone/iPad and the kindle version does not include the photos which is somewhat integral to a book like this.

Im very disappointed, I suppose for kindle it makes sense, but at this point more people read on something other than a kindle itself. They put a place holder, that says refer to the book for photos. Sort of adds insult to injury. I wish there had at least been a warning, as I would not have bought it non kindle had I known. That said, well worth the read.

I guess not having a cover photo should have been my clue.