Moog Taurus II Owner's Manual
e
SECTION
1
INTRODUCTION
Thank
you
for
choosing
the
Moog"
Taurus
II
Synthesizer.
The
Taurus
II
is a very
powerful,
unique
instrument.
It
combines a foot
pedal
control
with a versatile
synthesizer
featuring
a
logically
laid
out
front
panel
and
the
famous
"fat"
Moog
sound.
This
manual
serves
as
an
introduction
to
the
instrument
and
explains
the
basics
of
synthesizers
using
the
Taurus
II
as a working
model.
Each
of
the
following
three
sections
takes a different
approach
to
understanding
the
instrument.
"Trying
Out
Some
Sounds"
consists
of
sound
charts
which
enable
you
to
familiarize
yourself
with
the
front
panel
and
the
sound
capabilities
of
the
instrument.
"Getting
to
Know
Taurus
II"
introduces
you
to
each
front
panel
control
by
way
of
experimenting
with
it.
At
this
stage,
you
learn
how
to
use the
instrument.
"A
Closer
Look
at
Taurus
II"
is a more
involved
explanation
of
the
Taurus
II
and
explains
the
basics
of
the
synthesizer.
Once
you
are
familiar
with
the
controls
of
the
Taurus
II,
you'll
be
ready
to
create
your
own
sounds.
Part
of
the
x
excitement
in
makingonusic
is
experimenting
with
your
instrument
finding
new
sounds
and
new
playing
techniques.
There
is
always
something
else
to
discover
and
that's
what
makes
mastering
a
musical
instrument
such
an
enjoyable
continuing
experience.
Val
Podlasinski
SECTION
2%
CONTENTS
Initial
Setup
3
Amplification
5
Trying
Out
Some
Sounds
5
Sound
Charts
7
Getting
to
Know
Taurus
II
19
A
Starting
Patch
19
Tuning . /
20
C3lide
20
Pitch
Wheel
21
Modulation
Wheel
„
21
Oscillator
Octaves
22
Oscillator
Waveform
22
Oscillator
2
Interval
23
Osc 2 Sync
(Osc 2 to
Osc
1)
23
Contoured
Sync
24
Contour
Generator
. . _
_t-;>^
24
Attack
(Rise)
. .
;
.'"T.TT^.
.
24
Decay
(Fall)
25
Sustain
25
VCA
Mode
.
.-
.....]...[]..][[
26
Filter
Section
26
Cutoff
(Brightness)
Emphasis
AMT
(Amount)
.
Keyboard
Track . .
.
Mixer
Section
Noise
Overdrive
Master
Volume
A
Closer
Look
at
Taurus
II
Basic
Synthesizer
Flow
Chart
. .
.
The
Audio
Generators
The
Modifiers
The
Articulators
The
Controllers
Interfacing
Control Voltages
Triggers
Audio
In
Compatibility
of
Control
Voltages
Specifications
."
Index
26
27
27
28
28
29
29
29
30
30
32
35
37
39
40
42
43
45
46
47
48
SECTION
3
INITIAL
SET
UP
Now
that
you
have
unpacked
the
Taurus
II,
save
the
shipping
cartons
and
packing
materials
in
case
any
long
distance
transporting
is
required.
First
check
to
see
that
you
have
all
the
components:
Pedal
board
Synthesizer
Module
Stand
Power
Supply
5
Pin
Connector
Cable
Gig
Bag
Step
1:
Take
the
stand
and
carefully
screw
the
end
with
the
larger
thread
into
the
adapter
in
the
center
of
the
pedal
board.
Step
2:
Attach
the
synthesizer
module
to
the
stand.
Underneath
the
synthesizer
module
there
is
an
adapter
which
mates
with
the
thread
of
the
stand.
The
thread
is
long
in
order
to
make
a
sturdy
connection
so
several
turns
of
the
module
will
be
required
to
make a tight
fit.
Step
3:
Connect
the
5-pin
connector
cable
to
the
rear
of
the
pedalboard
and
rear
of
the
synthesizer
module.
Step
4:
Plugihe
24
volt
power
supply
cord
into
the
POWER
IN
jack
on
the
rear
of
the
synthesizer
module,
plug
the
other
end
in
the
power
outlet,
then
turn
on
the
power
switch
on
the
front
panel.
AMPLIFIER
Step
5:
Using a 1/4"
jack
audio
cord,
connect
the
AUDIO
OUT
on
the
rear
of
the
Taurus
II
to
your
amplifier
or
monitoring
system.
Always
allow
at
least
10
minutes
for
any
synthesizer
to
warm
up
prior
to
tuning
up.
If
no
sound
is
heard,
first
check
that
all
connections
have
been
made
properly.
Check
the
5-pin
connectors
at
each
end.
Check
that
the
power
supply
is
pushed
in
all
the
way
in
the
power
outlet.
Check
the
power-in
jack
plug,
at
the
rear
of
the
synthesizer
module,
to
see
if
it
is
inserted
correctly.
The
power
light
above
the
power-on
switch
should
be
glowing.
Check
the
audio
cord
by
substituting
it
for
another.
Alternatively,
turn
the
amplifier
volume
to a low
level,
disconnect
the
audio
cord
from
the
Taurus
II
and
touch
the
end
of
the
jack
plug.
If a hum
is
heard,
the
cord
is
O.K.
If
you
have
any
problems
with
the
Taurus
II,
you
should
first
contact
the
dealer
you
purchased
it
from.
Any
technical
problems
usually
can
be
solved
by
the
dealer.
Service
centers
and our
own
Service
Department
are
also
on
hand
to
assist
you.
Information
on
the
service
center
nearest
you
can
be
obtained
by
contacting:
Moog
Service
Department
2500
Walden
Avenue,
Buffalo,
NY
14225;
(716)
681-7242
•:
.■*'•
SECTION
4
AMPLIFICATION
To
get
the
best
sound
reproduction
for
Taurus
II
Taurus
II
is a powerful
monophonic
synthesizer.
Many
of
you
will
use
it
primarily
for bass
sounds,
however
it
will
produce
a
wide
range
of
pitch
and
tone
color
just
like
any
other
synthesizer.
If
you
are
going
to
use
Taurus
II
for
bass
synth
work
only,
a
bass
amplification
system
will
suffice.
However,
if
you
intend
to
continually
use a variety
of
contrasting
sounds,
try
to
use
an
amplification
system
which
is
designed
for
synths/keyboards.
Your
Moog
dealer
will
be
able
to advise
you
on
this
subject.
TRYING
OUT
SOME
SOUNDS
PITCH
^^-^
MOD
TaurUs/T
n
7
\
7\
0
10
GLIDE
CONTHOLLEnS
.3
30
RATE
(HZ)
SHAPE
OSC
CD
CD
a
ru
-v
0FF
ott
AUTO
TRIG
VCF
CD
CD
OFF
ON
OFF
ON
MODULATION
OSC
1
OCTAVE
32'
16'
8'
CD-
32'
16'
6'
OSC
2
OFF
ON
CONTOURED
CD
SYNC
OSC 2 TO
OSC
1
WAVEFORM
A
lU
-CD
a
iu
INTERVAL
OSCILLATORS
ATTACK
10—
OECAY
SUSTAIN
1O-
CD
OUT
IN
VCA
MODE
CONTOUR ' BYPASS
KEYED
CONTOUR
GENERATOR
CUTOFF
EMPHASIS
AMT
—10
KEYBOARD
TRACK
M/
ON
7
-
0
10
MASTER
VOLUME
POWER
OSC 1 OSC 2 NOISE
r\
o
r\
Taurus
II
sound
charts
are
line
drawings of
the
instrument's
front
panel.
Positions
for
placing
toggle
switches,
rotary
controls
and
sliders
are
indicated
by
dots.
To
help
you
remember
your
own
front
panel
settings
(patches)
we
have
included
two
blank
sound
charts
on
page
18.
We
suggest
you
photocopy
them
to
have a supply
of
blanks.
If
you
create a sound
you
wish
to
use
again
(especially
when
you're
experimenting
or
recording)
write
it
down.
You'd
be
surprised
how
easy
it is
to
forget
that
hot
patch.
a!)
ci
Tip
•These
sound
charts
are
designed
to
guide
you
toward a particular
sound.
After
setting
up
the
patch,
experiment
by
moving
one
or
two
controls.
By
making
several
adjustments,
you
might
find a sound
you
prefer.
Suggested
controls
to
experiment
with
are:
1.
Cutsdff
slider
in
the
Filter
section.
(This
controls
the
brightness
of
the
sound.)
2.
Octave
switch
in
the
Oscillator section.
(This
switch
selects
the
overall
pitch
of
the
instrument.)
3.
Attack
and
Decay
sliders
in
the
Contour
Generator.
(These
control
the
rise
and
fall
of
the
loudness
and
the
filter.)
O.K.
You're
eager
to
start
playing
the
Taurus
II.
Set
up
these
patches
and
get
an
idea
of
the
many
sounds
Taurus
II
can
produce.
ORIGINAL
TAURUS
VOICE
nnoog-
PITCH
a-«v
MOO
TaurusTJ
n
TUNE
0
10
GLIDE
V
V
.3
30
RATE
(H2>
SHAPE
OSC
a
ru
-v
OFF
0N
AUTO
TRIG
VCF
.
CONTROLLERS
-■
OFF
ON
OFF
ON
.MODULATION
OSC
1
OCTAVE
32*
16*
81
OFF
ON
CONTOURED
SYNC
OSC 2 TO
OSC
1
WAVEFORM
a
ru
32*
16'
8'
O5C
2
ILJ
*
UNISON
OCTAVE
7\>
INTERVAL
ATTACK
SUSTAIN
OUT
IN
VCA
MODE
DECAY
10-
O
-
CONTOUR ' BYPASS
KEYED
CONTOUR
GENERATOR
CUTOFF
EMPHASIS
AMT
—
10
ON
POWER
MASTER
VOLUME
10
OSC 1 OSC 2 NOISE
10
OSCILLATORS}
Note:
Detune
Osc 2 slightly
i
Ttp
Detuning
helps
to
get a richer,
fatter
sound.
Only a small
amount
is
enough
to
get
the
desired
effect.
BASS
1
PITCH
^^'"K
MOD
Taurdsfl
n
7 V
TUNE
0
10
GLIDE
CONTROLLERS
.3
30
RATE
(HZ>
SHAPE
OSC
0N
VCF
A
fU
"V
AUTO
TRIG
OFF
ON
OFF
ON
MODULATION
OSC
1
OCTAVE
32*
16'
OFF
ON
CONTOURED
SYNC
OSC 2 TO
OSC
1
WAVEFORM
a
ru
32'
16'
8'
OSC
S
fU
UNISON
OCTAVE
INTERVAL
OSCILLATORS
ATTACK
OUT
IN
VCA
MODE
CONTOUR^ ' BYPASS
KEYED
0
~\
-
0
10
MASTER
VOLUME
ON
POWER
CONTOUR
GENERATOR
CUTOFF
EMPHASIS
AMT
7\
KEYBOARD
TRACK
-—10
—
s
—
0
OSC 1 OSC 2 NOISE
10
Note:
Detune
Osc 2 slightly
BASS
II
-*,
maog
PITCH
^^*\
MOD
Tauruin
H
TUNE
0
10
GLIDE
V\
RATE
(HZ)
SHAPE
OSC
a
ru
-v
off
AUTO
TRIG
VCF
CONTROLLERS
OFF
ON
OFF
ON
MODULATION
OSC
1
OCTAVE
32*
16*
B'
OFF
ON
CONTOURED
SYNC
OSC 2 TO
OSC
1
WAVEFORM
A
OJ
32'
16'
8*
oscs
IU
UNISON
OCTAVE*
INTERVAL
OSCILLATORS
DECAY
SUSTAIN
OUT
IN
VCA
MODE
CONTOUR ' BYPASS
KEYED
CONTOUR
GENERATOR
V
V
o
io
MASTER
VOLUME
ON
POWER
CUTOFF
EMPHASIS
AMT
M/.
7
V
KEYBOARD
TRACK
10
OSC 1 OSC 2 NOISE
A A
r>
BASS
III
Note:
Detune
Osc 2 slightly
Taurus/J
n
TUNE
0
10
GLIDE
M/.
CONTROLLERS
'4
V
.3
30
RATE
(HZ)
SHAPE
OSC
A
HI
-V
OFF
0N
AUTO
TRIG
VCF
OFF
ON
OFF
ON
MODULATION
OSC
1
OCTAVE
32*
16'
8'
OFF
ON
CONTOURED
SYNC
OSC 2 TO
OSC
1
WAVEFORM
A
IU
32*
16'
81
(U
UNISON
\\/.
INTERVAL
OCTAVE
DECAY
SUSTAIN
OUT
IN
VCA
MODE
CONTOUR^
BYPASS
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CONTOUR
GENERATOR
CUTOFF
EMPHASIS
AMT
\tv
/\
0
10
MASTER
VOLUME
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POWER
7
V
KEYBOARD
TRACK
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10,
oscillator:
Note:
Watch
the
Master
Volume
on
this
patch
8
.
^
00
CN
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4-1
o
Z
<
o
BASSV
ITtEJOg
PITCH
MOO
TUNE
RATE
(HZ)
SHAPE
OSC
A
(U
-V
OFF
AUTO
TRIG
VCF
CONTRO
LLERS
OFF
ON
OFF
ON
MODULATION
OSC
OCTAVE
32'
16*
8*
OFF
ON
CONTOURED
SYNC
OSC 2 TO
OSC
1
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A
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32'
16'
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osc
a
UNISON
OCTAVE
INTERVAL
OSCILLATORS
BASS
VI
ATTACK
SUSTAIN
OUT
IN
VCA
MODE
0
-
CONTOURV ' BYPASS
KEYED
CONTOUR
GENERATOR
CUTOFF
EMPHASIS
AMT
—10
—
5
—
0
\
0
10
MASTER
VOLUME
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POWER
10
OSC 1 OSC 2 NOISE
M
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10
7.V
TUNE
PITCH • ^^"N
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TaurusHlI
4O
0
10
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(HZ)
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A
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0FF
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ON
MODULATION
OSC
1
OCTAVE
321
16'
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CONTOUREO
SYNC
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1
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32*
16'
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nj
UNISON
OCTAVE
INTERVAL
ATTACK
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OUT
IN
VCA
MODE
DECAY
10-
0
-
CONTOUR
BYPASS
KEYED
CONTOUR
GENERATOR
CUTOFF
EMPHASIS
AMT
ON
POWER
MASTER
VOLUME
KEYBOARD
TRACK
BASS
VII
7\
0
10
GLIDE
i
CONTROLLERS:
.3
30
RATE
(HZ)
SHAPE
OSC
a
ru
-v
0FF
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TRIG
OFF
ON
OFF
ON
modulation;
OSC
1
OCTAVE
32*
16'
8'
OFF
ON
CONTOURED
SYNC
OSC 2 TO
OSC
1
WAVEFORM
A
RJ
32'^
16'
B'
OSC
S
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.
OSCILLATORS'
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IN
VCA
MODE
CONTOUR
BYPASS
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GENERATOR.
CUTOFF
EMPHASIS
AMT
—10
0
10
MASTER
VOLUME
ON
POWER
0
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_
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TRACK
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VIII
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RATE
(HZ)
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ru
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ON
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MODULATION
OSC
1
OCTAVE
32P
16'
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OSC
1
WAVEFORM
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32'
16'
8'
OSC
2
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OCTAVE
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VCA
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GENERATOR
CUTOFF
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0
10
MASTER
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BASS
IX
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n
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30
RATE
(HZ)
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A
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TRIG
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1
OCTAVE
32'
16*
6'
OFF
ON
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OSC 2 TO
OSC
1
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32*
16*
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osc
e
A
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M/
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0
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CONTOUR
GENERATOR
CUTOFF
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AMT
—10
7 V
MASTER
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POWER
OSC 1 OSC 2 NOISE
101
OVEP
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I
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H
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ru
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off
on
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OFF
ON
OFF
ON
MODULATION
0FF
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CONTOURED
SYNC
OSC 2 TO
OSC
1
OCTAVE
32*
16'
8'
WAVEFORM
a
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32'
16'
81
OSC
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10~
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IN
VCA
MODE
At/
o
10
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POWER
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CUTOFF
EMPHASIS
AMT
7V:
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OSC 1 OSC 2 NOISE
A
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n
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.
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meog
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n
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V
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.
MODULATION
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10-
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VCA
MODE
CONTOUR
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CONTOUR
GENERATOR
CUTOFF
EMPHASIS
AMT
—10
Ma
0
10
MASTER
VOLUME
ON
POWER
KEYBOARD
TRACK
OSC 1 OSC 2 NOISE
SOLO
III
maog
7
V
PITCH ^ -«s
MOD
Taurtfs
0
10
GLIDE
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RATE
(HZ)
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OSC
a
ru
-v
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MODULATION
OSC
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32-
16'
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CUTOFF
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AMT
-7
V
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OSC 1 OSC 2 NOISE
OVER
ORtVE
5-
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