Google's Tribute to Bob Moog

Google is using their homepage today to celebrate the 78th birthday of Robert "Bob" Moog, the inventor of the Moog synthesizer, an electronic musical instrument that changed the sound of music.

People have a chance to play with a simple virtual synthesizer. By clicking on the piano keys, or by using a computer's keyboard, visitors can play their own tunes and experiment with different synthesizer sounds. When the logo is clicked on, the white keys can be played using the row on the computer keyboard beginning with the TAB key, and the black keys with the row of numbers above.

The sound controls are shown in four sections, above the keyboard, echoing Moog's modular design. The first section contains volume controls. The large knob changes the master volume, and the three knobs to its left control the treble, middle, and bass levels, respectively.

The second module contains the oscillator controls. Google's synthesizer contains three different oscillators, all of which generate "raw" waveforms. The first column of three knobs control the octave range of each oscillator, creating sounds ranging from the extremely deep and barely audible to ear-piercingly high and sharp. Each of the three knobs can be controlled independently. Experimentation with these controls may lead to interesting results. The two large knobs in the oscillator controls allow you to change the tuning of two of the oscillators. This acts in a similar way to loosening or tightening a string on a guitar. Finally, the column of three knobs on the right side of the oscillator controls will allow you to choose different waveforms for the oscillators. These can also dramatically affect the shape of the sound.

The third module contains the filters. Once more, these will greatly influence the sound of the synthesizer. The two knobs in the upper left and the lower left corners of the filters module shape the sound by cutting off the highest frequencies and emphasizing certain tones. The knob between them controls portamento, or glide: the degree to which the synthesizer will "slide" between played notes. The other three knobs in the filters selection will apply more modifiers to the sound. Play with these and see what you come up with!

The final module, envelope, will change the overall shape and length of the sound. The top envelope knob controls "attack," or how abruptly a tone will begin to play. The second knob controls "release," which determines how long it will take for silence to resume after a key is released. The last knob controls "sustain," or how loud the note will be when it is held down.

It also contains a four-track recording device that will allow you to capture your masterpiece and share it with friends.

http://www.google.com

To view past interactive Google Doodles, click the link below:

http://www.google.com/doodles/search?query=interactive