Moog Taurus II User 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; [phone]
•: .■*'•

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
KEYED
CONTOUR GENERATOR
CUTOFF EMPHASIS AMT
\tv
/\
0 10
MASTER
VOLUME
ON
POWER
7 V
KEYBOARD
TRACK
OSC 1 OSC 2 NOISE
10,
oscillator:
Note: Watch the Master Volume on this patch
8 .

^
00
CN
0)
4-1
o
Z
< o