Oberheim Matrix-12 Turns 40: Win One of the Most Legendary Analog Synths and Donate!
Win: The Ultimate Combination of Analog Power and Modularity
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Oberheim Matrix-12 turns 40: Win one of the most legendary analog synthesizers and donate! · Source: Bob Moog Foundation
The Oberheim Matrix-12 is one of the most legendary analog polyphonic synthesizers of all time. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of this instrument, the Bob Moog Foundation is holding a special raffle: one lucky winner will receive a fully restored Matrix-12 signed by Tom Oberheim, Marcus Ryle and Michel Doidic. The provenance of this instrument is particularly noteworthy: it was personally owned by Doug Curtis, the developer of the legendary Curtis chips used in countless synthesizers in the 1970s and 1980s. His widow, Mary Curtis, donated the unit for the raffle, the proceeds of which will support the work of the Bob Moog Foundation.
Limited Chance to Win a Restored Oberheim Matrix-12 in a Special Raffle
Tickets for the raffle will be available on February 17, 2025, with the deadline for entries being March 10, 2025. A single ticket costs $25, with larger ticket packages offering additional chances to win. Those who purchase at least five tickets will also receive an exclusive invitation to a Zoom call with Marcus Ryle, one of the main developers of the Oberheim Matrix-12. The instrument to be raffled is a true collector’s item: serial number P53207, built in the 32nd week of 1985 and expertly restored by Marcus Ryle himself.
The Oberheim Matrix-12 is based on the architecture of the Xpander and offers twelve voices with an unprecedented variety of sounds. The combination of 15 analog filter modes, a flexible modulation matrix and linear FM synthesis made the Matrix-12 a groundbreaking innovation. Four decades after its release, musicians and producers still rely on its warm, assertive sound. For many, it remains the ultimate polyphonic analog instrument.
A Cult Synthesizer With a Real History
Doug Curtis was instrumental in the development of the Oberheim Matrix-12, designing new chips specifically for this model. His CEM3372 and CEM3374 ICs took analog synthesis to a new level and were used in many other classics of the era. His family’s decision to donate one of the two Matrix-12s from his estate for the raffle was not an easy one, but it was made out of appreciation for the instrument and to support the Bob Moog Foundation.
Proceeds from the raffle will benefit three of the Foundation’s major projects: Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool, an educational program that has taught the fundamentals of sound science to more than 35,000 students; the Moog Archives, which contains more than 15,000 historical documents; and the Moogseum in Asheville, North Carolina. After the financial losses caused by Hurricane Helene, the Foundation urgently needs support to continue its projects. For more information about the raffle, please visit the Bob Moog Foundation website.
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