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"MOOG III-C": Hideki Matsutake Explains the Sound of YMO's "BEHIND THE MASK"

Synth College WebPublished 2019.12.31Updated 2025.04.20
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Learn About Historic Synthesizers Through Their Sound and Untold Stories

Sleepfreaks JSPA

Here we present "Synth College Web", a collaboration project with the Japan Synthesizer Professional Arts (JSPA).

Many classic songs have been supported by the "analog synthesizer"
Today you can run all kinds of synthesizers on your computer as software synths, but many of you are probably curious about what the real hardware those software synths are modeled on actually sounds like.
In this project, "Synth College Web", we bring you the history of synthesizers along with the sounds of the real instruments and untold stories from the time.

The synthesizer featured here is the now-legendary "MOOG III-C".

moog

Hideki Matsutake, who worked as synthesizer manipulator for YMO (Yellow Magic Orchestra), explains and demonstrates the MOOG III-C.

Synth College Web: "MOOG III-C"

Japan Synthesizer Professional Arts (JSPA) website

Special Guests

Hideki Matsutake

Synthesizer programmer / composer and arranger / music producer.
Began making music with the Moog synthesizer as an assistant to Isao Tomita in 1971. From 1978 to 1982, he joined Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) as a programmer, accompanying them on recordings and world tours, and earned the nickname "the fourth member of YMO". While working on recordings for many artists across genres, he launched his own unit, "Logic System", in 1981 and also had albums released overseas. He is currently the representative director of the Japan Synthesizer Professional Arts.

Twitter: @logic649

Takeshi Fujii

Music producer / programmer / arranger. Since the 1980s, he has worked as a synthesizer programmer on works by YMO, Southern All Stars and others. He co-produced hit albums such as Southern All Stars' "KAMAKURA", Keisuke Kuwata's "KEISUKE KUWATA" and Tomoyasu Hotei's "GUITARHYTHM" series. Since then he has worked on a wide range of genres with artists including Yosui Inoue, The Gospellers, TEI TOWA, Reichi Nakaido, SPIRAL LIFE and Ryoko Hirosue. "Shibuya Ongaku Zukan" was his first book. His latest book is "YMO no ONGAKU".

Twitter: @fujiitake


Supporting Companies

We would like to introduce the companies that generously supported this shoot.

Thanks to the distributor of the popular DAW software "Studio One", MI7 Japan Inc., for providing the studio for the shoot.


For "Moog One", the ultimate analog synthesizer combining Moog sound with modern technology, we received the cooperation of KORG.

"YMO no ONGAKU" Giveaway for 5 People

Finally, to celebrate "Synth College Web", we are giving away Takeshi Fujii's much-talked-about book "YMO no ONGAKU" to five people.

YMO no ONGAKU

Giveaway Entry Form

The giveaway has ended.
Thank you very much for all your comments and entries.

Entry Period

Until 11:59 PM on January 26, 2020.
Limited to one entry per person.

Winner Announcement

Winners will be contacted by email on January 31, 2020.

If we do not receive a reply within 7 days of sending the email, the prize will be forfeited and a new drawing will be held.
The prize is valid only for the winner. Please note that prizes cannot be transferred or exchanged for cash.

Synthesizer Blind Test Answers

A.Moog One

B.Arturia Modular V

C. Moog IIIc