Moog - Model 15 & MiniMoog

What is the best way to approach a transformative design process?
Moog came to North Kingdom with a design challenge to transform the iconic Model 15 synthesizer into a digital product. This is the story of how we did it.

Robert Moog was an inventor and pioneer in electronic music. The company carrying his name has been inspiring musicians and pushing the boundaries of music technology, creating the market of analog synthesizers with legendary products such as the Model 15 and the Minimoog released in the early 1970s. Moog’s synthesizers have been widely used by musicians like The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Kraftwerk, David Bowie and Prince to modern acts as Radiohead and The Weeknd.

Today Moog’s products are back in vogue as many musicians are trying to seek out some of Moog’s iconic synthesizers. However, the synthesizers are somewhat expensive and take up a lot of space which creates a barrier for smaller and newer artists.

Moog's ambition was to meet their users' digitally-fueled demands by transforming their beloved products into the future of music production. By transforming their business model further into the digital era they also reached a wider audience - the digitally-fueled up and coming artists of tomorrow. 

To accomplish the ambition, Moog approached North Kingdom with the exciting challenge - how do you transform the iconic synthesizers into digital products? 

Making a digital product that opened up the world of music production for more artists than previously, without decreasing the quality in Moog’s synthesizers, was North Kingdoms key challenge.

Our ambition was to give the users an outstanding easy-to-use app containing everything the original synthesizer has, with added functions and effects that suit today’s music production. The highly beloved Moog Model 15 was the product that was first chosen for the digital transformation in 2016, followed by the iconic MiniMoog in 2018. 

In order to transform the iconic synthesizers into a digital experience, North Kingdom was given the task of recreating the iconic design, feel and sound to the very last detail into a digital app. The products even maintain the original knobs and scratches, translated into a modern digital product.

The result is a digital experience optimized for tablets but also suitable for smartphones for a truly mobile and portable tool - what once occupied a desk now fits in a pocket. 

It’s a fully responsive musical experience that our insight-driven design process made possible. The cost lowered from several thousands of dollars to fifteen dollars, making it possible for musicians all over the world to experience the Moog possibilities, and making the music industry a more democratized place for less established artists.

The positive results have been pouring in since the release - Model 15 was awarded the iconic Red Dot Best of the Best Award, and the MiniMoog was awarded again with the Red Dot Award. Upon its initial release, the app went directly into App Store’s “New apps we love”, with high ratings of 4.4 and 4.8 respectively. Industry-leading media outlets like The Verge, Engadget, and Resident Advisor has featured articles about the app.