Minimoog Voyager synthesizer used by J Dilla: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A Minimoog Voyager, a monophonic analog synthesizer, owned by record producer and artist J Dilla. The synthesizer features a small keyboard set into a wooden frame beneath a control panel. The control board consists of black knobs, red and blue switches, and two different sized screens. The control board has hinge and stand that allows it to be propped up to better face the user. A brass plaque appears above piano keys on right side, and reads, [minimoog®/voyager™]. On the back of the control panel is a label in the bottom left corner that reads, [MOOG MUSIC, Inc./ASHEVILLE, NC/minimoog® Voyager/SERIAL NO. 263].

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 2002-2005
• Manufactured by: Moog Music Inc., American, founded 1953
• Used by: J Dilla, American, 1974 - 2006
• Type: synthesizers
• Type: musical instruments
• Medium: wood, plastic, metal, glass, canvas
• Dimensions: Back panel flat: 4 1/2 × 30 3/4 × 17 7/8 in. (11.4 × 78.1 × 45.4 cm)
• Dimensions: Back panel raised: 12 3/8 × 30 3/4 × 17 7/8 in. (31.4 × 78.1 × 45.4 cm)
• Place used: Los Angeles, California, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Hip-hop (Music)
• Topic: Musicians
• Object number: 2014.139.2a
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Maureen Yancy
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The displayed image also has an explicit CC0 designation. The underlying object's rights statement is: No Known Copyright Restrictions Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.