Discussion about instruments used and owned by one of the most legendary producers of our time, the late J Dilla. Both the MPC and synthesizer are on display in the permanent music exhibition "Musical Crossroads" at the new National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Smithsonian Artifact Featured in this Video
Minimoog Voyager synthesizer used by J Dilla
View More about Minimoog Voyager synthesizer used by J Dilla
- Description
- 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].
- Data Source
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Manufactured by
- Moog Music Inc., American, founded 1953
- Used by
- J Dilla, American, 1974 - 2006
- Date
- 2002-2005
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Maureen Yancy
- 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)
- Back panel raised: 12 3/8 × 30 3/4 × 17 7/8 in. (31.4 × 78.1 × 45.4 cm)
- Type
- synthesizers
- musical instruments
MIDI Production Center 3000 Limited Edition used by J Dilla
View More about MIDI Production Center 3000 Limited Edition used by J Dilla
- Description
- An AKAI MPC 3000 Limited Edition integrated rhythm machine, drum sampler, and midi sequencer used by record producer and artist J Dilla. The machine consists of a black plastic box with a small screen in the upper left corner, multiple key pads, and a vertical design of black musical notes along the left, center and right of the box. Grey type at the top of the machine reads, [AKAI/professional/Roger Linn/INTEGRATED RHYTHM MACHINE 16 BIT DRUM SAMPLER/MIDI SEQUENCER]. Gold plaque above the type reads, [Limited Edition/MPC3000/EDITION NO. 0449].
- Data Source
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Manufactured by
- Akai Professional, founded 1984
- Used by
- J Dilla, American, 1974 - 2006
- Designed by
- Roger Linn, American
- Date
- 2000
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Maureen Yancy
- Medium
- plastic, rubber, metal
- Dimensions
- 4 7/8 × 17 3/8 × 15 3/4 in. (12.4 × 44.1 × 40 cm)
- Type
- electronic instruments
