Hey MusicMan-
Most of the sweet moog leads you hear on the Rentals records are not from
the Opus 3, they're from
the Moog Source. The Source is a 2 VCO analog synth, but has space for 8 programmable presets, which are sweet.
The Opus-3 has like three sections-Brass, Organ, and Strings I think- check out sonicstate.com for more detailed info. I think it sounds more like a combo organ sent through a filter.
If you listen to Seven More Minutes- the drone tone throughout the background of (before 0:35), that's the Opus-3:
It's a Moog, but it's capability for Sound design are seriously limited
All the leads on the first record (Friends of P, Waiting on You) are the Source. The horn sound on track nine in the background is the Opus 3
On Seven More Minutes, the leads are an ARP Oddysey and the Source, and most of the effects and bombs and junk are the Oddysey...
If you're just raving at the sweetness of the Rentals records- they rock....alot...Seven More Minutes is one of the most interesting and entertaining records I own.
If you're looking to buy, go for the Source, or the Prodigy at the lower end..
the memorymoog and the delectable MiniMoog will give you more control, but most of the indie 'moog-rock' bands use the Prodigy or the Source (Hippos, Deathray, Weezer) or
the Korg MS-20( dandy warhols, 2 skinee j's) I think synthmuseum.com has a feature to search what artists use various synths
Stay away from
the Micromoog- it has only one oscillator, and sounds desparately thin
Glad to see another Rentals fan...
Rock Out
Chris