The Minimoog Model D is back — and better than ever.
For the first time since 1981, Moog Music has officially resumed production of the Minimoog Model D. How could Moog improve on this coveted classic? A meticulous re-creation, the Minimoog Model D sports three oscillators that deliver the punch you need for searing leads and bass that will rattle the walls. Moog's legendary Ladder Filter, complete with custom reissued transistors, is onboard. But Moog added a dedicated LFO, CV output, MIDI, custom transistors, an updated power supply, and more. The metal pots are silky smooth and extremely reliable. The premium Fatar keybed is velocity- and aftertouch-enabled. This is the legendary sound you remember from countless hit records. You'll be blown away by the Minimoog Model D.
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Own your slice of music history
1971. Walt Disney World opens. Alan Shepard plays golf on the moon. Intel introduces the first commercial microprocessor. And in Trumansburg, New York, Dr. Robert A. (Bob) Moog is soldering together the future of music, one circuit at a time. The Minimoog Model D marked the point when synthesis broke away from academia. Previously, universities were pretty much the only entities with the budget (and the space) for the massive modular synthesizers that came before. The genius of the Minimoog was that it distilled the essence of those behemoths into a portable monosynth optimized for live performance.
Over 45 years of hit records
From Yes and Kraftwerk to Chick Corea and Jan Hammer, the Minimoog was de rigueur for progressive rock and jazz heavies blasting their way into a brave new world of popular synthesis. From the 1970s onward, the Minimoog has been heard cross-genre on legendary recordings by Herbie Hancock, Steve Winwood, Bob Marley, Toto, Rush, Gary Numan, Michael Jackson (like that killer "Thriller" bass line), Nine Inch Nails, Dr. Dre, and countless others. The Moog sound remains a vital ingredient in TV, game, and motion picture scores and sound design, and a staple of all well-stocked virtual instrument libraries. But why play software when you could break out of the box and rock the real thing? Used Minis in good operating condition command a pretty penny — if you can find one. The Minimoog Model D is your opportunity to own the genuine article at a lower cost, complete with state-of-the-art upgrades. And a warranty. It's a no-brainer.
The Minimoog legend lives
The Mini's famously fat, punchy sound is mainly attributable to its discrete circuitry and the filter being overdriven. But analog synthesis is not always about blistering leads, blippy sounds, and enveloping bottom end. Granted, the Minimoog wrote the book on these things, but it's also capable of eerily accurate simulations of acoustic instruments such as woodwinds, brass, and strings. From aggressive to serene, the Mini deploys a universe of sonic bliss. It's been the iconic go-to monosynth for 45 years and counting, and the Minimoog Model D keeps the legend very much alive.
A model of simplicity
The Minimoog Model D is a self-contained monophonic analog synthesizer, and the direct descendant of the Moog modular synthesizers that preceded it. If you want to learn analog synthesis, what better place to start? The control panel is a model of simplicity, with the Mini's three oscillators, noise generator, dedicated LFO, audio Mixer, Filter, and envelope generators logically grouped together by type. The Mini's normalled signal flow means you don't have to mess with patch cables just to get sound out of it. You direct the signal path with easy-to-understand color coded rocker switches. But when you're ready to throw some patches, the enhanced top panel accommodates.
CV routing options and MIDI
While not a modular synth, the Minimoog Model D enhances your sound-sculpting capabilities with new CV routing options on its top panel. In addition to the Control Voltage inputs for Loudness, Filter (cutoff), and Oscillator pitch offered by vintage Minis, the Model D adds an input for External Modulation Source and also gives you CV outputs for After Pressure (aftertouch), Pitch, V-Trig Gate, and Velocity. This means you could throw a patch and have, for instance, aftertouch control over your filter cutoff. Or velocity control over your amp. In addition, Moog has added 5-pin DIN MIDI in, out, and thru jacks to provide basic MIDI connectivity. The Model D can receive MIDI Note and Pitch Bend information, as well as SysEx commands. It can send polyphonic MIDI Note, Velocity, and Pitch Bend information, as well as Aftertouch.
New modulation capabilities
While remaining faithful to the original design, the Minimoog Model D gives you modulation possibilities the original didn't offer. Moog has added the ability to use the Filter Contour as a modulation source for things like analog percussion sounds. There is now an External Modulation Source input so that you can bring in any other types of modulation sources to the instrument. They've also added a dedicated LFO (with your choice of Triangle or Square waveforms) right above the pitch bend wheel on the left cheek.
As with the original, you still have the option to commandeer the third oscillator for modulation duties, in which case you'd have two LFOs for crafting swirling evolving textures - and two oscillators for sound generation. The Mini's three voltage-controlled oscillators are capable of devastating sonic power, and experienced Sweetwater synthesists know that the Mini sounds amazingly gutsy with just one oscillator, so with two you're still ahead of the game. The Minimoog Model D Reissue is irresistible: the most iconic synth ever, brought up to modern spec. You're going to love it.
Moog Minimoog Model D Reissue Features:
- A faithful re-creation of the most iconic synth in history
- Mil-spec build quality
- Original discrete circuitry, but more robust
- All the purity of the original circuit path
- Oscillators designed after the Moog modular 921 modules
- Custom reissue transistors
- Updated power supply
- Modern, premium 44-note Fatar TP-9 keybed with velocity and aftertouch
- MIDI in, out, and thru 5-pin DIN jacks:
- Receives MIDI Note, Pitch Bend, and SysEx commands
- Sends MIDI Note, Velocity, Pitch Bend, and Aftertouch
- Control Voltage inputs and outputs:
- In: Loudness, Filter, Oscillator, and Modulation Source
- Out: After Pressure, Pitch, V-Trig, and Velocity
- Dedicated analog triangle/squarewave LFO
- Original thermoset pitch and mod wheels
