Minimoog Model D, Moog’s legendary synth makes a comeback

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Moog has revived Bob Moog’s legendary Minimoog Model D monophonic analog Synthesizer once again with some improvements.

Bob Moog’s first commercial Synthesizer that you could buy in shops was the Minimoog. Today the analog instrument is legendary and is an important part of the synth history and electronic music. It has been used in countless music production. Whether pop, progressive rock, jazz, electronic or experimental music, the Model D was everywhere.

It has become an integral part of music and history. The Model D influenced electronic and contemporary music like no other Synthesizer. The enthusiasm for Bob Moog’s first commercial synthesizer remains unbroken. It is still one of the most popular synthesizers today. This shows the constantly growing list of digital emulations and circuit clones.

Moog Minimoog reissue

Now Moog seems to have found some chips to reissue this classic again. After it’s last comeback in 2016, the Model D once again returns to the market in its original shape and design.

The all-analog instrument gained acclaim for combining the colossal sound of the 1960s Moog modular synthesizers with the accessibility of pre-wired modules, meaning that it could be played instantly and intuitively with no patch cables required.

A groundbreaking innovation, the Minimoog was quickly embraced by a diverse roster of performers, such as Herbie Hancock, Kraftwerk, Jan Hammer, Sun Ra, Giorgio Moroder, Parliament Funkadelic, Pink Floyd, and Gary Numan—all shaping unique sounds and forging new genres with the instrument.

Minimoog Model D

The Model D is built by hand in the Moog factory in Asheville, North Carolina, and to last a lifetime, says Moog Music in their press release. More, each Minimoog Model D delivers the revered quality, undefinable feel, and authentic sound of a pristine vintage Moog.

Minimoog (2022) comes with an identical analog sound engine and audio signal path as the Model D that Bob Moog and his team engineered in the 1970s. Including three multi-wave oscillators, a ladder lowpass filter with contour control, two envelopes, and more.

This latest edition of the instrument also includes the series of popular functional modifications from the 2016 production run. You get a dedicated analog LFO with triangle/ square waveshapes, and a premium Fatar keybed with velocity and after pressure available via top panel CV jacks. You also benefit from MIDI integration, improved pitch wheel calibration, and a mixer feedback modification. The latter allows the Minimoog Model D to overdrive and scream with the turn of a knob.

Moog Minimoog Model D

New 2022 Features

The new Minimoog also comes with all-new features. It now includes a spring-loaded pitch wheel that returns to center upon release. This enhancement—a popular artist request—allows for improved playability and wild performance flourishes. There are also updates to the MIDI functionality for better studio integration.

Further, the legendary engine is housed in a locally sourced Appalachian cherry cabinet with a legacy-inspired walnut stain and hand-finished aluminum chassis, says Moog

Moog has created a lovely video in collaboration with the Will Gregory Moog Ensemble where 10 musicians perform a song using only their own Model D.

Moog is also celebrating this release with a 50% discount on its iOS apps including the Model D and Model 15.

The Moog Model D will haunt us all our lives. He will always be present, no matter what form. I am happy to see that the Model D can be bought again in its original design. But at a very high price. Especially compared to the reissue from 2016, you have to pay almost twice as much now.

While that’s good news, it’s too much for a premium Boutique monophonic synth for me. Maybe when I’m older and wiser I’ll reconsider this.

Moog Model D is available now for 5999€.

More information here: Moog Music 

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7 Comments

  1. 5999€ for an analog monosynth with 70’s technology. Ah well, some people buy bakelite phones at similar prices.. “It’s iconic you see.” Lol

    • People spend 40k on a watch with 1940s technology. There is nothing wrong with spending money on things that make you happy. They exist because there is a demand, just as there is a demand for more affordable options. Moog offers both.

  2. I’m glad Moog has brought the mini back, as an iconic synth there’s always going to be someone who wants them, and Moog should be making money off this to fund other synths.

  3. For the price of one Minimoog (2022) Model D I could buy 22,9 Behringer Model D. But it is almost the same, I call it collecterism.

  4. … maybe sonically but not in terms of usability, playability, longevity and – maybe – durability. For me as a synth-freak and hobbyist the B-D is perfectly fine (i have not 22,9 but 1), as a profeesional touring stage performer i surely would prefer the ‘real thing’.

    If you want a Minimoog then you have to buy a Minimoog, new or used – if you want the sound there are plenty of options, hardware/software/clones/inspired by…

  5. So the one Minimoog will last longer than 22,9 Behringer Model D? Risky statement, Joerg, risky statement! But who cares, I don’t want a Minimoog and I don’t want 22,9 Behringer Model D. I only have two human ears and one table.

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