Minimoog test- comparison of 4 original Minimoogs
How good is the new Minimoog Model D? I assume that many wonder if it’s time to start saving up for the new Minimoog. Is it the real thing? I decided to compare my 4 Minimoogs (from left to right in the picture):
- Minimoog Voyager Electric Blue (Voyager in the text below)
- Minimoog D, vintage, with the later oscillator board construction (below MMDlater)
- Minimoog D, vintage, with the old oscillator board construction (below MMDold)
- Minimoog D, new version 2016, based on the later oscillator board construction (below MMDnew)
The Voyager is a fantastic machine, but suffers in comparison to the other 3 Minimoogs. The sound is somewhat muffled. Of course, you can do a lot of additional things with a Voyager, but if you want the classic Minimoog sound this is not the correct synth. But of course you get a good Moogish sound! I think a new Voyager suffers in comparison with a Sub37. I wouldn’t buy a new Voyager, but a secondhand is probably a bargain, especially considering the quality and feeling! If you don’t have the big vintage itch this is a really good synth.
MMDlater and MMDnew is really similar in sound. You can find some minor differences in how overdrive works – using a cable from lo out to ext in – the classic Minimoog trick. In that case my MMDlater is a little bit wilder in sound than the MMDnew, MMDnew is more controlled in a way. But now we talk about tiny small differences, they can as well depend on individual machines. I would not be able to do a blind test between them.
MMDold, is a little bit warmer soundwise, rawer and less polished. Using overdrive is also more raw than MMDlater. But the negative thing is the tuning issues. Moog changed the oscillator board construction to get better tuning stability. I clearly understand why!
MMDold, MMDlater and MMDnew is absolutely very similar in sound. It’s probably easy to simulate the difference between MMDold and the two other, adding some effect in the feedback chain for example. MMDnew also adds MIDI and some other goodies. I’m extremely positive to this re-issue by Moog. This is the real thing! All magic is there. I will use the MMDnew as my “standard” Minimoog.
Of course it’s madness to buy a monosynth for this price. But it’s sweet madness. If you are smart and price sensitive go for a Sub37 or Eurorack, they come close enough soundwise, you will get a good Moog sound.
But if you want the Stradivarius of synths, an instrument to have all your life, then you can confidently skip vintage Moogs and go for the new MMD!
How good is the new Minimoog Model D? I assume that many wonder if it’s time to start saving up for the new Minimoog. Is it the real thing? I decided to compare my 4 Minimoogs (from left to right in the picture):
- Minimoog Voyager Electric Blue (Voyager in the text below)
- Minimoog D, vintage, with the later oscillator board construction (below MMDlater)
- Minimoog D, vintage, with the old oscillator board construction (below MMDold)
- Minimoog D, new version 2016, based on the later oscillator board construction (below MMDnew)
The Voyager is a fantastic machine, but suffers in comparison to the other 3 Minimoogs. The sound is somewhat muffled. Of course, you can do a lot of additional things with a Voyager, but if you want the classic Minimoog sound this is not the correct synth. But of course you get a good Moogish sound! I think a new Voyager suffers in comparison with a Sub37. I wouldn’t buy a new Voyager, but a secondhand is probably a bargain, especially considering the quality and feeling! If you don’t have the big vintage itch this is a really good synth.
MMDlater and MMDnew is really similar in sound. You can find some minor differences in how overdrive works – using a cable from lo out to ext in – the classic Minimoog trick. In that case my MMDlater is a little bit wilder in sound than the MMDnew, MMDnew is more controlled in a way. But now we talk about tiny small differences, they can as well depend on individual machines. I would not be able to do a blind test between them.
MMDold, is a little bit warmer soundwise, rawer and less polished. Using overdrive is also more raw than MMDlater. But the negative thing is the tuning issues. Moog changed the oscillator board construction to get better tuning stability. I clearly understand why!
MMDold, MMDlater and MMDnew is absolutely very similar in sound. It’s probably easy to simulate the difference between MMDold and the two other, adding some effect in the feedback chain for example. MMDnew also adds MIDI and some other goodies. I’m extremely positive to this re-issue by Moog. This is the real thing! All magic is there. I will use the MMDnew as my “standard” Minimoog.
Of course it’s madness to buy a monosynth for this price. But it’s sweet madness. If you are smart and price sensitive go for a Sub37 or Eurorack, they come close enough soundwise, you will get a good Moog sound.
But if you want the Stradivarius of synths, an instrument to have all your life, then you can confidently skip vintage Moogs and go for the new MMD!
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