Moog Minimoog Model D 2022 Re-Issue

Stop the press: the legendary Moog Minimoog Model D is back! This is the eagerly-awaited reissue of the legendary analogue, monophonic synthesizer, with new upgrades for the modern player. Moog was - and still is - the sound of the future. Originally released forty-six years ago, the Minimoog Model D now allows a new generation of creative musicians to create and explore new sounds with what is arguably the most important synth ever made.

Your turn to own a piece of synthesizer history!

This limited run of Minimoog Model D synthesizers is as authentic a recreation as Moog are able to make. They will be handcrafted just as the Minimoog Model D's produced from 1970-1981. They have had an American semi-conductor company remake the TIS97, TIS93, and TIS92 transistors to exact specs so that the filters and VCAs retain their original properties and characteristics. The intrinsic sound engine and overall form factor are maintained, however a handful of new features have been added... which means the new Model D is even better than the original!

Some of the new features of the reissued Minimoog Model D consist of a dedicated analogue LFO including triangle and square waveshapes, an elite Fatar keybed with velocity and after the pressure that's available via the top panel CV jacks, MIDI integration, and a mixer feedback modification that enables the Model D to achieve an overdriven tone at the turn of a knob.

Key Features:

• 3 vintage Moog oscillators
• Classic MiniMoog low pass ladder filter with resonance
• Analog circuit boards recreated using original designs and component placement
• Custom reissued transistors critical to sound quality and character
• Military spec precision resistors
• Precision Linear System matched JFETs in oscillators
• Classic thermoset, knurled pitch and mod wheels
• CV Modifications: outputs added for Pitch, Aftertouch, Velocity and Gate (Aftertouch and Velocity have dedicated output level attenuators)
• Modulation Modifications: analogue Triangle/Square wave LFO and Filter Envelope added as modulation sources, as well as an External Modulation CV input
• Overload Modification: the output of the Minimoog Model D is automatically scaled and fed back to the External Audio Input for instantly available overdrive
• Improved circuit board connectors for touring reliability
• Fatar TP-9 keybed with velocity and aftertouch
• MIDI in, out and thru

What's so special about the Minimoog Model D?

For the first time since 1981, Moog Music has officially resumed production of the Minimoog Model D. The Minimoog Model D was the world’s first portable synthesizer and served as the archetype for all electronic keyboards that followed. First released in the early 1970s, the instrument gained worldwide acclaim for combining the colossal sound of Moog’s large-format modular synthesizers with the accessibility of pre-wired modules. Over the last 40 years, some of the world’s most influential artists like Trent Reznor, Gary Numan, Dr Dre, Keith Emerson and Herbie Hancock have shaped their unique sounds and forged new musical genres using the Minimoog Model D. This valuable sonic tool is now made available to veteran synthesists and the next generation of electronic pioneers.

Each newly built Minimoog Model D is lovingly handcrafted by the employee-owners at the Moog Factory in Asheville, NC. This 3-oscillator, monophonic, analogue synthesizer is securely housed in a locally-sourced Appalachian hard-wood enclosure and hand-finished aluminium chassis. The circuit boards retain the exact component placement and through-hole design of a beloved 1970’s era Minimoog Model D.

Though no changes have been made to the original sound engine or audio signal path, the Moog Minimoog Model D now includes a series of popular functional modifications that expand this legendary instrument’s sonic capabilities. These modifications include a premium Fatar keybed with velocity and after pressure available via top panel CV jacks, a dedicated analogue LFO with triangle and square waveshapes, CV outputs for pitch, gate, velocity and after pressure, basic MIDI integration, and a mixer overload modification, which when engaged, allows the Minimoog Model D to conjure thicker and far more overdriven sounds than before.

NOTE: Due to the complexity of the build process, coupled with the demand for other Moog instruments, they are only able to produce a small number of Minimoog Model D units per month. Get one whilst you can!

Famous Model D Users:

The Chemical Brothers, The Orb, Kraftwerk, Jan Hammer, Nine Inch Nails, Vince Clarke, Gary Numan, Rick Wakeman, 808 State, Air, Depeche Mode, Tangerine Dream, Dave Holmes, Jean-Michel Jarre, Blondie, Rush, Toto, Keith Emerson, Yes, Vangelis, Pink Floyd, Herbie Hancock.

Moog Model D Minimoog Re-Issue Specifications:

SOUND SOURCES (5)

• Oscillators x 3
• Noise Generator
• External Input

OSCILLATORS

• Frequency Range: 0.1 to 20 kHz (In Six Overlapping Ranges)
• Oscillator Stability (short term) > 0.25 %

Waveforms:

• Triangle
• Triangle-Sawtooth (Oscillator–1, Oscillator–2) 
• Reverse Sawtooth (Oscillator–3)
• Sawtooth
• Rectangle
• Wide Pulse
• Narrow Pulse

NOISE GENERATOR

• White
• Pink

LFO

• Rate: 0.05Hz to 200 Hz
• Waveform: Triangle (knob down); Square (knob up)

External Input

• Input Range: +10 millivolts to +2 volts
• Input Impedance: 1MEG Ohms

Filter

• Filter Type: Voltage Controlled Low Pass (Moog Ladder Filter)
• Cutoff Frequency Range: 10 Hz to 20 kHz
• Filter Slope: 24 dB per Octave
• Filter Resonance: At Cutoff Frequency

Contour Generators

• Attack Time: 1 millisecond to 10 seconds
• Decay Time: 4 milliseconds to >35 seconds
• Sustain Level: 0 to 100% of Contour peak
• Filter Contour Width: 0 to 4 Octaves
• Voltage Controlled Amplifiers (VCA)
• Loudness Contour Dynamic Range: 80 dB

Audio Input Levels

• 1/4” External Signal Input
• Voltage : +10 millivolts (min); +10 volt (max.)
• Nominal Input Impedance: 1000K Ohms

Audio Output Levels

• High-Level Output
• Typical Voltage: 0.5 volts
• Maximum Voltage: 4.2 volts (peak-to-peak)
• Nominal Output Impedance: 3K Ohms
• Low-Level Output (30 dB below High level)
• Typical Voltage: 15 millivolts
• Nominal Output Impedance: 1K Ohms

Headphone Output (stereo)

• Maximum Voltage: 0.3 volts
• Output Impedance: 8 Ohms

Keyboard

• Key Action: Synthesizer (Spring)
• Number of Keys: 44
• Key Range: F0 to C4
• Priority (Low, High, Last): User Selectable
• Hardwired Connections: 
• Oscillator–1 (Pitch)
• Oscillator–2 (Pitch)
• Filter Contour (Trigger)
• Loudness Contour (Trigger)
• Switchable Connections:
• Oscillator–3 (Pitch)
• Filter (Keyboard Tracking 1/3)
• Filter (Keyboard Tracking 2/3)
• Typical Voltage: 0.5 volts
• Maximum Voltage: 4.2 volts (peak-to-peak)
• Nominal Output Impedance: 3K Ohms
• Glide Rate (octave): 1 millisecond to 10 seconds
• Pitch Bend Range: (+/-) 5 semitones (minimum)

Control Voltage Outputs

• After Pressure (aftertouch): 1/4” TS
• 0 to +5 volts with user-adjustable trimpot
• Pitch: 1/4” TS
• -3 volts to +7 volts. C=0 volts
• Gate: 1/4” TS
• 0 to +5 volts
• Velocity: 1/4” TS
• Selectable 0 to +5 volts or 0 to +10 volts with user adjustable trimpot

Control Voltage Inputs

• Loudness: 1/4” TRS
• 0 to +5 volts; +5 volts = Unity Gain
• Ring connector allows pedal control via Moog EP-3 Expression Pedal
• Filter (Cutoff Frequency): 1/4” TRS
• 1 volt per octave of change
• Ring connector allows pedal control via Moog EP-3 Expression Pedal Oscillators (Pitch): 1/4” TRS
• 1 volt per octave of change
• Ring connector allows pedal control via Moog EP-3 Expression Pedal Modulation Source: 1/4” TRS
• Ring=Noise Send; Tip=Modulation Receive (This jack makes a normalled connection with no cable present.)
• Trigger: +5 volt V-Trigger; 1/4” TS
• Activates both Contour Generators

MIDI Jacks (5-pin din style)

• MIDI In 
• Note On (Trigger), Note #
• MIDI Out 
• Note On (Trigger); Note #; Pitch CV; Velocity; Aftertouch
• MIDI Thru Mirror of the MIDI In signal

Power Supply

• Self-switching external supply; 100–240 volts;
• 50/60 Hz; <12 Watt nominal consumption.
• Locking XLR-4 connector.

Dimensions (with panel fully lowered)

• Width: 28.625” / 727 mm
• Depth: 17.125” / 435 mm
• Height: 5.75” / 146 mm 
• Net Weight: 32 lbs. / 14.5 kg.

TEMPERATURE

• Storage Temperature: 5F to 140F (2C to 60C)
• Nominal Operating Temperature: 10 – 35 C (50 – 95 F)
• Operational Temperature: 10 – 50 C (50 – 122 F)