Sound Pure's Take

The world's first portable synthesizer is back in production! Designed by Bob Moog and popularized by music of the 1960s, the Moog Model D has made an unmistakable impact on the world of music ever since. New units are now rolling off the line for the first time since 1981, allowing anyone access to the classic synth sounds used by game-changing acts including Herbie Hancock, Bernie Worrell, E.L.P., Frank Zappa, Devo, The Wailers, and the list goes on and on....

From Moog Music

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 1970’s, 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, analog synthesizer is securely housed in a locally-sourced Appalachian hard-wood enclosure and hand-finished aluminum 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 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 analog 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, we are only able to produce a small number of Minimoog Model D units per month.

 

• 3 vintage Moog oscillators

• Classic Moog 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: analog 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

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)

 

 

*Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice

Warranty

This item is sold without the Sound Pure 3-year warranty (used / B-stock / dealer-exempt). Coverage terms for items in this category live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.

Returns

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