Not many might be aware but the Minimoog Model D was the world’s first portable synthesizer (released in the early 1970’s) and it was extremely popular then (for its colossal sound and accessibility of pre-wired modules.)
History of the Minimoog
Before the Minimoog was introduced, electronic music was created on massive consoles (most were the size of refrigerators), but it changed with the Minimoog, and its impact was nothing short of revolutionary. You could fold this synthesizer up and travel with it, and take it to interesting environments such as nightclubs.
It was because of the Minimoog, electronic music was brought down from its lofty perch, as it became accessible to all.
When it was introduced in 1971, the minimoog was quickly embraced by the gods of the new progressive rock, where fantastic imagery and futuristic sounds was the norm back then. But the minimoog was not just the domain of the long-haired rockers and flowing capes, it was also represented in every major musical genre of the decade.
Jazz heavies like Chick Corea used the Minimoog to invent a new method of soloing – bending notes courtesy of the pitch bend wheel, a radical new controller design that set the instrument apart in the eyes of the performers.
Some of the world’s most influential artists have used the Minimoog Model D for their music.
Moog Minimoog Model D Analog Synthesizer: Discontinued
The highly sought after Minimoog Model D reissue from Moog Music is being discontinued. To commemorate the close of production of the world’s first portable synthesizer, Moog invited prolific producer Mike Dean to spend one day creating a new Minimoog Model D track at the Moog Factory in Asheville, NC.
Dean wrote and recorded the new track “Three Jewels” on the Minimoog build line, while Moog production engineers crafted some of the final Model D synthesizers beside him. With the track completed in just five hours, Dean walked out of the Moog factory with its employees at the end of their shift.
The iconic Minimoog Model D was originally introduced in 1970 and built until 1981. Then in May 2016, Moog resumed building the Minimoog Model D for the first time in 35 years.
Minimoog Model D Analog Synthesizer was basically an update to the 1970s-era analog synthesizer; it came with a dedicated analog LFO, MIDI I/O, a mixer overload mod and more.
Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh Talk About Minimoog Model D
Herbie Hancock’s jazz-rock sounds, Michael Jackson’s electrifying pop, the futuristic music of Devo (the rock and synth pop group perhaps best known for “Whip It”)…all used the Minimoog.
The Minimoog synthesizer was essential to Mark Mothersbaugh’s music career. “If you dissected my brain, there’s probably a whole section that’s Minimoog,” he says.
Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh Interview on NPR on the New Minimoog Model D
Videos: Moog Minimoog Model D Analog Synthesizer
Live Looping with a Minimoog Model D
Synthesist Moot Booxle demonstrates how to do live looping using a Minimoog Model D. Here’s the gear he uses: Minimoog Model D and a Boss RC-20XL looper, with a tiny bit of reverb and delay.
Moog Minimoog Model D Specs / Features
Main features/specs of Moog Minimoog Model D:
- Fatar TP-9 keybed with velocity and aftertouch . 3 vintage Moog oscillators . Classic Moog low pass ladder filter with resonance.
- 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
- MIDI in, out and thru
- Audio Input for instantly available overdrive.
- Overload Modification: the output of the Minimoog Model D is automatically scaled and fed back to the External
- Analog circuit boards recreated using original designs and component placement . Custom reissued transistors critical to sound quality and character . Military spec precision resistors
- Improved circuit board connectors for touring reliability
Read: Checkout more Moog synthesizers here.
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