Moog Reissues Model D Minimoog, Adds MIDI and a Springloaded Pitchwheel - Only $5k!

[Scotty]

This is a collector's edition. It isn't for the great unwashed masses. No reason to get upset about it. I've got an MG-1, Subphatty and a couple of Model D Behringer clones that fit my budget. I don't begrudge someone who wants one of these in the studio. It is a show piece. It will hold its value or better and it is the real thing. I hope it keeps Moog out of the red for a while. All is good.

[Jim Roseberry]

They want to sell this grandpa monosynth for more than the OB-X8 or Prophet-10. I'd say they must be smoking some dirty crack, but the funny thing is there will be plenty of morons who will buy this.

In the US:
OB-X8 is $5000
Prophet 10 is $4400

There's no way with US labor that Moog could sell the Mini for $200-$300.
Behringer can't do that with the Poly D (manufactured overseas).
I would guess that ~$3000 would be more realistic.
Think of the MiniMoog as being analogous to a hand-wired tube-amp.
That may not be something you're interested in... but it'll always be more expensive.

I was hoping the cost would be ~$2500.
At that price, I would have considered one.
Had a Mini about 20 years ago.
Nothing sounds exactly like it (could almost hear the electricity in the sound).

If you look at vintage MiniMoogs, they're selling for 10-12k.
That's why Moog priced the re-issue at $5k.

For me, Matriarch scratches enough of the MiniMoog itch (and offers more features) for a price that's a lot more palatable.

[justin3am]

One of the lead engineers at Moog is a good friend of mine and this was his project. He was really bummed when they stopped making the last version, so bringing the model d back was a big deal for him. While most of us aren’t going to get one of these, I’m glad they are being made and I bet they will sell enough to keep production going for a bit. Lots of cool folks work at Moog and they are every bit as passionate about this stuff as we are.

[Halonmusic]

for that price they could make it polyphonic i reckon.

[egbert101]

Bonkers price.

[Constructed Identity]

Bonkers price.

Moog is set to be the Leica of synthesizer makers. They know they can't compete with Behringer.

[JonSolo]

My wife just got me one of these (be jealous....of my wife.... ). A surprise on a Friday night out of nowhere. I came out of my studio and into the house, and she had it sitting on the dining room table.

She is absolutely incredible. So is the Mini.

I never thought I would own this piece of historical magic! Just thought I would bra...uh, share.

[Stefken]

They want to sell this grandpa monosynth for more than the OB-X8 or Prophet-10.

Well, the grandma can do pretty much the same thing and more at a very different pricepoint. I still had it for a 1000 bucks.

That might more float your boat unless you just want to bitch about it.

[Azbest]

They want to sell this grandpa monosynth for more than the OB-X8 or Prophet-10.

Well, the grandma can do pretty much the same thing and more at a very different pricepoint. I still had it for a 1000 bucks.

That might more float your boat unless you just want to bitch about it.

I don't need any more hardware synths, so bitching about it it is. I check the Minimoog threads mostly to laugh at suckers who bought this ripoff, half of the dudes on gearslutz moan that their synth came with broken keys / loose knobs / whatever. A premium synth right there.

[Aloysius]

Can it come close to the Minimonsta2?

[Stefken]

I don't need any more hardware synths, so bitching about it it is. I check the Minimoog threads mostly to laugh at suckers who bought this ripoff, half of the dudes on gearslutz moan that their synth came with broken keys / loose knobs / whatever. A premium synth right there.

Hmm, laughing at others is not how i spend my days.

Moog does come at a premium price but nobody is forcing you to buy it. I agree that the Minimoog reissue is overpriced.
I would never go for such a deal. Neither for the Moog one. Mother 32 is also overpriced imo for a one oscillator device.

It took me quite a while to the take the plunge for a hardware unit, but Moog has a certain je ne sais quoi.
If you like synthesizers enough, i guess every studio just needs to have at least one Moog, if you get my drift?

As for the Grandmother i am satisfied with the deal.
As for starters, the packaging and the attention to detail is the best I have seen. The synth is build like a tank.
The Grandmother also gives you the old modular err modules at a bargain price.
And within the modular framework, this is also a bargain. If i would assemble a modular with the same functional modules, each time hunting for the cheapest modules I can find, it would come out more expensive and I get a sequencer, fatar keyboard etc, to boot.
The Grandmother has also a very special sound, it reacts more as an organic instrument.
Together with a tactile experience, i am happy to have made this purchase.

So it is a matter of making a carefull selection.

As for the Minimoog, again, no one is forcing you to buy it. I suppose that they relate to the vintage ones going for a premium price. Certain people will go for it regardless of the premium price. And if that is not you, that is just fine too.

[styphonthal]

I have the behringer model d and multiple model D based VSTs buuuuuut...

I bought the Moog re-release in early december, had it delivered in January. It is amazing and what I expected/wanted.

[Jim Roseberry]

I liquidated some gear and grabbed the MiniMoog reissue.

Had an OG MiniMoog years ago that needed restored (lots of issues).
After letting it collect dust for several years, I finally sold it to a friend for $200.
If I would have spent the money to get it restored, it would be worth 10-12k today.
Always loved the sound (still do)

Prophet 10, OBX8, MoogOne, and MiniMoog are all "nostalgia" reissues.
Yes, they're all expensive.
The value of anything is in the eye of the beholder.

Soft synths today are better than ever.
There's no doubt that virtual-instruments are more affordable/practical (cost/space).
Does Diva, Arturia's Prophet V, etc sound exactly like the hardware?
I've compared side-by-side. The short answer is no.
The hardware has something a little extra... and it's a whole lot more immediate (fun) to work with.
Whether the difference is "worth it" is down to the individual.

Regarding quality and service:
My MiniMoog reissue is built very well. I would expect nothing less.
Recently had to send my MoogOne back to Moog (voice cards were drifting too far).
Moog paid shipping both ways, replaced the voice cards, and didn't charge me anything.
While talking with Harrison (tech at Moog), I found out another MoogOne owner had sent his MoogOne in for repair... because his cat urinated on the MoogOne and ruined it. Moog originally called me about it... thinking I was that owner. Moog charged this guy $350 dollars labor... and sent him a replacement MoogOne 16v.
Moog's service may not be fast, but they do take good care of their customers.

[JonSolo]

Harrison is very nice. I spoke with him as well.

I did have an issue with the reissue but a new one was FedEx-ed to me and we are completely sorted now!

[pdxindy]

As for the Grandmother i am satisfied with the deal.
As for starters, the packaging and the attention to detail is the best I have seen. The synth is build like a tank.
The Grandmother also gives you the old modular err modules at a bargain price.
And within the modular framework, this is also a bargain. If i would assemble a modular with the same functional modules, each time hunting for the cheapest modules I can find, it would come out more expensive and I get a sequencer, fatar keyboard etc, to boot.
The Grandmother has also a very special sound, it reacts more as an organic instrument.
Together with a tactile experience, i am happy to have made this purchase.

I have the Matriarch (giving the Grandmother to a friend). There is nothing else quite like it. Well worth the cost. I love the big controls and spacious UI. It is such a pleasure to use. Big controls and a spacious interface makes a huge difference for me in terms of easy muscle memory. Within a few weeks my hands were knowing where to go without looking.

Contrast that with the Behringer Neutron (which is a sweet little synth). Even after 6 months, I still had to constantly look at it. For me, even though I like it sonically, it's just too tiny and finicky to use. IMO, too much gear is too small these days.

I wish there were more synths with big spacious interfaces like the Matriarch... I'd be happy to pay extra for that.