Why the Minimoog Model D is the Best Synth of All Time
The Jump from Massive Modular to the Revolutionary Minimoog Model D
Walt Disney opened for business in 1971. The first microprocessor was rolled out in 1971. Most importantly, however, in 1971 Moog released the Minimoog Model D and shaped the entire trajectory of modern music. Engineers and musicians worked in tandem to ensure the artistic envelope (no pun intended) was pushed, and together spelled the end of synthesis being restricted to absolutely colossal modular walls of cables. Near every single major musical act of the time had their hands on the Minimoog, each of them introduced to new ways of breaking the ground. Think Bob Marley, Chick Corea, (insert more)
Interestingly, Moog initially worked mostly on guitar amps and Theremins (the instrument behind a lot of old-school spooky ghost sounds), however, Dr. Robert A. Moog and the plans he laid before his team of hand-soldering wizards saw a synthier future. Bill Hemsath assembled the first Minimoog Porotype during his lunch break out of “junk parts” tossed out by Bob Moog as well an oscillator controller he “stole” from the stockroom - the Model A. First time in history a keyboard was bolted to the synthesizer. By breaking the barriers presented by HUGE modular synthesizers and providing any interested artist with the power of a patch wall in the palm of their hands, the future of organizing sound in time was instantly warped in the most beautifully expressive way imaginable.
Our Model D
What Makes the Minimoog Model D Sound So Good
The unique sonic characteristic of the Minimoog Model D we know today has been deemed to be the result of *drum roll* a mistake. They inadvertently overdrove the filter - Jim Scott made a calculation mistake and overdrove the filters by approx 12db. Atop that, the old integrated circuits were trash, so, the entire path was entirely discreet transistors. Nowadays, audio-integrated circuits are fine, but back then, that limitation helped breed the sound we’ve come to love.
What Else Came of It
The 1980s brought more funny type music. Synth-pop became super mainstream, and, while I may not be a huge fan of what that meant for some super dope soul acts dominating the stage, it was an undeniable shift in sound. Herbie Hancock went disgusto mode when he dropped “rocket” on the world, made nearly entirely of the Minimoog Model D. Earth Wind & Fire used it, and, most notably, “Thriller” by Micheal Jackson was laced with the Minimoog in many ways. Then came Dre. The West Coast sound the “The Chronic” and “Doggystyle” was fuelled by the thing, as was the industrial and powerful sounds that came from Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. The Minimoog continued to inspire the likes of techno, house and trip-hop.
Why the Sound Remains so, so Sought After
Every. Single. Passing era has been inspired by the Minimoog Model D. Today, the unit remains as transcendental as ever. The simple and massively intuitive interface has and continues to be a huge draw for folks, and, as people gravitate back to tactile experience paired with analog richness (mass digital exodus! lol), it serves as a super dope “first synth interface”. The modern reissues of the Model D feature things such as aftertouch, MIDI capabilities, and more, which appeal to modern producers while at the same time offering them a piece of music history to work off of, and deliver to modern ears. Film buff producer hybrids may seek the Model D out out of respect for Wendy Carlos on A Clockworks Orange, Vangelis on Bladerunner, and Hans Zimmer on, well, lots of Hans Zimmer-type things.
Analog imperfections such as oscillator, envelope and filter drift breathe irrevocably interesting tones into a heavily digital world, and true analog saturation (clippings more graceful cousin) adds body that is certain to set folks apart in whichever sound-oriented project they’re embarking on. The Model D has never truly gone out of fashion, and the record clearly states that if it is ever to fade away, it’ll be long after anybody reading this blog roams this planet. What a cool lil synth.
Article written by Brenden Ormandy