A Brief History of the Minimoog, Part Two

One of the most distinct and unique synthesizers in the world, the modestly named Minimoog Model D found cult status when it appeared on Kraftwerk’s Autobahn, celebrity status when Quincy Jones used it for Michael Jackson’s Thriller and classic status when it was deployed for Dr. Dre’s The Chronic.

Now Moog Music, founded by the late Dr. Bob Moog, has announced they are resuming production of the Minimoog Model D and released part two of their short documentary, A Brief History of The Minimoog, in time with the relaunch. (Part one, which has over half a million plays, can be viewed here.)

In keeping with the company’s standards, Minimoog Model D’s are handcrafted at the Moog Music factory in North Carolina. And though they are remaining true to the original sound engine and signal path, the company has introduced some enhancements – among them, “basic MIDI integration”:

The Minimoog Model D now includes a series of functional modifications to expand the instrument’s sonic capabilities beyond the factory specifications of a 1970’s production unit. 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.

Production is underway and the Minimoog Model D is available for order; more information on the Minimoog Model D is available here.