Synthesist Starsky Carr shared this series of videos, comparing the new Moog Minimoog Model D vs the Minimoog Voyager.
The videos cover the sound of the oscillators, modulation options, overdrive and the filters.
If you’ve used the Minimoog Model D and the Minimoog Voyager, leave a comment and share your thoughts on how they compare!
Pfft! Voyager all the way.
I love hearing both the Model D and the Voyager compared but what I really want is to hear how different the two synths can be made to sound. I want to know how much difference there is and what I can achieve on one that I can’t, equally well, on the other. I bought both, so help me justify the uniqueness of each. It will take me a while to know each synth well enough to do this myself. I would also really appreciate convincing arguments that a Modal 008 is so different from the Moogs, that I should buy it next! I need all the arguments I can get to help me answer the inevitable question that I will face: “Why do you need this one?”
I have a model d and a 008. The 008 is definitely different enough, but the 002 is still my favorite Modal. If you bought both, I wouldn’t rely on anything anyone here tells you. It should be a personal decision. Each person will click with a synth differently. I would argue not to get too left brained about it, because regardless of specs or capabilities, if they both take you to different places, that’s what is important. The end result is what is important. A lot of people lose sight of that. For me, what is important is usage. If I find myself not using a synth on a consistent basis, then that is a good reason to part ways with it. It’s just taking up space at that point.
So you would go with 002 over the 008? Tell me more. You have my attention. I’m impressed with both. However, keeping with the current article, I am going to try many of the things I hear and see inthe this great comparison video. It makes me wish that there was a new Moog poly synth to add to the mix.
I think it depends on the genre of music you intend to make and what other gear you have. I like the 002, because it can generate some unique sounds, which would be useful for industrial/IDM/etc. The 008’s filter choices are great. The panning bugs me, but there are ways around it. That said, I would part with my Modals before I parted with my pro 2 or P12. I guess a similar comparison is p12 verses p6 or ob6. It really is all about personal preference. If you have a synth store near you, you should go play with one or both.
Thanks for the reply. I love synths that can do something unique that is difficult with other synths. In terms of synths I own, I’m slowly becoming a collector, not just owner. I don’t want to turn this into a list that looks like bragging. It’s enough to say that other than modular, I’ve pretty much got everything covered. I would like one day to sell my evolver desktop for a PolyEvolver, maybe my Analog 4 for the Analog Keys, though I’ve heard arguments not to do this. I love MFB, and Dreadbox but my next synth will definitely be a Roli 49. Anyway, I did play the Schmidt a couple of times at Music Messe – loved it! I also played both the 002 and 008 but 5-10 minutes is not enough time to decide. That’s why your comment interested me. Are the 002 and 008 different enough from all of the rest to justify or should I hold out and take a chance on a MacBeth Elements. This is one really different and powerful synth. And if I decide Modal – which one? The module interests me but I think I have to pay the difference and get the keyboard for the extra buttons, knobs and sliders. So, if you had lots of synths and had to decide between 002 and 008, which would you choose and why? Remember, I’ve already played them both so I’m not completely new to how they sound. Feel free to have opinions about timbres, nuances. I will try to recall from my own experiences. Thanks again. This is very helpful.
I myself have over 30 synths and maybe a little more than 10k invested in modular. That’s a rough estimate. It might be more. At this point, there is obviously overlap in my studio, and if I never bought another synth, I would spend the rest of my life discovering new things about each synth that I own. That said, I find myself using the 002 a lot more than the 008. It makes weirder sounds, which works for the type of music that I produce. NAMM is just around the corner. I would hold off on any big synth purchases until then, unless you’re aiming to make use of Sweetwater’s holiday financing or something (however, you were at Musikmesse, so I doubt it). I own a poly evolver and a desktop evolver. I just got a poly evolver rack, which I’ve poly chained with my PEK. It unlocks a lot in doing so. I will likely poly chain my desktop to make a 9 voice PEK at some point. Sometimes I wish I had picked up an A4 instead of the Keys. I’d probably use it more. That said, the monomachine is my most used Elektron synth. Anyway, in terms of quick usage, I find myself choosing between the p12 or the 002 a lot of the time. If I were to task the 008 with something, I may also go with the Andromeda, OB6 or P6. Now that I have the PE rack, I guess I should throw the PEK into the mix….and I just picked up a second P08, so the poly chained pair goes into the mix as well. I feel the 008 is less unique, but I’ve still gotten some really amazing material out of it that I’d be hard pressed from another synth. They’re all great, and there is no easy answer. It really comes down to what you intend to do with it. If it’s IDM, 002 is undoubtedly the best choice….ps…dive into modular. you won’t be sorry, but your bank account will.
Yeah, it does seem like all comparisons need to be made on the Model D’s turf. The Voyager is incredibly unique in that it has discrete analog components, where it’s parameters are also *fully controllable* via midi CC. As opposed to lots of IC’s and digital control with an analog signal path, or discrete components with just simple Midi note control.
Just on price alone, you can get a used Moog Voyager Keyboard or RME for $1500 off the bay and the cheapest I have seen a Model D go for is $2500.00. The Voyager has midi and presets too. Kind of a no brainer, really.
Nice to hear a side by side comparison though!
model d reissue has midi.
Well, the Model d has simple note on midi. Correct? The Voyager has full cc midi implementation, and you can integrate automation of all the parameters within your DAW.
I have a 400D and a Sub37 and they both have a great sound. But there’s something special about the controls on a 43 year old machine. Something like (I imagine, a powerful car or a wild animal) it’s capable of doing something unexpected.
Now that purists have had their fair share of vintage re-releases by several big brands in the past couple of years, it’s perhaps time for Moog to return to Robert’s quest to try to create something better and new to blow our minds. A Voyager using SMD technology or Minimoog/Voyager Eurorack modules (e.g make have 3~4 VCO and create more filter combinations) would also be welcome as a side dish. (or just wait for a DSI MiniMoog 6 ?) Till then, still happy with the RME.