Studio Electronics has introduced the Midimini V30, an updated take on their classic Minimoog-inspired rackmount synth that adds new analog synthesis options, new MIDI capabilities and new modular connectivity.
Where the original Midimini was based on the idea of turning the classic Minimoog design into a rack-mount module, SE brings three decades of experience to the new Midimini V30 design, which offers a wide range of new sonic possibilities.
Features:
- Through-hole build: Every. Single. PC board.
- Classic 4-pole, 24 db/oct Lowpass Ladder, with voltage-controlled Cutoff.
- Semi-Modular: CV & Gate, key voltage, amplifier, and tonal mastering tap points.
- #OutsToOuts patchable (1/8″ Eurorack Connections).
- New fancy COLOR vibe: ENV1>OSC2, OSC3>OSC2, Boomstar Hardware Ring Mod & Noise.
- Oscillator 2 Sync: Modulate (sweep) both OSC1 and OSC2 via ENV1>OSC2.
- Amp Drive: Boomstar Modular AMP saturation and overdrive, imported into ‘V30 world.
- Output Feedback loop and gain control—interacts expressively with Amp Drive.
- MIDI-syncable, AFM*-capable, multi-waveform LFO, routable to VCO and VCF.
- LFO Out patch point with level control, for deep modulation or oscillation creation.
- LFO Gate: LFO pulse of VCF/VCA from the SE-02.
- OSC 1 Triangle Wave to amplifier, for high Resonance/low frequency compensation.
- Envelope 2 Master Mode: ENV2 (VCA) assumes control of Filter (VCF) Envelope.
- Independent Release control of Filter and Amplifier.
- Flexible Linear and Exponential Glide.
- Front Panel-mounted External Audio input with level control.
- Handy Boomstar Drone feature for eternal sustain and easy tuning.
- Low/Last/High Note Priority, ENV1 invert, VCF/VCA dynamics & VCF (ENV1) Multi-trigger.
- Boomstar MIDI Learn feature for MIDI, Aftertouch, and Modwheel.
Here’s a summary of features that are new with the Midimini v30 (left to right on front panel):
- CON
- GLIDE – Linear, Exponential—includes Filter—under versatile software control.
NOISE/OSC3 – Noise/Oscillator 3 Modmix selector switch.
CV OUT – Main Control Voltage Output patch point.
- GLIDE – Linear, Exponential—includes Filter—under versatile software control.
- LFO
- VCF – Voltage Controlled Filter Cutoff attenuator.
WAVEFORM – SE-02 Waveform shapes switch.
RATE – Audio Rate Modulation Modulation speed attenuator, with switchable MIDI SYNC.
LFO OUT – Lo Frequency Oscillator Output patch point, with amount attenuator.
- VCF – Voltage Controlled Filter Cutoff attenuator.
- OSCILLATORS
- MAIN CV IN – Main Control Voltage Input patch point. Main Control Voltage Input patch point (-10 to +10, internal CV is +/-5v).
OSC1 CV – OSC 1 Control Voltage input patch point—additive.
OSC2 CV – OSC 2 Control Voltage input patch point—additive.
OSC3 CV – OSC 3 Control Voltage input patch point—additive.
- MAIN CV IN – Main Control Voltage Input patch point. Main Control Voltage Input patch point (-10 to +10, internal CV is +/-5v).
- COLOR
- ENV1 to OSC2 – Cross-modulation of OSC 2 by ENV1 (filter) attenuator.
OSC3 to OSC2 – Cross-modulation of OSC 2 by OSC 3 attenuator.
RING MOD – Hardware Ring Modulation attenuator.
NOISE – Noise Output patch point.
OSC1 – OSC 1 Control Voltage Output patch point.
- ENV1 to OSC2 – Cross-modulation of OSC 2 by ENV1 (filter) attenuator.
- MIXER
- AMP DRIVE – Boomstar Modular AMP module’s amplifier saturation & overdrive circuit.
^1 NO VCF – Triangle to VCA switch—bypasses VCF.
FBK GAIN – Feedback Gain control (shares pot with EXT IN).
EXT IN – Front panel located External Audio Input with attenuation.
- AMP DRIVE – Boomstar Modular AMP module’s amplifier saturation & overdrive circuit.
- FILTER/MODIFIERS
- LEARN – Under the hood hub for MIDI Channel, Aftertouch, and Modwheel.
ENV1 INV – Filter Envelope inverter.
LFO GATE –Low Frequency Oscillator gate trigger of ENV1 and ENV2.
ENV2 MSTR – VCA Envelope override of VCF Envelope switch.
VCF CV – Voltage Controlled Filter Control Voltage Input patch point.
ENV2 OUT – Envelope 2 Output patch point with attenuator.
GATE IN – Gate in patch point (0-10 volts).
GATE OUT – Gate out patch point (0-10 volts).
- LEARN – Under the hood hub for MIDI Channel, Aftertouch, and Modwheel.
- OUT
- FEEDBACK – Oscillator/Filter Feedback loop control.
REL1 – Envelope 1 Release (Decay) switch.
DRONE – Instant, indefinite VCA sustain switch..
REL2 – Envelope 2 Release (Decay) switch.
VCA CV – Voltage Control patch point—disconnects ENV2.
- FEEDBACK – Oscillator/Filter Feedback loop control.
Audio Demos:
The Midimini V30 is priced at $2999. See the SE site for details.
“Through-hole build: Every. Single. PC board.” – first bullet pure hype.
not hype. . . vastly easier to repair.
I own an old midimini. This sounds impressive. No fear of cheap clones market here. But does still contain a complete set of minimoog boards like the original midimini or midimoog or the circuit layout is new or re engineered?. The point with the old version was that it literally was a mini (they started cannibalizing original minimoog boards and then making exact clones). I love all the mods they introduced here (ever mini user at some point dreamed of these); maybe still missing pulsewidth modulation..
great work as usual from SE.
Three grand? Seriously?
Is this worth over four times the price of a four oscillator Behringer Poly D (which has a keyboard)?
Yes! Without a doubt! Probably worth ten times as much and it will probably survive 10 times longer!
It’s still a ripoff of the MiniMoog, but I doubt there will be the animus towards it that Behringer gets.
Yes. It has MIDI CC control of every parameter.
a complete ajh mini modular system with more or less the same functions will cost approx 3000dollars. The reissue of the minimoog (moog made) was around 3500. Old minimidi goes between 2000 and 2500. These are the same class competitors. I do not hate behringer, I like the fact you can buy a good mini-mini in the 300 range and that monopolimini for 750. But still a different class. I think the two worlds can co exist.
That’s a lot of bones for a no keyboard, no preset synth in 2019. This strikes me as really out of touch. Do they realize you can get a Grandmother and a Matriarch combined for this price? Have they seen what Behringer is doing? Who’s gonna buy this?
Exactly.
“This strikes me as really out of touch”
They’ve been doing this for 30+ years, so do you think it might be possible that they actually know what their customers want, and it’s you that’s out of touch?
There are a lot more options these days for budget synths, but there have always been cheap options, and they always have compromises. Pros are going to choose a gorgeous, well-made synth like this over budget gear every time.
It’s a Veblen good, not a value proposition. You could have two sub-37s if your only consideration was pro build quality or sonic authenticity. It’s a good bet for commercial studio where you want minimum space, maximum tax write-off, and something to put on your list that looks professional without just being fan service – in a pro studio you want to have good quality stuff but not necessarily compete with visiting artists’ favorite instrument.
If you fill a studio up with too much collectible gear it starts to look like a shrine and ends up turning off the very clientele that an owner hoped to attract. At least, that’s what I saw as a working engineer in in a rich guy’s studio that became more about him than his customers.
Really? So, pros don’t use “budget gear?” I have seen “budget gear” used far more often than, “…a gorgeous, well-made synth like this…”
Exactly. What/who are the “pros” these days. I’ve been a pro for 20 years and I’m still budget conscious. Maybe they’re speaking of superstar artists that also care about what gear they use. A very small group considering most are happy using gear by whomever sponsors them, or whatever happens to be in the studio. More and more I see these higher end “no compromises” products as catering to the Gearslutz crowd who spend most of their creative energy discussing specs. I’m one of those people about 5% of the time and enjoy the discussions, but I see minimoog clone and 3000 and I’m confused. SE are so talented but their R&D budget must be nonexistent. If you want to make no compromise products, why not also do a more consumer friendly version. Kinda like how actors might do a studio brainless comedy so they can do an art house film.
No.. if the behringer sounds good they will buy the behringer… for that price you could maybe buy their full synth collection… it’s a no brainier.
I honestly think this market is for pros who don’t actually want/need synths in this price bracket, but they buy them as an alternative to giving their cash to the tax man. That way they can sell them off in the future when their careers dry up. Like Aphex Twin 🙂
Option 1: Invest in overpriced gear.
Option 2: Pay scumbags for their war machine.
= Easy choice!
A well meaning I’m sure but ignorant statement.
There on planet “rich niche” here.
this is approaching Black Corp price territory, i think i’d save a little more and get an 8 voice analog poly.
Sounds nice but
Puh, that’s a lot of ash for these crippled envelopes
With presets I would pay that.