Moog’s Minimoog Model D Reissue Revives a Classic Synth With Vintage Soul and Modern Updates

As the world’s first portable synthesizer, the Minimoog Model D ($4,999) put the iconic sound of Moog’s massive modular synths into a format that was practical for touring musicians, making Moog a household name thanks to artists like Herbie Hancock, Kraftwerk, Gary Numan, Rick Wakeman, Sun Ra and Bernie Worrell (of Parliament-Funkadelic). With prewired modules that didn’t require patch cables, a streamlined layout and an attached keyboard with pitch and modulation wheels, the Model D made synthesis accessible to the masses.

Now, more than 50 years after its introduction, Moog is bringing back this legendary instrument with a faithful reissue that preserves the original sound, look and feel while adding a few long-awaited modern upgrades. If you’re a synth enthusiast and love vintage gear, this is your chance to own a piece of history.

Check out this video with Dustin from Vintage King for an overview of the new Model D and hear it in action played by synthesist John Duffy of Pato Y Pato.

Minimoog Model D Reissue

There’s no shortage of clones and remakes of classic synths on the market, but it’s not every day that a company reissues such an iconic instrument so faithfully, keeping the original design intact and only adding a few select features. The signal path remains identical to the original Model D, with the same three-oscillator monophonic sound engine, legendary low-pass ladder filter and saturating mixer section that add up to create the unmistakably rich and powerful Moog sound. The reissue even retains the same component placement and through-hole design of the original Model D.

The reissue features several upgrades from the 2016 Minimoog variant, including a dedicated analog LFO with triangle and square wave options, a premium Fatar keybed with velocity and aftertouch (both with CV outputs), MIDI integration and a mixer feedback mod that produces abrasive distortion and screaming self-oscillation with the turn of a knob. And, for the first time ever, the Model D now includes a popular artist request—a spring-loaded pitch bend wheel that snaps back to the center position, providing improved playability and potential for wild flourishes.

As with all Moog products, every new Minimoog Model D is designed and built to last a lifetime. Housed in a hand-finished aluminum chassis and a locally-sourced Appalachian cherry outer cabinet with a legacy-inspired walnut stain, this instrument is as beautiful as it is sturdy. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a vintage Moog, this is your chance—with look, sound and feel nearly identical to an original 1970s Model D, all that’s missing is the dust.

MINIMOOG MODEL D FEATURES & SPECS

Need more proof that this is the real deal? Look under the hood with this list of features and specifications:

Number of keys: 44
Keyboard action: Synthesizer (Spring)
Sound sources: 3x Oscillators, Noise Generator and External Audio Input
Oscillator waveforms: Triangle, Triangle-Sawtooth (Oscillator–1, Oscillator–2), Reverse Sawtooth (Oscillator–3), Sawtooth, Rectangle, Wide Pulse and Narrow Pulse.
Noise generator: White and Pink
LFO waveform: Triangle (knob down); Square (knob up)
Filter type: Voltage Controlled Low Pass (Ladder Filter)
Dimensions: (with panel lowered): Width: 28.625” / 727 mm, Depth: 17.125” / 435 mm, Height: 5.75” / 146 mm.
Net weight: 32 lbs. / 14.5 kg.

If you have any questions about the Moog Minimoog Model D or would like to purchase one for your studio, please contact a Vintage King Audio Consultant via email or by phone at 866.644.0160.