Nord User Forum

[RedLeo]

I understand your dilemma, however one thing to bear in mind is that Minimoogs are, by and large, not difficult or expensive to service and repair. With a couple of exceptions, parts are standard or easy to come by. As long as it's not a real dog, a Minimoog with a few minor problems can be returned to full working order without too much trouble or expense by an experienced tech. Obviously, completely refurbishing a real basket case is a different matter.

Have you considered a Voyager at all? You mentioned that you had been surprised by the Voyager's sound compared to the Minimoog, but what was the difference as you perceived it?

And again, what are you looking to buy? A piece of history or a working tool?

[pitfall]

I too have wanted a Minimoog model D since I was a teenager, but the only one that I came across when I had the money was in a bit of a state, in that the keys were all over the place. That put me off, though since then I have found out that it is not such a big problem.
I also find the Voyager and Little Phatty to be a little cold and 'digital' sounding, and I feel that this is down to the large amount of digital implementation in their layout - patch memories and rapid rock solid tuning stability have their prices.
So I bought a Vermona Mono Lancet.
I have spent the last month attempting to imitate all my favourite minimoog sounds from my youth - Kerry Minnear, Rick Wakeman, Kieth Emerson etc.etc.
and while there are differences, the results are often pretty damn close, and are good enough to satisfy me. I get 90% of the sounds that I want for 7% of the outlay.
The only reasons for me to buy a minimoog D now would be nostalgia and snob appeal.

[RedLeo]

I also find the Voyager and Little Phatty to be a little cold and 'digital' sounding, and I feel that this is down to the large amount of digital implementation in their layout - patch memories and rapid rock solid tuning stability have their prices.

Patch memories and a digital control system have no effect on the sound at all, as the signal path (the sound you hear) does not go through any digital circuitry, it's entirely analogue. The sound of the Old School Voyager (no patch memories or digital control circuitry) is *identical* to the ordinary Voyagers, as attested to by people who own both. If you don't like the sound of the Voyager or Little Phatty, well...you just don't like them. But saying they sound "digital" because they contain digital control circuitry is misunderstanding how it works.

[pitfall]

It was not my intention to imply that there is anything wrong with the way that the LP or voyager sound or operate, and I didn't say that I don't like them, they are both fantastic instruments in their own right. I was clearly stating a personal view on the differences - and there are differences - between the LP, the Voyager and the Minimoog D and VML.
The LP and Voyager, to my ears, have a 'sheen' their sound, and the waveforms have a stability to them that reminds me of VA synths - that is probably a better way of putting it.
Isn't it interesting how 'digital' has become such a pejorative term.
I'd like to say that it's what these instruments inspire you to play on them that is important, not which one you are lucky enough to own.

[pitfall]

It was not my intention to imply that there is anything wrong with the way that the LP or voyager sound or operate, and I didn't say that I don't like them, they are both fantastic instruments in their own right. I was clearly stating a personal view on the differences - and there are differences - between the LP, the Voyager and the Minimoog D and VML.
The LP and Voyager, to my ears, have a 'sheen' their sound, and the waveforms have a stability to them that reminds me of VA synths - that is probably a better way of putting it.
Isn't it interesting how 'digital' has become such a pejorative term.
I'd like to say that it's what these instruments inspire you to play on them that is important, not which one you are lucky enough to own.

[pitfall]

Thanks Pitfall,

Where in the UK do you live mate ?? And did you buy the VML off ebay ??

Have you posted any videos on You Tube yet with it yet ??

Ta,

Paul

I live in a small(ish) village near Colchester in north east Essex. I went into Camden in London and picked the VML from Juno.
I'd tried out the Lancet and was amazed at how powerful and authoritative it sounded for such a small module - the last time I had played something that had such punchy, cutting sound was on an actual mini about 10 years ago.
I've used a Nord VA (their first) in the past, which had a very incisive sound, but this is cutting AND warm, like the mini.
Cranked up through a keyboard combo and miked up from a foot or two with a Beyer M160 ribbon, the recording jumps out of the speakers like a rottweiller on steroids - and it sounds fantastic without any effects, which is always a good sign.

[analogika]

FWIW, a couple of comments:

You can stop referring to the original mini as "Model D" — models A through C were shop prototypes that were cobbled together in hacked cases. The only one ever for sale was the Model D.

The Little Phatty and Voyager sound different from an original mini. This is because they're different synths.
They do have a "sheen" to their sound that reminds me more of the Source, while the original mini has a slightly more "direct" dryness to it...not as unpolished and raw as the Prodigy (which I love), and with a huge amount of energy if you want it.

The other thing to remember is that minis are instruments that are AT LEAST thirty years old. Every mini will sound and react differently, even if they have been calibrated.

I'm not a fan of the Little Phatty myself, but that's as much due to the layered interface as the fact that it's built specifically to sound like an affordable but bland moog clichée. And to the fact that I own more moogs than I can carry.

Now, the Sub Phatty...there's an interesting moog...