Classic Minimoog v software & iOS Minimoog: So what do we think?

“The Minimoog hardware reissue is a thing of unbridled joy”

In an attempt to draw comparisons between the various incarnations of Minimoog, we decided to work on a variety of sonic tests, from working with waves to filter movement and creating realworld musical examples.

Mapping every facet of one Mini iteration to another is actually more difficult than you might expect. Subtle, and in some cases not-so-subtle variation from one control to the next, presents a challenge, which you could argue follows the traits of the analogue classic, where one unit would differ from the next.

In all cases, we kept the signal as unadulterated as possible, which in the case of the software, was quite difficult to do. This underlies the importance of the backend colour, which is often added to the Minimoog, when in use. Distortion, feedback loops and other gratifying elements that might be layered with the initial sound are important, in production terms, and it is important to remember this, once you pick up the Mini-mantle.

Continuing the hardware v software discussion, the convenience of a Minimoog in software form is undeniable. It’s there when you want it, with the ability to save patches, but the allure of the hardware may well offer a better sound, which is often one of the reasons cited for exploring the hardware route.

On each one of our Minis we can definitely note the following. The Minimoog hardware reissue is a thing of unbridled joy. The fantastic Moog build quality, coupled with the genuine Moog analogue circuitry personifies the nature of the problematic question that we face. While it undoubtedly sounds like the real deal, it is the interface and tactile elegance of the form that draws you in. You feel immediately creative, when you start to play it, being empowered by its sonic depths and charisma.

However, the Arturia Mini V does an incredibly good job of pretending to be an original, and the reality is that once it’s in the mix, you would probably never know. There are a number of enhancements, and certainly the pot calibration is very different, but this is only in direct comparison to the hardware.

Meanwhile, the Moog app is more exacting in detail, with a lovely halfway house in terms of its tactile nature, thanks to the touchscreen working ethic. It also sounds very engaging, constrained only by the iOS device itself. We would definitely recommend investing in both MIDI and Audio interfacing for your device, if this becomes a regular go-to for you.

As for which sounds best, see the box (right) for more details on how you can tell us!

Turn the page for the start of an Odyssey…