Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: The Mellotron Group

previous by date index next by date
previous in topic topic list next in topic

Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Somewhat Off-Topic: minimoogs

From: fdoddy@aol.com
Date: 2012-11-20

Yes you do Gino!  For me, the thing about the Mini is not the low end, but the detail and energy in the low  mids.  I love building similar patches on a Mini and either another analog or modeled synth and demonstarting this to my music friends who think the Mini is all about the low end.  There are synths that are certainly stronger  at the bottom, my Phil Cirocco hot-rodded 2600 for one, but there's something about that low mid snarl that makes it....for me.


and yes, it does look pretty on top of my Streetly tron. It does have some scratchy pots and a selector switch that should be replaced, but other than that, it has been playing great for me for at least 12 years now.  I use a MIDI -CV converter as the keyboard is worthless.


fritz



-----Original Message-----
From: gino wong <wonggster@gmail.com>
To: newmellotrongroup <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Mon, Nov 19, 2012 7:39 pm
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Somewhat Off-Topic: minimoogs

 
If I may add to the discussion  

For me  a Minimoog is something I need to own before I die, just like the Mellotron underneath it.

gino wong


On Mon, Nov 19, 2012 at 9:16 AM, Mark Wallis <markstuartwallis@hotmail.com> wrote:
 

Mike-

  If it's affordable, bite the guy's hand off even if it's not working perfectly. Old Minimoogs are eminently fixable and it doesn't have to cost a fortune. They're only going to get more expensive.

Andy T-

Thank you sir! :-)

Best Whooshes,

MSWx

To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
From: tron400@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:33:29 +0000

Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Somewhat Off-Topic: minimoogs

 
John,

Do you have a Q150 filter in your Dotcom? I don't have a Minimoog to compare it to, but my Q150 does a pretty convincing job of imitating the Moog filters I've heard on recordings. There are also 3rd party filters that some people claim do an even better job than the Q150.

An interesting trick I've found with the Q106 is to put the range selector half-way between the Low and the 32' markings to drop an octave lower than the oscillator is normally capable of.

Bernie

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, John Hammaren <hammaren@...> wrote:
>
> In a general sense, your point is correct (about those keys being overpriced) for 95% of the user population. And the same thing can be said for everything from automobiles to Mellotrons. I have not played the Phatty and have no interest, since I have a Voyager Signature. I do know that no amount to patching on my Dotcom will ever produce the fat sound one can get from the Voyager. Close, but not the same. And Minimoog (classic) aficionados will argue the Voyagers don't match a finely maintained Minimoog. If I didn't own a Mellotron, I would probably buy a 4000D from Markus and be quite happy, but I wouldn't kid myself that this would ever be a real Tron. The last point about the Moog is build quality. Pretty damn good in my opinion. It weighs quite a bit, and has a real steel enclosure. If anyone reads Stereo Review, I ask, would you pay $240,000 for two mono-block amps? Clearly somebody does. (Not I). Happy Thanksgiving.
> John
>
> From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ClayE
> Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2012 4:25 PM
> To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Somewhat Off-Topic: minimoogs
>
>
>
> The Minimoog Voyager Performer Edition and the Minimoog Voyager Old School both seem over priced to me, considering the Little Phatty slim is $849.00. All you need is a controller keyboard with good mod and pitch wheels. If you don't already have a good controller keyboard, the Little Phatty stage edition makes sense - Good value there too.
>
> Clay
>
> --- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup%40yahoogroups.com>, gino wong <wonggster@<mailto:wonggster@>> wrote:
> >
> > Play it, some sound like test equipment, no funk at all.
> > £ 1250 is a fair price if in good condition it goes up and down according
> > to quality. If well kept a lot more.
> >
> > On Sun, Nov 18, 2012 at 11:07 AM, Andy Kinch <kinchmusic@<mailto:kinchmusic@>> wrote:
> >
> > > ∗∗
> > >
> > >
> > > ∗∗And can be bought for half the price! [image: ;-)]
> > >
> > > Andy Kinch
> > > kinchmusic@
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: ClayE <ecclesreinson@<mailto:ecclesreinson@>>
> > > To: newmellotrongroup <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup%40yahoogroups.com>>
> > > Sent: Sun, 18 Nov 2012 15:48
> > > Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Somewhat Off-Topic: minimoogs
> > >
> > >
> > > Other options - Get a new little phatty (stage or slim) There are many
> > > good reasons to go for a new one and only one reason to buy an old one.
> > > http://www.moogmusic.com/products/phattys/slim-phatty Some people think
> > > the old mini Moog sounds more analog or more gritty or more something...
> > > The new ones sound FAB to me. The interface is the same on all of the
> > > Phatty's and it's beautiful. A breeze to figure out.
> > >
> > > For an instant erection, check out the white ones!
> > >
> > > Clay
> > >
> > > --- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup%40yahoogroups.com>, "Paul Marshall" <paulm@>
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hi Mike,
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Agree with all the comments made so far, I add my ten penn'orth as I am
> > > in the UK like yourself.
> > > >
> > > > Bought mine in 2006 off eBay and paid £1650. It's a 1974 model (date is
> > > on the test ticket which on mine is glued onto the bottom of the pop-up
> > > metal box).
> > > >
> > > > I've had 2 issues since then
> > > > (1) power supply failure (diode burned out in the bridge rectifier) - I
> > > think this was caused by the 2 aged PSU capacitors which I should have
> > > replaced when I bought it really. Swapped them out and replaced all 4
> > > diodes in the bridge, £3 for the bits from maplin :-)
> > > >
> > > > (2) wacky tuning - just oxidised contacts in the multi pin plugs which
> > > connect the keyboard and the pitch/ mod wheel assemblies. You could clean
> > > them but I just replaced them with gold plated 'Trident' connectors which I
> > > am used to using professionally - sorted.
> > > >
> > > > Overall I wouldn't be too scared to take the plunge as they sound
> > > f∗∗∗ing amazing and as Chris says are built from standard parts which
> > > should be around for some time to come.
> > > >
> > > > And they look nice sat on top of a Mellotron. Now where's my gold cape
> > > :-o ?
> > > >
> > > > cheers Paul M.
> > > >
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: Chris Dale
> > > > To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > > Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2012 8:22 AM
> > > > Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Somewhat Off-Topic: minimoogs
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Mike,
> > > >
> > > > Gary is 100% right about the $2000.00 price for a Minimoog especially in
> > > this economy. Sometimes they might be a little more now ($3000) depending
> > > on some variables.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > The biggest issue with them is the oscillator tuning and whether this
> > > matters a lot to you.
> > > >
> > > > When I got my Minimoog (back in 1990) people were paying more for the
> > > ones with the original oscillator cards (in serial numbers below 10000 I
> > > believe).
> > > >
> > > > Those were supposed to sound just like the modular Moogs, (hence the
> > > name mini-moog).
> > > >
> > > > In 1976 Norlin music (which took over Robert Moog's company) changed the
> > > oscillator boards and made them more stable - less tuning drift.
> > > >
> > > > But the downside is that the sounds weren't as rich because the new
> > > oscillators didn't drift slightly like the old ones, giving a fatter and
> > > (some say better) sound.
> > > >
> > > > Another more important issue is whether the keyboard was ever sawed off
> > > from the electronics.
> > > > Some 'late 80's/early 90's hipster-morons' used to saw off the keyboard
> > > and rack mount the electronic portion (what they thought was hot-rodding it
> > > to make it look more contemporary.) What they really did was just damage
> > > everything by changing the way cool air could circulate under the
> > > electronics.
> > > >
> > > > The old vs newer oscillator cards / rackmounted units were big issues
> > > back when I got mine.
> > > >
> > > > I'm not sure if it influences price / desirability these days.
> > > >
> > > > But it is something to be aware of.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > You can tell from the back of the Minimoog whether you have the old or
> > > new oscillator cards.
> > > >
> > > > There are holes directly behind the oscillators that you stick a
> > > Phillips screwdriver in to tune them. It's fairly straightforward to do.
> > > >
> > > > The old ones have a more haphazard hole arrangement for the octave
> > > /pitch tuning.
> > > > On the post-1976 ones are the holes all nicely lined up.
> > > >
> > > > Minimoogs are fairly easy to get fixed because they are made from simple
> > > parts and electronics. In fact, the Minimoogs of the 70's will be around a
> > > lot longer than many chip based 80's synths because of simpler parts.
> > > >
> > > > It's probably best to Google about all this and that way you can make an
> > > informed decision before agreeing to a price.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Chris
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > On Sat, Nov 17, 2012 at 8:50 PM, Mike Dickson <mike.dickson@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Someone local to me is selling a minimoog. I admit I am tempted. He
> > > doesn't have any idea for a price and I don't know what I should be wary
> > > about. Yes, we're quite a team.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > What are they generally being sold for these days?
> > > > What do you look for in one? What are the usual defects? How easy are
> > > they to get fixed these days? (Bear in mind I am in the UK - you cannot
> > > even get a Hammond fixed without grief round here)
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Mike
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus
> > > signature database 7703 (20121117) __________
> > > >
> > > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
> > > >
> > > > http://www.eset.com
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus
> > > signature database 7703 (20121117) __________
> > > >
> > > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
> > > >
> > > > http://www.eset.com
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > ∗
> > ∗
> > ∗Gino Wong Birgelo∗
> > BSComm, BSEE,
> > ReRED Recording, ∗Analog Sound Design∗
> > ∗Audio Mastering, Recording & Restoration, Logistics∗
> >
> > ∗Ginowong@∗<mailto:∗Ginowong@∗>;
> > ∗
> > ∗
> >
>





--

Gino Wong Birgelo
BSComm, BSEE,
ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design
Audio Mastering, Recording & Restoration, Logistics