I am quite a bit disappointed by the fact, that on my Model D Reissue the pitch bend wheel is more or less unusable:
The pitch in the center position differs almost 40 cents depending whether I center the wheel coming from high pitches or low pitches.
Do your units also have this problem??? The centering mechanism does feel very tight, but anyway the center positions seem to differ mechanically slightly, enough at least for the 40 cents difference in pitch.
This issue is well known on the original Model D and there was an official service note released by moog back in the days…
Now I had reply from Moog, this is what they said:
Rest assured, the pitch wheel functionality you are witnessing is normal for the Model D. The pitch wheel and the mechanism that controls the pitch bend were copied over from the original Model D which also displayed these quirks. I am afraid that there is not anything that can be done to eliminate these side effects of the pitch wheel completely; every Model D will display these quirks to a degree. Should you start to notice the pitch wheel functionality becoming more unstable and erratic with each use then please do not hesitate to reach back out to us and we will be glad to help.
I the days of the original vintage Moog, there was a modification of adding to diodes to the pitch bend pot to get a dead band. So this might help. On the other hand, this dead band is not useful if you use the pitch wheel for hand made vibrato.
“The MUSE has been released in the German-speaking area recently. The English documentation is currently under development and should be available within 14 working days. As soon as available MUSE can be purchased internationally…”
Thank you for the info, I will order one Muse to my Model D Reissuevas soon as the English version of the instructions is done. MIDI to the wheels are very welcome. Surprised Moog doesn’t have this mod as an option.
I just ordered The Muse.
My main reason was not the way better MIDI implementation (I don’t use MIDI or a DAW for my Minimoogs), but the possibility to use aftertouch to introduce the modulation set on the mod-wheel. And the mod-wheel position defining the max modulation amount for this aftertouch controlled modulation. This is very helpful when playing the Minimoog with one hand only (and the other hand used for chords or other things).
i think the pitchwheel is one of the worst parts of the new reissue: way too hard to move with a too deep groove in the middle which prevent from any subtle expression when playing.
on the old ones this feels 99% better. doubt if it’s only a matter of time/ being worn out…
having said this: also on the old ones the small modification described above ( having a bigger 0Volt spot in the middle) was really helpful so i’d certainly would suggest to do that mod at least.
My 1979 Minimoog got a easy to spot worn out rim of the pitchwheel grove. Actually it was so worn out, that I bought a Moog Liberation Ribbon pitchbend stripe and built it into my Minimoog’s new housing I built (the original was not in a good shape and was painted in a very dark brown).
You could try to loose the pitchwheel a bit by using a thin washer on the metal lip with the cone that touches the groove. But then you would get a not precise mechanically zero when returning the pitchwheel. So if you use this mechanical modification (until the plastic is worn out after years of use) you need to have the two diodes modification for a dead bend near the center position.
I remember touching Minimoogs in the 80ies with either stiff (not Minimoog reissue stiff!) or very loose pitchwheel center detents.
I just installed the MUSE on my reissue. Works fine. But you need to some technicsl experience. But no soldering needed.
And while I had the left section open, I get rid of the nut between the wheel holder and the tongue with the cone used to hold the pitchbend very tidt into the center possition. Now it isn‘t that stiff anymore. And still no random MIDI values sent in zero position.
It is not easy to do, as the ribbon cabel that reaches from the panel through the hole to the left hand section is not that long enough to just undo the left hand section. Also the vulnerable ribbon cable of the aftertouch is to short. And the digital interface of the Minimoog reissue handling the MIDI is below the keyboard action and also connected with a ribbon cable to the left hand section.
But I had to disconnect these three cables anyway to install the MUSE board. So this little pitchbend modification was just a spontaneous idea while having the left hand section in my hand.
Just ordered one Muse for Nodel D Reissue as well. Looking forward to get it. Is it complicated to open up the Model D and install the Muse. I’m not that technical skilled but on the level that I now and then, and always a little bit scared, replace batteries, keys and things I can see with my eyes on synths, but that’s it - soldered the lamp connector (for the BNC lamp) inside my Voyger recently and impressed myself greatly
I spoke with a Moog employee at the latest Moogfest about the pitch wheel. That was the only reason I decided not to buy one. Moving it from that detent was like climbing out of a crevice. He mentioned that there may be a way to make it more like the mod wheel - completely loose - maybe this is the nut removal discussed previously in this thread. I would almost rather control the center position manually than have it be so hard it makes it essentially useless. I decided, even with this flaw, to order one so in a few days I will explore the possibilities as well.
till, thanks so much for the picture. i installed muse a couple of days ago and decided to reopen my moogie again to ease the wheels stiffnes. your hint helps a lot and the wheel feels quite “organic” now. from day to day i love my minimoog even more. thanks again.
I was order the Muse (Reissue Model D) last week and excpect to have it any day. To me it’s a little bit scary to order “expensive” stuff from smaller companies from another country, especially since bought a product once from another country in Europe that never appeared (it was not that much money, below €100, but still lost some money I could have better use of). But after talked with Alexander some times on telephone I feel full confidence. Really nice and helpful guy what I understand. That I can call any time for support if needed is great. And some of you guys have the Muse installed and are happy makes me believe in this
