Do you know if the new Moog filters are the same circuit as the original Mini filter, but with the original discrete transistors replaced by this CA3086 chip? I guess theres probably other different/replaced/modern components in there as well, right?
Sometimes I wonder if all the technical improvements of newer components neccesarily translate into musical improvements (not that you were saying that exactly). The Micro’s oscillator, for instance, is extremely stable, but I doubt if many people would argue that it is an improvement soundwise over the Mini’s.
I agree that the differences in each synth are a matter of each instrument’s individulal identity. But I also feel some synths have more of an identity than others. And while some Moogs could probably be mistaken for any other brand or model, others are unmistakeable.
The Voyager’s filter schematics are not available. And I did not yet traced the boards to see what is used. But the transistor array is there for sure.
The new parts will give a better to spec performace, but it does not give the destinctive sound of the “good” old Moogs.
So I would prefer an old modular filter with newe pitch stable oscilators then the other way round.
And even if the Moog ladder was more or less done the same design way on so many Moogs and other synth, each synth got a different character due to slightly changes here and there.
My Prodigy sound different from my Minimoog and different from my Voyager (jsut comparing the filter sound, not to talk about all the other sound parameters).
I opened up my MF101 and sure enough, theres a ladder of three 3086 transistor array ICs. I’m assuming this is the section that corresponds to the discrete transistor ladder on a Mini.
I believe most of the other old Moogs (Prodigy, Rogue, Source, etc.) use a combination of discrete transistors and then ICs on the top and bottom rung of the ladder. But then, on the new Moogs it’s ICs on every rung.
As you said though, there are other factors besides the transistor array components that attributes to each filter’s sound.
I noticed in some scematics that the capacitors used in each filter gets progressively smaller and smaller starting with large ones on the Mini and ending with the smallest ones on the Rogue. The middle rung discrete transistors change from synth to synth also. But in general, most of the 80s Moogs (Prodigy, Rogue, Source)have a pretty similar looking filter.
The only other Moog I noticed using the same T1S97 discrete transistors as the Mini is the Sonic Six, and from my reading of the schematics these two filters are very similar looking.
The Sonic Six apparently used the same temperature stable ICs for it’s Oscillators as the Mini would (third version Osc Board).
My favorite synth is definitely the Mini (and then maybe the Odyssey). But after seeing these similarities I’m really curious now to hear a Sonic Six in person. I’ve always read alot of negative comments attributed to Sonic Six’s sound. But I bet alot of this is just repeated hearsay.
Keep in mind that the early Sonic Six (and all Sonic-5s) had a diode ladder filter, not the transistor ladder filter. And while it does use the ua726 that appeared in later Minimoogs, they sound vastly different. There’s a lot more than just the ua726 that contributes to the sound.
I won’t be popping in too often - my house got flooded a month ago in NYS and I’m very very busy with my new job, and trying to find another place to live with the little free time I have.
But you’re speaking of the early Sonic Sixs with the diode array, right?
The later Sonic Six’s used a transistor array almost exactly like the MiniMoog filter. Isn’t this true?
I just got a really good deal on an immaculate Sonic Six(late serial number- transistor ladder filter, and if someone tells me how, I’d be happy to post sound samples and/or pictures.
I’m really looking forward to playing this synth. I know it won’t be a MiniMoog, but I’m guessing it’s gonna have that early 70’s discrete component synthesizer sound ala Odyssey, MiniMoog, etc…