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New Model D Reissue Pitch Bend Center (Precision)

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2017 10:25 am
by freiburg
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.....



Regards
Christian

Re: New Model D Reissue Pitch Bend Center (Precision)

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2017 5:42 pm
by Analog Prophet
I have exactly the same problem and just contacted the Moog support regarding this issue

Re: New Model D Reissue Pitch Bend Center (Precision)

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2017 3:17 am
by Analog Prophet
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.

Re: New Model D Reissue Pitch Bend Center (Precision)

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2017 8:24 am
by till
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.

Image
(taken from this thread: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=19557&start=15)

Re: New Model D Reissue Pitch Bend Center (Precision)

Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2017 9:36 am
by Dr.Sax
This might be a solution to your problem. An austrian company just released a mod for the reissue Moog: https://www.virtual-music.at/de/moog/#1

The site is in german but google can translate it for you

Re: New Model D Reissue Pitch Bend Center (Precision)

Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2017 10:13 am
by stiiiiiiive
Actually the site is switchable to english but the mod for the reissue is not available yet.

Re: New Model D Reissue Pitch Bend Center (Precision)

Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2017 6:23 am
by Minimooger
stiiiiiiive wrote:Actually the site is switchable to english but the mod for the reissue is not available yet.
O well, I see - that´s the reason: :D

"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..."

Re: New Model D Reissue Pitch Bend Center (Precision)

Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2017 2:21 pm
by freiburg
I have ordered that mod. Not cheap though.
Christian

Re: New Model D Reissue Pitch Bend Center (Precision)

Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2017 2:29 pm
by Analog Prophet
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.

Any one done the Muse mod yet?

Re: New Model D Reissue Pitch Bend Center (Precision)

Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2017 4:12 pm
by till
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).

Re: New Model D Reissue Pitch Bend Center (Precision)

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 3:36 am
by sunny pedaal
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.

Re: New Model D Reissue Pitch Bend Center (Precision)

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 3:53 am
by till
sunny pedaal wrote: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...
...
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.

Re: New Model D Reissue Pitch Bend Center (Precision)

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 4:27 am
by sunny pedaal
I've had three and touch several others, but never as hard as the new reissue
( sorry to say)

Re: New Model D Reissue Pitch Bend Center (Precision)

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2017 4:39 pm
by till
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.

Re: New Model D Reissue Pitch Bend Center (Precision)

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2017 10:19 pm
by ummagumma
thx for posting that, Till!!

it's a good idea, I may do the same