Moog Music Forum

At the moment I have 2 Model D reissues side by side in my studio, and I’m trying to decide which one to keep. In comparing the 2, the biggest difference I have noticed between them is in the filter response. Namely, with all oscillators switched off and the cutoff on both set at -1, the filter on one begins to self-oscillate when the emphasis/resonance is a smidge past 7. On the other, I have to go all the way to 8 before self-oscillation starts.

I found an old service manual online that details a filter calibration process and notes that self oscillation should begin when the resonance/emphasis is between 7-8. However, I don’t know if this applies to the reissues.

At any rate, I am wondering if anyone here could share at what point their Model D filter goes into self-oscillation.

On my 2022 reissue (serial # <200) self oscillation begins around 7.9 and is clearly audible at 8.
I'm pretty sure this is a calibration issue made at the factory, don't know which trimpots that are involved though.
In your case however, I don't see why this should be a reason to choose one of the minis before the other, as emphasis self oscillation probably could be easily adjusted.

My first 2022 reissue was sent back and exchanged due to a crack in the wood chassis. I had it for about a month until I got another one. I noticed that they sounded and reacted a bit different at similar settings, which is fully normal for a minimoog or any analogue synthesiser built with discrete components that needs calibration.

In your situation, I would choose the one that sounds and responds best in your ears and hands, if they are mechanically likewise (I.e. keyboard, pots, buttons and wheels are working well). For some people, the look of the wood chassis might be of importance, but for me it's secondary.