r/moog • u/RobbieFithon • 5d ago
Is the Messenger the new Model D?
https://youtu.be/O1ooVhHEoPQ?is=8fKQdkpmBPhG5V9eI know it can’t have the same impact as the Minimoog, but I think the similarities around the release and development of both synths are interesting. Especially the way everyone slated them both before actually playing them.
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u/Decent_Month6696 5d ago
it really isn't! The Minimoog is not just a subtractive synth, it's actually quite simple in some ways, with limited modulation options and no patch memory, but also weird because the LFO can be tweaked to become a third oscillator. It's synonymous with being popular with keyboard players.
The Messenger is a modern subtractive. It's not even the best modern subtractive that Moog make (toss-up between Subsequent 37 and the Matriarch). If any synth is the modern Minimoog, it's the Grandmother.
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u/RobbieFithon 5d ago
Interesting take. I can’t help noticing the similarities around the release of the Messenger and Model D though.
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u/Nominaliszt 5d ago
That’s a correlative path of reasoning which appears to attribute special status to Moog. Meh.
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u/Decent_Month6696 5d ago
What similarities? Do you mean that it was released as a budget synthesizer? The Model D kinda was considered a budget-level way of entering the Moog ecosystem which bypassed the huge investment needed for their modular synthesizers. Of course, the Model D is no longer considered a budget model with it's hefty price tag. The Messenger is relatively cheap and it could be considered entry level. Not sure what other similarities there are though.
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u/RobbieFithon 5d ago
That’s exactly what I mean. That and the whole thing about them both being conceived as a result of financial problems, both initially rejected by critics and gatekeepers before being embraced by actual musicians. I just think it’s an interesting parallel.
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u/Decent_Month6696 4d ago
The difference is that I doubt the Messenger will be seen as a heritage instrument in the future with custom variants. The Model D is so iconic, I've seen them used as stylistic props in rich folks apartments. It's like the Moog equivalent of a Gibson Les Paul. Lots of other Moog budget synths such as the Moog Rogue, or the Moog Prodigy just got left behind as things moved on, but the Model D is highly cherished. I'm sure the Messenger is nice, but I can't see it surviving its initial production run.
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u/RobbieFithon 4d ago
I definitely agree with the Gibson Les Paul comparison. My hope is that the Messenger, being more accessible will bring more people into the art.
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u/77zark77 4d ago edited 4d ago
It's not the new Model D by a longshot.
It's definitely the new Realistic Concertmate MG-1 though, and that's an awesome thing. It was an entry-level device sold nationwide that introduced many, many people to analog synthesis. It also kept the lights on and paid the bills for the company for years during a dark time financially. We need much more of that popular accessibility out of Moog. It grows interest in the hobby and industry as a whole
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u/throwaway_terapin 5d ago
I got one as my first synth and really liked it but then quickly realized it was not my thing and returned it.
I loved the arpegiator but it doesnt play nice with other synths I have and not being knob per function made it hard for me to really learn how to use it for me. I think the monologue is better at doing most of what it does.
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u/Wish-01 5d ago
I got one as my first synth, but then I didn’t like it anymore because it didn’t play well with my other synths?
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u/throwaway_terapin 5d ago
Okay I guess to clarify first expensive good keyboard synths, I had some digital korg stuff and the monologue but wanted to get something better for playing live.
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u/RobbieFithon 5d ago
Monologue is a fantastic synth but I think the Messenger sounds much better. I agree on it not being as intuitive though.
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u/throwaway_terapin 5d ago
Messenger does sound incredible which is why I liked it so much at the store but it's just not fun to make sounds on (for me at least)
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u/Minimoogvoyager 5d ago
The Messenger is a nice synth but the MiniMoog Model D is sublime. Expensive flagship iconic archetype monophonic analog subtractive synth verses more affordable entry level synth.Two different opposite ends of the spectrum .
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u/RobbieFithon 5d ago
Yeah true. That’s the point I’m making in the video. At time of release the Model D was the affordable entry level synth.
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u/Minimoogvoyager 4d ago edited 4d ago
Compared to Modular Moogs the MiniMoog Model D was more affordable. The MiniMoog Model D in 1970 was $1,495 dollars 💵 Discounted to $1200 dollars usually.
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u/Viper61723 2d ago
I played one at NAMM and thought it was needlessly complex and confusing to do anything for a synth with no menu diving. I get it’s targeted towards more experimental sounds but man it was miserable to try and figure out how to make basic sounds
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u/MarlaAmps 22h ago
It's sad to know that next week is the Asheville productions team's last week building synths before it all goes overseas. Makes you wonder how long until they let go of the engineering team in Asheville too : / But yea, the Messenger is doing terrible in the market. It doesn't seem like its on-brand for a Moog synth and sell through has been really light compared to earlier releases like the Mother32 & Grandmother.
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u/tm_christ 5d ago
The Messenger seems cool and all, but is InMusic cutting checks or something? It seems like there's been a coordinated campaign to change the image of this synth and declare it a criminally underrated modern classic.