The Minimoog Model D A/B: What Changed From Vintage to Reissue? (21 Iconic Riffs)

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The Minimoog Model D is one of the most recognisable synth sounds ever recorded — from funk basslines to prog leads and classic pop hooks. In this episode, I’m doing a straight-up A/B comparison: a Vintage Minimoog Model D versus the 2016 Reissue, playing 21 famous riffs, leads, basslines, and effects back-to-back so you can hear what’s changed… and what hasn’t.

To keep these riffs true to the records, I’m using light, “record-style” effects where needed (chorus/delay/reverb), but the core sound is always the Minimoog. Both synths are treated the same, so the comparison stays fair.

Format

• Each riff is played on both Model Ds (quick-fire, short, and punchy).
• Each chapter is labelled Definitely (documented Minimoog) or Likely (strongly associated / commonly credited as Moog/Minimoog).

Your call: which one wins — Vintage or Reissue?

Definitely

• Intro
• Parliament — Flash Light (Bass)
• Rush — Tom Sawyer (Intro/Bass) — BONUS (originally Oberheim OB-X era)
• Pink Floyd — Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Lead)
• DEVO — Smart Patrol / Mr. DNA (Effects)
• Michael Jackson — Rock With You (Lead)

Likely

• Madonna — Holiday (Lead Line)
• Madonna — Holiday (Bass)
• Rick Wakeman — Catherine of Aragon (Bass Melody)
• Dr. Dre — Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang (Lead)
• D-Train — You’re The One For Me (Bass)
• Madonna — Borderline (Lead Line)
• Madonna — Borderline (Bass)
• Gary Numan — Are “Friends” Electric? (Theme)
• Gary Numan — Are “Friends” Electric? (Lead Line)
• Michael Jackson — Workin’ Day and Night (Bass)
• Michael Jackson — Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough (Bass)
• Chaka Khan — We Can Work It Out (Bass)
• Barclay James Harvest — Victims of Circumstance (Lead)
• Stevie Wonder — I Wish (Bass)
• Stevie Wonder — Isn’t She Lovely (Bass)
• Stevie Wonder — That Girl (Bass)
• Outro

If you enjoy these quick-fire, famous-riff shootouts, check out my other classics (M1, D-50, CS-80, DX7, Prophet, Jupiter series and more) — and tell me which synth you want next.

🎧 More Synth Icons episodes:

·       Hohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know

·       Roland Jupiter-4 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4)

·       Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1)

🔧 Work with Andy

·       Production, mixing & mastering: https://www.andywhitmore.com/

·       Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/

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