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Minitaur Quick Demo from Moog Music on Vimeo.

Moog Music has announced the release of Minitaur, the newest addition to Moog's Taurus Bass Synthesizer family. They tell us that Minitaur is a compact and powerful analog bass synthesizer that features a classic one knob per function layout. Most notably, it is the first instrument in the Taurus family that does not have foot pedals. At only 8.5" x 5.25" and less than 3lbs, the Minitaur puts powerful analog Moog bass into a package designed to fit seamlessly into today's performance and production environments.

The release of Minitaur marks the next chapter in the Taurus family history, by introducing a new form factor, control interface and increased level of accessibility. Cyril Lance, Chief Engineer of Moog Music, told us, "The Minitaur has all the growl, snarl and body associated with the Taurus family of bass synthesizers. We're really excited to be able to offer this in such a compact package that is both immediately playable as an extremely versatile analog synth and also integrates seamlessly into the world of MIDI and USB control environments."

Here's more of what Moog has to say in their own words...

The Taurus Bass Pedals enjoy a nearly 40-year history and have made a seismic impact in the music world since their introduction in the mid-Seventies. "The Taurus opened up so many possibilities for me...it also opened up a whole way of looking at what I do," says Geddy Lee, of the multi-platinum band Rush.

In 2009, Moog Music released the Taurus 3 Bass Pedals, a modern reinterpretation of the classic Taurus Bass Pedals. The Taurus 3 is currently used by artists such as The Black Keys, Animal Collective, Jean Michel Jarre, Yes, Weezer, Rush, and The Dave Matthews Band.

Since the inception of Moog Music, Bob Moog tested his ideas, instruments and sounds on musicians as a key part of the product development process. In keeping with this tradition, Minitaur has been presented to a broad array of producers, artists and songwriters including Geddy Lee of Rush, techno legend Derrick May, Flying Lotus, Moby, Holy F*ck and renowned record producer Nick Raskulinecz as a part of the final product development process. The enthusiastic response from these artists marks the beginning of the next generation in the Taurus Bass Synthesizer line.

Features

• One knob per function interface for tweaking and creating new sounds on the fly. It also makes live performance a blast.

• Two oscillators with Sawtooth (Original Taurus) and Square wave-shapes for each VCO. Recreate sounds of the original Taurus with sawtooth waves, or create new sounds with square waves or a combination of both.

• 2 Mixer VCAs for VCO levels control of Oscillators 1 and 2.

• Moog Ladder Filter with adjustable resonance delivers classic Taurus 1 and 3 bass and boom.

• Two Minimoog style ADSR Envelope Generators for modulating VCF and VCA. The Decay and Release segments are controlled by the Decay knob, while the Release segment is enabled or disabled via Release On/Off switch.

• Midi-syncable LFO with Controls for Rate, VCO LFO Amount, and VCF LFO Amount

• DIN MIDI and MIDI over USB offer complete control of the Minitaur's sound engine.

• Analog Control inputs for Pitch, Filter, Volume and Gate. Use an EP2 or CV to connect and control MInitaur with everything from Modulars to Moogerfoogers.

• External audio input for processing external audio through the Mixer and Filter section of Minitaur.

• Headphone output with 1/8" connection.

• Compact rugged steel chassis that is built like a tank.

Pricing and Availability:
$679.00
Shipping in Spring 2012

More information:

• Minitaur

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6 Comments...  Post a comment    original story

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robgs    Said...

Sounds lush, but for another £75 I'd rather buy the slim phatty rack. £500 seems a bit steep.

06-Jan-12 06:32 AM

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Mattsynth    Said...

I hear what your saying robgs and you have a good point there. What I do like about this synth is that it has dedicated knobs for every function. It does not look like it has any memory to hold patches eather. I will have to check this one out in more detail.

06-Jan-12 07:53 AM

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Koshdukai    Said...

«MIDI over USB offer complete control of the Minitaur's sound engine» good move, on top of the CV and MIDI in.

...wished it was a little bit more accessible on the price, though.

06-Jan-12 09:04 AM

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slimphatboy    Said...

I hate to bad-mouth something that looks so sexy and sounds so good, but the price is just a wee bit too high when compared to the Slim Phatty. I love the direction they're going in, though: animoog, this......

06-Jan-12 12:51 PM

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Blue Monster 65    Said...

Street price is $599 (USD) for the Minitaur; $799 for the Slim Phatty. Not bad pricing for either, I'd say. Depends on what you want; knobs or memories. Myself, I'd like them both!

06-Jan-12 02:14 PM

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Peter K.    Said...

The LP and T3 sound quite different from each other. I like the Slim Phatty, but I can't wait for this thing to arrive!

Already ordered.

14-Jan-12 02:26 PM

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Post a comment 

50 comments | Watch Video on Youtube |

stephen Kailor 28-Apr-12 08:18 PM

an affordable moog ... the dream finally comes true !

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JakeMccloskeyMusic 05-Apr-12 03:53 AM

You know it's good when you can't find it used on eBay.

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Doctorfreek 23-Mar-12 09:47 PM

dubstep is weak and sucks donkey. that said this could be used for some intense REAL music

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xbuster17 21-Mar-12 09:21 PM

epic warning makes me wanna be a dubstep building demolisher

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Thompsongs 14-Mar-12 03:04 AM

It has a standard MIDI input (no MIDI output), but it also has a USB port, with which you can do MIDI in and out.

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rubbindubbin4life 27-Feb-12 03:50 AM

dope demo..

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sudomakemeafez 20-Feb-12 10:46 PM

@XXacidreign This recording doesn't do as good a job at showing those qualities as some others, try /watch?v=_NXrSPQ7aHY&feature=player_profilepage

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MeldMagic 20-Feb-12 03:30 PM

I'm horny for this synth.

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dvamateur 18-Feb-12 10:12 PM

I hope that the front panel markings are actually painted, if they are, I am buying the Minitaur.  Moogerfoogers are nicely painted, but bloody everything else has marking on a STICKER!!!??? give me a break...

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Voltor07 07-Feb-12 07:36 AM

It sounds like a Taurus 3...weak it is not.

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Voltor07 07-Feb-12 07:36 AM

Yes. Check out my Taurus vids...this thing kills!

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floatershaw 04-Feb-12 10:53 AM

is this middi ? eny 1 now

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PhaktTheIsolationist 23-Jan-12 11:17 PM

SOOOOOO SICK! 

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Electricretropants 18-Jan-12 07:42 AM

SOLD.

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XXacidreignXX1 18-Jan-12 02:12 AM

.....I would like to hear a bit where the thing attacks its notes. Not swelling into them. I like the solid depth of the bass, but if it can't help set the beat...

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gatsbysdead 17-Jan-12 12:07 AM

wait, are they serious about the thing in the beginning?

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numanuma20 14-Jan-12 01:49 PM

Moog you finally realized the use for a monophonic synth.

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MrRidgebackman 13-Jan-12 11:11 PM

thanks Guys, thats something else to add to my wish list....wife's gonna love me!!!! Not LOL, hmm Phatty, Voyager whats next guys?

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doom705 13-Jan-12 04:35 PM

i'm so adding this to my Phatty :P

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FCO0710 12-Jan-12 08:17 PM

I dunno...as much as I WANT to love this it just sounds a little weak to me? I'll have to check out more videos because this one hasn't convinced me

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BudCr0w 09-Jan-12 11:29 AM

Just you bro

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Spaghettaboutit 09-Jan-12 03:39 AM

Don't know yet, but I don't know why you couldn't just use the MIDI in and have some MIDI controller that has patches saved on that.

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willman1661 08-Jan-12 08:50 PM

It's a moog dude

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1974ktv 08-Jan-12 01:15 PM

I definitely want one of these babies.

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doom705 07-Jan-12 03:53 PM

omg not even close. this is 10X fatter then my Mopho keyboard. >_< lol

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doom705 07-Jan-12 03:48 PM

theres nothing digital about the Moog taurus

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almanngibbons 07-Jan-12 03:09 PM

lovely!!! i also like the drum samples, they're not moog are they?

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almanngibbons 07-Jan-12 03:08 PM

hell yeah

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myguitardidyermom12 07-Jan-12 12:03 PM

the waveforms aren't what make a synth analog or digital.

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jp8ksynth 07-Jan-12 03:20 AM

I think I found my next synth

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Puzzlegob 07-Jan-12 01:14 AM

WANT!

Love the knob-per-function interface, compact & not too expensive, using this as a dedicated sub-bass unit will free up the phatty for leads/acid lines.

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cannoir 06-Jan-12 11:48 PM

A steal innit ?

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Aofex 06-Jan-12 09:16 PM

It's just me or does this thing sounds a little digital? The sounds are like from an old computer.

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TheExplodingBit 06-Jan-12 08:47 PM

Mmmmoog.

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RoccoCane1 06-Jan-12 07:51 PM

mio.

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pifgadget23 06-Jan-12 02:20 PM

this synth for my brain

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bazZzment 06-Jan-12 01:31 PM

SEXY! Big buttons, no menus, etc... I love it!

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thesilentguymusic 06-Jan-12 12:53 PM

<3 It , going to be around 530 euros :D

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TheVincentWagner 06-Jan-12 12:39 PM

Definately!

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josephakins 06-Jan-12 05:31 AM

Looks easy to operate. I wonder if it has presets to save with.

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AutomaticGainsay 06-Jan-12 01:23 AM

You're going to like this.

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alecjahn 06-Jan-12 12:40 AM

wowowowowowow!

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kentwidman 05-Jan-12 11:07 PM

It's looks sort of similar to the Moog prodigy, with some the keyboard and other feature missing. But it much more affordable. Sounds wicked.

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bhrama74 05-Jan-12 10:55 PM

Minitaur + Tempest = Bullstorm

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mondedusilence 05-Jan-12 10:20 PM

G A S 

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GraveyarDisciple 05-Jan-12 10:19 PM

ah my neighbor is not goin to be happy ^^ can't wait

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miaris 05-Jan-12 10:11 PM

Nice!

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b441berith 05-Jan-12 09:28 PM

*_* want it

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lordjacksonmusic 05-Jan-12 09:23 PM

Instant Want... but iv got a slim phatty.... do i really need it? 

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Lemure333 05-Jan-12 09:13 PM

no patch memory? no thanx

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