This synth is solid,musical and insperational. I think there should be more synths like this ,because it pushes you to program and create your own style...Im not about to synth bash ,but i feel that some people today rely on presets,effects and the usual bells and whistles to make them sound good when they can't play.. I for one am sick of playing synths that i cant shape whilst performing... I am sick of over EQing and compressing weedy synths to make them punch or sit in a mix. This synth crushes my SE-1x,Model D and Pro One the only synth that has a bit of dignity after a pepsi challenge is my ATC-1 (quite close has less bass but killer leads) I think some of the previous gripes have'nt been anything to with the Voyager I think it's to do with the price and the ongoing battle between analog and digital,quality over quantity. One day the people who have thrown out there tape machines,analog consoles and vintage synths will find that convinence is cool ,but it doesnt sound like a record...

If it were stolen i'd put it in a fradulant claim to my insurance company and replace it pronto..

The Moog Music Forum post,of May 24 2004 entitled Voyager vs Model D, has NOT been removed from the Forum, and is to be found in the 'General Forum' rather than the specific 'Voyager Forum'.Secondly, the Harmony Central review is not as negative as is suggested. Here is a full exerpt of his specific comparison.

Posts: 23 OK here is my opinion, as a user of both, side by side.fwiw i have an early version mini, discrete version (non-ua726). yes they are a bit more animated, uncontrolling and drifty than the later minis...i've had both, so i must admit the mini is bassier than the voyager. the waveforms sound a bit different too. the voyager is smoother up high which is actually better for leads. the mini is "rounder" so better for thick basslines, especially funk. both have that "growl"(from the filter). the filters are pretty similar. the mini is a bit more brasher while the voyager is smoother, perhaps a bit lusher. the envs are pretty similar. they are both clicky. the lack of a true release on the minimoog's envelope is annoying sometime. the voyager doesn't have this problem. the voyager also has a real lfo which the mini does not. further more the voyager offers sync, tons of cv ins and outs (via the expansion box). the interface on the original mini is much more immediate (mainly due to lack of parameters). you can sit at it and get a good sound in 5 seconds. the voyager takes more work but once you get used to it can act similar. the touchpad on the voyager is VERY nice. i was sceptical when i first saw it, especially in the middle of the keyboard, but it works extremely well and works as a great "controller". also the continuously variable waveforms on the voyager can lead to some cool sounds.the voyager obviously has a lot more going for it: nice midi controls, filter seperation (great for fx) and more modes, a *killer* look with the anniversary edition =) etc. still, the mini has what counts: unbeatable sound and immediate, hands-on interface.so if you're looking for pure sound and nothing but it, from a discrete analog purist point of view, get the old early minimoogs and be prepared to tune and maintain it occasionally. its worth it...something i'm willing to put up with.but if you want a pretty good analog sound, a monosynth that is ultimately flexible (makes a great front-end for a modular *plus* you can link voyagers for multiple voices if you've got the cash =) ) and more then get the voyager.btw yes macbeth products do rock as well-bye, shawn

I agree, that the Voyager is not a spot on replacement for a minimoog, however, one must remember, that todays buyers, if they were to pay in REAL DOLLARS, what the old minis would have cost, few would be willing to do so. Thus the comprimised sound because of the op-amps eating into the bandwidth.

One fact that does trouble me, is Moog Music's rather sneaky attempt to deal with the fact that the Voyager sounds 'brighter' than the old Minis, (because of the op-amps that both brightens and thins the sound) In the manual, all the waves except for the triangle, are given the adjective "bright".In my experience the only waveform that might be described as'characteristically'bright' is the sawtooth.

A rackmount fully discrete mini would be a great idea! The subtle differnces between the mini and the Voyager, that people describe as 'mildly rawer' and such, do really make a difference in how it projects to an audience on stage.(Because of this, I disagree with the Harmony Central review above that the Voyager is necessarily better for leads-several people on the MMF post of May 24, said that the old Minis excelled at both bass and leads over the Voyager.) At the recent Rick Wakeman concerts, several people heard a distinct difference between the two, and prefered the older Minis. And for bass, there is a good reason that Stevie, Bernie, and the rest have not given up their old Minis.

I agree, if companies like Studio Electronics, and Macbeth can make discrete synths, WHY couldn't Moog.Dispense with the variable waveforms if he must, but make a true Mini clone in a no frills rackmount. That would be a sure sign that living up to the legend is more important than mere profit.

Jamess