Trend price : 350€
A compact module spinoff from classic pedal synth Moog Taurus 3dedicated to analog basssounds. NOTE: this review is based on OS 2.0 with new features, you can update your Minitaur freely at Moog website
Overview
SYNTH MODULE Main panel features 17 knobs, 1 master fine tune trimmer ( +/- 1 semitone) and 4 push buttons.
Rear panel terminal connectors:
-
main signal out
- Midi input
- USB interface
- external signal input
-
CV / gate pitch input
- CV VCF control
- CV
VCA control.
Voice
The minitaur is an analog monophonic synthesizer based on 2 VCO oscillator VCO1 and VCO2.
VCO1: square / sawtooth + wave sync
VCO2:
square / sawtooth + detune
Performance
- glide time can be set with the dedicated knob, however there are
- 3 glide models: Linear Constant rate, Linear Constant Time and Exponential (original from Taurus)
- Legato mode can be activated by Midi CC# 83 or external software.
- Poly Chain up to 16 units can be linked
- Octave transpose
- Custom tuning scales
- Relative or absolute knobs
- Gate always on aka drone mode.
Filter
classic Moog 4 poles resonant (up to self-oscillation) low pass filter based on transistor ladder (range from 20 to 20000 Hz) and bipolar EG amount contour.
External source signal can be filtered, relative input gain can be adjusted using [glide + VCO1 level] or external software.
LFO
1 triangle modulator and 2 destinations sharing same frequency (range from 0.01Hz to 100Hz)
1-
VCF filter
2- VCO pitch.
The LFO amount can be set only by external software or Midi CC#13/12 and can be different for VCF/VCO, in addition it can be synched to Midi clock according to 22 tempo dividers.
Envelope
there are 2 EG described as an ADSR , but it is a bit particular: Decay and Release segments are controlled by the Decay knob, while the Release segment is enabled or disabled via Release button - in any cased Decay and Release values are the same.
- EG1
VCA
- EG2 VCF.
Midi
The Minitaur is dedicated to Bass section, so it works in a Midi range from 0 to 72. All knobs can be recorded by dedicated Midi CC# or NRPN.
Memory
(only OS 2.0) 128 internal patches.
Audio demo:
Video Clip:
Review
OK: -price- compact - bass sound
NOT : - combo keys-limited - no pulse width
"An affordable Moog Taurus 3 squeezed into a mini box! Even if limited, I preferred this one to Phatty series which interface was terrible. A modern way to have Moog basses at fraction price. "
Text , review, special demos copyright polynominal.com / Eric Pochesci