Behringer intends to make an affordable version of Moog’s Minimoog Model D synthesiser.
Ever since Behringer made their first sythesizer, Deepmind 12, the speculation around their next move in the synth and drum machine world has created much discussion and anticipation. The fact company founder Uli Behringer joins in discussions (and reveals future plans) on Gearslutz just adds to the excitement.
Uli has confirmed that Behringer are indeed working on a clone of the Moog Music classic Minimoog Model D. Before you start judging whether this is an ethical business move or not, Uli explains in depth how the technology is there and they won’t be taking any IP:
“The general rule and the law clearly describe that technology is free for everyone to use, provided it is not protected. You may have a different personal view, but that’s how our society and every industry works – again why the law has been designed the way it is.
“In case of the MiniMoog there is no IP (Intellectual Property) involved as the technology is more than 40 years old and all patents have long expired. As a result, the property is now in the public domain, free for everyone to use. Without this principle there would only be one car or synthesizer manufacturer in the world.
For this exact reason you will find many companies who are manufacturing replicas of all sorts, including the MiniMoog – simply Google it.”
The original poster in the Gearslutz thread suggested the Minimoog Clone could be in the $500 region.
It’s difficult at this stage to know whether Behringer will create an exact clone, or create something that fuses the convenience of presets, a screen, and plenty of modulation options like on the DeepMind 12 with the classic sonic properties of the Minimoog.
There’s even a suggestion that this Minimoog clone could be made in Eurorack format.
But the key behind all of this is affordability. There are hundreds, if not thousands of musicians out there who would love a Minimoog but can’t justify the price, whatever the reason. A budget conscious Behringer Minimoog would definitely sell like hot cakes.
