Does the MF 101 have the same LPF as the model D?

godzilla · Post by **godzilla** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 1:49 am

well does it?

there has been talk on this forum about the other moog synths and how they have different filters to the model D
and the voyager is supposed to have a filter more like one of the original moog modular modules
so what filter does the 101 have? if it is the same as the one from the model D and the voygers isn't then how do they compare?
Can anyone how has the voyager, 101, model d, other moog synths, tell us the difference ?

Dannymon · Post by **Dannymon** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:11 pm

I believe it has the same basic circuit design plus the drive knob and the Envelope. It probably has newer components and parts. Just guessing

MC · Post by MC » Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:50 pm

I've heard 'em both, sounds like the same filter to me. The 101 is a lowpass like the Voyager and model D. The model D, Voyager, and 101 pedal sound very alike. The other Moog synths sound different, not as fat as the venerable model D. There are more elements than just the filter that make the model D and Voyager sound the way they do.

marc_oceano · Post by **marc_oceano** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 7:48 pm

hi all,
i've been comparating the 101 with my minimoog D's filter : and did not hear any differences, they seem to sound alike!!

THM · Post by **THM** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 5:58 am

Sorry for taking up a pretty old thread, but how to compare the MF-101 to the classic 904A module - soundwise (not counting the drive/EG) ?
I was planning to look for a 904A for my Synthesizers.com (aka DotCom) modular system, but first I'd liked to hear a few opinions from preferably owners of both 904A module(s) and an MF-101. Or from whoever compared these two.
Thanks in advance.

THM · Post by **THM** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 6:01 am

Nevermind, I'll start a new thread for this: http://www.moogmusic.com/forum/viewtopi ... 3578#23578 .

Duke Foog · Post by **Duke Foog** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 7:34 am

I love mine but it's pretty noisy and hissy

THM · Post by **THM** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 10:34 am

You mean your 904A ?

Duke Foog · Post by **Duke Foog** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:39 am

sorry i meant my mf 101 is noisy

eric coleridge · Post by **eric coleridge** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 5:02 am

If you look at the schemactics for all of these instruments, you'll see that they are all different. The 904 is different than the MiniMoog-- the Mini is different from the Micro/Multi, the Micro is different from the Prodigy/Rogue/MG-1, and again different from the Source/MemoryMoog... and finally different from the Voyager/MF101.

The MF101 is suppossed to be the same filter as the Voyager, and they seem to sound the same to me.

Although all Moog filters use a similar transistor "ladder" design-- each one uses different components and component values. Some are closer than others... but the Mini and 904 are probably the farthest removed from the others, using discrete transistors as oppossed to integrated circuits on all(?) the others.

I've had/heard alot of them (all except the 904, I think) and each filter sounds --somtimes slightly, sometimes distinctly-- different to me, aside from the groupings above, and below:

1. Mini/ Sonic Six (totally different sounding synths, but the filters sound similar)

2. Micro/Multi

3. Prodigy/Rogue/MG-1

4. Source/MemoryMoog

5. Voyager/MF101

6. Little Phatty

Also, as others have written, alot of the differences can be attributed to the oscillators and envelopes of the various instruments. But even so, I feel like each of the filters also have their own distinct characteristics.

The Micro filter has a weird responce where it only opens up at about mid-way on the dial-- which gives it a sort of "colder" sound (not neccesarily worse, just different) than the Mini's extremely "warm", if not "hot" sound.

The Rogue/MG-1/Prodigy filters have a very interesting, sort of band-pass quality that give them a very strong mid-range punch, but not as "fat" or bassy as a Mini.

The MF101 and Voyager have a much more "even", and less idiosyncratic response--not the same "warmth" or "depth" as the Mini's.

These are all just personal opinions and observations--and it seems like alot of people's opinions vary quite a bit. So, you kind of have to listen to them all yourself to make your own opinions...

But to me, there is quite a bit of difference in each filter's sound.

THM · Post by **THM** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 5:47 am

Thanks for the info !!

eric coleridge · Post by **eric coleridge** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:53 am

THM wrote: I was planning to look for a 904A for my Synthesizers.com (aka DotCom) modular system

There was an e-bay listing that just ended for the 904b High Pass Filter:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Moog-Modular-R-A-Mo ... dZViewItem

It sold for $1100!! I think that the seller told me he was going to list some other Moog modules including a 904a low pass. It's so rare for these modules to come up. You should check out Modusonics also for authentic Moog reproductions:

www.moogce.com

The person who operates this company was a Moog Custom Engineering employee who bought the remaining stock and rights to the original Moog products. I've been mentioning Modusonics on this forum for awhile because I'd really like to hear some testimonials from people who may have purchased these reproductions. I've read positive things about Modusonics, but nothing specific. I would think this would be the best option for someone wanting to get authentic Moog modular stuff. It's brand new, and authentic (not just "based" on Moog designs, like most "Moog" Low Pass Filters, etc.). They're probably cheaper than buying vintage also.

THM · Post by **THM** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 4:59 am

Thanks; I'll keep an eye on it.