Miniverse

Name: Miniverse
Price: 49 USD
Author: Cherry Audio

by Cherry Audio · Synth · Minimoog Model D emulation

Not rated yet

Miniverse recreates the 1971 Minimoog Model D, with three oscillators, the four-pole ladder filter and the feedback trick that routes the output back into the input.

Unlike the original it can run with up to 16 voices and supports MPE, with over 250 presets, for $49.

Best for: Bass, Keys & Synths, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Hip-Hop & Trap, Pop, Rock & Indie.

Keywords: hardware emulation, polyphonic, MPE support, 70s, classic, preset-driven, analog, sidechain input, basses, external sidechain, fat, leads, modern, oversampling, pads, resizable UI, sound design, subtractive, vintage.

What it does

Miniverse is Cherry Audio's recreation of the Minimoog Model D, aiming for "absolute authenticity". The developer deliberately left out extra features to keep the raw sound and feel of the original, adding only polyphony, MPE and modern MIDI.

Oscillators: three oscillators, each with triangle, triangle-saw, ramp saw, square, wide and narrow rectangle waveforms.
Filter: a classic four-pole, 24 dB/octave ladder filter.
Overdrive modelling: closely models the overdrive characteristics of the oscillator mixer and VCA.
Feedback and sidechain: recreates the original's External Input feedback trick, with its overdrive, or takes a sidechain signal for processing.
Polyphony: play it mono like the original, or with 2, 4, 8 or 16 voices.
Control: MPE support, full MIDI learn and DAW automation, preset and global MIDI mapping, adjustable oversampling and a Focus zoom.
Presets: over 250 factory presets by professional sound designers.

There are no built-in effects. A free 30-day demo is fully working apart from periodic white noise.

Source: Cherry Audio product page

When to use it

Miniverse is the pick for a straight, low-cost Model D that you can also play polyphonically and with MPE. Compared with Arturia's Mini V it adds no arpeggiator, effects or extra modulation, so it stays closer to the original's panel. Compared with u-he Diva, which mixes oscillators and filters from several classic synths, it is narrower but cheaper and quicker to dial in. Computer Music listed Softube Model 72 and Universal Audio's Moog Minimoog as the main alternatives; Miniverse costs less than either.

Best for: fat mono basses, leads, overdriven feedback tones and polyphonic Minimoog pads.
Genres: hip-hop, funk, rock, synth-pop and electronic.
Look elsewhere if: you want effects, sequencing or an LFO for vibrato built in; Arturia's Mini V adds extras, and Diva covers more synth types.
Tip: map hardware faders to the panel with MIDI learn so you can ride filter and contour in real time (Computer Music).

What producers say

Reviewers and users agree it sounds very close to the original and is a bargain; missing extras are the only complaint.

Computer Music (via MusicRadar, 2022) called it a "stunningly accurate emulation" and "a total bargain", praising the filter, envelopes, overdrive loop and resizable GUI.
KVR users rate it 5 out of 5 from 3 reviews, praising the authentic sound, the look, the added polyphony and the price.
Criticisms: no dedicated vibrato LFO and no onboard effects (Computer Music); one KVR user missed oscillator sync, while noting the original lacked it too.

Where to buy

Tutorials and reviews

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