Moog Minitaur (2012)

Name: Moog Minitaur
Brand: Moog

At 2.2 lbs and barely larger than a paperback, this wedge of analog circuitry puts out deep bass that comes straight from the Taurus pedal lineage.

Overview

The Moog Minitaur is not a synth you noodle melodies on. It's an analog bass machine with no keys, packed into a compact wedge-shaped chassis. Released in 2012, it was one of the first instruments developed after Bob Moog's passing. Its monophonic engine comes from the Taurus family, specifically the MK1 Taurus bass pedals that anchored prog-rock stages. Those pedals were played with the feet. The Minitaur was designed for hands-on control and studio integration, and it was the first in the Taurus line without built-in pedals. It pairs the vintage Moog filter sound with modern connectivity.

The footprint is just 5.9" x 7.1" x 2.4". Inside are two voltage-controlled oscillators, each with sawtooth and square waveforms, and level control through dual mixer VCAs. The signal then goes into the 20Hz - 20kHz Moog ladder filter, the same topology behind decades of growling, resonant basslines. The LFO offers triangle, square, sawtooth, and sample-and-hold waveforms, with a rate range from 0.1Hz to 100Hz. That covers slow sweeps up to aggressive tremolo. An ADSR envelope shapes amplitude and filter response, so attack and decay are easy to dial in for punchy, percussive low end.

Connectivity mixes modern and modular. MIDI In and USB handle note and control data, and CV/Gate inputs for pitch, gate, filter, and volume make it fit in analog setups. A 1/4" audio output carries the full signal. Amazon listings confirm a headphone amp, but the exact implementation isn't detailed in official specs. The unit runs on a 9V DC power supply drawing 500 mA, a standard voltage that avoids the need for specialized bricks.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Moog
Model	Moog Minitaur
Type	Analog Bass Synthesizer
Introduced	2012
Polyphony	Monophonic
Oscillator Section	Oscillator 1: Sawtooth/Square. Level: 0 to 100%. Oscillator 2: Sawtooth/Square. Level: 0 to 100%
Filter	20Hz-20kHz Moog Ladder Filter
LFO	Triangle, Square, Sawtooth, S&H; Rate: 0.1Hz to 100Hz
Envelope	ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release)
Connectivity	MIDI In, USB, Audio Out (1/4"), CV/Gate Input (Pitch, Gate, Filter, Volume)
Power Requirements	9V DC, 500 mA
Physical Dimensions	5.9" x 7.1" x 2.4" (150mm x 180mm x 60mm)
Weight	2.2 lbs (1 kg)
Art.No.	40MINITAUR
Presets	128

Key Features

Two Oscillators with Sawtooth and Square Waveforms

The Minitaur has two VCOs, each generating sawtooth and square waves. These are the classic analog waveforms behind Moog's fat bass tones. You can mix and match the waveforms across both oscillators, which gives a range from smooth sub-bass to gritty, nasal leads. Level control goes through two dedicated mixer VCAs, so balancing the oscillators is precise. There is no full keyboard synth complexity here, and the interface stays minimal.

20Hz–20kHz Moog Ladder Filter

The filter is where the Minitaur earns its pedigree. The 20Hz - 20kHz Moog ladder filter is warm and smooth, and it can reach extreme resonance without breaking up. It's the centerpiece of the instrument, and it produces the sweeping, vocal-like quality of Moog basslines. It behaves predictably, and it responds to both the envelope and external CV.

Compact, Wedge-Shaped Design

The Minitaur measures just 5.9" x 7.1" and weighs 2.2 lbs. It fits on a desktop, in a rack tray, or alongside Eurorack modules. Knobs and jacks are spaced for quick access, and the lack of a keyboard keeps the focus on sound shaping. The physical design hasn't changed in later revisions. Rev 2.2 looks identical.

ADSR Envelope with Full CV Control

The ADSR envelope controls amplitude and filter dynamics, from tight, punchy stabs to slow, swelling drones. The depth of CV integration sets it apart in practice, and that makes it adaptable in modular environments. It responds to patching and voltage control, and it's not only a MIDI-controlled box.

Historical Context

Introduced in 2012, the Minitaur marked a shift in Moog's product direction, and it was one of the first instruments developed after Bob Moog's passing. It drew direct inspiration from the original MK1 Taurus bass pedals, and it puts their massive sound into a compact, modern format. Its predecessors were played with the feet. The Minitaur was designed for hands-on performance and studio use. It was also the first instrument in the Taurus family without built-in foot pedals.

Collectibility & Value

The Minitaur launched at $529 USD, a competitive price for a fully analog Moog instrument with extensive CV capabilities. Current market prices aren't documented in the fact sheet. Its presence on repair parts sites like Syntaur points to ongoing support and a user base that keeps these units maintained.