The Universal Audio Moog Minimoog is a UAD Native recreation of the Model D, made in partnership with Moog Music. UA tested three vintage Minimoogs, picked one "Golden Unit" as the reference, and used custom robotics to measure its knob positions. Each module was modelled separately, along with how the modules load and colour each other, so the three oscillators, noise generator, mixer, ladder filter, loudness and filter contours and glide behave as a connected circuit rather than a set of parts. The old trick of patching the output back into the external input for extra drive is modelled too, and the filter self-oscillates.
Where it goes beyond the hardware is a lower panel of software-only mods: velocity to cutoff, filter contour and loudness, an extra LFO with sync, sample and hold, a modulation mixer, lowest or last note priority, legato or retrigger, and pitch bend up to 12 semitones. It runs on Mac and Windows with no UA hardware, and Apollo owners can play it through their interface in real time with near-zero latency.
UAD Minimoog vs Arturia Mini V vs Moog Model D app
| UAD Minimoog | Arturia Mini V | Moog Minimoog Model D app | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developer | Universal Audio, modelled with Moog | Arturia | Moog Music |
| Price | $149 at Plugin Boutique and uaudio.com | $149 at Plugin Boutique | See the App Store |
| Position | Module-by-module model of one vintage "Golden Unit" | Same-price desktop rival | Moog's own iOS and macOS app |
| Licensing | Free iLok account, three activations | Arturia account | App Store purchase |
Buy now or wait? Plugin Boutique sold the UAD Minimoog for $39 (73% off) until 15 October 2026, and it is back at $149. UA has not announced its Black Friday pricing yet, but after a discount that deep this autumn, paying full price in early November makes little sense. Unless you need it for a session this week, wait for the November sales.
How it compares
Arturia Mini V is the direct rival at the same $149. The UAD version's case is depth of modelling: one measured vintage unit, module coupling and impedance included, with modern extras that stay close to how a Minimoog is actually played. If you already work in Arturia's ecosystem, Mini V is the natural pick; if you want UA's module-by-module model made with Moog Music, wait for the November sales before buying. Moog's own Minimoog Model D app is the official alternative for iOS and Mac users. If you want analog modelling that covers more than one instrument, u-he Diva is the broader alternative, and our best synth VST plugins guide covers the wider field.
Who it is for: producers who want an authentic Minimoog for basses and leads, Apollo owners who want to track a synth like hardware, and anyone already in the UAD ecosystem through Spark Studio or the subscription. Who should skip it: anyone who needs chords or pads, players who want a built-in sequencer, GarageBand users, and buyers who would rather avoid iLok. At full price, a mono synth is a hard sell; at a sale price close to October's $39, it is an easy one.