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Softube Model 72 Review – Vintage Synth & Modules

vst emulation of the classic minimoog model d vintage synth

If you are looking for a classic analog synthesizer for your DAW, you definitely can’t get around the one very specific one – a solid emulation of the classic Minimoog Model D. Softube, which are actually known for their extremely good emulations in the field of effect plugins now their product range has been expanded with their first synthesizer emulation – the Model 72.

Of course, many will now think “Do we really need another Minimoog VST clone?” And the answer would actually be “no, not really”, but – Softube taught (at least me) better. Even if I personally already have two very good alternatives for classic Moog sounds in the DAW: Arturia’s Mini V3 and Native Instruments Razor.

At first glance, you might even think that the Arturia variant gives you a little more options, thanks to more modulation and effects in the plug-in. Nevertheless, just from the pure basic sound, one directly sympathizes more with the Model 72. The sound simply has a little more depth and richness. Somewhere, in direct comparison to Arturia’s Mini V3, it also looks purer. Without the bigger extras like motion recorders etc, you feel more focused on the pure basic sound when creating new patches as an example. And anyone who already knows other Softube plugins knows that all their emulations are absolutely world-class. From the pure sound aspect – Model 72 is definitely a very recommendable one.

modules for softube modular synth system

Softube has nevertheless built a few extras. Quite small, but very useful in the finetuning of the sound. For example an expression panel, with tweaks for the oscillators and velocity modulation. And a “doubling feature”, basically a second “hidden” Model 72 plays the same notes in the background and thus creates a thicker sound and more stereo width.

Generally, as soon as you have played a few minutes with the Softube Model 72, you simply perceive the pleasant foundation of the basic sound. The oscillators have a really rich sound, especially in the lower range. The filter with its distinctive resonance behavior, especially in interaction with the overload, enriches the overall picture of the sound even more. The resonance behavior of Minimoog emulations often shows what is good and what is really good. The latter is definitely the case with Model 72. What additionally reinforces the advantage of the good sounding filter is the fx effect plugin version, which is included. So you can easily give any other instrument track or drum loop a little more character to your track project. From light anchoring to rich vintage overdrive. The factory presets also cover a large number of facets, in which there is always something suitable for the respective purpose or use.

What makes the Softube Model 72 shine again compared to the competition is the extremely good integration into other Softube plug-in systems. In principle, you get 4 plugins. The synthesizer, an fx effect version – that alone is a very pleasant added value. And also module versions of individual components like tone generator, filter, preamp, doubling, etc – for the Softube Amp Room and Modular system! Pretty nice. Creating complex modular sounds in modular with Model 72 tone generator, filters in conjunction with the other modular modules (like these from Mutable Instruments, Doepfer and Buchla) is not only more fun and offers more freedom for creative sound experiments. This bonus point alone justifies the purchase in my eyes (at least if you like to build modular sounds with Softube or use them in your productions).