Behringer made a big splash at the closing of NAMM 2019.
After the enormous success of the Model D, the rack version synthesizer inspired by the MiniMoog, the Neutron, the modular synthesizer, and the DeepMind, the 12-voice analog synthesizer, the German company based in China (more than a base is now a real own city) has given life to five innovations, always coming from the world of synthesizers, a passion of the founder Uli Behringer, since the 80s, when he designed the UB-1 synth, which however never saw the light.
Thanks to the technological support coming from Midas, Clark Technics e Tc Electronics, historic companies that became part of the Behringer family, under the brand MusicTribe, the Behringer Odyssey, the MS-101, the Pro-1, the VC340 and the RD-808 saw the light.
As is also clear from the names, we are talking about clones of machines that have marked the history of music. Judging by the first demos available online, we are talking about really interesting products.
Il Behringer Odyssey (Pic.1) is inspired by the historic Odyssey, introduced in 1972 by ARP in response to the placing on the market of the MiniMoog.
We are talking about a duophonic synthesizer, with double oscillator, with a wide range of tonal variations. There are Ring Modulation, Oscillator Sync, Sample & Hold, Pulse Width Modulation and three filters taken from three different Odyssey models.
In addition, Behringer has introduced sequencer, arpeggiator, USB \ MIDI and a digital effects section. Another very attractive feature is the presence of a full-size 37-key keyboard, unlike the Korg version which features the hideous mini-keys.
Another novelty is theMS-101 (Pic.2), inspired by the Roland SH-101. We are talking about a monophonic synthesizer, with 4 waveforms available (triangular, saw, square and a dated square of sub-oscillator) LFO, VCF, ADSR, 6 FM sources for VCF modulation, 32 step sequencer, arpeggiator, USB \ MIDI, 32 full-size keys and external audio input for modulating signals from other sources.
In addition, it is equipped with a kit to be able to carry it during live performances and a hard case.
The third novelty of the Behringer catalog is the VC340 Vocoder (Pic.3), an authentic Analog Vocoder. There are not many news about it, although it too will be released on the market in March, but still, being inspired by the famous Roland VP330, we expect it to have similar characteristics, with the implementation of more modern functions.
Fourth product presented at NAMM 2019, is the Pro-1 (Pic.4), monophonic synthesizer that pays homage to Sequential Circuits Pro-One.
We are talking about a monophonic synthesizer with 2 Curtis 3340 chip oscillators and a Curtis 3320 filter at 24db. There are two ADSRs, one for the amp section and one for the filter, a sequencer, an arpeggiator and a good presence of CV patch points. There is still no other information about it, but this new synth that supports the model D and the Neutron on the market will see the light in the middle of the current year.
Last news, but certainly not least, from the Behringer world is theRD-808 (Pic.5), clone of the historic Roland Drum Machine TR-808. The RD 808 is a fully analog version of the historic Roland model, featuring 1 \ 4 "jack outputs for each sound and even allows you to control the pitch of the kick via midi, to create bass lines or synchronize to the key of the track. More technical details are expected shortly, as the product will be placed on the market in March.
Finally, a gem released by the company at the same time as the closing of the NAMM (it should be emphasized that Behringer did not attend the event, preferring to organize its own).
This is the Behringer Crave (Pic.6), semimodular synth with 16 notes of polyphony, VCO filter derived from Prophet 5, ladder filter derived from Moog, 32 step sequencer.
Pic.6 - Behringer Crave
With the release of these new products, Behringer could also stand still for the next few years, but an updated version of the historic Oberheim OBX. In addition, about a month ago, the company won an auction of old material used on tour by Tears for Fears, no less than a Prophet 5, an Emu Emulator II, an PPG Wave 2.2 and a drum machine Simmons. Thanks to these purchases we can already imagine the future intentions of the German giant.
The prices of these new products? As announced by Uli Behringer a few months ago, the start of the activity of the last part of their "city" in China guaranteed a lowering of the prices of all the products in the Music Tribe catalog, we are talking about figures around 40% below the 'last year. We can also see this from the announced prices for new products.
Behringer Odyssey - 499 $
Behringer MS-101 - 299 $
Behringer VC340 - 599 $
Behringer Pro-1 - 299 $
Behringer RD-808 - 299 $
Behringer Crave - 199 $
In short, a lot of news is boiling in the pot, which could have a profound effect on the way of making music. We wait to try them to see if they keep their promises.
Vincenzo Siani
