The fourth Moog semimodular eurorack-compatible module I got. Fits nicely with its three pals into a Behringer Go enclosure. During the past year or so I have taken an interest in generative music, and a number of my eurorack modules have similar generative features like the ones that can be found in this one. Compared to those, though, this is a standalone unit with both the generative features as well as the actual sound engine. We’ve got something that looks like a Turing Machine / shift register type of random rhythm & pitch generation, where the pitch can be restrained by forcing it to selected scales. Lovely, huh? And there is not one single Moog synth I’ve tried that does not sound absolutely wonderful, and I don’t see why this would be any different. It is different, though: the oscillator is not the typical setup of waveforms but rather a sine wave with a wave folder, which is pretty radical for Moog. So it doesn’t really sound like a classic Moog, but I’m not worried.

One of the synths I never knew I listened to, remade by Behringer. The original PPG Wave was used on my favourite synth pop albums by Ultravox, Thomas Dolby, Depeche Mode (and basically every other synth band after the synth was released) in the early-to-mid 80’s. Part of the digital revolution, with a wavetable synth engine giving a totally different vibe compared to, say, the FM synthesis of the DX-7. Internet seems to agree that Behringer has made quite a decent copy of it, so here we go. The presets aren’t particularly mind-blowing for my taste, but oh-so-familiar with a couple of true gems, and I can see myself loading my own wavetables into it to make it “mine”. Haven’t played around with wavetables in 30 years, I think. So yeah, nostalgia.

The local synth store had a sale. Quite retro to just go to the store and ask if they have one and then go home with one. Anyways, a compact and seriously beefy thing. Nifty sequencer and a kickass sound. Sits nicely on the desk, while I sit nicely in front of it, behind the desk. Sonically, as a bonus, on top on the standard Moog waveforms we get a wavefolded triangle wave to get into the grittier territory. Apparently you can teach old dogs etc. Also see the Labyrinth, don’t remember which came first.

A really immediate sampler/drum machine (and more) with a fun pocket calculator-aesthetic. Just as with the Arturia KeyStep Pro, this one has been turning out in so many gear demos for Eurorack modules that I just had to give it a go. My main use for this is a quick drum machine to be used alongside the modular when just patching for fun. This can handle the main groove, and if needed, the modular can throw some extra layers on top. Easy to add own samples. Love it so far.

Behringer’s take on the classic Oberheim Two-Voice in a compact Eurorack format. Should pair well with my Oberheim SEM. More SEM-filters!!!

The proverbial pikkusormi to the paholainen. The original Roland CR-78 is the sound of my late childhood and early teenagedom, if there is such a word. A really recognisable set of drum sounds from the early synth music I was listening to, much more special to me than the otherwise legendary X0X machines. Ultravox / John Foxx especially is what this always reminds me of. Of course I’ve had samples of it since forever, but it was only 108€ at Thomann, which is really an unbelievable price for an analog drum machine.

Quite a few eurorack demos and tutorials have featured this one, so I thought I’d give it a go. As far as sequencers go, this is quite nice. Full set of features, each step can be edited individually. Can’t really think of anything that’s lacking. Like it a lot so far, let’s see.

Corrects, or I like to say “standardises”, the frequency response of my monitors. Few things are game changers, this one is. It essentially makes the music sound the way it should. You calibrate it by making it listen to your monitor setup from 21 different spots around where your head is where you are listening, then it produces a corrective EQ curve that is applied to the sound, making it balanced and beautiful. Immensely helpful when mixing. Got it in time before mixing our first track, and I don’t think it would have ended up nearly as good without this thing. Hugely recommended.

Another Behringer vintage synth clone, and these are so dirt cheap it boggles the mind. Behringer really delivers, these things pack such a punch for the price it’s amazing, and they are constantly pumping out new ones.

We had had a couple of live gigs at the office, and looked like there were going to be more. After one gig, I placed the Genelec subwoofer on a table, and the table surface just flipped around and the sub dropped to the floor and got a small dent. The horror, the horror.

So a pair of these Behringer subs and another pair of the full range speakers + two poles still cost less than that subwoofer I dropped, so getting these is kinda like getting an insurance when you know things are going to break. Not a bad deal.

Still waiting for the next gig, though. That’s generally how insurances work.