The Behringer Model D – The Budget Moog Model D!
The Behringer Model D is Behringer’s low cost answer to the Minimoog. With Moog Music’s reissue of the world’s favourite vintage synth fetching a high price and being available only from one of Moog’s specialist Moog Dealers, the Behringer Model D is an invaluable gift for many independent musicians and synth enthusiasts looking for vintage analogue sounds at a fraction of the price they would normally command.
Opinion is relatively divided on Behringer’s homages to vintage synths. With a scandal involving Chinese music blog Midifan seeing Uli Behringer publicly denounce accusations of plagiarism over Facebook, the company has acquired a less than-stellar reputation amongst musicians. However, judged in and as itself, the Model D is an affordable synth with an array of great capabilities at a price which doesn’t make it inaccessible for the majority of people out there.
It is undeniably an homage to the Minimoog, and it’s three oscillators are as similar as they can get without having been transplanted from the body of the Minimoog Model D itself. They have the same number of different wave shapes, and these sound incredibly similar when compared side by side, as Sound on Sound magazine did when the Behringer Model D was first introduced on the market.
Where Can I Buy A Behringer Model D?
Glide time and the outputs of the noise generators in both pink and white noise were also incredibly similar as well. In addition, filter tracking and indeed the entirety of the Behringer’s filter section is almost exactly identical to the Minimoog Model D. Although it is this similarity which has caused such contention, there is something impressive about the precision in Behringer’s manufacturing which has managed so well to replicate a sought after sound a fraction of the price.
Like some of Behringer’s other homage synths, such as the K-2 and the Deepmind 12, the Behringer Model D does in fact vary from the Minimoog, giving a wider variety of choice for those with the budget. However, compared to some of these other Behringer synths, the variation is significantly less, perhaps because of the Minimoog’s popularity and a potential subsequent decision by Behringer not to alter something which already worked so well. Some differences are subtle- the Behringer Model D has separate gate inputs for the filter contour and loudness contour- whereas others are huge. The Behringer Model D- like most Behringer products- is Eurorack compatible, unlike the Minimoog, and the Model D also has Polychain, the feature of a majority of Behringer products which allows monosynths to be chained together to act as a polysynth. One thing which is remarkable about the Model D is how much control there is over the VCOs for over six octaves in range, with minimal drift, and a built in feedback circuit also ensures that the ladder filter can be used without losing any of the low end as well.
Apart from this, the Behringer Model D, like the Minimoog Model D, has three VCOs, MIDI function, and five different wave forms: triangle, sharks tooth, ramp, and three different types of pulse wave for the first two oscillators, with the third oscillator- like on the Minimoog- having the sharks tooth wave replaced by a sawtooth wave. The Behringer Model D also recreates Moog’s famous ladder filter, offering a very similar tone to the beloved analog synths of the previous century. The Behringer Model D is semi modular and allows users to switch between high pass and low pass filter modes as well as choose between triangle and square waves on the LFO. Like the Minimoog Model D, it doesn’t have much in the way of effects- there is overdrive, but no phaser, delay, flanger, or other effects which are found on more complex synths. Nevertheless, the fact Behringer have chosen to create their homage faithfully shows they recognize that every addition takes them further from the appeal of the Model D- giving people the magic of the Minimoog at half the price. Even on their website, Behringer doesn’t try to hide the similarities to the Minimoog, and in this case even the naming is the same, unlike with the K-2, which is largely modelled off the Korg MS 20. Here it was a wise move to realize that when making an imitation, it is best to do it well, although it should be noted the Behringer Model D takes after the Minimoog Model D, as opposed to the original Minimoog which first brought synthesis to the world of music.
How Much Does A Behringer Model D Cost?
Like other Behringer products, the Model D can be bought from any of the retailers listed on Behringer’s online directory. This can be accessed from the Model D page on Behringer’s official website by navigating to the bottom of the page and clicking ‘buy’. Behringer’s website also has a number of useful videos, as well as a link to Music Tribe, where users can buy and sell their pre-loved instruments.
Alternatively, other retailers such as Amazon and eBay may be worth checking to find a Behringer model D. As a low budget synth, it’s likely that musicians who get seriously into synthesis may be looking to upgrade and will be selling old Model Ds on these sites. As with out of production vintage synths, musicians’ forums are also a worthwhile place to look, such as many of the musicians Facebook groups for particular cities, which helps find someone near you.
It’s worth noting that even for those with a budget big enough for the MInimoog, the Behringer Model D is still worth considering due to it’s easier availability and more concrete prices (usually in the high 200s) as opposed to having to search through Moog’s website
*prices generally seen on auction sites. If you see them cheaper, you may be on to a bargain.
Who Uses Or Used The Behringer Model D?
Whilst the Behringer Model D isn’t used by that many big name stars, the Minimoog it is descended from by way of the Model D was hugely popular throughout the whole industry and was adopted by the likes of Chick Corea and Stevie Wonder in the Seventies. Whilst you’ll be more likely to find the Behringer Model D in the hands of independent artists and up and coming bands, it is a remarkable replica of a well loved synth which has made music history, making it’s sound accessible even for those without home recording studios or record label sized budgets.
Classic Behringer Model D Videos, Tutorials & Demos
A playlist of videos showing you how to use the Model D, how to create FM sounds as well as watching how to make well known sounds and patches. Some great tips in here so be sure to check them out!
Other Classic Synth or Drum Machine Products?
Famous synths, drum machines and effects include: SH 101, MC 202, TB 303, TR 606, TR 707, TR 808, TR 909, Juno 60, RE-201 Space Echo. Behringer Deepmind 12, Behringer K2, Elektron Machinedrum, Korg MS-20, Moog Model D, Moog Grandmother, Nord Modular G1, Oberheim OB-6, Sequential Prophet 6, Yamaha DX7.
Where Can I Find A Behringer Model D For Sale?