Behringer has shared this official video intro to the Toro, the first look at their knockoff of the classic Moog Taurus bass synthesizer.
Behringer says that the Toro is “an authentic recreation of the legendary Moog Taurus Revision 1”, but without the foot pedals. In case there was any confusion, they have copied the Taurus look and given the synth a knockoff name and logo.
The synth is a dual-VCO VCF VCA design, with envelopes for filter cutoff and volume. Like the original Taurus the synth features four preset sounds (Tuba, Bass, ‘Toro’ and Variable).
Features:
Analog Bass Synthesizer with 2 VCOs, Ladder Filter and Presets in Eurorack format
Recreates the circuit design of the Taurus I bass synth
Analog signal path
2 VCOs
5-octave range
VCO A and B mix fader for full control of the internal balance
Classic low-pass ladder filter with Cut-off and Emphasis controls
Envelopes for filter cut-off and amplitude
4 ‘magic-sound’ presets: Toro, Tuba, Bass and Variable Glide, featuring Amount slider and a dedicated On/Off button
Large Filter cutoff and Volume knobs
CV, Filter cutoff and Gate inputs for external control
16-unit Poly Chain allows combining multiple synthesizers for up to 32 voice polyphony
Eurorack format
23 controls give real-time access to key parameters
MIDI implementation with MIDI channel and Voice Priority selection
Behringer originally targeted the Toro with a $199 price point, but now says it has an estimated price of $349. They say that they are shipping the first units from the factory now, so the synth should be available soon, at least in limited quantities.
Behringer has announced that their PRO-800 synthesizer, a knockoff off the Sequential Circuits Prophet-600, is now in production:
“PRO800 is on the way. We’re very excited to share that the highly anticipated PRO800 is now finally in production. The global chip shortage has challenged many companies, but we’re happy to see some light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you all for your immense support and patience. While it’ll take a while to get the synthesizer in your hands as we’re shipping from the factory, we hope that this beautiful instrument will make up for the long wait.”
The Behringer PRO-800 was originally introduced in 2020, and the company said it would available in Jan 2021, priced under $600. The global chip shortage interfered with their plans, though, and the company later said it was targeting an April 2023 release date.
Behringer PRO-800 copies the architecture and look of the Sequential Circuits Prophet-600, but cuts costs by eliminating the keyboard, shrinking the interface to fit the Eurorack format and using modern mass-production build techniques.
It features some enhancements to the original design, though, upping the polyphony from 6 to 8 voices and incorporating the GliGli firmware mods, which expand on the original’s options. Behringer PRO-800 synthesizer is expected to be available in April 2023, priced at $599.
Behringer has announced the MS-1 mkII, an updated take on their knockoff of the Roland SH-101 synthesizer.
The original release of the Behringer MS-1 was praised by many for its value, but the company had to acknowledge problems with the MS-1 MIDI implementation, and some buyers complained that the synth didn’t sound like the original Roland SH-101.
It sounds like the new version addresses shortcomings of the original MS-1. Here’s what they say about the MS-1 mkII:
“Many of you asked for the MS-1.
Here it is, but as improved MKII. This revised version is based on the original 662 chips for a vastly improved VCF and VCA performance. And then we also added the dual glide function.
We’re very excited about the new MS-1 MKII as it’s as close as it gets to the original.”
Behringer did not providing any information on availability, but shared images of the MS-1 RD in boxes, suggesting that the MS-1 mkII is in production and will be available soon.
