Behringer Enigma will be a $399 Buchla Easel 208 clone/replica for Eurorack with total recall, USB/MIDI with MIDI CC support, and more.
After a pause, the Behringer announcement train appears to be moving on again. After the announcements of the Kobol Expander and ARP Avatar on Monday, things continue very experimentally today. Behringer is currently exploring the creations of the legendary synth developer Don Buchla.
The first Buchla synth that will probably go through the Behringer clone/replica apparatus is the Music Easel 208. According to some sources, fewer than 50 units of the original were sold in the 1970s. So a rare Synthesizer in the past. Not today as Buchla is currently building Music Easel 208 reissues.
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We’d love to have your feedback.
We have stared to design an “Easel 208” inspired Eurorack version called Enigma. While the analog section is an authentic replica of the original synth, which also includes 14 optocouplers, we plan to add total recall functionality with an OLED display and CC control plus USB/Midi. We believe we could make this product for US$ 399 retail.
What do you think about the functionality, layout, and price?
Behringer Enigma
Behringer Enigma, still a project on the drawing table, will be a clone/replica of the Buchla Music Easel 208. Not a 1-to-1 clone/replica but a modified version for Eurorack. It will feature an authentic replica of the original analog circuits including 14 optocouplers, complex oscillator, dual lowpass gate… Everything we know from the Buchla Easel 208. Unlike in the original, the patch bay is on top and the control elements are in the middle and bottom.
A new addition, according to Behringer, will be a total recall functionality operable via an OLED display. There will also be MIDI CC support for the parameters and USB/MIDI with our beloved MIDI socket on the front panel.
On the backside, you get an audio output socket, a MIDI thru with a switch matrix, a USB connection, and a power supply input.
According to Behringer, they could make the Enigma Synthesizer for US$ 399 retail. More west coast synthesizers, yes, please.
But does it have to be a clone/replica of a product that is still or again on the market? Yes, almost 10 times more expensive but Behringer has the manpower to design a new west-coast Synthesizer. In times of chip crisis, there is enough time to bring something new and innovative to the market.
More information will follow here: Behringer
“I’m shocked, SHOCKED… well, not that shocked.” – Fry
Two things I would ask for: 1. Please make the easel’s touchplate controller in eurorack. All these companies that make affordable MIDI controllers haven’t explored eurorack and that’s a shame. Imagine a 2-3 octave touchplate controller with 3-4 voice polyphony, arp, clock settings, mod strip, a couple of clocked CV recorder knobs.
2. I’m disappointed that Behringer hasn’t updated their “104 case” design which is inherently flawed. I have a 104 case, it’s so shallow and features an indention on the back that bends inside thus making a short case feel claustrophobic.
This is a super news, it’s time to make affordable the possibility ,for normal people,to have the chance to play with buchla stuff in real world (not a soft synth emu). Even buchla corp. have understood that need, look at the new tiptop/buchla eurorack !!!great hope for other things like that….why not a complete eurorack behringer clone of serie 200 ???imagine a SoU at 99 euros !!!!
“But does it have to be a clone/replica of a product that is still or again on the market?”
Nothing to see here. This really doesn’t matter to me in any way shape or form! I wish I could afford an Easel, but I can’t. So this is very welcome!
If Behringer only made crap replicas, it wouldn’t be news and we could all go about our day without any mention (unless it’s just to shit on them for crap replicas). They make good quality products that are based on well known sounds at reachable prices for the masses, so that’s a good thing. The only difference between these physical replicas and software replicas is… nothing really.
Should musicians avoid inexpensive replicas in general? Or is it just the physical replicas that people have an issue with? I’m not sure what the real issue is.
The issue is gate keeping and cry babies. Nothing more. With the exception of those mentioned that live their lives on internet forums instead of making music, no one cares about this kind of pseudo-drama.
Musicians use whatever they can get their hands on. Pseudo-musicians play brands.
All this incredible music made by musicians who can now afford synths is yet to be heard. I would argue that this clones are made for people who are actually amater collectors,consumers, who need toys that will make them happy for a month at best.
as with anything else really. The ability to try something new always has a risk of ‘tried it but not for me’ kinda thing.
But your thinking is flawed and hyper elitist. 1) How would you prove your point? There are plenty artists with these same clones over at YouTube, Soundcloud etc. They wont be talking about elitist stuff since they actually make music not about which Squarewave sound more authentic or business ethics. Music before anything else and above all. then 2) What if people buy them to use for a month? It’s their money they earned and they can do whatever they want with it. Would you like someine telling you what to do with your money, evenmore so someone soundign elitist like you almost “ah these Behringers are crap”. Come on, grow up and live and let live.
People that found out this ‘HOBBY’ (yes, this is a hobby for many people, not everyone is killing themselves to be the next Vangelis) IS for them, upgraded to more complex synths, and their journey continues. The used ones will go to poorer usually younger (but with more energy and time) and the cycle begins again, old synth new life. Actually, my very first synth, a microKorg is now touring the US and not even with a band but with a theather/performance collective.
It’s confusing to me and others as to why you wouldn’t know what the “real” issue is here, in copying & repackaging another company’s product, mass manufacturing it with cheap labor, and slapping another name on it. That’s the confusing part.
Are you just so used to this behavior that it’s becoming normalized?
That’s an “issue” that has been spearheaded by elitism. Clones have been happening for years ( including Buchla clones) but it’s only a problem when Behringer does it. People can’t complain about the build quality because it is to industry standards (sometimes surpassing other large companies), they can’t complain about the sound quality because Behringer have a professional team that meticulously rebuilds the circuits. So they grasp at straws.
People are proudly naive too. 99% of those complaining have absolutely no idea how large-scale manufacturing and distribution works but it’s easier to grab a pitchfork than accept Behringer CAN legally do these clones and they have the tools + manpower to pull it off at very reasonable prices.
Maybe, just maybe, people have been taken advantage of? No, the problem must be Behringer. Groupthink, bad faith actors, and elitism are rampant online. They shun, bully, and condemn others for not doing what they want. Well, who cares what the “vocal minority” want? I don’t trust their intentions.
Anyway, Behringer literally came on the scene and announced they were cloning iconic synths. They’re not done cloning, they will clone again, and somewhere online, someone will complain. The majority clearly do not care.
agreed, many folks in the 21st century have shown very little use of the brain that evolution provided for them. hopefully they will return to the sea, back where they came from.
Awesome news!
As an owner of a B-Odyssey, I can tell you the Behringer team really did a great job with it (apart from the hpf, which sucks when sweeping). The build quality, key action, extras like led faders, built in fx and the sequencer make it a truly great repro/clone. The only thing missing was patch recall.
If this Buchla/Enigma is just as authentic, but with a few extras AND patch recall, it’ll sell like hot cakes. Sign me up please!
You better hope it never breaks. You get what you pay for is my actual experience with Behringer.
never really interested in the ‘west coast’ sound gear – but at this price it’s finally worth a look.
Make it I will buy it
Can’t wait til Behringer start releasing these synths 28 years from now.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: if you don’t approve of Behringer’s business practices you should just not cover Behringer’s products at all.
Everyone knows what you think of their business practices.
I just goto Behringer facebook page. they keep it nice and clean of slubs.
Having had a 200e and an Easel and having a 2500 and Wasp behringer and I’m sure that the quality is there. Actually my 2500 is built better than Make noise (yes I had also a complete system from them)—
Talking of Buchla, the 200e series had huge problems of quality and reliability (ah that fucking buggy software) and while the Easel was nice it was definitely not worth of 5K$.
The random circuit wasn’t even real random but a sequence of voltages that repeated… yes you read well and I never liked the black plastic case, it felt cheap.
So 300€ 208, hell yes. The only downside for me is those BLACK minijack I/Os that don’t look buchlish at all.
Apart from everything else wrong with it no expansion slot is a fail.
new instruments give new inspiration and lead to new knowledge. It seems that this is hurting rich people that are jealous to see poor guys having this same pleasure…
I’m telling all rich guys one things : on FB and elsewhere we can see big Buchla costing the price of a house. But nothing interesting to hear to be frank. Your video interest is just in showing something others can’t buy. You fear the competition… when everyone will have a 208, I’m sure will at least hear some cool things you were never able to produce. So keep calm and let people live and play music…