Behringer BM-17 Frequency Box is a clone/replica of the Moog Moogerfooger MF107 FreqBox analog Synthesizer pedal from 2007.
The Moog Moogerfooger pedals have cult status among guitarists and Synthesizer players. The pedals have been discontinued for some time, and some of them have skyrocketed in price in recent years.
Finding an MF104 analog delay for under 1000€ is tough these days. Well, there is Behringer, offering affordable solid clones/replicas of these. With the BM-17 Frequency Box, Behringer now completes its “Boogerfooger” pedal series.
Behringer BM-17 Frequency Box
The BM-17 Frequency Box is an authentic clone/replica of the Moog Moogerfooger MF-107 FreqBox from 2007. The Behringer BM-17 Frequency Box is arguably the most unusual and weirdest pedal in the series.
It’s not an effect but more an analog Synthesizer in an effects box that you can play with a guitar. It contains many familiar ingredients from a synth.
As with the other Boogerfoogers, Behringer has turned the interface upside down to protect itself against a potential lawsuit from Moog. Thus, the signal path begins in the lower range with the VCO.
It contains an analog VCO with two knobs to control frequency and waveshape. The latter is continuously variable from a triangle wave to a sawtooth to a square to a pulse wave.
There is also a yellow hard sync on/off button. Unlike in classic synths, it hard-syncs the VCO signal to the input signal’s frequency. The VCO’s amplitude is controlled by the input signal’s amplitude. In the middle, you can blend the input signal with the VCO signal level.
Then, the FM knob allows the input to modulate the VCO with frequency modulation. It’s here where your input signal enters very unusual sonic territories. Plus, you can FM with the envelope follower with a dedicated amount knobw.
Further, you have knobs for the input gain (drive) and the output level.
Connectivity
As with the other BM (Moogerfooger) pedals, the Behringer BM-17 also features a very comprehensive I/O interface. You have a main input and output and expressional inputs/CV ins for the frequency, wave, envelope amount, and FM amount.
Finally, you have dedicated outputs for the envelope, oscillator, and mix.
The BM-17 is a guitar pedal particularly suited to experimenting with sound. It can create a wide range of wild, expressive effects, including fuzzy distortions, FM tones, modular-style synth sounds, and more.
First Impression
That should complete the Behringer BM series, unless they decide to add their own designs, which would be welcome. In my opinion, the BM-17 is the wildest of them all.
Behringer BM-17 Frequency Box is available now for pre-order for £99/99€. If you want it instantly, Gear4music has a first batch in stock for a bit higher than the price at Thomann or Musicstore.de
It is now available from the factory for retailers, but depending on the delivery method (sea freight/flight), it will take weeks or months.
More information here: Behringer
Available for pre-order at my partners