Behringer Waves is a clone/replica of the popular open-source Mutable Instruments Tides function generator.
Mutable Instruments closed its doors at the end of 2022. What remained were ingenious developments and numerous clones of the original open-source modules from countless companies. Behringer also jumped on this bandwagon some time ago.
First, with Brains (Plaits), then Chaos (Marbles), Radar (Ears), and, just recently, Surges (Ripples). The fifth module, Behringer Waves, has been released.
Behringer Waves
Waves is a 14HP clone/replica of the open-source Mutable Instruments Tides. Like the Surges filter, they opted for an unusual faceplate design. I would have preferred a simpler one.
Like the original module, it is a digital Tidal modulator and function generator. It is a very comprehensive, powerful module with many features. You can use it as an envelope generator, LFO, or digital oscillator.
It hosts three generator modes, giving you one-shot AD and AR envelopes and looping multi-wave VC-LFO or VCDO (digital oscillator). Also onboard are the four outputs of the original Mutable Instruments Tides 2, giving you different shapes, amplitudes, times, and frequencies.
On the front panel, the module offers a trigger input for the envelopes, a clock input, a 1v/oct input, and various other CV inputs for the parameters. Yes, a 1v/octave input and an FM socket with a polarizer exist. If you patch nothing into the FM socket, the polarizer is your fine tune control.
In addition to the sockets, Behringer Waves has three buttons and five encoders. The shape control allows various combinations of linear, exponential, or sinusoidal segments. According to Behringer, it has up to 16-bit CV control for super-accurate resolution.
First Impression
It was only a matter of time before another Mutable Instruments clone from Behringer came out. I was expecting Clouds or Rings rather than a Tides 2 clone. This was an interesting decision.
The price surprises me. The original Tides 2 cost 229€, and the B is now $149, so it’s around 149-159€ in Europe. That’s not a big difference compared to the other cloned modules. You can also get a Tides 2 clone from TuneFish Modular for the same price in Germany. Maybe the price will go down quickly; we will see.
Behringer Waves is priced at $149 and ready for shipping from the factory. Its availability at retailers is TBA.
More information here: Behringer
