Behringer 2600

This is a great synth. I have a modular system plus several semi modulars but the 2600 is a thing all to itsself. You can approach it as a semi modular but it’s really like a modular system in itself. Yes it can make noise straight out the box as it has normaled connections but once you get the patch cables out it really gets interesting. It’s clear to see why the original ARP was so revered the design is just so flexible and it has a “sound” all of its own.

Great machine, the sound is pretty unique. I never played with a real 2600 but it's a close match. However it's close in the sense a plugin would emulate it. It's not as nasty, gritty or ugly as the sounds that I am familliar with from the real deal.

Okay I know that was probably what you wanted to know.. but there is more about this machine that makes it worthwhile. Especially because it's quite "clean" and "friendly" sounding it is really easy to make sounds that fit right into your mix. There's barely any processing needed for the sounds to work in a mix, or as a layer for something digital or even another synth. I'm using it a lot paired with my modular which is a nice match.

The oscillators sound good, but not expensive like a Dixie module or some other specified modular voice. (I know they are very different, but bear with me. It's about the quality of the sound) They do sound better than digital oscillators.

The filter is pretty neat, I like how they sound, good character, nice sweep and easy to tune to something fun.

The noise sounds great, I use it a lot, it has different options all sound good.

The spring reverb is very warm and full. It's a good sound but it will fill up your mix quite quickly so you can't really use it on everything. It also doesn't sound like a spring so much as just a reverb with a specific sound.

So far so good, most of this synthesizer just sounds good. Except... the envelopes. I know they have supposedly fixed this in the "Gray Meanie" version of the Behringer 2600, but on this unit it it's simply awful. It's almost unusable, I don't know... I am almost always using another envelope for the amplitude. It kinda works with the filter, but the reality is it just can't go very short or snappy which is really annoying. I would be using it way more often if this was fixed. I wonder if there will be some firmware upgrade at some point that addresses this.

Perfetto. Facciamola sembrare scritta da uno che lo usa davvero, non da uno che ha guardato tre video e si è emozionato.

Headline
Legendary architecture, modern reliability, pure inspiration

Review text
The Behringer 2600 delivers exactly what many of us hope for when approaching a semi-modular classic: vintage attitude, immediate workflow, and a sound that feels big, physical and alive.

The interface is one of its greatest strengths. Everything is visible, logically laid out, and encourages experimentation. Even without patch cables you can go very far thanks to the normalized routing, while the patchbay opens the door to deeper modular thinking in seconds. It is an instrument that invites you to explore rather than program.

Build quality is excellent in my opinion. The chassis feels solid, sliders have a good resistance, and the illuminated faders and LEDs are not only beautiful but genuinely helpful in low-light studio environments. There is a strong retro vibe, yet the reliability and tuning stability are fully modern.

I actually consider the lack of a keyboard a big advantage. In a crowded studio it keeps the footprint manageable, making it easy to place on a desk, in a rack or on a trolley. You get the power of a legendary synth without sacrificing space.

Sonically, this machine is incredibly versatile. It excels at massive basses, expressive leads, evolving pads, percussive effects and experimental textures. The oscillators have weight, the filter can scream or stay smooth, and the modulation possibilities are deep without ever becoming confusing.

It also integrates perfectly with external gear and DAW workflows, accepting CV, gate and MIDI with no drama. Add a bit of saturation or compression and it becomes enormous while still retaining clarity.

For the price, it is hard to think of anything offering this combination of heritage, hands-on control and raw sound quality. A true centerpiece instrument that keeps inspiring session after session.

This is probably not for the fainthearted. i have quite a few analog synths but this was the most devilish one to get to work (get a sound from it) straight out of the box. It had me stumped for quite a while. Just dont panic and send it back - you need to understand quite a lot about the controls to get going and not get confused. Once you get going its great. You do need a tuner if you dont have perfect pitch and you want to get it in tune with other gear. Tuning it is not as easy as on other analogs. Having said that, its a fun instrument to play once you get the hang of it.