The latest from Behringer is a clone of the ARP 2500 analogue synthesizer made up of Eurorack-compatible modules.
Continuing on its vintage synth modeling crusade, Behringer has now turned its attention to the ARP 2500.
Specifications have yet to be announced, but the modules appear to follow the German company’s model of reducing the size of the original vintage synth designs to fit into Eurorack format and imitating the overall look of the original.
Behringer has shown no signs of slowing down despite waves of criticism about their cloning-driven business model. The accuracy of the clones along with the basic idea of copying the products of legendary companies is frequently debated, while advocates of the products argue that lower prices give the masses access to previously unattainable products.
The latest clone-to-be is ARP’s first-ever synthesizer manufactured in 1970, the ARP 2500. The original 2500 shipped with a wooden cabinet containing 15 modules including VCOs, filters, envelope generators, modulators, sample and hold circuits and a sequencer. Artists who used the original include Jean Michel Jarre, Pete Townshend, Vangelis and Vince Clarke.
It is assumed that the 2500 will be released as a modular synthesizer with all of the modules from the original re-engineered and shrunk into the Eurorack format. The other notable differences from the original would be the use of patch cables as opposed to a large colour-coded pin matrix. The below image displays some of the modules Behringer will likely include:
AMSynths Partnership
In order to realize this project and numerous others, Uli Behringer partnered with Rob Keeble of UK-based synth manufacturer AMSynths in 2019. Speaking about the partnership, Keeble said,
“In June 2019 I joined forces with Behringer to design analogue synthesizers that will be manufactured in China and sold to customer across the world. I am working on three projects which Behringer will announce when they are ready. The first is the ARP 2600 replica which I helped design and test using the new workshop which I had built in 2018.”
It has become common practice for Behringer to tease new products while previously announced products have not even made it to the market and this time is no different. The ARP 2600 clone announced in June 2019, for example, has yet to be rolled out. As such, the synth community still has some time to prepare for Behringer’s take on two of the most famous synthesizers of the ’70s.
Head to Behringer for more information.