Behringer K-2 Semi-Modular Analog Synthesizer - Secondhand

Full Description

Taking a classic synth into the modern world

MS-20 style circuitry stays true to the original sound, with the Behringer K-2 bringing this classic synth into the modern era. The original synth was renowned for changing the synthesizer world. The award-winning semi-modular monophonic synth providing advanced way to create sounds and timbres at the time. Since then, it has held its notoriety throughout the years thanks to its analog circuitry and versatile parameters that make it so sought after.

The K-2 stays faithful to the original, retaining the same circuitry, versatile VCFs and powerful oscillators whilst introducing modern-day connectivity. With 36 controls in total, the Behringer K-2 provides a hands-on approach to sound design and tone-sculpting. It provides you with the means to create limitless sounds and even expand your sound design capabilities with external gear.

Pure analog circuitry

At the heart of the Behringer K-2 is a pure analog signal path. Great care has been taken to stay true to the original, keeping the same VCO VCF and VCA design with matched transistors and JFETs. This faithful recreation provides exceptional sound shaping options, allowing you to create everything from powerful basses to leads, pads and everything in between. You can then add texture by introducing the wide range of amazing effects, ranging from delays and reverbs to distortion.

Vintage oscillators and versatile VCFs

The Voltage Controlled Oscillators deliver a wide variety of sounds from the four variable oscillator shapes. Each of the shapes has variable pulse widths and ring modulation for in-depth tone sculpting. The dual oscillators come complete with a VCO mixer, allowing you to control the volumes of VCO 1 and VCO 2 and even blend between the two for interesting sonic results.

The main core of the K-2 is spearheaded by the K-2s versatile 24 dB/octave filter, allowing you to switch between High and Low-Pass Cutoff frequencies, as well as their respective resonance settings. The high-pass filter allows you to set the levels of the signals below the cutoff frequency. This results in the reduction of fundamental and lower-order harmonic levels. The low-pass filter controls the volume of the signals above the cutoff, reducing high-end harmonic content. This can add texture and skew the way tones sound for in-depth control.

Pushing the envelope

Accompanying the VCOs and VCFs are the dual envelope generators. The envelope generators provide further tone-sculpting capabilities by modulating your sound in various ways. The first generator affects the frequency modulation, providing controls for Delay, Attack and Release. The second envelope adjusts the cutoff frequency and amplitude modulation of the VCA. Controls for the second generator include Hold, Decay, Attack, Sustain and Release.

16-note poly-chain, Eurorack ready design

Although the K-2 is a monophonic instrument, the built-in 16-note Poly Chain functionality allows you to combined multiple synths for u up to 16-voice polyphony. This can be highly useful for live performances and experimenting with different sounds and gear.

The rugged yet compact design makes the synthesizer highly portable. It can easily blend in with the studio or on the road. One of the most versatile design aspects is the ability to transfer the K-2 into a standard Eurorack case. It also features MIDI and USB connectivity on the rear for use with computers and music production.

Features

• Amazing analog synthesizer with dual VCO design allows for insanely fat music creation
• Authentic reproduction of original circuitry with matched transistors and JFETs
• Pure analog signal path based on authentic VCO, VCF and VCA designs
• Semi-modular architecture with default routings requires no patching for immediate performance
• First and second-generation filter design (high pass/low pass with peak/resonance)
• 4 variable oscillator shapes with variable pulse widths and ring modulation for ultimate sounds
• Dedicated and fully analog triangle/square wave LFO
• 2 analog Envelope Generators for modulation of VCF and VCA
• 16-voice Poly Chain allows combining multiple synthesizers for up to 16 voice polyphony
• Complete Eurorack solution - main module can be transferred to a standard Eurorack case
• 36 controls give you direct and real-time access to all important parameters
• External audio input for processing external sound sources

Specifications

Synthesizer Architecture

• Number Of Voices: Monophonic
• Type: Analog
• Oscillators: 2 (16 Hz to 1.5 kHz @ 8' and with 4 overlapping ranges)
• LFOL: 1 (0.1 to 22 Hz)
• VCF: 1 low pass, 1 high pass (24 dB/octave slope)
• Envelopes: VCA, VCF

Connectivity

• Power Input: DC input connector
• Power Switch: Push button On/Off
• MIDI In/Thru: MIDI In and MIDI Thru, 5-pin DIN
• MIDI Channel Switch: Channel selection/ 16 channels
• USB (MIDI): USB 2.0, type B
• Outputs:
  • Output: 1/4" TS, unbalanced, max. 0 dBu
  • Signal Out: 3.5mm TS, unbalanced, max. 0 dBu
• Outputs Impedance: 1.0 k ohms
• Headphones: 3.5 mm TRS, max. +6 dBu
• Headphones Output Impedance: 22 Ohms

USB

• Type: Class compliant USB 2.0, type B
• Supported Operating Systems: Windows 7 or higher, Mac OS X 10.6.8 or higher

Controllers Section

• Controls:
  • Master Tune: -5 to +5
  • Portamento: 0 to 10

Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCO)

• Controls:
  • Range (VCO 1): 32', 16', 8', 4'
  • Range (VCO 2): 16', 8', 4', 2'
  • Pulse Width (VCO 1): square to narrow
  • Waveform (VCO 1): triangular, reverse sawtooth, pulse, noise
  • Waveform (VCO 2): reverse sawtooth, square, narrow pulse, ring
  • Pitch (VCO 2): -5 to +5

VCO Mixer Section

• Controls:
  • VCO 1 level: 0 to 10
  • VCO 2 level: 0 to 10

Voltage Controlled Filter Section

• Controls:
  • High Pass Cutoff Frequency: 0 to 10 (10 Hz to 20 kHz)
  • Low Pass Cutoff Frequency: 0 to 10 (10 Hz to 20 kHz)
  • High Pass Peak (resonance): 0 to 10
  • Low Pass Peak (resonance): 0 to 10
• Switches: Filter Selector – filter 1/filter 2

Inputs and Outputs (TS 3.5mm)

• Sample and Hold:
  • In: 5 Vpp
  • Out: 5 Vpp
  • Clock In: to GND
• VCA:
  • In: -5 V to +5 V
  • Out: -5 V to +5 V
  • Control Input: 0 to +5 V
• Noise Generator:
  • Pink Noise Out: 5 Vpp
  • White Noise Out: 5 Vpp
• Trigger Switch Out: to GND
• Trigger:
  • In: to GND
  • Out: to GND
• VCO:
  • VCO 1+2 CV in: 0 to +8 V
  • VCO 2 CV in: 0 to +8 V
  • VCO 1+2 frequency in: -3 V to +3 V]
• VCA: Initial gain: 0 to 5 V
• Low Pass VCF: Cutoff frequency: -5 V to +5 V
• High pass VCF: Cutoff frequency: -5 V to +5 V
• External Signal In: 3 Vpp
• Total (affects VCOs and VCFs) In: -5 V to +5 V
• Keyboard CV out: 0 to +8 V (exponential)
• Envelope Generator:
  • EG 1 out: 0 to +5 V
  • EG 1 reverse out: +5 V to 0
  • EG 1 trigger in: to GND
  • EG 2 out: -2.5 V to +2.5 V
  • EG 2 reverse out: -2.5 V to +2.5 V
• Modulation Triangular/Sawtooth Waveform: Out: 5 Vpp
• Modulation Pulse/Square Waveform: Out: 0 to +5 V
• Switches Trigger out, momentary

Physical

• Dimensions (HxWxD): 95 x 424 x 136 mm (3.7 x 16.7 x 5.4")
• Module Width: 80HP
• Weight: 1.8 kg (4.0 lbs)