General
Behringer does it again: taking one of the old, sagely legends of the synth-universe and breathing fresh, new life into its analogue lungs. This time around, we're spoilt with a devoted love-note to the ARP 2600. This 40 year-old wall of sliders and patch gates has been tweaked and manipulated by music and sound-design legends throughout the ages, and while Behringer aren't the first to wake and remake this sleeping giant, this rendition is far from literal, bearing aesthetic and functional features of its own. One of the most striking of these features is the LED sliders and the sensitive layout adjustments when compared with the original ARP, but the first thing that hits you is that this meaty chunk of synth potency comes in a considerate 19" rack format.
The Behringer 2600
The semi-modular character of this synth means you get a sweet stack of sections and a more than generous bunch of patch gates can be manipulated to transform the architecture beyond all recognition, and that's even before you touch any one of the army of sliders provided to shape the result. As a whole, the modules on offer can be compared to those of a standard synthesizer: three oscillators, a filter (two models), envelopes, noise generators and more, and by patching up the oscillators, you can pull fun tricks like FM synthesis from the wizard's sleeve that is the Behringer 2600.
Other Charming Characteristics
In terms of more modern twsits, the old-school spring reverb that came built-into the original has been replaced with digital reverb. MIDI (DIN and USB) is supported, so this version of the 2600 can be integrated with any modern studio setup with ease - maybe even added to a giant bank of Behringer-made synths. In fact, you might even add a couple of them to your collection, since these kinds of ARP 2600 remakes usually come at an antique-grade premium, but this synth has been made by Behringer, and since it's become Behringer's sole purpose on Earth to provide nothing but attainable sonic synthesis - the price is as good as it gets.