Behringer MS-1 Black analogue monophonic synthesizer

General

Continuing their love-notes to Roland synths of old, Behringer introduce the MS-1. The MS-1 is so faithfully based on the Roland SH-101, you could go as far to call it a devoted copy of its latter-day hero. For a short period of time, this Behringer synth even had the type number 'MS-101'. So whoever is close to giving up scouring second-hand websites on a daily basis in search of the original vintage synthesiser, the Behringer MS-1 is a great alternative that you can get your hands on right now. There are advantages to going for the homage over the original: a good set of keys for a start, no faders and knobs that are clogged with 35 years of dust, bits of food and who knows what and in addition to the traditional MIDI, you get USB-MIDI.

Behringer MS-1

The MS-1 is fully analogue and has a VCO, a VCF and a VCA on board. The VCO has saw, triangle and square/pwm waveforms as well as a sub-oscillator. There's also a noise generator and input for external audio and an envelope controls both the volume and filter and the LFO (modulator) lets you choose between four waveforms. This synth has FM synthesis (something the original SH-101 doesn't have); an arpeggiator and sequencer is packed in and just in case, an attachable hand-grip is included with a pitch bend wheel, a pitch modulation trigger and a guitar strap so you can take it to the stage.