Behringer 369-KT vs Neve 33609 Shootout

[@aweidner8757]

Dude, you are awesome. Thanks for posting this and giving us the opportunity to hear it in action along side the real deal! Pre-order placed!

[@Rhuggins]

Thank you so very much for taking the time to do this. Over the years, I have found that I get much more scientific results by utilizing blind tests. Especially with a brand that is so divisive- all objectivity is going to go out the window. Everyone will think the Neve sounds better- myself included. I am going to import the results into HOFA Blind Test and test myself that way, in 10 rounds. A 5/10 correct is imperceptibly different. It needs to be a 7-8 (8 being better). Thanks for this

[@Studio22mix]

I think you'll pass the test, the difference is definitely there but not a 3000,- difference i.m.o. Anyway I ordered one and will give it a test run, if I like it it will stay. I'm definitely curious 😃

[@alsstudiocreative2102]

Thank you for doing this review. Going the extra mile to compare it with the real thing via access analog is a plus. Well done. Looking forward to future reviews.

[@monetprod1]

The width on the Neve is so much better, which is why I think the mix sounds better on it. It's also a tighter sound in the mids. The Behringer is definitely a good sounding piece though. Maybe the drums pop a bit more on the Behringer because the width isn't as a great, but overall I like the sound.

[@RoofLight00]

I was expecting a big difference between the two but blimey there’s small differences, when you think of the cost of a Neve the behringer is incredible value for money. Thanks for the test. Amazing stuff.

[@grantoverend1]

thanks for the comparison. On drums i liked the Behringer but on the mix I thought the Neve had the edge. I'd be curious to hear how the Arturia Comp DIODE-609 would compare. Cheers

[@hvegel]

good call on Arturia shootout

[@SONORSQ2guy]

The Behringer sounds great! 👍

[@azamat19]

Fact

[@cyorkgo]

Neve seems to have a faster release time if the settings where matched correctly, but both sound great. I know my guys at Westlake will hate me for this - but lets do the math: $499 for the Behringer and $3999 for the Neve? There is not a 9X price difference. I grew up on API, NEVE, and SSL. I had Prince's original board that was given to Andre Cymone - I am that old - and my advice to all of you new and up-and-coming engineers: don't chase the name anymore, chase the sound. I knew Rupert personally and I mean no disrespect to the Rupert family, but if I was starting over again today, and even if I had the money to purchase a Neve 33609 vs the Behringer? I would purchase the Behringer and spend the rest on room treatment.

[@fullmixstudio4585]

Congrats for that video. The way you switch between tracks is exactly how it should be done: first full tracks, second slow switching and third fast switching. Thank you!

[@Studio22mix]

I totally agree, fast switching between a short loop would be even better. But this was very useable 👌🏼

[@muyeikasamurabi1602]

They both do the thing. Felt like there was more of a musical saturation in the low mids in the Neve. Could be good or bad depending on the context of the track. Thanks for doing this!

[@coywood203]

wow! those were REALLY close...thanks for the demos!

[@ayokiff1073]

The Neve sounds more lively and the behringer sounds more closed in but not in a bad way at all with the drums. Most def sounds better than plugins for both for sure. I’d be satisfied with the behringer. And when or if modification possibilities can happen, it’ll be even better than it is now. Sidebar: would’ve been a nice cheat code to the 33609 if behringer had a sidechain high pass filter option lol. But no complaints I will get the behringer to get something different from the successor and warm bus comp I already have 💯💯💯

[@olivergretz]

If Behringer sticked the original design of the 33609 there is a high pass filter engaged when the attack time of the compressor is switched to 'slow'.

[@MixedByDotRob]

Great video! Thank you for this. The Neve sounds a bit tighter in the low end, but they are close!

[@nikolayew]

No Difference, but both compressors removed the punchieness from the "unedited" track. Maybe different settings would have been better.

[@rickrockzyootoob]

Interestingly, I thought the drums by themselves sounded best on the Behringer, but hands down, the overall mix totally sounded the best on the Access Neve.

[@bighousemusic628]

YES I AGREE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING BEST IS ACCESS AD/DA CONVERTERS BUT MANY COMMENTS SAY THAT THE BEHRINGER SMASHES THAT NEVE

[@montyrayza7220]

@@bighousemusic628 That is because they don't know what they are talking about or hearing.

[@marcopoulos3493]

@@montyrayza7220 Because the sound you listen to from YT is over compressed but in reality you cannot tell. The original 33609 sounds different for sure but it cost an arm and a leg and the maintenance is heavy too.

[@ZozillaThaGreat]

I hear more compression on the B than the Neve , the diff might be it .... but so far this is great . To use analog access , send both the analog access to take in account the convertors , loss if any ect ...just bypass process for the B

[@mutetouretteshimself]

but the behri has his converters in the mix too, so would have to do both sets of da/ad for both...

[@7171jay]

Audio memory is very short and easily confused when comparing things so thanks for the re-do. You could make things even stronger in the future by keeping samples to about six seconds and the playing the same exact piece... no fade at the end of one and different stuff on the beginning of the next. Same vs same and quick switching.

[@keithrobichaux]

The behringer video said the limiter is first before the comp. I'm almost sure the comp is first on the neve. When you turn up the comp output does it push into the liniter????Thanks for the video. Sounds good.

[@Studio22mix]

You are right the compressor comes before the limiter on the Neve, the Behringer product page doesn't mention anything about it. I hope they did stick to the original design and the guy in the Behringer videos was wrong. However, to be honest, it doesn't really matter to me. As long as it sounds good both orders can work imo

[@christokah]

The gain knob indeed feeds the limiter on the Behringer - just as the Neve.

[@patricioandres2562]

very good video, thank you very much. I wish you could share the files to download them, you know, it is very difficult to see differences with the "quality" of sound on KZbin.

[@ScottLSimon]

spot on

[@savanaviolenta]

I'll be getting this for sure.I hope Behringer will continue making Neve inspired gear,so i can buy more of it.

[@aeiplanner]

Pay attention to the snare hits specifically. 33609 seem more round and fuller, but I suspect that has more to do with the differences in the attack/release settings.

[@justinhoffman1111]

its likely the circuits/ components used in the neve vs the cheaper ones in the behringer - i too also noticed mostly a difference in snare - neve had more "depth" while the behringer was a little more you can say "modern" sounding but not at all bad for what it is.

[@christokah]

Attacks don release settings are the same. The units behave slightly differently.

[@ourmindzdj]

Think the Neve offers a lot tighter transience. Would be interested to know whether you are able to achieve a tighter/closer compression with different settings on the compression or not (even if that means they are different on each device)

[@bassface84]

The Behringer feels a little brighter and more forward. The neve feels smoother with a bit more depth also feels a bit wider. so I imagine most of the difference in the sound perceived is coming down to the transformers.

[@bighousemusic628]

NOPE ITS FROM THE CONVERTERS USED BY ACCESS ANALOG

[@Gozudar]

Access Analog is converting your file to 24bit/96Khz before getting into hardware and then back to your sample rate- so you have double sample rate conversion using Access Analog (no do dithering applied).

[@cocoloco71]

The way you cut at 3.48 is perfect. But also occasionally the un processed as well. Just a suggestion. Cheers mate.

[@davidleeroth357]

Please do Behringer 1273 comparison. Thanks

[@allans1212]

5% différence for 3000$ différence. When you know 99% of listener listen music thru Spotify and dont care if it soud warmer at 300-400hz.. behringer beat neve

[@Vossflying]

There is a HUGE difference in term of punch and low end. The Neve is far away better

[@TheDavidPoole]

​@@Vossflyingnot £$3k better though. Let's not go crazy, eh?

[@voodoohex72]

I love how no one talks about the AD/DA conversion that is happening here. That access AD/DA is probably amazing then its digital to you right? But what AD/DA are you using good sir? The differences people hear are probably the AD/DA converters here.

[@lukegowest]

I want one of these, but I can t find one anywhere. Where did you get yours?

[@brunoscotti953]

As far as it goes for KZbin sound, the original seems to have more beef in the low end and more definition elsewhere. But maybe that's also because of the audio interface used on the remote Neve 33609.

[@mariasmith6498]

Good job. Of course this assumes you never touch the dials again and take the sound as it is. With a small tweak or two you could get them identical. It seemed like you tried hard to not say the 369 was crushing the NEVE. It's ok. I know you like the plug in but when you switched to the NEVE after listening to the 369 it was obvious the depth and width of the Behr. It's ok to like it better than a plugin. I'll be selling off some gear to get that. Good job.

[@john4157]

Im impressed. I didnt think the behringer was going to be close to the neve. For the price you cant beat it. Im getting one. Thanks for your review

[@panamawedding]

I was skeptical at first, but I honestly hear practically zero difference between the Behringer and the Neve.

[@ast4127]

Listen to the transients in the snare on the drums. 33609 sounds alot more pleasing from here. Less harsh

[@roetsj]

The Behringer with some mods(better electrolytics)might some awesome.

[@ajafterparty]

that's what I was thinking, maybe even a better power supply too.

[@deeorlando6536]

In my opinion, the Neve is warmer. There's like a slight 250-700hz bump. The behringer sounds more modern, a little thinner- not in a bad way. It's like they scooped the little bit of extra beefiness/ warmth the neve has out of the berhinger. Again, not a bad thing in my opinion. I think I may actually like the Behringer more for that reason alone.

[@natekelmes]

Can definitely hear the tonality of the kick drum changing when switching between the 369 and 33609. The 369 sounds tighter and more focused whereas the 33609 seems to have a little looser of a sound with the kick and sounds pitched a bit deeper than the 369. Either unit sounds really good, and at the end of the day the difference is so minimal and not at all "one is better than the other". It all depends on the program material and your budget.

[@jonathancrowell4648]

Thank you for this!! Have you tired flipping the phase on one of the processed tracks while both are playing to see how close they are to cancelling out? or at least see what the differences are.

[@christokah]

I tried this. But that did not reveal great secrets except that the units don't null ;)

[@PabloBarraSaa]

The drums sounds way punchier with the behringer, in the mixbus situation, the Neve sounds the best IMHO.

[@davidperez909]

Thanks. Great vid. I think it's a no-brainer at the price.

[@Atezian]

I wish you swapped onto the dry signal more often too. For just drums the neve sounded better as the kick was a bit more saturated and nicer tone. For the full mix I actually preferred the behringer. It did something nice to the bass and guitar low end for lack there of a better explanation lol

[@atacamabeatsindierecording8406]

I think I will very happy with it.

[@mallek1989]

The Neve is tighter and punchier in the low end. But in the full context of the mix, its harder to catch. I would need to drive both these units hard in order to get a proper comparison because that's really where the differences will show themselves.

[@SkeadFerdinandMusic]

Behringer sounds good. Like it on the drums a bit better since it sounds brighter. I like the Neve more on the entire mix. The Neve sounds a bit fuller in general and the Behringer a bit brighter. Think the brighter sound can be achieved with EQ but not so sure about the Neve's fuller sound and that might be the huge difference in the end. The Behringer will still be a great tool for what it is and the price is good .

[@WisdomHouseCreative]

The Behringer sounds pretty good on the drums, but it falls apart on the full mix. Seems to narrow the soundstage and reduce separation in a way that the Neve does not. The mix loses excitement, so much so that I prefer the unprocessed version over the Behringer. My two cents, anyway...

[@tobiaswinkler6971]

The neve sounds clearer. But is the neve pushing the hights?

[@Byron101_]

Neve sounds a bit punchier and warmer. Please check on good HiEnd speaker.

[@zilamike]

You just wrote HiEnd , then used the words punch and warmth, clearly you have no idea what you are talking about

[@arnehoffmann1811]

On Mixbuss, it seems the Behringer sounds more punchier / pumping (and vice versa, the Neve more softer / homogenius), but this seams to be more a question of taste than quality and very subtle anyway. Maybe the reason for this are some slight level / threshold deviations between the analogue devices.

[@echodream]

The Behringer sounds more explosive and brighter. The Neve is more pillow sounding. (On my cheap Dell soundbar)

[@Zenvo-uu9tm]

We need to take into consideration the different AD/DAs

[@cocoloco71]

Thanks bro. Maybe make videos with just text switching. I think most viewers like to close their eyes and try to hear a difference as you switching through a perfect loop without breaks. But please keep making content.

[@seasonthemoon]

Neve mix have a duller snare sound

[@christianthompson1473]

I don't understand how this can be a comparison. The behringer is showing 2db of gain reduction on both channels, while the neve shows 0db of gain reduction on 1 channel (static needle) and maybe 0.5db on the other. What's going on?

[@simmermusic3894]

Wow The Neve is so much smoother, thanks for comparing!

[@xandervideo1]

Interesting comparison, thank you.

[@justinhoffman1111]

Id make the point that the behringer does not have that "neve" high end freq polish / lift from like 1k and up so it fails in that. To use this as a neve replacement Id say it doesnt do it BUT On the other hand if you just take if for what it can do -does sound pretty good for a very inexpensive 2 channel comp. ill def have to pick one up to try out on a bunch of sources. Have you tried using it in stereo and not dual mono? im interested how the behringer reacts/ sounds in stereo mode

[@justinhoffman1111]

You might want to check this again!! - It looks like the Neve either was in stereo mode ( even tho u have mono on the screen) or somethings off cause only 1 vu metter is reacting , while you a comping both channels on the behringer pretty hard. That might have a impact on this comparison just to point out- unless im missing something.

[@Rgdonaire_07]

Good comparison. Try doing a null test to see what happens. I’m curious.

[@christokah]

I did. It did'nt reveal great secrets to me except that the units did'nt null ;)

[@jfn467]

Great idea with the comparison, please put the files up for download!!

[@bryanrichards3059]

Super super impressed with the sound of this. I am very picky. I really like the Midas transformer, this thing is a modern genius mix of diode and a clean transformer. The Neve tames the highs better, but sounds a bit more distant. The behringer sounds more modern and acceptable, The highs can be tamed in different ways. That being said, with all due respect the treble heavy mix bus example is not the barringer's best friend. Totally blown away by the quality of the beringer though. Especially in a chain with a bunch of other gear, the original neve transformer will back you into a corner. All the other clones of this have had a similar transformer. Awesome combination diode and clean tranny!!!

[@bryanrichards3059]

You can't be serious. You really don't understand audio technology. Do you really think modern technology is like a gramophone? 😅 Your comment says you really don't know anything about audio do you!? You'll get there one day. Don't worry kid

[@artysanmobile]

Assuming the switched controls are set the same, there is an awfully big difference. I hear it and the meters confirm it. I hope Behringer is able to calibrate this difference out of it. The compressor action is very close, but the settings are not. By comparison, the Behringer’s threshold is lower. Switches in place of potentiometers are used for this exact reason, to make Neve’s units behave predictably. It’s not a giant fail but it should not be there.

[@kniferideaudio]

Neve definitely had something in low end that the clone doesnt, but it could be made up with a small EQ after easily.

[@davidfabien7220]

The Neve sounds wider and more opened.

[@anaisvania]

Nice , what you mean that you feel keep it for a few more days. ?

[@christokah]

I‘m testing. But will probably keep it.

[@yofrantovar9463]

Blown away, in the mix bus test the Neve sounded a tiiiiny bit more forward in the mid range, the guitars feel a bit more present... But the difference is too minor man, Behringer did a great job!

[@EpicWinz]

On the mix, the Neve sound more engaging and musical. The Behringer sounds good, and very dynamic, but less full in the lower mids. But the Behringer sounds by far good enough for my purposes ❤

[@mikaelherrstrom7302]

The original handles the transients more musical. Listen to the snare when applied to the mixbus. But with a strip of gaffa saying Neve…

[@producertv8964]

why only 720p? I don't know if it really makes Sense comparing those two units in that low resolution...

[@christokah]

It was a very spontaneous decision to make this video. Yesterday I bought a software to make vids with better quality.

[@Polentaccio]

NEVE is crisper,tighter and slightly more defined but not enough for me to really care if I had the 369 in my rack!

[@spikeafrican8797]

Excellent test - Thx

[@Jesus-hp1ho]

the difference is almost imperceptible Good job Behringer

[@gwsound]

On the mix bus the "no processing" sounds the best.

[@sidefish8362]

I thought the same.

[@NikolajChristensen]

If you make a third video perhaps dial in a biiiiit more compression, and also flick back to the unaffected track as well. Anyway - thanks for posting. We'll be here for the 3rd video of course :).

[@luckylukas3506]

It's not a time that Behringer is a synonym of the shit. These years have gone.

[@timgreig1704]

@christofk3078 thanks for doing these videos, you are quite famous by now! Two things: you can use DDMF Plugin Doctor to match settings more accurately, virtual knobs and meters are never calibrated, you can check plugins and hardware, and even check attack/release, the knee & harmonics. Another method is to capture one version and then for the second device match the settings closely by eye and ear, then reverse polarity of that second track and tweak the setting's until you hear maximum cancellation, when finished, restore the polarity.

[@christokah]

Followed your idea in Part III!

[@SoundAloneband]

For $500 the behringer will do just fine. U want to impress clients. Put a neve sticker on it. No one will know. It's a difference but a small stock eq could make them equal in 3 secs. Small bump in low band (40-100) and done

[@daveaufradern6658]

Thanks for the comparison ! On the drums alone, there is almost no difference. But on the mixbus there is a big difference. The Behringer sounds chocked, while the Neve sounds open, full, and colorful. I listened with Sennheiser HD 650 headphones. On my monitors i could not here a difference.

[@NikolausBrocke]

The Behringer sounds very good. The Neve sounds a little bit less processed. But very small nuances. I liked the Behringer in your examples a little bit better. But it's my personal taste.

[@lacollastudio2166]

This is a GREAT review

[@DJURBANBG]

O > 1:08 - 1:17 / 3:13 - 3:21 B > 1:32 - 1:43 / 3:35 - 3:43 N > 1:56 - 2:07 / 3:57 - 4:06

[@simonbarth3181]

Hmmm, while it does sound tons better than the plugin ( i guessed the blindtaest xou made in 3 seconds) i do think the neve has that extra little depth that makes it sound special and 3d. I would rather spend more money on one good harware, than buy 10 unites that sound "almost perfekt"

[@hinky7729]

Low Mids - and that is a big difference - it saturates nicer and has more body. The rest of the spectrum is peetty equal

[@AiringGrievances]

listening on headphones cant tell the difference

[@jomo5932]

neve sounds wide and bass heavy but behringer sounds worth every penny

[@themikarenolds2910]

behr sounds great ! , . . neve has the lows and the entire package , .. however . . as far as 3,500 dollars better thats up4 interpretation because for 500 the BEHR sounds great

[@Studio22mix]

Thanks for doing this comparison, great job. The Neve sounds definitely better but what else would we expect from the 3600,- original. I'm in the market for another bus-compressor and then this one pops up right in time. Ordered one and will give it a test run, if I like it it will stay.

[@contactblaxound7040]

Neve Definitely better 😆 buy u ears...

[@Studio22mix]

@@contactblaxound7040 My ears aren’t your ears, same as all the people in the world… they are different 😉

[@ramspencer5492]

Well, It's clearly not totally identical... But on first listen it sounds good .. and Worthy of doing some critical listening (Rather than just ear buds!) I'll Revisit this with my best monitoring system. Thanks for the video

[@ParadNorthProd]

The Neve is wider and deeper sounding on the mix bus. Pretty obvious.

[@kalidesu]

Without measurements that's all very subjective. You're no better than 12 year Xbox user bad mouthing Playstation users. You sound like a brand bunny.

[@h.1133]

Deep and more glued

[@SevenSinsChoppers]

100%

[@KacyDennis]

Thank you. Well done video. 👍🏼

[@jonhamilton48]

Awesome video !!! Great job

[@jarfrobinksss]

Def not work $4k more for the 33609...nice work Behringer

[@mewfan84]

The Neve is a bit brighter and more present in the highs and high mids. The Behringer seems to soften high end transients. This is the most apparent when just listening to the guitar tone and aggression. That being said, I would not have any problem using the Behringer as a tracking compressor. On the 2-bus? Maybe in some situations, but it's a bit of a bummer that it does soften the transients quite heavily.

[@zyxyuv1650]

This is cool but I'm getting rid of all hardware that doesn't have 100% remote recall. I can only make a few exceptions for things like mic preamps with detented gain knobs. If it's a vintage unit I'm going to put tape on it to mark where the setting should be and then I don't change it. I'd rather buy another unit if I need another setting, instead of having to touch the knobs. Simply because I have too much work to get done and I can't handle working on 20 songs at a time and dealing with recall. Recall kinda ruins the day and makes me avoid loading the songs because I know I got at least a half hour of messing with recall if I load anything. I'm not doing that anymore! I think Behringer should design a reusable common hardware platform based around recall that works for multiple products like Wes Audio. Behringer is fully capable of this and they have the engineering talent at the company to be capable of being one of the only companies who can build recall with reasonable prices. If they actually did it they'd be an industry leader in this.

[@ronaldirawan3643]

Neve Top End 0.5db more open But i like low end punch of the behringer

[@dzezydzerk]

AMAZING!

[@AlexTsch]

For that price with so a small difference …. good made job behringer !

[@pistolpetelopez]

Price difference is abyssmal, not the sound.

[@NURREDIN]

I like Behringer's engineering,and I have several of their products all of which stopped working.. I wish they would manufacture their products in Germany,even if they have to raise the price. It's really annoying when you're working on a project and their equipment just quits working. WHERE is this unit manufactured? If it's China,it's a "no go" no matter how good it sounds when it's new.

[@bobdobalina4044]

Which product?

[@bighousemusic628]

FOR ME I MORE PREFER THE CHEAP BEHRINGER IT HAS THIS CREAM SOUND THAT IS LACKING FROM THE REAL THING I DONT KNOW IF ITS THE PARTS THAT BEHRINGER USE TO CLONE IT BUT IM LEANING MORE TOWARDS THE CLONE IT HAS THIS COHESIVE LIFE TO IT THAT THE 33609 LACKS

[@ittou]

Great review. I'm surprised Behringer sounds so close to the real one.

[@Moonraker-xyz]

Neve sounds tighter. More pleasing high end/cymbals.

[@JulianFernandez]

thanks for sharing