Behringer Model D - 5 Year Review // Tuning, Issues & Comparison

[@BigBadWolf..............]

I was an audio electronics technician for 3 years. A cold solder joint can cause corrosion. Sometimes factories have cold solders especially when they are just starting large-scale production and they need to find tune their machines. If you have an early version of the model d this could be the case. It's a very easy problem to fix. First first get some rubbing alcohol and a paper towel and qtips. Clean the jacks as best you can. The second part is a little bit harder but not that hard. Get a soldering iron and solder and just add solder to the jacks. You don't need to remove solder just add some. This will heat up the cold solder joints and add a little bit better solder than was probably used in the beginning. If you do those two things you probably won't have this problem in the future.

[@teftymusictech]

Thanks for the info and insight!

[@billfusionenterprise]

could also be type of flux, no-clean flux is an oxymoron

[@9NZ4]

Wow this is a perfect timing for me, I was considering getting one. Thanks for a thorough review as always!

[@teftymusictech]

Thanks for watching ❤️

[@DaveShipp]

Got to be one of the best, easiest to hear, demonstrations of the difference between analog gear and plugins. Especially when you’re talking about the give between notes. Very well done.

[@juicythedj750]

There has been one major hardware change not too long after the initial release where the single-turn trimmers for the oscillator tuning have been replaced by much more precise (and stable) multi-turn parts. I originally had one of the earlier units, but I got kind of lucky because I wasn't able to perform a firmware update at some point because of a bug. Behringer recognized this issue and affected units could be sent in for repair directly to a tech center. Upon receiving back my unit, it turned out that the entire synthesizer board had been replaced so I basically received a brand new Model D - which now came with these multi-turn trimmers. It was not perfectly calibrated though so I went through the calibration procedure myself and it's been great ever since.

[@teftymusictech]

Thanks for the clarity!

[@concrete-disco]

It's an absolute no brainer... been my goto bass synth for years.

[@TheIndustrialRetrospective]

Been thinking about getting one for bass duties also, but ive had a Grandmother for years now and it fills the role nicely.

[@brianschiller4053]

Mine is several years old, been used as a desktop synth, also was mounted in a Eurorack rig. It is also a backup for my other monosynths ( voyager, matriarch, etc). Never had a problem with it, and it sounds great. I see new ones on sale less than $300 sometimes. At that price, well worth it in my opinion.

[@pyko5100]

I was so impressed with the sound of the Behringer Model D that I ended up selling it and getting a Minimoog reissue instead.

[@oscarvanderburgh9915]

And how do you feel about the Behringer now? Does the real deal feel/sound better?

[@pyko5100]

@ I haven’t been able to compare them side by side, so I can’t really speak to any sound differences as they’re pretty similar overall. But the Moog definitely feels better to use with its built-in keyboard and large, high-quality knobs.

[@oscarvanderburgh9915]

@@pyko5100in the end. Knobs count! I have used the Boog, but sold it because it didn’t feel right to work with.

[@LukezyM]

Why not poly D then?

[@oscarvanderburgh9915]

I support the real Moog. I rather have less instruments that I love, than many that I like. :) The Normal Boog D is a neat synth… but it didn’t feel right.

[@unclemick-synths]

I love long-term reviews - real world info. 👍 I finally caved when a used Model D recently came up at a bargain price. I'd been sitting on the fence for years because it's not a versatile synth and the Moog sound is like spice - it's easy to overseason a song. But for bass it has a heft like nothing else! I haven't had that drift issue myself but the need to tune it doesn't bother me. My first synth was a monosynth and tuning was just something that needed doing along with the guitars in the band. The D does need longer to warm up than my Neutron but it is 1970s tech and back then even TVs needed a while to warm up - we're so spoiled with modern electronics! The issue with the sockets could be an interaction with other plastics in or near the unit. I even had an alloy pencil sharpener react with the plastic of my art box and develop "fur" like those sockets.

[@ferenclucas7280]

so I just got mine a few days ago. it's totally awesome so glad I got it. one thing to point out is that the quick start manual on page 17 says that the main out and the HIGH LOW outs in the back are all TRS. A new user is going to waste a whole lot of time trouble shooting everything if they go by this. in the full manual under specifications the outputs are indicated correctly as TS but the Main out is not mentioned in the specs either. cheers!

[@JustAnotherYoutubeHandle666]

My model D is 3 years old and still works and sounds great.

[@muppetpaster]

6:35 I can tell you for a fact, that these differences also occur among two original MiniMoogs...That is just the whole analog thing going....Two Air Mibi D plugins WON"T have this difference, since they're both digital.

[@michaos1]

Life your videos a lot for sharing your OWN experience with gear! I myself own this synth, it was my first synth and it'll go last if I sell all my hardware stuff.

[@teftymusictech]

Thank you! 🙏❤️

[@TheIndustrialRetrospective]

Also Behringer might still help you, i bought an RD-9 when they first came on the market and it had nothing but issues with the Ride channel, and eventually they just told the dealer I bought it from to give me a replacement free of charge, this was less than 6 months ago and the original was well outside the warranty period.

[@opticalman6417]

soon as you played that bass patch boards of Candia springs to mind

[@gatosoul]

Loving Model D, thank you for sharing

[@alexander777-n3s]

Mine works perfectly still calibrated it twice now its stable.

[@autocuiseur]

About the tuning issues : I use the A - 440 switch to tune it by ear, and I find it very helpful to tune my other analog synth, or when I use modulations that change the perceived tuning. Also, have you try the hardware maintenance detailed in the user manual ? You got a step by step guide to tune the VCOs with internal pots.

[@teftymusictech]

I haven't yet, but it's usually fine after I tune it by ear/scope for a session. But it'll definitely drift between sessions, or if I leave it on all day.

[@McEnroe911]

I haven’t seen your channel before but I like your vibe brother. Some fire king energy on display at this URL. Big power ⚡️⚡️⚡️.

[@teftymusictech]

❤️🙏❤️

[@Charlie-Sheen]

@teftymusictech Great video thanks. I love my Model D for bass but unfortunately mine has also corroded the same as yours. It ruined two good jack leads before I realised. Did you hear back from Behringer? Were they any help with the issue?

[@davejohn23]

My outputs did the same. They had a green blue colour on the metal and there was a dampness which was acidic ( I tasted it). Mine was also bought when they first came out. Great little synth though.

[@teftymusictech]

Ohhh interesting! So I wonder if it was an early batch that was effected. Thanks for letting me know

[@timandtheocean]

I think the tuning is as it should be in an OG mini. however, i noticed my unit got more stable over the years. think the bh model d is amazing. made multisamples with roundrobin for the quantum.. yum yum

[@renevanderkraats224]

1:55 Had that with Elektron equipment. Was told it sounded pretty good, nice bassy tones, so as a noob I went to fiddle with it a bit in a music store...plugged my in-ears in, first knob I hit had a full powerful bass that almost popped out my in-ears. Ok, so yeah, now I knew what he meant :-)

[@gretareinarsson7461]

I have set my eyes on the PolyD

[@clocksyn]

plan on getting mini d soon

[@TonyThomas10000]

I would try cleaning the jacks with some Caig DeOxIt. It is a contact cleaner that is 100% plastic safe. If that doesn't work, I wonder if you can buy and replace the board assembly?

[@treschlet]

deOxit is actually magic. we've tried a bunch of similar products at work and have a running joke that deoxit just solves all problems.

[@osands]

@@treschlet ^^ This. If you don't have a can of this in your studio you missing out! Stuff will fix so many issues. Scratchy pots finicky buttons, faders(there is one or faders too F5) its really crazy actually. Spray it on the cable tips and put it in an out of the jack several times. And maybe spray the corrosion.

[@TonyThomas10000]

It sounds like galvanic corrosion to me. I found this on the Internet: "This type of corrosion is an electrical and chemical process whereby a metal corrodes when in contact with a different metal. Three conditions need to be met for the process of galvanic corrosion to occur. one there must be two dissimilar metals; further that there is an electrical current flow between them and finally that there is conductive fluid present between them."

[@obshaky]

Humidity where I live is around 80 all the time and my 3 year old Neutron works as expected. It has a significant amount of cat hair and I think the cat has knocked it off the table once or twice so it is a bit busted on the side but the thing just works as expected. Updated the firmware the other day from factory to whatever is the latest version using my company laptop and it wasnt bricked or anything. Just check the connections with a multimeter and if it just needs a cleaning use alcohol or contact cleaner or white vinegar or baking soda and some old toothbrush and itll be fine.

[@Tuvalu977]

Thanks for the insights! A short lookout at the end would'vevbeen nice; whether today, given your experience with it, would you buy it again (I guess that's a yes)? Or are there more favorable devices out there (I guess, for what it does / what you ask from it, it's still the go to)?

[@teftymusictech]

I'd buy again in a heartbeat. It's footprint and cost is the real seller, because the sound is already there for me.

[@powermix24]

Thanks for the review. Bought mine 5 years ago too, time flies. Any chance you reviewing the UBXA D or Digitone 2?

[@teftymusictech]

Thanks! Not sure on the XA and DN2. I haven't used my DN1 in years, but those new machines look very tasty!

[@David_Banner]

This is an interesting video. A comparison between a Minimoog hardware clone and a digital emulation of a Minimoog. One being entirely digital, with option for the fluctuations of analogue circuitry and therefore going out of tune. Then the Behringer being analogue and kind of naturally being out of tune for a lot of the time? But the whole jack thing is just weird? Thanks for the 5 year review. It certainly would not put me off buying a Behringer Model-D.

[@teftymusictech]

Yeah I'm hoping someone can identify what the corrosion symptom is from. Really strange

[@ChainsawCoffee]

@@teftymusictech I used to work in this space, manufacturing industrial computers. Corrosion issues can happen due to corrosive chemicals not being removed from the board. If the chemicals remain after washing, then the metal will eventually corrode, and the corrosion can even produce minor shorts.

[@AllThatsGone]

Love mine to bits when it works. Sometimes when I turn it on it goes way up in pitch to above hearing range and stays there. Sometimes it just works and sounds great.

[@teftymusictech]

Haven't seen that happen in mine!

[@Harlem-Instrumental]

Don't forget you have up 8 Mini D's on the MPC hardware mode or whatever the system can handle.

[@logiclust]

Model d hands down

[@ZozillaThaGreat]

I was thinking about getting the MPC 37 , and to hear sounds i decided to download demo's of all plugins included , and the moog emulation as well as the juno , and the moog , while it has the caracter n sounds nothing like the real deadl imho .... You spot on on the filter and env , i do think they have a common framework for their plugin where common settings / algos are shared , enveloppes being one of them (noticed this in the juno also )

[@teftymusictech]

Yep, really nice to have in the MPC, but still sounds very different from the originals.

[@bushmann9272]

i had a original 74' Mini and prefer the Behri even though the tuning was rock solid on the my original i got tired of problems that would develop and there was always an oscillator bleed i could never seem to get rid of

[@synthmaven]

I have a Mini in the 3700 sn# range and it hasn't seen a tech since I had the Big briar kit installed 15 years ago. ROCK SOLID.

[@bushmann9272]

@@synthmaven mine was in the mid 5000s with the soft pitch and mod wheels

[@Projacked1]

I would pick the Model D any day over software. Just one press on a key, and I can feel it in the room.

[@dracul74]

I had one for a bit. It was decent. Tuning seemed a bit wonky on mine. I typically multi sampled it into my mpc and made keygroup bass instruments.

[@cinemalulli]

there’s a pretty simple process for tuning the Model D oscillators :)

[@rabbitnoizemusic]

My model d had some issues in the vca after a couple months. Like suddenly it wouldn’t output any sound, then it did, and then silent again. Plug the jack to vco out and sound was there, but not after the envelope. Besides this, awesome sound.

[@teftymusictech]

Interesting! Did you get it swapped out from Behringer?

[@neurocrash808]

When metal parts corrode in a controlled environment like this for no apparent reason, the reason is usually incompatible metals that induce a current between them, which results in galvonic corrosion. I would guess that the supplier who provided jacks at some point used metals that were contaminated or not compatible with the other parts. The same thing happened on my screen door frame that is aluminum with steel brackets and screws, so the corners disintegrated. In the short term you can clean corrosion with something like Deoxit; however; in the long-term, I would be concerned that the corrosion could spread through the traces on the audio board. Hopefully there are compatible replacement jacks that can be soldered in that have an appropriate metal like those in your other Behringer instrument.

[@teftymusictech]

Thanks for the insight!

[@Brokeninc]

Can you use Deoxit to clean the jacks?

[@dontcallmejon]

Bummed when I do this sweet bass patch on my D it gives like a metallic Congo drum type sound over the bass, its cool but I just want the bass, any clue what I did wrong 😂

[@nugznmugz]

Which part exactly is corroded? Just the plastic? The metal? Both? Anyway it would be easy to just remove the two old ones and solder some new ones on if necessary. Those terminals are very inexpensive (around a dollar) and the solder work is beginner level. Have you tested the rest of the output board to make sure that signal is actually making it TO the jacks?

[@teftymusictech]

Yes, both the plastic and metal. And yes it still works.

[@JoshRichmanDesign]

Do you get noise from USB Midi on the output signal?

[@moritz_schoenermann]

😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@wudimusic]

The way analog-hardware, is allways just a little off, makes it so appealing

[@1899Dan]

you're local. I'm in Rocklin. I wouldn't expect those to corrode. However cleaning or replacing those connectors should be pretty easy.

[@teftymusictech]

Hey nice! We probably go to the same CostCo

[@benjafarber1793]

I own both. Set it to retrigger & turn up the glide. I don’t know if it’s an adsr that’s messing up but I’m getting a “clicking” sound that the hardware doesn’t make. 😢 I love the idea of a preset recalling minimoog- but it’s not quite there.

[@muppetpaster]

19:00 Looks more like some kind of mildew to me, since the plastic is also "corroded".

[@Screaming-Trees]

I found the knob travel potential to be a little small. Which makes the whole thing a little finicky to dial in. Microscopic movements will sometimes take you too far. The sound is there though. For my money I moved on to the GM and the Matriarch. Not as expensive as the Model D and sound great. Bit more than the Behringer though :(

[@rashadhaynes5690]

I have a question I have a mpckey37 and I was thinking about getting a Behringer model D is it hard hook them up together because the one thing I noticed is that nobody shows how to connect them together

[@teftymusictech]

Just like any other synth, plug the output into the MPC inputs and then record/monitor it. You'll need to understand routing of midi and audio in the MPC system though.

[@vibe010]

I have the same corrosion problem on the output

[@Fl4ppers]

Have heard of a few people having very bad experience of the tuning (one in a local studio down here that got rid of the unit in the end as it was unreliable). The problem with behringer gear isnt so much the gear but some of fans (we call those Behringer Bros down here, like Tech Bros I suppose). They call you a liar for pointing out issues with the design or QC, or even Uli's attitude (there is a kind of Musk-idolisation going on I think). The other main issue I've heard of Behringer semi-modular gear is the jack sockets snapping pins. They're not super high quality, but I suppose they can be modded for a better part when they do fail. On your PCB are the mini jacks surface mounted or case mounted? If PCB mounted there is a risk of failure there too. The internals I have seen are PCB mounted, with a thinner PCB fibreglass than I'd like to see, flexing will eventually see traces and solder fail.

[@teftymusictech]

Not sure on the PCB board (I'm unfamiliar with how it looks) but I'll keep an eye on those jacks!

[@bioglassmusic]

my Model D is also doing that corrosion thing and it basically stopped working. If it's a pattern then maybe Behringer should adress it. It is also 5 years old. I just bought a new one.

[@CaptainProton1]

IIIt sounds completely different truly, in the sense that they could be different presets. I have the Model D and the MPC. I've never used the plugin in any production because it just can't do the real thing.

[@teftymusictech]

I actually use it a lot as a stand in for the Model D if I don't have it setup at the moment. It's also nice to use it as a poly synth with a pluck patch. Gives a different flavor from the Jura.

[@mkultrapolis]

I feel that Akai may not be the at best developping software (at least emulation wise)

[@Br00sta]

Just ordered one from amazon for £166 - to good a deal miss I thought. Not sure why they are so cheap right now but they are!

[@JaguarPanda]

What's keeping me from buying one of those is all the horror stories about pitch going nutz and the units deteriorating quickly, there's no way to tell if those are real or just haters trying to drive people away from Behringer

[@offworldnetwork]

in my case it was true. i have other behringer analogues whose tuning ...are rock solid

[@teftymusictech]

I'd buy new with an easy return policy. Give it a solid run for a week and see if you have any issues. If you do, return!

[@hrflikk]

where du u get this plugin?????

[@AJ197-le6zy]

Akai, Air Music, almost anywhere. Come on man.

[@NamelessSmile]

Air Model D

[@holyoox1453]

I got un lucky....got some major tuning isues.....have to screw it open and manualy tune the ocilaters ...too use it....and it goes out of tune really fast

[@barrelofbugs]

I prefer my bass station 2.

[@TreyBruceable]

Bought mine after your previous video. Sold it after I realized it wouldn’t stay in tune. Disappointed to this day. In Behringer, not you!

[@boblove2912]

Model D sounds much better than the Mini D. Took for ever to get the Mini D to sound good but then you swap to Model D and its like woah. Plugin synths suck.

[@jumpingman8160]

And then there's the Real Moog Mini that is a nightmare to keep in tune, gives the ghost if you breath on it and hates to be taken anywhere. 🤣🤷

[@offworldnetwork]

Mine would lose its tuning after 20 minutes. unusable

[@unclemick-synths]

I find mine takes about that long to warm up and settle down. I switch it on a while before I want to use it.

[@charley2070]

i feel like the bs2 does sound better. but this is total subjective.

[@TeslaDanser]

Hehe bass doodies hehehe

[@HIFI1965]

You electricity might not always be clean

[@XanderEwald]

Long story short: After 5 years, the outputs broke. 🚩🚩🚩

[@teftymusictech]

I mean TECHNICALLY it's not broken...the jacks still work. And the main board is perfectly fine powered in a eurorack stetup. But yeah, I shared my experience because it's unusual.

[@AnalogAbyss-ui6td]

You've had the device for 5 years and never updated the firmware? Come on man...😂

[@teftymusictech]

😂 I mean should I have to? it's not like it's a Digitakt or an MPC. And I'm 99.999% the jacks would've still corroded with an updated firmware lol

[@Ancaja123]

The thing that pisses me off about it the MOST, is that I've had two, and they've both come completely uncalibrated from the factory. It's not exactly easy to calibrate. I'd rather pay double for something to be perfectly calibrated out of the box (tuning issues aside, minimoogs are always gonna have tuning issues)

[@bassplayer2011ify]

Forgive me but, the Model D sounds like hardware. And the plug in sounds like software.

[@andywalkswithme9550]

I hate that the Behringer sound so much better too my ears.

[@miggyflip9740]

ahh yes come to the dark side! join us! the behringer broz!!!

[@andywalkswithme9550]

@@miggyflip9740 I have a TD-3. I am not completely against Behringer I was just thinking of buying a MPC key 37 and wanted the mini D to sound as good as the Behringer, But it Just doesn't.

[@geekmastermind]

It did to me, as well. Not sure how else to describe it as I just felt it more in my back teeth. 😂

[@HIFI1965]

Boog rocks

[@ZozillaThaGreat]

The mpc one is particulary off , try the UAD for exemple or softube and smile ;)

[@HIFI1965]

The envelopes are different

[@audunkvam9009]

I absolutely HATE my model D. Worst piece of hardware I have ever owned. Poor build quality, went completely out of tune by 2 semitones after couple of months, knobs breaking and falling off, and lately some wiring inside has decided to always put a lfo on the osc, and believe me I have done everything imaginable to troubleshoot and fix it. Never getting anything from Behringer ever again

[@LouisTorres-ut4ks]

WOW sorry to hear that,

[@kostraone]

Meh

[@MarkoDeLaVoota]

idk what you doing with it yo

[@teftymusictech]

That's unfortunate! I've had no issues with the knobs. That random LFO on the OSC is exactly what I'm talking about though. It doesn't happen all the time, but once in a blue moon a ghost jumps in the machine and the OSC start wavering.

[@JohnnyADi]

Don't forget, when you try to midi into things it fucks up your multi thousand dollar instruments!!! It fucked my Korg Kronos pitch stick making it go out of tune and having to replace it every few months, and made my 3rd wave left or right channel only with a dual mono to trs cable depending on which L or R balanced trs jack í put it into. Weirdest garbage I've ever had to deal with and ruins your expensive instruments!!!

[@jonnycavell]

Nah

[@JohnnyADi]

Personal experience with this unstable Chinese garbage! Don't tell me nah it's my hardware I own and it happened the second I midied them in, they are permanent affects. ​@@jonnycavell

[@unclemick-synths]

Well, that's certainly weird. In 35 years I've never had MIDI physically harm any of my synths or other devices. Some things have misbehaved but that was always a misconfiguration on either the sending device or receiving device that was fixable.

[@hanzvolt]

The behringer D is garbage… want a proper Model D clone? I bought a vintage clone from the 80s for 1k. The Soviet Altair 231. Destroys a behringer D