BEHRINGER K-2 Tutorial & Review, with 18 patch ideas (that also apply to KORG's MS-20)

Want more synth tips and tricks? There are plenty more in my book, available to people who support this channel on Patreon:
► Patreon: / loopop
Check out prices here (affiliate links help support the channel):
► K-2 on Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/32XYd
► K-2: www.thomann.de/gb/behringer_k...
► K-2 on Amazon: amzn.to/34YwEYn
► MS-20 on Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/43R2o
► MS-20 on Thomann: www.thomann.de/gb/korg_ms_20_...
► New and used prices on Reverb: reverb.grsm.io/BEHRINGER-K-2
► MS-20 mini on Amazon: amzn.to/2u41bai
► MS-20 mini on Reverb: reverb.grsm.io/MS-20mini
Other gear I use in this video (some are affiliate links, which help the channel):
► 20hp case by Uncertain Proportions (non affiliate): bit.ly/UNCPROP-CASE
► Disting MK4 from Expert Sleepers: reverb.grsm.io/DISTING-MK4
► ReduXer from Voicas (stereo bitcrusher...): voicas.audio/
► FXAID by Happy Nerding: www.happynerding.com/
► 0chd by Divkid and Instruo: www.signalsounds.com/instruo-...
► Tendrils cables: bit.ly/Tendrils-SignalSounds
► Adam A8X Monitors: reverb.grsm.io/Adam-A8X
► Scopes by Melda: www.meldaproduction.com/
Other places I hang out:
► Instagram: / loopopmusic
► Facebook: / loopopmusic
► Twitter: / loopopmusic
► Web: loopopmusic.com
My music:
► Bandcamp: loopop.bandcamp.com
► Spotify: bit.ly/LoopopOnSpotify
► Apple Music:bit.ly/LoopopOnAppleMusic
TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:00 Overview
2:40 Filters
4:40 Layout
5:30 Oscillators
8:15 LFO/Mod gen
10:05 Envelopes
14:15 Hz/v, v/oct
15:45 S-trig, v-trig
16:30 Patch bay
18:05 ESP & guitar
20:50 Track & hold
22:20 PATCH IDEAS
22:25 TIP #1: Controlled noise thru ESP
23:30 TIP #2: Controller noise thru VCA
23:55 TIP #3: Using the modwheel to attenuate signals
24:20 TIP #4: How to create a Random LFO
26:35 TIP #5: How to control oscillator pitch with a v/oct signal without a hz/v to v/oct converter
28:15 TIP #6: Using the high pass filter for a bass boost
28:30 TIP #7: Drone mode patch
28:50 TIP #8: Creating distortion using the ESP VCA and a feedback loop
29:40 TIP #9: How to make Filter 2 more aggressive than Filter 1
30:10 TIP #10: The hidden oscillator: Creating and controlling oscillator using ESP feedback
31:20 TIP #11: ESP osc as drone oscillator
31:40 TIP #12: ESP osc as a high-frequency modulator
32:20 TIP #13: Analog bitcrush: Using the new ESP osc and the Sample and Hold to create a downsampling/bitcrush effect.
33:30 TIP #14: Playing K-2/MS-20 duophonically using the Track & Hold (sample and hold) circuit and the trick switch
34:50 TIP #15: Playing K-2/MS-20 duophonically using the keyboard trigger and playing legato
35:50 TIP #16: Using KeyStep for a full duophonic experience
37:15 TIP #17: Applying portamento in duophonic
37:45 TIP #18: Using the filters to give each oscillator its own articulation
38:35 Pros & cons
Want to email me personally?
► Ziv (at) loopopmusic.com
NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.

[@Goettel]

So happy Behringer has freed us from chasing vintage synths.

[@niknayme3754]

Yeah, now we just have to chase around the shops to find the Behringer ones :)

[@Goettel]

@@niknayme3754 just order 'em and spend time on your favorite DAW & plugins, waiting - I know I do :-)

[@fortheloveofnoise]

@@Goettel I don't like plugins or DAWs.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

I still chase the budget ones.....the few that still exist.

[@orangenotviolet]

Any beds how long they last?

[@mtyas]

You really do the most useful and inspiring tutorials around ! Best KZbin Synth channel since these last years in my humble opinion. Bravo !

[@ambedo_bass]

Damn, I came here while searching for ms20 mini patches - and of all places a berhinger clone review has one of the most comprehensive (and well explained) list of creative ms20 patch ideas I have found.. Well done haha.

[@Quark.Lepton]

Yeah-same. Arranging finances now for new K-2 to discuss with Boss in the morning. If I do the coffee ok, and she digs the pancakes, I’m half way home bruh! 😲😀👍😆

[@longfade]

SUPER helpful. I picked up the MS20 mini recently and think it's on its way to becoming one of my favorites but there are some things that I just didn't quite get and this has clarified all of that. As usual, great work. Many thanks.

[@schance1666]

I've had an first-version MS-20 (with the Korg 35 filter) for over 20 years and can't believe how much I learned from your vid - it's the best MS20 instructional vid I've ever seen. Thank you! Bummer they didn't add a few extra things that I actually did as mods to mine (hard sync of VCO 1 and 2 and also CV PWM input), which add a huge amount of sounds to it. Great vid!!!!

[@BdawgSelf]

This and Marc Doty's videos on the original ms20 are essential for anyone who owns or is interested this synth. Great video!

[@lycosa2000]

Just an amazing job with these tutorial videos. I learned so much and at the same time, realized how much I still don’t know.

[@SouthShoreSonics]

A most excellent video! I would like to add that both filters at self-resonance can be tracked to V/octave, and with external control from CV/OCD (Mutant Brain) low note /high note, you can play 2 notes of self-oscillation. The MS-20/K2 is quite the versatile beast. Another way I get paraphony is to route the USB on the MS-20Kit to a KentonUSB2MIDI into a CV OCD Low Note Priority for HZ/V output and then feed CV to the VCO2 CV input. No trigger is required as the keybed provided this. As the MS-20Kit is high note, VCO1 will be the highest note, but Kenton provided notes will control VCO2 for the low notes. Of course on one note which is both high note and low note, both VCOs will sound.

[@CoenBijpost]

That little modular skiff is so adorable 🥰 I need one now!

[@LaPlant_Mastering]

Wow! I finally (sort of) understand my MS-20! Thank you sir and happy new year!

[@seekersystems]

Missed this release. Great vid.

[@davedaves9403]

Long time synthist, just got the K2 and never had a MS-20 - this video was the most perfect accelerator of my learning the K2. THANK YOU!

[@matthewdeakin9939]

I’ve been waiting for this one! Brilliant once again :)

[@javiceres]

And... did you get one?

[@jesset3241]

Excellent review! Thanks for clearly explaining its quirks - that's very valuable, well done!

[@ericobrocki5850]

That ESP Osc surprised me, I have the MS20 mini and it never occurred to me to try that. As well as the bitcrushing effect that was awesome dude! There's another method of getting a tunable osc by plugging the Env1 Rev out into the Env1 trig in, then plugging the Env1 out into your parameter. The delay attack and release control tuning, but your method is much more stable. Keep up the great work!

[@marvomd]

Trust me, i was waiting for your K2 review. Great as always!

[@loopop]

Thanks!

[@havelockveterini3160]

Excellent review! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion. I always learn a lot watching your videos.

[@robotussin_synths]

Really love loopop's rational, complete synth reviews. He has such a soothing voice. And that jam at the start and the end, I could listen to that for hours... You have a channel to hear what you make, mr loopop?

[@loopop]

Thanks! Currently I offer music from my videos for download on Patreon, but a first album will be coming out soon

[@mikemeengs5720]

Agreed...best reviews on KZbin.

[@crapopotateptl]

@@loopop what?! You do NOT sound like you've never released any music... such unused synthesis mega-talent!!! I hope to hear from you: ambient, refined psytrance, synthwave, and melodic techno :)

[@loopop]

@@crapopotateptl thanks - two albums already out :)

[@davidgoode7416]

@@loopop Gotta check em out..

[@dr.feelicks2051]

Most helpful to an old Roland junkie getting his head around this iconic mystery. It's nice that I finally get it(having gotten one)👍🎛👌. I managed to memorize the control surface layout rather quickly, I can navigate by feel which is great. Not for the easily frustrated though. 🤕

[@gnarlysoundscapes7210]

Excellent tips on the patch bay. Especially that ESP drone oscillator and duophony.

[@InFamousProductions]

I had one of those Korg ms 20 controllers with the software that came out about 15 years ago, and it could sound pretty wild. Now I 😊just got one of the above versions, and know I understand what all the functions are. I almost wish I didn’t, because before, I would just do random patches that would sound insane hahah . Great overview, and knowing what the ESG section does is really great

[@Ardspans]

No knob unturned, thank you again Mr.Loopop - most appreciated

[@SynthoidSounds]

Nicely done, very detailed. I already have the Neutron and Crave, but have been taking a close look at the K-2, deciding if I really want to devote more $ to this collection. Your video may have further convinced me to go in that direction, but even if not, many thanks for posting this.

[@Quark.Lepton]

I’ve now got 3 old iPods loaded up with loopop’s vids on 3 of my synths- Modal’s Cobalt, Model D, and just got Neutron. On each iPod I have Loopop’s tips & tricks for that synth. Next, going for the K-2! 😃 Patch info, even sales receipts 😄 Works well!

[@CrowsBrother]

Lots of golden nuggets in this video. Thank you !

[@kryptonitejesus]

Love the jam in the beginning and end, reminds me a lot of Alessandro Cortini. Think this will be the first remake I finally buy from Behringer!

[@javiceres]

And... what happened?

[@ReginatorNet]

Great review but it should be noted @ 4:40 - this was Korg's own design from around 1978... back when engineers were engineers and musicians also needed to be engineers. :-)

[@javiceres]

☺️

[@Error6503]

Always loved the MS-20 patchbay schematic. With all the hidden routing of the Behringer Neutron ("where's that PWM coming from ?") I wish it too had one.

[@EnricoDePaoli]

OUTSTANDING video! Congrats and thanks! Great soundtrack at the end, too :)

[@robertsmithshair4199]

another amazing and fully comprehensive review 👍

[@steveturner1815]

I really like your composition of sounds on this video Mr Op. Nice and evocative stuff.

[@LFC303606ACID]

Loved the outro.. I have the ms 20 mini, and this was very informative, thanks.

[@loopop]

Thanks!

[@VTOLKits]

Great Tutorial, sounds great!

[@TheJesterboy1969]

Dude! Your reviews are so great!

[@ben-s]

this small Eurorack box is sooo cute! You just forced me into getting/making one. p.s.: great review as always ❤︎

[@fotoniknoise]

I found this video perfect also as a tutorial for Korg MS20 mini!

[@CaidicusProductions]

Another quality Loopop review, what a treat. Thanks Loopop, awesome as always.

[@CaidicusProductions]

One of the things I love most about your reviews is how I come away from each one with applicable knowledge about how to use the synth. I also find myself continually gaining fundamental understanding of hardware synthesis the more videos I watch of yours. You do a great job of explaining synthesis in a way that just resonates with me. Thanks again, Loopop.

[@loopop]

my pleasure - thanks for the comment!

[@davidgoode7416]

Excellent video, thanks

[@JackalGB]

Got one of these from Sweetwater last week. It was not my first choice of Behringer synths, but at $199 and that I can plug my guitar into it, it became my first choice pretty quickly. 😁 Sounds great, but a bit clueless on how to use it, which is why I'm here. Thanks for the great video! 👍

[@stefanleithner6922]

this is the most inspirational vixeo ever! i have a behringer k2 since cupple of months but never managed to make sick sounds. wow gona make some music right noe! 😁

[@johnpaullovetek1809]

Sempre a inovar! Eu nem sabia que dava para fazer de teclado uma guitarra! Genial! Sou um fã teu desde que subscrevi o teu canal! Eu estou a começar agora a tocar sintetizadores e para já só tenho um Novation Circuit mas aprendi bastante contigo! Obrigado!

[@MickBenjamins]

Lovely jam at the start and end!

[@loopop]

Thanks!!

[@berobujanovi4331]

What jam ?Strawberry?

[@adamgolding5790]

Yes... chanelling Nick Batt?

[@loopop]

More like Radiohead in this case but I love Nick’s work too...

[@stevehay964]

A "jam" has more than one musician. Just sayin'.

[@kevinmcguirk3212]

These reviews you do are fantastic. Thanks so much!

[@fortheloveofnoise]

What a beautiful opening sequence.

[@SensemakingNL]

How did you know i recently bought this sweet classic? Great video, thanks again.

[@kohlemainen]

Thanks teacher :) Always nice to find good tutorials explaining that strange patchbay on MS the -20. Really appreciate it. And now let's wait for Behringer to take on the VCS3, the OBX, the Emulator 2 (huh?) or, my personal favorite still, the Yamaha CS30 :))

[@mitchminimal6942]

I have a CS 15 that I love. I bought it in '79 I believe. After seeing the CS 30 with the sequencer I always wanted one of those.

[@BarbieChaite]

nice review !! very helpful.

[@jhg1930]

Would love to see you do a vid on the ms-20 and see all the cool things you do with the momentary switch : )

[@mikelazarev5833]

Re: Pitch Envelopes - I just dusted off my faithfull Roland JP-8000 which has been resting in a case for over 20 years, and to my surprise found that it too has a dedicated Attack + Decay envelope which applies to pitch on both oscillators! Similarly, there is an Envelope Depth modulation knob, which also allows you to invert the envelope. These become even more interesting along with the Cross Modulation depth of both oscillators! Oh, and I'd like to take a moment to thank you for your wonderful reviews! I would love to hear you cover older synths, like the above mentioned JP-8000, Waldorf, Clavia, etc. - could be a fun trip down the memory lane!

[@t.c.494]

That finger snap trick blew me away. I had to slow it down to fully appreciate it.

[@OldPsytrance]

i wait for this. thank you

[@lucagunther5405]

Looking forward to your review of DivKid/Instruo ochd module in the near future. I love Ben’s intuitive module design/ideation. He really approaches modules from a user’s perspective: straightforward, nice-to-have feature sets in an uncomplicated box.

[@loopop]

Indeed the design and module are fun! There won't be a dedicated review though, he did a really good job explaining it actually

[@gregsmith4033]

ideation. ffs.

[@tommyg5095]

Ideation= idea + implementation ... love it...

[@Pm-qp6tb]

Very good tuto, thank you

[@uhoh007]

Another excellent review, thank you. Why do so many feel the Akai MPC1000 with JJOS2XL is still unmatched as out of the box live sequencer for analog synthesis? Digitackt, Deluge, Blackbox etc, none seem to have the simplicity and power of the old/new MPC1000, which is now rising in price. A comprehensive review of the MPC1000 with latest JJOS, new pads, and 128gb storage would be.....fantastic and useful. Thank you.

[@alexandrosroussos]

Amazing review as usual. The K-2 is already in my list for future purchase. I really like this dirty sound, it's definitely one of those synths with character, and Behringer has built a quite good clone of it. I would have bought the Korg one if it existed in module.

[@jstarman01]

Alexandros Roussos... it does exist as a module. (MS-20m) www.korg.com/us/products/dj/ms_20mkit/ But it’s pretty expensive (4x’s this price) and getting harder to find. I always wanted one... until Uli released this fella.

[@kazr4853]

Oh man, you really are a wonder to me. Thank you!

[@aleksismavrins3190]

Thank you! A very good review :)

[@shpongled587]

best youtube channel, by far! thank you so much!

[@FrankLinnemann]

Great video, thanks!

[@crazyFrankyy]

Nice melody at the end ! Be cool if behringer realesed polyphonic version with some new features !

[@squishmusic]

This has inspired me to get my 70's MS-20 fixed up! Screwdriver to the ready....

[@ElectronicazMusic]

Oh goody. Another synth I need to buy. Tchuh! 😉

[@dazthapunk7422]

i just bought this synth. and thank christ for this video

[@javiceres]

How’s it growing on you?

[@fuma7162]

Ahahah

[@tlatsegms]

Great sound⚡️

[@javiceres]

The analog down sampling part was specially brilliant. 3 views and 4 days later I’m on the verge... debating between this and the Korg mini MS... I think the lettering is clearer on the Behringer, the 2 filter flavours is a + but the keys are so convenient on the Korg... even though I kinda like the B’s format better, it’s really neat... and I play electric guitar and bass a lot (ESP being not just a processor but an input for pitch based controllers as guitars or other synths excites my mind...). My other synths are Toraiz AS-1, Waldorf Q, MODX6 and a Mooger fooger filter unit that makes wonders adding fat and butter (and crunch if pushed).

[@robertsyrett1992]

If I wanted to make something resembling an s-trig, could I just invert and offset using maths?

[@eyeball226]

The crazy envelope thing isn't as crazy as it sounds. Basically sustain is always 0v no matter where it's set. With a high sustain level the voltage starts negative and rises to 0v. As you noted, this makes it great for pitch envelopes which would normally require you to retune the oscillator.

[@HOLODECK-MUSIC-PROJECT]

Compliments to the most professional KZbin blogger about electronica music instruments! He knows what he is talking about! It would be even nicer if you show the parallels and differences between the original MS-20 and the K-2. I prefer the “creamy” sound from the MS-20.

[@thomaskolb8785]

HOLODECK PROJECT The "creamy" sound is probably the new filter. You can toggle between the old and the new filter types on the front panel of the K-2. The MS-20 Vintage is of course hard-wired with one of these filters. With the MS-20 FS you toggle between the filters by holding down the bottom three keys while booting up the unit. The MS-20 Mini has only the old filter. It is much more aggressive, raw and noisy, but doesn't have this "creamy" quality.

[@adamgriffiths1703]

Thanks for the video, very helpful. I have a Keylab II that I cannot get to work with the wheel mod trick you showed. Could you shed some light on the settings you changed to get it to work please?

[@dreadful_name2924]

Hey, very inspiring video. The only question I have is how this would work if my keyboard is usb only (Akai MPK mini). Am I right in thinking my DAW could use a midi out controlled by the usb keyboard which would trigger the synth? But I can’t see how those duophonic patching ideas could work with that.

[@vicuna4036]

Hey great video! I am thingking about buying one of these but I have one question. I play bass guitar an I want to know if I can change the sound of my bass with this synth instead of the bass controlling the synth if you know What i mean. Ty!

[@bbibby271]

And here we have someone who REALLY understands modular synthesis.

[@Gainn]

I really thought this was more expensive, so for £269 it was an easy purchase. Really great review, thank you.

[@kimdiez2681]

$199 now 😊

[@BravosReviews]

Sounds amazing

[@user-tw8co6cb6k]

Acabo de recibir mi k2 y mi Arturia keystep y sólo me permite tocar de una sola nota no permite tocar de dos o más notas, el Arturia detecta todas las notas que tocó pero sólo permite la que este más arriba. Se tendrá que configurar el k2 en la pc?🤔

[@spacekid5609]

Do the LOW CUT FREQ and HIGH CUT FREQ knobs are looser than the rest and feels less smooth on the touch? I returned one for that reason and the replacement K-2 also has the same knobs.

[@christoffertornquist3373]

Im new to all this. What do i start with? Neutron, Model D, Pro 1, this? Too much options and I dont understand what does what lol

[@nikolai7199]

Additional tip: if you want to get "aggressive esp" trick with old filter type, use headphone out rather than signal out

[@ArcticPalmTrees]

33:23 Tripped me up. Legit thought you were magic for a moment.

[@SouthShoreSonics]

@loopop Noted discrepancies comparing my Korg MS-20Kit to my Behringer K-2. ON THE ESP SECTION Control situation: a) Feed a signal into SIGNAL IN on the MS-20Kit and note how the PEAK lights as expected. b) Note that the TRIG OUT light WILL not light unless the THRESHOLD LEVEL level is brought up. K-2 situation: a) Feed a signal into SIGNAL IN on the K-2 and note how the PEAK lights as expected. b) Note that the TRIG OUT lights regardless of the setting of the THRESHOLD LEVEL. Can somewhat check this simple situation on their K-2. I'd like to see if it just my K-2, or this is something common to all K-2s.

[@dox1755]

Could I possibly hit a problem with this synth when I plug it to my pc through usb and play it with the midi that is also connected to pc via usb, that hz/v, v/oct little bit mess my mind about the synth, I am consered to buy this but as I say that hz/v made me suspicious about whether or not its gonna fit my setup, bc I dont have a midi keyboard that has midi out (I got minilab mk2)

[@MrCrion1c]

I own a Make Noise 0-ctrl and love it. Is it possible to use the K-2 with CV/Gate only?

[@lopp3]

Loopop created an analog Delay Lama. What a champion.

[@antysynteza777]

as for connecting the guitar - does it have active pickups, does its signal go through some preamp invisible on the screen, or just a cable from the guitar to k-2 and it works?

[@shufflephunk]

PS: To get a good pitchtracking compressing/gateing is very necessary aswel as filtering the orignal signal to remove rumble.(Can't recall exactly but its findable on the internet I believe)

[@bauer6105]

Does this strig v trig and v/ oct stuff mean that i can't use it with other synths without a converter at all? Or are there some functions of the patch bay that work with other newer synths? For example can i use the lfo of the k2 to control v/ oct synths?

[@piscestony]

great Ideas! and i just ask you use which oscillislope in this video ? look like powerful =]

[@XnazxulX]

Ok so i have a question for anyone who owns a k-2 on here.. just received mine and the vco1 the pitch drifts badly the vco2 doesn’t do it.. is this just a defective vco1 on it?

[@marcelocastilha]

Thanks for the excellent video and nice ideas! Is there a way (or hack) to activate the manual trigger with a footpedal? This could be great with the paraphonic-trigger patch :)

[@TheRangeControl]

Where can we get a eurorack that is both enclosed and uses rack ears?

[@tradrudeboy]

"To continue this riveting discussion about standards..." This is my favorite segue of all time.

[@schwing69]

There's quite of bit of delay between the guitar strum and the CV note at 19:30. Is that really happening or is it just a delay between the mic recording and the synth recording?

[@Jimbo386000]

Bro you just made my K-2 150% cooler!

[@kerensh4053]

at 36:50 keystep note priority on my control midi center doesn't show up, i have a keystep pro. Any help?

[@scoobysienna]

ive just bought this ..loopop im a newbie but i want to sync it to my arturia minibrute 2 key how do i go about this please.

[@Jamick_Elektronika]

You can't connect white noise with pink cable! :-D... ok, as usual, brilliant video.

[@MathHammer]

The Korg MS20M has the same switchable filter version feature. The switch for the filter version is located similarly. So in a way, the Behringer is sort of like a clone of the MS20M with a smaller footprint. I like the smaller size of the Behringer. The MS20M has an odd width; I love the sound of mine but it is tough to locate conveniently relative to other gear.

[@dnch]

yeah, i wanted the ms20m but they manufactured too low amount of them and the second hand prices are bonkers

[@lundsweden]

The old MS20 filter sounds a lot like the Roland System 100 (1975) filter. The System 100 has a diode ladder filter, perhaps this does too?

[@i_never_asked_for_an_alias]

I wish i could give this video 2 thumbs up, because i still have 2 of them 👍👍 Love the patch ideas.

[@SanplerVarondaro]

genio gracias y saludos desde TIJUANA

[@duxmania984]

Nice video! How would you compare the bass of K2 to original Korg MS20 or reissue MS20 mini... does it have that fat bass sound typical for MS20? Thanks and best regards.

[@zeflyingcat9213]

Here's a comparaison I did of the three MS20's. Which one is your favorite ? kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4q6ap-Yirl8rrs

[@loopop]

Thanks! There are quite a few comparison videos out there. Bass here sounds pretty good to me...