Review - 4 things I love about the Behringer Wasp

The Behringer Wasp Deluxe is a replication of an old British synth from the 70s designed by the same guy who later created the OSCar, Supernova, Basstation and the Peak.
Review by Plughugger (www.plughugger.com)

[@bijoucassell4587]

The Wasp was used extensively by Brian May & Queen for a great deal of the sound effects/soundtrack patches for Flash Gordon.

[@ThePlughugger]

I didn't know that! Flash Gordon/Queen Soundtrack have a fond place in my heart.

[@bijoucassell4587]

SAME! WHAT?!! GORDON'S ALIIIIIIIVVVVE?!! GO FLASH GO! GO FLASH GO! LOL! I am semi-embarrassed to admit that I have the entire Flash Gordon screenplay memorized by heart. I went to see it in Waco, Tx at a downtown single film screening movie theater and my mom would just leave me there all day long until it got dark in order to avoid paying for a babysitter until she had gotten a few paychecks under her belt. It showed in that theater for held over showings for like an entire three months, so yep. :P @@ThePlughugger

[@ThePlughugger]

GORDONS ALIVE! LOL!! Haha... so cool they got Max von Sydow to play Ming. Best casting ever :)

[@ConwayBob]

Yes, the filter and what can be done with it make this synth truly special. Thank you for the lovely demo!

[@ThePlughugger]

Thank you for a lovely comment!

[@DEEP_PRACTICE]

Great review, really clear and to the point! Wasp has been on my list for a while now. May have to treat myself for Christmas!

[@ThePlughugger]

Thanks, you should! It's really an inspiring little synth. And if you combine it with an external effect absolute magic happens.

[@TwinCitiesOxygen]

It’s my favorite monosynth I’ve owned. I know it probably doesn’t have a ton of bells and whistles but just really like what it does

[@ThePlughugger]

Yeah I agree. Simple but excellent for what it does.

[@johndoeiii6103]

It reminds me of the early Cab Voltaire stuff like nag nag nag

[@ThePlughugger]

Yeah, it has a rebellious punkish vibe. I wonder how Devo would have sounded like if they would have started out with a Wasp rather than a Moog.

[@frankstetka7206]

No other video sold this as well - Behringer is counting on love like this for sure. Excellent!

[@ThePlughugger]

I'm glad you found the video useful. The Wasp is an extraordinary synth, cheap and underrated.

[@channelite]

great review

[@ThePlughugger]

Thanks

[@allangarside3316]

I really enjoyed that demonstration, a long time ago I used to have the original Wasp, Gnat and a sequencer. Maybe it was a spider?

[@mastersunfish]

Reverb sounds great with this synth

[@ThePlughugger]

I agree

[@BroodXindustrial]

Damn. I had put it in the back of my mind for a while but damnit. Well done. Yeah. You sold it my friend. Brilliant. Gas on and order coming. Thanks!!! Stings and buzzes like a beast. Thsnks. Nice accidental find here.

[@PostingCringeOnMain]

I love my WASP but I do find that I prefer to use only one osc fed back into the audio in. I use it with chorus to make fat basslines and my 'go to' patch actually uses a HPF for that with the LFO for frequency and pitch mod both turned up full into almost FM type sound territory. It's really a very creative synth considering how simple it is, you can achieve a lot with it.

[@ThePlughugger]

Feeding back the oscillator + driving the filter hard gives a lovely sound. I was just experimenting the other day with taking that combo and feeding that to the Elektron Analog Heat. What a bite!

[@russ254]

2:00 wow, that was fantastic! nice ear!

[@stephencummins]

4: 41 sounds like Mr Oizo - Flat beat with Flat Eric

[@ThePlughugger]

That's an awesome track

[@klstay]

The Wasp is criminally underrated and overlooked; particularly if you have modular gear to go with it. You can take the ocsillators out, do whatever you want with them (fold, RM, etc.) then bring that back in. The Cat is not as straightforward to use, but is also VERY capable and passed by.

[@ThePlughugger]

Funny you say that. This is exactly what I felt after I tried the Wasp. Maybe I should take a look at the Cat as well?

[@klstay]

@@ThePlughugger as a self contained synth Cat is by far the best choice for a number of classic bass patches. Cross mod is also a lot of sonic territory. If Proton ever ships it will be a perfect companion to either for those wanting to dip a toe into modular.

[@ThePlughugger]

I didn't know it had cross modulation! Well, that changes things for the better.

[@klstay]

@@ThePlughugger it gets overlooked by most which is their loss because it has so many capabilities not found elsewhere. Level outs per waveshape per VCO including subs for each. LFO onset delay. S&H from Noise OR VCO1. Both hard AND soft sync. ADSR can be gate or continuous looped. 2 note paraphony which is much more interesting than one might initially think given the cross mod and sync options with slow envelope and LFO settings.

[@ThePlughugger]

You have convinced me. On the list it goes. BTW have you had any chance to check out the software version from Cherry Audio?

[@RJJNY]

More of a clone of the Jasper Wasp clone than the original Wasp itself, not that it matters because it sounds great (unless it matters to the person who made the Jasper, which I guess it might). The enhanced OSC wave forms (inspired by the original Gnat), the notch option on the filter, and the hold switch were all additions made to the Jasper kit.

[@ThePlughugger]

I didn't know that, but that's just lovely. A clone of a clone! Excellent. Thanks for sharing that piece of info.

[@chthonic1533]

Hi. Can Wasp produce self generated music without any midi or other tools needed? Like if I cna plug it in the speakers and just play on it?

[@ThePlughugger]

No, you need a keyboard. The Wasp is not a groovebox but a traditional synthesizer.

[@CantComply]

yess but you wont really be playin it. You can turn on hold and maybe mess with the knobs but thats the limit to it just plugged into speakers without midi keyboard. So maybe just drones

[@ThePlughugger]

@@CantComply Yep. But it's quite limited in that regard.

[@eddylondon1866]

Very noob question, are you using a keyboard to control or sound is straight from unit to speaker? Thanks

[@ThePlughugger]

You need a keyboard or anything with MIDI. It doesn't have an internal sequencer.

[@CosmicDuckVideo]

I bought a wasp a couple years back and have kept it because i love how the resonance sings. Its just such a fun synth to play. I recently disco 0:01 0:01 vered the pure joy of running a 6 oscillator drone synth into the external audio in. Switch the hold on, and mangle the drone to hell. Never have i heard a drone synth sing like that before.

[@ThePlughugger]

I can imagine. If I remember correctly, Doepfer released a separate Wasp filter for Eurorack some time ago. I'm not a big fan of Eurorack but makes me think of what fun you could do with it.

[@CosmicDuckVideo]

@@ThePlughugger it's actually a little DIY project from look mum no computer called the circle drone of doom. Not actually a eurorack module, but a weird stand alone thing haha.

[@asynchronicity]

So much great character in its sound! I wonder how it compares with the Cat.

[@ThePlughugger]

Me too. I am getting more and more intrigued about the Cat.

[@pauljeavons8878]

I had an original wasp. The oscs were thin. The filter was interesting. Its one synth that needed effects. The behringer is very accurate to the original.

[@ThePlughugger]

I never used the original, but what I find so wonderful about the Behringer is that when you turn up the volume of the oscillators to the filter, it saturates the oscillators exceptionally nice. Not in a harsh nasty way. Love it.

[@pauljeavons8878]

@@ThePlughugger I don't remember that on the original. Sounds like an improvement. Cool.

[@petdoe8938]

My one from the first few hundred had the opposite mine were really fat maybe to much for some,my friends one is like yours quite thin I have heard others that sit right in the middle nice they all sound different

[@SonicVibe]

love to see this Wasp vs a Cat video filter was so nice

[@ThePlughugger]

Me too. I wonder if you can get the same nice filter saturation out of the Cat.

[@SonicVibe]

@@ThePlughugger I was wondering that too but I do hear the wasp is easier to work with also more practical sounds but I hear good demos with the cat fat kinda moog sounds

[@ThePlughugger]

Haha... yeah that happens almost always to me. First when I saw the Wasp I had a huge wtf moment. But after 30 minutes or so everything just fell into place. I'm sure it's the same with the Cat.

[@Pintosonic]

This synth has a lot of character but as with anything with a lot of character, it’s not the most versatile synth out there. That’s probably why it is so underrated. But at $150 it’s barely more expensive than a plugin so that’s why I’m keeping mine. When I need a drone that sounds phat, that’s what I use.

[@ThePlughugger]

Well put. It's not a very versatile synth. But what it does, it does incredibly well and as you said, for the money... it's not much to argue about.

[@B0K1T0]

6:21 ok I'm sold 😍

[@ThePlughugger]

Such a beautiful raw tone.

[@SomeOne-pd6vm]

This is my favourite of the synths I own and one I would use no matter my collection. It has a wonderful spooky sound to it. The notch filter was B's own addition and very strange in its own right and behaves entirely different from the rest. Try taking a eurorack patch cable from the output on the right and patching it to the "ext in" and slowly crank up the level going into the notch filter, it ends up with some crazy distortion. You can also do the same with one of the oscillator outputs into any of the other filter types, as doing the full output feedback trick with anything aside from the notch will result in a volume drop and loss of low end and an overall thin and kinda useless sound. Another strange quirk unique to this synth has to do with the glide. On higher levels, it will actually "overshoot" the note it's sliding towards and quickly correct itself. Not super important, but definitely a cool detail that contributes to its uniqueness.

[@RJJNY]

The addition was by Jason (don't know their last name) who made the Jasper kit a decade or so ago.

[@ThePlughugger]

So many things are so wonderfully quirky about it. At higher rates the LFO sounds like it's starting to trip over itself, like it can't handle the speed! Feed it too many notes via MIDI or notes that are too close too each other and it starting to behave very quirky indeed.

[@andyturner3056]

Love my Behringer Wasp. Soooooooooooooo fat. My setup is a Novation Mininova, Korg Monologue, Yamaha QY70, Roland MC-303, Behringer Wasp, Behringer FX600 multi effects pedal, and a Moukey 8 channel mixer. Record my stuff on a Boss micro br. Nice basic setup, but the Wasp will always be a part of it 👌

[@ThePlughugger]

The MC303 brings back memories :)

[@texacomann]

I like your music in the other Videos! ❤It

[@ThePlughugger]

The sleepy priest needs another coffee.

[@texacomann]

@@ThePlughugger me too, in Heidelberg Sun is rising..... 🌞

[@rezilla1]

I got serious legit ASMR from that initial filter sweep

[@ThePlughugger]

That filter is absolutely fantastic.

[@rezilla1]

@@ThePlughugger Never heard anything like it

[@ThePlughugger]

@@rezilla1 Yeah I agree. The tone is so weird. But in a cool way.

[@szopelman]

voice of german artist - HERZOG

[@randydarklight]

For 150,-- it is a no brainer but the VCF is not a 1:1 clone. It doesn´t have the original EDP resonating, might be because of unbuffered and buffered CMOS chips. As an EDP owner I can still highly recommend the Behringer Wasp. The CAT is also a very good clone.

[@ThePlughugger]

That's really interesting. How would you describe the difference in sound?

[@randydarklight]

@@ThePlughugger The resonance is more resonating, not to be confused with self oscilating. Doepfer and Behringer Resonanz makes "beeeeewwe" while EDP makes "beeeeeeiiieeee". Hard to explain. Behringer gets low while EDP stays brilliant open.

[@ThePlughugger]

You explained it perfectly, I get it. Now I want to play with the original. I don't even want to think about what those things are going for on Reverb these days.

[@randydarklight]

@@ThePlughugger I can no longer recommend them. I don't know of any synth that is so sensitive, it's the cheapest production. The average price on Reverb is 1200,-. I had two and now I only have one and it's already starting to cause problems: e.g. humming or larger ranges when the controls are moved. The last one I had arrived and sounded great...a month later nothing worked and the repair cost 800,--. Praise the quality of a MS 20 😀

[@ThePlughugger]

Ouch. That must have hurt. Thanks for warning me. They look so cute though :) Is the Jaspers the same quality you think?

[@dianamiino7391]

Yes this machine is a fascinating one, and very effective, despite being quite unexpensive. Criminally underrated, in my opinion. Why? Because it isn't semimodular, can't be patched with eurorack stuff. Who cares?

[@ThePlughugger]

Criminally underrated indeed. Experimenting with ambient stuff with large reverbs, made me think how insanely cool it would be with a polyphonic Wasp.

[@simoncardie9371]

I love mine. That filter is a killer. Also, It's a no-brainer at £130.

[@ThePlughugger]

One of the most interesting monos around.

[@odvirgin]

Midi is missing

[@ThePlughugger]

How do you mean? It has MIDI.

[@odvirgin]

@@ThePlughugger Is it possible to synh it with daw?

[@ThePlughugger]

Sure. If you have a midi and audio interface.

[@odvirgin]

@@ThePlughugger not bad. Can I sync LFO? )

[@ThePlughugger]

Be creative! Sample it into your computer and make it sound like a mega Wasp from the year 3000.

[@TheTerracide]

It's a great filter but why clone those sloppy envelopes from the original made me sell mine

[@ThePlughugger]

I can absolutely understand that. With snappier envelopes you could do so much more. But here's the thing... I think those envelopes add a lot of chunkiness to the overall sound. And having modern-ish envelopes would take away from the character. It's like the LFO. After a point the LFO is starting to sound that it can't keep up and starting to trip over its own feet. That's a crazy cool sound.

[@TheTerracide]

​@@ThePlughuggeri agree it can sound cool but like the Pro-800, Behringer could make snappier envelopes optional by making it possible in new firmware by selecting that option from their software to configure and update the machine. I get cloning the quircks to make it authentic but sometimes those quircks hold back the full potential...

[@ThePlughugger]

Right. That would actually be an excellent solution.

[@texacomann]

Your voice sound like a sleep-deprived priest at a funeral. Honestly, I could only bear listening for about 10 seconds before I had to switch off. There's so much more content on KZbin to explore. Work on your voice, and maybe then I'll consider hitting the subscribe button. Regardless, I also have the WASP Synthesizer, and it sounds just as good as yours!

[@ThePlughugger]

A sleep-deprived priest at a funeral! What a lovely image you gave me. Yeah, voice is a bit rough. I had been battling with a throat infection/loss of voice for weeks and finally gave up and decided to make the video anyway. That did the trick though - infection cleared up days after.

[@texacomann]

@@ThePlughugger Oh, I'm truly sorry to hear about your cold; I sincerely wish you a speedy recovery. Regarding the tone of voice, I'd suggest not solely relying on feedback from your closest friends. They might sugarcoat their opinions, as they'd naturally want to remain in good terms with you. It's often the candid feedback from strangers, or those who watch globally on KZbin, that can be more revealing. I just shared my spontaneous thoughts. Maybe consider taking a voice training or public speaking course; they do exist and can be beneficial.

[@russ254]

@1968heger this is the weirdest comment that I've read in years on youtube

[@tylergates4075]

Real friends should be this blunt.

[@ThePlughugger]

Not sure. Real friends invite friends for a beer. I'm still waiting for @1968heger. Damn, I would even settle for a coffee!

[@303pix]

what do you mean with "fussy midi"?

[@ThePlughugger]

Not so exact. Fuzzy :)