Review: Behringer Neutron 2.0 what's new, pros, cons and 13 patch ideas/tips

Version 2.0 of Neutron's firmware add quite a few interesting features. Here's a full review if Neutron, everything new, plus 13 patch ideas/tips along the way.
Like these tips and want to get ALL my ideas in one convenient place including those to come in the future? Check out my In-Complete Book of Electronic Music Ideas, Tips and Tricks (hint: it's in-complete because it's always being updated…):
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TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
0:55 Overview
2:20 Oscillators
6:50 Duophonic modes
9:50 The filter
12:15 Morphing LFO
14:50 Other mod sources: ADSR / S&H
15:35 Overdrive
16:25 Delay
17:30 Control software
18:15 Patch bay
18:50 Misc topics
19:15 Back panel
19:45 Pros and 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.
​

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Nice one! I just want to mention something about the tune knobs. It's possible to "turn them off" and not mess with the tuning by accidentally turning the knobs so no need to switch the knobs. From the manual: Press and hold OSC (1 or 2) RANGE and PARAPHONIC buttons until the selected OSC octave LED starts to flash. This indicates that the tune pot for that OSC is now inactive and all notes played are in tune. Press and hold OSC RANGE and PARAPHONIC buttons again to leave this mode. The LED will return to solid to indicate that the tune pots are in circuit.

[@gardevoirdude7493]

love your vcv vids

[@spacey_jones]

This is awesome!!!

[@brunofrisk1516]

Very helpful! Thx dude

[@recap_after_use]

Nice!!!

[@treyabraham515]

I've tried this and it does stop the knobs, but it also seems to change the pitch by about a half step the second I lock it. Anyone know whats up with that?

[@Reinos]

Thanks for putting such great work into covering the features of the 2.0 update! I'd been looking forward to seeing your take on it as your video structure lends itself very well to going over the features. It helped me wrap my head around some of the tools that I didn't quite understand well enough to make use of them.

[@davidhrivnak]

The Neutron is such a great analog synth. One thing I like to do sometimes is route the LFO through the filter or VCA input and use it as a crazy kind of oscillator. You can even kind of get it to track the keyboard a bit by routing a pitch signal into the LFO Rate input, but the best thing about it by far is how raw and messy it sounds. It's a digital LFO, which in one way I kind of didn't love at first, but now I think it's great because it's the most wildly unstable and coolest sounding digital oscillator I've ever heard

[@daxu9605]

Just wanna say, love the tips. That same lfo shape w diff phase idea is amazing. Listening u talking abt the delay cutting off too much highs just gave me an idea of blending delayed signal with the dry signal together using attenuators and the sum. Always learning and figuring out something new watching ur vids. Thank u!

[@oskie66skye]

Finally...someone who shows me how to use it professionally! Thanks A lot Sir...and Bless.

[@whoozl3540]

The index on the left side is great and excellent presentation didactics! I used to do something similar in PP presentations, also with some estimated time stamps. This is good presentation practice (GPP), so to speak, and many more youtubers should do this like you!

[@eddielee1455]

The intro tune totally sold me! Makes it sound like something you can do with a Moog monosynth. Mine'll show up in around 3 to 5 days from now. Can't wait!!!

[@georgeray3492]

Thanks for a great tutorial! I have had my Neutron for several months and learned something new. Love your channel and appreciate the efforts you put into the production.

[@jawoody9745]

Thanks for this great demo! I've learned a lot about this beautiful, little box!

[@edrosa3485]

That closing melody is utterly gorgeous!

[@daryn86]

You should checkout his album. Just listened to it today.

[@emil-9432]

Your reviews are better than going to the store and trying it myself. Because I wouldn’t be able think of trying all the things you tried ;) Thanks!!

[@aki_gong6271]

As usual, tremendous review, for a tremendous synth :) Thanks for reviewing in such professional way, with detail, and with so much love into it. Thanks a lot. (Already purchased)

[@nelio123]

Very helpful, it answers a lot of questions I had and solved all my pu! 😊 Thank you!

[@theTerribleFamiliar]

So glad to see you take on the Neutron! Thank you!

[@PaulBoos]

Great review! Behringer’s update has really made this super cool (it was just cool before...) that LFO trick is the best.

[@WDIPJordi]

Thanks for this great review and tutorial. Very eloquently explained and a great help to someone like myself who is trying to grasp the depths of the Neutron!

[@cryptoramma8458]

I really enjoyed this even though I had no idea what he was talking about.

[@RonaldFigura]

Analog subtractive synthesis.

[@roccoharris]

read his book. it'll clarify everything for you... EVERYTHING!! even, like.... who am I really? what is the real meaning of life?

[@spacedrifter1004]

buy a synth - get hooked on - thank me later ;)

[@KarzenX]

🤣😂🤣 I have one and same.

[@misfitsfiend42]

A synthesizer store i went to had this on display & I fiddled with it for the first time not knowing what to do. Went back again with some more knowledge but still had no idea what I was doing. Short story. I had now idea what I was doing. I had fun though!.

[@tear_808]

Dat feeling when you've just picked up a parcel with your Neutron from post office and carrying it to home, and mr. loopop is posting new video about it 😀

[@doom705]

dam right!!!! just picked up mine at the post office, SO STOKED!!

[@justsomeguy8385]

*that

[@jdog7982]

I always check looppop before I buy new gear! Love the channel man!!

[@wrenchposting9097]

Thank you for including the waveform view!

[@PaulFreemanTheTall]

Very nice demo, and useful to know about the overlays.

[@TheJethrobull]

Love these vids. I just got the Neutron & Pro 1. This channel is my go to. Nice and clear info, very well presented. Thank you

[@Symmetriad]

My Neutron has been my way of dipping my toes into Eurorack, and you've given me some excellent info and ideas here! Thanks a bunch!

[@Bretroid]

Very informative and professional. You clearly have a masterful understanding of synthesis. I have subscribed and look forward to diving into more content. Thank you sir.

[@daxu9605]

So excited abt u posting this, I will throwing in a few tips that I have learned recently. 1. Lfo in one shot mode, u need key sync on, can be used almost as a 3rd EG. The speed is tad bit touchy though. 2. Lfo to egate can create looping envelopes, much like the slope on 0coast. 3. U can create feedback loop w the patch bay within the machine, which gives u some crazy sounds. 4. Velocity can directly modulate the filter, so, u can use the assign for something else. 5. The lfo has a crazy range, u can have a 3 op fm thing going on quite easily. 6. I have always viewed the tone knob in od as small slope filter. W the vcf1 and 2 avail, u kinda can get lp, bp, and hp all in one.

[@IvanMiheyev]

Is it possible to modulate od tone?

[@macronencer]

Thanks! These are useful tips. The first thing I thought of when I saw that patch bay was "route the OD out back to the OD in through an attenuator... hmmm!" :D

[@daxu9605]

@@macronencer I forgot to add, attenuator 1 is actually a hidden VCA, because u can use att1 cv to open and close it like a VCA

[@daxu9605]

@@IvanMiheyev no, unfortunately no.

[@macronencer]

@@daxu9605 Thanks - I did think of that when looking at the patch panel. This little machine is full of surprises, eh? I'm hoping to get one soon, second hand.

[@harrychrome844]

Finally! Awesome and interesting and inspiring video. Was really looking forward to your vid on the neutron.

[@THEREALDATALORD]

You nailed this review man. Sick work.

[@Ginkeh]

Just ordered the Neutron, thanks for helping me decide :) My first piece of hardware, so excited!

[@charlieaydin1377]

Great first synth.

[@elissitdesign]

Gateway drug.

[@mikeexits]

Would you guys say it had a warm overall sound compared to the Minilogue, Volca FM, and Volca Modular (all the synths I own)? I didn't realize it when buying but all these synths tend to have colder, and in the case of the Modular and Minilogue, more metallic sounds, than many other analog synths. I'm looking for a synth that's good at making smoother, warm tones with decent sound design versatility and that's budget friendly (Moog Sirin comes to mind, but not enough bang for buck for me right now). I'm looking at Neutron and Model D right now, but leaning towards Neutron because I don't have the equipment needed to keep the D in tune. Any tips?

[@mycosys]

@@mikeexits If you want a warm, rich analog sound in a small synth on the cheap its worth looking at the (totally digital) Modal Skulpt.

[@cheopys]

I bought one immediately and now I am ordering another. This is fantastic.

[@nateonearth]

Your videos are extremely well done. Thank you!

[@damienwoods5744]

Back in the days before the break up 💔. A fair, even complimentary review.

[@loopop]

Which makes their methodical efforts to generate mistrust with me/"influencers" even more baffling. I (and I didn't see anyone else) actually never said anything particularly bad (and quite the contrary) about any of their instruments in terms of quality/capabilities/etc.

[@damienwoods5744]

Can't agree more @@loopop I followed the whole business with interest and felt like I was watching a marketing time go rogue and then the business had to maintain so they didn't lose face. I was all a bit sad. You hit the nail on the head with "baffling". Good luck with the future of your channel.

[@lastofthemadtierneys169]

wish all gear reviews were as comprehensive and honest as yours. thx

[@morganwebster6636]

I’m sold. Great video again on this. Doesn’t seem like you can beat it for the price? Really digging the videos. Killer work so thanks for them. ❤️⚡️⚡️⚡️🎛🎚

[@va941]

Ever Since I watches State Azure using this and the Pro-1 I have been giving these a new look.

[@sharktroubles]

Thank you for being such a tremendous resource, loopop. Eventually, I will purchase your book, not only for my benefit, but also as a gesture of gratitude for your outstanding work.

[@loopop]

Awesome ;)

[@artursbarabass1680]

I will do the same! Never even thought of having a teacher for modulation. Now I found the One :)

[@HEC9]

No doubt I will too... This is one of the giants that make the difference! : P

[@kerbolax]

Great stuff! I definitely learned more about my Neutron :)

[@erazeTHEborders]

Thank you, very helpful video!

[@manuboucheraudio4363]

I switched my PHAT coarse tune knobs to filter freq. and osc. mix. So far it's great, especially for live !

[@mjusick42]

This is really one of the best made Reviews I have ever seen and also a good Tutorial for newbies! Thanks!

[@NicleT]

Best review I watched so far about this synth. Clear and wide. Thanks!

[@NickHowesAstro]

Just picked up a Nuetron 2.0 for £100 (was claimed to be faulty, but worked like a charm after a firmware update on my Mac). This is a superb overview of what is probably Behringer's finest unique analogue monosynth

[@MrOrgeston]

3:20 *death robot noises* "It's actually quite nice."

[@DeepDoseMusic]

It's worth noting the assign out is basically a midi to cv controller. So you do have midi control of one function of your choosing. For example when I use my digitakt I assign the modwheel and then patch the assign out to whatever I want to control with the mod wheel cc. Works awesome

[@josephkov4115]

just picked up two for 500 :) hella excited, thanks for making these videos loopop

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

That is way cool. In addition to complex mono patches, you could cook up some great stereo sounds too. Enjoy.

[@Jason75913]

I've picked up two new Neutrons over the spring months for a total of 410 gotta love sales ;p

[@gokhan9395]

Thank you for your review! i like your channel! thanks mate!

[@foggy4180]

Your way of reviewing stuff is always on point, very clear with some great tips too. Also your talking is in balance with what you show, never too much bla bla. Thanks for another good review!

[@danpreston564]

Excellent video. You always manage to show a few options beyond the norm. Inspiring and interesting stuff.

[@XXROGUE]

The panel shortcut to activate LFO Blend is, holding down the Key Sync in the LFO section until it starts blinking, then pressing the Paraphonic button in the OSC section once. Then hold the Key Sync button again. I Had to do this because I had trouble installing the firmware on PC. Seems like others had the same issue after checking Gearslutz.

[@ilovecops6255]

Very well presentd with tonsof useful info. Defintie a+.

[@saxmidiman]

Ha, I put the large knobs on the filter (should be big), and the main output knob. Then I saw this! Thanks for the great tips.

[@rancemohammitz2304]

Bought a Korg MS-20 back in 1980. Sold it on EBAY this spring. This thing brings back memories...

[@anthonytower7122]

Sehr gut gemacht. Vielen Dank für diese deutliche Erklärung!!!

[@marcusai210]

Thanks for this! 🔥🔥

[@DWatso]

I absolutely love that opening tune! So cool!

[@playinmyblues]

Another great video. Very helpful.

[@lownrgy]

It's like a lovechild of Korg ms-20 and Roland D2

[@chriswoolf1491]

I think this update just sold me on this. Look forward to pairing with the Pro-1 when it comes out.

[@Robstalobsta82]

You can patch the attenuators to use as fine tune, but I agree it would be nice to have dedicated knobs for that function.

[@Schnurzbolz]

i love your vids, especially the index-thingy on the left :)

[@whoozl3540]

@Schnurzbolz: I fully agree! The index on the left side is excellent presentation didactics! I used to do something similar in PP presentations, also with some estimated time stamps. This is good presentation practice (GPP), so to speak, and many more youtubers should do this!

[@benjamins.335]

I really enjoy your videos! Thx man!

[@johnpenguin9188]

That duophonic intro sounded pretty sweet, kudos!

[@loopop]

Thanks!

[@simondanielssonmusic]

Finally, I love your content. Greetings from Sweden! :)

[@loopop]

Thanks!

[@trevorkononenko5941]

your tutorial vids are outrageously good. thank you!

[@loopop]

Thanks for the comment!

[@trontastic]

Great Vid.. I would say they have done the delay that way is to emulate the Copycat Tape Delay. Sounds great to me.. : )

[@stephanechamotif_rblackwoo4528]

Hi ! I have the WEMcopycat. You are right !! Another excellent d delay lay is the ""memoryman hazarai""".. real magic happens sometimes.

[@georgealveskog]

Great video, thanks!

[@tuppaware001]

Your videos are always excellent !

[@wimwijn1]

thanks a lot for this one, very helpful

[@GongMaster]

You do excellent work in reviewing all these devices. Very professional and the way talk is also a blessing and thank god you aren't using stressful intro or background EDM music, like some freaks :)

[@urbannpa]

Can't wait until you get the Behringer Crave.

[@zydiz]

he got it

[@gregorsmith]

Good gateway drug into the eurorack scene

[@ericjohnson1811]

Oooh. Sounds like I've got to install the upgrade!

[@pocketrealitty]

Incredible value for your money in this thing!

[@LaughingBubba]

Ah Ser Loop! Finally my eyes are not watering at the price of the synth you are reviewing. Rather 'tis with joy that I can afford! Am so looking forward to this baby coming home (shhh! Don't tell the Mrs) Excellent review btw - as allways.

[@loopop]

Thanks and enjoy :)

[@sodaverde]

Amazing as always.

[@KOISANX]

Excellent synth review video - best I've come across....probably ever👏

[@lxndrbe]

Thanks a lot .. good explanations

[@fakshen1973]

It's a well thought out synth. It has it's quirks and even issues. But all synths do. I was absolutely surprised by the Behringer synth stuff. The price-point is almost irresistible. It sounds really good. The Curtis chip has seen its patent expire. But the sound needs to live on and be enjoyed. I honestly think that Behringer is grooming a brand new crop of enthusiasts for Dave Smith, Moog, and the Eurorack crowd. In 3-5 years there will be people who want to venture further into hardware synthesizers. There's almost a near guarantee of a secondary purchase.... third... fourth... etc. We're all addicts. :)

[@DimaShenme]

the make is subpar though. it forgets to release incoming midi gates, knobs produce noise if you turn them while a note is being played, patchbay breaks because of bad soldering, and replacing a unit even if on warranty can take months. so, yeah, cheap entry into hw world and fun to fool around, but beware of reliability issues

[@PerAnkh418]

Brill review!! 🙌 🌟

[@CWealthMusic]

Hi, love your videos. Very informative and well put together. Would it be possible for you to do a video with the Berhinger Neutron and the Make Noise 0-Coast showing some patching ideas and ideas on how to use them in tandem?

[@loopop]

Thanks! No sorry the neutron was a loaner

[@providief]

Just got a k2 think you’ve convinced me to add this to the set up also ⚡️⚡️

[@loopop]

Looking forward to checking out the K2... so... how is it?

[@providief]

@@loopop Ah man. Instantly satisfying! the two filters work so well together. I can't explain but the sound is just very full! I prefer it to the build quality of the ms20 mini (and I much prefer it as a module). I feel a bit bad not going with Korg but I already own so much Korg gear I'm sure they'd forgive me :)

[@playinmyblues]

Take note for changing knobs for tuning the oscillators (around the 6:40 mark) - larger knobs provide finer control over the tuning. The distance travelled by a point on the circumference on a larger circle compared to a smaller circle is greater, thus finer control using a larger knob.

[@loopop]

Indeed! But once you have it set, the likelihood of hitting a large knob and throwing it out of tune it much more likely

[@playinmyblues]

@@loopop 🤔 That is something I will have to find out from experience. It always seems there is a tradeoff when changing from one thing to another.

[@playinmyblues]

So I did knock one of the tuning knobs off its tuning last night. I will have to take more care as I still like having the larger knob for easier tuning. While I have not changed the knobs' places yet, getting the tuning spot on is not the easiest the way it is.

[@chriswoolf1491]

Just got mine in the other day. It was a bit of a pain to update but I finally got it good to go. I have nothing but great things to say about it. Well, the only negative is that I'm pretty sure it's going to drag me into Eurorack and that's gonna be expensive over time.

[@sykromsmile6303]

Great video

[@koyamoro3595]

I had no idea this existed.... now I guess I'm buying it.

[@lonelywolfy]

the beginning is the most ive ever seen on loopops head lol

[@bramschrijnen5795]

I think you saved me a year of screwing around. Thank you.

[@mikedegrazia]

Lol...cheers to you for not screwing around...

[@markschweter6371]

According to the manual, 5.6 Tune Pot Bypass, "the tune pot for that OSC is now inactive and all notes played are in tune." if you don't want detuned OSCs, and there's a manual tuning option, 5.5 Tuning, to get precise OSC offsets.

[@churchofaggressiveaudio6498]

Good overview. 👍

[@maxmatson1578]

I wanted to ask in the app editor where it says envelope retrigger does that mean you could use it like a LFO? plus! when you said "bonus tip get good Reverb" is the "Zoom MS70" or "boss rv-6" would you consider those ones good¿?🎹🎧💫😵👍✌

[@bloodySunday77]

2:38 From what I've seen, it is true the delay is in the signal chain even when all controls are off but its tone shaping is minimal. I believe that your description of making the sound duller is due to the tone of the overdrive circuit being all the way down. Your patching not only takes the delay citcuit off but also the OD one, hence the clearer, more raw sound. Please correct me if I'm wrong - I would love to know. Very nice review as always! (although I would prefer more examples of pure music)

[@Jason75913]

yeah, taking out the effects, most especially the uber muddy overdrive, improves sound quality significantly

[@mathias841]

I don't understand why they included effects. Would have been better to include a third oscillator or... I don't know. I love the multiwave tho, and can't find any modules doing it cheaper..

[@thomasbhacker]

Is there any way to allow the software application to be used with a eurorack mounted Neutron? It appears that the USB connection is lost once the unit is removed from the original case. If that's true, then Behringer (or someone) might want to build an accessory USB MIDI module to mount alongside the Neutron for firmware updates and hidden software only parameter control.

[@Pellelunden00]

Great Tutorial!!!

[@igorveprev9178]

thank you!

[@madmac66]

Excellent demo. You made the neut sound better than any other demo I’ve heard. Lost interest in this after so many dreadful modular types released demos making a lot of noises but not a lot of music after its release. I’m firmly back in the neut camp again after watching this

[@powermix24]

There are no Cons when I bought this for 298 and a Model D for 219. I paid for 2 excellent synths for the price of a Moog mother 32! Great review as always :)

[@RonCavagnaro]

I did the exact same deal yeah!

[@mikeexits]

How's the tuning on the Model D? Having to open it up and go through the hassle is putting me off getting one. I'm no DIY guy, I even feel intimidated to open my Circuit (which started going insane with ridiculously rapid random button presses without me even touching it). But on the other hand, I also heard that turning it on and leaving it for 10-15 minutes to warm up is enough to keep it in tune for the rest of the session.

[@powermix24]

My Model D is not off tune but for 219$ ill be more than happy to open it and retune it. Yes you do have to warm it up 15 mins

[@RonCavagnaro]

What he says yes just turn on the A note switch and turn tuning until it sounds the same

[@JacobVBurg]

@@powermix24 Hell, I had to do this with a Korg Volca keys when I still had it. I always had to let it warm up for around 15 mins or I'd notice the oscillators fall out of tune. But after warm up there were never any serious problems. I thought that warm-up was a necessity with analog oscillators, but that was just an assumption.

[@infindebula]

I love my Neutron but I find some of the default routings a bit unintuitive. I think either the panel or the patch bay could have been better arranged or marked to show where the attenuators and slew generator are normalled, for example. Still for the price, the uniqueness, the flexibility and the sound quality, Neutron is hard to beat!

[@kosmikmusa]

Nice video. What software are you using to show waveform and frequencies? Thanks for sharing this.

[@gnarlysoundscapes7210]

Excellent review and good tips. I'm getting one!

[@sokoleski]

exxelent and entreating as allways...cheers

[@rskityaev]

All-around nice video! But i'd like to add a few things to the last section. You can control Neutrons filter via midi, to do so, in the app you have to chose modwheel modulation source, then you can control filter with CC1 midi message from your DAW. And besides that, there is an "assign" output on patch-bay. You can tweak in to also receive midi messages (i use aftertouch for that) and then patch it to wherever you like. So yeah, neutron has few options regarding sequencing.