Wild Thing: Behringer K-2 (review & jam)

K-2: Behringer has done it again! Here are my impressions of the MS-20 clone:
00:00 Unboxing
00:14 Review
06:25 Filter 1 vs. 2: dry jam
09:29 Filter 1 vs. 2: echo jam
12:50 ESP jam with Volca FM
Delay FX: TC Flashback X4
Recorded directly from TC output to Tascam DR-2d

[@thestatpow5]

I admire your effort of doing this in english!

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks!

[@hulkslayer626]

I agree. Well done and a very pleasing accent I might add :)

[@nomik]

+1

[@GavinKing_AKA_plumpNation]

Agreed, it's almost like if they have a German accent, I'm listening. Probably know wtf they are talking about.

[@samuelcastelli5782]

Love the combination of a detailed review and the jam, gets the best of both worlds. Great tutorials, keep 'em up!

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot for the great feedback! 😊

[@amundbisgaard7295]

Such great work. I like how you summed up the synths with one word each, that makes for an easy overview for a new user.

[@PeteMidi]

Thank you so much!

[@boogiefunkproductions2368]

I can't speak to a comparison between the MS-20 and the K2 but this synth is crazy on its own merit. I got it maybe 3 weeks ago and its neck and neck with my Neutron when it comes to just creating bonkers sounds. incredible bargain if you ask me but I'm not by any means a synth purest, I'm the guy that buys off-brand cereal at the store to save money lol.

[@PeteMidi]

👍

[@cuttygrass]

You are quickly becoming me go-to synth channel. Thanks for the great content and I hope you continue!

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks for the great feedback! 😊

[@demerit5]

Pete, you're the man! This is the first video I have watched from you! Thank you so much for this excellent content.

[@PeteMidi]

Great that you like it! Many thanks for the nice feedback! 😊

[@demerit5]

Subscribed. Thanks again.

[@SyncdAlien]

Fascinating review and discussion, I learned some things! Thank you!

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks for the great feedback!

[@herbertdruschke503]

pete, is my man for unique, subjective and entertaining reviews. and i appreciate the division into personal review and detailed jams showing the character of the device. here: the very inspiring combi of k-2 and volca fm. awesome session going on with these two machines. makes me really excited about the k2. thanks for the review and keep up the good work.

[@PeteMidi]

Herbert, thank you so much for the great feedback! 😊

[@scavenom2008]

Very well explained and I like the fact you spoke your mind and gave us an honest well tought analysis of K-2 compared to the other 2 models.

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks for the nice feedback!

[@2112jonr]

A really good review and demo. Thank you Pete, you have another new subscriber :)

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot! 😊

[@resofactor]

Filters around 10 minutes in are really great! Wow!

[@JesCarlskov]

The Volca FM ESP jam is divine. Thanks for a great video.

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks for the nice feedback! 😊

[@JesCarlskov]

@@PeteMidi You're welcome! BTW can I ask if it's possible to chain delays on the TC Flashback X4?

[@Pablo668]

Great view. Very in depth description. I just got one of these and I’m figuring out how to use it. I also have the other two actually.

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks for the nice feedback! 👍

[@minisynthcollective7822]

Very good yet again Pete. Still waiting for my Crave Synth.

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks, good luck with your Crave!

[@djciregethigher]

Excellent review!!!!! Keep up the good work!

[@PeteMidi]

Thank you so much for the great feedback!

[@resofactor]

Just discovered your Channel. Thanks for your efforts to comment review in English. It is sometimes a difficult language for us in the West as well! :)

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks for the nice feedback! 😊

[@williamgeorgefraser]

I also had an MS20 with an SQ10 which I linked up to a Korg Delta. It was an amazing setup as the SQ10 could be used to modify any parameters, including itself. I lent them to a friend in the early 90s and then lost touch with him when I moved around for work. I have a Model D and a Neutron (plus a Minilogue and an Ultranova) and I absolutely must get a K-2. One day, some kids were practising in the garage of the house that backed onto mine. The noise became a bit overwhelming so I stuck my amp in a cupboard and started messing about with the MS20. After a few minutes, the noise stopped and I never heard them again. I think I frightened them off.

[@PeteMidi]

Great, I think this would also work with the K-2 😄

[@ko83na]

thanks for the review and testing... i think after the crave i need now also this one :D

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks fot the feedback! 😊

[@lundsweden]

For me, the appeal of the K2 over Korg's MS20 are 1) Its cheaper 2) It saves space 3) Behringer's build quality is really good, even a little better than Korg IMO.

[@brutusmuerto]

Awesome jams!! Thank you!

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks for the nice feedback! 😊

[@clarkmandeville8043]

Very good video, thanks. I really like the sound of the K2. The only thing I would like to have, as you mentioned, is pwm modulation, that would have been nice. But anyway, it's a great synthesizer.

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks for the feedback! Yes, PWM would have been cool ...

[@uvoikimovundutrauerblume3302]

Again such a hypnotic jam ( the volca fm and k2 ) serious good, reminds me on the golden early krautrock years . Guru Guru , Roedelius, Harmonia , Cluster, Moebius etc etc . Lovely and the k2 seens to have a fast adsr what is not the strongest point on the real Ms20

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot! 😃 Yes, it's also my impression that the K-2 can sound more punchy than the original, but it's a really long time ago that I played the MS-20...

[@KoolteethDeBlog]

Schon ein geiles Teil... ich hoffe, es folgen noch ein paar Tutorials, Patches & Tracks! ;)

[@PeteMidi]

Yes, there are some further K-2 vids on my to-do list. Da kommt noch was! 😉

[@j-star1]

Really good review

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks! 😊

[@ChazSeamus28]

Nice review

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks!

[@Elkesar1]

Wild sound! Nice!

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks!

[@KristianWontroba]

Great review! Jam great! Kiitos! :)

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks! 😊

[@philchadwick9470]

I could listen to that until the cows come home, really nice. :)

[@PeteMidi]

😄Thanks a lot!

[@davidgoode7416]

Agreed 👊

[@savanaviolenta]

Sold on the K2 and it's compact space saving size.

[@PeteMidi]

Yes, it leaves some space on the desk for other gear 😉

[@jongdonglu]

jesus you really like that one filter knob dont you lol sick video man

[@PeteMidi]

😉

[@orovoid3290]

Thanks, helped me decide :)

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@martindirkzimmer]

Goddamn, I'm a sucker for a rich delay effect. Mesmerizing!

[@PeteMidi]

😊

[@synth4ever]

Nice demo Pete! K2 sounds pretty ballsy for sure. How would you say the sound compares vs Neutron? Are they both using 3340 VCOs?

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks! I like the K-2 filter section more than the Neutron filter, but the 3340 VCOs in the Neutron are my favorite! Great sound/flexibility/controlability, the only minor flaw is that the VCOs have no distinct level controls at the Neutron, just a mix parameter.The K-2 does not have this problem, obviously KORG knew how to do it right 😉

[@thejakeyboi]

Hi! Please can you explain what is happening (setup-wise) after 12:50 (ESP jam with Volca FM) ? Thanks!

[@AdamsBrew78]

Would love to see you have a go at cross patching Neutron and K2 to see what interesting sounds you can come up with between the two. I’m not all that familiar with MS-20 patching but am getting to be quite at home with the versatile Neutron since I’ve had it for last couple months. Bet they could complement each other nicely w/ so many patch possibilities.

[@PeteMidi]

Good idea! If you master the NEUTRON, K-2 is easy 😉 Cross patching is a nice option, I will come back to that...

[@KiR_3d]

@@PeteMidi I miss the 2nd reso-filter in Neutron! Model D's HP isn't the true HP ;)

[@abominablemusic]

Nice review, thanks! Subbed...

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks for the nice feedback! 😊

[@JohanBakkeMusik]

The jam with Volca FM sounds great, please make a video with all three of the Behringer desktop synths. I'm thinking about to buy all three so it would be great to hear them together!

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks! The big jam is on my agenda!

[@davidgoode7416]

Awesome!

[@PeteMidi]

😊

[@davidgoode7416]

This jam makes me want one bad...

[@housebandthexenos2569]

selling my ms20 mini to help toward a Behringer Odyssey. Have you played the Korg mini? Do they sound similar to you? I plan on getting a k2 later on. From what I hear here it sounds thicker and grittier than the korg ms20 mini. I actually like the thinner bright tone on the korg, can the Behringer do that too?

[@PeteMidi]

For me the ms20 mini was not an option due to the format and the ms20 desktop kit was too expensive ... The original ms-20 resonance tone is in fact difficult to reproduce with the K-2 filter which is more aggressive. The mini seems to be somewhere between.

[@SleepingLionsProductions]

I am hoping to get this and then the neutron later on. I want to start getting into analog synths.

[@user-wh7jg7nt9s]

great... very good !

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks! 😊

[@matsewunderlich]

Genial 👍. Sehr nette Maschine

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks - vielen Dank!

[@montenote]

it sound like beast 12:00 nice filter.

[@PeteMidi]

Yes, absolutely - a bit more aggressive than the original, but I like it!

[@phvctofficial6662]

Really enjoy your reviews, I’m having trouble setting my K2 up, I use Ableton and I don’t know how to get sound out of it, do I need to have an audio interface with midi ports. Would you be able to give me advice on how to get it working and what I need! Thankyou

[@PeteMidi]

Audio/Midi interface is a good starting point. In the past I worked with ableton using the external instrument device. Now it has become rare that I make music with a DAW...

[@phvctofficial6662]

Pete Midi thanks a lot! So would I need to have a midi cable going from the “midi out” on the front of the k2, and then another midi cable going into the “thru” on the back?

[@urwholefamilydied]

this beautiful synth that in it's heyday played the nicest warmest slow leads ever... and the whole demo is arpeggios??????? Too many of these reviews are. Where's the Vangelis??

[@synthsforfunk]

Hi everyone. I have just purchased the K2, what a lovely synth! Can anybody help me figure out on how to patch up the K2 properly so that it reacts to mod wheel action on my controller keyboard and creates the classic "vibrato" effect when turning the mod wheel up. I cannot seem to get the patching procedure right to have this work. Any advice is much appreciated by me! Also have any of you experienced that the Filer 1 setting on the K2 (when a key is pressed on the keyboard controller) brings up an audible level of noise even though all controls are turned all the way down and the synth is supposed to make no sound at all? Or is this noise part of the Filter 1 design by default and the noise is supposed to be there. BTW Filter 2 setting is perfectly quiet. Thank you guys! Tom

[@PeteMidi]

As I indicated, there is no mod wheel control via midi, just pitch bend. The filter is a bit noisy, it's by design, nothing to worry about...

[@Synthfidel]

Subscribed!

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks!

[@712Jefferson]

Pete, love your channel. Do you have a favorite of the Behringer (or other similarly priced modules)? Interested in adding something else with a unique character that can cut through the mix.

[@PeteMidi]

From the Behringer Monos I used the Pro-1 a lot, but since I have the Pro-800....

[@fincorrigan7139]

Hi Pete, thanks very much for your, as per usual, great no-nonsense review. There is a very satisfying resonant growl you were capturing there, one that is very distinct and stands out clearly as a very different animal. But, but, but Behringer have already had far too much of my money over the past year and a half and does that growl make me go WOW I NEED THIS SUCKER? I've seen a few vid's so far and it really doesn't tick my PayPal box as, from what I've seen, it is almost a one trick pony. On the other hand..... the Odyssey certainly does tick that box even with it's clumsy sequencer, or maybe the Argon 8 and definitely the desktop ASM Hydrasynth. Unlike a lot of people such as yourself who salivate at it's resonant delights I will pass this time but also know that this machine will make a lot of people very happy. For what it's worth the Model D filled my nostalgia cup to the brim :).....

[@PeteMidi]

Fin, thanks for the great feedback - there are so many options today for interesting hardware synths, it's really difficult sometimes 😉

[@ianbrown3304]

Great review but the jam was fantastic. Now all I have to get is the Korg and the delay unit .....and sneak both into the house under cover of darkness. Seemingly not everyone appreciates the wonder of synthworld. Haha.

[@PeteMidi]

😄Thanks a lot!

[@AndrewAHayes]

I can understand them wanting to stay true to the specs but a separate converter or switch for volts over octave should be made available

[@PeteMidi]

Fully agree.

[@Emontop1]

Thank you for the review. 👍👍👍😎🎹🎛

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks a lot! 😊

[@tinkerwithstuff]

So this is over 2 years, did tehy, by chance, provide a firmware update improving the MIDI implementation? :D I am quite fond of how this one sounds... am indecisive because the patch bay is not only flexibility, but also a burden... I once built the MS-20 VCF and fed a software-generated oscillator mix from a microcontroller into it, that was already damn delicious. But never took the time to build a finished, perfected musically usable device. The CAT and the Neutron seem great also, and I'd love to have a Model D, but the meanness of the VCF is just how I remember it from my built, _somewhat_ reminiscent of the Steiner-VCF, but then not quite... I am _almost_ sure now it needs to be this one ;) I hope the patch jacks oave a long lifespan. Are there patch cables that come with the device, or do I have to buy them seperately?

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks for the feedback! Yes, the filters are great - as far as I remember there was only a single patch cable in the box...

[@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

[@PeteMidi]

Absolutely smooth with my one...

[@spacekid5609]

@@PeteMidi Thanks for the response and all the videos you put out there. I find it super helpful as a beginner synthesist :) Could be that my unit is faulty but I was confused by the fact that 3 other units at the store (as my friend checked) had same type of Low and High Freq knobs.

[@BarbesDub]

Nice Musical Mood 👍 👍 I'm currently thinking of replacing my Minitaur with a Model D or K2 for my Dub and Dub techno bass lines, I don't know if the K2 has more subs than the Model D?

[@PeteMidi]

Difficult decision, the d provides more fatness but the k2 more control over the deep bass spectrum

[@BarbesDub]

@@PeteMidi thank you Pete, yes indeed not easy to choose

[@cnfuzz]

Having it now for a longer while what is your opinion now on it Pete?

[@PeteMidi]

Hi, I'm still happy with the machine, no doubt.

[@cnfuzz]

Can you do a video on the ringmodulator of k2 , i remember the original was quite characteristic , i suspect due to the very present mids of k2 this will fall apart also (not refined in audioterms). As a comparison example take mystere dans le brouillard of liaisons d. , that bellsound and every other in the track is ms20

[@PeteMidi]

Good idea, but currently I've many things on my schedule, let's see ...

[@Seekthetruth3000]

I like your accent. Nice demo.🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks!

[@geographyman562]

Gutted that there is not midi cc control over every knob. Is there potential in an update ?

[@PeteMidi]

I'm afraid, it's not possible. You need AD/DA converters for all parameters...

[@AdamsBrew78]

It was a hard choice picking between MS-101 and K2 last week- The more versatile MS-20 clone was very tempting, but all I had so far is desktop synths, so it’s nice to have my first all-in-one KB synth. totally amazed at the build quality - the keys feel just as good as my expensive fatar keybed on Komplete Kontrol Mk2 and the synth is a joy to quickly program. Every Behringer synth has earned all the hype. Next choice is between Odyssey clone vs K2 for my next buy in a couple months. that’s going to be a tough one too.. Built in effects on the Odyssey are def pushing me in that direction :) Hopefully will get around to snatching a K2 eventually either way., beautiful synth.

[@PeteMidi]

For me it’s the other way round, I do not have the space for another keyboard 😉

[@BCarey2293]

Behringer's Odyssey clone is fitting up to be one of the most affordable and versatile monosynths at it's price range.

[@daneguitarist1]

Pete I trust you

[@PeteMidi]

😊

[@giannagiavelli5098]

what is the korg thingie?

[@PeteMidi]

It's a volca fm, nice thing!

[@TwinCitiesOxygen]

How would u characterize the other Behringer monos (wasp, pro 1))?

[@PeteMidi]

The pro-1 is very nice, the wasp was not attractive to me, a bit too limited...

[@amonster8mymother]

Do you know you sound exactly like the guy that reviews the maxpedition pouches? 😁🇨🇦👍

[@PeteMidi]

No, I am not aware of this guy 😉

[@btrain2385]

We already have the MS-20 mini at an affordable price...Behringer missed the boat by not making a MS-50 clone...but at least they didn't ruin it with a keyboard like the odyssey and 101 clones. I'd rather see them focus on classics that haven't been reproduced already....Where's my OSC/ar, EDP wasp, VCS3?

[@PeteMidi]

Yes, an MS-50 clone would have been cool, but I understand Behringer that for marketing reasons they took the more prominent MS-20. I fully agree about the annoying keyboards and would like to add the vc340 to your list.

[@anselmountain6884]

is the vco of the behringer k-2 is exact as the original of ms-20?

[@PeteMidi]

There are different opinions but I think it is close to the original.

[@anselmountain6884]

@@PeteMidi as the schematics shows in the original it is current controlled vco similar to the yamaha cs series synths , despite the difference in vco structure between the ms-20 and the cs series

[@feast2938]

I see you’re using the the flashback, how’s the midi connectivity on it?

[@PeteMidi]

I used it for midi clock sync, it works

[@SNO-]

Hey Pete, 2 Q's #1 Are you using the defaults on the K-2 vid with the Beatstep? The mixing you're doing is that just the default sequencer setting our did you patch it to something on the K-2? You have a great understanding of that.

[@PeteMidi]

Hi, I programmed a 16-step sequence into the BeatStep and used it's midi out to trigger the K-2, of course midi channels must match (default is channel 1 for all devices). K-2 midi thru goes to tc flashback for midi clock sync of the delay effect. On the audio side the K-2 goes into the tc flashback pedal and from there to the tascam recorder. For the last part the volca fm goes into the K-2s external signal processor, there are controls on the K-2 to adjust the level.

[@SNO-]

@@PeteMidi PETE! Above and Beyond as always!! You're epic. thank you!! See, now you get your name in my liner notes 😄

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks! 😊

[@coyote-wang]

This is really exciting, Behringer went from the most boring gear company to the most exciting one on the planet while these might have their limits and quirks they're the most exciting new gear, really if I want DSP based gear I can stick with windows and midi controllers and software. All this new analog gear is exciting.

[@PeteMidi]

I fully agree 😊

[@coyote-wang]

@@PeteMidi I'm selling off my volcas to get a neutron, then I imagine saving up for the k2 and an rd8

[@pauls-audiolabor]

So, I need one

[@PeteMidi]

😉

[@pauls-audiolabor]

@R. M The ms20 mini cost here about 250€ more and is noisy as hell and is also of very bad built quality. So its almost double the price of the K-2.

[@hexfix93]

the pro one kills the neutron, the modulations actually sounds good, modulations like fm, and sync sound horrid on the the neutron, perfect on the pro one.

[@PeteMidi]

Yes, the pro-1 has a much broader sweet spot!

[@fonitronik]

I just wonder, why does it look like a current and activ product of a contender?

[@PeteMidi]

I guess the MS-20 desktop kit is no longer available 😉

[@fonitronik]

@@PeteMidi The MS-20 mini is.

[@PeteMidi]

Yes, in fact it is, interesting ...

[@MediaMusik777]

cool but I love roland stuff and bought the td3,ms-101,rd-8

[@PeteMidi]

👍

[@KiR_3d]

So... probably people will be making mods to K-2 as they do to Model D (PWM and Sync). V/Hz choice is really weird, true! Can be modded as well but isn't simple maybe.

[@PeteMidi]

Yes, should be possible, but no option for me, due to loss of guarantee.

[@KiR_3d]

@@PeteMidi I'm not hurrying myself in these things too! :) From the other side... I've bought it from Germany and probably I will not send it back to fix because it will cost ~ half (or one third) of it's price.

[@flourfree2K]

Finally, someone who pronounces Behringer the proper way!! It's a GERMAN name, not an ENGLISH one!!!! This synth is not for me (I'm a eurorack modular guy). I'm more for the Neutron, then.

[@PeteMidi]

Thanks - yes, I can imagine that the Neutron is also a nice device for the Eurorack!

[@flourfree2K]

@@PeteMidi Yes, indeed. Not only it' usable alone AS IS (even for generative music). But it can also be integrated INSIDE an existing rack. AND it has MIDI as well.

[@amonster8mymother]

I don't like these desktop units because basically I do not have any space left. 😁🇨🇦👍

[@PeteMidi]

These are the only devices, for which I have a little space left 😊

[@DominicJacksonFilm]

i didnt like the neutron is was harsh sounding, un musical in imo I hope the k2 is nicer as I just got one... but no pw is annoying

[@PeteMidi]

Yes 🤷‍♂️

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

I am very sad that I will never own these synths, they look and sound fantastic. But my history with Behringer has been one of massive un-dependability. I have a trashcan with thousands of dollars I invested in Behringer just to have the device go bad in less than 2 years. My final horror and loss of money just this week where 2 identical mixers I bought new a few years ago, both started losing channels and distorting, and sliders and knobs became noisy. This was my final test with them, i will not invest another penny with them. I will buy the Korg MS20, a real Moog, and and an Arturia MiniBrute instead of the three in this video.

[@PeteMidi]

I understand, the built quality seems to vary a lot. My Behringer XR18 mixer still runs without problems. I hope the best for the synths...

[@cnfuzz]

listen to the simple rob papen comparison between the original , its quite way off due to the oscillators , its a k2 not an ms20 , but you expect ms20 of course when you buy it

[@PeteMidi]

I guess, it's not that simple. In fact, the parameter ranges differ significantly and therefore the K-2 for me is a very good synth but only a good clone. I'll be back as soon as I can check the details about Rob's comparison.

[@cnfuzz]

@@PeteMidi its not the parameter range , its the actual characteristics in the vco, waveform shapes, also is think the enveloppes are different maybe linear vs exponential, anyway k2 is quite a different sounding synth , but as you say good for the money

[@PeteMidi]

@con fuzz It's the filter! It is more aggressive in the K-2 and I must say that I like it. But the difference to the original is evident, in particular for those MS sounds with a decent "singing" resonance. So, yes with the K-2 we have an interesting variant but if you really want MS-20 you have to get the original ...

[@DJ-Lazy-Lodger]

you seem to live inside your machines.

[@PeteMidi]

😄

[@AndyVonal]

Great vid, great sounds..you've just sold me this synth (or another to ad to the "to get" list). Gut gemacht! Bin jetzt ein neuer Abonnierer (ist das das richtige Wort? Abonnieren="subscribe"?)

[@PeteMidi]

Andrew, many thanks for the great feedback! Abonnieren="subscribe" correct! but subscriber=Abonnent 😊

[@AndyVonal]

@@PeteMidi Thanks for correcting my German! It's a long time since I lived there! Aber ich habe gerade ein neues Wort gelernt! Danke!

[@XanderMorgan]

Video is pretty awesome! Many thanks❤ But can you dont read next time and just speak from yourself

[@PeteMidi]

Many thanks for the feedback! I prepare the text in my mind and just have a list of keywords in my field of view. Speaking completely free tends to become lengthy in my case, but may be I can find a compromise, still learning 😉

[@XanderMorgan]

Pete Midi okay, thanks for reply. I wish you to grow a nice community🙏