HOW TO RACK MOUNT GEAR: Without a rack

Do you have rack-mounted gear you move in and out of your recording, control room area? I’m constantly working with literally, piles of gear. I have a lot of little wood blocks which I use to provide air space for cooling between stacks of gadgets. I have a lot of equipment racks in a variety of sizes but the problem with racks is all the space they take up. What if there was a way to have many of the benefits of a rack, without the rack?

REVIEW BEHRINGER 2-XM SYNTHESIZER: Compact Powerhouse with Vintage Soul

Behringer’s 2-XM has finally landed, and it’s a fascinating addition to their growing lineup of affordable, vintage-inspired synthesizers. As a tribute to the iconic Oberheim Two-Voice from 1975, the 2-XM packs a surprising amount of analog grit and flexibility into a compact, Eurorack-compatible desktop module. After spending some quality time with this synth, I’m excited to share my thoughts on what makes it stand out, from its rich sound to its thoughtful design quirks.

REVIEW BEHRINGER MODEL D SYNTHESIZER: Do you remember?

Behringer announced their Model D synthesizer, a clone of the Moog Minimoog Model D, in 2016, with shipping commencing in early 2018. Do you remember what you were doing when you first read or heard the news they were making a replica of the Moog Model D? What was your first reaction when you heard about it? I remember mine (and it wasn’t good).

TRIBUTE TO DAVE SMITH: Synth Pioneer Who Shaped Modern Music

Dave Smith

The world of music lost a titan in 2022 when Dave Smith, the visionary behind Sequential Circuits and a key architect of MIDI, passed away from a heart attack at the age of 72. Known as the "Father of MIDI" and the creator of some of the most iconic synthesizers in history, Smith’s contributions transformed the soundscape of pop, rock, electronic, and film music. His legacy lives on in the lush pads, biting leads, and pulsating basses that continue to inspire musicians worldwide. Beyond his technical brilliance, Smith was a warm, approachable figure who loved connecting with fans and musicians, often seen at NAMM shows enthusiastically demoing his latest creations. This tribute celebrates his groundbreaking innovations, his resilience in reviving Sequential, and the human touch that made him a beloved figure in the music community.

REVIEW SONICAKE LEVITATE: Bargain Digital Delay/Echo and Reverb in a guitar pedal

Today we’re checking out the “Levitate” guitar-stompbox from Sonicake. This single, compact pedal, puts two of my all time favorite effects together in one low priced bundle. For $56, can this possibly be any good?

REVIEW EURORACK PATCH-CABLE ADAPTOR: 1/8th to 1/4", unlocks effects pedals

BARGAIN STUDIO HACKS

Eurorack uses 1/8" jacks and plugs, guitar effect pedals use 1/4" jacks and plugs, what's a musician to do?

REVIEW BEHRINGER TORO SYNTHESIZER: The Beast of Bass Returns

Requires 70 HP Eurorack mounting space

For creators, synth enthusiasts and recording artists chasing that iconic, floor-rumbling bass sound, the Behringer Toro Analog Bass Synthesizer is a compelling option that delivers the real, vintage, vibes. As a faithful recreation of the legendary Moog Taurus Revision 1, the Toro aims to capture the essence of the 1970s prog-rock bass tones made famous by bands like Rush, Genesis, and Yes. I’ve been waiting a while to buy this because they usually go down in price after they’re out in the market place. Toro is a desktop Eurorack style skiff, playing home to one of the most iconic bass synthesizers ever. How did they do?

REVIEW BEHRINGER SOLINA STRING ENSEMBLE: Classic String Machine Rebirth

Requires 70 HP Eurorack mounting space

Behringer Solina String Ensemble is a modern revival of 1974’s iconic ARP String Ensemble, which itself was a rebadged product by Eminent Organ company in The Netherlands. The string ensemble was a staple of 1970s music that colored tracks by Pink Floyd, Elton John, and Jean-Michel Jarre with its lush, dreamy strings. As a compact, analog recreation, this Eurorack-compatible module promises to deliver that vintage vibe at a fraction of the cost and weight of the original. The original was WAY out of my price range but this one is right in the sweet spot — but there’s that same old nagging question, is it good?

REVIEW BEHRINGER PRO-1 SYNTHESIZER: Desktop, Eurorack and Rack-mount Marvel?

Requires 70 HP Eurorack mounting space

As a synth enthusiast who’s spent countless hours tweaking knobs and chasing vintage tones, I was eager to dive into the Behringer PRO-1, a modern tribute to the legendary Sequential Circuits Pro-One from 1981. Priced under $300, this semi-modular analog synthesizer promises classic sounds with a nod to contemporary versatility. I’ve spent a few weeks exploring this little hardware synth to hear if it deserves a spot in my regular setup. In my experience, it’s versatile, it’s easy to adjust, it sounds vintage, but is it good?

REVIEW BEHRINGER PRO-800 SYNTHESIZER: A Modern Music Making Powerhouse

Requires 80 HP Eurorack mounting space

The Behringer Pro-800 has been making waves in the synth community since its release, promising an affordable take on the iconic Sequential Circuits Prophet-600 with modern enhancements. As a polyphonic analog synthesizer priced around $400, it’s hard not to be intrigued by the prospect of owning an 8-voice beast that channels vintage vibes without breaking the bank. After some serious quality time with the Pro-800, comparing it to my personal Prophet 6 keyboard, this modern reproduction makes that big Dave Smith synth sound, even though he had nothing to do with the creation of the Pro-800. Is it good?

REVIEW ARTURIA KEYSTEP 32 KEYBOARD MIDI SOFTWARE CONTROLLER: It's little but is it good?

As a music producer constantly juggling hardware synths, modular rigs, and DAW-based workflows, I’m always on the hunt for compact gear that bridges the gap between analog and digital without breaking the bank. The Arturia KeyStep 32-Key Controller & Sequencer has been on my radar for a while, and after spending time with it in my studio, I can answer the question, is it good?

REVEIW BEHRINGER SYNCUSSION SYNTH, MODERN SOUND FOR BEATS AND EURORACK

 Behringer Syncussion Review: A Modern Twist on a Vintage Classic

Behringer’s Syncussion is a fascinating piece of gear that draws its inspiration from the past while carving out its own niche in the modern music production landscape. The original spark for this machine comes from the Pearl SY-1 Syncussion, a rare and quirky electronic drum synthesizer from the late 1970s that became a cult favorite for its unique, punchy tones. Behringer has taken that vintage spirit and reimagined it with contemporary flair, delivering a compact, affordable unit that bridges the gap between retro vibes and today’s modular workflows. Does it deliver value and performance? Lets unpack this:

REVIEW BEHRINGER SYSTEM 15 EURORACK MODULAR SYNTHESIZER

Early Moog™ Modular Prototype, click to enlarge

Bob Moog was one of my heroes, he was a little bit disheveled, definitely quirky and a man on his own mission. Not many inventors get to leave such a HUGE mark on music history but Dr. Moog’s creations changed everything. When I first saw those modular synthesizers on the cover of “Switched On Bach” I wanted them; I wanted to patch things in strange ways and make weird sounds. Alas, back then all I could afford was a cheap used synthesizer kit; I had to repair it before I could play it. In the late 70’s the music store I ran took on a lot of Moog™ products and I got to meet Dr. Moog at two different NAMM trade shows. 

Fast forwarding to our modern era: Love them or hate them, Behringer has done the impossible, they created scaled down Eurorack copies of the classic Moog modular analog synthesizer systems. As part of my descent into Eurorack technology I bought the least complex Behringer System 15 replica to experiment with. Is it good?

REVIEW 52 HP EURORACK BEHRINGER RS-9 RHYTHM SEQUENCER DRUM BRAIN

Getting Ready To Install My New RS-9 Rhythm Sequencer

Sequencers for Eurorack are very popular and one of the largest European players has flexed their manufacturing muscle to create a programmable percussion powerhouse for a stunning low price, but is it good?

INTRODUCTION TO EURORACK, TOP STUFF YOU NEED TO KNOW

 INTRODUCTION TO EURORACK

I’ve been attracted to analog synthesizers since the 1960’s when Bob Moog began shaking the world with voltage controlled oscillators, filters and amplifiers. I saw Keith Emerson in concert five times in the 70’s and was always mesmerized by his talent, showmanship and walls of Moog mahogany boxes filled with custom modules and patch cables. So it is with great reverence for all this technological history that I present the HoT introduction to Eurorack modular synthesizers.