Behringer Brains, macro oscillator with 15 Mutable Instruments Plaits algorithms SYNTH ANATOMY uses affiliation & partner programs (big red buttons) to finance a part of the activity. If you use these, you support the website. Thanks! Behringer Brains is a macro oscillator based on the open-source Mutable Instruments Plaits module, but expanded with 5 new codes, OLED display… Today is June 15, the day on which Behringer promised us a new product. The rumors ranged from a new digital synthesizer, new Groovebox, free DAW to a Mutable Instruments Plaits clone. The part who believed the latter was right. Behringer has today published the Brains, a new macro oscillator that takes inspiration from the open-source Mutable Instruments Plaits oscillator. Expanded with five new algorithms, an OLED display, USB port, and newly designed interface. Behringer Brains macro Oscillator Behringer Brains Brains is a new 16HP macro oscillator for the Eurorack format. For the sound engine, Behringer uses the Mutable Instruments Plaits module, which is loved by many. The module includes 20 digital oscillator algorithms including 15 from the open-source MI Plaits. You get: 10 synth engines: Virtual Analog, Waveshaper, FM, Grains, Additive, Chords, Speech, Karplus, Hypersaw and Wavetable 10 percussion and noise engines: Rain, Noise, Dust, Modal Strings, FM Drum, Bass, Snare, Hi-Hat, Cowbell and Tom What is noticeable is that the module is significantly larger than the original. It has 16HP instead of 12HP and an OLED display. This is basically an oscilloscope that gives you a real-time representation of the waveforms, which I like a lot. The controls are the same as in the original, nothing has been expanded or further developed here. You get timbre, harmonics, frequency, and morph controls plus dedicated CV controls. Like Plaits, it includes attenuators on the timbre, frequency, and morph. Brains has two separate audio outputs for both main sound and a dynamic variant. One difference should also be mentioned. Instead of updating firmware via audio, Behringer added a USB port for this task. Behringer Brains Mutable Instruments Plaits Clone? Behringer is not doing anything wrong here at first look, as Emilie Gillet’s code is open-source. To be honest, B is not the first company to copy the Mutable Instruments Plaits oscillator. A quick look at Modular Grid gives you a good overview of how many small developers have recreated Plaits. However, the word small is important to mention here. So far, the module has only been copied by small companies often operated by one person. Behringer is the first to offer it in huge quantities. Emilie Gillet’s idea is to pass on the code so that other developers can develop it further or even incorporate it into new projects. Preferably in non-commercial products. The MicroFreak also has parts of the Plaits oscillator in it and was rather poorly accepted by the community at the beginning. There were other reasons as well for this. I leave it up to you whether you think Brains is good or bad. Since there are numerous Plaits clones in the free market, I don’t see it as a major problem. Unfortunately, this is the danger of open source. What I’m sorry about, however, is that such a talented developer as Emilie Gillet has nothing from this mass product, except for a mention in the features on the website. And personally, I think the product is not very original, although Behringer has enough manpower to bring innovative products to the market. Behringer Brains is available soon for $149 USD. |
