2600 Clone Shootout - Korg ARP 2600 FS vs Behringer 2600

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Korg ARP 2600 FS vs Behringer 2600 - what's the difference?
We'll look at the features in common to each as well as the differences.
Check it out!
If someone offered you either synth (and you could not sell it), which would you prefer to own?
TIMECODE
0:00 - Intro
0:56 - Overview of the 2600 "Modules"
2:11 - 3620 Keyboard Controls
3:43 - VCOs compared
4:55 - Filter, Envelopes, Output, Reverb
7:09 - Preamp, Envelope Follower, Ring Mod
7:37 - Noise, Voltage Processor
7:57 - Sample & Hold, Electronic Switch, Headphone Output
8:55 - Keyboard Controls, Portamento
9:24 - Back Panel, LFO, Kybd CVs, Repeat
10:56 - VCO outputs compared on Oscilloscope
13:17 - My Conclusions and Opinions
Note: Behringer makes another model of the 2600, The Blue Marvin, which like the Korg 2600 FS contains a mechanical spring reverb (vs digital).

Пікірлер: 89

  • @anthonyflagg4363
    @anthonyflagg43637 ай бұрын

    Comparing waves on the scope, there is a visible and audible defect with the sine and triangle waves coming from the B2600. Having worked on 2600s in the past, I know why this is. 2600s require older, low slew rate op amps to smooth out that glitch. All of the wave shapes are derived from a sawtooth wave. If you use a modern op amp in the sine and triangle shapers, the point at which the direction changes, there is instability leading to the glitch. It is very fast and older op amps don't track it, newer faster op amps (ex: TL07x) do track it. I have not been inside a B2600, but judging by what I see on your scope, it is not using the recommended op amp LM301, no doubt due to cost considerations. The older designs cost more nowadays, plus the older op amps require an external compensating capacitor. I think your scope does FFT, you could also see the difference there.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    Great analysis! I can hear the extra high end harmonic content caused by the glitch. I’ll see if I can see it on the FFT.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    @anthonyflagg4363 I looked at B2600 VCO2 Sine on the scope with an FFT display. I compared that Sine with the VCF in oscillation, which produced a pure Sine wave w/o the glitch. It's really difficult to hear the difference (but you can see the difference on the scope). It's even more difficult to see the difference in the FFT. It's there, but hard to see clearly because the upper harmonics are at a lower level. Comparing the shape visually on the scope, VCO2 is flatter at the top & bottom, where the Filter Sine wave has a nice sinusoidal curve at top & bottom . I'm guessing that the difference in shape at the top&bottom is more critical than the glitch in terms of creating upper harmonics. Still I would not bet my next meal on that.

  • @user-zt2wi4ru4m

    @user-zt2wi4ru4m

    7 ай бұрын

    The glitch is caused by the non-zero reset time of the sawtooth waveform. If you then use a fullwave rectifier to flip the lower part of the waveform up and create a triangle, you get this type of narrow spike at the peak of the traingle wave. The worse the reset time is, the worse the spike gets. Using slower op-amps for the rectifier and later stages as you suggest is essentially adding some degree of filtering to remove the (generally *very*) high frequency spike. Although it's fairly obvious on the scope, it's clearly very short. You say it's audible, but not on my laptop speakers! Does the original 2600 have this feature, I wonder? A lot of the older analog synths have some quirks in their waveforms - which is great, btw! Who wants laboratory equipment waveforms for making music?!? Let's have things with some character!

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    @@user-zt2wi4ru4m Tom! Thanks for watching the video and commenting. 1) I just checked the original 2600 service manual. The op amp in the triangle wave shaping circuit is a lower slew rate LM301 op amp. 2) The sine wave is created from the triangle wave. It also uses an LM301. I can hear more difference between the the sine waves (K2600 vs B2600) than I can the triangle. As I mentioned above, comparing the shape visually on the scope, VCO2 is flatter at the top & bottom (and perhaps even less pure on the B2600, IDK). The Filter in oscillation produces a sine wave has a nice sinusoidal curve at top & bottom. I'm guessing that the difference in shape at the top & bottom is more critical than the glitch in terms of creating upper harmonics. I agree glitches can add character. Perhaps in the sine wave, I'd prefer a purer wave.

  • @briankehew579

    @briankehew579

    7 ай бұрын

    People often "upgraded" their ARP 2600 with faster opamps. I never liked that sound, and maybe this is why. The original ARP was midrangey and dark, but it gave it its voice.

  • @hanzvolt
    @hanzvolt7 ай бұрын

    where can i get one of those synth sticks?

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    It’s a bamboo back scratcher 😂. I forget where I got it about 10 years ago.

  • @hanzvolt

    @hanzvolt

    6 ай бұрын

    😆@@ozhalljr

  • @na-dj6ob
    @na-dj6ob4 ай бұрын

    Are you still planning on doing a part 2 video with more in depth comparisons to the sound? After having them both for a few months now, how are you still feeling about them compared to each other? Thanks for this btw.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the reminder! It is currently third in the queue. I’m thinking about how to present this. Obviously, I would try to produce the same patch, as closely as possible. Any ideas on what patches would be of interest to you?

  • @AlainHubert
    @AlainHubert7 ай бұрын

    One important thing to mention is the huge, and I mean HUGE cost difference.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    Yes. 10x

  • @Subtronik

    @Subtronik

    5 ай бұрын

    They sound close enough to know that the major cost difference is a no brainer.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    5 ай бұрын

    @@Subtronikyes

  • @moogfooger
    @moogfooger2 ай бұрын

    Just revisiting this video. Very lively and informative comments OZ!. I was wondering if your Korg electronic switch is controllable by an external clock? As you probably know the B2600 is a little strange in this respect. If you plug in an external clock in? On my B Blue Marvin plugging in a clock will control the S+H rate but not the switch rate. There is a work around that I found though by not plugging the cable in all the way you can actually control both. This works pretty well but it is not a reliable connection as you can imagine. I was thinking about wiring a new jack for this purpose but that might be tricky. Can you check that out on your Korg to see if it is the same? This might be a good subject for a future comparison. Great video as usual. cheers

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    2 ай бұрын

    Tony, the behavior of the 2600 FS is exactly the same. I thought I had remembered that it worked as we would have expected, but alas, it does not.

  • @moogfooger

    @moogfooger

    2 ай бұрын

    @@ozhalljr Thanks so much OZ for checking. The work around of half plugging it in does work just fine but, if you bump it or move another cable etc. it knocks it out. I am looking into a more permanent solution as I mentioned. Like building another plug dedicated to that purpose but not sure what a hassle it would be. Thanks again for checking though. Cheers

  • @kvmoore1
    @kvmoore17 ай бұрын

    Thanks for this detailed comparison of these two versions of the 2600. When doing the oscilloscope comparisons of the different oscillator waveshapes from both synths, was the filter fully opened on the Korg 2600? For some reason, the Korg sounded darker, and the Behringer sounded much brighter and buzzier on all waveshapes.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    That's a good description of the difference. What you see/hear is the direct waveform coming from the oscillator, no mixer/filter/amp. ( there may be some FX in the mixer ). The B2600 has a glitch in both the triangle and sine waveforms. (see the pinned comment by @anthonyflagg4363 for a discussion of this ). The buzz you're hearing is most likely due to this glitch ( but see my comment in that thread about additional distortion in the sine wave ).

  • @kvmoore1

    @kvmoore1

    7 ай бұрын

    @ozhalljr Thanks for the explanation. Maybe this glitch and extra upper harmonics aren't a bad thing. Looking at it from an advantage perspective, I think it gives the B2600 it's own character and might make the waves/synth cut through the mix better, especially for basslines. This kinda makes me wonder if the B2600 is more capable of sounding closer to a Minimoog than the original 2600 and Korg remake.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    @@kvmoore1 could be. You probably already know that the 4012 filter type I (B2600 and K2600) is in fact a Moog Ladder topology.

  • @kvmoore1

    @kvmoore1

    7 ай бұрын

    @@ozhalljr Yes, I do.

  • @michaelpierce3264
    @michaelpierce32647 ай бұрын

    if I had a choice as a gift I would take the korg since I had to buy one with my money I bought the behringer blue Marvin with a real spring reverb

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    The Behringer 2600 has an amazing price point now. It's perhaps 1/10th the price of the Korg 2600 FS.

  • @chokocat9064
    @chokocat90647 ай бұрын

    You pointed out that the Behringer has a head phone volume control. The Korg does as well. If you plug in head phones the volume sliders on the speakers control the volume in the headphones. This isn't very obvious, but it is how Arp set it up back in 1971. It is nice in that you have separate control over the left and right signals.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    Great point!

  • @TheSHARCRASH
    @TheSHARCRASH7 ай бұрын

    It would have been a great extra if you had done a short demo in order to compare both on simple and complex timbers.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    @TheSHARCRASH that's a great idea for a followup video. thanks.

  • @24framemedia
    @24framemedia7 ай бұрын

    IMO, the difference is huge. I had a Behringer Blue Marvin, actually I had two of them and they were great, I'd say amazing for the price and I'd also say that yes the Korg is certainly overpriced. That said, the buipd quality is obviously a huge difference and I like having the big one in a case made like an original with the keyboard. The sound differences I hear are number one in the spring reverb, Korg's spring reverb sounds better to my ears, there's also a difference in gain staging that I think gives it a sound difference that I can hear, to my ears I hear a big difference there, obviously I never had them side by side. Does the Korg warrant the massive difference in price, probably not. I think Korg could have done without the huge flight case and cut the price back a bit. I also think it's absolutely silly and mind boggling that korg included both an arppegiator and sequencer and MIDI, yet gave us no options whatsoever for syncing clock on a $5000 instrument.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    I’m with you on the lack of sync. I sorely miss it.

  • @Johanthegnarler
    @Johanthegnarler7 ай бұрын

    The difference in sound is huge when you own them both for enough time. The Behringer original model is impressively dull sounding. Definitely something going on in the VCO and EG section. I sold them both because i generally dislike the UI, filter, and envelopes. But i understand the appeal, which is why i bought them.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    I haven't done an exhaustive shoot out of the full signal chain (i.e. comparing complete patches). I'm hoping to working on some comparisons like that. So what's your go-to synth these days?

  • @unclemick-synths
    @unclemick-synths6 ай бұрын

    I barely have room for the B2600 let alone the Korg! Strangely, I thought I wanted the B2600 but I still haven't actually stumped up the cash so I guess I don't want it as much as I thought.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    6 ай бұрын

    It’s a great synth (B2600). I really enjoy programming with the normalled connections plus patch ability. Also I think the digital ’verb sound good. Perhaps a used one from Reverb.com? Let me know if you decide to buy one.

  • @chokocat9064
    @chokocat90647 ай бұрын

    You mentioned that the Behringer ENVs have two different modes. This is true with the Korg as well, but it's not obvious. The AR ENV defaults to linear, and the ADSR to exponential, if you switch them via a patch cord you can switch the modes. It's basically the same effect without switches. The main difference is that on the Korg you can't set both ENVs to the same mode at the same time.

  • @jumpingman8160

    @jumpingman8160

    7 ай бұрын

    So you mean the B2600 is better.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    Thanks for all of your comments. That’s a good way to change the effect of the env on the VCA. One minor correction: the AR does not have different time constants from the ADSR. It is the control inputs on the VCA which provide either Linear or Exponential response to whatever the control input is. Also, the B2600 has envelopes with three different time constants. All of these time constants all have an exponential curve. The exponential curve of the Envelopes connected to the linear response of the VCA provides an exponential change in the volume, which is what our ears are expecting for a natural instrument.

  • @chokocat9064

    @chokocat9064

    7 ай бұрын

    @@jumpingman8160 I do not believe that's what I said, but it does seem to be what you want to read. ;) Of the three I probably favor the 2600m slightly, but I see no real reason not to have both since prices are very reasonable, and their sizes are manageable. The FS has its advantages too, and while it is quite expensive they are fantastic machines. If your situation only allows for the B2600 it is a very nice synth, with a strong implementation of the 2600 feature set. They did an amazing job. I would say the one thing that bugs me most about the B2600 is that the Orange color they employed is more of a poo brown, this doesn't effect the Blue or Gray models, although those are priced higher. This color thing is small, but you do have to stare at it for hours, and it is most unfortunate. Behringer tends to be horrible with aesthetics, and while their 2600 is very clean they found a way to mess it up with the color choice.

  • @chokocat9064

    @chokocat9064

    7 ай бұрын

    @@ozhalljr Yes that is correct, and a better way to describe how it works. Thanks for the clarification.

  • @jumpingman8160

    @jumpingman8160

    7 ай бұрын

    @@chokocat9064 now you are misreading :)

  • @kevinnolan3592
    @kevinnolan35927 ай бұрын

    Just to note - you have the Korg Oscillator level lover than the Behringer! The amplitude difference is clear and obvious. Also - you have some clipping on the Behringer, but not the Korg. It's not a like-for-like comparison.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    Yes there is a volume difference on some waveforms. Which waveform has clipping? I see a glitch in the triangle of the Behringer. It's at the top of the waveform and it drops sharply for an instant. That's not from clipping.

  • @christianthompson1473
    @christianthompson14737 ай бұрын

    The digital spring reverb on my stardard b2600 sounds amazing, i wouldn't change it for anything.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    I agree, it is a great sounding spring implementation. I almost mentioned that in the video. Honestly, I think it sounds smoother/better than the actual spring reverb. One thing that's cool about the actual spring reverb is that you can rock the case of the 2600 FS to hear the "spring reverb thunder" effect.

  • @toslinked

    @toslinked

    7 ай бұрын

    I think it´s useless without a highpass. the spring on the meanie isn´t better though, so is the one on the korg. nothing beats the real thing. I send the Behringer 2600 to an erica synths black spring, it´s a huge improvement.

  • @christianthompson1473

    @christianthompson1473

    7 ай бұрын

    @@toslinkedthe b2600 digital spring reverb is useless without a high-pass filter? Maybe for you! I would say EQ and filters are useful in a mix. But it always depends on the circumstances.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    Interesting. I had a Hammond decades ago. It may have been the L122, IDK (it was not a B3). I had a (borrowed) Leslie, that made all the difference in the sound. With the parts you have it should be possible to build a stand alone reverb (but I've never done a spring reverb project).

  • @0e0
    @0e07 ай бұрын

    kinda surprised that behringer has more harmonics in the sine. korg is smoother in general.. i can't speak to how that compares to the original arp

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    Check out this video kzread.info/dash/bejne/n4eYsKyvj8bTY9Y.htmlsi=VVrTIyZDxrLK9yG-

  • @jumpingman8160
    @jumpingman81607 ай бұрын

    Forgive me purists, but the Behringer version is not only better value/bang for buck, but it also has extra features that brings it more into the modern era. Is there really a need for a speaker? No. Is there really a need for the real spring tank? No, not really.

  • @chokocat9064

    @chokocat9064

    7 ай бұрын

    The speakers are very nice when using this synth for educational instruction. That's why Arp put them in the synth originally. While this may not be useful to you, it is useful for others.

  • @jumpingman8160

    @jumpingman8160

    7 ай бұрын

    @@chokocat9064 you get the Behringer and you have extra cash to spend in monitors/speakers if you want to use it for that purpose. B2600 still wins.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    Thanks for commenting!

  • @mubakka2642

    @mubakka2642

    6 ай бұрын

    the spring tank is literally the 2600 sound. its one of the most important components of the 2600. Its a shame behringer didnt focus any effort there as thats where it lost big time. Korg really did nail the spring module and tank

  • @jumpingman8160

    @jumpingman8160

    6 ай бұрын

    @@mubakka2642 their blue marvin and grey meany has spring

  • @cosmicdrone5270
    @cosmicdrone52707 ай бұрын

    The Behringer 2600 control labeling in orange and lit LED lights make it so much easier to look at and locate controls than the Korg 2600. The extra controls and sync on the Behringer make it more flexible in terms of sound than the Korg.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    @cosmicdrone5270 thanks for clearly weighing in on this.

  • @cosmicdrone5270

    @cosmicdrone5270

    7 ай бұрын

    @@ozhalljr And I forgot to mention thanks for the awesome video! I dig all your content!

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    @@cosmicdrone5270 Thanks. I really appreciate that positive feedback.

  • @js-sound
    @js-sound6 ай бұрын

    Judging by the sound, the Korg's oscillator has a worse and softer sound.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks for commenting! I prefer the Korg sin wave because for a sin you don't want any overtones , just the fundamental. Of course it is just that ... a preference.

  • @chokocat9064
    @chokocat90647 ай бұрын

    Overall very nicely done. You didn't mention the Korg 2600m, of which there are two versions. One with a mini keyboard. Neither of the M versions have the features found on the FS keyboard, and unlike the Behringer they were not replicated on the main unit. The biggest oversight here is the lack of a dedicated LFO. Sure OSC 1 can be employed as an LFO, but it lacks a sign wave, and sending it through the lag processor still doesn't produce a proper sign signal. All of these versions of the 2600 are fantastic. Both Korg and Behringer did amazing jobs with these instruments. Recently Anthony Marinelli did a video on the 2600m, and one of the biggest takeaways from that video is that it makes a lot of sense to have two 2600s. kzread.info/dash/bejne/n4eYsKyvj8bTY9Y.html

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the info and link. I saw Anthony Marinelli's video as I was editing this one. I loved how he described the difference in sound of the waveforms so well.

  • @TotallyNuss
    @TotallyNuss7 ай бұрын

    The Beringer $500 The Korg $5000 The Beringer $500 The Korg $5000 The Beringer $500 The Korg $5000…

  • @Steve-of8zo

    @Steve-of8zo

    7 ай бұрын

    Buy 10 Behringers and then do a comparison again Korg FS

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    Guys, I know it's hard to ignore the price point in the comparison. I'm trying to provoke a discussion about the features, not the price. The low price is just one of the great things about the Behringer.

  • @chokocat9064

    @chokocat9064

    7 ай бұрын

    That's the retail price of the FS. Recently Korg sold the 2600m with cables, and a suitcase for $1049 on Reverb. Musicians Friend was matching these prices. So the difference isn't as dramatic as your post might imply. Also, the retail price on some versions of the Behringer, such as the Gray Meanie, listed at $1049, and that's without any sort of case, or cables. The FS version came with the built in case, and a very nice road case that would likely cost over a grand by itself.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    @@chokocat9064 The 2600m is a good addition to the discussion. Thanks again!

  • @EBMZEQUENZER
    @EBMZEQUENZER7 ай бұрын

    I'll pick Behringer anytime : the vintage madness needs to end Moog Mini $5000 LOL give me a break LOL 😂 😁😁😁

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the clear opinion. For the record, the Korg 2600 FS is not vintage. It's about three years old. I agree with the vintage madness (for the most part).

  • @EBMZEQUENZER

    @EBMZEQUENZER

    7 ай бұрын

    @@ozhalljr I'm speaking from the bedroom musicians perspective, one who makes $0 from making noise : But for a working musician, by all means get what what ones heart desires .... Cheers 🥂

  • @leftmono1016

    @leftmono1016

    7 ай бұрын

    @@EBMZEQUENZER- my experience of working musicians (6 years in pro audio sales) is that they’ll take the cheapest option that works. Most of them aren’t as well off as hobbyists.

  • @3ertin
    @3ertin2 ай бұрын

    I'd rather have 10 behringers than 1 korg.

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    2 ай бұрын

    True, but for non monetary reasons, the Korg FS is the last analog synth I will sell.

  • @Steve-of8zo
    @Steve-of8zo7 ай бұрын

    How can you do a comparison and at the end say if money isn't a consideration?? If it wasn't I would probably buy a vintage ARP 2600... maybe 2!!!

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    7 ай бұрын

    I can do it because it's my channel :) No seriously, the Korg 2600 FS has a market value of at least 10x the cost of the Behringer 2600. That's the 500 pound gorilla in the room, unless you factor it out with the hypothetical qualifier. Th B2600 has more robust oscillator with features like sync, PWM and more outputs. The K2600 has a keyboard and speakers. The packages are different (rack vs tolex case). Moreover many people will prefer the smaller or larger formats. That's what I'm trying to get people to evaluate and share their opinions on.

  • @moreausylvain
    @moreausylvain5 ай бұрын

    to make things short behringer has more options. Sound, you can't judge from that video as raw A/B osc is super useless it's all about filter + vca etc... Of course behringer is as usual shit quality with bad noise ratio and pots that will break in a year.

  • @danpreston564

    @danpreston564

    3 ай бұрын

    I’ve had the B2600 from launch. It’s not broken. Nothing has ever gone wrong.

  • @ScotLang

    @ScotLang

    Ай бұрын

    What noise floor? You must be talking about the Korg Ms-20 mini. My Blue Marvin is just as quiet as my Korg 2600m. And the only thing I expect to break over the next few years are the plastic nuts on the korg 2600m 😂

  • @ichigen511
    @ichigen5114 ай бұрын

    LOL. Post-Lawsuitr-Filter. Hah!

  • @ozhalljr

    @ozhalljr

    4 ай бұрын

    @ichigen511 Hope you enjoyed the video.

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