GEOSynths - Synth Show Reviews - Behringer MS-101 Monosynth
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- Here's my Review of the Behringer MS-101 Monosynth. This is a fantastic recreation of the classic SH101 and MC-202 Synth Engine, but with some great extras, such as the Sequencer and FM.
Firmware 1.08 is installed
www.geosynths.com / geosynths Synth Patches - www.geosynths.com
Overview - 1:03 - th-cam.com/video/Tx0oM4Ckmls/w-d-xo.html
Workflow - 3:21 - th-cam.com/video/Tx0oM4Ckmls/w-d-xo.html
Basic Sound Design - 13:18 - th-cam.com/video/Tx0oM4Ckmls/w-d-xo.html
Sequencer (Key and Step) 19:45 - th-cam.com/video/Tx0oM4Ckmls/w-d-xo.html
Arpeggio - th-cam.com/video/Tx0oM4Ckmls/w-d-xo.html
www.geosynths.com www.patreon.com/GEOSynths
Synth Patches - www.geosynths.com
just for the record you don't need the TH-cam likes. So long as you timing is XX (minute) : YY (seconds) as you did above 1:03 for example it creates a clickable link :)
@@DivKid Oh cool, didn't know that...Cheers :)
Does arpeggiator have a hold function so you can hit some notes and take your hand away from it?
I've just tried mine out and first impression is this is unbelievable. Not sure how close it is to the real thing but it sounds very close to me, but I've had it beside the Roland plugout and whereas I cant get the plugout to sit in a mix properly, this just works whatever you play without any effort. It's a fantastic as a bass machine or acid machine and the bass doesn't hog the mix whatsoever. Not getting the same from any plugin I've tried so far. Also the build quality is excellent, it has a weight that to it and doesn't feel cheap and the keyboard feels good and sliders smooth. Worth every penny.
Completely agree, it's a really good instrument. Friend of mine brought in his "real" SH-101 to me yesterday, so I'm going to do a side by side. review...Not trying to prove anything, just interested to see how much difference there really is.
It's actually better than the original SH101. Why? Because the inline pots on the SH101 were every inaccurate. It was a chore recalling knob settings to dial into a sound. The inaccuracy or variance on the original SH101 was min. 20%. It was never intended to be a pro studio synth, rather it was designed to be played as a guitar with the screw on handle. A 40+ yr old SH101 would require an overhaul, if it had 20% variance at new imagine its accuracy almost 1/2 century later !
Behringer's re-creations at the price point being offered is really commendable ! Only issue is their supply chain mgmt to vendors is not consistent.
I feel like is the most underrated behringer synth but is realy sound good, im between this one and a Pro1 now...
How bout the Poly D?
Great demo mate, owned it for a year, this taught me a lot, cheers!
Hows the build quality? Has it held up? No issues with keys or sliders?
@@visisydandthevoid No complaints about the build quality. The midi implementation is limited, just note on/off, so you can't record parameter changes, and the synthtribe supplied software is good, but the sequencer section is not good, on the fly sequencer arrangements would be useful. Apart from that, very happy with it. It's as identical to an sh101 as possible.
Soon my precious.
Did you ever get your precious? I've mine and I adore her. I love her simple sequencer -- lay down some notes, apply some swing and voila! Bob's yer uncle! Don't go to the bar for two weekends and you've saved enough to buy precious.
Precious 🤣
Like the oscope in the edit. Great review. Thank you.
"No scratches, he's new, this is nice." cool review. :D
Thank you for your expertise in this review. Fantastic to see a reviewer of synths that can play a keyboard as well as sound design. I have listened to your videos on selling your design patches for specific synths and you certainly are a stellar designer. Unfortunately I am sound designer too, and not interested in presets, so I won't be purchasing your patches :( But have subscribed and watch your valuable videos and live-casts. Been using Sonic State for almost a decade now for information, but am now thinking you may be the number ONE source for reviews now. You should grow fast with the quality content and lots of reviews. If I may...one suggestion; At the beginning of a review, the first item on my list is architecture, a spoken and/or written list. Example for this video; analog monophonic full sized keys capable of transmitting poly MIDI and no poly or mono aftertouch, one oscillator with mixer controlled 4 wave forms plus noise, 24db LP ladder? filter with one LFO and one ADSR envelope shared or switched for amp and filter, no effects and a sequencer. ....and then go onto connectivity as you did.
Absolutely awesome tutorial and review! Thank you!
Many thanks for the review. preordered a blu set to drop in August...
Great review - thank you! Love that you didn’t spend any effort on comparing - the MS is a top sounding synth in its own right, plus connectivity and FM knocks its 82 predecessor out of the park!!
Just got my hands on one of these. Great, informative video.
Great review and that arp at the end is fantastic.
I owned a original SH-101 in mid 90's and the Behringer one is a true replica of the real deal, and the MS-101 and now MS-1 i think is less flimsy than the original one when it comes to build quality it is even true soundvise and is a must have, i love it🎹😃❤️cheers
Thanks for the video very helpful 😊
Nice video! What a beautiful synth! 👆
That first arp really had a valve portal 2 feel, real sweet 👌🏼
You are such a talented synth player and sound designer, excellent work! MS-1 by Behringer is one amazing synthesizer that is sort of like a tone chameleon - it makes all kinds of fat, warm analog style bass and lead sounds (just like the original SH-101). I am loving mine. You can check out more demos of this lovely synth as well as a few others on my channel if you care to have a listen. Thanks a lot.
Great video, thanks. I've just got one of these so I learned so much by your explanations. From a standing start. There's still plenty of things I have to learn though - the LFO crops up all over it, and I've no idea what it does and - The sequencer: doing a sequence a 16 bar bass line melody rather than a whole lot of fast arpeggios
Very good to have the analyzer to see what is going on, especially with the filter self oscillation.
Im getting this in black ,Pro 1 and later on when released Binn Drum BM2.
Excellent video and I really appreciate your calming review voice!
Awesome review, man. Thanks!
Great video. I just got the ms-1. I've seen people ask what synth is hard to make a bad sound. This is a synth that sounds good almost no matter what
39 people who own 101s are mad that we get such a bargain.
......I got lost in the space/time continuum last night while fiddling with this beast......Think you have a great sound? barely touch anything and it will go places no man has gone before(maybe).....LOVE this synth!
thanks, very good , looking into getting one :)
Thanks for such a decent overview. The FM is a nice addition. I own an original SH-101, which I love, and I still want one of these.
Sounds great.
I definitely prefer the original 101 sequencer - far more on the fly and immediate. This appears way more convoluted on that front, it does indeed sound the business but I'd CV/GATE sequence it via a SH-01A for the OG sequencer feel.
The Sequencer is a bit fiddly, i'm no fan of Sequencers on Synths, I just want to hit record and play to a Metronome, much easier for me...Mainly because what I put in with Step Sequencers, rarely Sounds how I intended...Or any good!
Oscar Finch werd.
Step sequencers are lame, just play the instrument. Grown men don’t ride bikes with training wheels on now do they?
sounds great.. thanx for the review
Thanks for another nice review. Seems like a fun little synth. I going to have to find a way to make room for this sooner or later. And for the pro 1.. and the VC 340 which will arrive tomorrow.. lol. .where am I going to put all these synths!
I get mine on friday!
Good stuff. Keep on demoing Behringer gear please 👍🏻
I got mine in July. It's black.
That lick/run at 17:33 sounds awesome! I've slowed down the vid to see your fingerings so I can practice it...I'm still struggling a bit with this 3. finger sliding down but I hope i'll manage it soon :) If you could do a video with some of your licks this would be very cool!
Thanks...It's one of only about 3 runs I can do..haha. It's just in the Blues Scale of C Minor...I learned it about 20 years ago and never got any better :)
@@GEOSynths Yes, Cmin-blues scale, you play it perfectly! I'm always looking for those little "show-off"-licks and runs like this; That's the great thing about youtube, that you can really learn these things from other people! Thanks!
Great review. Thanks for sharing your programming skills. Now i always start by closing the filter and bring in the env amount. I have been doing it wrong for years. Thanks!
Ha...Thanks...Glad to have helped :)
Great review and very knowledgeable.
Thanks. Fancy one obvs at the price. But have had the SH01a and didn't miss it when it went. So probably not......yet at least
I will have mine today 🙂
Oh cool, just set mine back up in a little Jam setup. Hope you're well :)
Nice. String machine, vox and vocoder. They have recreated that ensemble effect! Shame they used a measly 3 octave keyboard, but so it is. They should consider marketing that ensemble effect in a separate pedal. That effect is hard to come by. As far as I am aware, and of the ones I am aware of, none seemed very accurate or desirable to me. Well done, Behringer.
Although I already have an SH-01 Boutique from Roland, I really really want one. The black edition, por favor.
Now you'll have two fake 101's.
@@SamplingPercussion But you won't hear the difference in a full mix, which is what really matters.
@@golf-freq I don't want that millenial poser shit for twasters. Pass.
@@SamplingPercussion If I had a nickle for every self proclaimed "synth expert" I saw I youtube, I'd be a very rich man. Now where is my nickle you fucking moron?
@@bladerunner6630 Well said. These "experts" can't see the forest for the trees. An instrument is only a tool, a means to an end and that end is the production of sound to be utilized in a musical context. Within that context it is highly unlikely one would be able to discern a meaningful difference between hardware and a modern plugin, let alone the difference between a well made hardware clone and the original instance. Let them sniff their corks while we musicians make music!
Good job and the Ms101 sounds great. I must know what that reverb is though it's fantastic.
Thanks, it's a Strymon BigSky
@@GEOSynths Ah, of course.
@12QWASZXQWERTYUIOP
That 500 dollar reverb can go many places and do many things. I love my Strymons,,, Same as putting on a 2000 dollar scope on an 800 dollar rifle...
Gotta have it.
Great video thank you.
Thank you for the demonstration.
I am just learning synthesis on this ms-1
What is the monitor that shows your sign waves?
Liked and subscribed
Great review, what is the reverb you are using? . . . sounds awesome!
just ordered one..
partly based on your review :-)
Cool, you'll enjoy it...I think it's great.
Thanks for this review Jamie !
A couple of questions: I've noticed that your spectrum analyzer software shows tapering off harmonics content around 16 kHz, is that due to the sampling frequency used by the software or is the MS-101 really bandwidth limited ? And whatever was wrong with it when it broke down shortly after you bought it, and how was it fixed, if I may ask (I know you mentioned something vague about a specific chip inside that had problems, in your last live stream) ?
Hi...Well, 16 KHZ is very high and probably at the upper limit of my Hearing at my age and pretty good for Synths, so not sure what you mean by limited. The Firmware has fixed all the issues and added some features, so is all good now.
@@GEOSynths
Ah, so that pitch fault was a firmware issue then ? Glad it could be easily fixed. As for bandwidth, my hearing also doesn't go quite that high anymore, sadly, but young people could probably hear the difference between a full 20-20kHz frequency range and a 16kHz "low pass filtered" one (or as it's sometimes called, an anti-aliasing filter in digital audio devices). The Minimoog can generate harmonics in the 37kHz range. I know it's kind of useless to humans, but my cat seems to react to it... ;-)
@@AlainHubert The analyzer does go up to 20 Khz, but the last numbering on the scale is 16Khz. I use a fixed Sample Rate of 48Khz for my interfaces, so technically, it's almost 24 Khz range.
I'm thinking of buying my first synth and I've been looking at some demos on You Tube. Why would this be preferable to something like a Mininova which seems to do much more for a similar price? Any advice would be appreciated.
It all depends on what you want from a synth. Do you want a variety of sounds and presets that fit many genres? Do you want something that will help you learn about synthesis and engineer sounds from the ground up? This synth is wonderful for learning synthesis. Every feature has a dedicated knob or slider, so you can learn how manipulating certain variables affects the sound. This is also a clone of a very popular 1980s synth, the Roland SH101. The Mininova is focused more on delivering a variety of sounds and a little less hands-on. You also have the digital vs analog aspect, but honestly, don't get too caught up in that argument for your first synth. Once you really dive in and get your hands dirty, you can figure out what you really want from a synth. So do tons and tons of research, and remember there is never a bad decision (unless you get scammed into buying a broken machine). These are all my opinions. Good luck!
@@theVHSvlog Thanks for that,very much appreciated.
Great review, thank you. Can't get this one question answered however - does this mono synth transmit poly over the 5pinMIDIdin connections???
Is there an answer to this ?
Great review. That reverb sounds lovely, is it a plug in?
Thank you for the sequencer walkthrough. I've been scratching my head trying to figure out the sequencer on my unit. How did you figure it all out? I can't find any information from Behringer that's this in-depth about the sequencer.
Erik Lauri Kulo haha...it took me quite a while to figure it out, but there is info in the manual, but you have to push a lot of buttons before it makes sense. Thanks for watching.
Yeah, that seq looks like hard work. Ok if you used it every day, and didn’t have a bunch of other different sequencers to remember (volca, beatstep pro, micro freak, sq1...). Then it gets tricky! Especially if - like me - you only get the chance to play about once or twice a week or so. If you’re not careful you spend half your “playtime” trying to look up or remember how to do specific functions, or even hoŵ to save the pattern! That’s why half of the time I just end up using the arpeggiators :) synth does sound excellent though. Used to have an original years ago, and have the system 1M plug out pretty much permanently loaded up on that synth, rarely using the main engine.....so maybe I should bite the bullet and get the “real (cloned) thing”. Kinda want the CAT too.....and am hanging out for the 2600 too. It never ends! (Plus I run Matttech Modular Eurorack store, so I’ve got a ton of modules at my disposal, along with a huge personal system. It’s madness to start buying these behringers as well, it really is.....but still!
Good video!!
3:04 i thought that synth was called LOL-SW :)
Another question - would it be possible do up a sequence in garage band and then use that to drive the ms 101 thorugh a usb - midi type converter box?
Yes, that should work fine. This synth also accepts MIDI over USB…
I would also pay more to have it able to run off batteries.
hi have you noticed when you pichbend down with the stick there is a rub like something is catching ,no problem bending up but I can feel a little resistance when p bending down feels like something is in the way ,may just be mine but a bit strange .dosnt stop function but strange great vid by the way
I can feel it rub a bit, must be a simple Spring mechanism but I don't have anything in the way really, maybe it will work itself in...If not, get it swapped.
Sounds great, a little bit technical for a digital head like me but at the price of around just under £300 then maybe I should get one, especially since an original second hand one as I saw on eBay is about £1000 on top of the aforementioned £300, it would maybe be a great way to learn analogue synthesis without denting the wallet !!
Thanks for the great video Jamie
Glen :-)
@kickdje I think analog has more depth and feel etc because your synth isn't always 100% in the etc
Hi! Is it possible to hard sync the Modulator LFO (Random) to midi from Cubase Pro 10 for exaple? I tried, but could not find the solution. Very nice review btw! No. In fact this is the most informative and professional tutorial here about this synth.
I'd like to see one of these being tweaked and twisted to hell live to see how they stand up to a bit of hands on manic playing....
check out Mathew Jonson’s SH-101 videos for great tips on abusing this thing onstage 😼
Now that it’s been several years, have to ask if you’ve had any reliability issues with this synth? Many thanks…
6:38 sounds almost exactly like Fort Apocalypse on the C64.
lovely
of the cheap behringer clones this one is the closest to the original I have tried so far . probably because its such a simple architecture . the osc and filter and most importantly the env is spot on
just picked one up for $199 new!
thanks
Which is the differece between MS-101 and MS-1, if any?!
Just the name.
@@GEOSynths So, it' ONE product with TWO names?
A very confusing marketing policy.
@@mutedsounds2k Roland challenged them on using 101 in the name and I suppose they felt it wasn't worth the fight
@@Goettel I see. Thank you for the clarification.
hello I would like to know if the behringer MS 101 has a Key transpose for arpeggiater?
Hi! Can’t find any ms-101s, only ms-1s. Did they change the name of the ms-101 to ms-1 due to copyright or other issues? If not then what’s the difference between the ms-101 and ms-1?
Yes, it was 101 at first and then there was a copyright issue, so they renamed it, but as a Synth they are both the same.
@@GEOSynths Ok, thanks!
Didn't you have a video on this synth where you had a dead F key? Was there a fix?
With a couple of tweaks Behringer would have a 303. Hmmmm...
Patiently waiting for my black 101
Sales rep just told me August the black 101 ships 😐
@@elissitdesign Waiting with you for mine. Looks like trump's tariffs have pushed it back even further (now sept I'm being told)
It's a shame, but worth the wait in my opinion. The 90's are back babyyyyyyyy
@@brianolek1478 I was told there was different manufacturers and they were switching who is making them.
@@elissitdesign gotcha. Just for the sake of being informative, when I ordered mine (yesterday) the rep mentioned that they got an email from behringer about the tariff issues last week. Hope that's not the case but also an awfully specific thing to say to someone without reason. Fingers crossed
Is the reverb built in?
No fx built in.
They’re getting harder to find new
Dang I wish I would’ve gotten one
get the MS101 mk2, it got a redesigned BA662 chip from coolaudio which gives a better VCA and VCF performance closer to the original. Roland had to measure out each chip and match them with the rest of each SH101, for each and every SH101 leaving the factory. This probably means that there are not 2 SH101 which sounds really identical.
You won't allow me to access the subtitles? that's not good for me ❌⚠️👎🏻🔴😡🚫
Hm, correct me if I`m wrong but i cant hear too much sub frekqencies this machine possess.
Look at the analyser at around 4:25, it shows the sub at around 20hz....thats low.
Only for bass duties what's your opinion between the MS-101 and a Moog Minitaur?
I own the Minitaur and know the SH-101,very difficult suggest one instead the other..just put on the scale what you need and what you don t need..example: the Behringer MS costs the 30% less and give to you a keyboard,Fm,effects and more waveform to play with ..the Minitaur gives to you the Moog sound,more solid 'case'(it is built like a little tank),more portability(but you need an external keyboard and effect).Another thing to consider is the kind of music you are gonna do...My personal opinion ,i think the MS-101 is more funny to play with than Minitaur and considering the price it is a real deal.The Minitaur is very expensive for what it does.. and the Moog Sirin is a just Minitaur with few octaves higher and double price?! If you can spend more i would go to the Sub Phatty .Cheers
Franky Ci Thanks for your reply and suggestion :-)
If you want fat bass then its minitaur.
I guess I was living under a rock.😂
No shame to me as we are talking about They who Shall Not Be Made.😅
I actually stumbled across this synth today on Reverb and let's just say they want some insane amounts of money for this plastic build.🤑
I don't think it's worth $999.
I'll give you $150/$200 max.
This is actually the Behringer, the first version had the "101" in the name but Roland complained so they changed the name.
I had an original and the build quality was not that wonderful. Sounded cool though.
what difference is there with ms-101 and ms-1
just the potential of a roland law suit for using the numbers 101
Personally would not have paid 100 more for midi control over sliders, to each his own.
Hey friend this machine have more 2 ovtaves up ok
Behringer is getting a lot of our money these days.
We just ordered one as well as a Deepmind 12
Why though, when you can get a Bass Station 2 for the same price nowadays?
Excellent tutorial though. Great vid.
Immediacy: one knob per function, no memories - it's a player's synth. Plus it's 25% cheaper.
which audiointerface do you use?
I use Presonus Quantum
@@GEOSynths thanks:)
What reverb are you using here? Valhalla?
Strymon BigSky
Music Fed who cares???
James Reeno I do. And other people here too
Imagine the Alesis Keytar does €225 and this goes for €299!
What is that nice sounding reverb you're using?
I was just about to ask the same thing. So lush!
@@freeform144 I couldn't agree more :-) yes it is very nice indeed !!
Strymon Big Sky
I would not have paid $100 more for faders sending midi. I have no use for that feature.
???
your loss
wooww
So torn on this one. I really like the SH-101 and this is such a steal at this price. And it does sound pretty good. But every video I've seen of it being used as a sequencer sounds absolutely nothing like a 101. It's not just that it "doesn't quite nail the sound", it flat out seems completely different. Like a grizzly, bassy, pilled-out and half-asleep 101 crossed with a 303, maybe...
But since your focus was primarily on how it fares as a standard monosynth, let me ask this - how does the keybed feel? And how's the filter sound when the resonance is pushed up into slightly squealy territory? Can it do more than the gritty, grizzly bassy sound?
Wait for the used price who knows what will be out 5yrs from now
@chief tp Nothing like it? Come off it.
chief tp bullshit. Sounds 99% the same.
chief tp are u insane??
@chief tp
Not so: th-cam.com/video/pYxc8R_Qys0/w-d-xo.html
Good sound but reminds not on the Roland SH-101 sound.
I'm sure you're right, but it sounds pretty good to me and will help people getting into to Hardware Synths to learn Synthesis and have fun...instead of Mouse clicking :)
@@GEOSynths yes. Behringer synths have a own character in sound.
RetroSound bullshit!!
@@retrosound72it can do more sounds . And i think you say that because it hurt you seeing a low cost reproduction and afraid your old junk is going down in price .
@@uvoikimovundutrauerblume3302 lol 🤣
So funny.
Did you sort out that issue?
Yes, it was just Firmware.
GEOSynths phew, thank heavens for either Arduino or ARM processors. :)
I read somewhere that the MS 101 is lacking bass, according to the opinion from a user. What do you think about this statement? I would like to believe is not true, cause I ordered it mainly for bass purpose. Thanks
There's plenty of Bass, you can see in the Graph I use, the fundamental get's low.
Thanks very reassuring :-)
JH Drummer triangle wave.
@@SPAZZOID100 Thanks, I have the MS 101 from a week and I like it. Right agree, I got a nice bass sound with triangle wave, a touch of saw or square, sub oscillator and some FM.
Sounds really good but unfortunately a way too short keyboard for playing well and it's always the same, no aftertouch.
Yeah, but £280...Is fine playing through midi from a big, decent Keyboard.
Synth Player ???? It’s the same as the original in this respect. “REAL” players have always used mono synths.
Ok, ok. I apologize. But for me this recreation thing doesn't matter. I want keys on which I can play well. I have enough gear with a too short keyboard.
Synth Player ?????
but the bass station is just much better :)
@ hell yea novation and aphex twin have made the bs2 a power house mono synth
canister shitty build quality.
Different thing altogether tbh not so comparable.
@@southhour5241 what not comparing a mono analogue synth to a mono analogue shoe :)
No midi for sliders? Bizarre omission. Never mind will have to work around it when mine arrives next week. thanks ever so for the demo. I'm guessing no patch saving either despite the banks for the sequencer..
Marc Wall $329 bro. Stop complaining.
hahaha
Oh is it affordable though
doran stewart stewart you know what synths cost in 1982 right??
doran stewart stewart get a job.
Yeah, that sequencer is so far from the SH-101. It's pretty much a deal breaker.
Second method hold pressing a step then playing a note is super easy. No that isn't like the original but it's easy enough to use.
@@blakecasimir 100% agree that it's fine for people who just want a sequencer. I just really like the original sequencer for a variety of reasons that mostly boil down to familiarity, which was naturally a big part of the MS-101's appeal.
@Robert Syrett Agreed - to me (and I suspect many many others), the SH-101's beauty lies NOT its oscillator, filter, envelope, weird LFO implementation, or any other standard monosynth components. As much as I adore tickling some ivories, to simply play the SH-101 like a keyboard feels like it's completely missing the point of this instrument. The sequencer is really the star of the 101 show. In fact, its sequence creation mechanism was so intuitive and straightforward that it was copied by bazillions of synths over the years. And once the sequence is created, being able to transpose on the fly and of course manipulate the timbre as it plays! Making a 101 clone with a completely different sequencing workflow is like making a "Model D clone" with a bandpass filter instead of a lowpass ladder, or a "Juno clone" with a bitcrushed distortion effect instead of a chorus, or an "808 clone" with a sample of a gong instead of a synthesized kick drum. Even if every other element is perfect, you'd have completely failed in your objective of making a remotely passable clone of an iconic device.
Robert Syrett It has MIDI. SEQUENCE from your DAW.
@@SPAZZOID100 You realize that not every musician is married to a DAW, right?
Stranger things fan? 🤔
I am actually, plus it's easy to put in, as I really don't like step Sequencers.
I'm too & excited waiting 4/7 😉. Do You Think they has used really a Prophet6 for the OST?
Massimo Ascenzi synth music was around way before “stranger things”.