The Behringer MS-1 BU is a clone of the famous Roland SH-101, which shines against the original with a few sophisticated extras. They have remained faithful to the monophonic original from 1983 and have even reissued the well-known Curtis IC CEM3340 to reproduce the distinctive VCO sound exactly. The audio mixer with six inputs including Ext Audio, the massive 24dB lowpass filter with 24dB, the switchable VCA and the snap ADSR with its unmistakable taste; everything is as you know and love it!
36 years later...
The extensions can be found in details that even purists will find inspiring: The tempo for the arpeggiator and sequencer now has its own control and is therefore no longer dependent on the LFO tempo; of course, the two playing aids can also be synchronized to MIDI. The Arpeggiator and Sequencer controls have also been expanded, simplifying operation and giving access to 64 patterns. The filter also benefits from a special extension: six oscillator taps including noise are available for infinitely variable modulation of the cutoff. Of course, the MS-1 BU offers modern interfaces such as MIDI and USB input and output. The CV/Gate inputs and outputs have been retained, so the new retro classic remains open for connection to a modular system.
Fit for the stage
The MS-1 BU is a real live instrument, not only due to the numerous analog controls and the arpeggiator, but also to the shoulder strap with mountable handle; with this combination you can position yourself next to the singer and guitarist in the band or lay down an impressive solo in your keyboard castle.
I have to start with the build quality: switches are brutally solid, circular pots and switches way above the price range given, sliders run really smooth (quite ALPS-ish), keyboard is quite what you expect at the price. Really solid plastic bodywork and metal bottom plate. A few extra features to the original, but otherwise straight up copy of the legendary synth. You turn it on and you can't possibly stop smiling while traveling through time straight back to the '90s. Pick an overdrive/distortion pedal of your taste, and ... BANG ON!
Incredible sound and performance quality for the price. Also the build feels really nice. It's heavier than I had expected. I am extremely impressed with this. Fantastic service from the Music Store. The item arrived very quickly. I will use again :)
This is a fantastic synth, really fun to use and easy to get to grips, with, the sequencer is easy to program and to get to grips with. I bought this as a performance synth, everything on it feels solid enough, it's slightly less sturdy feeling than the neutron, as the case is plastic. This is fun and probably a great synth to learn on.