The Behringer Neutron is a semi-modular and paraphonic synthesizer in desktop format. The synthesizer has 2x analogue oscillators based on the legendary CEM3340 chips from Doug Curtis. In addition, there is a multimode VCF, 2x ADSR envelopes, an LFO with 5x waveforms and a delay based on the bucket brigade delay technique. On the right side there is a matrix with 32x CV inputs and 24x CV outputs, with which the internal wiring can be broken up to integrate the Neutron into modular Eurorack synthesizer environments.
Dual Oscillators
2x CEM3340 chips were installed in the Behringer Neutron. These oscillators were used in synthesizer classics like the Roland SH-101 or the Jupiter 6, the Moog Memorymoog or the Oberheim OB-8 and OB-Xa. The chips can be controlled independently and have 5x waveforms: Tone Mod, Square, Sawtooth, Triangle and Sine. Seamless crossfading is possible between the waveforms.
Multimode VCF
The multimode filter of the neutron has a slope of 12 dB/Oct and has a high/low-pass output. If the filter is turned up sufficiently, it can be brought to self-oscillation. Furthermore, the multimode VCF of the neutron can be additionally modulated with one of the two ADSR envelopes. Thus its function goes far beyond that of a normal filter.
Patch Matrix
The Behringer Neutron is equipped with an extensive patch matrix, which allows to break the internal pre-wiring and to give the synthesizer its own individual touch. One of the special features of the patch matrix is a sample & hold function with additional glide, which ensures even more creativity.
Since the worldwide demand for the Neutron is very high, we will unfortunately not be able to serve all pre-orders with the first delivery. It is recommended to order early and join the queue.
The main features of the Behringer Neutron include:
Having ms20, behringer's D and little modular, it's 3-4 stars for usability for me. But for begginers in analogue synths (or in need for extra voices), it's quite clear 5 stars.
Pros:
- eurorack compatibility
- paraphonic
- full range tuning possibility
- interesting little things like synced LFO, assign out-some midi parameters to CV converter (wish there would be more than one), resonance CV in, delay time CV in...
- price
Cons:
- if you own some analogue synths, Neutron has both redundant and less-common functions, but comparing with solo eurorack modules, they lacks more flexibility, ins/outs.
- quite short envelopes (!)
- some confusing default patch points routing
- shape morphing is not as great as it looks, I would rather welcome individual wave outputs (or both :))
- having other synths and modular processors, if I had to choose between Neutron and B's model D, I would keep later for it's musicality.
Let's cut to the chase, the Neutron is so good and so cheap I bought two. It's that good.
Huge amounts of bass and distortion tones are available right from the off via it's pre-wired signal flow. This can easily be tamed however via the wonderful patch bay and so very soft dreamy tones are also easily achievable. Drones are a particular speciality of the Neutron.
The built in BBD is very lo-fi, more so than other BBD's however in the context of this synth it is a perfect match. It may not be to everyone's taste but I would suggest checking some YouTube demo videos or demo a Neutron yourself to find out.
Build quality is fantastic, very solid and feels very well put together.
Overall...just buy one!
My first semi modular synth. It's not the easiest synth to work with from the box but rewarding with play. Very fun and nice sounds. Build is good. A few loose screws on face plate but other than that great.