Behringer today announced Victor, a new Eurorack oscillator that’s inspired by the classic Sequential Prophet VS.
And, just maybe, the classic disaster comedy film, Airplane.
The Prophet VS introduced Vector Synthesis – an approach to synthesis that lets you position four different oscillator waveshapes at the extremes of an X/Y grid, and then control the waveshape mix, using a joystick controller or other types of modulation.
Here’s what they have to say about Victor:
“We have succeeded to move the PRO-VS vector engine into a Eurorack module and called it the Victor.
The amazing morphing function allows the merging of different oscillators.”
Behringer says that the USB connector will let Victor be used polyphonically.
Behringer didn’t say where the module name comes from, but readers of a certain age may recall a running gag in the classic disaster comedy film, Airplane, that plays on the word ‘vector’:
Note: Behringer has tagged many of its recent introductions as ‘hardvaporware’, because they can’t get the components needed to put the designs into production. Because of this, details on pricing and availability are to be announced.
Controversial opinion: cool concept. Not a module for me since I’m done with subtractive synthesis but this is pretty unique. Before any of the Behringer clone wars start, y’all do realize there is actual labor put into “cloning” any vintage synth? It’s not just casually lifting old schematics and churning them out from the factory. Obsolete parts have to be sourced or substituted, the schematic has to be reworked to shove a vintage synth into a 3U module/desktop unit, prototypes are built and tested, etc. If people are gonna complain about Behringer being unethical, I’m hoping it’s about the low prices which probably means workers are being underpaid and other Marxist informed criticisms of giant companies like Behringer.
You’re “done with subtractive synthesis”?!? Oh, my.
“Not a module for me since I’m done with subtractive synthesis but this is pretty unique. ”
Tell me you don’t know anything about Vector Synthesis without telling me.
What I mean is I don’t need another oscillator because I am done with that modality of generating sound. Granular and feedback based synthesis is what I do with my modular and mixer respectively. Doing subtractive synthesis in a modular synth is a generally a waste of space and money in a modular case.
“Doing subtractive synthesis in a modular synth is a generally a waste of space and money in a modular case.”
What? “Oscillators” do not immediately imply or necessitate a subtractive workflow…
Granular and Feedback-based synthesis can be easily accomplished outside a modular case so i fail to see how it’s a better use of space and money…
I mean, I’m glad that’s how YOU use modular. But the idea that any synthesis type is more “appropriate” for modular is just strangely hipsterish and gate-keep-y.
Not to pile on or be combative, but as best I am aware, subtractive synthesis is characterised by using a filter (usually a VCF, DCF or some kinda emulation) in order to shape the sound. So I think what my man might be saying is, filters are not required for the sounds that he is going for.
We can argue about semantics till we’re all blue in the face and use whatever tools that we like in the process of making music, but if anyone tells me that they got no love for a VCF? BURN THE WITCH! … Just kidding. I’m going to be on my way, trip out on some Ryoji Ikeda, maybe listen to “The Shutov Assembly” for the 10 millionth time.
Not to pile on or be combative, but as best I am aware, subtractive synthesis is characterised by using a filter (usually a VCF, DCF or some kinda emulation) in order to shape the sound. So I think what my man might be saying is, filters are not required for the sounds that he is going for.
We can argue about semantics till we’re all blue in the face and use whatever tools that we like in the process of making music, but if anyone tells me that they got no love for a VCF? BURN THE WITCH! … Just kidding. I’m going to be on my way, trip out on some Ryoji Ikeda, maybe listen to “The Shotov Assembly” for the 10 millionth time.
uh. ok.
that actually seems really neat but damn, that’s ugly lmao
fwiw, they also have ‘mini/soul’ version with minor polyphony in development. perhaps they will do a 4 octave keyboard version as well. for me, a fixed wavetable module or mini is fine, but a keyboard version needs loadable waves like the Behringer Wave/PPG will in this day and age.
the previous version was uglier. I prefer just white text on black panel. cosmetic graphics are not important or desirable to me.
hope the Freq pot has a minimal range, stick pots are crappy for any kind of accuracy. although it looks like there’s enough panel space to replace them with D shaft pots with knobs.
The placement of the jack names is really bad, especially the last row. It looks like “Gate In” refers to the box above it, instead of the jack below.
If Behringer knows that it’s going to be months until they can make these, why not take the time to get the details right so the modules don’t look like garbage?
Companies that make knockoffs avoid making their products look ‘too professional’, because their buyers are looking for something cheap.
bwhahahahahaha! citation please?
Laughing a bit to myself thinking of how frightening an all Behringer system would look.
Seems kind of interesting. Layout wise it isn’t all that different from some mutable clones. Maybe it needs a 1/8 midi in so if you want to use polyphony, usb isn’t your only option? Or perhaps there’s a chord mode in the SW.
I’m a bit confused about the title of this… Group of words. It seems more like one thought. It’s a good thought, deserving of publication. It’s a good point. I would be interested in hearing the other thoughts on the module. It is subtractive synthesis, it is polyphonic by way of usbc, which is interesting. I’m assuming it is way too cheap, both price wise and quality of module. But I’m just guessing on that last one. Otherwise, I would appreciate more information. Oh well, I suppose I’ll just pick one up for $25 in five or six years, whenever it becomes available.
Oh, I get it. The 12 thoughts thing. My bad.