Behringer K-2 MK II analog semi-modular synth launched

Behringer has announced its Korg MS-20-esque synth, the K-2 MK II.

Although only produced from 1978 to 1983, Korg synthesizers have been favored by numerous world-famous artists including: Aphex Twin; Arcade Fire; Daft Punk; Depeche Mode Gorillaz; Snarky Puppy and a host of others. An ultra-affordable and modern homage to that iconic synthesizer, the K-2 MK II lets you conjure up virtually any sound with incredible finesse and ease. It features a pure analog signal path, dual authentic VCOs, extremely flexible VCF and VCA filters and now also featuring OSC sync, FM and PWM plus V/Oct. for all CV/Gate in/outs.

Great care has been taken in engineering the K-2 MK II, including the true to the original VCO, VCF and VCA designs and pure analog circuitry with matched transistors and JFETs. This highly-focused attention to detail is what gives K-2 MK II its ultra-flexible sound shaping capability, which covers everything from super-fat bass and lead tones to stunning effects – all the way out to the otherworldly sounds of your imagination.

The very heart of K-2 MK II’s sound is its versatile 6 dB High/12 dB Low filter. The high-pass filter sets the level of signals below the cutoff frequency, effectively reducing the fundamental and lower-order harmonics levels. The low-pass filter controls the level of signals above the cutoff, which reduces higher-order harmonic content. K-2 MK II’s VCF Peak controls provide emphasis to the signals at the crossover frequency.

K-2 MK II’s authentic Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs) provides an incredible range of 4 variable oscillator shapes with variable pulse widths and ring modulation for the ultimate in sound creation. VCO 1 waveform choices include triangle, reverse-sawtooth, noise and pulse. VCO 2’s waveform can be selected from reverse-sawtooth, square, narrow pulse and ring, where both oscillators are operating. The VCO Mixer allows you to adjust the levels of VCO 1 and VCO 2 to create an overall mix and a wide range of amazing effects.

K-2 MK II’s Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO), the Modulation Generator, features a selectable Waveform (reverse sawtooth, triangle, sawtooth) and 2 separate Envelope generators to help you craft incredible sounds! Envelope Generator 1 has controls for Delay, Attack and Release Time, while generator 2 adjusts the cutoff frequency modulation, as well as amplitude modulation of the Voltage Control Amplifier (VCA). Dials for this generator include Hold, Decay, Attack, Sustain, and Release for unparalleled envelope-shaping control.

While it is a monophonic instrument (one note at a time), K-2 MK II’s 16-note Poly Chain function lets you combine multiple synthesizers for up to 16-voice polyphony – plus provides vastly improved reliability and stability over its 1970s and ’80s predecessors.

Designed to handle the rigors of life on the road or in the studio, your K-2 MK II can easily be transferred into a standard Eurorack case for the perfect integration into your existing system.

K-2 MK II has 36 controls, all laid out in a highly intuitive format that puts the joy back into your music creation. And you can expand K-2 MK II’s tone-sculpting capabilities beyond your wildest dreams by utilizing the multi-I/O patch bay to connect external devices at virtually any point in the signal path.

Specifications

Modulation Section

Envelope Generator Section

External Signal Processor Section

Output Section

Inputs and Outputs (TS 3.5mm)