Behringer has officially announced the BM-12 Ring Modulator, a highly anticipated, fully analog pedal designed to infuse your sound with rich, otherworldly textures. Following in the footsteps of their popular Moogerfooger-style re-creations, the BM-12 promises to deliver vintage ring modulation effects in a compact, pedalboard-friendly format.
A Nod to a Classic: Behringer’s Moogerfooger Legacy Continues
The release of the BM-12 Ring Modulator solidifies Behringer’s apparent commitment to reintroducing classic Moogerfooger-style pedals to a new generation of musicians and producers. Hot on the heels of the MURF and Phaser releases, the BM-12, previously teased as a prototype in 2023, is now a full-fledged production model.
Behringer BM-12
Visually, the Behringer BM-12 is an almost one-to-one clone of the original 1990s Moog pedal, featuring the same distinctive large-format enclosure with elegant wooden side panels. This commitment to authentic design extends to its core, as the BM-12 houses a completely analog circuit, ensuring genuine vintage sound.
Unlock Untamed Soundscapes with Ring Modulation
At its heart, the BM-12 leverages ring modulation, a classic effect known for producing metallic, bell-like tones reminiscent of 1970s synthesizers. This unique effect is achieved by combining a modulator signal with a carrier signal, resulting in an amplitude modulation where the sum of the two frequencies creates the signature metallic timbre. The faster the carrier frequency, the more pronounced and metallic the effect becomes.
The Behringer BM-12 enhances this core functionality with an onboard LFO (Low-Frequency Oscillator). This LFO adds dynamic movement to the modulated sound, allowing for everything from subtle undulations to wild, Dr. Who-esque sonic explorations from the 1960s and 70s.
Precision Control for Sonic Explorers
The BM-12 is equipped with a versatile carrier oscillator featuring a sweeping frequency range, capable of dialing in effects from slow-motion tremolo to piercing, robotic tones. Independent controls for Rate and Amount on the LFO provide fine-tuning over the modulation’s intensity and speed.
For seamless integration into any setup, the Mix knob offers precise control over the blend of the modulated signal with your dry tone, while the Drive control allows for gain adjustment, ensuring the pedal sits perfectly in your mix. This Drive control, now conveniently located above the modulator and LFO parameters, selectively overdrives the preamp for added grit and character.
Versatility for Guitarists, Synth Players, and Producers
The Behringer BM-12 Ring Modulator is designed to work seamlessly with a wide range of instruments, including synthesizers, guitars, and bass guitars. The intuitive control layout includes knobs for Drive, Mix, Frequency, Amount, and Rate, alongside switches for Modulator (Hi/Lo) and LFO (Square/Sine). Visual feedback is provided by dedicated LEDs for Effect On, LFO, and Level.
Connectivity for Deeper Exploration
The rear panel of the BM-12 offers a comprehensive suite of inputs and outputs for expression pedals and modular integration, including Audio In, Rate, Amount, Mix, Freq, Audio Out, LFO Out, Carrier In, and Carrier Out. This extensive CV I/O makes the BM-12 an ideal tool for intricate audio manipulation and experimentation in the studio, easily patching into modular or semi-modular setups for even deeper sonic exploration.
Whether you’re a guitarist seeking eerie ambient textures, a synth player pushing into experimental realms, or a producer craving unpredictable modulation, the Behringer BM-12 promises to be a powerful addition to your sonic arsenal. Use it to make bell-like arpeggios shimmer, or transform simple riffs into alien transmissions.
Pricing & Pre-Orders
Priced at $129/£99/€119, the new pedal is available for pre-order now.
US
Available at Sweetwater
UK
Available at Andertons
Available at Gear4Music
EU
Available at Thomann
More Information
#behringer #moogerfooger #ringmodulation #moog
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