The Behringer Grind is a compact hybrid synthesizer whose full potential is revealed when the patch panel is integrated. It quickly becomes clear that Grind combines the two long-running hits Crave and Brains have been merged into a new synthesizer. The digital oscillator is capable of 24 different synthesis models, which generate chords, drums and effect sounds in addition to standard analog sounds. A 24dB filter, which can be switched between lowpass and highpass, acts as a sound-shaping element on the Grind. The filter and the VCA are analog, which results in a hybrid signal path. The envelope or LFO can be used directly for modulation. The complexity increases with the use of the patch panel.
Grind's digital sound generation comes from the popular Brains Oscillator, a digital multi-oscillator for the Eurorack modular system. It contains 24 different synthesis, drum and effect algorithms. Each model has four directly accessible parameters and can be controlled via several control voltage inputs. The selected sound generation is displayed in the LED chain with Bank and Model. Since MODEL can also be controlled via CV, wild changes of algorithms within a bank are possible, which should also delight glitch fans.
The two primary modulation sources of the hybrid synth include the ADS envelope and the LFO with triangle and square waveforms. Played notes can be bent with glide matching. The VCA can be controlled classically with the envelope or operated in low pass gate mode (LPG) or in drone mode. VC-MIX can be used as a mixer for two audio or CV signals, as a (voltage-controlled) crossfader or as a second VCA. The MIDI interface outputs gate, key CV and a freely assignable parameter. The fact that the LFO has an LFO rate input greatly expands the available options. From here, rattling FM sounds and very experimental sounds can be realized directly.
The patch panel, which shares the upper quarter of the user interface with
The internal sequencer offers space for 64 patterns, each of which can be up to 32 steps long; accent and slide can also be programmed as on a 303. An arpeggiator with the usual playback modes is available as an option to the sequencer. The patch panel outputs the notes generated via USB and