Behringer MS-1

The MS-1 (previously called the MS-101 on release) is Behringer's clone of the original Roland SH-101 circuitry featuring a pure analog signal path, authentic 3340 VCO with 4 simultaneously-mixable waveforms, plus extremely flexible VCF and VCA filters.

This is Behringer's clone of the original Roland SH-101 circuitry featuring a pure analog signal path, authentic 3340 VCO with 4 simultaneously-mixable waveforms, plus extremely flexible VCF and VCA filters.

Originally called the MS-101, the new MS-1 revised version is based on the original 662 chips for a vastly improved VCF and VCA performance. The Roland BA662A VCA chip is the Voltage Control Amplifier (VCA) IC from the Roland SH-101, TB-303, Juno-60, JX-3P & others, the chip can also be found in the Jupiter-4, Jupiter-8, MKS-30 MKS-50 & MKS-80. Behringer also added the dual glide function to the revised version.

MS-1 red version (MS-1-RD)

MS-1 blue version (MS-1-BU)

The Behringer MS-1 is a clone of the famous Roland SH-101, which shines against the original with a few sophisticated extras. They have remained faithful to the monophonic original from 1983 and have even reissued the well-known Curtis IC CEM3340 to reproduce the distinctive VCO sound exactly. The audio mixer with six inputs including External Audio, the massive 24dB lowpass filter with 24dB, the switchable VCA and the snap ADSR with its unmistakable taste; everything is as you know and love it!

32 semi-weighted full-size keys, 32 step sequencer and Arpeggiator. The Oscillator has 4 simultaneously mixable waveforms: Saw, Triangle, Square/PWM and octave-divided Square sub-oscillator. The Resonant VCF can be modulated with ADSR, LFO, keyboard tracking and bender controller. 6 FM sources based on Philip Pilgrim's 1990's NovaMod* allow for creative VCF modulation and unheard of filter effects. ADSR envelope generator for incredible wave shaping. Easy-to-use 32-step sequencer with 64 sequence locations. Arpeggiator with wide patterns for great sound effects. The MS-1 even has an optional attachable handgrip included with pitch bend wheel and pitch modulation trigger, just like the real SH-101.

The MS-1 was originally available in Red & Blue version like the SH-101 but sadly those are now listed as 'Legacy Products' on Behringer's website, however with the new MK2 version being announced only this year (around March 2023) all versions, black red & blue are currently (September 2023) very hard to find or listed as 'currently unavailable' so perhaps Behringer might re-release the Blue & Red version? Who knows. Whatever, the MS-1 offers a superb almost circuit perfect emulation of the classic SH-101 which like all old synths now has risen to silly prices secondhand.