Behringer Abacus (Parody)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 15 вер 2023
- 'I had a nightmare and it looked like this. Thank God it wasn't real and it was all just a bad dream'.
Personal note.
I don't mind Behringer cloning vintage gear and making expensive modules accessible to a wide public. I am happy with TipTop making clones of vintage Buchla 200 models with official permission and support. Behringer could have taken the ethical decency to credit ALL parties involved with MakeNoise Maths, like MakeNoise, Buchla and Serge.
If you don't have the budget to buy a real Maths, go for the Abacus because Tony's design is worth using in any modular universe. If you ever make a video with an Abacus instead of the original Maths, just add a little nod to the Ashvillle team. It's OK, don't feel bad about it. Just remember where it's from, and MakeNoise is a small company who has to eat and pay mortgage too.
This video is inspired by the movie 1984. The Abacus feels like modular socialism where we can all enjoy this function generator because it's made in a Chinese super-factory. There's zero passion in Abacus. It's made by machines and people who operate them. They probably don't even have an idea how Abacus works and what you can do with it. As far as I could tell, it's 100% identical to Maths. For just $99, it literally is a steal. I also must admit it's high quality. I see a 'risk' of people having access to a module that doesn't make sense (for them). I've already seen 'reviews' trashing the Abacus because it doesn't make any sound and can't even do an ADSR.
Dear Behringer, if you feel offended by this video, don't. It's not all bad, just like the module.
This is a parody (a good one) and freedom of artistic expression. I bought the Abacus, so it's mine. I assume your customers are valued, and I can do with it whatever I like. Finally, it's not real. It's a visualized nightmare. A parallel universe. The Man in the High Castle. I love the 2600 and 100 series, so I am not a mindless hater.
Just in case, here's a disclaimer from the Lab's legal department on the 44th floor.
DISCLAIMER
This video is a parody about the Behringer Abacus. It's a near pixel perfect copy of the World’s No.1 bestselling Eurorack module for over a decade: MakeNoise Maths. It behaves exactly alike, and Behringer did not even bother to change the panel too much while using the exact same labels - unique to Maths. Instead, Behringer credits the original Buchla 281 function generator and the Serge DUSG and pretends Maths never existed. And here we are. A parallel universe.
Tony Rolando did not protect his design. First, he expected to sell a few hundred instead of tens of thousands. Second, Maths is also inspired by the Buchla 281. His design is a clever mashup of the Buchla 281, 257 and Serge DUSG. But he made it his own, like only Tony can.
Legally, Behringer is doing nothing wrong except leaving out crediting Maths, probably because it’s too obvious anyway. So my rant is about courtesy and respect. The same has happened with designs from Mutable Instruments, XAOC, Intellijel and Moog. We have to accept the things we can't change, but we don’t always have to like it.
I appreciate your comment in your description about buying behringer if you can’t afford the original or vintage stuff. That describes me. I also appreciate your suggestion to give a nod to Makenoise designers if you use the Abacus. Well said.
Thank you for sharing. You should always try to make the music you love most with all means necessary and available. It's the best module ever, regardless of what's on the panel and I wish you great fun.
I was sleepily clicking through videos this morning and mistook this for an official Behringer video lol. I thought to myself "well this is a mask off moment" XD
$100? Jeez that is crazy. I was about to just say, "maths is cheap, get a real one".. but dang.. that price is unreal.
Excellent work and sentiment
Probably the most mature attitude toward this situation I have read. Also, great video!!! Cheers!!
Made my day! Tip top Alter ❤
Legend has it that one day in the distant future, Behringer will come up with an original idea.
My first synth was the Neutron. I guess it was their only original design. But it’s a very cool semi-modular synth!
Aaaah……naaaa….its only a legend, you know..
Legend also has it that one day other synth companies will pull their heads out of their asses and give their customers what they want at a reasonable price.
@@CaptainAhorn Oooh... "pull their heads out of their asses"... Very mature. Very mature indeed. You know, these "other" synth companies actually originally came up with the ideas that Behringer shamelessly copies and spent hundreds if not thousands of man hours on stuff that you obviously take for granted nowadays.
It's very easy for Behringer to just blatantly copy this stuff and sell it at a loss, just to spite everyone. And then sue everybody who says something against Behringer. Again, very mature.
Sorry, if you can afford Behringer, you're not poor. You can afford the original. You might just have to save a bit longer for what is essentially a luxury item, whether it is Behringer or an original.
I really hate this cop out "reasonable price".
@@electricdawn2258 Spare me the faux outrage. Most of what Behringer has cloned has been sought after for decades. These products are simple, completely outdated electronics, and Behringer is remaking them precisely for that reason. Do you have information that Behringer is selling these products at a loss just to spite everyone? If so please link to specifics. The bottom line is that everyone else failed to listen to their customers and understand that a market was there. I am not poor but I have other priorities, and spending $5000 on an original when I can spend $500 on a clone is not going to happen. Don’t like it? Tough. And I hate the cop out of the people whose goal in bashing products at Behringer’s price level is so they can stroke themselves over the exclusivity of their collection. Behringer has democratized the synth landscape and that is why many people are pissed. I don’t “collect” Behringer repros because I’m a completist. Many of them do nothing for me. But the 2XM is next on my list and I’ll happily buy two of them, along with, maybe, a Pro-800. If legacy synth makers want some of my money they can start listening.
I didn’t understand a word but the visuals are awesome… 😅 well done motion graphics, like the typeface (what’s the name of the font?)! Thanks for sharing
Konstruktiv :)
You could use english captions to get an impresion. But it basically sums up the labels without really explaining them, like in the manual. If you want to find out how it works, you''ll have to check the MakeNoise official manual.
You are such a creative force (farce). Both? Neither? Anywho, another well executed bit of art crime. Please continue as you were.
The final statement is gold! 🤣
It also ditches the Make Noise aesthetic charm, though it could be argued the middle 4 pots have a more intuitive layout.
Ist das hammer 😂 Seeehr gute Satire ❤ Alle Macht dem Abacus!
👍 Highly appreciated
Best video!
Epic! But I don't know if everyone gets the irony.
I guess I made this for myself and I was willing to buy one for it. I don't get the irony either. I wish I could say the module sucks but it doesn't.
klasse content
Fortunately mein Deutsch was equal to 90% of that. Btw, I never did properly understand Maths, but I ‘got’ the 281t almost immediately.
Isn’t there supposed to be aa actual Behringer Easel clone coming?
Yes, It's called the Enigma.
Just awesome 😂👍!!!
everyone else is fighting over the Abacus and Maths, while I'm here just soldering a few kits from ST Modular that'll result in my own Maths-alike, all because the PCBs and BOM cost the same as the Baths but without the import/customs fees lol
For the rest, great video, interesting thoughts, terrible module!
Wie das Römische Reich 😂. Of het westerse 😛. Mooie video 👍🏼
You should have a look at the Behringer Chaos module, obviously a MI Marbles clone…
I've seen it and it looks very nice. I have no problem with Behringer cloning stuff that's off the market and I'll probably get one. But it will always be a Mutable Design.
Thanx! I actually came here as a result of trying to find what the Chaos was cloning. You've solved the mystery.
Wasn't MI gear open sourced though? They could at least give credit where credit's due... Something like 'functionally identical to...'
Heb net de serie "The High Castle" gezien🙂Zeer toepasselijke video samengesteld !! Ben dan ook zeer verbaast dat Behringer met dit soort praktijken weg kan komen ?!
Makenoise Maths is expensive, I cut corners by buying DIY kits and building it. But Abacus for 111 Euro, I can't build it for that price 😞 Now at shame to buy one ??!!
By all means, buy one if you can use it. I am now trying to see it differently. If Behringer copies your stuff while still in production, you really made it. Only the best products ever can 'earn' it. If you like Maths, then Abacus is a perfect alternative for people on a tight budget.
Behringer is not offended. You are promoting their gear.
And that is sadly so true. I get it. It's a third of the price of a real Maths, and that is important for a lot of people. Not everybody has the funds to get into Eurorack and Behringer is making it affordable.
But dam'n, it still seems evil to me. I just can't get myself to buy something from Behringer (and not only for their copycat devices, their lawsuits are way more evil than that. Darth Vader really altered the deal...)
Maybe I should just go to your channel and remake all your performances and pass them off as my own
And if you start complaining, eh.
That's just free promotion for me
@@magnopere I don't think you got their point... Just sayin'...
😂 . . . Wirklich geiles Video 👌👌👌
😮
I totally concur that cloning the work of current instrument makers, like Arturia or makenoise, is evil. Uli: either make new stuff or have the decency to wait.
What decency..?
Say that to Arturia for the Minifreak and the Plaits. Besides, I agree both are bad practices.
First of all, there is no ethical consumption under capitalism - wrong life can't be lived right. You're free to express your imaginary ethics in what you buy or don't buy, but moralism directed towards other people who might not have as much money as you and are following the same logic of capitalism that you - ultimately, since you can't live outside it, no matter what you buy - is just that, moralism. It doesn't fix or solve the problem of capitalism. It's just about elevating your own self-image as a better sort of person, because of your mere consumption patterns. Are you a better person because you can spend the extra few hundred? Really? How did you get that money?
secondly, a lot of the module designs you're claiming Behringer is ripping off are themselves 'ripped off', ie borrowed or adapted from earlier synth designers like Buchla, Serge, etc. If you knew the history, you wouldn't be making such smug, sanctimonious arguments, and perhaps would be more busy making music.
@@bentropy Your first point is false: A bunch of things are driven by ethical consumption in our capitalism system (think that your baker is also a capitalist as all of us), i.e. we choose to buy food in some place instead of some other. Happens all the time, we choose to buy things better for climate change than others (I won't go this way too long, just do your homework, read JM Jancovici f.i.).
You confuse meanings in your second topic. Ripping and borrowing are two different words (as well as "inspired by" and "copied"). One can be legit in being jugdmental. And still have time to compose music ;)
@@ewencousin You're barely coherent. Baker? you don't know the difference between the economic categories of capitalist vs shopkeeper or artisan, eg a baker. You are the one who needs to do homework. But yes, small biz owners are generally capitalists in that they own some relatively microscopic portion of capital. So what?
I never said that *no one tries* to perform ethical consumption, but that it is an ultimately unsuccessful strategy to changing the world in the ways the shopper intends.
And climate change is the perfect example: all kinds of people purchase all kinds of goods with the understanding that they're green and somehow going to save the eco-system, while that clearly isn't happening. It only defers making the systemic and structural - rather than individual - changes necessary for that goal.
You seem obtuse to not catch or deliberately miss my point. Do you REALLY think i mean 'no one ever makes any purchasing decision with ethical intentions in mind'? Read what I wrote again and then ask yourself if the above responded intelligently and meaningfully to any of my points (it did not).
Good luck with your strategy of judging those with less money than you! Sneer at the walmart shopper on black friday! this shaming will win the world you want in the end.
Ok, but what do you really think? 😂
I am now thinking about a part 02 focused on the 'resistance' in this parallel universe where 'collaborators' use real Maths.
@@CinematicLaboratoryToo funny!
My attitude towards it (not considering myself a muso, having limited funds, but keen passion for the hardware and sound design), is to at least support an OG if buying a cheap knock-off. E.g., I wanted 2 maths, but have 1 + an Abacus. I want Intellijel Quad VCA, but bought a bunch of Four Plays - couldn't bring myself to do so until I'd bought at least 1 other useful Intellijel module.
Will you make a part 03, for those in deep espionage, playing both sides?
mensch, Heinz, nicht so schnell!
Duzcha preimna meme texch 😂
Thanks for this. My personal view: Behringer don't play a fair game because they have next to no R&D costs so they can sell their rip-offs much more cheaply..
I would counter that they do INDEED have R&D costs. With the exception of coming up with their own control layout, possibly. They don't replicate the exact circuitry, they couldn't in most cases because many of the parts are not available any more. Can we call them unimaginative? Yeah, that's fair, though some of their original stuff is pretty damn good. Deep Mind and Neutron, for example. They certainly are not reproducing patented or copyrighted works, that's for sure. Most of that stuff has been PD for years, except the logos and names.
If you wanted to experience a Moog 55, you could drop $50,000 on a Moog one, but most people could barely afford the Behringer version at around, what, $3500? They two hardly compete in the same market and, one could argue that they actually help each other out, marketing wise.
I have the BARP 2600 and have opened it. A marvel to say the least! And I NEVER would have bought a used original or the Korg clone. Just don't have the money. So, I applaud Behirnger for providing us normal people with a chance to try a very good facsimile of the synths we have lusted for and never could afford.
There are other aspects of Behringer I am not thrilled with. Be, as was written, the one without sin can cast the first stone....
Cheers!
You can't please all the people all of the time
Additionally, Maths (and I own a LOT of Make Noise stuff) is derivative of Buchla designs. Yes, MN gives a nod to that, but they didn't (and shouldn't since it's not patented) pay Buchla any money that I know of.
reverse engineering shit is not trivial but they do go for the most popular stuff; rip them off shamelessely; and reap the quasi automatic benefices. Besides the whole range of original audio products they have when they try to do stuff on their own they don't come out with the most interesting things either.
@@aviatorjoe4153 this right here. Buchla and Serge DUSG
😂
C'mon guys! For the most part I usually enjoy the videos your channel but here you got a bit derailed. I'm aware that Behringer bashing is a popular discipline these days, especially among affluent modular seniors. Maybe this video might score you some brownie points with your buddies at Make Noise but other than that this is just dumb. Although I have to admit that Behringer makes it easy to hate them I'm wondering how Serge Tcherepnin felt when he first learned about Make Noise Maths. I'm sure you can do better that this. In case you're wondering how a smart approach to the Behringer controversy would look like feel free to check out something like this: ua-cam.com/video/yc68DOIogCI/v-deo.html
You're right. It will not happen again.
No, I don't think he is right. You are. Great video, thank you for making it.
@AndreRuschkowski @CinematicLaboratory Let me rephrase the last part of your final sentence: 'I personally believe this is dumb'. Somehow people nowadays seem to think or claim their personal opinion is the world's opinion, and therefore believe their violent verbal attacks are legit.
"It's made by people who don't really have a choice. They probably don't even have an idea how Abacus works and what you can do with it."
This sounds extremely condescending. You appear to be saying that people with less disposable money to spend on boutique modules, who are motivated by budget, are less likely to know what they're buying, why, how to use it. That is, are less intelligent, capable, creative, etc.
Sorry, no. I was referring to the people in a chinese factory who run an Abacus production batch compared to a small company with a passion to develop a new eurorack module. Honestly, Abacus built quality feels better than MakeNoise Maths probably because it's built in China. I just don't think they went to work with a feeling like 'wow, we're making the best function generator in eurorack'. It was never intended to be condescending and definitely not meant to look down on people with no budget.
@@CinematicLaboratory fair enough, i see. Sorry for misinterpreting you.
I agree with the assumption that most people working in the factory making the Abacus don't give a shit that theyre making the Abacus. I want an Abacus, but probably wouldn't care or feel much pride or investment in it either, beyond an employee discount and opportunity to learn nerdy machine-production stuff.
I would describe most people who have to work for a living as 'forced', because of the wage relation, the labor market, private ownership of the way most things we need are produced. China and the US aren't particularly different in this respect. China has a labor market in which people are "free" to sell their labor, just like the west, to their highest bidder.
It's true that we can say if you're a (rare) artisan making whatever you want (whether it's modular gear or cheese etc), you're comparatively less psychically alienated and directly earning the profit and the revenue you'd be paying an employee. If you're merely working for that person, as their employee, and earning wages while they own the capital, eg the property rights and rights to profit, it's not that different from working in any other factory.
That worker may be a synth geek like us, and maybe that might make your work feel more meaningful, psychologically invested. But there are synth geeks in china, and soon enough there will entirely likely be more modules coming out of Asia.
@@bentropy Thanks for sharing this, it means a LOT!
«The Abacus feels like modular socialism where we can all enjoy this function generator because it's made in China. There's zero passion in Abacus. It's made by people who don't really have a choice. They probably don't even have an idea how Abacus works and what you can do with it.»
That is pure BS. China is no longer the backward country that it used to be in the early 80s. I think that behind those words lies a great Sinophobic, hegemonic (in the sense of believing and making your audience believe that the West is the cream) and somewhat racist discourse.
Topic aside, I understand the point of the rest of your verbiage and I must say that I fully agree with you.
One more thing: I wish Westerners like you would stop thinking of themselves as the center of the universe, that's all.
Your personal opinion is as valid as mine but please don't accuse me of racism. We all live under the same sky.
If you have the engineers from Midas, TC, Klark etc. and you have to copy modules like Math you simply didn‘t make it. You, Uli Behringer will never earn the respect, that Bob Moog, Don Buchla, Dave Smith and Tom Oberheim deserve, because you‘re only a copy of them.
For the record, this video is not in any way affiliated, supported, endorsed, made or stolen by Behringer.
I usually like your work. A bit overkill here. Don't like stuff that is built in China? I hope you don't have a smart phone. Cut the politics. No one, including myself, is good at it.
I guess I got this one coming...
For the record, build quality is really good and chinese workers cost 8K a year on average. It may cost $5 to build one and it sells for $99. And 'it' happens to be the most successful eurorack module of all times. This is not about politics, it's about Behringer Abacus and grand theft of MakeNoise intellectual property. I am happy I did not overdo it.
Smartest Behringer shill
"I hope you don't have a smartphone."
My eyes can see the back of my skull
It's not against manufacturing in China. It's about Behringer cloning existing devices of existing companies like MakeNoise, Moog, Arturia etc. Mutable Instruments shut down production shortly after the Behringer Brains (= clone of Plaits) came out. Could be coincidence, who knows?
BTW, as far as I know even Dieter Doepfer, the Godfather of Eurorack, manufactures his modules in China to reduce costs. So, no problem with that, because they are a) his original designs or b) replicas of classic technology where copyright ran out (like the Wasp filter for example) - and of course in contrast to Behringer he mentions that it's a replica!