Company:Behringer

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Short description: Audio equipment manufacturer


Behringer
Typeprivate
Genreaudio equipment
Founded25 January 1989; 35 years ago (1989-01-25) in Germany
Key people
Uli Behringer (Founder and CEO)
ProductsAudio and lighting equipment, musical instruments
Number of employees
3,500
ParentMusic Tribe
Websitewww.behringer.com

Behringer is an audio equipment company founded by the Swiss engineer Uli Behringer on 25 January 1989 in Willich, Germany. Behringer produces equipment including synthesizers, mixers, audio interfaces and amplifiers. Though originally a German manufacturer, it now manufactures its products in China. Behringer is owned by Music Tribe, a holding company chaired by Uli Behringer.[1]

History

Foundation and early development

Uli Behringer was born on April 13, 1961 in Baden, Switzerland. His father was a church organist and nuclear physicist; his mother a pianist and interpreter; his uncle a professor of composition at the Richard Strauss Conservatory in Munich; and his aunt a classical singer and pianist. At the age of four, Uli Behringer started to learn piano.[2] When he was five years old, his father built his own church organ with over 1000 pipes and integrated them into the family home.[3] Behringer helped his father build the organ. At the age of 16, he built his first synthesizer, the UB1.[4]

Marketing, manufacturing, and acquisitions

While Behringer products were manufactured in Willich, Germany, many of the individual components were imported from mainland China. In 1990, to lower production costs, Behringer shifted production from West Germany to mainland China. Initially, subcontractors were engaged to produce the equipment. By 1997 Uli Behringer had relocated to Hong Kong to better supervise manufacturing quality.[5]

CoolAudio acquisition

The certified EMC testing facility in Behringer City

In May 2000, Behringer acquired the rights to the entire CoolAudio technology from Intersil Corporation, a US-based semi-conductor manufacturer specializing in integrated circuits for audio applications. The acquisition included an extensive intellectual property portfolio and licensees such as Alpine and Rowe, among others.[6]

Music Tribe City

In 2018, Music Tribe opened its own factory, Music Tribe City, in Zhongshan, Guangdong, China . The factory handles the production and distribution for Music Tribe's 12 brands, including Behringer products.[7]

Instruments

The Behringer RD-8 drum machine (top) is based on the Roland TR-808 drum machine (bottom).[8]

Since 2016, Behringer has become a manufacturer of synthesizers and drum machines, which includes original synths, but also many recreations of old classic synthesizers, chips and hardware.[9][10][11] Behringer sells their synthesizers at budget prices.[12][13][14] Although some manufacturers, such as Curtis, are unhappy about their products being cloned, Behringer said that creating clones of older hardware is legal where the patents have expired.[10][15]

In 2016, Behringer released its first commercial synths, the Deepmind 12[16] and Deepmind 6. Shortly after, they followed up with the Deepmind 12D which was a desktop alternative to the Deepmind synths. The design of the Deepmind was inspired by the Roland Juno-106.[17][18] Their second original synth was the Neutron and their third was Behringer Crave, a semi-modular synthesizer released in 2019. [12] The next synth was the Model D, a desktop clone of the Minimoog. The following year, the Poly D was released, with the same "D type" circuits as the Model D, but now with 4 oscillators and a keyboard. Since 2018, Behringer has produced clones of synthesizers and drum machines including the Roland TB-303,[19] Korg Monopoly,[20] Arp 2600,[21][22] Arp Odyssey,[23] Roland TR-808, TR-909,[24][25] Roland SH-101,[26] Minimoog, Sequential Circuits Prophet-600[27][28] and EDP Wasp.[29]

Legal developments

FCC dispute

In February 2006, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) fined Behringer $1M,[30] issuing a Notice of Apparent Liability against Behringer, claiming that 50 of the company's products had not been tested for conducted and radiated emissions limits as required by US law,[31] and noting that Behringer continued to sell the products for a year after being notified.[30] Behringer's position was that they believed that since the units had passed stringent European CE standards, they would also comply with FCC verification requirements.[30] According to Behringer, it had overlooked the differences in testing standards and procedures under FCC and European requirements. The company has since implemented a complete UL certified safety and EMC testing laboratory under the UL Certified Witness Program, including in-house audits and global regulatory review systems.[32]

Legal cases

In June 1997, the Mackie company (now LOUD Technologies) accused Behringer of trademark and trade dress infringement, and brought suit seeking $327M in damages.[33][34] The claims were later rejected by the court. In their suit, Mackie said that Behringer had had a history of copying products by other manufacturers and selling them as their own.[35] The Mackie suit detailed an instance, in which Behringer was sued by Aphex Systems for copying the Aural Exciter Type F. In that case Aphex Systems won DM690,000.[35] The Mackie suit also mentioned similar cases filed by BBE, dbx and Drawmer.[35] On 30 November 1999, the U.S. District Court in Seattle, Washington, dismissed Mackie claims that Behringer had infringed on Mackie copyrights with its MX 8000 mixer, noting that circuit schematics are not covered by copyright laws.[36][37][38]

In 2005, Roland Corporation sued to enforce Roland's trade dress, trademark, and other intellectual property rights with regard to Behringer's recently released guitar pedals. The companies came to a confidential settlement in 2006 after Behringer changed their designs.[39]

In 2009, Peavey Electronics Corporation filed two lawsuits against various companies under the Behringer/Music Group umbrella for patent infringement, federal and common law trademark infringement, false designation of origin, trademark dilution and unfair competition.[40] In 2011 the Music Group filed a countersuit against Peavey for "false advertising, false patent marking and unfair competition."[41]

In 2017, Music Group filed a defamation lawsuit against Dave Smith Instruments, a Dave Smith Instruments engineer, and 20 Gearslutz forum users. The case was dismissed as a SLAPP lawsuit.[42][43]

"Kirn CorkSniffer"

In March 2020, Behringer published a mock video for a synthesizer, the "KIRN CorkSniffer", which appeared to mock the music technology journalist and synthesiser developer Peter Kirn. The video received criticism and accusations of using antisemitic imagery. Uli Behringer issued a response on Facebook, saying the video had been intended as "pure satire by our marketing department".[44] The apology was deleted the following day.[45]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Music rebrands its tribe". https://www.proavl-asia.com/details/54342-music-rebrands-its-tribe. 
  2. ↑ "Interview: Uli Behringer, seine Erfolgsgeschichte" (in de-DE). 2009-11-15. https://www.amazona.de/interview-uli-behringer/. 
  3. ↑ Note: Behringer's father had bought the organ from a church demolition in 1965.
  4. ↑ "Interview & Reisereport: Uli Behringer 2019 in China" (in de-DE). 2019-05-08. https://www.amazona.de/interview-reisereport-uli-behringer-2019-in-china/. 
  5. ↑ Holder, Christopher. "NAME BEHIND THE NAME: Uli Behringer, Behringer Inc". https://www.audiotechnology.com/by-brand/behringer/uli-behringer. 
  6. ↑ Holst, Cindy. "Behringer Acquires Rights to CoolAudio". Future plc. https://www.svconline.com/news/behringer-acquires-rights-coolaudio-364877. 
  7. ↑ "MUSIC Tribe's New Manufacturing Facility Emphasises Transparency". https://www.systemsintegrationasia.com/music-tribes-new-manufacturing-facility-emphasises-transparency/. 
  8. ↑ Sherbourne, Simon (January 2020). "Behringer RD-8 Rhythm Designer". SOS Publications Group. https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/behringer-rd-8-rhythm-designer. 
  9. ↑ "5 Popular Synths That Keep Going Down in Price" (in en). https://reverb.com/news/5-really-good-deals-in-used-synths-and-drum-machines. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Warwick, Oli (8 April 2017). "Attack of the clones: Is Behringer's Minimoog a synth replica too far?" (in en-US). Fact. https://www.factmag.com/2017/04/08/behringer-minimoog-synth-clones/. 
  11. ↑ July 2020, Ben Rogerson07. "Behringer now has access to a 'synth on a chip', which could mean many more compact and affordable analogue polys" (in en). https://www.musicradar.com/news/behringer-now-has-access-to-a-synth-on-a-chip-which-could-many-more-compact-and-affordable-analogue-polys. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Deahl, Dani (2019-02-01). "5 of our favorite synths from NAMM 2019" (in en). https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/1/18202835/analog-digital-synth-behringer-korg-teenage-engineering-arturia-namm-2019. 
  13. ↑ "Is Behringer's Cheap Analog Synthesizer Worth It?" (in en-US). 2016-08-12. https://www.electronicbeats.net/the-feed/is-behringers-cheap-analog-synthesizer-worth-it/. 
  14. ↑ "Best synths to buy in 2021: 17 of the best synthesizers under $600" (in en-GB). 2021-02-02. https://www.musictech.net/guides/buyers-guide/best-hardware-synths-under-600/. 
  15. ↑ "Curtis chip company speaks out against vintage synth cloning" (in en-US). 2017-03-22. https://www.factmag.com/2017/03/22/curtis-electromusic-vintage-synth-cloning/. 
  16. ↑ April 2017, Bruce Aisher 16. "Behringer DeepMind 12 review" (in en). https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/behringer-deepmind-12. 
  17. ↑ "Sonic LAB: Behringer DeepMind 12 Review" (in en). https://sonicstate.com/news/2016/10/20/sonic-lab-behringer-deepmind-12-review/. 
  18. ↑ "Behringer details wireless-enabled DeepMind 12 polyphonic synth" (in en-US). 2016-08-01. https://www.factmag.com/2016/08/01/behringer-deepmind-12-polyphonic-synth-wi-fi-details/. 
  19. ↑ "Behringer Readies TD-3 – Roland TB-303 Clone | FutureMusic the latest news on future music technology DJ gear producing dance music edm and everything electronic". https://futuremusic.com/2019/11/07/behringer-readies-td-3-roland-tb-303-clone/. 
  20. ↑ "Behringer MonoPoly ready for production" (in en-GB). 2020-10-16. https://www.gearnews.com/behringer-monopoly-ready-for-production/. 
  21. ↑ "Korg's ARP 2600 FS Should Not Be Overlooked | FutureMusic the latest news on future music technology DJ gear producing dance music edm and everything electronic". https://futuremusic.com/2020/01/27/korgs-arp-2600-fs-should-not-be-overlooked/. 
  22. ↑ "Behringer 2600 rolls off the production line, to cost $599!" (in en-GB). 2020-10-19. https://www.gearnews.com/behringer-2600-rolls-of-the-production-line-but-price-is-still-to-be-determined/. 
  23. ↑ "Behringer Odyssey Review" (in en-GB). 2019-09-09. https://www.musictech.net/reviews/hardware-instruments/behringer-odyssey/. 
  24. ↑ "Behringer gives us an update on the RD-9 drum machine" (in en-GB). 2020-09-13. https://www.gearnews.com/behringer-gives-us-an-update-on-the-rd-9-drum-machine/. 
  25. ↑ "Behringer Readies RD-8 Drum Machine For Holiday Delivery | FutureMusic the latest news on future music technology DJ gear producing dance music edm and everything electronic". 19 August 2019. https://futuremusic.com/2019/08/19/behringer-readies-rd-8-drum-machine-for-holiday-delivery/. 
  26. ↑ "Behringer MS-101 Review" (in en-GB). 2019-10-17. https://www.musictech.net/reviews/hardware-instruments/behringer-ms-101/. 
  27. ↑ "Behringer reveals the PRO-800: clone of Sequential Prophet-600 with no keys and extra voices" (in en-GB). 2020-09-17. https://www.gearnews.com/behringer-reveals-the-pro-800-clone-of-sequential-prophet-600-with-no-keys-and-extra-voices/. 
  28. ↑ "Behringer Announces Poly D | FutureMusic the latest news on future music technology DJ gear producing dance music edm and everything electronic". 27 November 2019. https://futuremusic.com/2019/11/27/behringer-announces-poly-d/. 
  29. ↑ Wilson, Scott (25 November 2019). "Behringer launches $299 clone of classic Wasp synthesizer". https://www.factmag.com/2019/11/25/behringer-wasp-deluxe-synth-announced/. 
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 Gearwire.com. 14 June 2007. "Behringer Fined One Million Dollars By FCC." Retrieved on 4 October 2009.
  31. ↑ Radio Currents Online, 20–26 February 2006
  32. ↑ "Behringer Resolved FCC Compliance Issues Before Recent Ruling". Musiciansnews.com. http://www.musiciansnews.com/be/behringer/behringer_resolved_fcc_compliance_issues_before_recent_rulin.shtml. 
  33. ↑ Loud Technologies Inc. LTec Quarterly Report (10-Q) Item 1. Legal Proceedings
  34. ↑ Mackie Designs Inc. Files Lawsuit to Stop "Knockoff" Products... | Business Wire | Find Articles at Bnet.com
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 Verna, Paul. Billboard, 5 July 1997. "Mackie Sues Over Knockoffs: Behringer, Sam Ash Are Defendants." Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  36. ↑ "Mackie/Behringer lawsuit. | [[The Music Trades]] | Find Articles at Bnet.com". http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5264/is_199902/ai_n20420920. 
  37. ↑ The Music Trades, February 1999. Archived at Entrepreneur.com as "Mackie/Behringer Lawsuit."[|permanent dead link|dead link}}] Retrieved on 8 September 2009.
  38. ↑ "Mackie Designs Inc v. Behringer Specialised studio equipment (UK) Ltd, Ulrich Bernhard Behringer & Behringer Spezielle Studiotechnik GmbH [1999 EWHC Ch 252 (22nd February, 1999)"]. Bailii.org. 23 April 1999. http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Ch/1999/252.html. 
  39. ↑ "Behringer and Roland Settle Lawsuit". 10 April 2006. http://mixonline.com/news/headline/behringer-roland-lawsuit-041006/. 
  40. ↑ "Peavey Files Lawsuits Against Behringer, Intellectual property issues cited". Sonicstate.com. http://www.sonicstate.com/news/2011/05/02/peavey-files-lawsuits-against-behringer/. 
  41. ↑ Cooper, Gary. "Behringer's MUSIC group files US suit against Peavey". Musical instrument industry news. MI Pro. http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/32272/Behringers-MUSIC-group-files-US-suit-against-Peavey. 
  42. ↑ "Behringer sued Dave Smith Instruments, forum posters, and lost". 19 June 2018. https://cdm.link/2018/06/behringer-have-sued-dave-smith-instruments-forum-posters-for-defamation/. 
  43. ↑ Wilson, Scott (20 June 2018). "Behringer tried to sue Dave Smith Instruments and 20 forum users for libel". https://www.factmag.com/2018/06/20/behringer-dave-smith-libel-case/. 
  44. ↑ March 2020, MusicRadar03 (3 March 2020). "Behringer forced to apologise after bullying row" (in en). https://www.musicradar.com/news/behringer-forced-to-apologise-after-bullying-row. 
  45. ↑ March 2020, MusicRadar04 (4 March 2020). "Behringer deletes 'CorkSniffer' apology as Peter Kirn tells people not to smash up their synths" (in en). https://www.musicradar.com/news/behringer-deletes-corksniffer-apology-as-peter-kirn-tells-people-not-to-smash-up-their-synths. 

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