Behringer

Behringer.

What's the first thought that came into your head after saying that word ?

Cheap, mass produced crap ?

Ripped off intellectual property and blatant plagiarism ?

Excellent value for money ?

Budget but good ?

If it wasn't for Behringer, I'd never had got a chance to start exploring my musical talents on my restricted budget ?

I'm pretty sure it would be one of those, and probably one (or both) of the first too, I bet.

Wherever I look on this big ol' internet, I find "purists" slating Behringer for their (lack of) quality or their bare faced cheek in producing something that "is so obviously a rip off of product XYZ". And at the same time, I find stuff about how affordable and how surprised people were with their gear.

Now, my experience with Behringer is fairly limited so far, but I have to say it's been good. The only bit of Behringer gear I currently own is a set of HPS3000 headphones that have lasted me a good 4 or 5 years and still work and look like new. that's more than can be said of the very expensive Senheissers they replaced !

What has prompted this post is the fact that I have just ordered Behringer's latest toy, the UMA25S...




(more on this when it arrives !).

In my search for an affordable solution to my mobile music making conundrum, I stumbled across this and at £79.99, it seemed too good to miss ! Of course, people have been saying to me since that it will only last a few weeks, or it's performance will be so poor that I will be chucking it across the room. All based on their pre-conceived idea of Behringer and it's "quality", as many of these people have enver even owned Behringer gear. They just believe the hype.

It is true that in their early days, they did indeed produce some questionable products of questionable quality, and it seems that label has stuck as it always tends to do.

I've worked in retail in the past and know all too well what boxshifters are. Create some crap, dress it up, pile it high, sell it cheap. Turnover is that good and profits are that healthy that they far outweight the number of returns.

But it seems that Behringer are definitely not box shifters. They seem to be a company who are progressive, forward thinking and above all, committed to producing quality products at the best possible prices, focusing on the largest segment of the music making market, the cash strapped home and amateur musician.

How do I know this ? Well, it's clear from reading the many and various articles on the company and their ever increasing sales, innovation and manufacturing expansion. Whilst reading about them, I discovered the following two part video diary made by Australian Music Magazine, Audio Technology (think SOS but with a beer and a BBQ !), whilst on a tour of Behringer's China facility.

It's contents surprised me, as well as the guy who made the video diary itself, it would seem. Whilst Chinese factory production seems strange to us in the west, Behringer certainly seem to have taken a lead on utilising their skills and work ethic. I found it very compelling viewing.

See for yourselves...

Part 1



Part 2



I think it's great to see a company with so much enthusiasm doing so well and challenging the existing hierarchy. And how many other manufacturers feature a product specific forward written by the company's owner and founder (who also remains head of R&D) ?

Uli Behringer is making his mark. (yes, that is his own LinkedIn page !)