DIGITAL MONITOR SPEAKERS MS20/MS40

FOREWORD

Dear Customer,

welcome to the team of BEHRINGER users, and thank you very much for expressing your confidence in us by purchasing this studio monitor.

Writing this foreword for you gives me great pleasure, because it represents the cul- mination of many months of hard work delivered by our engineering team to achieve a very ambitious goal: to present a pair of outstanding digital monitor speakers, whose excellent sound

and vast connection options makes them ideal for use in every computer studio. The task of designing our new DIGITAL MONITOR SPEAKERS certainly meant a great deal of responsibility, which we assumed by focusing on you, the discerning user and musician. Meeting your expectations also meant a lot of work and night shifts. But it was fun, too. Developing a product usually brings a lot of people together, and what a great feeling it is when all who participated in such a project can be proud of what they’ve achieved.

It is our philosophy to share our enjoyment with you, because you are the most important member of the BEHRINGER team. With your highly competent suggestions for new products you’ve made a significant contribution to shaping our company and making it successful. In return, we guarantee you uncompromising quality as well as excellent technical and audio properties at an extremely reasonable price. All of this will enable you to give free rein to your creativity without being hampered by budget constraints.

We are often asked how we manage to produce such high- quality devices at such unbelievably low prices. The answer is quite simple: it’s you, our customers! Many satisfied customers mean large sales volumes enabling us to get better purchasing terms for components, etc. Isn’t it only fair to pass this benefit on to you? Because we know that your success is our success too!

I would like to thank all of you who have made the MS20 and MS40 possible. You have all made your own personal contributions, from the developers to the many other employees at this company, and to you, the BEHRINGER user.

My friends, it’s been worth the effort!

Thank you very much,

Uli Behringer

1. INTRODUCTION

Thank you very much for expressing your confidence in us by purchasing the BEHRINGER DIGITAL MONITOR SPEAKERS MS20/MS40. The MS20/MS40 are active loudspeakers that reproduce your music with highest fidelity and balance. Due to their flexible connection options, the MS20/MS40 can be used in a variety of applications, such as computer studios and audio or multimedia workstations. You can also use them to monitor your keyboards and playback.

Two digital inputs plus two stereo analog inputs enable you to connect a broad range of sound sources and mix two of them within the loudspeakers. Additionally, we have equipped the MS20/MS40 with a headphone connector. The speakers are magnetically shielded, so you can use them near computer monitors.

This User’s Manual is intended to familiarize you with the unit’s control elements, so that you can master all the functions. After having thoroughly read the user’s manual, store it at a safe place for future reference.

1.1 Before getting started

1.1.1 Shipment

Your MS20/MS40 speakers were carefully packed at the assembly plant to assure secure transport. If the cardboard box is damaged, please inspect the equipment immediately for any signs of physical damage.

NEVER send damaged units directly to BEHRINGER. Please, immediately notify the dealer from whom you acquired the unit and the transportation company that delivered the unit to you. Otherwise, all claims for replacement/repair may be rendered invalid.

We recommend that you always use an appropriate carrying case when transporting your MS20/MS40 speakers to ensure their optimal protection.

Always use the original packaging to avoid damage when shipping or storing the unit.

Never let unsupervised children play with the MS20/MS40 or with its packaging.

Please dispose of all packaging materials in an environmentally-friendly fashion.

1.1.2 Initial operation

Please make sure the unit is provided with sufficient ventilation, and never place the MS20/MS40 on top of an amplifier or in the vicinity of a heater to avoid the risk of overheating.

Before plugging the unit into a power socket, please make sure that the voltage corresponds to the voltage stated on the label on the backside of your MS20/MS40.

Power is delivered via the cable enclosed with the unit. All required safety precautions have been adhered to.

ATTENTION!

These monitor speakers are capable of producing extreme volumes. Please bear in mind that high sound pressures do not only temporarily damage your sense of hearing, they can also cause permanent damage. Be sure to select an appropriate volume level.

1. INTRODUCTION

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Behringer MS20 user manual Foreword, Introduction, Shipment, Initial operation

MS20 specifications

The Behringer MS20 is a powerful analog synthesizer that pays homage to the classic Korg MS-20, known for its distinctive sound and innovative features. Designed for both novice musicians and seasoned professionals, the MS20 combines traditional analog synthesis techniques with modern technologies to deliver a versatile sound production platform.

One of the standout features of the Behringer MS20 is its two oscillators, which can be tuned to create a vast array of waveforms, including sawtooth, square, and triangle waves. This allows for rich harmonic content and thick sounds that can suit a range of musical genres. The oscillator section also includes a noise generator, providing additional sonic textures to explore.

The MS20 also boasts a highly flexible filter section, featuring a 2-pole low-pass filter and a high-pass filter. Both filters allow for extensive tweaking, as they come with resonance controls that can induce self-oscillation, giving birth to sharp, piercing tones when pushed to their limits. This filter design has become iconic in its ability to shape and sculpt sounds, making it an essential tool for any sound designer.

Another significant characteristic of the Behringer MS20 is its extensive patch bay, which allows for modular-like routing and connection of various signal paths. With multiple input and output options, musicians can create complex soundscapes by patching different modules together. This hands-on approach encourages exploration and creativity, making each performance unique.

In terms of playability, the MS20 features a 37-key mini keyboard that offers a comfortable playing experience while remaining compact for easy transport. The keyboard has velocity sensitivity, enabling expressive performances that respond to the dynamic nuances of the player's touch.

Additionally, the Behringer MS20 includes MIDI implementation, allowing it to integrate seamlessly with modern digital audio workstations (DAWs) and other MIDI-enabled devices. This connectivity expands its usability further, ensuring that musicians can use the MS20 alongside contemporary production tools.

Overall, the Behringer MS20 synthesizer embodies a perfect blend of classic analog synthesis with modern technology. Its rich sound palette, intuitive design, and extensive routing capabilities make it an appealing choice for anyone looking to delve into the world of synthesizers, whether for live performance or studio production.