Behringer’s Thriller Remake: Affordable Synths, Legendary Grooves

Behringer opens the episode with a nod to ‘Thriller’ as the definitive 80s anthem, shaped by a host of legendary session players and studio wizards. The video quickly addresses the elephant in the room: while the original track leaned on rare and now extremely pricey vintage synths, this remake aims to get eerily close using accessible modern gear. The setup promises to spare your bank account, avoiding the usual parade of collector’s items.

Importantly, every sound and sequence is tracked, mixed, and assembled in a modest home studio—not a plush pro facility. The host spells out his weaponry: Poly D, LM Drum, JT2, Wave, and the JN80, all from the Behringer stable. It’s a clear statement of intent: this isn’t a museum piece, but a hands-on, pragmatic approach. The video sets the tone for a series focused on demystifying classic pop production with kit that mere mortals can actually afford.

Diving into the main course, the LM Drum takes centre stage, with the host routing all channels to the stereo output—except for the kick and clap, which are split out for mix control. This is a classic move for anyone wanting to sculpt the backbone of a rhythm track. The video highlights a subtle but crucial tweak: swapping the default congas for LM1 conga samples and loading a custom clap sound from the RD8. These modifications are aimed squarely at nailing the original’s groove.

Step mode drum sequencing follows, with tempo set to 118 BPM and a 32-step pattern length. The programming is meticulous: four-to-the-floor kick, closed hats throughout, open hats alternating between bars, cowbell on the offbeat, low and high congas precisely placed, plus snare and clap to round out the pattern. Each element is dialled in with an ear for the nuances that make ‘Thriller’ instantly recognisable.

True to Bruce Swedeen’s legendary engineering philosophy, the host purposefully avoids compression on the LM-style drums. The aim is to preserve the natural punch and clarity, rather than squash the life out of the groove. This choice is both a technical and aesthetic nod to the original production values.

For modular fans and purists, it’s a refreshing reminder: sometimes the best trick is knowing when not to reach for another tool. The result is a drum section that feels lively and open, ready to underpin the rest of the remake.