Starsky Carr’s Battle of Budget Delays

A Clash of Echoes

When you think about legendary delay pedals, names like Moog’s MoogerFooger MF-104M come to mind. But what if I told you there’s a contender on the block from Behringer, the BM-14M, that promises to deliver that signature Moog sound at a fraction of the price? That’s exactly what’s happening here in Starsky Carr’s latest YouTube adventure. He’s unpacking the Behringer and pitting it against the much-loved MoogerFooger to see if this budget-friendly option can hold its ground. This Behringer comes in at a sweet £115, while the MoogerFooger will set you back over a grand. So naturally, this matchup is all about seeing if you can get that lush analog echo without breaking the bank.

"I've seen them advertised for £2,000."

Sound Off: The Battle Begins

"They’re not bad are they then?"

Starsky kicks things off with a side-by-side comparison of these two delay titans. Right out of the gate, he plugs them in and lets us hear what they offer. With one delay in the left ear and the other in the right, he’s making sure even the smallest nuances come through. The Behringer BM-14M, with its slightly brighter sound, finds itself under the microscope immediately. Starsky notices the feedback tails aren’t quite identical between the two units, a subtle deviance that might matter to the picky audiophiles out there. He’s meticulous, making sure the settings are as close as possible on both boxes. The Behringer manages to offer a brighter decay, which may or may not be to every listener’s taste. This is where Starsky’s attention to detail shines, showing off the signature saturation of the MoogerFooger versus the bold attacks of the Behringer. And, just like in any synth showdown, it’s all about those gentle differentiations that make or break a unit. You’ve got to love how Starsky points out these nuances, bringing out every shimmer and shake in the echoes for us to chew over.

Features Face-Off

Now, we dive deeper into the guts of both pedals, examining what they really offer beyond just sound. Starsky gets right into the tech, exploring everything from tap tempo to bypass features. Here, the MoogerFooger and Behringer show some unexpected similarities, sporting identical layouts in control and connection departments. Yet, in true Behringer style, they slip in the standard negative tip power connector, which makes it feel right at home next to your average guitar pedal. Starsky points out the 5-pin MIDI and power connections, laying the groundwork for those who like their setups to be as interconnected as a Chicago street grid at rush hour. It’s clear Starsky knows that gear isn’t just about the sound; it’s also about how it fits in your setup, and here, both units offer flexibility.

MIDI Magic and LFOs Unchained

Moving into the world of modulation, Starsky pulls back the curtain on the LFO capabilities and MIDI functions of these pedals. Each beep and buzz becomes part of a rhythmic journey, reminiscent of a raw jam session where the gear becomes the star. With MIDI, the Behringer shows off its versatility, a bit like discovering a hidden bonus on an old-school mixtape. Starsky highlights the quirks in MIDI sync with a knowing nod—the kind that every producer wrestling with rivaling devices would appreciate. But it’s in the LFO section that things spice up. You get a sense of creative potential, especially with the Behringer’s ability to mimic a sequencer. Starsky stirs the pot by demonstrating a glitchy patch that could easily find its place in a beat-heavy set, adding a touch of the unexpected to what might seem like straightforward delay tech. Like a street vendor mixing unexpected flavors, these features serve up something that’ll make your head nod.