Behringer Intros 369 Vintage Stereo Compressor Limiter, A Neve 33609 Knockoff

Behringer today introduced the 369 Vintage Stereo Compressor Limiter, a knockoff of the classic Neve 33609 rack effect.

The original Neve 33609 is considered by many to be one of the best compressors ever created. It’s a boutique device, hand-built in England, and has become a standard device in studios over the last three decades.

The Behringer 369 is designed to be an inexpensive copy of the original Neve compressor. Behringer claims that “the 369 is as faithful to the original as humanly possible.”

Features:

  • 2-channel stereo compressor and limiter based on the classic 33609 design
  • Custom-built Midas input and output transformers
  • Completely discrete signal path, ideal for mixing, mastering and broadcast applications
  • Broad selection of compression ratios: 1.5:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1
  • Switchable attack time from slow to fast for each compressor and limiter
  • Compressor recovery time: 100 to 1,500 msec with 2 auto-release presets
  • Limiter recovery time: 50 to 800 msec with 2 auto-release presets
  • Dedicated threshold selector on both compressor and limiter
  • Variable makeup gain settings on both compressors for more grit and warmth
  • Compressors and limiters can be individually bypassed
  • Select between linked stereo mode or as a dual mono compressor
  • 2 vintage-style gain reduction meters
  • Transformer-balanced inputs and outputs on XLR connectors
  • Rugged 2U rackmount chassis for durability in portable applications
  • Auto-ranging universal switch-mode power supply

Here’s the official intro video:

Pricing and Availability:

The Behringer 369 Vintage Stereo Compressor Limiter is expected to be available in a few months, priced at around $500 USD.

via Andreas

29 thoughts on “Behringer Intros 369 Vintage Stereo Compressor Limiter, A Neve 33609 Knockoff”

    1. I thought the exact same.
      I’ve got my metaphorical popcorn and my literal beer ready to go!
      Nothing stirs up the comments like a good old Behringer clone (or “knock-off”, if you really want to stir that pot!).

  2. Do want. Something tells me there’s an EQ unit waiting in the wings.
    I still have and sometimes use a Behringer Composer from way back in the day. I figure it’s only a matter of time before that gets cloned.

    1. Really to be honest. Names of products like this, there should be no shame in having some thing like that because the truth is. Not everyone can afford that. I have mostly the waves plugins versions of Neve products. If I was a billionaire I would have Neve set up in a full studio. I have a Tascam model 16 mixer console and I was lucky to have even gotten one because I normally don’t have the money. But some one owed me and paid the money in full.

  12. This does look like a nice high-fidelity analog compressor for vintage tones. The concept, design, feature set, and price are all appealing.

    Comparable tones & results can be gotten via already available DSP plugins, so I don’t see this being especially essential for the studio, except perhaps at the front end during tracking (vox, drum room-mic, etc.)

    For live sound, it’s overkill for most casual gigs. Might be nice for main mix. However, I’d have some reliability concerns. For guitar, bass, or keys, I suspect that the compressors Fractal’s digital hardware could get pretty close to anything this thing can do. Source Audio’s Atlas is also VERY tweakable. As for the “warmth” , this can be added pre or post compression via some other saturation/coloration processor..

    I’m with @momo on this one. I’d have to put black tape over that B-word obscenity, and maybe write “I <3 cdm.link" with a silver marker. That'd show 'em 😀 Fortunately, I've got these bases covered, so I can pass.

    1. How much did those other clones cost? How many corners were cut?

      I suppose if you feel like this is an unfair criticism of B-word; you may be comforted to know that the head of said company has a well-earned reputation for mean-spirited down-punching. So “knock-off” will likely roll off his back. He might even like it.

  16. Say what you want, but it”s not rocket surgery to build an old style diode compressor. There’s no arguing over the quality of a Neve, but some of these “classic pieces” are vastly overpriced for what they carry beyond a name.

    If this can do what the original 33609 does, and I’m betting it does, then it will be a big hit. It should be if it follows their more recent patterns as their quality and manufacturing has improved greatly. I have a couple of Behringer pieces that have been nothing short of reliable for a number of years, I look forward to seeing real reviews once it’s released and in service.

  18. Knockoffs are Behringer’s bread and butter.

    It’s amazing, though, that – even after 30 years and thousands of products – Behringer hasn’t come up with anything original of their own. They’ve just gotten really good at making knockoffs.

    1. Believe me, I’m NOT a fan of B-word or Uli. But I’m not sure about these:

      Are there “original versions of the BCR2000/ BCF2000? The DEQ2496? If not, those are pretty original products. Certainly useful.

      1. On the synth side, the Neutron and Deepmind too. I believe they’re original and both highly rated. But yes I’d love to see more original stuff. Although it might be partly our fault (collectively) for being so nostalgic.

  19. I think this compressor is a “next step” in Uli trying to destroy Warm Audio. The first step was releasing a much cheaper decent clone of the LA2a on his bought-by-but-not-named-Behringer KT label.
    I think Uli has a motive to up his analog standards a bit while setting a very low price for these clones.
    I am curious about the sound of this thing, and the cost is low, so my reluctance to ever buy any more Beh gear is feeling pressure.

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