Behringer Skies: The Skies the Limit With This Granular Processor Module
3,2 / 5,0 | 
Behringer Skies is a new take on Mutable Instruments’ real-time granular processing legend, Clouds.
Behringer Skies
Granular processing is for sure the effect of the 2020s, with a new granular effect plugin being released every day, it seems. It’s not new, of course, with now-retired Eurorack company Mutable Instruments releasing perhaps the most famous granular processor of all, Clouds, back in 2014.
Now, Behringer has announced its take on the open-source Clouds. Called Skies, it replicates the real-time processor fairly faithfully – but does add a new feature for good measure.
Behringer Skies: Real-Time Processor
Skies is a real-time processor, not an instrument, so it acts on incoming signals, capturing tiny ‘grains’ of sound and playing them back in a variety of CV-controllable ways. By manipulating the grain size, pitch, density and texture, you can create all manner of effects, from dense and swirling reverbs to glitchy rhythms.
The 18HP module lets you control parameters such as Position, Size, Pitch, Density and Texture. You can modulate these as well either manually with the knobs or via CV. There’s also a Freeze button to stop the signal, great for drones.
Skies offers four sample rate modes, including 32kHz 16-bit stereo with a 1s buffer, 32kHz 16-bit mono with a 2s buffer, 16kHz 8-bit stereo with a 4s buffer and 16kHz 8-bit mono with an 8s buffer. It sports stereo in and stereo out, and Behringer stresses that even the mono modes will end up in stereo at the output.
As for the new functionality, that would be a USB-C port on the front for firmware updates.
Behringer Skies: Rings Around the Sky
Lastly, in the demo video, Behringer teased another module coming soon that pairs well with Skies. Given that some eagle-eyed viewers have spotted Mutable’s Rings in the video, it’s a good guess that the physical modeling resonator module will be next.
Behringer Skies: Price and Availability
Behringer Skies is available to pre-order now at Thomann* for $104 / £90 / €109. It should start shipping in a few months.
More Information
*Note: This article contains advertising links that help us pay for this site. Don’t worry: the price for you will always be the same! If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
This might also interest you
