Behringer 369: Need a famous Neve Bus Compressor on a Budget?
A clone of the iconic 33609.
4,7 / 5,0 | 
The Behringer 369 is a budget recreation of a legendary Neve stereo bus compressor, once again giving you access to the inaccessible.
Behringer has built a cult-like following with its accessible vintage synth recreations, but now the juggernaut has pivoted in an unexpected direction. The idea of building a recreation of a $4000 compressor that will cost you less than $500 may sound ludicrous to some. However, could it be just what we’ve been waiting for?
Behringer 369
If you’re unfamiliar with historic compressors, the Neve 33609 was a diode-bridge compressor/limiter introduced in the early 1980s. The layout consists of separate limiter and compressor sections and dual-mono operation, making it an instant hit in broadcast and music production.
Behringer has carefully reproduced every aspect of this sought-after compressor, from the front panel controls to the transformers that are produced at the Midas factory.
Like the original, the limiter section has a 2-way switch for fast and slow attack times, as well as threshold and recovery time controls. Furthermore, the compressor section gives you the same set of controls with the addition of the ratio and makeup gain controls.
The 369 also offers external CV control, making it a versatile addition to your studio. Use it to compress your drums, shape synth pads, or control the gain structure of your entire mix.
Like any bold design, we’d love to hear how it compares to the original. However, even if it doesn’t sound half as good as the Neve 33609, it’s still a versatile compressor that’s easy to operate and affordable enough for most musicians.
Pricing and availability:
The 369 is currently available for order from Thomann.
More about the Behringer 369:
- Shop Behringer on Thomann
- Official Product Page
- Classic Compressors and Limiters
- More about Behringer
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7 responses to “Behringer 369: Need a famous Neve Bus Compressor on a Budget?”
How long until the Behringer haters come out and whine about how terrible it is that the plebes can now afford to buy 40+ year old technology? The nerve….
“The 369 also offers external CV control” where?
Note the strange input on rear labelled “Tandem Control Voltage External Control Signals”. Not sure what format that is?
looks similar to a serial bus port though… also in fairness that might be a place holder, the text or even the whole port type and position. the only thing mentioned in the article is CV control (which I’m still not entirely sure how that applies in a compressor scenario) but bottom line I personally really appreciate the intent; to not only make priceless instruments accessible, but also priceless gear to better record those instruments…
*cups hand to ear in anticipation of incoming barrage of hate-spew, which at this point is caricture-esque and certainly doesn’t impact the heaps of undying appreciation those of us who still grasp a hint of sanity will continue to express!
My guess is a breakout cable for CV and also traditional side-channing off level.
This is an absolute triumph of hope over reason! It simply isn’t possible to deliver even remotely the same kind of quality at an 1/8th of the price. Yes, the Neve is probably hugely overpriced, but even if we disregard the economic reality, i think the laws of physics might have some relevance here!
We’d all love a Neve 33609 for $500, but copying the exterior and presumably cloning the circuit with MUCH cheaper components is just going to give you a much cheaper sound in a pretty box. Thats the unfortunate reality.
“presumably cloning the circuit with MUCH cheaper components”
What is the basis of this presumption? Behringer is actually Music Tribe, who own Klark Teknik, Midas and such, and have facilities which create their own transformers and components. Why exactly are these cheaper, and what is the basis of the sound being ‘cheaper’?
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