The Behringer BCR32 is Finally Ready, and You Can Order Yours Today!

17 Aug by Lasse Eilers | |

5,0 / 5,0 | Reading time: 4 min

Behringer BCR32 · Source: Thomann

Previous Next

Few other Behringer products have been more highly anticipated than the BCR32, a souped-up reissue of the sought-after BCR2000. Now, the controller and sequencer is finally ready – and you can order yours today!

All Things BCR32

Behringer BCR32: Ready for Pre-Order!

It’s been more than five years since Behringer first hinted at a reissue of the famous BCR2000. Ever since then, the release date of the BCR32 has been one of the most hotly discussed topics in forums and on Behringer’s Facebook page. But now, the wait is finally over: the BCR32 is now ready for pre-order!

The BCR32 is a modernized and completely overhauled reissue of the BCR2000. The predecessor was originally conceived as a DAW controller, but it’s the ingenious Zaquencer firmware developed by Christian Stöcklmeier aka ZAQ Audio that has made it one of Behringer’s most sought-after products on the used market. This firmware, which turns the humble controller into a powerful sequencer, is now built right into the BCR32, and you can switch between controller and sequencer modes at the push of a button.

Like the BCR2000, the BCR32 offers 32 rotary encoders with LED rings. The top row of knobs has been moved down to join the other three, which makes for a more intuitive sequencer workflow. Above the knobs, there are 16 buttons for functions such as pitch, velocity, mute, shuffle, and many more. The plastic buttons of the predecessor have been replaced with rubberized variants similar to those found in Behringer’s drum machines.

Next to the small OLED display on the right, there are buttons for selecting tracks and knob groups, transport functions, and saving and loading presets. The fact that the knobs and buttons are now labeled with the Zaquencer functions goes to show that the BCR32 is sequencer first, controller second. That said, it’s still also a very versatile MIDI and CV controller that can perform a wide variety of duties in your setup.

Speaking of CV: Unlike the predecessor, the BCR32 offers analog Sync jacks and four pairs of CV/gate outputs in addition to MIDI In/Out and USB. This means that it can also run your modular rig and sequence your analog synths – something the BCR2000 couldn’t do.

Price and Availability

You can now order the Behringer BCR32 from our affiliate partner Thomann* for $164 / £142 / €169.

Affiliate Links

Behringer BCR32

$164 / £142 / €169 at

More Information

BCR32: Behringer to work with Zaquencer to bring back the BCR2000 as a sequencer

[09 January 2021 / Robin Vincent] The return of the BCR2000 rotary MIDI controller is confirmed and reworked as the BCR32 to include the Zaquencer firmware that turned the original into a sequencer.

Believe it or not, Behringer has had some great ideas and great original products over the years. One of them was the BCR2000 rotary MIDI controller released back in 2005. They recently asked their fan club if they’d like to see it return and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Along with a wish list of improvements and suggestions the Zaquencer sequencer firmware update was frequently mentioned.

Zaquencer was created as an alternative firmware for the BCR2000 by ZAQ Audio in 2014. It turns it into a 32-step sequencer.

Behringer says in a Facebook post that they are working with Zaquencer to bring the BCR2000 back to life as an updated MIDI controller and desktop sequencer. They originally called the new version the BCR64 but now it appears to be the BCR32 which makes a lot more sense. Maybe they were hoping for 64-steps?

The mock-up images of the BCR32 look great! You’ve got 32 knobs with LED halos to indicate position. That’s an awesome feature in my book so that the knobs constantly give you an indication of what they are set to when moving from pattern to pattern or mode to mode. Along with MIDI In/Out/Thru you’ve got 4 channels of CV/Gate so it’s going to be at least a 4-track device. There are no CV modulation outputs though.

It looks like a decent product and Behringer says they can get it to market for $149. That would make it a very competitive desktop sequencer. No indication of when we would see it and so far no comment from ZAQ Audio.

More information

Behringer Facebook post.
More from Behringer.
ZAQ Audio Facebook page.

How do you like this post?

Rating: Yours: | ø:

8 responses to “The Behringer BCR32 is Finally Ready, and You Can Order Yours Today!”

Karl says:

-2

9 January 2021 at 14:48

Please oh please ditch the Akai-ish font used for “BCR32”! You’ve got something potentially original brewing this time; don’t ruin it through sheer laziness!