Behringer 1601: the ARP analog step sequencer goes Eurorack

Behringer has published the product page for the 1601 Sequencer, an analog step sequencer in Eurorack format inspired by ARP’s 1601 sequencer from the 1970s. The prototype was first shown in December 2021; the unit is now described as finished, with a quick start guide, as Synth Anatomy reported on October 23. Price and availability are still to be announced.

An analog slider sequencer, not a menu-driven one

A step sequencer loops through a row of voltages, one per step, and sends them as CV (control voltage) and gates (trigger pulses) to an oscillator, a filter or an envelope. On the 1601, each value is set with a backlit slider. According to Behringer’s official page and the quick start guide, it offers:

• one 16-step sequence or two 8-step sequences, played in order or at random;
• three gate buses with a switch on every step, to fire different destinations on different steps;
• a quantizer over 2 octaves, which snaps the voltage to in-tune notes, or a free 10-octave range for filter cutoff or pulse width;
• Skip and Reset buttons with CV inputs, and step switches that can skip a step or restart the sequence;
• a transpose CV input, to shift the sequence from a keyboard;
• separate quantize inputs to run external CV through the quantizer, plus four multiples.

A clock you can modulate

Tempo is set with a slider, but it also takes frequency modulation (Clock FM) by CV: gate bus 1 is patched to it by default, so selected steps can run faster. A second slider, with its own CV input, sets the clock pulse width, and therefore gate length, from staccato to legato. A Clocked Gate 1 output combines the clock with bus 1 for accents, and a Position 1 output fires when the sequence returns to step one, for example to stop it after a single pass.

Sync and MIDI

PPQN (pulses per quarter note) describes how fine a clock is: 24 PPQN is the MIDI clock rate. The MIDI output lets the 1601 drive non-modular synths too, not just a rack.

Ships in a case, moves into a rack

The 1601 ships in its own chassis with a power adapter. The module can be taken out and fitted into a standard Eurorack case, and a 10-to-16-pin adapter ribbon is included. Behringer recommends leaving the job to an experienced technician and lists a consumption of 1 A at 12 V: a lot for a single module, so check the headroom of your case’s power supply. Width in HP has not been published. The basics of the format are covered in our guide Eurorack explained: choosing your first case.

Who it is for, what it costs, what it competes with

Who it is for. Musicians who want to sequence by hand, one slider per step, whether that is a modular voice, a semi-modular or a MIDI synth, and who prefer a front panel to menus. The three gate buses and clock modulation suit irregular rhythms and 1970s-style sequencer music. Not for anyone who needs to store many patterns: the guide describes no sequence memory.

What it costs. Price not announced: the product page lists neither a price nor a release date.

What it competes with. Within Behringer’s own range, the 960 Sequential Controller recreates the Moog 960 with three rows of 8 steps. On the digital side, sequencers such as the Squarp Core or the OXI Coral (see its 3.0 update) bring memory, multiple tracks and on-screen editing, but not one slider per step. The 1601 stands out with 16 steps in a single row, a built-in quantizer and MIDI output; it gives up pattern memory and draws a lot of current. More control gear is covered in our sequencers and control section.

Product page and quick start guide: 1601 Sequencer on behringer.com.