Behringer today officially introduced the BQ-10, a new step sequencer that is inspired in part by the classic Korg SQ-10.
The Behringer BQ-10 expands on the original in some important ways, including MIDI Out and supporting standard Euro CV levels.
Features:
- Single 16-step or double 8-step sequences
- Separate 8-step channel for controlling filter or amplitude on a connected synthesizer via CV
- Dedicated trigger outputs per step
- 8 separate play modes for channel A and B, including Alternating, Parallel, Series, Random and more
- Each channel with its own Portamento control, for smoothing out the transition between steps
- Duty cycle control for adjusting the overall gate length
- Trigger input for syncing with external clocks
- CV input for the internal clock, for creative rhythmic effects
- 2 input sum for convenient patching
- Eurorack compatible – main module can be transferred to a standard Eurorack case
- 45 controls give you real-time access to all important parameters
- MIDI support
Pricing and Availability:
The Behringer BQ-10 Step Sequencer is priced at $219 USD in the US, and $149 elsewhere. It should be available soon from retailers.
This is great, but unfortunately no ratchets for TD-style sequences. Now they also need to make an affordable standalone version of the 960 (which they already do for eurorack, but it ends up costing more than twice as this one, once you add a case, power, a 962 and some basic utilities).
A forward-thinking product this is not.
$150 for a basic hardware step sequencer, though, is a decent deal. And step sequencers can be a lot of fun!
I would have loved it if they did something more capable, like adding four rows and 16/32 step options, step skips and per-step reset. When you have to add more modules to do these things, it gets expensive fast.
It’s a little safe but there’s plenty of demand for an all-rounder like this, and adding MIDI out opens it up to a whole lot of people who might not be interested otherwise. It’s nicely specified and cheap, does some things my existing hardware does not. The only miss in my view is a quantizer for people who want to work in specific scales but aren’t necessarily in the Eurorack ecosystem.
What is on offer for the price is great! Way more features than many Eurorack sequencers for double the money
Anyone else get the amusing (and quickly corrected) BQ-10 Equaliser notification ??
Did not see that. What/where was that?
What is weirder is that I got an email from Beringer describing the BQ-10 as a 10 band EQ…
Introducing the Behringer BQ-10 — a 10-band graphic equalizer built for creators who want fast decisions and precise results. No screens. No menus. Just real-time control.
With 10 bands at ±12 dB, a dedicated Low Cut filter, and instant EQ In/Out bypass, BQ-10 gives you the power to clean your signal chain, shape your tone, and solve problems before they hit the audience.
Hands on. Immediate. Effective.
Key highlights
10-band graphic EQ (±12 dB): shape your sound with precision.
Low Cut filter: remove unwanted low-end noise instantly.
EQ In/Out: instant A/B comparison — no guesswork.
Level control: manage output without touching gain staging.
TRS I/O: seamless integration into any live or studio setup.
Rack format (19”) or desktop: built for real workflows.
Universal power (100–240 V): ready for any stage
I like all the voltage settings, I might need to get one so I can use it to control a couple of drone synths that I was gifted that I have no idea what the input voltage is, all I know is that they don’t work with eurorack.
If they won’t work with eurorack, why do you think a eurorack sequencer will work?
it is the voltages that don’t work – eurorack is a voltage compliance format, whatever the 3.5mm input is on the synths i have it just goes all over the place when you put in the standard eurorack voltage. if you actually watch the video you will see that the output voltage on the sequencer allows voltage adjustment for different gear that have different CVs
I fully expected this to start at $250 and drop to $199 after a few months. I was going to wait for a larger version with say 32 steps, but at $150…..well, I needed another sequencer.
turns out if you are in the US it is $219
Synthtopia – you seem to have missed the Trump Tax on this.
US price is $219, so Americans get to pay 50% more than the rest of the world, and then pay sales tax on top of that!
Thanks for the feedback.
I took another look at the Behringer site, and you are right – it shows: MSRP (Excl. US): USD 149.00.
So, they’re showing a price in dollars that excludes the US, which is the source of the confusion. I don’t see any US price listed at Behringer’s BQ-10 page, but Perfect Circuit has it listed for $219. I’ll update the post accordingly.
Needs quantizer, scales obviously. And more tricks like rratcheting & repeats. repeats.
External quantizer; plenty available in Eurorack!
Needs quantizer, scales obviously. And more tricks like rratcheting & repeats. repeats.
“The Behringer BQ-10 is designed with modern circuitry and is not expected to have the significant tuning stability (drift) issues associated with the vintage Korg SQ-10”. I want an original SQ-10. I suppose you might think I’d be interested in this but you would be mistaken. It wasn’t the workflow which appealed to me. It certainly doesn’t have features which compete with modern sequencer designs. I want an original because it’s flawed. I want that tuning drift which the original ‘suffered’ from. It sounds nuts but if you compare Conny Plank’s recording of ‘Der Mussolini’ (DAF) to cover versions made using ‘perfect’ sequencers you should understand my point. Wonky is interesting, perfect is characterless. Behringer haven’t solved the problem of voltage drift in their design, they’ve removed the only reason for me wanting one.
Voltage drift? External LFO!