Behringer 1047 12dB State Variable Filter Review: Analog Multi Mode Eurorack Module

Who Should Buy It

Key Specifications

Overview

The Behringer 1047 12dB State Variable Filter is a Eurorack module, not a MIDI keyboard or controller. The product listing also uses the name Behringer SURGES Liquid Multi Mode Filter. This distinction matters because the review framework normally evaluates keybeds, pads, and DAW control, but this device has none of those. Instead, the listing describes an analog filter with a 12 dB per octave slope and four response modes.

The published feature list includes low pass, high pass, band pass, and notch filtering. An integrated LFO and an envelope follower are also mentioned. CV control compatibility is listed for use with a Eurorack modular synth. The price tier is budget. The listing does not provide detailed technical specifications beyond these core features, so several important measurements remain unknown.

For a buyer expecting a keyboard controller, this product is a category mismatch. It will not send MIDI note data, trigger pads, or control a DAW directly. Instead, it processes audio within a modular signal chain. The review below evaluates the module on its own terms while acknowledging the missing data.

Keys, Pads and Feel

This product has no keys and no pads. The listing does not mention a keybed, velocity sensitivity, aftertouch, or any pad grid. Buyers who need a keyboard controller should look elsewhere. The module is designed to process audio signals within a modular synth, not to send MIDI note data. This fundamental difference means the concept of key feel is entirely absent.

The term feel usually refers to key action and pad response, which do not apply here. Because the listing does not describe a physical keyboard interface, there are no published specifications for key type, key count, or pad size. The relevant tactile elements on a Eurorack filter are typically the front panel knobs, but the listing does not state how many knobs are included or what their resistance feels like.

Users may pair this filter with an external MIDI to CV converter and a separate keyboard, but that is outside the scope of the listing. On paper, the device offers no playable surface itself. The absence of keys and pads is a fundamental category difference, not a defect. It simply means the product targets modular synth users rather than keyboardists.

Knobs, Faders and DAW Integration

The listing does not specify the number of knobs, faders, or buttons on the module. It mentions an integrated LFO and an envelope follower, which are modulation sources rather than manual controls. A typical state variable filter may include cutoff, resonance, and mode controls, but this listing does not confirm those details for the Behringer 1047. Without a published front panel layout, the exact control surface remains unknown.

DAW integration is not mentioned anywhere in the listing. This is not a USB MIDI controller and does not appear to offer direct computer connectivity or software control. The listing focuses on Eurorack CV compatibility, which is analog control voltage, not digital audio workstation communication. Users who want a hardware filter to be controlled from a DAW would need a separate DC coupled audio interface or a MIDI to CV converter, none of which are listed as included.

The CV control compatibility is the closest feature to external integration. It suggests the filter can respond to control voltages from other modules, but the listing does not specify the number or type of CV inputs. Some filters include attenuverters or multiple CV destinations, but this listing does not confirm such details. Without in-person testing or a detailed spec sheet, the exact integration capabilities remain unpublished.

Software, Sounds and Features

The listing does not mention any bundled software. There is no download code, no virtual instrument, and no DAW template listed. The product is an analog hardware filter, so software is not the focus. Buyers should not expect a software plugin or digital editor. The value proposition rests on the analog sound shaping in hardware form.

The sound is described as vintage and warm, with a 12 dB per octave slope. The four filter modes are low pass, high pass, band pass, and notch. These are standard modes for a state variable filter and give sound designers flexible tonal shaping. The listing does not provide audio examples or detailed frequency range specs, so the exact sonic character cannot be assessed from the data alone.

The integrated LFO and envelope follower are notable features at this budget price tier. An LFO can modulate the filter cutoff in a cyclic manner, while an envelope follower derives a control voltage from the input signal amplitude. These tools allow dynamic filtering effects without additional modules, but the listing does not state the LFO rate range or envelope follower response time.

• 12 dB per octave analog filter
• Low pass, high pass, band pass, and notch modes
• Integrated LFO for cyclic modulation
• Envelope follower for amplitude derived CV
• Eurorack CV control compatibility
• Budget price tier

Build, Design and Portability

The listing does not state the module width in HP, depth, weight, or material. Behringer is known for budget friendly hardware, but the build quality of this specific unit cannot be assessed from the provided data. The module is designed for Eurorack, so it likely uses standard mounting rails, but the listing does not confirm the exact dimensions. Buyers should verify the panel width before purchasing a case.

Portability is relative to a modular case. The listing does not provide a weight, so it is impossible to know how heavy the module is. Because it is an analog filter with no keyboard, it is likely compact, but that is not a published fact. The faceplate material and knob quality are also not described, so any comment on durability would be speculation.

The absence of published build details is common for budget listings, but it means the review cannot verify long term reliability. The listing does not mention anything about component quality, PCB finish, or included mounting screws. Without these facts, potential buyers must rely on general brand reputation or seek out third party user reports.

Connectivity and Power

The listing mentions CV control compatibility but does not specify the exact input and output jacks. A Eurorack filter typically has audio in, audio out, and one or more CV inputs, but this listing does not list those connections explicitly. There is no mention of USB, MIDI, or line level audio connectivity. The module is clearly intended for Eurorack signal levels, but the exact patch points are unknown.

Power requirements are not published. Eurorack modules usually draw power from the case supply via a ribbon cable, but the listing does not state the current draw or connector type. Users must verify power consumption before installation to avoid overloading a small case. The listing also does not mention whether a power cable is included in the box.

The lack of detailed connectivity specs is a drawback for careful planners. The listing implies the module works in a Eurorack system, but without knowing the number of CV inputs, whether there is an attenuverter, or the audio input impedance, integration is uncertain. This is an area where the listing falls short of comprehensive documentation and forces buyers to do extra research.

Setup and Daily Use

Setup for a Eurorack module generally involves mounting it in a case and connecting power. This listing does not include a manual or installation guide. Users familiar with modular synthesis will understand the basic signal flow of an audio source into the filter and a CV source for modulation. Beginners may need to rely on general Eurorack knowledge or seek out community resources.

Daily use would center on adjusting filter cutoff and mode while routing audio through the module. The integrated LFO could provide movement, and the envelope follower could respond to signal dynamics. However, the listing does not specify knob ranges or whether the LFO has rate and depth controls. These are important usability details that remain unpublished and could affect how easily the module fits into a patch.

Because there is no in-person testing, the review cannot report on noise, resonance character, or build tolerance. Buyers should seek out user reports or demo recordings. The listing's feature set suggests straightforward operation, but the missing specifications make it hard to predict exact behavior in a complex patch. The module likely works best as a simple, no frills filter rather than a deep modulation hub.

Who Should Buy It

This module is best for modular synth users who want an affordable analog multi mode filter. Sound designers and experimental musicians may appreciate the 12 dB per octave slope and the built in modulation sources. The budget price tier makes it attractive for small or starter Eurorack systems where every module must pull its weight.

Musicians who already own a Eurorack case and need a flexible filter with low pass, high pass, band pass, and notch modes could consider this Behringer module. The envelope follower is useful for dynamic filtering effects triggered by the audio itself. The LFO adds hands off movement. These features reduce the need for separate modulation modules in a small system.

Keyboard players and DAW centric producers should not buy this expecting a MIDI controller. It will not send note data or control software directly. The product fits a specific niche within modular hardware, not a general studio controller role. If you do not have a Eurorack case and power supply, this module cannot function on its own.

Alternatives Worth Considering

In the budget Eurorack filter category, there are other analog multi mode filters from established brands, but the listing does not provide direct comparisons. Buyers may want to research modules with similar feature sets, such as those offering 12 dB per octave slopes and multiple modes. The key differences often come down to published specs like CV input count, power draw, and panel size.

For those who actually need a MIDI keyboard controller, this product is not an alternative at all. Well known compact controllers from Akai, Arturia, and Novation serve that purpose, but they do not provide analog filtering. Comparing this filter to a keyboard controller would be a category error. The two product types solve different problems in a studio.

The Behringer 1047's value proposition rests on its low price and core feature set. Without detailed specs, it is hard to stack it against competitors on paper. Buyers who require full documentation may prefer modules with complete published datasheets. Others may accept the unknown details because the price is low enough to experiment.

Verdict

The Behringer 1047 12dB State Variable Filter is a budget analog Eurorack module with four filter modes, an LFO, and an envelope follower. The listing does not provide enough specifications to fully evaluate its quality or integration details. It is clearly not a keyboard or pad controller, so buyers should not expect any keybed or pad functionality.

For modular synth enthusiasts seeking an affordable multi mode filter, the core feature set is appealing. The lack of published I/O, power, size, and weight data is a significant limitation for planning. Buyers must do additional research before purchase to ensure the module fits their case and meets their patch requirements.

The product should be judged as a simple Eurorack filter, not as a control surface. Its budget price and analog character could make it a useful building block, but the incomplete listing makes it a cautious recommendation at best. If the missing specs are confirmed and acceptable, this module may offer good value for a small modular system.

Strengths and Limitations

Alternatives to Consider

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Read the Alesis Harmony 61 MKII Portable Keyboard review →

Behringer 1033 Analog Dual Envelope Generator

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Read the Behringer 1033 Analog Dual Envelope Generator review →

Questions Buyers Ask