Behringer BM-15M RESONANCE FILTER: Analogue Animation Unleashed

Behringer introduces the BM-15M RESONANCE FILTER as a modern reissue of a once-obscure analogue filter box, originally launched in the early 2000s. The video sets the stage by recounting how, during the digital onslaught, analogue devices like this became rare lifelines for a small but dedicated community. The original pedal’s complexity and character made it a cult favourite, even as production ceased and prices soared, pushing it out of reach for most musicians.

Now, Behringer brings this celebrated oddity back to the masses, aiming it squarely at sound designers, synth enthusiasts, and experimental musicians. The narrative is thick with reverence for analogue circuitry and the tactile experience it provides, positioning the BM-15M as both a historical nod and a practical tool for today’s creative explorers.

At the heart of the BM-15M lies an eight-band array of resonant filters, each capable of switching between bass and mid frequencies. This setup allows for dramatic tonal sculpting, letting users carve out or emphasise specific spectral regions with a flick of a switch. The video demonstrates how these bands can radically transform incoming audio, offering a palette that ranges from subtle enhancement to total sonic overhaul.

The real twist comes with the animation module, which generates evolving patterns across the filter bands. This movement is described as the true magic of the box, injecting life and unpredictability into static sounds. Combined with a colourful preamp and dedicated drive control, plus an LFO for modulating filter centre frequencies, the BM-15M is shown to be capable of everything from phaser-like sweeps to wild, animated textures.

Physically, the BM-15M is housed in a robust metal and wood enclosure, a design choice that both honours its predecessor and ensures durability for real-world use. The attention to detail in the build is evident, with subtle visual cues that reference the original while updating the aesthetic for modern sensibilities.

Around the back, users are greeted with a generous array of I/O. This includes CV, expression pedal, and MIDI inputs, as well as stereo output capabilities. The stereo mode is particularly noteworthy, as it splits the filter bands across the left and right channels, opening up new spatial possibilities. The overall design suggests a device meant to be at the centre of a modular or pedalboard setup, ready for whatever signal path you can dream up.

Behringer extends the BM-15M’s creative reach with USB-C connectivity to the Guitar Tribe application. This integration allows users to create and store presets, perform firmware updates, and—crucially—design their own custom animation patterns. The app transforms the BM-15M from a fixed-function box into a programmable modulation engine, ideal for those who want to push beyond the factory settings.

The emphasis here is on exploration and personalisation. By marrying analogue circuitry with digital control, Behringer encourages users to make the BM-15M their own, whether they’re after subtle movement or full-blown filter chaos. It’s a nod to the modern workflow, where hardware and software interplay to unlock new sonic territory.