This one was shared by Behringer on Facebook. Note Moog is not out of business, see Moog's statement here, so the image shared by Behringer on the left is a bit misleading. [Update: the image is actually from the video below that Behringer refers to. Behringer did not create the image. Thx to @uniquewerkx for the heads up.] That said here's what they had to say.
"Usually we just ignore such inflammatory videos. However, we have decided to respond this time, as it provides a perfect example of why we have previously emphasized that some influencers prioritize clickbait and disparagement over delivering accurate information.
In reality, in May of this year, Mike Adams, the CEO of Moog, reached out to Uli to propose selling Moog. Both individuals have had a longstanding friendly relationship. Therefore, Mike reached out to us first and shared all the financials as well the company’s challenges.
Mike's decision to sell Moog was influenced by his advanced age and serious mistakes made on the supply chain side. The company had purchased excessive inventory, leading to significant cashflow constraints.
While we believe Moog is a great brand, we declined the purchase due to our low-price business model not aligning with the luxury model Moog is pursuing.
Blaming us for Moog's struggles is as reasonable as blaming Yamaha for the bankruptcy of Sequential, Oberheim, ARP and Moog in the 1980s when the DX7 and other digital synths were introduced to the market.
We wish Moog and its people all the best and believe they have a great future. Both brands serve a very different customer base that can perfectly coincide.
Our focus will always be on creating highly affordable products so everyone can discover the world of music. Our mission is to empower the musicians that don’t have deep pockets.
As always, we encourage you to conduct your own research and form your own opinion🙂. Mark."
Update:
Why Moog Died 😞 (as we know it) [Op-ed]
video upload by Benn Jordan
Ulistamps:
0:00 - Intro
3:23 - Synths are luxury items
5:00 - Synths are like fancy sneakers
6:33 - Behringer
10:40 - Superpartnerships
13:34 - Co-op Financing Schemes
15:11 - Everything is f____ed
17:47 - Pouring one out for Bob's vision
Also see Two Takes on Behringer - Which Do You Fall Under?
I personally know of two small boutique synth vendors who simply stopped making synths; both cited the market flood of cheap knock-off synths by Behringer as one of the primary factors in their decision. So, as asked, I have conducted my own research and formed my own opinion. It's not a favorable one of Behringer. Their business practices have directly had negative impact on the industry.
ReplyDeletePerche' sintetizzatori contraffatti ? Behringer ha permesso il possesso di famosi sintetizzatori migliorati , con nuove elettroniche e nuove possibilita'. Contraffatto=copia dell'originale . Non ci sono copie di vecchi sint in Behringer , ma vecchi progetti di sint migliorati !!! Brucia il diddietro a chi possiede vecchi sint originali che pensa la svalutazione economica dei sint in loro possesso : cosa sbagliata !!! Non sono macchine uguali !!! - Google traslation. Why counterfeit synthesizers? Behringer allowed the possession of famous improved synthesizers, with new electronics and new possibilities. Counterfeit = copy of the original. There are no copies of old sint in Behringer, but old sint projects improved!!! Burn the backside of those who own old original sints who think the economic devaluation of the sints in their possession: wrong thing!!! They are not the same cars!!
Deletegoogle traslate. Why counterfeit synthesizers? Behringer allowed the possession of famous improved synthesizers, with new electronics and new possibilities. Counterfeit = copy of the original. There are no copies of old sint in Behringer, but old sint projects improved!!! Burn the backside of those who own old original sints who think the economic devaluation of the sints in their possession: wrong thing!!! They are not the same cars!!
DeleteI suppose you buy your furniture from carpenters, handmade clothes from boutique stores and all of your food from local co-ops too?
DeleteIt's always easier to blame someone else but yourself. Every market has budget alternatives, and there will always be snobs around to buy overpriced "exclusive" shit so they can walk around feeling important just because they've payed more for something.
DeleteBut is that a reflection on the buyer, or on the maker? If buyers choose to buy the cheapest version of something, versus the version that might cost a bit more but supports the local economy or is genuinely of a higher level of quality, isn't that the fault of the buyer? Is the customer 'always right' as we've so often heard - or, as Secretary Clinton has just opined publicly, do people simply need to be "...re-educated..."? It's a question that goes well beyond simple synthesizers, and speaks to whether people should be permitted to think for themselves, when a thought contrary to the acceptable narrative becomes an actual threat.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Moog was wasting too much time painting big ugly murals on their building rather than focusing on keeping the business profitable.
ReplyDelete"But is that a reflection on the buyer, or on the maker?".... it is both. Naive buyers and vendors that cater to those who don't know better. It's kind of like Walmart.....that store is always filled with sub-average IQ customers, who don't realize that EVERYTHING in life has a cost, and when the cheapest discount retailer kills all of the traditional mom and pop stores, the long term cost of not having quality options is usually not worth the short-term allure of the discount.
ReplyDeleteBob Moog started out selling theremin kits and later sold theremins. Lev Theremin was alive until 1993. Was Bob Moog making counterfeit theremins? Did Moog pay Theremin?
ReplyDeleteThe US is the most litigious country on the planet. If Behringer was infringing on Moog's copyright, inMusic would have sued Behringer.
I am not a lawyer, but the shoe analogy doesn't really work, because the counterfeit shoe's are about the Air Jordan trademark and logo, not the technology of the shoe.
Behringer has never replicated the technology behind the synths being counterfeited. They (attempt to) replicate the APPEARANCE of vintage synths, while the quality is flea market and the sound is a sad imitation of the real thing. This is the definition of a counterfeit musical instrument.
ReplyDeleteinMusic is unlikely to sue Behringer for simple look n feel knock offs. Most synth companies see that as an unwise use of resources and unnecessarily litigious move. Meanwhile, Behringer sues Sequential because one of their employees dared suggest Behringer was making cheap knockoffs on his own personal time and resources. Putin much?
ReplyDelete