Fans of unusual sound design have a lot to celebrate with Behringer’s latest releases. The BM17 Frequency Box and Ring Stinger revisit two cult devices from the mid and late nineties. The originals from Moog and Lovetone became legendary for their eccentric behaviour and for going far beyond what most musicians expect from guitar pedals. They also became extremely expensive on the second‑hand market. Behringer’s new versions once again make those tones accessible, although these are still very much tools for adventurous players rather than those chasing familiar drive or modulation sounds.
These pedals do not behave like devices made to refine your signal. They are closer to compact analogue instruments waiting to be tamed, or in many cases deliberately left untamed. Anyone searching for a Tube Screamer style clone to tidy up their low end will quickly discover they are in the wrong place. These releases are for players who enjoy sonic exploration, unexpected textures and the creative thrill of working with unpredictable circuitry. Both pedals also work extremely well with synthesisers, where their experimental nature feels especially at home.
BM17 Frequency Box
The BM17 is based on the Moogerfooger MF‑107, a pedal that stood out in the nineties because of its analogue voltage‑controlled oscillator. Rather than adding character to your instrument, the oscillator becomes the centre of the experience. It behaves like the vocal cords of a synthesiser, reacting to your playing or running independently depending on how you configure it.
Players can use the latch switch to feed audio into the pedal so the oscillator tracks pitch, or leave it unlatched to create a self‑contained box of sound. This flexibility immediately marks the BM17 as something different from typical stompboxes. It does not simply process your signal but invites you to shape an entirely new layer of tone that merges with or replaces your instrument.
A blend control makes it easy to move between subtle reinforcement and complete takeover. The envelope section adds dynamic movement, allowing the oscillator to swell, snap or sweep in response to how you play. The range and drive controls extend the palette further, giving you the ability to shift the oscillator into different frequency zones and adjust the attitude of the input.
The BM17 continues its experimental approach with its rear‑panel connections. CV inputs, expression pedal support and direct outputs for both the oscillator and the envelope transform this pedal into a flexible hub for sound design. It can sit comfortably on a guitar board, but it becomes even more expressive when paired with modular systems or Behringer’s own BM series modules. It is not difficult to see why producers, sound designers and experimental musicians will gravitate toward it, as it opens up tone shaping options that feel more like studio tools than standard pedals.
Ring Stinger
The Ring Stinger revives the spirit of the original Lovetone pedal, a device beloved for its chaotic mixture of ring modulation and fuzz. This new version captures that sense of controlled mayhem and places a wide range of shaping options at your fingertips. Ring modulation has always been an effect that divides musicians. Some enjoy its metallic textures and unpredictable harmonics, while others find it abrasive. When combined with fuzz, those qualities become even more pronounced, creating tones that are truly unlike anything else.
This pedal encourages constant experimentation. Even small movements on the controls can shift the behaviour dramatically, creating moments where the sound seems to twist and reshape itself in unexpected ways. It becomes even more flexible when using expression pedals to adjust VCO frequency or LFO depth. These external controls allow you to change the character of the effect in real time without taking your hands off your instrument.
A carrier input adds another dimension. Feeding an external signal into the pedal opens up an enormous range of sound design possibilities, especially for musicians working with synthesisers and drum machines. The Ring Stinger’s ability to interact with such a wide variety of sources is one of its strengths, and guitarists are far from the only players who will appreciate it. Bassists, electric violinists, harpists and anyone exploring more unusual instruments can push their sound into new territory.
The result is a pedal that feels as though it is constantly pushing back against expectations. Rather than polishing your tone, it reshapes it completely. This is part of its appeal. The original Lovetone version was coveted not because it was easy to use but because it offered a level of creative unpredictability that few other devices could match.
A Return to Nineties Eccentricity
The BM17 and Ring Stinger are not traditional effects. They are dedicated to exploration and experimentation, and their behaviour often feels closer to modular synthesis than guitar processing. Players who enjoy venturing beyond familiar territory will find plenty to work with, while those who missed out on the original pedals have a rare chance to experience their unique approach to sound.
You can experience the beautiful madness of both these pedals in May 2026 when they hit Australian shores. For demo enquiries and pricing contact these Behringer dealers. https://linktr.ee/Behringer_AU
