Lecture Notes: Interview with Uli Behringer

Introduction

• Host: Mitch Gallagher from Sweetwater
• Guests:
  • Uli Behringer
  • Brendan Murphy, Senior Sound Engineer
  • Daniel Fischer, Synth Expert

Uli Behringer's Background

• Comes from a musical family:
  • Father: Nuclear physicist and church organist
  • Mother: Simultaneous interpreter and pianist
  • Uncle and Aunt involved in music
• Early exposure to music and electronics
  • Father built an electronically controlled pipe organ

Early Musical and Technical Development

• Began playing piano at age 4
• Classical education in piano
• Jazz influence from attending the Montreux Jazz Festival
• Studied sound engineering in Germany
• Developed his own recording studio due to limited access to school facilities
• Built equipment out of necessity and interest

Career in Music and Electronics

• Transitioned from a personal studio to a manufacturing facility
• Early synthesizer experience:
  • Built first synthesizer at age 16 with his father’s help
  • Inspired by lack of access to expensive commercial synthesizers

Behringer's Business Philosophy

• Focus on providing affordable musical equipment
• Emphasis on innovation and accessibility
• Creation of Behringer's first digitally controlled pipe organ
• Development of synthesizers that are affordable and accessible

Notable Products and Contributions

• Developed a wide range of products:
  • Synthesizers, digital mixers (X series, Wing)
• Established factories with advanced automation in China
• Emphasis on tactile experience in music production

Personal and Business Ethics

• Passion for music and technology drives business
• Mentorship and personal growth through advice from mentors
• Established Uli Behringer Foundation to support music education
  • Inspired by mother’s values and generosity
  • Donated company to foundation to support global music education

Future Goals and Vision

• Continued development of innovative and accessible musical products
• Aim to make synthesizers available to children in underprivileged areas
• Plans to create a fully automated factory

Closing Remarks

• Passion and dedication are central to Uli Behringer’s work and legacy
• Interview highlights shared passion for music technology among guests
• Emphasis on making music technology accessible to new generations