Music Tribe Open Source (MTOS) is an initiative from MUSIC Tribe, the company behind brands including Behringer, to make music hardware more open and accessible to developers and the wider music-making community. Its aim is to publish the hardware documentation and software foundations needed for people to develop alternative firmware, applications and new uses for its equipment. The idea is to move beyond closed, manufacturer-controlled instruments and invite the community to help shape what they can become.
Some of its most interesting projects include:
- Behringer KICK (0700-AAM) – Source code for a standalone music production centre featuring a sampler, step sequencer, looper, touchscreen, effects and MIDI/CV connectivity. The repository includes its application, audio engine and hardware communication protocol.
- Behringer IGNITE (0716-AAF) – A 64-channel multitrack sequencer with an internal sound engine, touchscreen, five MIDI ports and eight CV/Gate outputs. Its source and supporting system components are published, although the repository does not yet provide an official firmware release.
- PRO-800 Firmware Packer – A utility for creating custom firmware update files for the Behringer PRO-800 analogue synthesizer, accompanied by main-board schematics and technical information.
- Behringer BCR32 (0715-AAW) – Demo firmware, schematics and microcontroller interface documentation for the BCR32 MIDI controller, providing a practical starting point for hardware experimentation.
The projects are released under open-source licences, principally AGPL-3.0, and the organization welcomes contributions through GitHub. MTOS is a young initiative, but its significance goes beyond any individual instrument: it represents an opportunity for musicians and developers to gain greater control over the hardware they use.
