"Cheap" is a relative concept. I'm disabled and because of this my ability to earn money is limited. The idea of boutique gear being ethically superior, because of its lack of availability on the second-hand market, is really a luxury that I cannot be bothered with, even if I could theoretically afford it with some effort. And this is with me living in what still remains, despite our government's best efforts, a fairly wealthy country. Artists from areas of the world with less balanced wealth distribution policies will have even less access to boutique synths and pedals, generally speaking. Even the price of a mass-produced synth by Behringer, Arturia, etc. may be the equivalent of a month's disposable income for someone in, f.e. India or Brazil. Perhaps even more. A new instrument by Malekko or Rare Waves is completely out of their, and mine, reach.
And sure, Uli Behringer has a reputation for being a bit of a prickly asshole if provoked. I won't make excuses for him for that. But I've been able to live with it till now.
