Meet the Clones - All Of Behringer’s Upcoming Synthesizers

24 Jan by Adam Douglas |

4,6 / 5,0 | Approximate reading time: 10 Minutes

Behringer Meet The Clones · Source: Chris Willson / Alamy Stock Foto / Behringer

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Can’t keep track of the Behringer clone synthesizer announcements? With this constantly updating list, you don’t have to. And of course there are some rumors included.

Behringer Clones

Behringer doesn’t do things the normal way. Most musical instrument companies make formal announcements of new products, which then begin shipping. Behringer takes a more guerrilla approach, dropping ideas for prototypes into its Facebook group and asking for direct input from customers. This approach can be exciting but it can also become difficult to keep track of what’s actually been announced for production and what is just R&D.

With this in mind, I’ve trawled through the Behringer Facebook group timeline and compiled a list of all of the synthesizers that the company has said will be going into production. This doesn’t include drafts or general prototypes (see the bottom for more on these). It also doesn’t include MIDI controllers, Eurorack modules or effects. I’ve done my best in good faith but I may have missed a few. If you find any, please let me know in the comments.

Ready to meet the Behringer clones? Here they are in alphabetical order.

AKS Mini

Part of the Mini line, AKS Mini looks to be a Honey, I Shrunk The Synth version of the VCS3 (below). It will have three VCOs, a built-in arpeggiator and a 16-step motion sequencer, plus “the exact same oscillators, filters, etc., and of course the magic VCS sound,” according to a Facebook post from big B. The retail price is targeted at $99 and shipping was scheduled for summer 2023 but it has yet to materialze.

CZ-1 Mini

We’re officially moving this one up from the rumours list. As of January 30, 2024, the CZ-1 Mini is heading off to beta testers and, “upon successful completion, it will enter production,” said Behringer in a Facebook post. What is the CZ-1 Mini? It’s an instrument combining Casio’s 1980s phase distortion synthesis – as heard in the ultra-popular CZ-101 – with an analogue filter. “With its exceptional phase distortion synthesis, the sound the CZ-1 Mini produces is unparalleled,” says Behringer.

Enigma

Uli’s take on West Coast synthesis will arrive with the Eurorack-format Enigma, a Behringer clone of Buchla’s Music Easel/Easel Command. In July 2023, Behringer announced that it had completed assembly of the prototype although it’s “still a long way from shipping the unit” so you’ll have to wait to get your lo pass gate on.

Hiro Tribe Soul

Hiro Tribe Soul (written as Hirotribe with one word in Facebook posts) is apparently a Monotribe groovebox recreation made in conjunction with Korg MS-20 engineer, Hiroaki Nishijima. Like the Model D Soul (below) it was reportedly finished in spring 2022 and waiting for semiconductors. Behringer also said it would be working with Nishijima on “many more synths.”

Korg MS-20 mini

Customer rating:

(168)

Available for 579.00 € at

JT-4000 Micro

The first to be released of Uli’s Micro series, the JT-4000 Micro is a four-voice hybrid paraphonic synth with two analogue-modelling oscillators per voice plus an analogue filter. It appears to be based on Roland’s trance-powering JP-8000. I can’t say that I love the design but it does sound good in the demo video. A firmware update as of late January 2024 adds an oscillator balance parameter, which “allows for more nuanced control over the sound, enabling you to blend and shape tones with greater precision,” according to Behringer.

Behringer JT-4000 Micro

Customer rating:

(26)

Available for 49.00 € at

Jupiter-8 / JT-16

It’s no secret that Behringer is working on a full-size version of the Jupiter-8. Now we have an official announcement about the first prototype and production. He’s even teased the JT-2 Jupiter Voice. Until more information becomes available, we’ll have to content ourselves with these shots of mystery PCBs. Or check the announcement of JT-16 here.

Kobol

Coming soon is the Kobol, a keyboard-attached recreation of the famous French monosynth. Originally made by RSF in the 1970s and offering a monophonic keyboard, two expanders, and polyphonic keyboard versions, Behringer’s Kobol places the synth in its flip-top housing.

Kobol Expander

Now available is the Kobol Expander, a Eurorack-format recreation which slots the circuits from the two different expander units into one instrument. The Kobols are renowned for their lovely sound so I’m excited to hear these in action. Note that Behringer has also teased a keyboard version of the Poly Kobol but there’s no confirmation of production so far.

Behringer Kobol Expander

Customer rating:

(24)

Available for 199.00 € at

Model D Soul

A miniaturized Minimoog, Behringer announced the Model D Soul back in March 2022 as part of a line of tiny synths. Two Soul-branded instruments, the Pro VS Mini and AKS Mini, are now called Mini so I expect this one will change as well. As of spring 2022 it was “fully completed and ready for production” and just waiting for chips.

Behringer Model D

Customer rating:

(296)

Available for 289.00 € at

Model 15

A Moog Model 15 in Eurorack format or a Behringer clone of the Grandmother? Model 15 will be both, really, as Grandmother is based on circuits from the 15 modular system. Behringer announced on April 19 2023 that Model 15 was getting ready for production and the target price was $249.

Moog Grandmother

Customer rating:

(113)

Available for 1,289.00 € at

MS-1 MKI/MKII

The MS-1, Behringer’s SH-101 recreation, is getting a new version, which is “based on the original 662 chips for a vastly improved VCF and VCA performance,” according to the company. It also adds a dual glide function.

Behringer MS-1-RD

Customer rating:

(57)

Available for 189.00 € at

MS-5

Another widely anticipated Behringer clone is the MS-5, a recreation of Roland’s SH-5 monosynth from the 1970s. Behringer’s version will be in its familiar flip-top format. As of March 2023, it was heading out to beta testers and then to manufacturing. So, any day now?

MonoPoly and PolyEight

Announced back in 2021, PolyEight, the Behringer clone of Korg’s PolySix, is apparently still happening. Until then, content yourself with Behringer’s version of the Mono/Poly, the MonoPoly.

Behringer MonoPoly

Customer rating:

(47)

Available for 508.00 € at

Neptune-80

The Juno-inspired DeepMind series of synthesizers is well-received but what people really want, it seems, is a Behringer clone of the Roland Juno-6/60. Enter the Neptune-80, an eight-voice remake with an additional analogue matrix, BBD chorus and modern user interface, according to the company.

Behringer DeepMind 6

Customer rating:

(133)

Available for 579.00 € at

Pro VS Mini

The first of Behringer’s Mini line of pocket-sized and affordable $99 synths to be released, the Pro VS Mini is a reimagining of Sequential Circuit’s groundbreaking hybrid Prophet VS. It has 16 digital oscillators and 128 waveforms plus a vector joystick for morphing between them, as well as a 24dB/octave analogue filter and two LFOs. Advance demos sound really good. It’s sure to sell boatloads.

Behringer Pro-VS Mini

Customer rating:

(18)

Available for 99.00 € at

Pro-16/Pro-800

Does the world need another Prophet-5 remake? It would appear so, as Behringer is reportedly “getting closer” (as of spring 2023) to the release of its Pro-16. As the name suggests, Uli and team are beefing it up from five to 16 voices. I hope you have a lot of fingers. Now available is the Pro-800, an eight-voice version of the Prophet 5’s younger brother, the Prophet-600.

Sequential Prophet 5

Customer rating:

(14)

Available for 3,599.00 € at

Behringer Pro-800

Customer rating:

(74)

Available for 359.00 € at

Proton

Not a Behringer clone but a Behringer original, Proton is a Eurorack-style upgrade of the company’s popular Neutron. It looks like tons of fun and as of June 3, 2023, is “fully approved and ready for production.”

Behringer NEUTRON

Customer rating:

(412)

Available for 311.00 € at

RD-78

In late January 2024, Behringer teased photos of the RD-78, its version of Roland’s famous CR-78 analogue drum machine. They said that they were in the final stages of pre-production and that units had gone out to beta testers, although there was no mention of release date or price. “And for those who love the technical details, we have incorporated the exact same circuitry into the design, including the original coils and LC filters,” they added. The look, however, is very different from the original and more in line with its other, Roland-like drum machines.

Behringer RD-8 MKII

Customer rating:

(25)

Available for 339.00 € at

Behringer RD-9

Customer rating:

(84)

Available for 345.00 € at

Saturn Soul

Another spring 2022 tiny synth announcement, Saturn Soul (probably Saturn Mini when it comes out) is inspired by the Jupiter-8 but with three VCOs and a multimode filter, and can be played monophonically or paraphonically. “The product development is completed and once we receive the necessary chips, we’ll ship this marvel,” Behringer said.

Spice

You’ve got the Crave and the Edge, so now it’s time to add some Spice to your life. A remake of Moog’s Subharmonicon, Spice is reportedly currently in final beta testing and is expected to sell for $249.

Behringer Crave

Customer rating:

(596)

Available for 189.00 € at

Behringer Edge

Customer rating:

(64)

Available for 235.00 € at

Moog Subharmonicon

Customer rating:

(71)

Available for 699.00 € at

Syncussion SY-1

A Eurorack-format Behringer clone of the famous Pearl percussion synth, Syncussion SY-1 will have two voice sections for triggering disco toms and synthetic snares.

TD-3-MO-BK

The black version of the TD-3-MO is still on its way, according to an announcement made by Behringer on July 27 of this year. TD-3-MO-BK adds a new black livery to the line of “modded out” acid boxes, which takes inspiration from the famous Devil Fish TB-303 mod.

Behringer TD-3-MO

Customer rating:

(63)

Available for 222.00 € at

Behringer TD-3-SR

Customer rating:

(434)

Available for 119.00 € at

UB-X

A Behringer clone of Oberheim’s 1979 OB-X poly, UB-X will be an analogue recreation with two oscillators, ostensibly creamy filter and hopefully massive unison. As of June 1, 2023, the company was assembling the first prototype.

Sequential OB-6

Customer rating:

(45)

Available for 3,359.00 € at

UB-Xa

Not to be confused with the grey UB-X (above), UB-Xa is a remake of Oberheim’s OB-Xa, the pinstripe follow-up to the OB-X. This one was a long time coming but is now out.

Behringer UB-Xa

Customer rating:

(15)

Available for 1,298.00 € at

Oberheim OB-X8

Customer rating:

(8)

Available for 5,279.00 € at

UB-Xa D

The UB-Xa D is a keyless desktop version of the UB-Xa (above). As of May 2, 2022 it was ready for testing so hopefully we’ll hear more on this soon.

Oberheim OB-X8 Desktop

Customer rating:

(2)

Available for 3,898.00 € at

UB-Xa Mini

Want a UB-Xa but don’t need all that real estate (or all those voices)? The new UB-Xa Mini is the one for you. A three-voice Oberheim-style poly in a tiny package, this one is slated to sell for $99. Currently in beta testing as of late January 2024 and shipping “soon.”

UB-1 Micro

Now called the UB-1 Micro, this one reimagines Oberheim’s Matrix-6/1000 analogue synths in a very tiny package. “Don’t be fooled by the size,” the company’s social media person said. “This is a monster synth in a small package.”

VCS3

Development of the VCS3 continues apace, with Behringer updating improvements on the patch bay as well as “extensive lifecycle testing.” The VCS3 is of course a clone of the famous EMS VCS3 from 1969, one of the world’s first portable synthesizers. There’s no word on a street date but it does seem to be getting closer.

VS-80

Formerly called the DS-80, Uli has renamed his Yamaha CS-80 clone VS-80 in honour of the late Vangelis. As of December last year, the development team was trying to decide between the original user interface or a “very cool mod matrix.”

Wave

The Behringer clone of the PPG Wave, Wave should hopefully be hitting stores any day now. The wavetable remake was touted as being in its final stages in May 2022.

Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave

Customer rating:

(2)

Available for 5,699.00 € at

2-XM

Another Eurorack-format Behringer clone, 2-XM will be a recreation of the Oberheim Two Voice, which famously combined two SEM modules into one powerhouse. This one appears to be really close to release now that worldwide chip shortages are finally getting settled.

Such A Tease: Behringer Clone Unofficial Posts

I’ve tried to stick to instruments that have production announcements for this story. However, there have been plenty of tantalizing Facebook posts that don’t fit that criteria. Here they are in alphabetical order:

ARP Avatar
ARP Quadra
Behremin
BX-700
CS Mini
JT-2 Jupiter Voice
Polivoks
Poly Kobol
PolySource
Simmons SDS-3

More Information:

More on Behringer
More on synthesizers
Behringer website

Image Sources:

Behringer AKS Mini: Behringer
Behringer CZ-1 Mini: Behringer
Behringer CZ-1 Mini: Behringer
Behringer Enigma: Behringer
Behringer Hiro Tribe Soul: Behringer
Behringer JT-4000: Behringer
Behringer Jupiter-8?: Behringer
Behringer JT-16: Behringer
Behringer JT-16: Behringer
Behringer Kobol: Behringer
Behringer Kobol Expander: Behringer
Behringer Model D Soul: Behringer
Behringer Model 15: Behringer
Behringer MS-1 MKII: Behringer
Behringer MS-5 Prototype: Behringer
Behringer Polyeight : Behringer
Behringer Neptune-80: Behringer
Behringer Pro VS Mini: Behringer
Behringer Pro-16: Behringer
Behringer Proton: Behringer
Behringer RD-78: Behringer
Behringer RD-78: Behringer
Behringer Saturn Soul: Behringer
Behringer SPICE: Behringer
Behringer Syncussion: Behringer
Behringer TD-3-MO-BK: Behringer
Behringer UB-X: Behringer
Behringer UB-Xa : Behringer
Behringer UB-Xa D Prototype: Behringer
Behringer UB-Xa Mini: Behringer
Behringer UB-1: Behringer
Behringer VCS3: Behringer
Behringer VS-80: Behringer
Behringer Wave: Behringer
Behringer 2-XM: Behringer

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9 responses to “Meet the Clones – All Of Behringer’s Upcoming Synthesizers”

ben says:

24 January 2024 at 7:57 pm

pretty excited about a lot of them, especially the vs-80 and the prophet 16 voice

grrrz says:

24 January 2024 at 9:00 pm

how about an original poly concept?
with all these clones they could pick and match all the best components and come up with their own design. the “cool new matrix” (strongly inspired by arturia) is a step in the right direction

jocktmp says:

25 January 2024 at 2:38 pm

you forgot linn drum from behringer

jocktmp says:

25 January 2024 at 2:44 pm

and Behringer BMX (Oberheim DMX)

Adam says:

26 January 2024 at 5:14 pm

Stormtroopers aren’t clones. L thumbnail

Andy Montgomery says:

27 January 2024 at 1:56 pm

VS-80 interests me very much. Cannot wait for it to happen!

KXKVI says:

27 January 2024 at 7:37 pm

Behringer is doing good things. If it takes some time to put it togethet, I can wait. Their remakes are incredible to explore. Their designers are coming up with original ideas to soon implement.