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Behringer UB-Xa

$1,499 list price. Supposedly released in 2024 but can’t find an actual release date.

  • Analog polyphonic synthesizer and authentic reproduction of classic OB-Xa including original factory patches
  • Vintage mode allows selection of 8 synthesizer signatures including OB-Xa, OB-8 and more
  • 16 voices with 2 VCOs per voice and oscillator sync mode
  • Multi-timbral capability allows splitting or layering 2 different sounds
  • VCOs and VCFs based on reproductions of original 3340 and 3320 semi conductor designs
  • Both VCOs generate sawtooth, triangle or square waveforms with variable pulse width
  • Selectable dual-slope 12/24 dB analog low-pass filter per voice with adjustable resonance
  • 61 semi-weighted full-size keys featuring poly after-touch and velocity sensitivity
  • Flexible 8-channel modulation matrix for dramatic expansion of sonic possibilities
  • Dual-layer arpeggiator and sequencer with real-time sequence transpose
  • Velocity and after-touch can be optionally used for more expressive performance
  • 2 dedicated LFOs with 7 waveform shapes for modulation of pulse width, oscillator pitch and filter cutoff frequency
  • 2 ADSR generators per voice for control of VCF and VCA
  • Stereo VCA per voice to allow control over voice/layer panning
  • 26 rotary controls give direct and real-time access to all important parameters
  • High-quality LCD Display with encoder for rapid parameter editing
  • Assignable preset recall switches for immediate program selection
  • Spring-loaded pitch and assignable modulation paddles provide total hands-on performance
  • 512 user program memories with “compare and match” feature to quickly match all analog controls to stored program values
  • Fully servo-balanced outputs for highest signal integrity
  • CV/pedal inputs for connection to expression pedals and footswitches
  • MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) to enable multidimensional controllers and multiple parameters per note
  • Comprehensive MIDI implementation (including NRPN/CC control of all parameters and bulk load/save)

Quite why Behringer have “Buy now” links on their website that all lead to ‘nothing found’ pages on the respective seller’s sites is beyond me. 🤷‍♂️
 
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I've got my Arturia version, enough for me. I do love the OB series; straight-ahead programming, so I get to sounds quickly.
 
I am absolutely in favor of people having access to wonderful analog sounds at affordable price-points, but I can't help but find this sort of product problematic. Tom Oberheim is very much alive and making a version of the instrument he designed. Shameless
 
Seems best then to pay OB price and enjoy. Owning UB-xA will not be same as owning OB ....
Currently using and enjoying Prophet 5DM, Trigon 6DM, DeepMind 12.

Not shameless, and may consider UB-Xa seriously when released.
 
Seems best then to pay OB price and enjoy. Owning UB-xA will not be same as owning OB ....
Currently using and enjoying Prophet 5DM, Trigon 6DM, DeepMind 12.

Not shameless, and may consider UB-Xa seriously when released.
Just make sure you really really love that OB-Xa sound.

I thought I did, but... turns out I like the SEM + SVF filter, not the Xa style. In fact, I really prefer many other synths, instead. Got rid of all my Xa style software.
 
Has anyone picked it up? It's only 1200 bucks and seems very close to the original minus the aging, though there are some built in algos that give it some drift.

There is no way I would buy the 5k Ob-x8. That is insane.
 
Looking at the Behringer lineup...it's almost all recreations/reworking of old tech.

As a group, it's utterly bizarre that we're sold our history over and over again. From recreations of old synths, to sample libraries that use the same battered mics and dust encrusted signal chains of our favourite records.

I can't even stand on any moral high ground. I just brought the Samples From Mars mega pack of old analogue synths and drum machines.. 🙃
 
Starsky just did a comparison.

The X8 is the clearly sonically superior and physically superior in terms of build quality.

The UBxa has more features and a lower price (keeping in mind that the X8 is more than just an Xa, so a more fair price difference isn’t 1:1). Apparently the Ub still suffers from high end rolloff and envelope popping, so….

Whether the X8 is more valuable to someone is definitely a personal judgement.
 
Starsky just did a comparison.

The X8 is the clearly sonically superior and physically superior in terms of build quality.

The UBxa has more features and a lower price (keeping in mind that the X8 is more than just an Xa, so a more fair price difference isn’t 1:1). Apparently the Ub still suffers from high end rolloff and envelope popping, so….

Whether the X8 is more valuable to someone is definitely a personal judgement.
Yeah, I watched that. He put me off getting the UB-Xa. That clicking is a dealbreaker. Unless they can solve it with a firmware update.
 
Starsky just did a comparison.

The X8 is the clearly sonically superior and physically superior in terms of build quality.

The UBxa has more features and a lower price (keeping in mind that the X8 is more than just an Xa, so a more fair price difference isn’t 1:1). Apparently the Ub still suffers from high end rolloff and envelope popping, so….

Whether the X8 is more valuable to someone is definitely a personal judgement.
Reviewd Starsky vid couple times, while in Cart .... Soooo close, then saw Tim Shoebridge preliminary 'unboxing' review. Even more incentive. Now youse guys are dousing me with cold suds !
First choice is OB-X8 Module, but agree with @ Macrawn ..... $5k seems unreasonable despite multi-content. OK .... holding fast for a bit longer. 😰
 
Reviewd Starsky vid couple times, while in Cart .... Soooo close, then saw Tim Shoebridge preliminary 'unboxing' review. Even more incentive. Now youse guys are dousing me with cold suds !
First choice is OB-X8 Module, but agree with @ Macrawn ..... $5k seems unreasonable despite multi-content. OK .... holding fast for a bit longer. 😰
If Behinger had marketed this as an analog polysynth inspired by the OB-Xa from the start, then it'd be easier to say to go that route and enjoy it as its own thing. But they didn't, because they can sell more by claiming otherwise and painting it the same.

If you're desiring either an authentic sound or one of the best synths currently available (there's several now!), then it's going to cost. Seems like a buyer would have to appreciate the UB-Xa for what it is - a polysynth that seems strongly inspired by the OB-Xa that has some issues people are hoping can be fixed in firmware, rather than for what it is not, which is an authentic recreation. If the buyer will be happy for that, and, indeed, even likes the sound of the UB-Xa better than the X8 in Xa mode, then go forth and buy!

The OB-X8 is more like 2.5 of these Behringer synths. Even with that math, it's still decidedly more expensive for a more boutique synth developed and assembled in the US than one mass produced in a Chinese factory. Plus markup because it IS the authentic real deal and carries the name.

People in the US can still get the keyboard X8 for $4500 new and delivered and the module for $3150. Maybe less if a store includes them in a 10% off sale (usually the “good stuff” is excluded).

Still more than the UB! Alas, that online store I still have a code for doesn’t sell Behringer.
 
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Looking at the Behringer lineup...it's almost all recreations/reworking of old tech.

As a group, it's utterly bizarre that we're sold our history over and over again. From recreations of old synths, to sample libraries that use the same battered mics and dust encrusted signal chains of our favourite records.

I can't even stand on any moral high ground. I just brought the Samples From Mars mega pack of old analogue synths and drum machines.. 🙃
I love vintage sounds, but I have the same nagging feeling you do. Let's be sonic explorers rather than tribute acts!

Or, er, just make music with sounds we like...
 
If Behinger had marketed this as an analog polysynth inspired by the OB-Xa from the start, then it'd be easier to say to go that route and enjoy it as its own thing. But they didn't, because they can sell more by claiming otherwise and painting it the same.

If you're desiring either an authentic sound or one of the best synths currently available (there's several now!), then it's going to cost. Seems like a buyer would have to appreciate the UB-Xa for what it is - a polysynth that seems strongly inspired by the OB-Xa that has some issues people are hoping can be fixed in firmware, rather than for what it is not, which is an authentic recreation. If the buyer will be happy for that, and, indeed, even likes the sound of the UB-Xa better than the X8 in Xa mode, then go forth and buy!

The OB-X8 is more like 2.5 of these Behringer synths. Even with that math, it's still decidedly more expensive for a more boutique synth developed and assembled in the US than one mass produced in a Chinese factory. Plus markup because it IS the authentic real deal and carries the name.

People in the US can still get the keyboard X8 for $4500 new and delivered and the module for $3150. Maybe less if a store includes them in a 10% off sale (usually the “good stuff” is excluded).

Still more than the UB! Alas, that online store I still have a code for doesn’t sell Behringer.
Definitely drawn by distinctive sounds, missing from recent polysynth adds. Early days, but doubt Trigon 6 gets very close. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Will await some OB-X8 resales, as no rush here.

Notable shift of focus .... UDO. Something quite new to consider.
 
Definitely drawn by distinctive sounds, missing from recent polysynth adds. Early days, but doubt Trigon 6 gets very close. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Will await some OB-X8 resales, as no rush here.

Notable shift of focus .... UDO. Something quite new to consider.
I think if I was going digital/hybrid I'd look at the 3rd Wave and Nina as well as UDO. Good luck! Researching and shopping is half the fun.
 
rather than for what it is not, which is an authentic recreation
I've heard some pretty damn authentic OB-Xa sounds out of UB-Xa. So I wouldn't exactly go as far as saying it's not authentic. It can certainly be. Also, the atrophy options alone make it worth way more than OBX8 in my book, actually. You're getting a lot more synths in one this way :)
 
I've heard some pretty damn authentic OB-Xa sounds out of UB-Xa. So I wouldn't exactly go as far as saying it's not authentic. It can certainly be. Also, the atrophy options alone make it worth way more than OBX8 in my book, actually. You're getting a lot more synths in one this way :)
Being able to produce some authentic sounding sounds is not the same as being an authentic recreation.

Again, not everyone places value on the authenticity part.
 
IMO it's quite authentic. They cloned the osc and filter chips, which is quite a big chunk of what made OB-Xa what it is. They got the VCA saturation right. It's pretty much there, plus polyphonic aftertouch and twice the voice count. And then some!
 
IMO it's quite authentic. They cloned the osc and filter chips, which is quite a big chunk of what made OB-Xa what it is. They got the VCA saturation right. It's pretty much there, plus polyphonic aftertouch and twice the voice count. And then some!
Seems we have different understandings of "authentic". No big deal. I'm glad you've been able to get sounds out of it you enjoy. That's the main thing, in the end.
 
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