Ever since the Behringer UB-Xa synthesizer was announced, people have been begging for a desktop version.
Behringer today announced that the UB-Xa D – a 16-voice polyphonic analog synth module, based on the synth voice of the classic Oberheim OB-Xa – is now shipping from their factory.
Here’s the official preview:
The UB-Xa D has the same features as the keyboard version, but in a desktop module. It’s designed to be compact and can be used either as a desktop synth module or mounted in a standard rack.
Features:
- Analog polyphonic synthesizer based on 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 semiconductor 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
- Desktop version for stage performance or rack mount operation with rack mount brackets included
- 8-channel modulation matrix
- 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 important parameters
- LCD Display with encoder for rapid parameter editing
- Assignable preset recall switches for program selection
- Spring-loaded pitch and assignable modulation paddles
- 512 user program memories with “compare and match” feature to quickly match all analog controls to stored program values
- Fully servo-balanced outputs
- 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)
Pricing and Availability:
The Behringer UB-Xa D is now shipping from the factory, with a price of $799 USD. Based on Behringer’s previous shipping announcements, it can be several months before their shipping products are available via retailers.
via Andreas
Looking at pics of the synth there seems to be a fan inside the unit. Is that correct?
Yeah, that is certainly a fan.
It’s the Deepmind 12D platform, I’ve had my 12D for years now, never heard that fan, not a single time!
Indeed. I do have a deepmind 12, which has a cooling fan due the amount of components vs space the synth have and of course mainly for the power supply. Some people complain about the sound that it makes. In my case, mine was completely silent.
The fan can be replaced by a Noctua fan. This “upgrade” probably isn’t necessary but it gives peace of (deep?)mind .
I am planning to write directly to Behringer and ask if it is Multitibral (due all the voices and features advertised on the video. Any thoughts?
Sid
i got the ubxa keys version. there are different settings for the fan, you can turn it off. i leave it on auto, so it’s turning from time to time. but only in summer when it is really warm (i live in germany, no AC). imho it is not loud and barely noticable.
Thanks for taking the time replying. It is appreciated
This is the most interesting thing they’ve done since the Deepmind.
I wish they would have included effects, though. It’s a pain to not be able to save effects with a patch.
Love my OB-6 Desktop, but I am buying this. Wow.
People –
The fan is actually somewhat of an Easter egg; if you fart you can easily blow the smelly air away quickly with that fan. My deep mind also has this. Also are there any still shots of the boxes? If the boxes look awesome as usual I’ll probably buy 2 of these.
“Features : Spring-loaded pitch and assignable modulation paddles“… don’t think so
Typo. Should read, “Invisible spring-loaded pitch and assignable modulation paddles.”
Simply brilliant, sounds delicious, looks great and the price for what you get is outstanding.
Ordered mine already 🙂
Will stick with GForce and Synapse plugins…
Will stick with unrelated things…
i love Synapse plugins
This would look so much better without those stripes in a smaller area. Yuck.
See how much more elegant the OB-6 desktop looks vs. the OB-6 keyboard version.
Yeah, stripes… nostalgia… meh. Also makes it harder to see and use. Sequential got the design right. Behringer, not surprisingly, did not.
You couldn’t be more wrong, Joe – it’s not a matter of opinion. The stripe look is superior aesthetically, and provides reference lines for the knob pointers when you’re dialing in a sound. Behringer is simply doing what California – based Oberheim should have, and at a price point that democratizes real analog…meh!: D
Could a comment sound any more like Behringer marketing than this one?
It makes me think Uli needs to up his astroturfing game to not sound so lame!
the colour is also -1+3 blue which means its more calm for the eyes
I agree graphics look cheap.
Why “ Spring-loaded pitch and assignable modulation paddles”?
Is that a typo or should this have been removed from the desktop feature list?
Ps
I worked at Oberheim from 1978-1981 when the OB-X and OB-XA were manufactured. I’m definitely going to buy this desktop. Thank you for making it affordable.
-WPJ