Behringer Proton Official Specs & Intro Video – Is It Their Best Analog Monosynth Yet?

Behringer today announced the Proton – an all-in-one paraphonic synth in Eurorack format – is now shipping to retailers, with a street price of $399.

The Behringer Proton is arguably the most original synth that the company has released in the six years since they introduced the Neutron, and it looks to be an intelligently designed synth module, offering both a powerful normalized synth voice, and lots of patchability for integrating it into larger Eurorack modular systems.

The Proton is an analog paraphonic semi-modular synth, building on the work that the company did with the Neutron to create what’s essentially a modern monosynth in Eurorack format.  It features 2 VCOs, 2 VCFs, and 2 VCAs, with 4 envelopes and a wave folder.

While the design is not as easily understandable as most of the synths that Behringer has introduced in the last six years, it runs circles around the sound designs possibilities of their Euro monosynth knockoffs, which generally mimic synth designs from 40 years ago, and the engineering constraints of 40 year old technology.

So, where 70’s and 80’s analog monosynths designs tend to offer limited waveform choices, a single filter and minimal modulation options. the Proton features dual VCOs with continuous waveform control, sub-oscillators, dual multi-mode filters, dual ASR envelopes plus dual ADSR envelopes, extensive modulation options, lots of hands-on control and a metric butt load of patch points.

Features:

  • Analog synthesizer with dual VCO design
  • Paraphonic mode allows both oscillators to be independently controlled
  • Semi-modular design requires no patching for immediate performance
  • Analog signal path with VCO, VCF and VCA
  • Dual oscillators with 5 waveforms, oscillator sync, pulse width modulation and individual sub-oscillators
  • Oscillator waveform control blends between 5 shapes (tone mod, pulse, sawtooth, triangle and sine)
  • 2 self-oscillating, multi-mode VCFs can be configured in parallel or series with linkable CVs
  • 2 ASR envelopes with reverse/ inverse/loop/bounce options to control VCAs and wave folder
  • 2 analog ADSR generators for modulating the VCFs
  • Multi-mode wave folder
  • 2 flexible LFOs with 5 waveforms, MIDI clock sync, key sync, phase and depth controls
  • Noise generator
  • External audio can be summed into one or both VCFs
  • Utility functions include attenuverters, multiples, signal/CV mixer and summer
  • External audio input with level control and soft clipping circuit for processing external sound sources
  • 64 patch points for advanced modular connection and integration with external equipment
  • 68 controls give you direct and real-time access to all important parameters
  • Eurorack compatible – module can be transferred to a standard Eurorack case
  • MIDI support

Pricing and Availability:

The Behringer Proton is shipping now from their factory, priced at $399. Based on previous history, it can be several months between when they start shipping and when their gear becomes available at retailers.

What do you think about the Behringer Proton? Check out the official intro video and specs, and then share your thoughts in the comments!

33 thoughts on “Behringer Proton Official Specs & Intro Video – Is It Their Best Analog Monosynth Yet?”

    1. Is this another un-original comment?. What does it matter if is their first original design?. We are living analog renaissance times brother. Just be a disciple of the flow and float anywhere!. I am so happy and grateful for being able to be alive and being able to afford Analí technology like never before!

      1. That’s what I was thinking.

        There are few other things that they’ve teased that I think may also be original designs, but not sure on that. Maybe a groovebox and some of their minisynths?

        It really feels like they did the Deepmind and the Neutron, and then found out that they had a big hit with the D, so they shifted most of their focus to the knockoffs. Maybe, as they run out of real classics to copy, we’ll start seeing some more interesting original synth designs.

    3. From an engineer’s perspective, all synths that Behringer relaesed so far are original designs. That is, the hardware is completely reimagined, based on new technology (SMD analog design, microcontrollers / internal digital controls), that simply was not available in the 70s/80s. That in itself is, IMHO, worth respecting.
      If you open up any of the analog poly synths you will see a stunning amount of electronics, much more so than in a comparable Nord VA, all condensed onto small footprint, all to minimize the cost to the buyer.

      1. If you were to say that all of their designs were new implementations, I’d agree with you.

        But to say that the bulk of Behringer’s designs are original is factually incorrect. Original designs – like the Proton – require a substantial investment. Some designs are successful and some are not. So this is a risky and costly task.

        Implementing an established design using SMT components is generally straightforward, except for where vintage components are no longer available and substitutions need to be made.

        The changes that Behringer has made with their knockoffs are generally limited to looking for ways to cut costs, and tacking on a standard note on/note off MIDI implementation.

        Nowhere did I say that this engineering work was not worthy of respect, but in no way is making a knockoff of an old design comparable to what they’ve done with the Proton, or what other companies do with their original designs.

        When I’ve looked inside Behringer synths like the D, I have not been in any way ‘stunned’ by the electronics. It’s a straightforward SMT implementation, using cheap pots and switches that are board-mounted and not panel mounted. There are some pretty significant design compromises, but also what you should expect on a bargain-basement copy.

  2. It looks like with 2 VCOs, 2 VCFs, 2 VCAs, 2 LFOs, 4 envelopes, and the appropriate in/outs for each, you could patch it as two independent synth voices (polyphonic) even if it is only paraphonic in its normalized state. Is that right?

  3. Valid question. When you blatantly copy and repackage the circuitry of dozens of other boxes with little original r&d for several years, retain and repurpose all that reverse-engineering research into other vintage recreations, and then offer a supposedly original instrument, it’s fair to ask how much of the new original boat is actually original.

    Considering how synthesis today stands on the shoulders of all the preceding innovators, it’s probably best not to conflate the idea of Behringer original design with Behringer innovation. Probably just new design here, no actual innovation, existing tech with a few cherries sprinkled on top. But we know this.

    This will probably sound very cool and be very useful. No shade, and good luck to Behringer. I’m happy with my RD-9, 3-MO, and MS-101 because I wanted some of the original Roland magic but could never afford them then and especially not now.

    1. Well, isn’t it what Moog is doing since more than 50 years? Repackage their original circuitries in different ways in their products? I think, the wavefolder in their latest product is Moogs most innovative circuitry since decades 😉

      1. True, but Uli was likely playing in a sandpit 50 years ago when the innovative Minimoog was put out.

        Nothing wrong with companies rehashing their own tech but I wish they’d push harder with their new releases with new original tech. That is clearly possible but I understand that takes time and and money. This is different from the current (but likely very successful) Behringer business model.

        I’m just interested in the idea of what is “original”.

        Forgive me, I’m a philosophy undergraduate ?

        1. The filter in the Behringer Neutron (and most likely also in the Proton) is a modified Moog filter that doesn’t lose anything in the bass at higher resonances. If I remember correctly, it was a new type of circuit invented by Behringer. In my opinion, innovations today are mostly found in small steps and rarely in big steps. Innovation is nowadays more associated with new combinations of existing circuits.

  4. And it’s fair to say that the question of original design vs innovation in a company’s product line is not an accusation that can be aimed solely at Behringer.

    1. You could criticize Roland for repackaging the 303/606/808/909 sounds for the last three decades.

      I do think that companies creating new designs that build on their legacy – or even new versions of their ‘greatest hits’ – is different than just building your business on making knockoffs. The MODX is a very interesting synth workstation, for example, and I’m actually tempted by the k2700, as a K2500 owner.

      But it’s a lot more interesting to me to see original designs that move things forward. I’m impressed by the new Moog Euro synths, a lot of the stuff coming out of Oberheim and Sequential, the Hydrasynth, Korg’s Wavestate and Opsix, the Osmose, the PolyBrute, the Third Wave – there’s areally a lot of cool new synths coming out.

  5. This is really the only thing that I’m interested in by Behringer (apart from the VCS3 if that ever comes out).
    I have the Neutron and I really enjoy it. It was a great gateway drug into modular!
    I don’t know if I’ll get one straight away though. Might wait until they work out any bugs with a firmware update first.

  6. Man I really wanted one of these like 3 or 4 years ago when they were announced but there are so many other duophonic synths I want a lot more now.

    1. Really?
      With a fairly extensive patch bay and modular routing options too? Also, one that isn’t just a eurorack voice only, but a complete stand alone synth?
      I’m asking genuinely because I’d like to know.
      The only one I can think of is the Pittsburgh Modular Taiga (and that’s double the price of the Proton).

    1. I take it as an Mk2 of the Neutron (hence the name, I guess). More of an all-rounder with some nifty additions. No need for it myself, but I salute Behringer with bringing something original to the table. Too bad the name, for me at least, is tainted by their bad practices; I’ll never get something from them. But it’s understandable that these should exist for those who live in countries with stupidly low wages, and don’t have the luxury of calling the price of Behringer products hrow-away money,

    2. Possibly this is meant to be complementary to the Neutron. It doesn’t seem to have S&H or overdrive or slew (unless that’s portamento), which are useful features of the Neutron.

      Since there are potentially two full voices here, I’m hoping the midi implementation will allow full two-voice polyphony somehow.

      1. I think they may have deliberately omitted some Neutron features – patchable slew circuit, s&h, etc in order to accommodate stuff the Neutron *doesn’t* do.

        EG there was a second filter output, but not a total a second filter. There’s Loads more modulation options on this too

        It very much feels like this has built on the Neutron in the same way the Minibrute 2/2S building on Minibrute/ Microbrute. Part of a wider family, but still unique on its own.

        Looking forward to getting one.

  8. I voted on here for a behringer juno 106 to be made 10years ago and I’m still waiting

    This synth looks great though

  10. Someone want to develop a Behringer ad blocker? These sites regularly get spammed with Behringer stuff that obfuscates the stuff i’d actually read.

  12. I understand the appeal, it looks like the best thing they’ve designed, but it’s hard to buy this knowing it was developed on the back of anti competitive practices. There are too many other good synthesizers made without these motifs.

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