Behringer UB-1



Behringer's round of mini synthesizers continues briskly. After the PRO-VS, JP-4000 and Saturn, the manufacturer now shows the UB-1. As you can easily see, the theme this time is Oberheim. We are still waiting for the UB-Xa - the UB-1 now at least provides a foretaste.

however, the sound generation is all Oberheim. Under the hood are two analog DCOs based on the CEM3396/3397 chip design. These chips were in the Oberheim Matrix 6 and Matrix 1000 and Behringer had them cloned some time ago by its subsidiary Coolaudio. In addition, there is a "classic 4-pole filter" whose circuit Behringer does not yet reveal any details.

 

What I gleaned was:

- Programmable synthesizer with 2 DCOs and classic 4-pole filter
- Legendary 3396/3397 analog chip design, found in the Oberheim Matrix 6/1000*
- 16 touch-sensitive keys for great playability
- 32 memory presets, expandable via SynthTribe app
- Arpeggiator with 3 patterns and hold function
- Individual envelopes for VCF and VCA for creative sound shaping
- 2 powerful LFOs to control filter and oscillator tuning
- 6 functions buttons and OLED display for easy and immediate parameter editing
- USB Micro connector allows powering via smartphone, power bank or computer
- Comprehensive USB/MIDI implementation (including NRPN/CC control of all parameters and bulk load/save)
- Estimated price is only US$ 49

 

I was so waiting for this but it turned out to be something else. I thought it would be $99. I was expecting a 3320. So It's a Matrix type deal with the paint job (kinda) of an Xa then.

The Matrix 6/12 had few blue stripes I guess. Whatever.

 

Last edited: Mar 2, 2022

what is behringer's intention with their mini synth series and mini prices ? Behringer wants to finally draw attention to itself ... i am sure that the mini series has an excellent price/performance ratio ...

so behringer also comes to the groups that have so far paid little attention to Behringer ...
especially many young musicians will buy the minis , because of the prices.... and if they make a good experiences with the brand Behringer, then they are much more receptive to other behringer products than the old guys ....

Behringer's sales strategy and customer loyalty seems to follow a very clear concept, and it looks like Behringer is planning the next big purchase ....

Question : what do you all mean ?

 

Last edited: Mar 2, 2022

^I think you're right. Personally if I buy any of these, as an older guy, they'll be as gifts for friends and family. Especially youngsters.

I used to keep several Homies (plastic collectible figurines that came out of a machine at the store in plastic eggs for 50 cents representing various Chicano Mexican American characters) that my nieces and nephews would buy me on top of my speakers some years back. Maybe now that they're older they'll get me these little synths since they never know what to get me. I'll just hint them. I'll keep them as decorations and if they sound decent, bonus.

 

The Behringer company used to be known for junk - lots of plastic, poor quality, no one who knew anything ever bought anything from Behringer. The swear word used to be "Made in China" a synonym for things that broke quickly.

This has improved somewhat in recent times, even China products now have a higher quality - Behringer also recognized this and has been making better products for a few years.

China is a new world power. They will continue to make us new products. It's one company and the one that has the best know how and is cheaper than the competition will compete with other companies for customers. Only through innovation and new ideas and through better cheaper production processes will they be able to beat the competition.

As you had already reported Deceptive, in one of your postings, which companies and thus also the know-how Behringer has bought up, is clearly evident that small companies are bought up by the big ones.

 

the CEM3396 is an entire synth, osc, filter and vca

 

Last edited: Mar 2, 2022

I'd like this format better without the keyboard

 

the thing with Behringer is like with the discounters... no one wants to shop at the discounters because everyone supposedly only eats gourmet products .... but the discounters earn millions... where does the money come from? ...no one wants to use Behringer, but Behringer is making more and more sales volume and is gradually buying up well-known companies...strange!

 

by the way ,
here is a comparison between behringer UMC 1820 and RME Mictasy ...behringer costs 230.00 euros / RME mictasy 3600.00 euros....i have both in studio, and in some scenarios i like the behringer sound more than the RME! :::: the difference in sound is really not serious... with the use of subtle EQ, the Behringer comes very close to RME... both sound examples are completely unprocessed

 

Last edited: Mar 2, 2022

Wages have not been increasing for years. Energy prices for electricity and gas and heating oil have risen sharply, the cost of housing i.e. rent and food has risen sharply in recent years. Inflation (i.e. depreciation of money) is currently at 6.4%.
You have less money to spend - that drives you to the discounters or to Behringer.

 

So, Behringer correctly recognized the spirit of the time with their $50 synthe ...

 

At first I thought it was Uli's usual teasing game, but I'm starting to believe that he really wants to produce these toys. Why? Who ever asked for them? We've always asked for clones, but never asked for cartoons-gear, What should the target be?

This thesis is interesting and it could be an explanation:

Yes, I quite agree with this analysis and I add that problems such as trade with the East, chip shortage, war in Ukraine, etc ... will not be quickly overcome: they are here to stay. We live in bad times: we need to lower our demands and get used to suffering

A few years ago, when Behringer started producing his gear, I started believing in miracles, I was completely shocked, but now Uli has slammed his face on reality: building decent clones at low prices is difficult and expensive, he has realized that his project has become mission impossible and that his promises cannot be kept for lack of resources, I actually stopped believing in his magic.

Now, with this mini gear, now Uli has (incredibly) lowered the tone: after realizing that he will never be able to deliver clones of CS80, OBX, Linn, PPG ... he chooses to produce chinese junk that only have the aesthetic appearance of the original gear
Ok: We are waiting to hear their sound, but I don't think they can go any further than what Volca already does

(Volca's are fun toys and I have several of them, obviously I never thought of considering them as vintage gear clones and Korg has never presented them as such)

 

As long as people buy it and there is a market for it, it will be produced.
And as long as the wages in China are low, you can also produce at the price.

I am for high quality software instead of hardware. Software does not consume resources and is energy friendly.
Download by mouse click and no container ship. No cardboard and no paper.

The company Arturia from France, has done its job quite well and successfully reproduced hardware synthesizers.
They all don't come close to the original, that's probably because of the power, but you can afford them.

 

kids love musical toys. if you want to expose them to music, get them a Casio. if you want to expose them to re-faxing parts orders and checking on factory back orders? Get em a Behringer. Maybe they can learn Mandarin while they are at it.