^I don't know what to think about that thing. Plus no sound. Guess we will see.

 

"As we’re getting ready for the production of the long awaited UB-Xa, we’d like to share a beautifully crafted video of the Synth King.

It demonstrates that this amazing synth is not only capable of capturing the legacy sounds of the ‘80s but also deliver modern sounds and timbres.

The UB-Xa is one of our most complex products we have ever designed in our 35 years of history. 15 engineers worked over 4 years, delivering 8 hardware revisions and countless firmware upgrades, while co-innovating with 20 beta testers who all own the original OB-Xa synth. Our objective was to spend as much time and resources it takes and only release it when it is perfect. The UB-Xa is now completed and we’re ramping up for production.

As Uli stated from the beginning, this synth was never meant as a commercially driven product, but rather a labor of love. In fact, it might never make us any money and that’s OK. For that reason, we plan to offer if at the lowest possible price and at a fraction of competitive products.
We’re sorry this has taken so long but we now have a synth jewel we’re very proud of and a fantastic platform that will allow us to deliver new poly synths at a much shorter time. We’d like to thank all the beta testers who spent years and countless hours to help us bring the UB-Xa to life.

And finally, we’d like to thank all of you for your support and patience. You’re the reason why we love what we do." - Behringer, via Facebook​

 

"PRO-16 version B is coming to life. While this is still in development, we’re getting closer. Hope you’re excited, too."

​

 

https://gearspace.com/board/showpost.php?p=16490402&postcount=15111

 

"We’re very happy to share with you that we’re now assembling the first prototype of the UB-X.
As you can see it’s a highly complex synth as we’re using the original analog circuitry, while adding many more amazing features the original never had.
We’re closely collaborating with Scott Rider (OldCrow) who has very deep experience with the analog circuitry of the original.
As always, we want to manage expectations that it’ll take time to finalize the firmware However, since much firmware is shared with the UB-Xa, we should have a fully working UB-X in a few months.
Thanks for all your encouragement." - Behringer via FB



"The UB-Xa is fully developed and scheduled for production. Now that we have the foundation, it’ll take only a few months for the UB-X firmware. It’s now all happening" - Behringer via FB​

 

http://www.cs80.com/crowbx/

 

First prototype of the UB-X


​

They say this one will be finalized a lot faster. Still no word on the release of the UB-Xa but I'm trying to press them for some info. Last I heard they were getting ready for the production stage.


Possible shade change?

 

Last edited: Aug 16, 2023

They just too slow. When they first announced the UBXa years ago I was excited. Now I have bought the real deals, both P10 and OBX-8. Thankyou Behringer for teasing me, but my money went to the chaps who really earned to get it.

 

Did they really?

 

Nice pic.
Looks like it should cost $2000 instead of $6,749 Cdn

 

Yeah, it looks like about $400 in there. Maybe.

I couldn't get it to sound like:

or

or any of the models they claim it can do

So I returned it. It's a nice synth. I'd compare it to a modern DSI/Sequential but it's not 5k nice imo. The desktop ver is a better deal but still overpriced, again imo.

If you want that authentic OG sound you have to put up with the costs I guess. For now anyways.

 

Not overpriced, what matters is sound and nothing sounds like an OBX8 or P10

 

Yeah they sound good. That said the OB-X8 does not sound like an OB-X, OB-Xa, or an OB-8. Apparently they can't reproduce their old synths or maybe they don't want to. I think it's just different technology. Like I said, I think the X8 sounds more like a DSI/Sequential doing an OB than an vintage OB.

Worth is of course subjective but in objective costs you're paying a very high premium for what you physically get.

 

“They will never produce it” - Behringer via FB



I do not like that reddish screen ​

 

Either you have no clue or you should check you ears. The OBX8 sounds nothing like a Prophet, not even in 24db mode.

 

Last edited: Aug 17, 2023

I didn't say it sounds like a Prophet. I don't know where you got that from. I've seen those videos, not sure why you posted them or what they have to do with what I said.

The official comparison video is funny. See, it does sound like these very simple generic sounds, when we all know the magic is not in the factory banks.

Edit: Oh I see why you posted them. I think. You can correct me if I'm wrong. So you can show me that it does sound like a vintage OB and that it doesn't sound like a DSI/Sequential but I think those videos prove my point more than my words could.

Wait, didn't Dave Smith's team basically make the OB-X8? I thought I read that somewhere. That would make a lot of sense if true.

 

Last edited: Aug 17, 2023

I didn't have a specific synth in mind. I mean exactly what I said but In other words, to hopefully add some clarity: To me the X8 sounds like a DSI/Sequential take on a vintage OB (3 in this case), not that it sounds like a specific synth. It has it's own sound.

I just did a search and turn's out I did remember that right: Dave Smith, Marcus Ryle, Tony Karavidas and Tom Oberheim designed the X8. That makes a lot of sense. I bet it was mostly Dave.


Anyways, I don't know if I would be happy with the Behringer. I wouldn't assume such a thing. So far I haven't heard anything that convinces me that it sounds like a vintage OB but I know the X8 doesn't from experience. Don't get me wrong, the X8 is a beautiful sounding synth in it's own right, I just didn't think the premium price tag was worth it in my case. Had it actually sounded 1:1 like an OB-Xa (my favorite synth tonally) I would have for sure kept it.

If we're talking synths, putting brands aside, ignoring the whole cloning thing, the Behringer UB-Xa from what little I heard does sound good in it's own right as well, imo, and it's seemingly a very good deal. Would I buy it? I really don't know. Hands on will tell me more but I'm not in anyway expecting it to replace an OB-Xa.

 

“They will never make it” - Behringer via FB




"UB-Xa Classic Analog 16-Voice Multi-Timbral Polyphonic Synthesizer with 8 Vintage Modes, Dual VCFs and 61-Key Poly After Touch Keyboard"​

 

Have you heard of the Banana?

A polyphonic analog synthesizer produced by Electronic Engineering Hoffmann (EEH), in collaboration with Synthesizer Studio Bonn (corrected) in what was then West Germany; it was the only synth model ever produced by EEH. In both function and appearance, it is similar to the Oberheim OB-Xa; one of the goals of the Banana was to produce a synth with capabilities similar to the OB-Xa, but less expensive to produce and therefore sellable at a lower price.



The Banana was introduced in 1983. Sources vary, but it appears that somewhere between 100 and 300 were produced. Late-production units came from the factory with MIDI, and a retrofit was available for earlier units. The synth never sold well outside of (West) Germany, perhaps because of the unfortunate choice of name (nothing about the unit was painted yellow or resembled a banana in any way), or because of EEH's lack of marketing outside of Germany. Apparently production had ended by the end of 1985.



More: https://electronicmusic.fandom.com/...Y47zPEaMzgNbDnl95BFP2szFXZtgnr1a591_5wtn4JDIo

 

Last edited: Aug 21, 2023