Behringer has today released a teaser of its upcoming MS-5, a clone of the vintage Roland SH-5 monophonic analog Synthesizer from 1976.
Update: ready for pre-order at Thomann for 598€
First reported in 2021. Now, three years later, it is officially here. Behringer has released the MS-5, their clone/replica of the Roland SH-5 analog Synthesizer.
It’s in stock and will be immediately shipped from the factory. This means retailers can order their batches, and the synth will then be available in stores in a few weeks or months, depending on their chosen transport (ship, air freight…).
Behringer releases MS-5
The Roland SH-5 was a powerful monophonic analog Synthesizer with a distinct character. Behringer adopted the entire SH-5 circuit, including the matched transistors and JFETs. More it’s an authentic reproduction, says the company.
Like the original, it has two VCOs with soft/hard sync, a ring modulator, and a noise generator. Then, you get two filters (multimode 24dB diode and bandpass filter), two multiwave LFOs, sample & hold, and two ADSR envelopes (AR, ADSR).
On the back side, you get a stereo output (L/R), two pedal inputs (filter/oscillator pitch), CV/gate in/out connectivity, and comprehensive MIDI implementation.
The latter gives you MIDI channel and voice priority selection. There is also an option to process other signals using the external audio input.
Official Features
- 37 semi-weighted full-size keys featuring velocity functionality
- Authentic reproduction of original “SH-5” circuitry with matched transistors and JFETs
- Pure analog signal path based on authentic VCO, VCF and VCA designs
- 2 VCOs with 4 switchable waveshapes and variable pulse widths
- Classic multi-mode 24 dB diode filters with resonance for legendary performance
- Additional band-pass filter with resonance for incredibly complex sounds
- Ring modulator with LFO control and external input for rich metallic textures
- Signal mixer with multiple destinations for advanced sound design
- Soft and hard synchronization for VCO 2 allows for enhanced creativity
- Two fully analog LFOs with saw, triangle, square and sine waveforms
- Sample & hold circuitry with adjustable delay time
- Noise generator with white and pink noise for expanded waveform generation
- 71 controls give you direct and real-time access to all important parameters
- Front panel can be laid flat or tilted in multiple angles for easy access of all controls
- External audio input for processing external sound sources
- Stereo outputs featuring servo-balanced stages for highest signal integrity
- Two pedal inputs for controlling filter cutoff and oscillator pitch
- CV/Gate in and out for connecting to external equipment
- Comprehensive MIDI implementation with MIDI channel and Voice Priority selection
A synth that many are waiting for. It will be available soon. In the UK, Andertons has already opened pre-orders for the MS-5. Other shops will follow soon.
I’m curious what the first impressions will be. The MS-5 looks great, fun synth. Even though I have enough mono synths in the studio, this one looks very tempting.
Behringer MS-5 will be available soon for $599.
Available for pre-order at my partner
Thomann
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Update From March 15, 2023
Almost exactly a year ago, we got the last major update to the new MS-5, Behringer’s analog clone/replica of the legendary Roland SH-5. Since then, the social media department has been quiet.
Behringer released an update today. According to them, the MS-5 is finished in development. The devices will soon go to beta testers (people who have a Roland SH-5). Straight after this test period, it goes into production, says Behringer. They also published new pictures of it.
MS-5 is coming. We’re super excited having finalized another blast from the past. This beautiful synth is now going to the beta testers for final review and then straight into manufacturing. What do you think?
Looks pretty. I’m looking forward to the first sound demos.
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Article From March 10th, 2022
A Behringer announcement/teaser on the button keeps the doctor away, or how should you call this therapy? There is a little news. In a post today, Behringer showed the current development progress of their Roland SH-5 clone/replica, the MS-5.
The first photos with woodwork were taken in July 2021. In the meantime, it has gotten a much better keyboard look.
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Article July 18th, 2021
In recent years, Behringer has released many new, affordable synthesizers and drum machines. Some new designs (Neutron…) and many vintage synth clones. If you look at the previous releases, a large part comes from Roland’s history. Among others are the TR-808, TR-909, TR-606, TB-303, SH-101, VP-330 vocoder, or the Roland 100 series as Eurorack modules.
According to the latest Behringer Facebook post, another Roland clone is in the works. More precisely, a clone of the Roland SH-5 from 1976.
Roland SH-5
If Behringer takes over all the features of the original Roland SH-5, then it will feature two analog VCOs (triangle, ramp, square, and pulse), SH-type mixer with ring mod & external signal levels, two filters, two envelopes (AR/ADSR), two VCA’s, white & noise generators…
Highlights for me on the original SH-5 were the versatile signal path but also the unique sounding ring modulator. You can route each of the 5 signals through the VCA, the multi-mode filter, the band-filter, or both. A significantly higher sound complexity could be achieved through it. Another big plus was the stereo output with a panning option in the VCA section and portamento. The sound was lovely brutal, fat, and rough.
Behringer MS-5
If Behringer manages to get the sound of this classic so precisely, you can look forward to it very much. The two photos of the prototype show the well-known workflow of the SH-5. But one thing is immediately noticeable, Behringer once again uses the same keyboard format as for Poly D or MonoPoly. But there is a reason for this.
As extra info: a FB user asked if they could use a different keyboard design. Behringer answers that they always want to offer the synth as affordable as possible, and so use a platform for them. Which one can also totally understand. I named it cost-effective development and production.
Like all Behringer vintage analog clones, the MS-5 will not have memory for patches. Here they want to be close to the original concept.
Roland SH-5 Hands-On Demo
Behringer did a lot of right things with his vintage analog clones. The 2600 and Pro-1 are my favorites so far but I think they can revive this one very well too. Looking forward to the first sound demos and full details.
According to Behringer, the MS-5 is a prototype. So stay tuned for more information in the future.
More information here: Behringer
I can’t see any patch points at all. Looking closely, I can see a few rubber caps, presumably allowing access to trimmers as on the original.
Ah, these are rubber caps. They look like patch points, sorry rectified it. Thanks for the input.
I fully understand Behringer – producing similar synthesizers (in more or less the same housing = 3 octave keyboard, a small controller panel on its left side, a well-organized main panel which can be folded up …) is much cheaper than developing individual cases close to the different originals. Mass production of the 3-octave keyboard including the wooden housing seem to be essential part of Uli’s concept ‘Production of affordable synthesizers’ – why not?
Nevertheless a very beautiful machine … this ‘MiniMoog’-like basic design is timeless!
But we already in the models PolyD and MonoPoly that the front panel will NOT have patch points – all of them are located on the rear side of the panel, so on its top side if the panel is in a higher position.
flip-top case is a great design. I put foot pedals (H9’s) in the space behind the flip-top. great storage space too for cables too!
I wonder why the little keyboard controller part is the “correct” color and the front panel is a SH 101 type of gray? Assuming the new pics are near-production models. They should go with the color that matches the original. I always liked the SH-5’s greenish gray color and the knobs with silver skirts.
I sold my old SH5 years ago after breaking down all the time. The costs keeping it alive kept going up. I guess Behringer will make one,which will not breakdown (or at least will be working for 10 years). Looking forward!
Looks great. I agree that the original color scheme would look nice, but it’s not really important. The sound is.
There are so many roland synths… Give us rsf kobol
lol. i am psyched for Kobol. I hope they can do the expander and the polykobol too. I would get all three.
AnalogFX SER-2020 Formant Synthesizer is available and is more modulable and sounds very good if you need a “similar” Synthesizer.
See you in 5 years…
October 2023, any update on MS5 availability?
no