Behringer has shrunk its Oberheim OB-Xa clone/replica into a UB-Xa mini synth with fewer features for an unbeatable price of 99€
Update: the first batch of the Behringer UB-Xa mini is available now at Thomann for 99€
After the release of the 89€ CZ-1 Mini earlier this week and the option to pre-order it, another mini Synthesizer is now ready to ship.
Behringer has released the UB-Xa Mini analog Synthesizer. You can pre-order it now for 99€.
Behringer UB-Xa mini
The UB-Xa Mini is a compact analog Synthesizer based on the UB-Xa polysynth, the Oberheim OB-Xa clone. Like Big Brother, it uses authentic, reproduced VCO and VCF circuitry from the OB-Xa and offers a pure analog signal path.
At its core are three separate VCOs with saw- and square-waveforms, controlled by a single oscillator section. It has various voice modes, including “poly”, unison, octave, 5th, ring, and ring poly.
For more advanced shaping, it has built-in pulse-width modulation and a multi-mode ring mod on square waves.
Contrary to what the official ino/video says, the UB-Xa Mini is a 3-voice paraphonic synth, not a polyphonic one. This is because the oscillators flow into a single 12dB/24dB low-pass filter and a single VCA.
For a proper poly, you would need three VCFs and three VCAs, which is not the case here and probably not possible at the asking price.
You can tweak the lowpass filter with classic cutoff and resonance controls and apply modulation right from the filter section with dedicated knobs.
Then, it has a single ADSR envelope for filter and amp duties, as well as a single syncable multi-wave LFO for modulation of the OSC frequency, PWM, and filter cutoff.
Like the previous Mini synths, the Behringer UB-Xa Mini also offers a 16-step motion sequencer with 10 memory slots and recording of knob movements.
On the connection side, you have a power ON/OFF button, USB-C for power and data, a headphone output/line output, sync in/out, and a 5-pin MIDI in socket. Good to see that he is now ready.
Behringer UB-Xa mini is available now for pre-order for £89/99€. Depending on the retailer, it may take a few weeks to months for the first batch to arrive.
Available from my partners
Article from January 30, 2024
The conclusion will be drawn in Anaheim, and NAMM 2025 is already being planned. In Banaheim, there are still lights on the floors. After the CZ-1 Mini there is now another mini synth. One that had not yet been announced.
Behringer announced the UB-Xa mini analog Synthesizer—a portable, super affordable version of the UB-Xa polysynth. Help, I shrunk the UB-Xa.
Behringer UB-Xa mini
The full feature set isn’t official yet, but I’m sure you won’t get all 16 voices of the UB-Xa for $99. With the UB-Xa mini, there will be possible 2, 3, or a maximum of 4 voices. The user interface has a poly mode which means it can be assumed that there is more than one voice.
Speaking of the user interface, it has the same form factor as the other mini synthesizers. It looks like the developers have put the regular UB-Xa in a shrinking machine à la Rick Moranis in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.”
And like the big brother UB-Xa, it also has the very familiar look of the original Oberheim OB-Xa. The interface packs a large number of known features into a small space.
Features (Not Confirmed)
You have a single oscillator section on the left side that probably manages multiple voices with various modes, including poly, unison, octave, 5th, ring mod, and ring mod poly.
Next to this, you can set the octave (32-1) and the waveform, adjust the PWM or FM, and detune it. Then, you get an authentic recreation of the OB-Xa filter in the middle with cutoff and resonance control. The UB-Xa mini also includes modulation with a classic ADSR envelope and an LFO with speed control.
I also assume it has the built-in arpeggiator and sequencer with motion recording like the other mini synths.
On the connection side, it also has the same inputs and outputs: tempo and volume control, headphone socket, sync in/out and a DIN MIDI in. Further, there are various buttons to navigate through the menu and for patch saving.
According to Behringer, it’s currently in beta testing and it’s shipping soon.
Behringer FB post
What do you think about the UB-Xa analog synthesizer? It has quickly become the top-selling analog synthesizer since its launch, thanks to its 16 voices and polyphonic aftertouch keybed.
We now have a more affordable option, the UB-Xa Mini, available for only 99 USD for those who want the authentic sound of the OB-Xa.The synth is currently in beta testing and we are looking forward to shipping it soon.
First Impression
Looks funny. I’m less the target group for these synthesizers but I’m sure there will be a lot of people who will buy this portable synth. Especially people with little space, hello to Japan, will be happy about more mini synths.
Behringer UB-Xa Mini will be available soon for $99 USD—availability TBA.
More information will follow here: Behringer
