Behringer lists the AKS Mini on their website, a VCS-3-based mini synthesizer with a sequencer, suggesting an imminent release.
Update: it’s now official, and it’s available for pre-order for 119€
More than three years ago (January 2023), Behringer announced on Facebook that the AKS Mini would be released that same Summer. Well, they massively missed their target. We are now in 2026.
Following the leak on the new website back in May, the AKS Mini is listed once again with a manual, full feature set, and a new version of the Synth Tribe app. Good news: it’s available now for pre-order for 119€.
Behringer AKS Mini
The AKS Mini is a portable analog paraphonic Synthesizer based on the EMS Synthi AKS (VCS 3) circuits from 1971. Behringer uses the same format for the AKS Mini as for its other mini synths.
It has three separate oscillators with variable saw and square waveforms, giving you three-voice paraphony or unison. Unlike the original, none of the three are programmable independently; they share controls for tuning and waveform levels.
Then, you have a filter section based on the original synth with cutoff and resonance controls. The envelope can also be routed to the filter in the same section.
Next to the filter is the envelope shaper section, which is also replicated. This offers some special features that are famous on the original AKS synth. For example, there is no classic ADSR envelope.
Instead, it’s a four-stage envelope with attack, decay, on (sustain), and off parameters to modulate the VCA and VCF. The off parameter lets you loop the envelope, turning it into an LFO. The trapez sets the modulation level of the trapezoid modulation.
There is also an LFO with four waveforms for pitch and cutoff modulation. Like the original hardware, it also has a 2-axis joystick that serves as a performance controller. To refine your sounds, it also has a digital spring reverb.
Playability
The Behringer AKS Mini can be played either with the 27 touch-sensitive keys or via MIDI. It also features a 16-step sequencer with motion recording. Patterns can be saved in 10 memory slots.
On the connection side, it has a USB-C port for powering it via a smartphone, power bank, or computer, plus MIDI support. It also has a classic 5-pin MIDI input, a sync socket, and a headphone output that also serves as a main output.
It offers a comprehensive MIDI implementation (including NRPN/CC control of all parameters and bulk load/save), enabling the creation of third-party software editors for saving presets and remote control.
Of all the Behringer mini synthesizers released so far, this one looks the most fun.
The Behringer AKS Mini is now available for pre-order for 119€. Availability depends on the individual shop and how they import the product (plane, ship).
Available from my partners
Update from January 13, 2023
Behringer asks on their social media channels if there is interest in an AKS Mini project, a portable 1-oscillator VCS 3-style analog Synthesizer
Update: Almost a year ago, Behringer announced a line of very affordable portable synthesizers. These are intended to compete with mini synths like the Korg Volcas, Modal Electronics Craftsynth/SKULPT… For a long time it was quiet around the development of these small affordable synths.
Today, I have news about the scaled-down version of the legendary VCS3. Behringer has today published a new photo of the final design of the AKS Mini with additional info.
According to B, the final version will have three VCOs, a built-in arpeggiator, and a 16-step motion sequencer. So you can record parameters into the sequence. Probably also with the joystick, which would be super neat.
The VCOs, filters,.. will be based on the same circuitry as the original VCS3 Synthesizer to achieve the same sonic character but in a portable instrument.
Behringer says that the targeted retail price will be $99 USD, and shipping is scheduled for summer. Let’s see for which summer, and hope the chips will be in stock by then.
Article From March 31, 2022
Two days ago, Behringer shared new photos of the final pre-production model of their upcoming EMS VCS 3 Synthesizer clone/replica. One of the most complex projects that Behringer currently has because the VCS 3 has a very special circuit.
Today, Behringer shows a new possible mini Synthesizer project based on these legendary circuits, the AKS Mini.
The AKS Mini is a render photo and not an actual confirmed product. Let’s call it a project. On the new render photo, we see a portable VCS 3-style Synthesizer with a single oscillator, filter, LFO and the classic env shaper section from the legend. Plus, you get a delay unit, a joystick, a sequencer, a multi-function touch pad, and more.
Facebook Post
Since we shared with you the pics of our upcoming VCS3, many people got so excited, that they asked for an affordable AKS synth that has the exact same sound signature. Here’s a draft proposal only and we’d love to get your feedback. We believe we could produce it for an estimated price of US$ 99. What do you think?
It is not known when this small 1-oscillator VCS 3-style Synthesizer will be launched. It is currently a project that is still being evaluated. But the little synthi looks interesting
More information will follow here: Behringer
It would be really cool to have one of this, seems to be very versatile
Interesting, but defeats the purpose of the VCS (the complex pin matrix capabilities).
However, I can see the value for the sequencer alone. It’s not a VCS3 like the other Behringer project, but for the price it should be worth while when adding external fx for noise making or pairing it up with other synths.
I have a theory, all of these synth teasers are leading up to a massive April Fools joke. They announced a few synths, then yelled at everyone for wanting one because of a chip shortage, told everyone t owait. THEN announced like 75 new synths. Seems like a really big joke. I want to hear more about their sampler they teased and maybe get a brains.
Well now I’m wishing some of these were tiny eurorack voice modules. VCO/VCF/VCA. 20 – 30 hp.
HiBehringer
Great idea to revive the AKS.
Do not miss the greatest idea of the AKS: you could define the ambitus of the keyboard, that is the distance in pitches between keys. Hence you could turn it into a microtonal device. By
This would make a great blee-bloop-whee-wibble box, which was about 80-90% of what a VCS3/AKS was used for. I’d love it
Repost. No new info.
not a repost: they communicated now that it has three oscillators, new shipping detail…
I applaud these efforts from B, not everyone has the funds to buy synths from the usual suspects. It’s getting more synths into the hands of people which ultimately has to get more people interested in buying more expensive synths down the line.
The sooner the better, we all need affordable, great little analog hard machines as opposed to digital plug ins!.
If OMD,Depech Mode, Gary Numan and so many leading synth bands couldn’t have afforded low priced analog synths back when they were starting we just wouldn’t have the music we have now.
These little units are the way for bands which are just starting now to get real analog hardware and create the music of the future.
Excellent work behringer and keep it up! We cant all afford to go out and start of with a new Moog or Roland as much as we’d love too and you are the only people who acknowledge this fact but realise that we love that sweet analog sound and like to tweek the sound by turning a nob!
Really I can’t wait to get one and the sooner the better.
Lovely!
Very convincing. LOL
don’t tell them so they don’t improve the lie.
Happy new, Tom! Does Berenger have a web page for this product yet? Where can I preorder? 😊
You too, Steffen. Not yet on the webpage and not available for pre-order.
Behringer expects to ship this in summer of 2023.
Sweetwater has them in preorder.
and where Jeffrey? Can’t see them on Sweetwater
No mod matrix, no vcs3.
They could incorporate the matrix into the keys. I’d rather that than a half-baked, 10-a-penny sequencer.
You do know that this little product is a result of their cloning of the Vsc3, right ?
The pin matrix will surely be implemented on the big one, in some form.
This thing is an insult to the legacy of the VCS/AKS and their designers.