Behringer CS Mini, the mini three-voice Yamaha CS-80-inspired analog mini synth, is a reality and is around the corner.
Behringer asked on social media if people would be interested in a CS Mini. That was four years ago. Crazy how time flies! Today, there’s news.
Downloading the latest version of the Synthtribe software (3.2.2) reveals that the Behringer CS Mini is listed. This means the app supports it, which in turn means the synth is just around the corner.
Behringer CS Mini
The CS Mini is a reality and will be released soon. Comparing the concept image with the finished device, there are some differences. First, it has a highpass filter with resonance and modulation available via a secondary function.
Another is the second envelope. It’s an AD envelope that can be used as an LFO also via a secondary function. In the sub-oscillator section, there is also now PWM for the sub. Plus, the labeling has changed.
The official specs haven’t been released yet. However, it’s known that the analog mini synth is based on the circuits of the legendary Yamaha CS-80.
It will be a 3-voice paraphonic synth with three oscillators, a sub-oscillator, LPF/HPF filter, an ADSR envelope, and an AR envelope. Also onboard are various voice modes, including ring mod and ring mod poly (paraphonic), as well as a sequencer with motion recording.
The official release date for the CS Mini is unknown, but it’s closer than ever.
Article from March 18, 2022
Behringer is asking the community if they’re interested in a CS Mini, a 3-voice Yamaha CS-80-inspired portable analog Synthesizer
It’s not a secret that Behringer is working on the DS-80, a clone/replica of the legendary Yamaha CS-80 Synthesizer. Probably one of the biggest projects the company has worked on so far, and it will likely take a long time.
After the company scaled back their announcement wave, they launched another project today. I’m calling it a project because they are not sure yet if it will become a real product or not.
A Mini CS-80-inspired Synth?
Behringer is currently asking on their social media channels if the community is interested in a CS Mini. A mini Synthesizer that takes inspiration from the iconic Yamaha CS-80 polyphonic analog Synthesizer.
They will miniaturize a cloned/recreated CS80 voice and will put in a mini box. They plan to add 3-note polyphony, MIDI as well as a motion sequencer that we know from the other mini synth announcements.
On the front panel, we can see the VCO section (saw, square, sine), noise, a sub oscillator/LFO, a lowpass VCF section with resonance, and an ADSR envelope. There will also be the well-known touch keyboard with various functions. This will probably not have presets, but you can probably store sequence patterns. A good update on the upcoming mini synths is the new USB-C socket.
We know that a big part of the CS-80 sound is based on the ring modulator. Please add this to the synth otherwise it will not sound 100% like a CS-80.
Behringer says that the CS-Mini is so far a design proposal and not a finished product. They estimate a retail price of $99 USD.
What do you think about this project? Should they make it happen and publish it? I think it would fit, especially now that they are releasing so many old synths in mini format; they should keep going.
More information will follow here: Behringer
good honest summary. thank you. I suspect a eurorack followup eventually. they’re hinting at euroracking several of their mini/micro’s. as long as it’s the same components – SMT mounted switches, pots, jacks, and buttons – are used the burdened costs should be similar. they clearly can handle a LOT of part numbers! but there is overhead in doing a 2nd version. more choice is always better :0)
Since it has a ring modulator built in, it’s already ahead of Black corp
Hopefully all of the new behringer mini synths get USB-C.
Micro usb is terribly fiddly.
Is there information about that matter?
yup, they have all been converted to use USB-C.