Behringer Mini Pops 7: the clone of the Korg analog rhythm box of the same name is a reality, is in the RD-78 format, and is around the corner.
Behringer has so far recreated two vintage drum machines in a smaller format: the Roland TR-78 and the TR-606. In 2024, they showcased initial work on a clone of the Korg Mini Pops 7, the rhythm generator used by Jean-Michel Jarre in Oxygène, on social media.
In addition to the CS Mini, the Behringer Mini Pops 7 has now also appeared in the new Syntribe software (3.2.2). It comes in the same small format as the RD-6 or RD-78. This means the app already supports it, and so it’s around the corner.
Behringer Mini Pops 7
There was also a long period of silence regarding whether or not the Mini Pops 7 would be released. Its appearance in Syntribe now means it’s finished and a reality.
The Behringer Mini Pops 7 will be an authentic clone of the original Korg analog rhythmic box. It will probably feature 15 drum sounds and 20 patterns.
Official feature details aren’t out yet, but you can see some details on the interface. The Behringer version is fully programmable like a Roland drum machine. You can select the various instruments and use a step sequencer to create your own patterns.
With the original, you could only combine patterns to create new ones. It also features a distortion unit, and a tone control, probably a filter.
The official release date for the Mini Pops 5 is unknown, but it’s closer than ever.
Article from June 12, 2024
Behringer shared a social media photo previewing a possible upcoming clone/replica of the Korg Mini-Pops 7 analog rhythm box.
Behringer is known for announcing new products on social media at regular intervals. Most of the time, these are pure development announcements and rarely finished products. And now there is another one.
In a new photo, they tease a clone/replica of a well-known analog rhythm box from the past.
The Challenge of Reverse Engineering a 40-Year-Old Product
Reverse engineering a 40-year-old product is incredibly challenging. Many original components are obsolete, requiring recreation or substitution with modern equivalents, which must match the original specs closely to maintain performance and sound quality.
Testing is rigorous, involving both electronic and listening tests that can take years to perfect. Dismantling and studying the original product in detail is essential to understand its design and function.
Recreating vintage products is often harder than designing new ones because it involves preserving the original’s essence while integrating modern manufacturing techniques. This balance makes the task challenging yet rewarding, showcasing the dedication and skill required to bring these classic designs back to life.
Our purpose is to bring those historical instruments back to life and preserve their musical contribution, while making them affordable for everyone.
Behringer Korg Mini Pops 7
In the shared image, Behringer shows two things: an old, disassembled Korg Mini Pop 7 from 1966 on the left, and an unknown modern circuit next to it.
It has not been officially announced yet, but I firmly believe that it is a clone/replica of the Korg Mini Pop 7. Otherwise, the photo of two devices side by side makes no sense.
As a reminder, the Korg Mini Pops 7, released in 1966, has an all-analog design and features 15 drum sounds and 20 patterns. Many famous musicians have used the analog rhythm box in compositions.
Jean-Michel Jarre, for example, used it throughout his album Oxygène. Aphex Twin also used it on his album Syro and in homage, named a single “minipops 67 [120.2].”
It will be interesting to see whether Behringer keeps the Korg Mini-Pops 7 in its original concept or builds a more modern drum machine based on it, on which you can flexibly generate your own rhythm, etc.
I will write more about this when more is known, so stay tuned. To pass the time a little, there is a free Mini-Pops 7 emulation of this from Full Bucket Music for macOS and Windows.
More information will follow here: Behringer
