Behringer DeepMind 12 Brings Augmented Reality To Synthesizers

Behringer has announced a new augmented reality interface for the DeepMind 12, at Synthfest in Sheffield UK. They describe it as ‘the world’s first augmented reality synth interface’.

‘Augmented reality’ is the idea of using computers to display 3D visualizations, in real time, over the world around you. Behringer’s system displays visualizations of things like the synth’s envelopes and the patch bay, which you can directly manipulate. It also can overlay information over the keyboard itself.

Details on the technical requirements for the DeepMind 12’s augmented reality interface are to be announced.

Check this video out and let us know what you think of the idea of expanding the controls for synths virtually, using augmented reality technology!

40 thoughts on “Behringer DeepMind 12 Brings Augmented Reality To Synthesizers

  1. doesnt look so esthetically nice the virtual/augmented reality, i think !
    a bit ?boorish, ?rude, clumsy,blunt,crass,uncouth , windows-y. .. . but i think definitely the future in terms of functionality, playability , yeah !

    1. true. it’s cool as a proof of concept but i give it another 10 years to evolve.
      windowsy haha yes maybe once apple gets into ar/vr it could be something 😀

  2. Okay – I was not that interested in the Behringer DeepMind – I’d had Behringer gear before which had failed me. But this is an amazing idea, and suddenly makes me want to get a DeepMind 12. Just added it to my ‘to buy’ list. Of course, the Microsoft Hololens goggles would be extra, but this is a good justification to get a pair.

    1. It’s actually not really Behringer really. Behringer is only the distributer. It was created by a completely separate British company Midas.

      1. Have you played Pokemon GO? It is NOT AR. It’s a joke. My highly receptive 10 yro son was like, “Are you kidding me? That’s it?”

    1. Yes, it is MS Hololens. There are plenty of other companies working on AR stuff, but Hololens is a complete package available now. However, Hololens is a $3000 development device at the moment, so it adds a lot to the price of this synth if that is what you are using it for.

  3. I guess the glasses and hand sensors are connected thru this Bluetooth feature we were wondering about…
    Beside the coolness of playing with this interface, this could be a show gimmick if the audience could see the visuals too, they’ll just see the synth player making hand gestures in the air like a wizard, which could still be funny too, maybe.

  4. This sets DeepMind ahead of the pack, again. If you thought about buying it before you really have to think hard about it now. I mean, how could you buy a new synth that doesn’t have AR?

  5. Cos the Roland D-Beam worked out so well and didn’t make you look like an idiot. I know what I want from an analog synth……a virtual interface! Wait….

  6. Wow such an amazing idea I had think something like this must came from Elektron, but no its Behringer… I hope they will do more in the synth world like drum machines etc 🙂 You must see in this way sometimes we are all Kids and we want only to “play” an instrument this is an amazing way to have some serius gaming fun 😛 I wil buy this synth for sure…

  7. Who would want to navigate through a menu without a physical surface? People who eat lunch while making music?
    But seriously, please just make the DeepMind12 MPE-ready instead.

  8. I love it when a company shows up the rest of the industry by demonstrating how much innovation is actually possible – even if this is a feature I doubt I’ll use 🙂

    And +1 to the MPE comment.

    And layering.

  9. It’s a bit of a paradox– Ok, maybe that’s a good synth name– On one hand you have a fully-digitally controlled analog synth– on the other you have a more forward looking VR-GUI (pronounced ver-GOO-ee). How great the sound & features are can be a matter of opinion and debate. How effective the VR-GUI is (once fully tweaked) will largely be a matter of trading fine motor skills for gross ones.

    This will have some implications for differently abled people, and for education.

  10. Oh man! Really blows your mind.

    I am not a fan of virtual 3d controls, but as an extra layer of data, this SO fascinating! Seeing envelopes and mod matrix and all, really useful! Implement this same technology to other hardware synths as well and then we’re talking! Seeing a bit more detailed info than on small Elektron screens? I’m in!

    A great concept!

  11. If this is only for show it already is impressive. Some technology companies (phones, computers, etc) develop some prototypes that do not work right away but some years later become the industry standard. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t work right now or if the Hololens is too expensive. It is a glimpse to the future and I think that is more than what everybody was expecting.

    Even if they only come up with a wireless ipad editor it will be impressive.

    The funny thing is if they did all this in a digital synth (which makes much more sense) people would be dismissing it already.

  12. I was hoping the special October announcement was that they’d been able to add Polyphonic Aftertouch / MPE to the engine also .

    I want another dimension of expression to EACH note I articulate whilst playing , more than another way to interact with editable parameters , especially as it seems less efficient .
    Two hands to change the filter /resonance ? 1 finger on an x/y pad or 2 fingers on the actual faders. And holding your arms out for any length of time will become tiresome/tiring .

  13. Before we all drown in a puddle of our own drool on the floor, let’s just remember that Microsoft Hololens is still some way away from being an effective consumer product. Read this CNET review (https://www.cnet.com/au/products/microsoft-hololens-hands-on/) of the developer edition ($3000), which is clearly not at the same level as the Microsoft promo material for Hololens suggests. I think AR interfaces for synthesisers are a brilliant idea, and I can see this becoming commonplace in a few years once AR matures. But as DeepMind 12 is due for release at the end of this year, and given the very high cost of the Developer Edition of Hololens (as compared to the relative low cost of the synth), it may be that this feature is an ‘add on’ down the track.

  14. It shows these guys are really thinking beyond being just another synth maker. There’s more going on in their thinking than they have revealed so far. It’ll be interesting to see where Behringer goes from here.

  15. It’s certainly interesting. I’d be happy with a reliable iPad interface, but this is really cool.

    These folks are really onto something with this synth. If it were able to support splits and layers, I think that would be the nail in the coffin of some much more expensive synthesizers in terms of functionality. I tend to avoid Behringer stuff but this, the X32 (and it’s associated rack spin off) are bringing me around. I also saw a great looking midi controller keyboard that looked and felt the business.

    I know that when this becomes available in Canada, I MUST check it out.

    I think of this as the Korg Polysix, or Juno 60/106 of our generation.

  16. I’d like to add that I feel that this is the analog synth that Roland SHOULD have been making. Not to hate on Roland, but they’ve been slow to embrace analog technology and that created an opportunity for Behringer to create a ‘modern 106’ of sorts.

Leave a Reply to Peter K. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *