Behringer UB-Xa Synthesizer ‘Now Complete’, Moving To Production

Bernd Bruening, aka The Synth King, shared this sneak preview of the upcoming Behringer UB-Xa, a knockoff of the classic Oberheim OB-Xa.

Here’s what Bruening has to say about his audio demo:

“This video showcases a complete song I’ve composed and produced with sounds exclusively from the Behringer UB-Xa (except drums).

The opening bass line was made with the built in step sequencer running in sync to the DAW. I’ve used a single reverb and two delay plugins for this track. There is no EQing or dynamic processing involved. All sounds were recorded directly into the audio interface.”

While they have not announced a released date, Behringer says that the UB-Xa, originally introduced in 2018, is moving into production:

“The UB-Xa is one of our most complex products we have ever designed in our 35 years of history. 15 engineers worked over 4 years, delivering 8 hardware revisions and countless firmware upgrades, while co-innovating with 20 beta testers who all own the original OB-Xa synth. Our objective was to spend as much time and resources it takes and only release it when it is perfect.

The UB-Xa is now completed and we’re ramping up for production.”

Pricing and Availability:

Details on pricing and availability are still to be announced, but Behringer has previously said that they are targeting a $1,500 price for the UB-Xa.

19 thoughts on “Behringer UB-Xa Synthesizer ‘Now Complete’, Moving To Production

  1. I think I have also put in a pre-order for the 3D Wave, but I’ve never heard back from Groove Synthesis that confirms it. If I had the space, I’d buy the UB-Xa as well, even though I have never really been a big fan of that overheard Oberheim polysynth sound. However, if somebody really wanted a synth that sounds like those 80s Oberheims, given the price point I think it would would be pretty foolish to purchase anything else. However, some people prefer to purchase $500 AC power cables instead of the $8.00 hardware store variety because they are “positive” they make a sound difference, so who knows?

    Again, if this goes to moderation. Could somebody look into the problem whereby I don’t see replies to these threads, unless I manually reopen the original post.

    1. i don’t have much of a care for vintage authenticity, although I admit I have a special place in my heart for the OB-8. I care whether it just sounds good, and the demos of this makes me happy so far. I like that they went with a AT keybed and matrix mode modulation scheme.

      I hope the keybed feels good to play – that’s probably the most important part for me cause i don’t use master keyboards, DAWs, or MIDI stuffs.

      1. Same here…the keybed is my first concern. I will never buy a new one anymore without testing it in a shop.
        And, I would add a sticker on top of Behringer with Oberheim

    2. ‘How long has this been going On’ -Ace …So how long does it take tooo churnout auh knockoff from chiner¿well if anybody really cares¿it would be these caketakers known as b-ear-ringer, they should know¿what a joke?¿this piece of kit IS¿IT’s been five years since this thing was in the rumorduced pipe-dream-line & it still isn’t even in production mode yet. Say’s’em, Who know’s¿how do weya even know what’s really goin’ on with these clone clowns¿it should seem as no big surprise tooo anyone & what else would one expect from this:’we have no idea, much less one’s of our own’ copycat cheapodepot company¿Please give us all a solidbreak & metooo¿for the love of all that’s decent & good kid’s¡! thanx folks

  2. I got the OB6. For what itsworth, I don’t seem to care for THAT Oberheim sound many seem to praise? Listening to old and new Oberheims (Behringers version included) I never felt the sounds of Oberheim do what Sequentials’ does so well… That overwhelmingly melancholic tone… That makes me think dark blue midnight skies. That drenches the images in my mind in purple-tinged deep dark blue. It’s the only synth that gives me goosebumps through such emotions, and that little corner of its sound is actually the only reason why I hook the OB6 up for once in a while; for those evenings I feel like channeling swamp blues through electricity.

    Or is this something typical Oberheims do too?

    1. tbh, all analogs sound 80% the same to me; differences are in the high resolution, which I rarely care for. I prefer a low CF, with a light resolution, and a complicated source oscillator; also many, many modulation sources and destinations in voicing, as well as dynamics, and key tracking inputs to *everything*.

  3. I’ve had too many issues with their products and the customer support is horrendous, often not resolving the problem. If I’m going to spend $1500, it would be with Sequential or Moog and not with Behringer. Anyone would be crazy to put that kind of money down on a Chinese made synthesizer

    1. Well the ASM Hydrasynth looks like a nice option on the digital side if you want polyphonic aftertouch and can’t afford an Iridium. Also seems like the only game in town if you want a modern 88 key polyphonic aftertouch keybed.

    1. i do not believe they have committed to this yet; however, there is a very nice mockup done by a talented fellow of a desktop version. almost makes me want that one too… but i won’t need 32 voices, or four layers of 8 notes of analog. now if there was a digital part…. then *sure*.

  4. Did the original OB-Xa models have MIDI and polyphonic aftertouch? If not, then the UB could be considered something of an enhanced clone.

    I wonder if it outputs poly aftertouch as well and could be connected to other synths (e.g. Sequential) that support it?

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