The Behringer BX700 Frankensynth Is Part DX7, Part CS-80 & Part Drum Machine

Behringer today shared a sneak preview of a new frankensynth, the BX700, that takes parts from classic analog and digital synths alike, adds a drum machine and remixes it all into a minisynth groovebox.

It’s a little bizarre, but also much more original than their straight-ahead knockoff designs.

Behringer describes the BX700 as “a DX7 on steroids, as it has an authentic CS-80 analog filter, a drum machine built in and a few other cool features.”

The BX700 appears to take a 6-operator FM synth engine, based on the Yamaha DX7, and run the output through an analog filter based on the Yamaha CX-80. This is similar to what Arturia did with the Minifreak, combining a polyphonic digital synth engine with a single analog filter, used more as a global effect than as a core part of the synth engine.

The Behringer BX700 prototype also features mute buttons for Synth, Bass, and three Drum parts, so it’s clear that the instrument has groovebox features that will let you sequence 5 parts.

Details on the Behringer BX700 synthesizer are to still to come. In the meantime, check it out and share your thoughts in the comments!

42 thoughts on “The Behringer BX700 Frankensynth Is Part DX7, Part CS-80 & Part Drum Machine”

  1. I think this means that they’ve run out of synths to rip off and they’re realized that they have to do something new.

    And I’m there for it. This thing is weird, but it also looks like a fun little box!

      1. A big chunk of the MS-1s MK1 were all given away to schools when Benn Jordan pressured them to to it. Seems instead of reproducing the old model they refined it to make it better. I wanna know how better because the keybed of the ms-1 mk1 wasnt that great and why keep pushing for it when the best form factor for the ms-1 mk2 should be their keyless module form factor?

      1. i like to tickle Marble’s clock input at 4x with a programmable trigger source. dejavu produces repeatable syncopated passages above the clock rate. “interesting rhythmic devices!” RS9 will be brilliant for that. using an RD8 atm for this.

    3. Behringer needs to stop “innovating” and start fkn producing some of these modules and synths they’ve been teasing for years now. Like, NO NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENTS until at least half of the announced synths are actually available to purchase.

      1. why? you’re seeing many products in various stages of development revealed to you for the first time. instead of having tricky trolls toil away for years before their treasure sees the light of day and first customer ship. from experience, it takes years from product inception to having a product ready for high volume manufacturing depending on the product complexity and, in this case, the customer anticipation for ‘magical vintage instruments’. I’m just glad the sound good, and fit my workflow and ‘creative’ method.

      1. which is the real gadi!?!??! they sound so similar….

        @jashwah, yeah just a few die hards. but mostly a genuine interest in value being expressed now. that’s healthy.

    2. OK, I’ll do it: I think it looks hideous.

      I don’t know how much credit they should get for originality, given that this is both visually and conceptually just cramming together a bunch of mismatched cloned bits. And yet it looks *uniquely* hideous.

  6. The synth engine of the Arturia Minifreak was based off (and inspired by) the Eurorack module “Plaits”. I wonder how this sound engine compares?

    1. How are you seeing that?
      The “black keys” part of the keyboard look similar to the MicroFreak I’ll give you that, but that’s a small percentage of the whole thing.
      They rest of the keyboard is more like a Korg Volca.
      As for the top bit, apart from the screen, it looks like something from Yamaha or Casio in the 80’s.

  12. Welp, all of you who wanted an original design instead of yet another knockoff, looks like “Behringer heard you” LOL

  13. for those with an interest, this is the third (largest) size in the Micro, Mini, Macro platform tier. mostly earmarked for digital synth projects with a fast embedded controller for DSP; sampling, granular, FM, VA, etc… typically these smaller platforms feature a single, dual, or paraphonic voicing with a single analog filter, but with other goodies builtin, sequencers, arp, etc.. it’s the 11th model publicly displayed.

  15. This isn’t something I would be interested in but, it does look like it could be a great little box.

    Personally, I would love to see Bheringer start making originals again. In particular, I would love to see them do some sort of a “SuperSynth” utilizing their low-cost manufacturing and supply chain to be able to offer it at a relatively affordable price.

  17. B-synths should be played from a sturdier outside controller. They’ll last longer. Get something that will track several user-definable zones and put the little buggers on a shelf above it. The less you have to tweak mini-synths directly, the better.

  18. At least it has some original ideas. This feels like a new song with a flipped known sample, or an original remix, versus yet another cover. Like.

  19. If they’ve developed a DX-7 type synth engine, they could do a cheap knockoff of the DX-7, or maybe the DX-1. I’d like to see them do a multi-engine synth with analog, DX-7 and PPG synth engines rolled into one keyboard.

    1. or build on the dx-200 – I still love that thing because unlike the dx-7 and the dx-1 it had knob controls for nearly everything and a morph between patches

  20. This comment is fake, i didn’t wrote it,
    It’s a user name called “James” who using other people’s usernames and multiple others

    1. you guys are should go on the moderation list too. it’ll improve your attitude, and give synth head something to do on the weekends!

  23. How big is this thing? Volca big? Microfreak big? Not a fan of touch keybeds but a small one could be the difference between using this thing as a on-the-go ideas generator or just a out-of-sight sound module. Still this thing sounds interesting and should be cheap enough to get one.

  24. With 6 operators, a B-Ray, a sequencer and an assignable ribbon to manage, it’ll have to be of a reasonable size. Its asking a lot of the display. If its too squinty & menu-dive-y, it’ll be a PITA more than a synth.

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