Behringer BX1 Copies The Yamaha DX1 Flagship FM Synth, But With A Twist

At the 2025 NAMM Show, held Jan 21–25 in Anaheim, CA, Behringer is previewing the BX1, a new flagship synth that copies the classic Yamaha DX1….but with a twist.

At first glance, the Behringer BX1 looks like a knockoff of the DX1, copying original’s FM synth engine, industrial design and naming. The twist is that the Behringer BX1 is a hybrid design, adding an analog signal path (EG, VCF & VCA) based on the Yamaha CS-80.

So the Behringer BX1 is a flagship instrument that’s effectively a mashup of the DX1 and CS-80, two of Yamaha’s most iconic synthesizers.

Here’s an overview of the Behringer BX1, via Sonic State:

Features:

  • Flagship synth, based on classic Yamaha DX1;
  • 32-voice polyphony
  • Hybrid voice architecture, with filter based on the Yamaha CS-80
  • Effects to be determined.

Pricing and Availability:

The Behringer BX1 is in development, so pricing and specifications are to be announced. They are saying not to expect this to be available until next year.

23 thoughts on “Behringer BX1 Copies The Yamaha DX1 Flagship FM Synth, But With A Twist

    1. the multimode analog filter aspect may change my mind. i’ll wait for the desktop though. can’t afford the tariff’s on a full size keyboard.

  1. Bravo. DX-1 with analog cs80 filters, vca, lfo, effects, more performance controls. Just bravo. I hope it has their poly aftertouch keybed. Just a shame that I will have to wait a year to get this. But, I am ready.

    1. from all the discussion on behringers fb pages, it would appear the enclosure services, after touch, mod matrix, and some other bits are part of the premium 5 octave platforms. so they should all have these features; including BX. mod matrix and multimode filter are two great reason to consider DX architecture again.

  2. This will most likely be my first and last Behringer. Now, I’d be fine with three octaves, eight voices, but I’d gladly pay for another two octaves and another 24 voices to get an FM synth with CS-80 filters. It’s almost creepy how this concept resonates with me. My ultimate dreamsynth might be TX81Z with SEM filters in groovebox format, but I’m not complaining…

    1. To me, FM seems vastly more useful than your typical analog synth – like you can do a lot more when it comes to sound design. And then you can use the filters as subtractive synthesis does to tame anything else + add that cs80 coloring and filter response. Big sexy poly aftertouch keybed… digital effects. Like you could use this thing entirely standalone and record it straight into a recorder if you wanted to (assuming it has decent fx).

      I’m 100% with you on it being the last synth cause it’s just so damn versatile on paper.

      1. One potential issue, though, might be the somewhat antiquated workflow if this sticks to the original. I’m sure the DX1 was more hands-on than the DX7, but still rather convoluted. I like FM. A lot. I have some theoretical understanding of it and use FM synths regularly, yet I tend to get stuck editing patches.

        I’d love a patcg randomizer like on the TG-33 or the Volca FM2. I bet that would work very well when the often chaotic results can be tamed with analog filters!

        1. I agree, a patch randomizer would be awesome. They did they it takes DX7 sysex (through midi and sd card) so you could use an external patch randomizer probably if they don’t implement the feature themselves.

  3. Any word on the software? Is it a dexed fork? The filters are an interesting add-on, but personally I think the whole architecture and interface should be revisited and tweaked rather than just bolt some filters on the end.

  4. Its basically two DX7s worth of FM strapped together. That’s not for the faint of heart. I’m impressed with players who can handle it. I’ve gradually found that physical modeling and wavetabling are much easier ways to get the FM-type flavors I need.

  5. We won’t really know anything till we get it home. Would have like to see 8 dx7s but looks cool. Don’t particularly care if some folks are anti Behringer. Seldom owned a product that was built as good as their synths. I own several including many vintage synths. They knock it out of the park better than most and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Bravo behringer. Rock on guys.

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