Behringer AKS Mini Synth First Look & Audio Demo

Behringer today shared this first look at their AKS Mini synth, a compact analog synth, loosely inspired by the EMS Synthi AKS.

The EMS Synthi AKS is a vintage analog synth, introduced in 1971, that was used iconically on Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon.

Behringer says that the AKS MINI, announced in 2022, “distills that legacy into a portable polyphonic analog synthesizer with programmable patches, a 16-step motion sequencer and a faithful reproduction of the original AKS VCO and VCF circuitry from the ’70s.”

Features:

  • Portable analog polyphonic and programmable synthesizer
  • Pure analog signal path based on authentic VCO, VCF and VCA designs27 touch-sensitive keys for great playability
  • 3 separate oscillators with variable saw and square waveforms
  • 2-axis joystick serves as intuitive performance controller
  • Realistic digital spring reverb for inspiring sound effects
  • 16-step motion sequencer with 10 memory slots and recording of knob movements
  • Extensive play modes featuring poly and unison
  • LFO with 4 waveforms for pitch and filter cutoff modulation
  • Envelope generator to modulate VCA and VCF
  • USB Type C allows powering via smartphone, power bank or computer
  • Sync connector to synchronize with your other synthesizers or drum machines
  • Comprehensive MIDI implementation (including NRPN/CC control of all parameters and bulk load/save)

Pricing and Availability:

The Behringer AKS Mini Synth is expected to be available within a few months. Official pricing is to be announced.

28 thoughts on “Behringer AKS Mini Synth First Look & Audio Demo”

  1. How is this in any way like a Synthi?

    Completely different form factor, completely different synth architecture, no matrix patching, etc. And no ‘On the Run’ demo?

    Did they just copy the Synthi filter and slap it on one of their other designs?

    1. the original branding was ‘Sprit’ and ‘Soul’, not ‘Exact Copy’. i feel they should have stuck to those rather than the mundane ‘Mini’ and ‘Micro’ nomenclature.

      AKS looks like fun. still enjoy the ProVS attached to the Monopoly.

      (friday afternoon)

  3. Has nothing in common with the AKS.
    It sounds like a good analog subtractive synth – but not like an AKS at all.

  4. It is quite limited, but at the same time 18 knobs and a joystick is a lot of editing freedom on top of their mini sequencer. My understanding is they have been working on a full size Synthi clone but have struggled to bring it in at an affordable price, putting the audio circuitry out there is a good way to gauge demand for a bigger unit.

    I don’t like tiny synths very much (as in, I am lucky enough to have large ones already) but they’re good value for money and this one sounds particularly nice. I like it better for not having any screen or complex shift functions, this feels like more of a pure musical instrument that you can play with your eyes closed, and it’s a nice clean design.

      1. It’s not hard to develop muscle memory for a simple front panel like this. I was not thinking about the touch keyboard, which would obviously present problems, but dialing in the sound you want without needing to constantly check a screen or panel switch status.

  6. My two pennies worth. I played with VCS3 and AKS back in the late 70s. Let’s be honest compared to modular setups of today they are terrible. If that’s what you want I think you could easily build it in Eurorack for under £1000 and it would be just as flexible and it wouldn’t go a tune every five minutes.

    If you like the form factor buy Erica. That’s what I’m thinking of doing. In the meantime I stick to my iVCS3 on my iPad and buy one of these as a cool little synth as everyday carry along with a Roland S1. And it will play well with the Stylophone Gen X2 and Korg SQ1.

    2026 meets 1976. I love it.

    1. Yeah I agree with this. The synthi are so sought after because of the “nifty” form factor. You can buy mini cases now in almost the exact same shape and size from 2manysynths or whatever. Fill it with euro. Mini joystick from doepfer and that kind of thing. No need for a patch matrix because all the i/o in euro is on the panel. It would be a far more flexible and capable of generating a far greater palette of tones and timbres.

    2. erica won’t do it for me because digital patch matrix lacks what you can do with physical pins, if you’re into realtime connect/reconnect stuff.

    3. and yes, one of reasons i’m not satisfied fully with ivcs3 is that I can’t alter knobs AND reconnect on matrix at same time.

      though my needs might be niche, ofc

    1. but with all the cool synths I already own, it’s nearly impossible for me to get excited about large synths because there’s a near-zero chance I’d even consider buying one.

  10. Did anyone notice the colours of the knob-LED’s resemble the colours of the matrix-pins from the original? That kind of detail shows some love and dedication.

  11. Remember the insane mega-rig Geoff Downes used with ASIA? Two Fairlights, no less! People can holler about B all they like, but you just know there are those with that setup made of 80%+ mini-synths & modules. You can buy cheap and still be in the game. No, its not a real VCS3, but with that demo, it speaks well for itself.

    1. Fairlight!
      Now that’s something I’d love to see B do a clone of!
      Okay, maybe without the CRT screen. But something with a HDMI out.
      But then how do you get a Light Pen to work with a modern screen?
      The Light Pen is obligatory, obviously.
      I don’t think Uli has the technical stones to pull off a Fairlight clone.
      I don’t think anyone has, unfortunately.

      1. no need to clone for B – a fairlight is a digital dinosaur, ie just a software, some UI and A/D- and D/A-converters. except the latter, an iPad can do easily. buy the app and see for yourself.

  12. Maybe I am missing something but it sounds different to my ears.

    I would really like a full size JP-8000 clone, they already did the baby one but I ended up accidentally destroying it.

  13. The whole AKS family was never known as keyboard synthesizers. They provided sci-fi effects and legendary arps. There’s On The Run, but they were also great bandmates in Gong and Hawkwind. Check out Tim Blake’s “Crystal Machine.” If this thing wets their whistle, people can always step up to the Arturia or XILS-Lab software versions. There are some hardware reworkings to be had, but they’re not cheap.

  15. like others have already said… its nothing like a synthi
    it needs a matrix at the very least.. buttons if not pins.. SOMETHING
    this is an insult

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  17. Does this sound like a synthi to anyone?

    Since they don’t really demo any classic sounds on it, it immediately made me think that it can’t mimic the original very well.

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