Behringer has announced its UB-Xa, a classic analog 16-voice polyphonic synth with eight voltage modes, dual VCFs and a 61key polyphonic aftertouch keyboard.
Channeling classic Oberheim synths of very similar names, Behringer claims it is more than simply a recreation of a classic synth, but rather has all the “bells, whistles and characteristics that came with the original” as well as modern features such as velocity and aftertouch, 512 user program memories and comprehensive MIDI support.
Product features
- Analog polyphonic synthesizer and authentic reproduction of classic OB-Xa including original factory patches
- Vintage mode allows selection of 8 synthesizer signatures including OB-Xa, OB-8 and more
- 16 voices with 2 VCOs per voice and oscillator sync mode
- Multi-timbral capability allows splitting or layering 2 different sounds
- VCOs and VCFs based on reproductions of original 3340 and 3320 semi conductor designs
- Both VCOs generate sawtooth, triangle or square waveforms with variable pulse width
- Selectable dual-slope 12/24 dB analog low-pass filter per voice with adjustable resonance
- 61 semi-weighted full-size keys featuring poly after-touch and velocity sensitivity
- Flexible 8-channel modulation matrix for dramatic expansion of sonic possibilities
- Dual-layer arpeggiator and sequencer with real-time sequence transpose
- Velocity and after-touch can be optionally used for more expressive performance
- 2 dedicated LFOs with 7 waveform shapes for modulation of pulse width, oscillator pitch and filter cutoff frequency
- 2 ADSR generators per voice for control of VCF and VCA
- Stereo VCA per voice to allow control over voice/layer panning
- 26 rotary controls give direct and real-time access to all important parameters
- High-quality LCD Display with encoder for rapid parameter editing
- Assignable preset recall switches for immediate program selection
- Spring-loaded pitch and assignable modulation paddles provide total hands-on performance
- 512 user program memories with “compare and match” feature to quickly match all analog controls to stored program values
- Fully servo-balanced outputs for highest signal integrity
- CV/pedal inputs for connection to expression pedals and footswitches
- MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) to enable multidimensional controllers and multiple parameters per note
- Comprehensive MIDI implementation (including NRPN/CC control of all parameters and bulk load/save)
Specifications
Synthesizer Architecture
| Number of voices | 16-voice bi-timbral |
| Type | Analog |
| Oscillators | 32 |
| LFO | 2 |
| VCF | 1 low pass, 2-pole or 4-pole,(12dB or 24dB/ oct slope), switchable |
| Envelopes | VCA, VCF |
Connectivity
| MIDI In/out/thru | 5-pin DIN / 16 channels |
| USB (MIDI) | USB 2.0, type B |
| Main output | 2 x 1/4″ TRS, balanced, max. 22 dBuImpedance: 50 ? |
| Headphones | 1/4″ TRS, stereo, max 25mW dBuImpedance: 25 ? |
| Foot pedals | Vibrato: 1/4″ TRS, balancedFilter: 1/4″ TRS, balanced |
| Foor switches | Sustain: 1/4″ MonoProgram advance: 1/4″ MonoHold: 1/4″ Mono |
USB
| Type | Class-compliant USB 2.0, type B |
| Supported operating systems | Windows 7 or higherMac OS X 10.10 or higher |
Manual Section
| Controls | Volume: 0 to 255 Balance Master tune |
| Switches | Auto Chord |
Control Section
| Controls | Portamento OSC 2 Detune |
| Switches | Unison |
Arpeggiator Section
| Controls | Rate |
| Switches | Settings Hold On |
LFO Section
| Controls | LFO Rate |
| Switches | Waveform |
| LED | Sine Inverse Sawtooth Square Sawtooth Sample & hold Trig SMP |
Modulation Section
| Controls | OSC 1 depth OSC 2 depth |
| Switches | OSC 1 freq OSC 2 freq Filter freq OSC 1 PWM OSC 2 PWM Volume mod |
Oscillator Section
| Controls | Frequency 1 Pulse width Frequency 2 |
| Switches | Saw waveform 1 Pulse waveform 1 Sync OSC 2 F-ENV (envelope follow) OSC 2 Saw waveform 2 Pulse waveform 2 Shift |
Keyboard Section
| Switches | Split (keyboard) Double (keyboard) Lower (keyboard) Upper (keyboard) |
Sequencer Section
| Switches | Rest / tie Record Stop Play / pause |
Filter Section
| Controls | Frequency Resonance Modulation Noise |
| Switches | OSC 1 Half OSC 2 Full OSC 2 4 Pole Track |
Envelope Section
| Controls | Attack (envelope) Decay (envelope) Sustain (envelope) Release (envelope) Attack (filter) Decay (filter) Sustain (filter) Release (filter) |
Programmer Section
| Controls | Select encoder |
| Switches | Compare Manual Write Preset / value – Preset / value + |
| Display | 2 x line, 16-digit LCD display |
Assignable Preset Recall Section
| Switches | 1 / USB / MIDI 2 / Vel / aft 3 / Voice 4 / Mod |
Keyboard and Controls
| Wheels | Pitch Modulation |
| Controls | Rate Depth |
| Switches | Waveform OSC 1 mod OSC 2 mod OSC 2 only (bend) Amount (bend) Transpose down Transpose up |
| LED | Triangle Square Sawtooth Inverse Sawtooth Random Sample & hold |
| Keyboard | 61 full-size keys with velocity and polyphonic aftertouch |
