Iconic polysynths like the Prophet 5 and Oberheim set a high standard for pricing when it comes to analog polysynths. And in the decades since they defined their respective musical generations, the production community has pretty much just accepted the fact that if they want a polyphonic synthesizer they are going to be shelling out an arm and a leg.
It’s only been in the past few years that other companies are making polysynths at far more approachable and consumer-friendly price points. But still, not all of them are worth the couple-hundred dollars they might cost you.
But that might just be changing right now… or more so in 2023.
Right now in the fact that Behringer just teased a MASSIVE announcement for an affordable desktop polysynth that is, at least by their pre-release description, a faithful emulation of the first ever MIDI-capable polysynth from the early 80s. The only downside, for now, is that we have to wait until April of next year to get a more hands-on perspective of this synthesizer.
The Pro-800 continues Behringer’s legacy of getting budget-friendly, semi-modular synths into the hands of consumers and amateur producers. Following in the footsteps of smaller synths like their Model D and others, the Pro-800 will be the first polyphonic synthesizer that follows this desktop, Euro-rack compatible format.
We are waiting with bated breath for more updates surrounding this hot new device, but for now, you can collaborate with Behringer’s synth developers, share your ideas and get a chance to win free synthesizers by participating in Behringer’s activities at their “Synthesizer and Drums Behringer Music Tribe” FB Group. They’d love to see you here!
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
