Jesus this sounds shockingly good for 50 bucks. People dunk on Behringer, but hell, the more people who can discover the joy of music the better, I say.
I truly hate the idea of being 'that guy' but why wouldn't you at least glance at the manual? Kit is only ever as good as your knowledge of it. That goes for cheap all the way to expensive. This thing sounds great. Can't wait to hear more.
Right on. I agree 100%. Not just the manual either. I always read the manual very carefully with a new synth and learn the features as well as I can. I have several Volcas and there are books available that will teach you how to use those. Very useful. These can be complicated little machines.
I'm totally in favour of these small, inexpensive synths. I got some great noises out of Korg monotron units and this is way more powerful and versatile. It's a toy, sure, but so is any musical instrument. That's why what you do with them is called 'playing'.
yeah, but making a VA with no knobs is pretty silly.... The whole point of VA's were knobs knobs knobs... You're better of with software and a midi controller if you already have a computer ofcourse...
Seriously for less than the price of a silicone case from Apple for your iPhone, this is a lot of fun. It delivers good sound, it's paraphonic and you can play chords. Even if you don't take this seriously, you just need it.. because it exists!
I love the fact that the company's trying to make synthesizers affordable for people who don't make very much, like my broke-ass for example. So in case they stumble across this, thank you, guys. :)
Yep, works with 1010Music Blackbox too. Build a sequence on the Blackbox, set it to send out to MIDI and off you go. But I concur its an expensive solution, as is the MPC One...;-)
The form factor seems to based on the Korg Monotron line of synths ... and compared to any of the monotrons i think it fares really well : polyphony , presets , midi ... i think behringer will sell a ton of them
@@planetweed Or 1010 Blackbox. They are out there.. I get that part, but I shouldn't need to have something special to run an external piece of hardware with standard midi. It really isn't asking a lot. They just meant for it to be a computer device first I guess.
The ARP selection is in settings- Mod A with the Sel/enter toggle. Then select ARP with the A/ Cutoff toggle. I haven't been able to find if you can latch it. The manual isn't much help! Neither is the Pro VS one either. Took me an age to find the sequencer and ARP settings on that. No real tutorials yet either. Suppose it's a case of user discovery and sharing 😄 Ta for the vid.
It's in the manual: SETTINGS - pressing this button accesses the settings menu. • OCT A: Set (sets the octave of the internal keyboard) OCT B: ------ (there is no option B) • MOD A: Set (select between keyboard or arpeggiator)
As a Sunrizer (iPad app) owner, I'd say this sounds way better. This definitely reminds me of my JP8000, which I owned between 2005-2013. The filter actually sounds better.
Lack of midi kills it for me. When the creative itch hits i switch on my Circuit and a synth and have some fun. I spend all day working at a computer screen at home and dont want to spend my spare time doing the same.
Exactly the same as when I unboxed mine, it took me ages to figure out how to use the arpeggiator! You have to change the mod source from keyboard to arp in the settings options.
That's adding another stage on the signal path to compensate for the ground loop; I don't want it there in the first place. Cost for trs midi-in would have been $1 worth of parts; a maybe passable DI box, since transformer performance tends to be an issue, is at least half the cost of the synth itself.
@@qbqbqdbq yeah but they're a useful studio item regardless. Being able to use a balanced xlr lead to my interface or mixer is a much better option than relying on an unbalanced trs. I use the same method when connecting my uno drum and korg nts 1. I get that a di box would be nearly half the price of the synth but it would be a worthwhile purchase, helpful for many things and studio situations.
It's a wonderful sound, isn't it? However, the absence of MIDI doesn't quite motivate me to make the purchase. I did notice in the video that there was a cable underneath the main unit, and it seemed shaky. I was wondering when they would fix it, but it remained that way until the end. For me, the instability and shakiness of the main unit are a major concern.
That was me trying to hide the cable. The unit on a flat surface is perfectly stable. Regarding the midi, behringer are working on a product solution and i am going to try out an idea.
@@TheB1gdukit is, but to connect a keyboard to it you need to connect it to a USB host, so either you need to connect it to a PC and also connect a keyboard to the PC or you need to buy a USB MIDI host device.
@@TheB1gduk yep, they’ve announced they’re working on one, looking at around 20 quid for a single port one. I suspect that the reason for this is that the microcontroller on this just doesn’t have a UART.
would be nice if the could make a digital version/plugin of the synth just like arturia did with the mini and micro freak . having a full screen preset manager or full screen settings is game changer
I bought one and have put it up for resale already because the apreggiator does not work as expected (to put it politely - I could only get mine to play about 3 notes then it stopped) and there is latency between pressing a key and it making a sound. The sounds are good though and it's fairly good value.
I have an original JP-8000, but I am still interested in this. Sounds great, but will have to pass, because of the lack of 3pin midi. Thanks for sharing.
@@xntricity6446 I think you are forgetting that what's inside the synth matters too, might look like there is room for a connector on the front panel but there probably isn't any inside of the synth
I think Behringer is looking at putting out little usb-(actual)midi converter boxes for those who need them. Not free, but prob cheap. What this is, IS appropriate for it's market intention. For kids and novices to 'try out' the idea of synthesis. See if they like it with minimal investment, but get some real sounds too. If I were a dad, I might buy this for a 11 year old, and if they prove to actually use it, consider something a tad more robust.
Remember it is a synth that costs £45. I am working on an idea to run this with midi via an external controller so watch this space. It does sound good though. I'm sure you will love using it when you get one 😉
@@rcs2003 it sounds good so does that make it still a toy? What does it need to offer for you not to think it a toy? The Monotron kickstarted this revival of cheap analog synths back in 2010. That may have been considered a toy but look where that inspiration has led us.
@@madgear303 Its intended for kids, beginners etc. Lets be honest, almost any free vst sounds way better than this synth. Dont misunderstand, I will buy the JT-4000 as well (when it will be available in the EU....). Just handle things in their place. Its a cheap dsp closed in a box with some knobs. Nothing glorious. Dont expect any serious feature for 50 USD. Ands it doesnt sound like the jp-8000. My friend has a JP-8000 and this little thing has nothing to do with it. :) Totally different. The only similar thing is the paint job. Nothing else
Fiddly little thing, you really need an app or vst to control it, I feel. But it does sound great, albeit not particularly like a JP 8000. Also it misses an important feature the JP 8000 had: the feedback osc. I guess that's a bit difficult to replicate accurately.
At that point, it's just better to use a VST altogether. What is even the point of making little turds like these lol. Yeah, it sounds good, but sounding good is table stakes with gear. Gear should allow excellent, convenient control at your fingertips. If a piece of kit doesn't do this all by itself, then it falls short of what gear should do.
👍🙏🧡💚😎rack version Eight poly, total controls on board, same sound, more memory. 😭This is Clear Dear Behringer! (But I think this is already in the design office!)☺️👌
Probably will buy one just to use in my Live-setup. I mean, this thing is so cheap and small, and I'm a Supersaw freak anyway, so it kinda makes sense for me to buy one. But there are good points in the end of the video, not denying that. Thanks for the review.
Discovered how to get the Arp Working. Press SETTINGS, turn the SEL knob to MOD A: SET. Then turn the CUTOFF knob to ARP and the Arpeggiator will then function. Obviously press ARP to change the ARP settings. Bit of a daft way of doing things, be better to enable the Arp within the ARP menu.
For $350.00 USD you could have a Pro VS Mini, one of these and an Aira of your choice. Geeze, that is amazing if you ask me since I'm used to paying 1K or more per synth. They sound quite as good but slap on some reverb and delay maybe a chorus and they'll get you passable.
Sound quality is ok. But most would use it with a computer and program it with editing software. I guess. It's competition is vsts which sound far better.
Growing up it was always a bummer for me not to be able to affoard a Casio SA "toy" keyboard. Nowadays, ever since The Monotrons were released, it´s still a bummer not to be able to buy these cool Mini Wonders from my country without the "usual" hurdles...but I´m way happy that Behringer et al are giving the people what they want 🙂 So, not too cheap, and definitely too good!
I've had one of these for several months now and I can vouch that it makes some fantastic noises. It is a shame it has no midi in because the tiny keyboard is extremely difficult to use. And so is the tiny interface. I wish they could have made it Volca sized with a bigger keyboard and screen, then maybe I could live without midi in. But midi in would make it much more useful. Nonetheless, it is a lot of fun for $50.
There's a hidden reverb in there that they have not given access to yet. Definitely. It's not my cup of tea. Avoid menu diving synths. Lack of std midi means extra cost for a hardware set up or for computer boot up and wait for that to be running. Vsts are cheaper and easier to work with and are way more powerful and better sounding. This is not like the volca principle at all.
This synth creates a problem immediately coz you prolly need some splitters for powering the device and using midi keyboard... still racking my brains trying to figure it out.
@@ChaswellQuint ufff... what a shame, considering how cool the synthesizer is and how useless it is. But thank you very much for the response. Better service than the brand itself! Haha
I had the original synth....the glue issue with the keys caused me to sell it, so obviously I ordered one of these. I am a cheapskate, I did not want to pay to ship it from Europe, so I am wating for a few months for an American market one.
Looks and sounds good unfortunately it is missing important minimums like Proper MIDI running from a Keyboard and not just a computer where a plugin is easier and more versatile. Not expensive but a gimmick if you can manage to run it properly. I wonder if it can make any music, nobody seems to be able to play a tune with this box...
The oscillator section is powerful but the filter is a let down. You cannot make ‘plucky’ sounds 😵💫 even with the attack set to zero in the filter envelope it doesn’t sound plucky there’s too much attack. Ruins the synth for me
20:48 "Maybe I am going to have to read the Manual." You sir, have just been booted out of the Man society. ''Read the Manual !" What were you thinking ? 🤣
If they'd made this in Minifreak size with 8 voices, full-size MIDI and a proper set of controls it'd be something I'd consider paying up to 600 euros for, but it is way too limited in the current form factor. It could have been a real monster if it came in a 3U or 4U rack case. I'd even accept a neutron/k2/pro-800 sized device if it would be more like the hands-on experience I got from the JP-8080 way back.
My VS Keyboard isn't as responsive as the JT-4000 either so, I don't think you you have a dodgy VS however, I still have the protective cover on mine so it may be that making is less responsive. Overall thought I think they are great for the money. Even one of my sons has taken an interest in the JT-4000.
Thanks for your advice. I did however discover a way to latch the arp that is not written in the manual so in that instance floundering away wasn’t a waste of time.
I'm based in the UK and @andertons have them in stock. Don't want to brag but I've currently got 2 in my possession. Going to attempt to poly chain them.
The 12bit DAC has been marketed as a selling point. To be fair “lo fi” is more desirable at the moment than hi fi due to it’s “character”. Most new samplers at the moment are touting 12bit recording not 16 or 24bit as we want character, apparently 😀
It will be noisy and it will distort more, and it's not actually a feature you would want..unless you love audio artifacts. And no, the distortion is not of the warm and fuzzy analog kind. The only character you'll get is that of a sub par audio output. I think Behringer found a ton of these lying around in some warehouse and now is trying to sell them with a digital synth attached.
i couldn't watch the video because you left the plastic tabs on. I would like to know how that keyboard feels, it looks similar to the micro freak keyboard with metal contacts.
why is my audio interface not able to get a proper signal input .. I have a saffire pro 40.. my headphones plugged in get a good signal and when intry a differnt audio interface like my presonus go box it works fine.. the saffire pro 40 gets audio signal no problems from other devices and works
Probably due to you using a stereo lead from the JT 4000 in to a mono input. Try using a stereo 3.5mm to a 1/4” L R mono lead. Use 1 input if recording/monitoring in mono and 2 inputs if wanting stereo.
I know they have demos of this thing with their 'Swing' USB midi controller. So for me the real question is: can I plug my Yamaha keyboard p45 USB into it as a midi controller?
The Swing and JT-4000 are both powered by usb, meaning they both need to be plugged into a computer or MIDI host device to work together, they can't simply connect to each-other. It would be the same situation with your P45 (except it's powered by an AC adapter not USB), you would still need some kind of computer/host device between them.
@@thegregzone9862 yeah but you can get a powered USB cable & adapter combo. It will send power separate from the data source (midi controller). Are you saying there's another component in the demos with this mini synth and the swing?
@@barisaxo Yes, there is another off-screen component in the demo with the Swing, a computer or MIDI host device. Neither the Swing or JT-4000 are capable of acting as a MIDI host, so even if you had a powered USB cable it wouldn't work. EDIT: It would be the same with your P45, as it can't act as a MIDI host either
Sunriser is not very good, just use butter synth if your on ios. For jp8k sounds the plug-in Diva is as good as it gets , it emulates every kind of synth , but it’s digital setting is the best sounding jp8000 I’ve seen and heard.
I'm not convinced. I think it has been compromised too much for its price point. I agree all the Volcas are not equal but I really like my modular, drum and FM volca.
I have a dore midi host controller that I got for my instrument 1 that should work. Mind it cost about the same price as the Behringer. USB c to usb A into the host controller usb B to usb A for power then 5 on midi in to the keyboard.
The "but muh MIDI" whiners are missing the point. This is a $50 synth... not the engine to your new EDM setup. While you're busy whining, the rest of us will be having a lot of fun with this thing.
It sounds great but it’s waaay too small and finicky. Granted it’s cheap but I wouldn’t buy anything just because it’s price point. But then again, I might change my mind but first impressions seem to last ;). And it’s Behringer… as a company they have some quirks as well. 😉
In fairness, the Volca line are also all plastic -- at thrice the price. This is increasingly becoming a non-issue, especially as OP points out, when building to a budget price point.
Both the mini's sound good, but the 'form factor' is absurd. There's just no need for it; no need to make a good sounding circuit into a GD toy. The Wasp Deluxe is $149 for kryssakes and the MS-1 keyboard synth is just $199. These toys are an insulting waste of good-sounding circuits.
Sometimes it seems like it gets close with certain sounds. But mostly it does sound more like some 80s analog synth, prophet or something. Guess if one needs some extra sounds from another synth, why not, just as a backup 😀
