Berhinger UB-1: Matrix in a mini synth

02 Mar 2022 by Robin Vincent | 5,0 / 5,0 | Approximate reading time: 2 Minutes

Behringer UB-1  ·  Source: Behringer

Behringer UB-1  ·  Source: Behringer

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Another mini-synth from Behringer this time embracing the sound of the Oberheim Matrix 6 and Matrix 1000.

UB-1

Designed to look like a mini UB-Xa but the 3396/3397 chip design in the UB-1 owes more to the later Oberheim Matrix synths. It has 2 digitally controlled analogue oscillators and a classic 4-pole filter, 2 envelopes, 2 LFOs and 6 function buttons to give you access to parameters via the little screen. You can save up to 32 presets and export them via the SynthTribe app. It has a built-in arpeggiator and can be powered via USB which also provides the MIDI connection if you don’t fancy the 16 touch-sensitive keys.

The Matrix synths had 6 voices of polyphony but there’s been no mention of that with this synth so far. The other analogue mini synth they’ve announced is the slightly larger Saturn but that was using the 3 oscillators to squeeze 3 notes through the one filter. So I imagine this will be at least duophonic.

Behringer UB-1 · Source: Behringer

It’s in the same physical form as the JP-4000 mini-synth and shares the same “Spirit” motif on the front panel. It also shares the price at $49. These are going to be hanging on a rack on the counter in every music shop on the planet next to kazoos and Pocket Operators, and I mean that only in that these are cheap enough to be impulse purchases.

I think it would be fabulous if Behringer came up with MIDI/Audio/Power hub for these little things like the Volca Mix. A 6-channel box that’s both a mixer and a USB host for these synths. Or, if they can produce these sounds engines at this size then why not have all of them built into a single large synth where you could layer them up or play them individually. We are still waiting on the chips though.

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