Behringer UB-Xa Mini

Analogue mini synthesiser with Oberheim DNA

The UB-Xa Mini from Behringer is a very compact analogue synthesiser that incorporates the essential features of the 1980s Oberheim OB-Xa polyphonic synthesiser. The straightforward signal path consists of an oscillator, filter, envelope, LFO and VCA; this makes the UB-Xa Mini officially the smallest version of the Oberheim OB-Xa or, rather, the company’s own Behringer UB-Xa.

The synth can be played in 3-voice polyphony or unison, but also supports Octave and 5th modes, as well as polyphonic and monophonic ring modulator sounds. The oscillator offers both sawtooth and square waveforms with pulse width modulation, as well as both waveforms simultaneously – a feature typical of Oberheim synthesisers. The tuning of the oscillator can be adjusted via the pedal switch. This is followed by a low-pass filter with a slope of either 12dB or 24dB. Modulation is provided by an ADSR envelope for both the VCF and VCA simultaneously, and an LFO with three waveforms (sawtooth, triangle, square), which can be reset for each note.

The built-in step sequencer provides access to 10 patterns, which can be programmed with different scales. In addition, control movements can be recorded within the pattern (Motion Sequence) and an arpeggiator with three playback patterns is included. Notes can be entered quickly and easily using the capacitive 27-key mini-keyboard or via MIDI. Power is supplied exclusively via the USB-C port; MIDI is also routed to the synthesiser via USB and the DIN socket. Thanks to its comprehensive MIDI implementation, the UB-Xa Mini can be easily automated with a DAW or a master sequencer.