Behringer JP-4000, $49 compact hybrid Synthesizer that everyone can afford SYNTH ANATOMY uses affiliation & partner programs (big red buttons) to finance a part of the activity. If you use these, you support the website. Thanks! JP-4000, Roland JP-8000 inspired hybrid Synthesizer from Behringer in small with analog filter and for an unbeatable price of $49 Yesterday Behringer showed the Pro-VS, a hybrid synth that is heavily inspired on the Sequential Prophet VS. Different than usual, in a mini, compact format for an estimated price of $99 USD. If you read through the comments, you realize that the design polarizes opinions, which is not bad. Behringer noted yesterday that there are more. And today they show another mini Synthesizer and it will be the most affordable that Behringer has built to date.
Behringer JP-4000 Uli Behringer’s goal has always been to build synthesizers for everyone. Regardless of whether you have a large or a very small budget. That’s what the company says on their Facebook post: When Uli was 16, he built his first synthesizer because he couldn’t afford to buy one. This experience defined his later career to build musical equipment and make it affordable for everyone. It was his dream to one day deliver a synthesizer everyone could afford so kids could be introduced to music at an early stage. This day has come. According to information, he has achieved this goal with the new JP-4000. The JP-4000 is a super affordable ($49) hybrid Synthesizer that is inspired by the Roland JP-8000 supersaw engine. It consists of a 4-voice hybrid engine that combines analog-modelling oscillators with analog filtering. You get two virtual analog oscillators per voice with different waveforms including the iconic Supersaw waveform from the Roland JP-8000. Then, it has a 2-operator FM engine giving you options to add clear digital sounds to the warm VA sounds. The JP-4000 also hosts an analog filter for warm and natural sound says Behringer. Behringer JP-4000 On the modulation side, you get two ADSR envelopes (filter and amp) as well as two LFOs for controlling the filter and oscillator tuning. There are no effects on board at first glance, but you can’t have everything for this asking price. An arpeggiator with 3 patterns and hold function is also onboard. You can save up to 32 presets in the memory and uses the SynthTribe app to expand it. The synth is controlled with four knobs, 6 buttons and a mini OLED display for easy and immediate parameter editing. Like the Pro-VS, it comes with a touch-sensitive keyboard, this time with 16 notes. According to B, they uses a 12-bit DAC to achieve the classic sounds. Connection side, there is a USB micro port for powering it via your phone, power bank… or to play it via a USB/MIDI keyboard. A classic MIDI interface is missing at first glance but you get a comprehensive USB/MIDI implementation including NRPN/CC controls for all parameters. That’s great. Audio goes out on a classic 3.5mmm stereo jack. First Impression At first sight an interesting little hybrid Synthesizer for an unbeatable price. That was the goal and I think they succeeded. You can discuss the design, I can live with it. For me it’s not a feast for the eyes but for the price it’s hard to criticize. $49 USD is a statement and certainly challenges the well-known Korg Monotrons. With the difference that here you get a complete Synthesizer. Behringer JP-4000 will cost $49 USD and will start shipping in June from the factory. |
