Behringer's take on the classic Oberheim OB-Xa shrinks down to pocket size without sacrificing the analog character that made the original a studio staple. Released in late 2025, this little desktop synth proves you don't need a keyboard the size of a car to get thick, evolving analog tones.
The heart of the UB-Xa MINI is three voltage-controlled oscillators feeding through a dual-slope analog filter with switchable 12 or 24 dB slopes and resonance control. You get saw and square waveforms from each VCO, plus a multi-mode ring modulator that sits on the square waves for those metallic, bell-like textures. The 27 touch-sensitive keys give you direct hands-on control, and the synth responds to poly, unison, octaves, fifths, and ring modulation play modes depending on how you want to stack the oscillators. There's a single envelope, an LFO with three waveforms that can modulate pitch, filter cutoff, and pulse width, and a 16-step motion sequencer with 10 memory slots that records your knob movements for instant performance recall. Connectivity includes USB-C and 5-pin DIN MIDI, plus clock in and out for syncing with other gear.
The community response has been enthusiastic for the price point. Players appreciate the genuine analog sound and the sequencer's ability to capture real-time parameter changes, though some note the single envelope can feel limiting compared to the full-size UB-Xa. The compact footprint and sub-$110 price tag make it accessible to people who want hands-on analog synthesis without the desk real estate commitment, and it sits nicely between Behringer's other mini recreations as a solid entry point into classic Oberheim territory.
