Behringer scales down its UB-Xa synth (again) with the “travel-ready” UB-Xa Mini

Behringer has shrunk its UB-Xa synth once again, with the launch of the UB-Xa Mini. According to the brand, it delivers “big sound in a small package”.

Behringer released its original UB-Xa in 2023, and it later went on to become the best-selling synth at Thomann. Inspired by Oberheim’s OB-Xa, it became somewhat controversial when Tom Oberheim himself claimed there was “no collaboration” between the two brands. Behringer responded to his comments, and said that it “clearly received consent to use the trademark” and had “utmost respect for the pioneer”.

After the success of the UB-Xa, Behringer went on to release a smaller version – the UB-Xa D – which it described as a desktop version. This model loses the keyboard, and was crafted after Behringer found that seven out of ten synth fans didn’t have enough space for its original, full-sized version.

Going even smaller, the new UB-Xa Mini is a compact analogue polyphonic synth, with a fully analogue signal path and three VCOs with saw and square waveforms. It captures “the essence” of the UB-Xa, delivering classic ‘80s tones and textures.

It has 27 touch-sensitive keys, and a switchable 12/24 dB analogue filter for tone sculpting, while the LFO with three waveforms modulates pitch, cutoff, and pulse width. There’s also a 16-step motion sequencer with 10 memory slots and a range of play modes including poly, unison, octaves, fifths, ring unison, and ring poly.

Hear it in action in the video below:

As anyone familiar with the Behringer name will know, it’s the brand that never sleeps. Among its other recent launches is the CZ-1 Mini, providing its own spin on the Casio CZ-1 Phase Distortion synthesiser.

Following the same smaller form as Behringer’s Pro-VS Mini, Phara-O Mini, and JT Mini, the CZ-1 Mini takes heavy inspiration from the CZ-1, but with some slight difference in features – where the original CZ-1 polyphonic synth offered eight voices, Behringer’s CZ-1 Mini comes loaded with just three instead.

The UB-Xa Mini is available now for £89. Find out more via Behringer.

Rachel is a DIY musician who began learning guitar and keyboard from her bedroom at 14. She has written news and features for MusicTech since 2022, and also has bylines across Kerrang!, Guitar.com, and The Forty-Five. Though a lover of heavy music, her guilty pleasure is 2000s pop.