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Behringer has introduced the Toro, a new bass synthesizer that they describe as “an authentic recreation of the legendary Moog Taurus Revision 1”, but without the foot pedals.

In addition to copying the Taurus design, the new Behringer synth uses a knockoff name and logo.

The Toro is scaled down to fit into Eurorack format and can be removed from its case for rackmounting as part of a larger system.

The synth is a dual-VCO VCF VCA design, with envelopes for filter cutoff and volume. The synth also features four preset sounds (Tuba, Bass, ‘Toro’ and Variable), like the original.

Features:

• Classic Analog Bass Synthesizer with 2 VCOs, Ladder Filter and Presets in Eurorack format
• Recreates the circuit design of the Taurus I bass synth
• Analog signal path
• 2 VCOs
• 5-octave range
• VCO A and B mix fader for full control of the internal balance
• Classic low-pass ladder filter with Cut-off and Emphasis controls
• Envelopes for filter cut-off and amplitude
• 4 ‘magic-sound’ presets: Toro, Tuba, Bass and Variable Glide, featuring Amount slider and a dedicated On/Off button
• Large Filter cutoff and Volume knobs
• CV, Filter cutoff and Gate inputs for external control
• 16-unit Poly Chain allows combining multiple synthesizers for up to 32 voice polyphony
• Eurorack format
• 23 controls give real-time access to key parameters
• MIDI implementation with MIDI channel and Voice Priority selection

Behringer has not shared any audio demos at the time. Here’s an example of an original Moog Taurus 1 in action:

Behringer says that the Toro synthesizer is fully developed, but production is waiting on chip availability. The price that they are targeting is $199.

Behringer has introduced an original synth design, the Proton, that is designed to be a semi-modular partner to their Neutron synth.

“This time we cloned ourselves…,” they note.

Here’s what they say about it:

“The Proton is a semi modular synth, with a 64 patch points and dual oscillators with 5 blending waveforms, oscillator sync, pulse width modulation and individual sub-oscillators take sound creation into another dimension. It also includes a utility section with Attenuverters, multiples, signal/CV mixer and summer for creative patching.

Just imagine the possibilities when cross patching with the Neutron – truly mind boggles.

But we didn’t stop the innovation there and we added great features like Wave Folding, Looping Reversible Envelopes and Sub Oscillators that will shake the foundations of the synth world.

There are 2 flexible LFOs with 5 waveforms, MIDI clock sync, key sync, phase and depth controls.”

Features:

• Paraphonic mode allows both oscillators to be independently controlled for multi-timbral sounds
• Semi-modular design requires no patching for immediate performance
• Analog signal path based on authentic VCO, VCF and VCA designs
• Dual oscillators with 5 waveforms, oscillator sync, pulse width modulation and individual sub-oscillators
• Oscillator waveform control blends seamlessly between 5 shapes (tone mod, pulse, sawtooth, triangle and sine)
• 2 self-oscillating, multi-mode VCFs can be configured in parallel or series with linkable CVs
• 2 ASR envelopes with reverse/inverse/loop/bounce options to control VCAs and wave folder
• 2 analog ADSR generators for modulating the VCFs for unique sound performance
• Multi-mode wave folder adds rich harmonic content and massive flexibility to the LFOs
• 2 flexible LFOs with 5 waveforms, MIDI clock sync, key sync, phase and depth controls
• Noise generator dramatically expands waveform generation
• External audio can be summed into one or both VCFs to massively enhance sound generation
• Utility functions include attenuverters, multiples, signal/CV mixer and summer for creative patching
• External audio input with level control and soft clipping circuit for processing external sound sources
• 64 patch points for advanced modular connection and integration with external equipment
• 68 controls give you direct and real-time access to all important parameters
• Eurorack format –main module can be transferred to a standard Eurorack case
• MIDI implementation with MIDI channel and Voice Priority selection

Behringer says that “We also cloned our price – $ 299.” Availability is TBD, because production is waiting on chip availability.

Behringer Saturn is like a $99 mini synth version of the Roland Jupiter-8.

Looks like it’s very much mini synth trend over at Behringer at the moment – following the announcements of the Pro VS and JP-4000 last week, the company has now unveiled the Saturn, a trimmed-down take on Roland’s classic Jupiter-8.

Authentic analogue circuitry at a bargain basement price?

We learnt last year that Behringer is working on a full-size Jupiter-8 clone – the Saturn promises the same “authentic circuitry” but in a smaller, more affordable polyphonic package. In fact, it is projected to cost just $99.

While the company describes the synth as an analog polyphonic synthesizer, many would categorize it as a paraphonic monosynth design, meaning that it’s a single synth voice, with individually controllable oscillators.

Of course, some compromises have been made to hit this price point. The 27 keys are of the touch-sensitive variety, for example, though Behringer claims that they offer “great playability”. If you can look beyond that, there’s plenty to get excited about, including three oscillators, a multimode filter, an arpeggiator and a 16-step motion sequencer.

In addition, you can hook up a larger MIDI keyboard if you wish, and there’s further I/O for syncing Saturn to other synths or drum machines. Power can come from your smartphone, power bank or computer.

Roland previously released its own mini Jupiter-8 – the JP-08 – as part of its Boutique range, though this used digital technology to model the analogue circuitry.

Features:

• Analog synthesizer based on “the classic Jupiter synthesizer from the ‘80s”
• 27 touch-sensitive keys
• Analog signal path
• 3 VCOs, with 4 selectable saw, triangle, square and pulse waveforms
• Pulse width modulation
• Multi-mode filter with resonance
• Filter switchable between 2- and 4-poles for additional sound options
• Play modes include poly, unison and arpeggiator
• 16-step motion sequencer with 8 memory slots and recording of knob movements
• LFO with saw, triangle, square and random waves for vibrato, tremolo and wah-wah effects
• Voltage Controller Amplifier with a dedicated ADSR envelope
• Micro USB connector allows powering via smartphone, power bank or computer
• Sync Input and Output to synchronize with other synthesizers or drum machines
• Comprehensive MIDI implementation (including NRPN/CC control of all parameters and bulk load/save)

Behringer says Saturn Soul development is complete and that it will start shipping the Saturn once it has the necessary chips.