WORLD OF MUSIC ; PORTABLE KEYBOARD - Latest Portable Music Keyboards, Synthesizers and Music News

Sound designer Anton Anru shared this preview of his new patch collection for the Behringer Proton. The collection features 50 patches, including 14 leads, 12 basses, 14 plucks, and 10 paraphonic timbres.

The Proton is Behringer’s second original Eurorack synth design, following the Neutron, which was introduced about six years ago.

The Proton is arguably their most powerful all-in-one synth design yet, packing a ton of capabilities and an extensive selection of modular patch points into an 80HP Eurorack module.

What Anru has to say about the Behringer Proton patch library:

“Exploring Behringer’s new synthesizer was an exciting process for me. It boasts an impressive feature set, including two powerful oscillators capable of generating a wide range of tones, two advanced LFOs, two multi-mode filters, and a wavefolder that adds rich sonic textures. Additionally, it comes with two extra envelopes that can loop, essentially turning them into additional LFOs, and, of course, the patch panel, which opens up endless experimentation possibilities.

With this sound bank, I wanted to dive deep into these features and create medium to highly complex patches. The title «Sound Diver» reflects this desire to explore the sonic depths while keeping the sounds usable and adaptable for a wide range of music and performances. My goal was to strike a balance between experimental and musical sounds.”

*Note: Since the Behringer Proton does not have patch memory, this sound library is supplied as a PDF document, with each page containing detailed notes that explain how a patch works, which parameters are worth tweaking during playback, and how to evolve the timbre during a performance.

“By following these notes and making adjustments consciously, you’ll not only get the most out of the patches but also gain a deeper understanding of the synth itself, uncovering its full potential and creative depth,” adds Anru.

Behringer Proton – Sound Diver is available now for $24.95

Texas ambient artist Slumpfish shared this hands-on review of the new Behringer Proton synthesizer.

The Behringer Proton is an all-in-one paraphonic synth in Eurorack format. It offers both a powerful normalized synth voice and lots of patchability for integrating it into larger Eurorack modular systems.

Watch the review and share your thoughts on the Behringer Proton in the comments!

Topics covered:

0:00 Intro

2:15 Oscillators

4:29 Paraphonic Mode

6:36 Filters

8:29 ADSR Envelopes

9:23 LFOs

11:38 ASR Envelopes

14:18 Wave Folder

15:52 Proton Vs. Neutron

18:40 Drone Exploration

21:17 Final Thoughts

Is It Their Best Analog Monosynth ?

Today, Behringer announced the Proton – an all-in-one paraphonic synth in Eurorack format – is now shipping to retailers, with a street price of $399.

The Behringer Proton is arguably the most original synth that the company has released in the six years since they introduced the Neutron, and it looks to be an intelligently designed synth module, offering both a powerful normalized synth voice, and lots of patchability for integrating it into larger Eurorack modular systems.

The Proton is an analog paraphonic semi-modular synth, building on the work that the company did with the Neutron to create what’s essentially a modern monosynth in Eurorack format.  It features 2 VCOs, 2 VCFs, and 2 VCAs, with 4 envelopes and a wave folder.

While the design is not as easily understandable as most of the synths that Behringer has introduced in the last six years, it runs circles around the sound designs possibilities of their Euro monosynth knockoffs, which generally mimic synth designs from 40 years ago, and the engineering constraints of 40 year old technology.

So, where 70’s and 80’s analog monosynths designs tend to offer limited waveform choices, a single filter and minimal modulation options. the Proton features dual VCOs with continuous waveform control, sub-oscillators, dual multi-mode filters, dual ASR envelopes plus dual ADSR envelopes, extensive modulation options, lots of hands-on control and a metric but load of patch points.

Features:

• Analog synthesizer with dual VCO design
• Paraphonic mode allows both oscillators to be independently controlled
• Semi-modular design requires no patching for immediate performance
• Analog signal path with VCO, VCF and VCA
• Dual oscillators with 5 waveforms, oscillator sync, pulse width modulation and individual sub-oscillators
• Oscillator waveform control blends 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
• Multi-mode wave folder
• 2 flexible LFOs with 5 waveforms, MIDI clock sync, key sync, phase and depth controls
• Noise generator
• External audio can be summed into one or both VCFs
• Utility functions include attenuverters, multiples, signal/CV mixer and summer
• 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 compatible – module can be transferred to a standard Eurorack case
• MIDI support

The Behringer Proton is shipping now from their factory, priced at $399. Based on previous history, it can be several months between when they start shipping and when their gear becomes available at retailers.

What do you think about the Behringer Proton?

Check out the official intro video and specs, and then share your thoughts in the comments!