Behringer Pro-VS Mini B-Stock
4-Voice Hybrid Synthesizer
- Touch keyboard with 27 keys
- Replica of the Prophet VS sound engine
- 16 Vector oscillators with wavetable synthesis and 128 waveforms
- Morphing of all 4 oscillators via joystick
- Analogue 24 dB low-pass filter
- 16-Step sequencer
- Arpeggiator with 3 different patterns
- Chorus effect
- Envelope for filter, amp and oscillator mixer
- Analogue filter with cutoff and resonance
- OLED display
- 1 Stereo headphone output: 3.5 mm jack
- 1 Sync input: 3.5 mm jack
- 1 MIDI In: 5-pin DIN
- Power supply via USB-C
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 193 x 39 x 124 mm
- Weight: 400 g
New inspiration
The synthesizers from Behringer's Mini series are compact, polyphonic, and inspired by vintage synthesizers. As a hybrid synth, the Pro VS mini combines digital oscillators with an analogue filter, thereby employing the best of both analogue and digital worlds. The abbreviation VS stands for "Vector Synthesis", a form of synthesis that allows the signals from four oscillators to be dynamically cross-faded and makes it possible to create lively pads and strings as well as crisp basses and expressive lead sounds before even applying a filter. The small synthesizer can be played in four voices using the touch-sensitive keyboard or via MIDI, and it even has an easily programmable 16-step sequencer on board.
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Four-voice hybrid synth
Each voice of the Behringer Pro VS Mini has four vector oscillators featuring wavetable synthesis with 128 waveforms, which are shown graphically on the display. The joystick can be used to crossfade between the four oscillators to achieve some pretty out-of-this-world sounds. The waveform mix can also be further modulated with individual envelopes for filter, amplifier, and oscillator for even more creative sound shaping. The VS Mini also features a studio-grade chorus effect as well as 2 LFOs. While in principle a form of subtractive synthesis, the VS Mini's vector synthesis offers greater flexibility and a broader spectrum of sounds than a purely analogue synthesizer. With direct access to all important parameters via the control panel and comprehensive MIDI implementation including NRPN/CC control, the possibilities are endless. Moreover, the internal 16-step sequencer and arppegiator can also be synchronised via MIDI (DIN), USB-C and the analogue sync input.
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Entry-level model with potential
The Behringer Pro VS mini is perfect for beginners who want to explore subtractive synthesis using a proper hardware device. The portable mini keyboard can be taken anywhere, allowing sounds and sequences to be developed and worked on whenever the inspiration arises. The handy USB-C port can power the synth from a mains outlet, power bank, or computer to maximise its portablity. At home or in the studio, compositions can be edited in more detail using a well-equipped MIDI controller or DAW in order to exploit the Pro VS Mini to its full potential. Thanks to this marriage of hardware and software, this small synthesizer is an excellent proposition for ambitious musicians who want to create hybrid sounds that emulate their favourite tracks.
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About Behringer
The company, which was founded in Germany by Uli Behringer and now manufactures its products in China, has been known for affordable and great-value equipment since its very first product, the Studio Exciter F. An array of mixing consoles (such as the Eurodesk MX8000), signal processors, and later sound amplification and monitoring equipment, has made it possible for countless musicians to fit out their home studios, practice rooms, and mobile PAs within budget limits that were previously unthinkable. The acquisition of other companies, including Midas, Klark Teknik, and TC Electronic, meant that new product groups were added - and also resulted in the technical expertise of these companies being incorporated into product development.
In tandem with a controller
The Behringer Pro VS mini can be combined with any MIDI keyboard provided its controllers or faders can be freely assigned to specific MIDI CCs. This allows the parameters of the Pro VS Mini, which do not have their own controls, to be controlled directly and is compatible with velocity-sensitive keyboards. However, despite featuring the original vintage waveforms, the Behringer Pro VS mini is not a straight-up clone of the original Prophet VS synth and is therefore only suitable for recreating some the latter's famous pad sounds. Instead, by being able to freely move between four different wave shapes via four digital wavetable oscillators, the Pro VS Mini provides an exciting entry point into the world of vector synthesis. Additionally, the combination of digital cycle waves and an analogue filter provides untold sonic possibilities.
