Behringer JT4000 Micro - Nice But Way Too Micro

[@scheetmcborsten7977]

I run mine through my MPC One and it sounds great with effects. No complaints for the price I paid.

[@ThePlughugger]

Yeah, I can imagine pairing it with a modern MPC is a perfect match actually.

[@krzysztofpecak8854]

Super fun. Full of really good sounds. I love the idea of cheap small micro synths. Amazing.

[@ThePlughugger]

The concept of small and dedicated synths is really not a bad idea!

[@olakinberg5412]

..means we will soon hear the sounds everywhere.

[@realmchat6665]

I love this synth, great sounds - I use it in a dawless rig using a usb midi host box, still comes in at under $100. It's so great that hardware synthesis is becoming available for people without a trust fund. In my case, I actually did have only a small space left, and I have all the controls mapped to knobs on my controllers, so its basically a sound bank, rarely need to touch the actual synth.

[@ThePlughugger]

Yes, the price is incredible. How do you use the JT-4000? Always dawless? Are you using a sequencer or playing live?

[@AkaiS1100]

Thanks for sampling it with the Ensoniq!

[@ThePlughugger]

I agree. I also have a Virus Polar and I prefer the Supersaw in the JP. Many years ago I made a soundset based on supersaws from lots of different synths, like the Virus, Roland System-1, JP and a bunch of others I can't remember at the moment. It was really interesting to hear the difference, but the JP is one of the better ones.

[@koosfockens1707]

The original JP8000 also only had supersaw on one of the oscillators, I had one until about 6 years ago when I sold it. Typically they are now sought after and I sold it for too little but such is life...

[@ThePlughugger]

I know that feeling all too well :( No, what I meant was that if you use the Supersaw on the JT, the second oscillator gets completely disabled.

[@koosfockens1707]

@@ThePlughugger ok understood, that's indeed different from the original, where the 2nd oscillator remained functional but just didn't have the supersaw waveform

[@ThePlughugger]

@@koosfockens1707 Right... and I think you could do some cross mod between the two oscillators on the original as well. But my memory is hazy on that one.

[@bWWd0]

I sod mine jp8k back in 2007, was happier when i sold it then when bought it , it just cant stand a chance with vsti plugs ,it has nice bottom end but thats about it, can be replicated with plugins

[@ThePlughugger]

@@bWWd0 I agree. The sound of the JP can be replicated by plugins just fine. But the original keyboard was quite nice for performances and hands on controls.

[@artephank]

The small Behringer clone sounds really great and is very cheap. It would be perfect for DAWless setup… if it has midi. And was battery operated. Those two things would make it great. Without it is mediocre. Still sound great but if I have to use it with computer - it competes with plethora of plugins that sounds even better.

[@ThePlughugger]

I was thinking of making some comparisons with free plugins but I think I already know the answer. There are many really good free plugins that absolutely could compete with the JT. But hardware is hardware and is in a bit of an alternate reality.

[@artephank]

​@@ThePlughugger I do really dig the sound of this little fellow. Especially, as you said, when paired with effects. I do really like the sound but I struggle to find an use case for it. Perhaps, as you said, the food for sampler is the right way. I am planing to pair with MPC (since it has usb midi) - perhaps this way it would make more sense.

[@ThePlughugger]

@@artephank Pairing it with an MPC sounds like a perfect thing to do. You could even sample different detunings and layer them in the MPC for really massive sounds!

[@koalemos1679]

No real MIDI is a deal breaker. Literally no use without it. Save the $50 and get a VST.

[@ThePlughugger]

@@koalemos1679 Yes, the omission of a MIDI jack in something that's so clearly meant to be for hardware setups feels like a mistake to me.

[@53p3n7]

Thanks for the review- really good to know the supersaw only works on 1 VCO. For $50, I wouldn't mind buying 2 and layering them, but they really should make that clear.

[@ThePlughugger]

I hope for something bigger with more power in the future :)

[@Gerald_Daniel]

...and the with the JP8000 introduced feedback oscillator got apparently also abandoned, right?

[@dodgingrain3695]

Long live the JP-8000! One of the digital classics.

[@ThePlughugger]

I wish to make a future video where I will say Long Live the JT-8000 :)

[@synthsoniq]

Great review, super informative. (I also watched some of your other videos -- subscribed!) If the JT-4000 just had MIDI (without USB) I'd snap one up as a sound module. Hopefully the rumor of a future update is true. I saw you mention with another commenter about the Pro VS Mini. I have one and I think it's great, partly because it *does* have MIDI. As a portable setup, I can use it with a tiny Novation Launchkey Mini keyboard, connected via audio cable to a Roland Aira J-6 and Roland Aira T-8. It's a nice little scratchpad for travel. The Pro VS Mini sounds awesome. As far as Behringer's upcoming lineup, I'm definitely interested in the Linn drum machine, and when the UB-Xa Desktop comes out shortly, I may get one. (Please let me know if you've reviewed the keyboard version and I missed it!) I have a Deepmind 12 and I think it's an amazing synth, especially considering the price. Thanks for the videos!

[@ThePlughugger]

The Linn drum machine looks absolutely fantastic. Day one for me for sure. Thanks for the comment by the way and glad you found the video informative.

[@terrorbirds9835]

Great explanation of why you don’t like it. I don’t think you’ve thought much about why you (or someone) might LIKE it though bc I can think of a few scenarios. That would make an interesting video. Here are 2; 1) Someone has limited $ and the price difference between this and the next best thing can’t be overcome so it’s JT or no hardware synth or 2) can be included in a live band setup to add another dimension beyond the usual. In neither case will anyone be concerned about only one oscillator for the supersaw.

[@ThePlughugger]

I agree that this is an option for people who have very limited funds and if you set it to one preset that you are using all the time, it absolutely can be used in a compact live setup. I don't think it's useless. I just think it's severely crippled and you can almost smell the possible greatness from it. Some people have already replied here that they are pairing it with MPCs and that works really well.

[@JohnPappas-se4jo]

That's a very fair review. I really like my unit. But also feel that there were too many cuts. Had it been £79 with more functionality (midi and some effects) then I would probably love it. It's good but could have been better.

[@ThePlughugger]

It's almost like a taster. You want more.

[@BroodXindustrial]

The new one with midi should be cool The M version. Crazy little boxes.

[@ImmaculateEric]

I have one and I love it

[@ThePlughugger]

Glad to hear it!

[@ogami1972]

Does the JT400-M change your opinion of this little synth?

[@ThePlughugger]

What is it?

[@ogami1972]

@@ThePlughugger my apologies, it's simply the same synth with TRS midi. it's not actually announced yet, just leaked, and doesn't address the very real issues you described.

[@ThePlughugger]

@@ogami1972 My friend, I am a hardcore synth nerd! I absolutely need to know more about it :) Where did you find the leak?

[@GeorgeLocke]

Have you tried editing the Volca FM? Ihaven't, but I doubt this is wise than that. Of course, that's a DX7 engine, which is unnecessarily complex with its multi stage envelopes.

[@ThePlughugger]

Right - no I haven't used the Volca FM or the Volca Modular. But FM is FM and even full sized keyboards still have problem presenting FM in a usable way. The Reface DX looked interesting though.

[@GeorgeLocke]

@@ThePlughugger yeah, it's a meaningless "exception." I have an opsix, which is ok, but they didn't give near enough thought to the controlling envelopes, which, IMO, was always the real time sink.

[@ThePlughugger]

@@GeorgeLocke I think I saw some controller years ago when they made it one knob per function for the DX. Of course it was incredibly expensive, but working with DX synthesis and having knobs for everything feels like a complete gamechanger when dealing with FM.

[@DirkGentley42]

Nice review thanks. I thought it sounded pretty good. The guitar is my main instrument, but this looks like it could be good fun for making John carpenter type tracks/intros. That was useful info about the third party editor. Thanks again. There is a version with midi coming out for an extra £10. As my first synth is it worth getting the newer version with midi? Cheers

[@PedroAnastazi]

Just an fyi, frm the specs of it, this is not an actual clone of the jp per se. Its cloning 1part of the jos 2part set up. The jp is a 2 part synth, so if u wanted to run 2 supersaws u could IF u configure the upper/lower, dual, split layers. EASY. But this is only 1 part, hence the one supersaw... This is how the og jp functioned so berrhinger didn't mislead or lie or omit anything. Theyte selling a single part 4 voice clone, which is not much different to the og setup. The og does have voice allocation for parts where u can set 2 voice for part 1 (upper split) and 6voice for part2 (lower split) *split refers to kb split* Hope that helps clarify it for ya. Nice review & deep dive mate!

[@fortheloveofnoise]

Behringer, if you are reading...please make a full sized clone of that legendary synth!

[@Thanatopsisrec]

The sound on this is pretty nice. Could accompany another synth that does not have the touch input like beat machine. Cheers :)

[@ThePlughugger]

Yes, I agree. This is a synth that works really well as a compliment to other synths.

[@TheJesterboy1969]

Looks like there will be a newer version with midi coming out which is cool.

[@ThePlughugger]

Yeah, I heard some rumor going around. I hope it's true.

[@PhasingGrapfruit]

I have one and it is so fun and powerful and so quick to make interesting sounds. Selling my six trak and akai ax60

[@vjrei]

I have two JP-8080, amazing. I have two Virus Ti2 as well, one rack and one keyboard and I feel the JP sounds better. EDM is Virus Ti by the way. But the JP-8000 really changed it all, as influential as the D-50. And prior that was the JV-1080. I would recommend people to get a JP-8080, I got mines at $450 long ago. You can buy them at $600 realistically, people ant more than that but they won't sell it at those prices.

[@vjrei]

@KingzofSwing A virus ti2 is 16 JP-8000 literally and you can find it for $1200.

[@doubtingtom37]

Maybe long ago, but DeepMind 12 is heckuva product in many respects !

[@RaquelFoster]

It's really weird that it doesn't have a 16-step sequencer or even an 8-step sequencer or even a TRS MIDI in. And there are certain things like this and the Model:Samples/Cycles that are pretty baffling that they don't have a battery.

[@osiris5315]

Please Behringer, I would love a more mature JP-8080 module in the same form factor as the TD-3 with midi, presets and some sliders. ❤

[@davidpetersonharvey]

I have to argue with you about the lack of a second supersaw. I have a JP8080 and only one oscillator has the supersaw. Then telling you it's a cline of the JP8000 says it all. It's cloned accurately in that respect.

[@ThePlughugger]

I know and you have a point. But when switching to the Supersaw in the JT - you are actually disabling the second oscillator completely, not being able to use it for even a saw or a square. And if my memory serves me right you could have a supersaw plus a square with the JP.

[@PedroAnastazi]

​@@ThePlughugger aaaaahhhh well NOW that makes ALOT more sense & if that's the case then yeah, ur totally right... a supersaw on its own honestly cant do much on its own... In fact it was the subtle use of of Xmod between supersaw & it's 2nd osc shapes (particularly square) which fattened & made the JPs sound so magical... that & it's chorus & bass treble knobs which were VERY different to a standard EQ & I'm still trying to work that out 25yrs later lol (i think they're sharing a range of freq bands tbh) To totally cut off the 2nd osc wen using supersaw is odd though... how are u supposed to xmod ??

[@ThePlughugger]

@@PedroAnastazi Right! I feel the JT-4000 is a step in the right direction, but too cut down. Maybe Behringer have something bigger planned for the future.

[@rodvicious1985]

Behringer says that it is inspired, but not that it is a faithful copy of the Roland, it seems to me that it is well done, for those of us who are entering the world of synthesizers

[@ThePlughugger]

You are correct. It's a proper synthesizer in its own right. I like the sound of it, but I would never recommend it to a person who wants to start exploring synthesizers. I would save up for something like the Arturia Microfreak instead. 1000 times more fun and 1000 times more sonic capabilities.

[@konzekuenze]

I don't understand what people expect from a very affordable synth...

[@ThePlughugger]

I think the question is rather, what do you get from a very affordable synth. And is it enough?

[@konzekuenze]

@@ThePlughugger You win a basic understanding of how a bigger one works. Also, this type of synths and effects are mostly used to do a specific function in a bigger setup or as learning tools.

[@ThePlughugger]

@@konzekuenze Yes. It's a one-trick pony and I think it does that trick really well. But for a learning tool, no. If I were to teach someone sound design, I would not recommend the JT4000.

[@VandalstromBeatsOfficial]

I want it.

[@whelanbdubs]

I watched this video. The thing is only $50!!! It makes cool sounds. It actually has midi over USB. Yes, products that cost 3x are usually better.

[@ThePlughugger]

All of those things are true.

[@peteywheatstraws4909]

I mean, he's giving you an honest review. Would you rather someone tell you what you want to hear, or do you want the truth? I'll take the truth every time.

[@whelanbdubs]

@@peteywheatstraws4909 it's an honest review but I purchased one also. So I'm giving my counter. Have a great day.

[@Marcin-lp4qi]

so what? it's shitty instrument. I don't want it for free

[@Steevo-rj4hv]

Behringer really could have doubled the price tag, and added more essential features, midi out etc. Its a real shame, this sounds good to my ears.

[@ThePlughugger]

Yeah, the fundamental sound is really spot on.

[@brianwayneevans4136]

Add a midi host box into the price and it isn't so cheap. You would be better off buying the Pro VS, which has full midi capabilties.

[@ThePlughugger]

Right, that was my impression as well. I haven't had the time to play with the Pro VS yet, but it looks like the Mini is clearly superior than the Micro.

[@boeiend100]

sounds like a NES game, then again sampling that and go wild with filters creates a whole different animal

[@ThePlughugger]

That was exactly the feeling I was aiming for when opening the unit :)

[@MEGAMIGA]

I'm surprised that Behringer haven't cloned the JP-8000 yet!

[@klstay]

Yeah, sure would be nice if they built this on their 4 octave "platform" Neptune and Wave are using.

[@ThePlughugger]

That would be sweet.

[@H44K]

One thing you didn’t mention is that the filter envelope is completely useless. There’s zero snappiness. Even with the filter envelope turned to max, with 0 attack and a short decay, the filter is just sort of fading in. Impossible to make a plucky sound. Really disappointed in this synth. If only they had made a full clone.

[@ThePlughugger]

I actually had that noted in my original script, but I felt it was perhaps being a bit too nerdy. I even recorded waveforms to show exactly how the filter always sweeps in. But I don't really mind it personally. It was one of those things that gave the JT an always a bit brassy character. Useless for modern plucks for sure - but not bad. If you want surgical envelopes you could always sample it and use the envelopes in Avenger/Omnisphere/Pigments etc.

[@H44K]

@@ThePlughugger To be honest I’ve never used an actual JP, so if the filter envelope behaves the same way there, I can’t complain. Could have sworn I’ve heard more snappy sounds from the original, but maybe not? Good suggestion, I think I will make some samples of the super saw with varying degrees of detune and sell it :)

[@ThePlughugger]

@@H44K Good plan! It goes quite quickly to sample it though. And if you do... don't miss out on the the unison presets. They are a bit cheesy but funny :)

[@xisotopex]

wow it is micro, smaller than I thought... but.... 49$!

[@ThePlughugger]

Yeah. The price still makes me impressed.

[@Marcin-lp4qi]

100% agree. Behringer is like old broken xero machine

[@Johnsormani]

A synth for the price of two pizzas. What is there to complain?

[@ThePlughugger]

You have a point. But personally, I think I would feel more satisfied with the pizzas :)

[@Johnsormani]

@@ThePlughugger i have a jp8000 in storage and I have over 65 synths . That’s why I wouldn’t buy one either, but I can see use cases for this as a drone or something like that. Or as a source to sample with an eight bit simpler like the mirage ( I have one) .

[@ThePlughugger]

@@Johnsormani 65 Synths! I am sure it must be a fantastic collection. The Mirage is one of the few samplers I've never worked with. But from what I have heard demos of it got an amazing sound.

[@htechdance]

We live in a decade of cheap

[@ThePlughugger]

Navigating the cheapness is tricky. Some cheap stuff is great. Some less so.

[@Andronicus2007]

Total POS, I won't buy it

[@ThePlughugger]

If Behringer would make a big full size clone of the JP8000 I would buy it directly. But the JT4000 is way to cut down for me to enjoy.

[@Andronicus2007]

@@ThePlughugger I wish they had made it at least the same size as the Pro VS Mini. Actually, what I dream of is a full on clone, complete with plastic 90s digital filter. Can't be too hard to clone in 2024. I'd like all the features of the original, in desktop module preferably, with sliders too. As long as it has 8 now poly, I will be satisfied, but 16 or 32 now would be better, with dual and split mode a real fantasy! I'd even pay $500-600 for this, I don't want cheap shite to be honest.

[@ThePlughugger]

@@Andronicus2007 Right. I agree. The Behringer Mini format is way better than the Micro. And yes yes! More plastic 90s digital filters please :)

[@DetroitMicroSound]

You are not really stating anything that proves what you say, when you claim it's "Not a good instrument at all". Most powerful machines in this small of a size, require button presses to access everything. It's also not as uncomfortably small as you seem to be claiming. I have several smaller machines about this size, and even much smaller, and none are too small to be played effectively. The only devices I know of, where some controls are too small, and close together, would be the two knobs on all the TE PO's.

[@ThePlughugger]

I am not sure you watched the video. Maybe you skipped parts? I bring up the Korg Volcas as a counterpoint of something compact and small with a more fluid interface.

[@groakersmusic2713]

Way too much talking not enough testing the pedal

[@ThePlughugger]

But of course. There are zero pedals in this review.

[@groakersmusic2713]

@@ThePlughugger honest mistake. But my first was watching this video.

[@douglasreed1327]

I have the mini Pro-vs and like the JT-4000 it sucks for the same reason, and the manual could be much better

[@ThePlughugger]

Behringers manuals are really the lowest possible effort. But regarding the Pro VS - I've heard others say the same thing. But I am still curious about it.