Espen Kraft's video blows up!

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

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[@midimoog]

For clarification, Behringer uses ARM chips to emulate digital synths, but uses analogue electronic components to simulate analogue synths, no? Behringer 's UB-Xa is a fully analogue synth with 16 note polyphony, but still with an affordable price tag. That's proof that supports Espen's claim that analogue synths don't need to be super expensive. The kind like OB-X8 are just borrowing the brand image and expensiveness of the original vintage synth to sell at a higher price ---- which is why Espen calls it a scam I suppose. Personally, I like to simplify things: The synths that are affordable for me are the good synths. The ones out of reach are not 😅

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Hi @midimoog Interesting that we have two different interpretations of the statements that have been issued by Behringer. My understanding was that Behringer spent the money developing the ARM technology so they could accurately model both Analogue and Digital synths. Yes there many be physical components in the signal part but the way the synth functions and generates sounds is done, in the main through the modelling. Another reason I have this view is that Behringer have issued a number of statements over the years stating that the delays to new synths has been predicated in the completion of the ARM development. As always I stand to be corrected by someone more in the know. And at the moment I do not have the desire, and as tempted as I might be, to open up the Behringer UB-Xa sitting next to me while writing until at least the warranty runs out! Jon

[@ghavinga]

Well said, thanks! My own opinion (if anyone cares ;-), is on the side of the user interface discussion. Being a 40+ year IT prof I really don't wanna be bothered with a Windows or Mac computing environment to compose and create music or sound patches with. I very much enjoy the physical experience of turning knobs and dials and switches. Having a see of LEDs welcoming me in my home studio, consistently puts a smile on my face each and every day. Especially now with the controversy of the major operating system spying on it's users (the Win 11 copilot ongoing saga, Apple putting AI chips for pattern recognition in all its modern hardware to detect abusive content.....) my appetite for modern operating systems has gone down to zero (obviously Linux/BSD systems being the exception). I did get a bit peeved by Espen's remark about the Osmose. Obviously the Osmose sound engine is based on the Eaganmatrix Sharc DSP architecture, by definition it is a computer in a similar way that our microwave is a computer. But Espen does totally miss the amazing "user interface" of the Osmose: the keyboard that allows you to manipulate the VCA and/or VCF envelope curve of each and every note you play independently. One question, do I understand that the OB-X and UB-Xa synths are indeed software emulations of the chipsets? I understood that both Oberheim and Beringer do use modern version of the original oscillator and filter hardware chips.

[@TheMusicTechGuyUK]

Hi @ghavinga Thanks for the comments. like me it sounds like you are more of a tactile environment musician as opposed to an in the box type of musician. I agree that with the computer platform manufacturers falling over themselves to be the buzz word in AI that they are starting to concern everyone with data usage. I also work in the IT industry and am caught between productivity and privacy when it comes to AI. Going back to your specific question. Behringer have been very open on how they have used the ARM platform to model the source synths that they are bringing forward to market. And like I said in the video Oberheim have not made similar disclosures, but my understanding that they have also followed this pattern to allow them to give you that 3 synths in 1 tag line. (In fact cynically maybe technology sharing was the deal that was done when Behringer gave Tom the worldwide rights to use the name back?). Jon