Initial Thoughts on the Behringer POLY D

Here are my initial thoughts on Behringer’s POLY D 4-voice paraphonic synth.

[@joergfritsch]

Every two minutes I get interrupted by a full-screen an advertisement block. As valuable as the information maybe, to me this is unwatchable.

[@TimShoebridge]

Hi Joerg, I am very sorry to hear that your watching experience was not positive. I get comments like yours only very rarely, but when I do I definitely listen. I take comments like yours very seriously, I want to strike the right balance between receiving some income from my channel versus providing content that people can enjoy. KZbin automatically places the ads in my videos, I have the option to manually place ads but do not bother to go through this process as it is laborious to say the least and i have so far felt it unnecessary. Maybe I should do? What I do set for my videos is whether the ads are skippable or not. This video has NO non-skippable ads, so I am not sure what you are referring to when you say a "full-screen advertisement block"...? Also, I checked the placement of ads by KZbin for this video and it has placed 5 ads over the course of the video which is 29:32 long. So that works out at approximately one ad every 5-6 minutes. From what I can see for this video, KZbin has made the closest gap between ads to be 5 minutes and 20 seconds and the longest gap 8 minutes and 54 seconds. So are you actually seeing an ad every 2 minutes or is that just a figure of speech? I just checked the video on a friend's phone and it played out the way i described in terms of ad gaps. At the end of the day, anyone with a youtube channel has to make a choice as to whether to monetise their channel and, if so, how many ads are tolerable. The vast majority of people leave that up to KZbin to decide. If KZbin shared more of the massive revenue they get from advertsising with their "creatives" then we could all choose less ads, but the reality leaves us with little choice. Like everyone else, I am not a charity, the time it takes to make quality videos is huge, and I need some monetary support to help me to continue to provide content. All the best, Tim

[@joergfritsch]

@@TimShoebridge Thanks Tim, I very much understand and did suspect that it was sort of a YT error. It just felt strange to me. I indeed got every two minutes an add. I stopped watching after the fourth add.

[@movinmusicacademyofficial]

@@joergfritsch - Install adBlock and you'll never see another ad on YT again.

[@itstonejones]

Joerg Fritsch You can always pay for KZbin premium and you won’t have anymore ads

[@sumaqstudios9922]

as @movinmusicacademy said, install adblock and problem solved

[@hawshimagical]

one of the rare guys on youtube who actually appears to want to play the keyboard. too much talking in other peoples videos, but this ones got the perfect balance of explaining and playing

[@arcadely]

It's amazing how similar the character of the Poly D and the Matriarch are. Yes, there are some differences, but I was impressed with how close you were able to get the patches. Behringer have clearly done a fantastic job of nailing that Moog sound. If I had them both, like you, I'd probably be considering using them in tandem for some sort of outrageously fat Moog tone. Great video!

[@ianmeredith7969]

Beautiful. I have the PolyD and I adore you are using thus with a genuine Moog. So many Moog owners, or perhaps wannabe rather than actual owners are very snobbish about the Moog over a Behringer

[@MakingMadBeats]

21:26, the ultimate pad sound ❤️🙏! I almost cried, so beautiful 😲

[@lukequincey7187]

This has very quickly become one of my favourite KZbin channels. Thank you for your content, Tim. 🙏🏽🎹

[@davebellamy4867]

Oh it's so good to hear synths that sound like synths!! Also great to see a musician's type review of what's actually a musical instrument.

[@loopular1]

I agree! I get really fed up of videos of someone with a synth making the same old ‘spacey sample and hold atmospheric sounds’ it’s boring and easy! Nice to hear some demos using actual musical sounds !

[@JonoRicher]

So far this is the only good resource explaining the shortcomings on the Poly D clearly, thank you!

[@t3mo96]

Great review man, took me about a month to save up for it, just pre-ordered mine about 3 days ago. This made me even more excited about the Poly D, I cant wait till it arrives. It'll be my very first analog synthesizer!!!

[@reneotten7376]

You will never go digital again!

[@t3mo96]

@@reneotten7376 Agreed, I'm already looking at other potential synths, my bank account is gonna take some damage lol worth it tho!

[@benbowland]

@@reneotten7376 Until he discovers Eurorack lol

[@reneotten7376]

@@benbowland I will always stay away from modular... lol

[@reneotten7376]

@@t3mo96 if you also want a poly, get the Peak. It will be the only poly you'll ever need and I say that after buying 50 vintage polys first... if I could start all over again I would just get the Peak. Awesome versatile beast, digital waveform oscs but analog in heart and character. Focus on making music, not on gear. That's my advice.

[@bornagainbornagain6697]

Thank you for the informative vid and the honesty about the industry letting units go out without being fully tested for minor defects. I have been looking at this synth because of price and features. and your vid has helped me before purchase. Thank you for the time to do this.🙏

[@ZAYAZOfficial]

I picked mine up last week. With a strymon big sky it’s amazing. Very lush. It fits nicely in my setup using Cubase 10 pro. Great Video 🤘

[@ConwayBob]

Thanks, Tim. This demo bolsters my enthusiasm for the Poly D. I preordered mine in December 2019, so it should arrive at my doorstep any year now.

[@netztherapie5723]

Haha :D

[@cellrok]

I see what you did there ;-)

[@mschorer]

Mine is on backorder at Thomann until March 2020 😭

[@ConwayBob]

@@mschorer -- My vendor is Sweetwater Sound in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA. They told me initially that it should arrive in about 6-7 weeks, but then they sent me another email a couple of weeks ago saying that they didn't know when it is coming but would let me know. They often lag about a week or two behind Thomann for new Behringer gear. I hope it gets here this March and not March or April 2021.

[@mschorer]

Bob Conway haha, I hope so too! I‘ve ordered mine at Thomann right when it was available and the delivery date was mid January 2020. Then got an eMail from Thomann last week, stating that delivery was postponed until March. I don‘t mind if Behringer uses the time to iron out some bugs. But realy looking forward to add this synth to my collection of Moogs and other gear 👍

[@Rickytee2]

Great Review Tim an honest and fair appraisal of the Poly D just subscribed to your channel today a great help in deciding on the merits of owning one of these synths. Loved the part where you speak of problems you experienced with other manufacturers and rightly pointing out that it's an industry problem and not only with Behringer. There are some very polarised views on their products right now thanks for offering an objective view. The conclusion I've drawn from this video is that the Poly D is indeed a justifiable acquisition for a home studio (That's if you don't own any bonafide Moogs) For me it's close enough if you like that sound.

[@markfennah4322]

A really good exposition of the synth - thanks Tim 😊

[@mick_hyde]

Wow! The synth compare at the end is so close. Good job.

[@phranquepeasant5688]

This review was a real breeze to look at and listen to. You've got such a soothing voice. One that matches the milky sounds of a synth like this. Not a bombardment with loads of numbers and specs, but straight to the point and just enough to know what's it about. Very nice playing as well.

[@johncharles5043]

Just subscribed to your channel yesterday and every question I had about these cool Behringer synths has been answered Thank you!

[@GraveyarDisciple]

Really a nice review. I like how you express what we as users and investors feel about this. Since not all of us are in a situation of spending huge amounts of money on gear and when we do we spect what we pay for. Long story short is not always the case. Have a wonderful day sir!

[@IvoSiem]

At 13.40 there is some really nice musical piece embedded into a synth walkthrough video. Thorough and honest with some very good musical nuggets, this has to be considered in the category "the art of reviewing".

[@ubarhd1]

Great review wonderful synth 👏🏻

[@sumaqstudios9922]

Thanks for sharing this video Tim. I really enjoy your content. You mde me decide to go for this beast

[@bassnsax]

Fantastic review! I didn't realize that Behringer had made that Synth Tool software, now I'm even more excited to buy the Poly D! I think this will be absolutely fantastic for synth bass! Cheers!

[@impurfekt]

Impeccable video as usual Tim. Thank you for putting it together. The Para D sounds fantastic every time I hear it. Regarding synths with bugs: I've bought far too many synths and the only time they've had issues is when I buy them shortly after release. Anymore I wait a good year after a synth releases before I buy. Not what the manufacturers like to see but like you, I have little tolerance for paid beta testing.

[@mikebedik3686]

Very helpful- You get some nice sounds out of it. Most videos I've seen have turned me off to the synth until now mainly because of poor programing. I know now that It sounds right thanks to you. Cheers!

[@leemearns3808]

Great video, and a good in depth look as this new product from Behringer....

[@crolodon8024]

Another enjoyable video Tim, very nice. I'd like to see you play the synth more!

[@kettenlaiho]

X2

[@2112jonr]

Excellent hands-on review Tim, quality over quantity. Watched it in full even though I've no plans to buy the Poly D. Keep up the good standard.

[@winddealer1]

Thanks for your valued opinion on the Poly D.

[@humanbuoy1123]

U can use the headphone jack to go into the ext input to get overload!

[@cymonalex]

Very interesting to watch and particularly as I am picking up my matriarch on Thursday, the comparison with (predominantly) filters on both machines. While I’m personally not looking at the poly D, I certainly think it sounds very respectable. If I’m honest with my eyes shut it was very difficult to tell the difference between the two sounds when you were playing the comparisons at the end of the video. Great work Tim... always enjoy watching your videos… Cheers Simon

[@JohnSk82]

the comparison blew me away .Ace Job !!

[@BarryWarne]

sounds quite good, loved the demo of Distortion/FM

[@highpitwilma]

....AND THANKS TIM FOR A GREAT VIDEO..I JUST CAUGHT UP WITH YOU..SUBBED STRAIGHT AWAY!! CHEERS !BILL IN BEAUTIFUL NORTHUMBRIA IN THE UK!!

[@wackenthaljef]

Thanks to show us how this really sounds! thks Tim!

[@Mibbzz]

Subbed! Great video, and really good overview. The sound comparison at the end sold me, ordered one!

[@kenbrisby4825]

thankyou. first actually nformative video on poly d.

[@geoffk777]

You can still do external input overdrive. Just route from the headphone jack to the Ext In. The keyboard isn't the best, but it does have both velocity and aftertouch, both of which are also enabled by patch points on the back.

[@DennisNy75]

i cant work more than i do already .. so many synths i want to buy and this is at the top of the list

[@waltstephens1346]

Thank you for your illustrious review! I ordered one! Very excited! Well done!

[@inneryard]

Wow I like the rich sound of this synth

[@geoffscott8928]

Hands down the best video out on the Poly D

[@fletchtowellband6388]

Great summary review, tks

[@Steph_7d7]

Just ordered myself a poly d at the music store yesterday, havent been so excited for something in a decade easily. Yeah i might not live an exciting life but i try to live a good life and pretty soon its gonna have a poly d in it. Im happy😊

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Nice honest and to the point review. Its intresting to hear that an expensive price tag doesn't necessarily equal a product without faults. After all they are all designed by humans. I feel the competition now more than ever is becoming so fierce with studio gear in general, companies feel the need to rush out units, collect their cash and keep their fingers crossed all is good. Still not surprising at all same can be said for mobile phones to cars hey ?. Thanks Tim 👍🏾👍🏾

[@TimShoebridge]

Adamski A. Yes agree completely. And you’re very welcome:)

[@LukeLine]

This looks and sounds fantastic. Great playing and video too! 👍

[@ThePickledOnions]

Great review thanks

[@Funkmasterozone]

I really have to thank you for this. I preordered mine at the beginning of December. You have done the best video of it right now. Really!!!

[@Funkmasterozone]

You got it from Thomann? :-)

[@synthplayer1563]

Thanks, you just make the best reviews. Because there is some silly debate, one clearly hears that paraphonic also means polyphonic!!!! Your example for the uni mode shows that this mode sounds very good. And a keybed with aftertouch (look at this Roland, Korg, Yamaha, .. :-( ). Very well done Behringer! It's a real instrument.

[@richardthayer9146]

AWESOME VID MATE...…......cheers from North Carolina!

[@jokervinyl]

12:40 feels very ambient with birds actually chirping in the background, love it :)

[@jacksonueland]

all the things I wish my Moog Voyager had, this has lol - Chorus, sequencer, Arp, Poly (para) etc.

[@reneotten7376]

I almost bought a Voyager, until I compared the sound to the Model D. So I got a reissue Model D. Then got a 1972 Model D. And that one is the fattest sounding of all.

[@jacksonueland]

@@reneotten7376 Yeah I bet, the originals sound amazing - tbh the voyager could sound better despite being very cool and pretty unique

[@dankokozar]

Thank you so much for the video. Please keep up good work!

[@DisintegrationZerfall]

First native english speaker that pronounces "Behringer" correct. Nice video mate! I thought of getting the poly D but then I bought the VC 340 since I have the Sub 37 I realy don´t need it that much. But I guess it´s a nice cheap alternative to all the new Moog synths.

[@ThePickledOnions]

How are you finding the 340? Interested in it too

[@DisintegrationZerfall]

@@ThePickledOnions Well I just have it for 2 weeks or so and lateley i was pretty busy with working and my BA studies. So I only unpacked it and tested if it works. It sounds great and the build quallity is pretty solid. I´m pumped to give it a proper "testdrive" and see how it behaves in a mix, which is the most important thing I gues.

[@ThePickledOnions]

@@DisintegrationZerfallgreat, good luck with it. Talk box sounds impressive and it looks a beauty

[@DisintegrationZerfall]

@@ThePickledOnions I honestly just bought it for the strings and choir sounds sice there is no real alternative for this type of sound except of the Streichfett wich I own. I´d be the first one who would buy a solina clone or something similar.

[@cnfuzz]

He is better at pronouncing it but its beeeeringer , his 'e' is to short lol

[@wedream2]

I've had the same problem with defective new gear. I got the Korg 2600 FS and one of the oscillators was defective. It took me 6 months and multiple trips to a repair shop to get it fixed. Several PCBs had to be replaced. It soured my feelings about it, so I sold it and bought two fully suspended 29er mountain bikes, and the Behringer 2600, which I like better. I bought the ASM Hydrasynth Deluxe from Sweetwater and what I got was someone else's repackaged return with broken off knobs. Got it replaced. I've had the worst luck, so I know how you feel.

[@cybernitemusic]

First review I’ve seen from ya and was a good one. Subbed :)

[@SylvainFassio]

Very good review !

[@expandingknowledge8269]

Fantastic demonstration Tim. I really feel this synth could compete with anything MOOG music has to offer, and at a better price point. Thank you for this your honest opinions, as always! 🎹 🎶 😎

[@MakingMadBeats]

That pad sound @8:40 sounds so perfectly smooth ❤️

[@AllexBessa]

It's wonderful

[@NathanChisholm041]

6:39 sounds like a score from a horror movie! I like the old timely look off your videos with nice shallow focus

[@nym053]

They sound very similar. The Matriarch sounds a bit smoother in the attack, wheras the Poly sounds a bit more snappy or precise, but not in that horrible and pointy way.

[@ProfessorSynth]

Great presentation, thanks again Tim.

[@LesterAmbientAndroid]

Brilliantly balanced review.

[@Goettel]

As an actual keyboard player on a budget (like most), knowing what I know now I'd go for a Behringer Model-D for bass and a Poly-D for chords (because I love 7ths) for a first setup. Both sound absolutely incredible, have a quality build and can be had for sane prices.

[@HOLODECK-MUSIC-PROJECT]

One of my favorite eletectronic music blogger, who is having the most sad face all the time ;-)

[@TimShoebridge]

Haha! Thank you. I am happy on the inside :)

[@Dunbar0740]

@@TimShoebridge, I suspect the word he was looking for was "thoughtful".

[@ProfessorSaibertin]

:D

[@ewencousin]

So true. My matriarch has still problem.. Need more tests! And better ASS.. Excellent video as usual. Beautiful sound.

[@HalSamuel]

That’s no way to talk about your mother.

[@marcomizzoni8323]

You can run the the headphone output into input to get distortion.

[@KelvinHemas]

Love your no bullshit videos!

[@ЯрославШевченко-х7й]

Thanks for your video!

[@longfade]

Great review, as usual. I'm pretty excited about this one, and it helps assuage (a little) my sadness that I won't be able to afford that new 2600 that Korg just released. I will continue to hope that I encounter some 4000.00 windfall so I can buy that 2600, but in the meantime the poly d is a definite purchase for me.

[@pkarvo]

Just wait for the behringer 2600

[@kevrenshaw6177]

Thanks for sharing Tim. I'll get one eventually. I'm not sure why this video has 11 dislikes. Whats not to dislike ?. I wouldn't buy this unit on the basis of just your review. I tend to research a lot of stuff prior to making a purchase but I like the spin and vibe you put on it.

[@dmomcilovic9185]

Excellent review, just discovered your channel

[@B6composer]

3:13 the real bass

[@winstonfj4174]

really solid video thank you!

[@WorksopGimp]

Sounds sweet looks great I need one ;-)

[@YT_Woodish]

Superb review Tim! Cheers!

[@monsterjazzlicks]

@Tim - I totally agree with you on the keybed aspects. Personally my favourite 80's keybed is on the 'Juno 6'.

[@monsterjazzlicks]

@ghost mall Never played a P5 before.

[@andivax]

thank you, Tim! wow, it is closer to Matriarch than I thought!

[@ivanglushko4232]

Was waiting for this video!!!)

[@silverqumera]

No, thank you! Jeez man, I almost bow in front of my screen after that "Thank you very much" at the end. Great video, waiting for mine to arrive!

[@TimShoebridge]

Ha ha :) You are very welcome

[@scalchop2253]

This sounds AMAZING IN REAL LIFE. It feels like a polyphonic mood. Ignore this guys complaints, I made the best choice ever buying this. So cheap as well, you can’t go wrong. 😊

[@cjk-28-JockeK]

Hi Tim, thanks for your initial thoughts:-) In polymode with chorus 1, it sounds a lot like Roland JX-3P to me, when you played mellow pads. It can't be just the chorus.

[@Lexxo777]

very nice, gotta buy this, good enough for me

[@ProfessorSaibertin]

Thx for the review Tim :D If this synth had memory it would be a toll blast.

[@mschorer]

The Chorus is the Roland Juno 6 chorus. There were no pots on the Juno 6 either. Great Video by the way!!!

[@dukeofpearl]

As a MiniMoog owner it’s a no brainer for the folk wanting that sound without selling a kidney. Tried one. Was very impressed. I would say it lacks the real bottom end of a Moog. But that’s all. It sounds great. Kudos to Behringer🎶🤟🏻

[@nym053]

I wouldn't get this for the bottom end personally. I would get it for the chords ;)

[@Lamo2100]

Can u guys recommend a synth with great bottom end? that is sub- 1500$

[@nym053]

@@Lamo2100 A mono synth? There's plenty. My Vermona Mono Lancet has plenty of bass and sounds pretty good. Moog Minitaur is known for it's very deep bass. There's also Sub Phatty. I have a Moog DFAM which sounds pretty deep as well. Great for more percussive bass. You can also get pretty good subs with Elektron Digitone, but that's poly and has 4 tracks if You fancy that. Blofeld probably does good subs as well.

[@dukeofpearl]

nym053 absolutely! 🤟🏻

[@reneotten7376]

@@Lamo2100 if you need poly: the Peak.

[@danwentz]

Did they include oscillator sync? It's a huge part of the classic Moog sound.

[@julianhigginson5946]

That double wobbly crackly chorus will be emulated in the future and sold as a plug-in effect

[@TimShoebridge]

Julian Higginson Haha!

[@EpicStuffMan1000]

@@TimShoebridge hey man, probably not the best place to ask this but if I leave a comment it'll just get buried. can't you take the phones output into the audio in and drive it that way? then you still have your stereo out

[@TimShoebridge]

@@EpicStuffMan1000 Yes you could, With a stereo to mono cable, I didn't try that.

[@fubokuen]

That Juno chorus is sold by Behringer's TC Electronic as the 'June-60' pedal. I have one, it's cool. FYI

[@h.c.7799]

My two Roland 106 have the same Chorus crackling! It’s s just Behringer being most authentic.

[@JustinUrban1]

It sounds so good!

[@echris459]

"its an industry-problem and not a behringer-problem" you are damn-right and this is unfortunately valid for products of all price-points! (and all industries..) anyhow - great video, i should get my poly d in march according to big t

[@ProbeRoket]

mine has a crackle too. im about to take it bak and swap it out for another. hopefully it will work how its supposed to.

[@hirokoyamamura]

Great and informative video

[@percussionboy4357]

13:33 The Poly D and the Matriarch seem complementary here, where each plays a different timbre. The Poly D reminds me of the Memorymoog, oddly enough-a thick, smooth sound. (Obviously what’s not in this video is the things you get for your money with the Matriarch: the stereo filters, the analog delay, the patchability, etc..) But the Poly D seems to hold its own.

[@xxheartbrokexx100]

Poly d is not even close to a memorymoog.

[@Siete7Black]

Memorymoog?? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@simonbeck7446]

The Memorymoog was Moog's flagship polysynth in the early 1980s. Very much the "polyphonic Minimoog" that people had been awaiting since the mid-1970s, but too expensive and too late to be commercially successful.

[@rareform6747]

Always crapped out on the name Behringer . I own the new Odyssey ...it's a blast !

[@dwaynecarroll6098]

God bless Behringer for making classic synths a reality for “the rest of us”. Looking forward to a Prophet 5 clone I can afford!

[@davebellamy4867]

Isn't this just a rather lovely sounding instrument? I like this review style very much. ... Subscribed.

[@melissad9583]

I just bought this and had that crackle on those chorus buttons as well. Returned it for another one and so far, no crackle.

[@iPaTOuT96]

what crackel you mean? on the actual button or the sound that the chorus makes? for me the chorus comes with a little whitenoise itself under it

[@melissad9583]

@@iPaTOuT96 Any time the chorus button(s) were engaged there would be a crackling noise that made it useless for tracking. I returned it and got another defective one that would freeze up anytime the arpeggiator was running for 2 minutes. It was absurd. I really wanted this synth to work out but didn't try for a third one. Also probably won't be buying anything from Behringer again after this experience.

[@joachim595]

I just don’t get the chorus addition, however good it might be. Why would one need that on a Moog? Did they add that to make up for true polyphony? I don’t feel I need it even on my Model D. I thought the chorus of the Juno’s was added for their lack of oscillators and to get some movement where the DCO didn’t bring much in that department? Why would you ever need that here? Well, paraphony is my only answer.

[@orgue2999]

Awesome video

[@AllureMusicLab]

Thanks for this great Review !