Firmware update 1. Three Oscillator Modes: Discover new sonic horizons with our three distinct oscillator modes: Modern, Modern Bright, and Vintage. 2. Master Tune Control: Precision is at your fingertips. You can now fine-tune your instrument with the new Master Tune control, allowing adjustments from 432Hz to 448Hz. 3. Enhanced Control: We've introduced a new CC #47 to seamlessly manage the Filter Envelope Amount. 4. MIDI Preset Changes support, you can now easily navigate your preset externally 5. Pattern and Program Management: The new parameter enables you to link and unlink pattern and program numbers. to suit your needs. 6. Improved Key #16 Sensitivity: Enhanced sensitivity on Key #16 for greater consistency.
thanks I've received the PRO VS mini today. for 90 quid it's nothing to grumble at, there's a bit of the VS vibe in there, the way it operates etc and it's just fun.. and as you say, Behringer can update via firmware if they wanted so who knows, I think it's just fine for now :-)
Spot on, great summary, I commented on the OG waves vs this on the Behringer FB groups, there's also some serious issues with the arp speed when you do env adjusts on their new JT4000. As you say, hopefully Behringer will address the waves and envelopes in a firmware update. Owned an OG in the 90s (VS Rack, ex Ultravox) and loved it... so you're right, it captures the vibe and feel...and if they sort poly chain out, could be immense
Hey Starsky - Great comparison. Difficult to understand why B lets these things out the door without top 'n' tailing the waves and settings. They should let you do this before release 😊
I think it's how B heavily rely on their outsourced BETA testers to make patches whilst testing at the same time. These things do come in on a price point, I doubt they spend very much time or budget for patches, they just wants something that sounds alike, and then press the send button.
Great comparison. Thanks for the thorough walk-though. My Bro VS is in the mail to me now. Can't wait! I have an SY22 Vector Synth. It's not quite the same, but I love the idea of keeping a vector synth in my pocket 😅 Happy New Year!
Pleased I saw this. I was thinking of getting one but not now. Yes, it’s cheap, but it sounds terrible. Not like Behringer to release something so far off sounding like the original. Be interesting to hear the other mini synths they are putting out. Thanks for the demo and saving me £93!
A great video, the comparison is invaluable, thanks. As a mini synth ''inspired'' by the Prophet it sounds fantastic, and I do hope that Behringer fix the wave issues in a future firmware update. At the price, this little mobile instrument is definitely on my shopping list as soon as it becomes available in Australia.
I did not said I will not buy it, but you are right, can be on a shopping list as it is. For me it's just I woul like it as a modular to add to a rack. Enough with those table form, I want every module like this Behringer is making, but integrated as modular with every connector in the front (add the matrix, the five parts envelope!) This is All we want as MUSICIANS, we don't care about being mini, but integrate it in our settings , creating amazing sounds this little thing is able to!🙏👍👌😺
That top end on the real VS is annoying. I wonder if his Prophet VS model is defective. You can see at 15:45 that the peaks on the right are entirely missing from the Behringer, but they don't seem integrated in the rest of the sound. The fact that the mini VS matches the original exactly BUT for these annoying top end frequencies makes me think the difference isn't a coincidence, as they could have easily reproduced it.
Great video 👍. The Prophet VS was my synth crush back in the day ❤ ...even though it would have cost more than I paid for my Vauxhall Chevette! I don't think it's an unfair comparison considering the naming of the synth. Clearly they need to do more work before my wallet would open enough for a full-size version. The question is whether this product itself is nevertheless worth buying, and I think the jury is definitely out on that for the moment. Even without the comparison it's not sounding as good as the JT-4000.
The Prophet X has all the VS wavetables and they go through Dave Rossum filters, it sound delicious. The X is the most underrated synth, sample playback, if they could just spend a bit more time giving us direct sampling into the machine with software upgrades, which will be hard, that gear is gone be revered for decades, the workflow is so simple, you can also use sample robot to make great sounds all mapped for the X.
I'm actually surprised they let this out the door knowing they would get creamed in reviews if it didn't at least come a bit closer. It's certainly not aliasing like the Prophet does, which means it's losing that vibe entirely. Opening up the top end of the filter in firmware I hope is possible - it shouldn't be attenuating the way it is. And I agree, they need to spend more time on the presets also - it's a pretty shoddy job they way they are now. I'm neutral on the whole Behringer (Bennhinger? LOL) controversy so my criticism is purely on what I hear. If you're going to try and capture the vibe of the VS, then they need to do it right.
Na, it's a fun toy that's priced right to get synths into anyone's hands. Something I'd buy for a child to make noise with, get boogers on, and toss around. That said, like anything else that makes noise, it can sound cool in the right hands. I know what the marketing says but to expect this thing, even for one sec, to actually pull of a Sequential Circuits Prophet VS for under $100 is delusional.
I agree. But unless someone demos what it actually sounds like in comparison there will be some who think they’re buying half a £4K synth for £90 - managing expectation’s rather than p!ssing on anyones fire. But most I would assume will understand it’s not going to be identical.
@@EnervatedSociety I not ready to go there yet - I think they DO intend to mimic the OG sound and not make a complete toy. I'm not the target for this (I own a Microwave 1 for example) but what I see here is in-line with the Volcas in form factor, and they are plenty serious enough. Let's see if there's some updates later, or if they really goofed big time. If it's like recent B releases, there will be some FW updates coming.
@@EnervatedSociety By today's standards, this is primitive technology. A few bucks for a cheap microcontroller, filter IC and a DAC is all it takes to make the sound.
@@minimal3734 Exactly. If they wouldn't have filtered out the high frequencies so aggressively to filter out the aliasing, the Behringer would've sounded much brighter. I doubt the Prophet VS even has an aliasing filter.
What seems funny is, that the wavetables of the Prophet VS look more like 4-Bit than even 8-Bit. That's what would give it all that high end with all that sharp angles. The Behringer seems to filter these out aggressively to get rid of the aliasing, making it sound very dull in the process. If you would do the same on the Prophet, so that the wavetables look the same on the Prophet as on the Behringer, the Prophet would probably sound much duller as well. Just play with the filter while looking on the scope until they match visually. Edit: That the Prophet doesn't seem to be aliased is probably a large part of its sound.
I loved the review. I think if they listen to your advice and update the firmware, then this could sound much better. You are correct that for $99, how much more were you expecting…
The unit has great potential, it's RIGHT THERE, just not configured to the best. Funny they don't do more betatesting and have better coders for firmware. They have a giant community and don't use that potential either.
Good point, it’s wildly impressive for $100 but for $200 it could be a stellar box and I do hope to see a module version in larger form factor. I almost pulled the trigger but I already have enough junk that I don’t have time to dig into. Perhaps the MicroFreq, Kawai 5000 and Argon are enough morphing sounds for me. Hmm still kinda want one though 🤣
Funny, I've been hearing other Pro VS Mini demos lately and always thought it sounded nice. But yeah, it's just no patch on the original - there is a vast gulf between them. Maybe this is where we should set our expectations for these tiny synths.. like nobody expects the CS or EMS inspired things this size to be anything like the original really.. (and even less so with the incredibly tiny ones like JT-4000) Although weirdly in this case.. it may well be able to be improved a lot via firmware updates.. if they put the effort in to get the waveforms correct and so on. I did order this and the eurorack voice version (Victor).. but really it'd be nice if an accurate recreation was done as a module IMO
Wonderful video on behringer ProVS and the real deal,..but though the B Pro vs doesen't sound the same it seems that with some tweaking the Behringer seems interesting still and at that pricetag it can expand ones soundpalette. Much love to you Starsky Carr.
That high end sizzle is the only reason that early digital synths like Prophet VS and PPG Wave are still sought after. That’s the entire point! They seem to be selling the gimmick of the vector joystick to people who think that is why you’d want a Prophet VS.
Even though the pro vs mini can't compare to prophet vs and arturia soundwise , its digital dark lo fi quality ( oh this rumble ...) appeals very much to me , it has a very haunting feeling , different from prophet vs and actually i like it more for my applications . Behringer always surprises me pleasantly
It sounds like someone who wasn’t especially familiar with the VS was in charge of sampling. In most cases one does want to filter out the aliasing, but this isn’t one of them. I hope it’s just the LPF set aggressively, but the different brightnesses per sample make me suspect they filtered it on the sample side… especially given the slightly wrong sample length too. It just seems like they rushed the samples and applied rules of thumb, rather than understanding what they were sampling. Maybe they need to license your waveform samples instead ;)
Excellent! That was fast. Looking forward to watching this one. I’m settling with the newer Arturia version, but I really love the workflow and the sounds you can get with the VS.
Thank you so much for doing this comparison video. I was on the fence on getting a VS Mini, but this does make me think I should at least give it a try.
@@zap7759 that makes no sense, if its analog then you should use Behringer. Arturia Prophet VS V sounds identical to the hardware. You would be better off with that than an expensive and limited physical digital clone.
How many comparisons of clones with the originals have I seen over the years where the reviewer claimed the difference to be night and day? It wasn't. This here finally is, big time.
You nailed it. the sound isn't the same because of aliasing...often mentioned, rarely understood...the difference between the two synths is that one aliases, badly, the other does not. It would be fun to see if the anti alias brigade on some forums wants the filter/resolution/sample modification from Behringer or not...
It sounds like someone in development thought "eeeew 😱, we have to tidy up those aliasings with a low pass filter" along the way, and never compared it to the original. I also hope they can fix this with a firmware update...
I agree, maybe a simple fix. Sounds like an over active anti aliasing filter. We know their filters can sound brighter, so I don’t think it’s that. I think the problem comes before the signal hits the filter.
Didn't realise it was out now, as I was expecting it next year. Looks like I shall be buying one this month as this is a cracking synth at three times the price frankly.
Great comparison video, Starsky. Is the brightness worth the £4400 difference in price? I'd say it probably is! Run the little one through some FX, though, and you've got a lot of sound for very little money :D
The filter is fixed if it’s analog, however the waves and oscillators themselves are the main reason why they are so different sounding let alone very different electronic components creating the whole of its parts.
imma noob .. but he made the whole video with the "joystick smashed downwards" the entire time.. wasn't it supposed to be centered or something ?(prefferably on both )
@@deedd4401nope… the joystick is used to set the envelope points - once they’re set the joystick doesn’t do anything - until you wiggle it. It will change the osc mix mid tone but on the next note/key press is envelope trigger it resets to the save values. So here I’ve programmed it to be 100,0,0,0 and that’s what you get every time you hit a key no matter what the joystick is doing. No worries noob mistake 👍
For me it's not wether the mini sounds the same as the original, it's that the mini VS is a belting little synth in it's own right. And only an hundred quid! Looking forward to the rest of the range 😁
Definitely agree. That's exactly what it means for me and why I intend to get one. We're living in a time where someone like me, a disabled retiree who has very limited income can either afford to get synths like this, or not at all. So it's a no brainer. Sure, it's not the same but close is MORE than enough. And even then if it were not even remotely close as you say, it's still a cracking synth for 100 quid.
@@nrosko But it's not emulation. It IS a synth that is generative as it claims. Emulation is software based usually and this is not that. Just because it's cut-down doesn't mean it's emulated.
Great first listen. Thanks! It sounds like they've clamped a low pass filter on the output - I wonder if they were actually trying to get rid of the aliasing and decided that this would be the low cost solution?! Did you have the filter envelope set to 'full' - just in case that was the issue? I had a preorder for one of these with thomann (i won't bother doing that again as i don't have it! 🤷♂️) unless behringer resolve a lot of these issues with an update, I might reconsider my purchase 🙁
yeah I checked the filter env as well, sustain on full filter env up. I even tried an external keyboard after someone suggested velocity may have an impact (I think that was the reason for the lacklustre filter env response on the P800 original firmware). Its still a neat little thing - just not half a VS - yet!
Well that's disappointing. I mean the only reason to mess around with an 80s vector synth is to get all the aliasing artifacts and crunchy digital waveforms. No modulation matrix? I don't know what I was expecting for $100 -- I guess I thought gains in computing power had made it possible to run bit-for-bit emulations of 80s digital hardware on cheap microcontrollers. Which still seems like it should be possible. But all those 80s units had 12-bit DACs and analog companders all kinds of stuff in the signal chain which nobody seems to want to bother including.
I think VS in the Pro VS refers to the 'virtual sock' technology they used to make it sound bad. Looks horrible to use but if you work very hard, you could get the sound of a MicroFreak you ordered from Wish. Being more kind (ahem) its like the waveshapes lack the characteristic aliasing of the original that adds overtones and really comes alive in Unison mode. I should add I remember how excited I was to get a 'fairlight type thing' for £99 when the Casio SK1 came out in 1986 and had so much fun and made so much music with it, but at this price point, unless as a toy for someone with loads of synths, I would point a newcomer at the Roland S1
One is left, the other right. How do you know the chorus wasn’t on the vs mini? It may well have been and even if it was or wasn’t as far as the presets sounding like the VS I think I showed they’re not the same.
I love my Pro VS. I don't really care that it doesn't sound the same for the price. It's really fun and you can get great sounds from it. The only gripe I have with it is the sequencer and how the arp doesn't seem to work if you trigger it externally. The sequencer doubles notes when I record anything as if note offs are being recorded as note ons.
Despite the undeniable fact that this is a great synth for its price: From 7:40 onwards it's a pretty exposing video after all. The lack of effort in getting the overall sound right on the Pro VS Mini makes me wonder if we might now run into the exact same problem with all the other upcoming mini and micro synths...? 🤔The main question is this: Can it really be fixed with a few firmware updates and a better programmed set of presets (envelope settings etc.)? Or is it perhaps a hardware issue? The filter chip(s) and converters from the 80s might have another type of sound quality than those modern cheap ones used inside the Behringer clone. Since being released their Pro-800 synth got a lot of smaller firmware updates in the meantime. That gives me hope. I'm looking forward to see the same kind of video in about 12 months or so to see how far Behringer was able to "push it to the limit".
I think it could be fixed with firmware. If its an anti-aliasing filter cutting out the higher frequencies, or even if they've softened the waves to do the same, I think that should all be possible in firmware. Unless there's a limitation in the hardware which is why they implemented like this in the first place...?
Maybe the filter behavior is similar to the Prophet 5 where you have to have ENV amount up on the filter to open it more. All the differences of high end just sound like the filter is closing down on every wave.
I don’t think so. I played with it a fair bit - on my basic patches I have the filter fully open with filt env at 64 with full sustain (I stopped at 64 as it wasn’t making any difference) in the second I turned it all the way to full (99) and while testing I tried a keystep with full velocity in case velocity would help to open it.
As you say, it’s a bit of fun for 90 quid. For want of a better phrase, ‘how floppy is the joystick’ ? 😆. I didn’t know you were doing this vid otherwise I’d have shown you the one I had with me at Efes on Saturday. My one flops down when I tilt the Behringer towards me.
What i don't like about Mini is that stick... kinda familiar Playstation stick! But i gotta say for a hundred it's a no brainer anyway. Thanks man! Good review as always!
Yeah this will really improve your music, I mean buzzsaw like sets you have. Especially those 9+ mins sets where you just keep turning the same knob and have the same sequence going.
It’s almost like they “fixed” the aliasing, and in the process, polished off some of the magic. Sadly I doubt a software update will fix this. Everything from the wave samples to the ADCs to the analog stages has to be (potentially) updated. Neat little synth though, interesting on its own merits.
Love both the 'proper' one and the Mini. Those factory patches on the mini sound like they have used A.I take that Choir patch for example, the Env Attack is well off but when it's sustained it at least sounds ish like the VS.. very odd. Gonna checkout the Super6 Waves :)
I think it’s a great little synth in and of itself, as mentioned maybe some updates could improve it a bit. But for what I paid for it I’m more than happy.
I'm curious that if you had hooked up a normal keyboard, with velocity sensitivity, if that would have influenced the sound and get it more closer to the original...
Haha that's a very good point.. I never thought of that! I've just tried and it doesn't - which is a relief tbh as it would've completely changed the outlook. :)
Behringer have patched the VS Mini today to address a few of these issues. Would be interesting to see if you feel it's now a bit closer to the original.
The original VS waves have been part of the John Bowen 'Solaris' oscillators which can be blended, sequenced and morphed with the PPG wavetables, moog, 3340 models those VS waves can really shine. But you are comparing a vintage synth with prices around 4K with a 99 quid VS-stylophone.
Of course I am 😂 not sure what your point is but I love the OG - if people think the OG sounds like this then they’ll wonder what all the fuss was about.
I think the point is this bit of a missed opportunity. BH could easily have put it into their standard clone boat and given in full polyphony and probably still brought it in at a price close the pro-800@@StarskyCarr It smacks of a rush job and your side-by-side comparison demonstrates if you want that VS sound you have spend some serious cash.
Thanks for this comparison video! I thought about buying the Behriher Pro VS mini, but after this clear comparison between the two synths, I have to say that it's not worth it. It costs little, sure, but it sounds like another synth, not like the original, which is instead much more harmonically deep and incisive. It's a shame because I love the Prophet VS, and I would have liked to have at least a clone...The updated firmware, I don't think it will solve much...Just look at the Roland Boutiques like JX-08, which sounds totally different from the original JX-8P .
I think the title alone is worth a click, let alone the content. 😁 I feel as if the only thing the Mini would need is that vector controller, and it would be worth having. I could be wrong, however.
Yo: the aliasing on the highend with the original would make dogs hate you. Damn how does this guy like the orig? It's like fking bad cymbalz. terrible.
I got better headphones and came back here and I can absolutely hear the difference, I mean it is there kinda like the cat in that movie where the cat comes back from the dead and eats people’s faces.
The KORG Prologue with the right Multi Oscillators has a heck of a lot more VS in it... This was pretty much a cute little joke! (I do like Behringer's synth quest the last years though, but this was not impressive... Love my Deepmind 12 though...)
I'm toying with the idea of getting one of these, but I have the DSI Evolver and the 2 digital oscillators on it have the Prophet VS wavetables built in. It's not polyphonic, but I think that they stand up well as mono, or duo with the sequencer. Will be interesting to hear how the modular version (Victor) stands up to the original as I'm not sure if it's got a built-in filter. Hopefully not. Cheers!
Apart from the sound & many other qualities, the random patch generator is my favourite feature on the Prophet VS. Starsky's Prophet VS is minty beautiful. Mine isnt, but its not bad. Its a fantastic synth.
Ok. This is what I suspected BUT it's a lot different to a Volca Keys and not as complicated as FM synthesis. A good addition to my set up. I did toy with the idea of getting Roland S1 , great hardware but sounds like an arcade machine so Pro VS it is!
I don't care if it not sounding similar to the original and prefer this Behringer for all purposes. Sounds ridiculously good. Original sounds kind of harsh cheap digital synth.
Starsky, I think you should do a side by side with the iProphet Synthesizer, whilst not really fair regarding the $ of a IPAD, if you own one, the $ comparison for what you're getting sound wise would be a good compromise.
Firmware update
1. Three Oscillator Modes: Discover new sonic horizons with our three distinct oscillator modes: Modern, Modern Bright, and Vintage.
2. Master Tune Control: Precision is at your fingertips. You can now fine-tune your instrument with the new Master Tune control, allowing adjustments from 432Hz to 448Hz.
3. Enhanced Control: We've introduced a new CC #47 to seamlessly manage the Filter Envelope Amount.
4. MIDI Preset Changes support, you can now easily navigate your preset externally
5. Pattern and Program Management: The new parameter enables you to link and unlink pattern and program numbers. to suit your needs.
6. Improved Key #16 Sensitivity: Enhanced sensitivity on Key #16 for greater consistency.
Thank you, Behringer!
thanks I've received the PRO VS mini today. for 90 quid it's nothing to grumble at, there's a bit of the VS vibe in there, the way it operates etc and it's just fun.. and as you say, Behringer can update via firmware if they wanted so who knows, I think it's just fine for now :-)
A delight to see another video of yours in my feed!
Always fascinating and informative!
Thank you for sharing your insight and experience!
Spot on, great summary, I commented on the OG waves vs this on the Behringer FB groups, there's also some serious issues with the arp speed when you do env adjusts on their new JT4000. As you say, hopefully Behringer will address the waves and envelopes in a firmware update. Owned an OG in the 90s (VS Rack, ex Ultravox) and loved it... so you're right, it captures the vibe and feel...and if they sort poly chain out, could be immense
Oh so you're the Nick I always see in SS chat but only in irc?
Nice to put a face to the name!!
Hey Starsky - Great comparison. Difficult to understand why B lets these things out the door without top 'n' tailing the waves and settings. They should let you do this before release 😊
Probably has something to do with the price point ;)
@@delta-9969 I'm sure they could afford Starsky to tidy it up 😊
I think it's how B heavily rely on their outsourced BETA testers to make patches whilst testing at the same time.
These things do come in on a price point, I doubt they spend very much time or budget for patches, they just wants something that sounds alike, and then press the send button.
@@dankeplace Probably 🤣
Great comparison. Thanks for the thorough walk-though. My Bro VS is in the mail to me now. Can't wait! I have an SY22 Vector Synth. It's not quite the same, but I love the idea of keeping a vector synth in my pocket 😅 Happy New Year!
Pleased I saw this. I was thinking of getting one but not now. Yes, it’s cheap, but it sounds terrible. Not like Behringer to release something so far off sounding like the original. Be interesting to hear the other mini synths they are putting out. Thanks for the demo and saving me £93!
A great video, the comparison is invaluable, thanks.
As a mini synth ''inspired'' by the Prophet it sounds fantastic, and I do hope that Behringer fix the wave issues in a future firmware update.
At the price, this little mobile instrument is definitely on my shopping list as soon as it becomes available in Australia.
I did not said I will not buy it, but you are right, can be on a shopping list as it is. For me it's just I woul like it as a modular to add to a rack. Enough with those table form, I want every module like this Behringer is making, but integrated as modular with every connector in the front (add the matrix, the five parts envelope!) This is All we want as MUSICIANS, we don't care about being mini, but integrate it in our settings , creating amazing sounds this little thing is able to!🙏👍👌😺
That top end on the real VS is annoying. I wonder if his Prophet VS model is defective. You can see at 15:45 that the peaks on the right are entirely missing from the Behringer, but they don't seem integrated in the rest of the sound. The fact that the mini VS matches the original exactly BUT for these annoying top end frequencies makes me think the difference isn't a coincidence, as they could have easily reproduced it.
I got mine last week and I've been very happy with it so far. Can't go wrong for the price.
Me too
So it’s basically you find it making good sounds but just not like the original? What about pads, are they any good, got character?
same
@@PL-808 Pads really shine with looping envelops.
Great video 👍. The Prophet VS was my synth crush back in the day ❤ ...even though it would have cost more than I paid for my Vauxhall Chevette!
I don't think it's an unfair comparison considering the naming of the synth. Clearly they need to do more work before my wallet would open enough for a full-size version.
The question is whether this product itself is nevertheless worth buying, and I think the jury is definitely out on that for the moment. Even without the comparison it's not sounding as good as the JT-4000.
The Prophet X has all the VS wavetables and they go through Dave Rossum filters, it sound delicious. The X is the most underrated synth, sample playback, if they could just spend a bit more time giving us direct sampling into the machine with software upgrades, which will be hard, that gear is gone be revered for decades, the workflow is so simple, you can also use sample robot to make great sounds all mapped for the X.
Yeah the Prophet X is underrated. No doubt about that.
Love the px!!!
I wish they had made a rack or desktop version.
What's that cost? ;0)
@@MJanovicable You get what you pay for
I'm actually surprised they let this out the door knowing they would get creamed in reviews if it didn't at least come a bit closer. It's certainly not aliasing like the Prophet does, which means it's losing that vibe entirely. Opening up the top end of the filter in firmware I hope is possible - it shouldn't be attenuating the way it is. And I agree, they need to spend more time on the presets also - it's a pretty shoddy job they way they are now. I'm neutral on the whole Behringer (Bennhinger? LOL) controversy so my criticism is purely on what I hear. If you're going to try and capture the vibe of the VS, then they need to do it right.
Na, it's a fun toy that's priced right to get synths into anyone's hands. Something I'd buy for a child to make noise with, get boogers on, and toss around. That said, like anything else that makes noise, it can sound cool in the right hands.
I know what the marketing says but to expect this thing, even for one sec, to actually pull of a Sequential Circuits Prophet VS for under $100 is delusional.
I agree. But unless someone demos what it actually sounds like in comparison there will be some who think they’re buying half a £4K synth for £90 - managing expectation’s rather than p!ssing on anyones fire. But most I would assume will understand it’s not going to be identical.
@@EnervatedSociety I not ready to go there yet - I think they DO intend to mimic the OG sound and not make a complete toy. I'm not the target for this (I own a Microwave 1 for example) but what I see here is in-line with the Volcas in form factor, and they are plenty serious enough. Let's see if there's some updates later, or if they really goofed big time. If it's like recent B releases, there will be some FW updates coming.
@@EnervatedSociety By today's standards, this is primitive technology. A few bucks for a cheap microcontroller, filter IC and a DAC is all it takes to make the sound.
@@minimal3734 Exactly. If they wouldn't have filtered out the high frequencies so aggressively to filter out the aliasing, the Behringer would've sounded much brighter. I doubt the Prophet VS even has an aliasing filter.
What seems funny is, that the wavetables of the Prophet VS look more like 4-Bit than even 8-Bit. That's what would give it all that high end with all that sharp angles. The Behringer seems to filter these out aggressively to get rid of the aliasing, making it sound very dull in the process.
If you would do the same on the Prophet, so that the wavetables look the same on the Prophet as on the Behringer, the Prophet would probably sound much duller as well.
Just play with the filter while looking on the scope until they match visually.
Edit: That the Prophet doesn't seem to be aliased is probably a large part of its sound.
Thanks for the comparison! Haha, they sound quite different, hopefully Behringer can address the issues, especially the filter tweakimg
I loved the review. I think if they listen to your advice and update the firmware, then this could sound much better. You are correct that for $99, how much more were you expecting…
The unit has great potential, it's RIGHT THERE, just not configured to the best. Funny they don't do more betatesting and have better coders for firmware. They have a giant community and don't use that potential either.
Considering how they've been responding to issues with the PRO-800 firmware, I bet they will, we just need to keep bringing it up.
200 bucks and do it properly, its daft AF to even bother otherwise.
@@quantize People would complain no matter. I'm sure there will be a firmware update.
Good point, it’s wildly impressive for $100 but for $200 it could be a stellar box and I do hope to see a module version in larger form factor. I almost pulled the trigger but I already have enough junk that I don’t have time to dig into.
Perhaps the MicroFreq, Kawai 5000 and Argon are enough morphing sounds for me.
Hmm still kinda want one though 🤣
great video. And I love how you made the waves available for a bunch of synths such as the microfreak!!
Funny, I've been hearing other Pro VS Mini demos lately and always thought it sounded nice. But yeah, it's just no patch on the original - there is a vast gulf between them.
Maybe this is where we should set our expectations for these tiny synths.. like nobody expects the CS or EMS inspired things this size to be anything like the original really.. (and even less so with the incredibly tiny ones like JT-4000)
Although weirdly in this case.. it may well be able to be improved a lot via firmware updates.. if they put the effort in to get the waveforms correct and so on. I did order this and the eurorack voice version (Victor).. but really it'd be nice if an accurate recreation was done as a module IMO
Wonderful video on behringer ProVS and the real deal,..but though the B Pro vs doesen't sound the same it seems that with some tweaking the Behringer seems interesting still and at that pricetag it can expand ones soundpalette. Much love to you Starsky Carr.
That high end sizzle is the only reason that early digital synths like Prophet VS and PPG Wave are still sought after. That’s the entire point!
They seem to be selling the gimmick of the vector joystick to people who think that is why you’d want a Prophet VS.
Behringer's way of operation is to mindlessly copy things for semi-disposable devices that will be landfill in the near future.
but never once demoed the joystick in their adverts...
The joystick 🕹 is why I want it
Even though the pro vs mini can't compare to prophet vs and arturia soundwise , its digital dark lo fi quality ( oh this rumble ...) appeals very much to me , it has a very haunting feeling , different from prophet vs and actually i like it more for my applications . Behringer always surprises me pleasantly
I agree. It has a nice sound.
I like the vibe and feel of Vintage sound engine more over the original or modern bright. It feels more genuine somehow, like already tape processed.
It sounds like someone who wasn’t especially familiar with the VS was in charge of sampling. In most cases one does want to filter out the aliasing, but this isn’t one of them.
I hope it’s just the LPF set aggressively, but the different brightnesses per sample make me suspect they filtered it on the sample side… especially given the slightly wrong sample length too.
It just seems like they rushed the samples and applied rules of thumb, rather than understanding what they were sampling. Maybe they need to license your waveform samples instead ;)
Starsky, you just saved me $100 💵
A great example of "you get what you pay for".
I bet I could get some good sounds out of it though.
Excellent! That was fast. Looking forward to watching this one. I’m settling with the newer Arturia version, but I really love the workflow and the sounds you can get with the VS.
Thank you so much for doing this comparison video. I was on the fence on getting a VS Mini, but this does make me think I should at least give it a try.
It’s a nice little synth for the money.
I Pre-ordered my Pro VS Mini the day it was available. Waiting for it to be shipped and looking forward to exploring it!
Wow, that old girl sounds so amazing! The little one seems perfectly fine for the money. I'm not canceling my Victor eurorack module just yet.
It’ll be sound.
Thanks: good comparisons. (The original & 'clone' aren't even CLOSE.)
Keep up the good work.
Mini has great potential as you have shown. Needs an update for sure
I'm waiting on the Behringer Pro VS non-mini that's been hinted at. Will be well interested at how it compares to the OG.
Yeah I think this should have same form factor as the Pro 800/Pro One etc.
Wonder if it'd be 8, 12, or 16 voices? The 3U..
its digital. just use a plugin.
@@ChetHanks-eh1md That's like saying something's analog so just use behringer. Or a Rev2 😆
@@zap7759 that makes no sense, if its analog then you should use Behringer. Arturia Prophet VS V sounds identical to the hardware. You would be better off with that than an expensive and limited physical digital clone.
How many comparisons of clones with the originals have I seen over the years where the reviewer claimed the difference to be night and day? It wasn't.
This here finally is, big time.
You nailed it. the sound isn't the same because of aliasing...often mentioned, rarely understood...the difference between the two synths is that one aliases, badly, the other does not. It would be fun to see if the anti alias brigade on some forums wants the filter/resolution/sample modification from Behringer or not...
It sounds like someone in development thought "eeeew 😱, we have to tidy up those aliasings with a low pass filter" along the way, and never compared it to the original. I also hope they can fix this with a firmware update...
I agree, maybe a simple fix. Sounds like an over active anti aliasing filter. We know their filters can sound brighter, so I don’t think it’s that. I think the problem comes before the signal hits the filter.
Didn't realise it was out now, as I was expecting it next year.
Looks like I shall be buying one this month as this is a cracking synth at three times the price frankly.
The big one comes, and Behringer strikes back😂❤
I think I will buy one just for the fun of it :)
Great comparison video, Starsky. Is the brightness worth the £4400 difference in price? I'd say it probably is! Run the little one through some FX, though, and you've got a lot of sound for very little money :D
In guessing they just need to update the filter and life is good for everyone involved. :)
The filter is fixed if it’s analog, however the waves and oscillators themselves are the main reason why they are so different sounding let alone very different electronic components creating the whole of its parts.
The cutoff being completely throttled is a real mystery here.
It’s possibly the oscillators not being harmonic enough - they look very smooth - just like when you start filtering the real one.
imma noob .. but he made the whole video with the "joystick smashed downwards" the entire time.. wasn't it supposed to be centered or something ?(prefferably on both )
@@deedd4401nope… the joystick is used to set the envelope points - once they’re set the joystick doesn’t do anything - until you wiggle it. It will change the osc mix mid tone but on the next note/key press is envelope trigger it resets to the save values. So here I’ve programmed it to be 100,0,0,0 and that’s what you get every time you hit a key no matter what the joystick is doing. No worries noob mistake 👍
@@StarskyCarrThanks for the explanation .. as i've said .. just a noob guessing :)
Can't wait to see this one Bad Gear😂
For me it's not wether the mini sounds the same as the original, it's that the mini VS is a belting little synth in it's own right. And only an hundred quid! Looking forward to the rest of the range 😁
Definitely agree. That's exactly what it means for me and why I intend to get one. We're living in a time where someone like me, a disabled retiree who has very limited income can either afford to get synths like this, or not at all. So it's a no brainer.
Sure, it's not the same but close is MORE than enough. And even then if it were not even remotely close as you say, it's still a cracking synth for 100 quid.
Yeah but then should they really be marketing it in a way that suggests its an emulation?
@@nrosko What? Does everyone expect £4000 worth of synthesizer for under £100?
@@nrosko But it's not emulation. It IS a synth that is generative as it claims. Emulation is software based usually and this is not that. Just because it's cut-down doesn't mean it's emulated.
@@JamesSykes-pq4df You are comparing the price of an original unit.
Great first listen. Thanks!
It sounds like they've clamped a low pass filter on the output - I wonder if they were actually trying to get rid of the aliasing and decided that this would be the low cost solution?!
Did you have the filter envelope set to 'full' - just in case that was the issue?
I had a preorder for one of these with thomann (i won't bother doing that again as i don't have it! 🤷♂️) unless behringer resolve a lot of these issues with an update, I might reconsider my purchase 🙁
yeah I checked the filter env as well, sustain on full filter env up. I even tried an external keyboard after someone suggested velocity may have an impact (I think that was the reason for the lacklustre filter env response on the P800 original firmware). Its still a neat little thing - just not half a VS - yet!
Got me interested again in digging into my DSI Tempest that has the VS waveforms
Well that's disappointing. I mean the only reason to mess around with an 80s vector synth is to get all the aliasing artifacts and crunchy digital waveforms. No modulation matrix? I don't know what I was expecting for $100 -- I guess I thought gains in computing power had made it possible to run bit-for-bit emulations of 80s digital hardware on cheap microcontrollers. Which still seems like it should be possible. But all those 80s units had 12-bit DACs and analog companders all kinds of stuff in the signal chain which nobody seems to want to bother including.
Work of art vs. an online thumbnail. Impressive as a thing standalone but doesn't compare favourably.
Behringer just makes these visually look like other synths for marketing purposes. The JT4000 isn't really based on the JP8000 either.
For real and I have a JP8000😂
Presenter was excellent. I am still going to order the Behringer. The Prophet sounded rich and musical.
I think VS in the Pro VS refers to the 'virtual sock' technology they used to make it sound bad. Looks horrible to use but if you work very hard, you could get the sound of a MicroFreak you ordered from Wish. Being more kind (ahem) its like the waveshapes lack the characteristic aliasing of the original that adds overtones and really comes alive in Unison mode. I should add I remember how excited I was to get a 'fairlight type thing' for £99 when the Casio SK1 came out in 1986 and had so much fun and made so much music with it, but at this price point, unless as a toy for someone with loads of synths, I would point a newcomer at the Roland S1
Perfect for loading waveforms into the polyend tracker
Thanks for this I just saved £90. Behringer promo video made it sound great. But, in reality its just a gimmicky kids toy.
You had both choruses on the prophet patch steeldrum and organ
One is left, the other right. How do you know the chorus wasn’t on the vs mini? It may well have been and even if it was or wasn’t as far as the presets sounding like the VS I think I showed they’re not the same.
If you update the firmware please let us know if it ironed out the dull sound. Great demo as usual!
Thanks, and as usual I will.
I love my Pro VS. I don't really care that it doesn't sound the same for the price. It's really fun and you can get great sounds from it. The only gripe I have with it is the sequencer and how the arp doesn't seem to work if you trigger it externally. The sequencer doubles notes when I record anything as if note offs are being recorded as note ons.
Despite the undeniable fact that this is a great synth for its price:
From 7:40 onwards it's a pretty exposing video after all. The lack of effort in getting the overall sound right on the Pro VS Mini makes me wonder if we might now run into the exact same problem with all the other upcoming mini and micro synths...? 🤔The main question is this:
Can it really be fixed with a few firmware updates and a better programmed set of presets (envelope settings etc.)? Or is it perhaps a hardware issue? The filter chip(s) and converters from the 80s might have another type of sound quality than those modern cheap ones used inside the Behringer clone.
Since being released their Pro-800 synth got a lot of smaller firmware updates in the meantime. That gives me hope. I'm looking forward to see the same kind of video in about 12 months or so to see how far Behringer was able to "push it to the limit".
I think it could be fixed with firmware. If its an anti-aliasing filter cutting out the higher frequencies, or even if they've softened the waves to do the same, I think that should all be possible in firmware. Unless there's a limitation in the hardware which is why they implemented like this in the first place...?
Great overview for comparison, but the Behringer was pants…. I’ll just use my Arturia iOS app and Vst.
I sold my VS in the early 90s because I hated the aliasing. Otherwise it was a great instrument.
Now people dont like it without aliasing on the Behringer 😂😂😂😂times are changing after time.... 😮
Maybe the filter behavior is similar to the Prophet 5 where you have to have ENV amount up on the filter to open it more. All the differences of high end just sound like the filter is closing down on every wave.
I don’t think so. I played with it a fair bit - on my basic patches I have the filter fully open with filt env at 64 with full sustain (I stopped at 64 as it wasn’t making any difference) in the second I turned it all the way to full (99) and while testing I tried a keystep with full velocity in case velocity would help to open it.
As you say, it’s a bit of fun for 90 quid. For want of a better phrase, ‘how floppy is the joystick’ ? 😆. I didn’t know you were doing this vid otherwise I’d have shown you the one I had with me at Efes on Saturday. My one flops down when I tilt the Behringer towards me.
I’ve got a floppy one too!
can't recall such a sonicel dissapointment from a Behringer product ever. Underwhelming. Ty Starsky to show it.
You have saved me some moneys. Looking forward to a BX700 review.
What's a BX700?
@@StarskyCarr B's DX7 6-OP FM mini workstation.
What i don't like about Mini is that stick... kinda familiar Playstation stick! But i gotta say for a hundred it's a no brainer anyway. Thanks man! Good review as always!
Yeah this will really improve your music, I mean buzzsaw like sets you have.
Especially those 9+ mins sets where you just keep turning the same knob and have the same sequence going.
It’s almost like they “fixed” the aliasing, and in the process, polished off some of the magic.
Sadly I doubt a software update will fix this. Everything from the wave samples to the ADCs to the analog stages has to be (potentially) updated.
Neat little synth though, interesting on its own merits.
Close to my thoughts here.
Frankly gents, I find all that pocket Things highly Well done and practical for making tunes and sounds always and everywhere, isn't it?
Love both the 'proper' one and the Mini. Those factory patches on the mini sound like they have used A.I take that Choir patch for example, the Env Attack is well off but when it's sustained it at least sounds ish like the VS.. very odd. Gonna checkout the Super6 Waves :)
Super6 ones sound great. Cleaner than the Prophet - I very briefly demo on my wavetable demo from last week.
And I wish I could work out how to use AI to match patches on 2 synths! That would be a huge time saver.
@@StarskyCarr Really feels like they did with the Mini
I think it’s a great little synth in and of itself, as mentioned maybe some updates could improve it a bit. But for what I paid for it I’m more than happy.
You should be. For £90 you got a decent synth.
I'm curious that if you had hooked up a normal keyboard, with velocity sensitivity, if that would have influenced the sound and get it more closer to the original...
Haha that's a very good point.. I never thought of that! I've just tried and it doesn't - which is a relief tbh as it would've completely changed the outlook. :)
I had the original vs as rack bought almost new for 600 in 2009
It's the best in my studio
I"have"
Behringer have patched the VS Mini today to address a few of these issues. Would be interesting to see if you feel it's now a bit closer to the original.
Done!
@@StarskyCarr Nice one! Great vid.
The original VS waves have been part of the John Bowen 'Solaris' oscillators which can be blended, sequenced and morphed with the PPG wavetables, moog, 3340 models those VS waves can really shine.
But you are comparing a vintage synth with prices around 4K with a 99 quid VS-stylophone.
Of course I am 😂 not sure what your point is but I love the OG - if people think the OG sounds like this then they’ll wonder what all the fuss was about.
I think the point is this bit of a missed opportunity. BH could easily have put it into their standard clone boat and given in full polyphony and probably still brought it in at a price close the pro-800@@StarskyCarr It smacks of a rush job and your side-by-side comparison demonstrates if you want that VS sound you have spend some serious cash.
Great short review, thank you for that! :D
Thanks for this comparison video! I thought about buying the Behriher Pro VS mini, but after this clear comparison between the two synths, I have to say that it's not worth it. It costs little, sure, but it sounds like another synth, not like the original, which is instead much more harmonically deep and incisive. It's a shame because I love the Prophet VS, and I would have liked to have at least a clone...The updated firmware, I don't think it will solve much...Just look at the Roland Boutiques like JX-08, which sounds totally different from the original JX-8P .
I didn’t expect the mini to be a replica, I find it great for the price. About the sounds, I hear them a little more updated to current music.
Hello Mr. Carr hope all is well I have the Prophet X and was wondering if you can do patch for it?? Thanks in advance and great Video btw‼️🔥🙏🏾
Cool video dude-very int in it
Would love to have a clone in pro-1 form factor. I would buy it immediately without any hesitation.
I think the title alone is worth a click, let alone the content. 😁
I feel as if the only thing the Mini would need is that vector controller, and it would be worth having. I could be wrong, however.
Please review the PwM Mantis when it’s released
Will do if I can get hold of one. Pretty sure I will.
You have the ability to teach people, and I think you could teach people how to play keyboard to Depeche Mode LP 3 standard
9:20 Lol, my laughter is closer to Starsky's than Pro VS is to Prophet VS🤣
For the cost I feel like we need to throttle our expectations. For my money and my desk space, the mini is the winner.
Yo: the aliasing on the highend with the original would make dogs hate you. Damn how does this guy like the orig? It's like fking bad cymbalz. terrible.
Thanks a lot for this! Really helpful wirh understanding the unit.
I got better headphones and came back here and I can absolutely hear the difference, I mean it is there kinda like the cat in that movie where the cat comes back from the dead and eats people’s faces.
thats such a clean pvs
Synthpunk made me watch this.
I always will regret not having bought a VS Rack in USA in the late 90s, I got one in my hand. About Uli: Uli x prison 2023. Best mate
great video mate!
The KORG Prologue with the right Multi Oscillators has a heck of a lot more VS in it... This was pretty much a cute little joke! (I do like Behringer's synth quest the last years though, but this was not impressive... Love my Deepmind 12 though...)
SUPER vidéo ‼️👍 merci beaucoup
I'm toying with the idea of getting one of these, but I have the DSI Evolver and the 2 digital oscillators on it have the Prophet VS wavetables built in. It's not polyphonic, but I think that they stand up well as mono, or duo with the sequencer. Will be interesting to hear how the modular version (Victor) stands up to the original as I'm not sure if it's got a built-in filter. Hopefully not.
Cheers!
I think it could be an anti aliasing filter they’ve used to make it sound less digital. If so I think it was an impressively bad decision 🤦♂️🤷♂️😂
@@StarskyCarr yeah. When trying to improve something goes horribly wrong!🖖
@@Synthpunk123 Hey John! How are you?! I'll chat with you over on your channel. I just checked and YT has done it's thing again and unsubbed me!
I’m waiting on the pro vs mini AND JT4000. Should I just get the Pro800 instead?
Great review! I had one years ago. It had a random patch generator- i wonder if it’s available on the mini?
Apart from the sound & many other qualities, the random patch generator is my favourite feature on the Prophet VS. Starsky's Prophet VS is minty beautiful. Mine isnt, but its not bad. Its a fantastic synth.
I spy a Maximus 😍
When’s the review coming?
Haha once I made the space!
@@StarskyCarr You’re going to need a bigger studio 🤣
Ok. This is what I suspected BUT it's a lot different to a Volca Keys and not as complicated as FM synthesis. A good addition to my set up. I did toy with the idea of getting Roland S1 , great hardware but sounds like an arcade machine so Pro VS it is!
The point of the Behringer is experimentation and ...the vector!! (Not found in many synths) 👍
I don't care if it not sounding similar to the original and prefer this Behringer for all purposes. Sounds ridiculously good. Original sounds kind of harsh cheap digital synth.
Starsky, I think you should do a side by side with the iProphet Synthesizer, whilst not really fair regarding the $ of a IPAD, if you own one, the $ comparison for what you're getting sound wise would be a good compromise.
As it’s Arturia I would say it’ll be very similar to the Prophet VS. I didn’t test the filters etc, but it feels ‘right’.
9:23 With these little knobs I can't blame them for not having accurately reproduced the VS-patches 🙂
It has a new update of the oscillators, can you do a new comparison?
Behringer Pro VS Mini Firmware Update V1.1.1
th-cam.com/video/MgFXLX4_HPQ/w-d-xo.html
for the money it still makes a nice midi controller for arturia prophet vs v
I knew it was too good to be true to get a Prophet vs for $99.