The Pro-800 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer is the result of a collaboration between manufacturer Behringer and developer GliGli and is based on the legendary Prophet 600 synthesizer from 1983. The Behringer Pro-800 truly replicates the vintage sound of the original model thanks to sophisticated features, which include two oscillators producing three waveforms, an LFO, and a filter as well as an arpeggiator and a sequencer. By adding modern features such as a MIDI keyboard connection and an internal memory for up to 400 presets, Behringer has taken the Pro-800 to the next level, and now offers users the ideal budget-friendly instrument for bringing the classic 1980s’ synth sound to life with a modern twist.
Each of the Pro-800’s two oscillators independently generates three waveforms, i.e. sawtooth, triangle, and square waves, and is assigned a separate control knob for adjusting the square waves' pulse width. The Poly-Mod section below the oscillator controls allows oscillator A as well as the filter frequency and oscillator B to be modulated, while the dedicated LFO, which produces six different waveforms with a frequency between 0.25Hz and 20Hz, provides the option of controlling the two oscillators independently from each other via sliders in the LFO-Mod section at the bottom. The separate filter envelope curve allows the filter to be brought to self-oscillation via the resonance control knob in the Filter section. This is complemented by an ADSR envelope curve for sound shaping and an additional control knob for glide settings.
The Behringer Pro-800 synthesizer offers three operating modes that can be selected using the Unison Track slider in the Poly-Mod section. In Polyphonic mode, any new note is assigned to one of the eight voices, whereas Unison mode is activated by switching Unison Track on without pressing any key. A defined note pattern can be played in Chord mode after switching Unison Track on while holding the desired chord. The integrated sequencer allows users to programme up to two switchable sequences, whose playback speed can be variably adjusted with the Value control knob. The settings for the integrated arpeggiator are made via the numerical keypad and also allow the arpeggiated notes to be played in a random order.
Behringer and GliGli have specifically designed the Pro-800 for all musicians who want to bring the classic synth sound of the 1980s back to life. Thanks to its revamped features, the Behringer Pro-800 synthesizer now allows even more versatile sounds to be shaped in greater detail than the original model. What is more, the Pro-800’s internal storage allows up to 400 patches to be stored and easily accessed in seconds using the numerical keypad. The front panel provides a range of useful connections, i.e. headphone input, audio output as well as MIDI, sync, and CV inputs, which allow the synthesizer to be optionally controlled via external hardware. Of course, the Behringer Pro-800 synthesizer can also be conveniently integrated into a larger setup by mounting it in a Eurorack case. Last but not least, it features an additional input for connecting a footswitch on the rear side, which can be used to hold the notes played by the arpeggiator.
The company, which was founded in Germany by Uli Behringer and now manufactures its products in China, has been known for affordable and great-value equipment since its very first product, the Studio Exciter F. An array of mixing consoles (such as the Eurodesk MX8000), signal processors, and later sound amplification and monitoring equipment, has made it possible for countless musicians to fit out their home studios, practice rooms, and mobile PAs within budget limits that were previously unthinkable. The acquisition of other companies, including Midas, Klark Teknik, and TC Electronic, meant that new product groups were added - and also resulted in the technical expertise of these companies being incorporated into product development.
The Behringer Pro-800 synthesizer tunes itself upon initial power-up, which takes around 20 seconds, and may require retuning during the first 30 minutes of operation by pressing the Tune button at the top right of the keypad. Additional parameters, such as LFO shape, LFO speed range, and the amount of velocity or aftertouch, can be accessed via the parameters menu, while the Settings button takes the user to the global settings menu for adjusting the screen brightness or assigning MIDI channels, for example. The preset parameter settings can be selected and adjusted by holding the designated Preset button. Updating the Pro-800’s firmware to the latest version is also child’s play thanks to the USB port on the rear panel.