Behringer UB-1 Micro: Pocket-Sized Powerhouse with Classic Analog Attitude

Behringer kicks off the UB-1 Micro presentation by contrasting it with their larger UBX8, highlighting the new synth’s ultra-portable form factor. The UB-1 Micro is positioned as the world’s smallest full-featured analog synthesizer, a claim that sets the tone for the rest of the video. While the synth’s size is its headline feature, Behringer is quick to stress that this isn’t just a novelty—there’s genuine sound-shaping power under the hood.

The video’s opening moments are laced with a sense of playful disbelief: pulling a micro synth from your pocket is described as a unique experience, one that even the most futuristic visions of the 1980s couldn’t have predicted. This sets up the UB-1 Micro as a product that’s both forward-thinking and rooted in classic analog sensibilities, aiming to bridge the gap between portability and serious synthesis.

Underneath its tiny exterior, the UB-1 Micro boasts a surprisingly robust architecture. At its core are the legendary 3396 and 3397 analog chips, which Behringer credits for the synth’s rich and beefy tones. The video walks through the front panel, starting with USB-C power and MIDI connectivity—a nod to modern workflows and mobile setups. There’s also a dedicated power switch, a feature that’s become something of a rarity on compact USB devices, and a permanent MIDI input for seamless integration into live rigs.

Sound-wise, the UB-1 Micro offers two DCOs with sawtooth, triangle, and square waveforms (including PWM), a noise generator, and a sub-oscillator for extra low-end punch. The filter is a classic four-pole VCF with controls for cutoff and resonance, capable of delivering everything from smooth sweeps to raunchy resonance. The controls double as menu navigators, with an OLED display and encoder streamlining patch editing. The synth also supports both monophonic and duophonic modes, giving users flexibility for basses, leads, or layered textures.

Performance features are front and centre, with Behringer highlighting the UB-1 Micro’s three-mode arpeggiator. This arpeggiator includes hold, note division, gate, swing, and both internal and external sync options, making it a versatile tool for rhythmic and melodic experimentation. The inclusion of a 16-note touch-sensitive keyboard further enhances the instrument’s playability, allowing for expressive jamming and real-time sound exploration.

The video also notes the presence of dual LFOs with multiple waveforms (triangle, sawtooth, square) for modulating pitch and filter, plus two ADSR envelopes for shaping amplitude, filter cutoff, and oscillator pitch. These features combine to give the UB-1 Micro a surprisingly deep modulation palette, especially for a device that could easily disappear into a coat pocket.