Behringer Deepmind 6 True Analogue 6-Voice Polyphonic Synthesizer, Compatible with PC and Mac, Black

I got my DeepMind 6 yesterday. The first thing that struck me was that it was heavier than I expected - it's a solid, well-built unit and feels like something that was made to last. Three octave keyboard, but full size keys rather than the, often flimsy, mini keys used by some other manufacturers. There's a little bit of sideways wobble in the sliders, but no more than in the classic synths that the DeepMind was based on. The panel layout is logical, straightforward, and I took to the VCF control layout immediately because of it's similarity to my old Roland Jupiter-4 (which was also the last synth I used that had the LFO Delay feature that's also included with the DeepMind - you can set it up so when you're playing a melody and hold a long sustained note, some vibrato or filter modulation gradually fades in. A very musical feature. But, if you prefer, this keyboard also has aftertouch, so you can get a similar effect that way.) The box also contained the power cord (kettle-type plug with a relatively short cable, so I used a longer one that I had lying around) and a Quick Start guide. No manual and I can't even find a DeepMind 6 manual online, so I've been using a DeepMind 12 manual for reference.The DeepMind synth engine design is based on the Roland Juno - Behringer now manufacture their own chips cloned from the Curtis chips used in the Juno, Jupiter, and many other classic polys, so it does have an "authentic" vintage analogue Roland-type sound and feel. But is also comes with a whole lot of clever stuff added that you didn't get in the 1980s. The synth itself has a completely analogue signal path (and sounds like it), but with digital control, plus the option of digital effects (with 4 FX slots available and a full range of fx routing options - although, if you want to keep your signal 100% analogue, you can bypass the effects processor completely. ). And 1024 patch slots, so I'm unlikely to run out of storage for new sounds.There's also a modulation matrix that lets you assign any controller you fancy - mod wheel, foot pedal, oscillators, envelopes, etc to modulate anything you fancy (could be filter or oscillator modulation, or even effects parameters - anything you like). This allows you to use it like a modular synthesiser and apply the same sound creation techniques. That's a massive bonus too. Particularly for me, since most of what I've been doing recently has been with my Doepfer modular system. But, at the same time, for someone new to synths, it's an easy synth to use - just browse the presets, find something you like and tweak the front panel controls until you get it sounding just right. (Which is what I'm doing right now, until I've absorbed more of the manual - although it's easy enough to use, there are so many useful features available via the menu system that it's going to take some time to get my head round everything. This is a serious piece of kit. And it's features are very useful musically, which is the key point...)The only other current analogue polysynth I've used is the Korg Minilogue, which I like a lot. But this is better. And I mean way better in almost every respect - far more sophisticated, sturdier build, better keyboard, much more control over more sound parameters (including the effects section) and, personally, I prefer the sound of the DeepMind - the Minilogue filter wimps out a bit too much under high resonance. It would be unfair to the Minilogue to say it was like comparing a serious musical instrument to a toy keyboard, but I can't shake off a little bit of that kinda feeling...I've never used a Juno, but I still have my old Jupiter 4 and, to compare (and there's a lot more to the DeepMind than there's room to mention), after "analogue signal path" the Jupiter obviously has almost none of the rest. I probably prefer the sound of the Jupiter-4 to the DeepMind, but that's fine - I prefer the sound of the Jupiter-4 to most classic synths (including the Junos and even the other Jupiters). But I like the sound of this DeepMind more than some revered classic synths, like the Prophet 5 - it's entirely subjective. Now, if I got my Jupiter fixed and restored, it would probably be worth around £2500 (I got it for £50 when it was unfashionable), and modern equivalents like Dave Smith's Prophets and OB-6 also tend to run to at least a couple of grand. And this DeepMind cost me £465?

Never played a synth before. I like how to features are organised and the sound is great. The depth can be accessed quite easily because different parameters each have their own edit button to go deeper. There is so much you can do with this.Really easy to create your own patches, great built quality and sound quality, versatile and as deep as its name suggests.Update day 5: this is the best thing I have ever owned. It is a design marvel. The essential tools for sculpting sound are obvious and apparent, even if, like me, you know next to nothing about synthesisers. There are fantastic tutorials on YouTube. You see, not only is this an easy use analogue subtractive synthesiser, it also has almost endless modulation possibilities that can be accessed rapidly and intuitively. I watched a tutorial from Andersons, really amazing guy explaining why this was the perfect synth for beginners and I was convinced. How right he was. But also, you're not going to outgrow this instrument. It can do almost anything you want it to do. And the sound quality is phenomenal.I'd been trying to get to grips with soft synths. I learned more in a day about sound generation with this, than in the previous month trying to figure out vst synths. It's a veritable goldmine of possibilities. Did I already say it's literally the best thing I've ever owned? Well it is!

Love this synth the build quality is superb like a tank and its sound is amazing once the firmware update has been installed and patchs an controls have been calibrated, the complete update process takes around 30 minutes but once done your ready to go. The menu system is logically thought out hence theres no need to use.a operations manual the synth guides you through all tasks required for editing and saving etc... The synths overall sound is warm thick very Juno 106 ish with more in the tank. The only thing I found was a pain was that I had to delve into the Global menu and switch of the program change option in the MIDI SETTING and USB SETTING , to stop patchs automatically changing on their own when running the Deepmind 6 through my DAW, that's the only fault I could find with it , mind you once altered everything ran smoothly. this synth is exactly what it says deep and intriguing, a programmers treasure troth the analog sound it delivers is amazing and the topping is its effects engine and modulation matrix a really must have considering its affordable price tag, how Behringer achieved this is just amazing, this synth is definitely a keeper.

Believe it or not this is my 3rd Deepmind.I had the DP12 first, which arrived with some dodgy/dead keys.I had also bought this to replace my main MIDI control keyboard, but even if all keys had been working, the quality of the key bed isn't the best and my Arturia controller is much nicer.After a bit of back and forth with Behringer support it was deemed unfixable in software and had to be sent back.Then i got a D12 Desktop which was brilliant, but missed the keys. Sold that to help fund an ASM Hydrasynth. Vowed to replace that when i got enough spare cash or saw one cheap enough.Then Saw the Deepmind 6 on Amazon went on offer for £449 and thought i'd give it a short.Turns out I much prefer the smaller form factor of the DM6 and i may be wrong, but the key bed seems a bit nicer. And crucially to be honest i don't miss the extra 6 voices.If you are into really deep involved, evolving pads, this might be a restriction, but for my needs the 6 is fine.

Had high hopes for this purchase, seems well built and decent quality but this one kept turning its off after 10 mins even after reset etc. Sent back for refund