Behringer’s Latest Surprise Is a 4-Voice Minimoog Tribute Dubbed the Poly D

Is the Behringer Poly D the polyphonic analog Minimoog musicians have been demanding for years?

Say what you will about Behringer, they’re always full of surprises. Their latest surprise was preceded by a few hints, but yesterday they let the proverbial cat out of the bag. The Poly D is a four-voice paraphonic keyboard version of Behringer’s Model D, their module-only tribute to the best-known analog monosynth ever made, Moog Music’s Minimoog Model D. Behringer has been on a tear of late, announcing or releasing their versions of classic synths at an unprecedented rate.

Although the Poly D’s layout, functionality, and circuitry are very similar to the original Minimoog’s, Behringer has expanded on the original in several significant ways. It has an arpeggiator and a 32-step polyphonic sequencer onboard, and its effects section boasts a stereo BBD chorus based on the Roland Juno-60’s. The original Minimoog debuted in December 1971, which means it didn’t have MIDI, of course. The Poly D’s back panel has MIDI In, Out, and Thru on 5-pin DIN connectors and a USB port. Additional jacks include stereo audio outs, an external audio input, and a handful of CV ins and outs. The power supply is external. Also unlike the original’s, the 37-note keyboard (7 fewer than on the original Minimoog) has velocity and aftertouch.

Each of the four analog oscillators—one more than the Minimoog—offers with a selection of five waveforms and a tuning range of six octaves. The classic 24dB-per-octave analog ladder filter operates in either lowpass or highpass mode. Two three-stage contour generators are dedicated to filter and amplifier envelopes.

Behringer hasn’t yet announced the Poly D’s price, but most observers expect it to sell for less (perhaps much less) than $1,000, considering that their 6-voice analog DeepMind sells for $549 and their Model D module sells for $299. Also yet to be announced is when it will be available. You can read more about the Poly D on Behringer’s website.