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| Behringer nailed the early Sequential design style, click to enlarge |
Build and Design
Straight out of the box, the Pro-800 feels like a love letter to retro synth nerds. Its compact, desktop form factor is sleek and sturdy, with a metal chassis that gives it a reassuring heft. The front panel is adorned with a satisfying array of knobs and membrane buttons, evoking the tactile joy of classic synths. While many of the Behringer desktop synths use a 1000-mA power supply, this one uses a 1200-mA supply, probably due to the digital control processing on top of the analog sound circuits.
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| Membrane Switches, click to enlarge |
The Eurorack-compatible design is a nice touch, allowing modular enthusiasts to integrate it into their setups with CV control over filter cutoff. Connectivity is solid, with 5-pin MIDI I/O, USB MIDI, a filter CV input, sync in, and a footswitch connector. The lack of stereo outputs is a slight bummer, but at this price, it’s hard to complain.
Personally I’ve never understood the Eurorack form factor used on their small Behringer desktop synths. Why would you want to take the guts out of the enclosure — which protects the electronics and endows it with USB for firmware updates, a real balanced line output jack and the tiny switches for setting the midi channel? For some synth folks, perhaps it is just that important to have the Pro-800 directly installed in your wall of Eurorack modules. Fortunately Behringer offers optional, external, metal rack ears which change this synth into a standard 3U rack mount form factor, with everything intact. I’m building my own small wall of rack mounted Behringer synths which are in the midst my Eurorack system.
Sound and Features
The Pro-800 is a faithful homage to the Prophet-600, with some thoughtful upgrades. Its 8-voice polyphony (up from the original’s 6) is powered by 16 VCOs—two per voice—offering saw, triangle, and pulse waveforms with PWM capabilities. The 4-pole low-pass filter is creamy and resonant, delivering that warm, analog character you’d expect from a Prophet-inspired synth. The addition of a noise generator (inspired by a rare Japanese variant of the Prophet-600) adds a welcome layer of texture for atmospheric pads and sound design.
The synth’s “Poly-Mod” function is a standout, letting you modulate Oscillator A’s frequency and filter cutoff with Oscillator B and the filter envelope. This opens up dynamic, evolving sounds that add life to everything from lush pads to gritty leads. The dedicated LFO with six waveform shapes is versatile, and the dual ADSR envelopes for filter and VCA are responsive, though some users have noted the envelopes can feel a touch sluggish compared to higher-end analogs. I found them perfectly serviceable in my creations, especially with some creative programming.
The arpeggiator and dual polyphonic sequencer are fun additions, making it easy to whip up intricate patterns and evolving sequences. With 400 program slots, there’s plenty of room to save your patches, which is a huge leap over the Prophet-600’s 100. The inclusion of the GliGli firmware mods (originally developed for the Prophet-600) enhances MIDI implementation and adds extra parameters, making the Pro-800 feel like a modernized classic. The firmware mods beefed up the envelope generators and other features that were sluggish on the classic Sequential product.
Sound-wise, the Pro-800 shines in the mid and low registers, delivering thick basses, warm pads, and punchy chords that scream ‘80s nostalgia. I currently own a Prophet-6 keyboard and after comparing it with this Behringer desktop model, the Pro-800 holds its own but lacks the pristine clarity of the pricier Sequential Prophet-6. That said, with some EQ and effects (reverb and delay work wonders), the Pro-800 can sound absolutely massive in a mix.
Performance and Workflow
The Pro-800’s interface is mostly intuitive, with one-knob-per-function controls for the core parameters. Tweaking sounds in real-time is a joy, and the synth responds well to MIDI controllers, making it a great fit for both studio and live setups. Personally I love the compact size with optional 3RU mounting available — it’s perfect for cramped studios or gig bags, but the small footprint means the knobs are a bit tightly packed, which can lead to accidental tweaks during enthusiastic sessions. An Arturia Keystep keyboard (<- link to full review on High on Technology) and the Pro-800 could easily fit in an overhead carry-on bag ;-) Extreme portability paired with massive sound creation.
The preset management system, which relies on the membrane buttons and a small LED display, is functional, but feels dated —I found myself wishing for a more modern interface and a dedicated software editor. Firmware updates via Behringer’s SynthTribe app have addressed some early bugs (like hanging notes and MIDI sync issues), but the app itself is a work in progress.
Value and Verdict
At its core, the Behringer Pro-800 is a triumph of value. For under $400, you’re getting an 8-voice analog poly synth with a robust feature set, versatile sound palette, and a nod to synth history. It’s not perfect—the high-end tone, membrane buttons, and imperfect envelopes might irk purists—but these are minor gripes in the context of its price -- chances are great that any shortcomings are due to the obsessive drive by Behringer to remain authentic. Compared to other budget polysynths like the Korg Minilogue, the Pro-800 offers more voices and a distinctly vintage flavor, though it lacks the Minilogue’s onboard effects. I'm glad Behringer kept the price low and left out effects. I have a lot of effects (stompboxes and racks), even a spare Bricasti for spice, the last thing anyone needs is routing through an inbuilt 16-bit effects processor ;-)
For beginners, the Pro-800 is an accessible entry into analog synthesis, offering enough depth to grow with you.
For seasoned producers, the Pro-800 is very cost-effective (easy to add another for stereo) and a gateway to add classic Prophet-style sounds to your arsenal without shelling out thousands for a vintage unit or a high-end modern equivalent. It’s particularly well-suited for retro-inspired genres like synthwave, ‘80s pop, and ambient, but its versatility makes it a solid all-rounder.
When compared to software versions of Sequential synths in the Arturia V Collection the Pro-800 always stands out with a more brilliant and up front tone, which I like a lot.
In a world where polyphonic analog synths often cost upwards of $1,000, the Behringer Pro-800 is a game-changer. It democratizes access to lush, analog polyphony and proves that you don’t need deep pockets to create inspiring sounds - something I say all time, it's not the gear, it's YOU!
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly synth that punches way above its weight, the Pro-800 is a no-brainer. Just be ready to embrace its quirks and maybe add a touch of reverb.
Pros:
- Incredible value for an 8-voice analog poly synth
- Warm, vintage-inspired sound with versatile Poly-Mod and noise generator
- Compact, Eurorack-compatible design
- Robust connectivity and 400 patch slots
- Arpeggiator and sequencer add creative flair
- Rack Mountable, Desktop and Eurorack-friendly
Cons:
- High end can sound harsh or fizzy
- Membrane buttons and preset system feel dated
- Envelopes slightly sluggish for some applications
- SynthTribe app is clunky for firmware updates
Price: ~$399 USD (June 2025)
EPILOGUE
Whether you’re chasing the sounds of ‘80s heroes or crafting modern electronic textures, the Behringer Pro-800 delivers a lot of synth for very little money. It’s not a perfect Prophet, but it’s a dang good one for the price. It is Good!
Thanks for reading High on Technology, Good Music To You!
MEET THE SEQUENTIAL CIRCUITS PROPHET-600 - the inspiration for the Pro-800
Dave Smith, the charismatic leader and creator of Sequential Circuits was a true synthesizer pioneer, he was one of the principle founding fathers of the MIDI specification which allowed interoperability between competing brands of instruments. The Sequential Circuits Prophet-600 was the first commercially available synthesizer to incorporate MIDI.
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Release Date
- Release Year: The Prophet-600 was released in 1982.
- Context: Introduced by Sequential Circuits, it was one of the earliest polyphonic analog synthesizers with MIDI implementation, following the Prophet-5. Its release marked a significant step in synthesizer history due to its affordability and MIDI capabilities, making it accessible to a broader range of musicians compared to the more expensive Prophet-5.
- A big problem for Sequential marketing department was the fact that the more expensive Prophet-5 never had midi, it was not until version 3.2 and 3.3 that factory midi kits became available. The Pro-600 had MIDI chops that the more expensive model did not. Fortunately few people at that time had any idea what role MIDI would play.
- Original Retail Price (1982): The Prophet-600 had a list price of approximately $2,595 USD. However, street prices often varied, and it was typically sold for around $2,000–$2,200 USD at music retailers, depending on the region and dealer discounts.
- Inflation-Adjusted Cost (2025): Accounting for inflation from 1982 to 2025, $2,000 in 1982 is equivalent to roughly $6,300–$6,800 USD in 2025, and the list price of $2,595 would be around $8,200 USD. This adjustment uses an average inflation rate based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI).
- Market Context: The Prophet-600 was positioned as a more affordable alternative to the Prophet-5, which retailed for around $4,000–$5,000 in the early 1980s. Its lower price, combined with 6-voice polyphony and MIDI, made it appealing for studios and gigging musicians.
©June 2025 by Mark King, it's not ok to copy or quote without written permission from the author
Go forth and create something beautiful. . . . . . . . . . . .
