Behringer could be cloning the classic Oberheim OB-Xa synth – FACT

It looks as if Behringer has another vintage synth in its sights.

TomOberheims OB-Xa synth from 1980 could be the next instrumentto be cloned by budget gear company Behringer.

As Synth Anatomy notes, Behringers parent company Music Group applied for a trademark for OB-Xa last year, and is in the process of making replicas of theCurtis CEM3340 chip that featured in the original OB-Xa.

In 2000, company founder Uli Behringer acquired a chip manufacturer called Coolaudio, which has been tasked with creating replicas of old technology something thats legal under patent law. All patents expire after around 20 years and hence the 40 year old Curtis and SSM technology is now public domain, Behringer said in a recent forum post.

According to Behringer, the first batch of these replica chips has already been received. It is a 100% exact replica of the Curtis CEM3340 which even includes the 40 year old, 8 micron manufacturing process, he said.

We are continuing to invest in reviving other legacy Curtis and SSM semiconductors which will allow us to bring back classic synths all in the most authentic way. We have also reissued the 3320 filter chip which should be arriving in a few months.

Behringer also arguedthat companies such as Dave Smith and Elektron currently use Coolaudio chips, saying that theyobviously have no concerns with cloning in general and with using our chips in their products.

Behringer hasnt confirmed the existence of a new OB-Xa, but it seems likely. In recent weekshe has said that the companyis planning a whole range of affordable analog synths, as well as clones of the Minimoog, OSCar and ARP 2600.

As well as planning a raft of clones, Behringeris making brand new synths based on its own designs, including the 12-voice DeepMind 12.

Read next: 8 classic synths that are crying out to be reissued

Go here to read the rest:

Behringer could be cloning the classic Oberheim OB-Xa synth - FACT