Behringer Pro-1 vs Pro-800 mono sound
- KVRist
- 430 posts since 9 Nov, 2018 from Colorado
I read somewhere that there might be a difference in sound between the Pro-1 and the Pro-800 used with only one voice since the circuit in the latter must be able to deliver a mix of 8 voices to the next stage without overloading it. So the single voice on a Pro-1 might be a bit hotter, giving a more overdriven sound if the oscillators are turned up. Is this really the case? Is there such a difference? Or does the Pro-800 sound pretty much just like the Pro-1, albeit with just one voice? If they sound the same for a single voice, it seems like getting the Pro-800 instead of the Pro-1 is a no-brainer. What do you think?
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- KVRist
- 79 posts since 15 Aug, 2019
I have both of these and while that is true on the surface but the Pro 800 also has unison mode which increases the output. The Pro 800 also has the ability to save presets which can be both good and bad.
- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 430 posts since 9 Nov, 2018 from Colorado
Thanks! It's helpful to have the opinion of someone who has both!psycho45039 wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 12:23 pm I have both of these and while that is true on the surface but the Pro 800 also has unison mode which increases the output. The Pro 800 also has the ability to save presets which can be both good and bad.
Do you think the Pro-1 is basically redundant if you have the Pro-800? Also, is it possible to turn off the extra voices on the 800, such that it acts like a monosynth? I have the impression that with the Prophet-600 gligli mod that comes standard on the 800, the oscillators are a little hotter when turned up, which overdrives the filter a bit. Does that seem right?
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- KVRist
- 79 posts since 15 Aug, 2019
Typically I use the 800 to do poly synth things and the 1 to do mono synth things so in that sense I don't find them redundant. They do have very similar architecture so they can create very similar sound. To be even more redundant I also have a DSI Mopho.JO512 wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 8:59 pmThanks! It's helpful to have the opinion of someone who has both!psycho45039 wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 12:23 pm I have both of these and while that is true on the surface but the Pro 800 also has unison mode which increases the output. The Pro 800 also has the ability to save presets which can be both good and bad.
Do you think the Pro-1 is basically redundant if you have the Pro-800? Also, is it possible to turn off the extra voices on the 800, such that it acts like a monosynth? I have the impression that with the Prophet-600 gligli mod that comes standard on the 800, the oscillators are a little hotter when turned up, which overdrives the filter a bit. Does that seem right?
- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 430 posts since 9 Nov, 2018 from Colorado
Thanks for sharing!psycho45039 wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 11:23 pm Typically I use the 800 to do poly synth things and the 1 to do mono synth things so in that sense I don't find them redundant. They do have very similar architecture so they can create very similar sound. To be even more redundant I also have a DSI Mopho.
I'm on the fence between the two at the moment. I am a bit panicked about the Trump tariffs. I understand that shipping from China has come pretty much to a halt. Prices are likely to spike big-time very soon, it seems to me. If this trade war and high tariffs on China persist, it seems very possible to me that companies like Behringer could be in trouble. I've never tried an analog synth before, only plugins. But I've been wanting to experience using something analog for a while. I'd like to try several different ones. This tariff situation makes me feel pressured to immediately buy anything I might anticipate wanting.
I might just buy both the Pro-1 and the Pro-800 and then sell whatever I feel I don't want or need. Maybe after prices spike, I can even sell for a profit. Who knows? I already ordered a used Neutron and a K2 MKII. I am tempted by a D and a Model 15 too.
I wish I could just play with the Neutron for a while and if I feel I really want something else, buy it then. But these tariffs! I don't know how much of Behringer's market the US comprises, but I bet it is significant. It seems to me this situation could be very hard on the company. Will it even be possible to buy these synths a year from now? I hope I'm just panicking!
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- KVRist
- 79 posts since 15 Aug, 2019
Unfortunately this isn't just a Behringer issue. Arturia's products are also made in China and I'd be willing to bet most others are as well.JO512 wrote: Mon Apr 28, 2025 5:06 amThanks for sharing!psycho45039 wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 11:23 pm Typically I use the 800 to do poly synth things and the 1 to do mono synth things so in that sense I don't find them redundant. They do have very similar architecture so they can create very similar sound. To be even more redundant I also have a DSI Mopho.
I'm on the fence between the two at the moment. I am a bit panicked about the Trump tariffs. I understand that shipping from China has come pretty much to a halt. Prices are likely to spike big-time very soon, it seems to me. If this trade war and high tariffs on China persist, it seems very possible to me that companies like Behringer could be in trouble. I've never tried an analog synth before, only plugins. But I've been wanting to experience using something analog for a while. I'd like to try several different ones. This tariff situation makes me feel pressured to immediately buy anything I might anticipate wanting.
I might just buy both the Pro-1 and the Pro-800 and then sell whatever I feel I don't want or need. Maybe after prices spike, I can even sell for a profit. Who knows? I already ordered a used Neutron and a K2 MKII. I am tempted by a D and a Model 15 too.
I wish I could just play with the Neutron for a while and if I feel I really want something else, buy it then. But these tariffs! I don't know how much of Behringer's market the US comprises, but I bet it is significant. It seems to me this situation could be very hard on the company. Will it even be possible to buy these synths a year from now? I hope I'm just panicking!
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- KVRAF
- 3672 posts since 13 Jun, 2004
JO512 wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 8:59 pm is it possible to turn off the extra voices on the 800, such that it acts like a monosynth?
you do a unison chord with just one note held, and you can save the patch like that.
as it's really versatile, it's useful to have the patch memories (400 ...)
don't worry about what people say about the button menu, it's easy to get the hang of.
great little box.
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- KVRist
- 203 posts since 1 Jul, 2020
Both are so cheap used you might as well pick them up and see if they work for you. If they dont you can sell on for the same you paid!
You can make pro 800 behave like a monosynth but it still will not sound like the Pro One
You can make pro 800 behave like a monosynth but it still will not sound like the Pro One
- KVRAF
- 1746 posts since 3 Nov, 2023
How sonically different are they?discogsaddict wrote: Wed Jun 04, 2025 9:33 pm
You can make pro 800 behave like a monosynth but it still will not sound like the Pro One
How original
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- KVRAF
- 5144 posts since 13 Jul, 2004 from Earth
They are very different.seafire wrote: Wed Aug 13, 2025 2:25 pmHow sonically different are they?discogsaddict wrote: Wed Jun 04, 2025 9:33 pm
You can make pro 800 behave like a monosynth but it still will not sound like the Pro One
The filter is different and the pro-1 loose volume when resonance is used.
The end of the envelope tail cuts out like it has a gate in it on the pro 800 and on the Pro 1 it plays out naturally like most envelopes do.
Combining waveforms on one oscillator has a stronger sound on the Pro 1 while they blend more into each other on the Pro 800.
- KVRAF
- 1746 posts since 3 Nov, 2023
Even with the latest firmware?D-Fusion wrote: Wed Aug 13, 2025 4:30 pmThe end of the envelope tail cuts out like it has a gate in it on the pro 800 and on the Pro 1 it plays out naturally like most envelopes do.seafire wrote: Wed Aug 13, 2025 2:25 pmHow sonically different are they?discogsaddict wrote: Wed Jun 04, 2025 9:33 pm
You can make pro 800 behave like a monosynth but it still will not sound like the Pro One
Both use CEM3320, no?D-Fusion wrote: Wed Aug 13, 2025 4:30 pm The filter is different and the pro-1 loose volume when resonance is used.
I had overlooked the 800, but having watched a few videos recently, and the price dropping to 230, it seemed a real bargain. Especially for 8 voice poly and 400 patch memory.
Was curious how much crossover there was soundwise with the pro1.
Thanks for the reply
Last edited by seafire on Wed Aug 13, 2025 5:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
How original