TL;DR: Behringer accidentally leaked 14 unreleased products on their buggy new website, including the long-doubted VCX 3 (EMS VCS 3 clone), an SP-1200 replica, and a barrage of MIDI controllers aimed directly at Arturia, Novation, and Akai. Screenshots captured by Reddit sleuths reveal everything from a $99 AKS Mini to a 61-key polyphonic aftertouch controller dubbed the Polykeys PK61.
- 14 products leaked via Behringer’s unfinished website, including synthesizers (VCX 3, AKS Mini, VS-80), samplers (SP-1200, RD-765), and drum machines (Mini Pops 7 clone).
- Half of the leaked items are MIDI controllers, suggesting Behringer intends to challenge Arturia, Novation, and Akai with a wave of affordable clip launchers, knob boxes, and keyboard controllers.
- The VCX 3 reappears after Sweetwater canceled pre-orders, hinting it might finally ship—or at least stay in development limbo a bit longer.
- A 61-key controller with polyphonic aftertouch (Polykeys PK61) and a ribbon controller is among the most eyebrow-raising entries, filling a gap left by larger manufacturers.
- The SP-1200 clone is confirmed by name only, but expect it in the same format as Behringer’s LM Drum and BMX units.
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The leak that wasn’t quite a leak
Behringer has always had a flair for the theatrical—whether it’s teasing a $99 synth or canceling it just to keep us guessing. But this time, the drama was accidental. In the process of rebuilding their website (a task that apparently involved more than a few broken CSS sheets), Behringer inadvertently displayed 14 unreleased products. By the time anyone at the company noticed, Reddit had already archived the whole thing.
We at Noxal have seen this before: a glitch, a screenshot, and suddenly the synth community is buzzing. Was it intentional? A marketing stunt? Or just the digital equivalent of leaving your studio door open? Either way, we now have a clearer picture of what Behringer has been cooking up behind that massive, half-finished website.
Synthesizers: revived and revealed
At the top of the list sits the VCX 3, Behringer’s long-rumored clone of the EMS VCS 3. You might remember Sweetwater canceling pre-orders last year, citing the synth’s non-release. Yet here it is again, like a ghost at the synth convention. Whether it actually ships remains to be seen, but its reappearance suggests the project isn’t dead—just napping.
Alongside it, the AKS Mini—a $99 paraphonic 3VCO synth based on the same VCS 3 circuitry—was announced back in 2023 and now appears closer to release. Then there’s the VS-80, Behringer’s take on the legendary Yamaha CS-80. We’ve been waiting for updates on this for years, and a placeholder on the leaked site is the closest we’ve gotten to confirmation since the initial tease. It’s not a synth you buy for subtlety; it’s a synth you buy because you want to sound like Vangelis after three espressos.
Samplers and drum machines: SP-1200 and beyond
Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising entry is the SP-1200. Yes, Behringer is cloning the holy grail of 1980s hip-hop samplers. No pictures yet—just the name and a description: “classic hybrid 12/24-bit stereo sampler with analog filter.” Expect it in the same wedge-shaped format as the LM Drum and BMX, because why fix what isn’t broken?
Also new is the RD-765, a hybrid sampling drum machine that sounds like a fusion of Roland 707 and 626/505 ideas, but with modern sampling capabilities. Then there’s the Mini Pops 7 clone—Behringer’s take on the Korg mini-drum machine from the 1960s. It’s analog, has 13 drum sounds, a 16-step sequencer, and distortion. Basically, it’s the RD-6’s slightly more eccentric cousin.
MIDI controllers: the real surprise
Here’s where things get interesting. Half of the leaked products are MIDI controllers, and Behringer is clearly aiming to disrupt a market dominated by Arturia, Novation, and Akai. The AQ64 is a USB/MIDI clip launcher with an 8×8 grid and 20 knobs—basically an Akai APC 40 competitor. The BCR32, a 32-encoder box with a built-in sequencer, has been teased for years and might finally see the light of day.
But the real attention-grabber is the Polykeys PK61: a 61-key USB MIDI controller with velocity, polyphonic aftertouch, and a ribbon controller. This is the kind of keyboard many of us have been asking Arturia and Novation to make for years. If Behringer can deliver it at a sub-$300 price point, it could seriously shake up the controller market.
Also on the list: the Swing (a Keystep MK1 clone), the JAM (a 32-key sequencer keyboard), and the QT32/QT32-Play (mini controllers with drum pads and joysticks). It’s a lot of plastic, but at Behringer prices, it’s hard to complain.
Market context and who this is for
Behringer’s strategy has always been about volume and price. They clone the classics, sell them for a fraction of the original’s cost, and let the community debate the ethics while they count the sales. This leak suggests they’re expanding beyond straightforward clones into original MIDI controller designs—a move that could put pressure on Arturia and Novation, especially in the budget-conscious segment.
Who is this for? The bedroom producer who wants a CS-80 sound without a mortgage payment. The beatmaker who dreams of an SP-1200 but can’t justify $3,000 for a used unit. The keyboardist who needs polyphonic aftertouch but can’t afford a flagship workstation. In short, it’s for the same people who bought the Model D, the Neutron, and every other Behringer synth: people who want the sound without the price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the VCX 3 actually be released this time?
That’s the million-dollar question. Its reappearance after Sweetwater canceled pre-orders suggests Behringer hasn’t given up, but we’ve learned not to hold our breath. Keep an eye on their website—but maybe don’t pre-order just yet.
Is the SP-1200 clone real, and how much will it cost?
Yes, it appeared on the leaked product list with a description. No pricing or release date yet, but given Behringer’s pricing history, expect it to be significantly cheaper than the original. Likely in the same ballpark as the LM Drum ($299–$399).
What makes the Polykeys PK61 different from other MIDI controllers?
It features 61 keys with velocity and polyphonic aftertouch, plus a ribbon controller. This is a rare combination at any price, let alone Behringer’s expected price point. It directly competes with controllers from Arturia and Novation, which have been slow to offer polyphonic aftertouch on mid-range keyboards.
We at Noxal will be refreshing Behringer’s website every morning with our coffee in hand, hoping another glitch reveals the prices. Until then, keep your screenshots ready and your expectations tempered.