Behringer POLYEIGHT Brings Eight Voices to the Polysix Idea

Noise Harmony

2 hours ago

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The Behringer POLYEIGHT is an eight-voice analog synth that builds on the Korg Polysix idea with two more voices, modern modulation and a 49-key aftertouch keyboard. It has a 2044 low-pass filter, analog BBD effects and 256 user program memories. Here is what it adds and when you can expect to buy one.

Behringer Polyeight synth seen from the front at an angle, with blue panel, cream knobs, wood end cheeks and 49 keys

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Table of contents

What the Behringer POLYEIGHT adds to the Polysix idea

Top-down view of the Behringer Polyeight control panel and 49-key keyboard, with bend and MG wheels at left — Seen from above, the layout runs VCO, MG, VCF and EG controls into the key assign modes (Hold, Chord Memory, Unison, Double, Poly), with a small display showing Preset-02. SOURCE: Behringer

The Behringer POLYEIGHT keeps the basic Polysix-style layout but raises the voice count from six to eight analog voices. Each voice has a VCO with sawtooth and variable pulse waves, followed by a four-pole 2044 low-pass filter and VCA. A sub-oscillator can sit one or two octaves below the main VCO, while separate modulation generators let pulse-width modulation and vibrato run together. The filter can self-oscillate, and its envelope amount works in positive or negative directions.

Double mode, modulation and BBD effects add more room

The Behringer POLYEIGHT can play eight-note chords in Poly mode or stack up to eight oscillators for monophonic Unison sounds. Double mode layers two presets and supports keyboard splits, although using two voices per note reduces polyphony to four notes. The eight-slot modulation matrix can route velocity, aftertouch, wheels and other sources to pitch, filter, envelopes, pulse width and effect speed. Chorus, Phase and Ensemble use analog BBD designs, but the final main output remains mono.

Chord Memory stores an interval or chord and moves it from a single played key, while the arpeggiator offers Up, Down and Up/Down patterns. Polyphonic portamento and four favorite-preset buttons add further performance control. Behringer’s Eight Is The New Six | Introducing Behringer POLYEIGHT runs through factory sounds.

Behringer’s official introduction demonstrates POLYEIGHT presets, voice modes and front-panel controls.

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The keyboard and connections suit a full-size setup

Rear panel of the Behringer Polyeight with power switch, AC inlet, USB, MIDI in/out/thru, pedal and audio jacks — Around the back are USB, MIDI In, Out and Thru, sustain and expression pedal inputs, chord memory and arpeggio sync jacks, a VCF CV input, and headphone and main outputs. SOURCE: Behringer

The 49-key, semi-weighted keyboard supports velocity and, according to the current manual specification table, polyphonic aftertouch. Thomann gives the same specification, although one paragraph on Behringer’s page says channel aftertouch, so Behringer still needs to correct that conflicting copy. The synth also provides 256 user program memories, four favorites and a two-line LCD for menu settings. Rear connections include a balanced mono output, headphones, MIDI In, Out and Thru, USB MIDI, pedal inputs, arpeggiator sync and a filter control input.

Price and availability

As checked on November 6, 2026, the POLYEIGHT costs €519 at Thomann. It is currently listed for preorder or backorder, with availability described as several months away. Behringer has not published a firm shipping date, so that retailer estimate should not be treated as an official release date. The official POLYEIGHT page provides the current manual and Synthtribe 3.3.0 downloads.

Check the POLYEIGHT at Thomann

Thomann currently lists the Behringer POLYEIGHT for €519, although stock is not expected immediately. Check the product page for the latest delivery estimate before ordering.

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