Behringer Poly D

The Behringer Poly D takes the architecture of the Minimoog Model D — three oscillators, a 24 dB ladder filter, two envelopes — and multiplies it across four voices. The result is a paraphonic synthesizer: each voice has its own oscillators, but all four share a single filter and VCA. That distinction matters. Play a chord and the voices blend through one filter opening, giving pads and stabs a characteristic warmth and smear that's quite unlike a fully polyphonic instrument. Play it in mono or unison and it behaves exactly like a Minimoog.

Who Is This For?

The Poly D is aimed squarely at players who want real analog polyphony without the price of a Moog Subsequent 37 or a vintage Prophet. At its street price it's one of the most affordable ways to get Moog-style ladder filter tone in a keyboard with more than one note. It suits producers who want thick bass lines and leads, plus the ability to comp chords — and who understand that a paraphonic instrument sounds different from a true poly.

The 84 controls and knob-per-function layout make it immediate to use live. There's no menu diving, and every parameter is visible at a glance. Modular users will appreciate the extensive CV/gate section: pitch, velocity, after-pressure, and modulation outputs let you integrate the Poly D into a larger patch, and the external audio input lets you run signals through the ladder filter.

Built-In Effects

Two onboard effects deserve mention. The BBD stereo chorus is modelled on the Roland Juno-60's circuit — the same three-position switch (Speed 1, Speed 2, or both), the same warm, wide shimmer. It's the standout feature for pad sounds. The analog distortion, inspired by the Boss DS-1, adds gain and bite for leads. Neither effect is an afterthought.

Sequencer and Arpeggiator

A 32-step sequencer with eight pattern slots and real-time transposition is built in, along with an arpeggiator with eight playback modes. For live performance or sketch-pad use, these add significant utility over a bare keyboard.

New vs Used

New Poly Ds are readily available and competitively priced, which keeps the used market relatively flat. Second-hand units typically sell for £300–£420 in the UK and $350–$500 in the US. The build quality is solid — walnut-style cheekboards, metal panel, full-size keys — so a used example in good condition is a reliable buy. Check the chorus works correctly and that all CV jacks are functioning if connectivity matters to you.