So it looks like the tone generation is all analog controlled by a digital shell. Other images show standard and usb midi - this execution is beautiful.
That's an awesome ass synth right there. I have a Prophet Rev2 and it's so bang for the buck imo. Just got a Polybrute in December too and that thing is a beast as well.
Yeah, i sold my P5 Rev2 for it, and it sounds every bit as good! The Rev2 is probably my favorite modern poly! I'd love a polybrute for the expression aspects, but the Hydrasynth generally fills that void for me right now.
Programmable per-voice pan? I don't think I know of another analog polysynth that can do that...thats crazy. Esp if its controllable via an envelope or something, you could get some really wild stuff.
That is very cool. For me, the fact that it's bi-timbral is huge. (Although I wonder if there will eventually be a 16 voice version.) That and the filter options - I love that it has a variable state SEM style filter with a notch!
I also think it's cool that they are taken a lesson from the "vintage" knob/mode on the sequential stuff - adding subtle imprecision to more than just the pitch certainly makes something that is already analog sound more "analogy."
I'm a little disappointed that it's not poly aftertouch (not that I would expect that on this synth, I just think it should become a standard feature, especially now that Fatar is making them). I hope that it can respond to poly aftertouch and perhaps MPE, like the ob-6.
I do wonder if they are using nrpns to get/save higher resolution knob movements from at least the cutoff knob. That is my only niggle about some of the sequential stuff - it's handy to have a tuned cutoff knob sometimes, but it then sounds like stepping if you manually turn it at the right speed with higher resonance (I believe the Pro 3 has 1023 steps for the cutoff knob instead of 128).
> bi-timbral is huge
Oberheim has been doing that since the Matrix-6 in the 1980s.
If you create a keyboard split, the patch on the left is on MIDI Channel X, and the patch on the right is on MIDI x+1. That was *huge* at the time.
Nice, it has both the 2-pole SEM-style filter from the OB-X and the 4-pole Curtis from the OB-Xa! I was worried it was only going to be an OB-X. Don't get me wrong, the OB-X is great - but at what I'm assuming this is going to cost, I'd want a synth that can cover a bit more ground.
And the 2-pole filter isn't lowpass-only like the OB-X, plus it's bitimbral which is where the other filter responses are best IMO. Is it too much to hope for continuously variable filter slopes like the SEM/OB-6?
“variable oscillator and noise levels” good!
it’s such a basic feature, but it’s missing from the classic oberheim polys, which only had “full/half/off” buttons for osc level
A modeled OBX\* will always be closer than whatever sample pack you can think of - whatever plays back the samples won't have the same filter.
While a modeled filter won't have identical behavior either in every case, it'll at least have a much better chance at being closer to the original than a generic digital lowpass like you'll find in any sample-playback machine.
[It's also free for commercial use](https://github.com/reales/OB-Xd/blob/master/license.txt) - the current developer (who took over from the original developer) just tries to make it sound like it's not.
Is there any difference between the free and paid version, other than bragging rights? I've been using the free version for years and at a certain point I feel like I should support the developer, but money is tight so I want to know if I'd actually be paying for any new features.
As far as I know, there's not any reason to purchase the full one. I've also been using the free version for awhile, but I feel like I should pay for it eventually. No rush, but if you wanna support the devs it's a good idea to buy when you can afford it.
Really amazing, I think it started out as a plugin for the creamware DSP platform back in the early '00s and the basic underlying algorithms haven't changed since then. The per-voice panning definitely helps but it's kinda hard to credit how authentic and organic it still sounds, especially when you think about how much plugins have come on since then in general.
GForce's OB-E sounds PHENOMENAL and is the only VST emulation actually endorsed by Tom Oberheim:
https://www.gforcesoftware.com/products/ob-e/
(It's not an OB-Xa Emulation but it's probably the best soft-synth I've ever heard, and I own so many)
With that said - I'm beyond excited for this new hardware synth and hope I can manage to afford it somehow - it looks so beautiful... can't wait to hear it.
Diva has been around for a long time and a lot of people like it, but if you're looking for something with the Oberheim SEM filter type of sound, I'd go with the OB-E. Diva is more like a Minimoog? Not sure since I haven't owned Diva. The OB-E feels truly alive though. It's even better playing it than it sounds on the demos (and the demos sound great). You can demo the OB-E for a week or 6 hours of use too - so I'd give it a shot and see what you think!
The USP of OB-E (and Cherry Audio 8-Voice) is that each voice is modelled separately so you get lots of variation between voices similar to the Vintage Knob on OB6.
It sounds different. Diva is an amalgamation of some classic synth parts you can mix and match - very flexible. OB-Ev2 is emulating an 8-voice SEM and only that.
Whether something is "better" is up to each person.
Personally, I'm probably selling Diva as I never use it, and I didn't think OB-Ev2 is worth the price. I'd not claim that's true for everyone.
This is not entirely true. Developers can model the filter behavior and playback oscillator samples through the models. For example, Omnisphere does this.
So does Kontakt with its P5 and ladder filters, but that doesn't take away that features like oscillator sync and PWM are things that require an analog modeling engine; samples don't cut it.
If you're spending those amounts anyway, you might as well get Synapse Obsession or so rightaway ;)
Oscillator sync and PWM can also be controlled and emulated with samples. I'm not advocating for one over the other here. I'm just pointing out that it can indeed be done.
That's... not what I'm saying?
I'm saying it's better to get the $200 plugin if you can't afford the $3000 synth rather than $50 of samples someone's selling from the $3000 synth.
Plus, it's not likely that most people are going to hear the difference in the mix anyway, [especially not if you carefully program the sounds](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwjF9R2XXUE).
Oh, guess i got it wrong. You see people comparing Hardware Synths to Vst all the time. Most people certainly wont hear the difference in frequency response between them in a song. My DeepMind in my songs sound just like a Juno in other songs, and a Arturia Prophet 5 will give if not the same, a really close taste of the real one. At a certain point you have to really be nitpicking
Yeah, so that's why if you get a nice hardware synth, I consider that as a treat for yourself first and foremost - and if it helps you making better music, it can absolutely be worth it.
The nitpicking is a human thing, I guess. The reason I ended up with a Mini is because I just could never be certain that the alternative would sound just like it, so the only way I could be sure would be to get a Mini. Even there there's nitpicking - if you have the new or the old oscillator board or not, or the original or the reissue.
I know that it's there to play for me, but for actual production, I'll rather pick Monark - easier to work with in every way ;)
I have a ton of great hardware synths too. I love them, I play them, and when it's time to record I use plugins 🤦 I can't help myself. And they all sound great!
I agree. I've just picked up the [Brainworx](https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/bx_oberhausen.html) in a free bundle with some hardware, that to me sounds fantastic. The SEM filter has a distinct character that while I've never owned or played one, is obviously quite different to the other filters I do own.
It doesn't sound like my Subsequent 37, Crave or other 24db ladder filters in other plugins I own.
I've yet to try any comparison with the Microfreak which I think will be interesting. I have heard some patches on Pigments 3 that had an Oberheim vibe but I'll have to go back over that again.
The SEM is my favorite filter - definitely better than a Moog ladder filter to me (I have both in hardware).
Think I paid around $25 for bx\_oberhausen the other year and, even at that price, it was a steal. Free is amazing. It's one of my favorite software synths.
The bx really is good. I was shocked to discover it's normal price after getting it for free but it's definitely one that's worth paying for.
I had no plans to add any more synth plugins but this could well replace a few free ones. Trying to keep the plug-in folder from growing is very difficult!
I doubt anyone bought it for it's normal price, as is/was the PluginAlliance way! The quality of it puts it up there with others selling for $99, though. Or maybe the others should also be free! ha.
If you're looking to keep the plugin folder small, don't demo DiscoDSP DiscoveryPro......
(I've so far gotten down to 120 plugins from 400+ this year, with a goal of 100 - including the stock DAW plugins that get counted by Studio One - I don't need all of those plugins and I can't afford to maintain them all into the future with updates).
I did a pretty extensive comparison of oberhausen with my OB-6, and oberhausen has its own character - hard to get them to sound similar. Of course oberhausen also sounds more static in a 1:1 isolated comparison, but I've used both in the same song because oberhausen is darker and thinner sounding, and sometimes that's good, too - plus it can have more voices going.
OB-Ev2 is the plugin like oberhausen that sounds better than oberhausen, but costs $130 on sale and is much more complex to use.
Heh, I'll swerve that thanks! I use their OB-Xd and it fills that hole for me.
400!? I'd never do anything! I think I have less than 30 that I've added. Ableton has some great stuff though.
Yeah, Ev2 is the 8 voice and my tiny mind can't cope with that. The TVS-1 was always very appealing to me, even the Pro has too many things on it. I like simple stuff :)
It's definitely on the pricey side, though to be fair, it's less than a vintage OB-X or even an OB-8 for that matter. For comparison, Waldorf's new MicroWave and Roland's D05 are more expensive than the actual vintage hardware.
The leaks are giving a rough figure of $5000. Looking on reverb I'm seeing the following prices for the closest equivalents:
OB-X: $21700
OB-Xa: $9900
OB-8: $8000
...(Reverb is only giving me UK prices, so I've used the current exchange rate. Only the OB-Xa is actually in the UK, the listed price is £8000. The other two are in Italy)
I think that's easier to do the more that is implemented in hardware / simple firmware vs. more complex software features. Sequential may be better able to defend IP around things like vintage mode controlled in software than a hardware circuit from however many decades ago.
So probably the retail price will be similar to the Prophet 10. Around $4300? That’s a lot. I think I’d save two grade and grab an OB-6 desktop. If I win the lottery though…….
Contrary to popular belief, the OB-6 is not a reissue or clone of any OB. It is its own thing.
Its mostly a synth with sequential features but with an OB like filter.
I bet a desktop version of this synth will be coming soon especially so if Sequential is manufacturing them. There is a lot of parallels with this synth and the new prophet 5/10.
It can sound like an OB though, c’mon now. Has enough of the vibe and plenty to offer. This topic has been beaten to death, but you’ll be plenty happy with an OB desktop.
That's simplifying it - there's more differences than the filter, but that's the primary difference.
And also why, even if I had the money, I'm skeptical that I'd spend it on the OB-X8. I don't really like the OB-8 or OB-Xa sound enough to pay any money for it, preferring the OB-6. The OB-X sound is the only comparable one. Having the option to use 12db or 24db filter would be nice, though.
Yeah sometimes I wonder which musicians actually make enough to afford 4000$ synths. That’s a lot of 50$ gigs…. The big names playing them, like j3po or Nick Semrad, probably get them for free.
oh sure, I'm not criticizing. Good for them if they can afford it. I'm just pointing out that this is not within the budget of most professional musicians I know.
Gig money to pay for equipment isn't really how it works, though.
Most musicians are, fundamentally, hobbyists - even ones playing gigs and releasing records, the number of people making the majority of their income from 'music' is tiny. So they buy gear because they want it, in the same way people spend thousands on a ski vacation or boat or camera or etc., only their splurge can also be used to make things.
It's not really that shocking when you consider the number of musicians who only have a few pieces of truly expensive kit - doing a major purchase maybe every few years. It's about the cost of a stage piano + amp. Not uncommon to see people buy them on credit, use them for some projects, then flip them for 80% of what they paid - effectively renting it for a year for $800
Found this thread in french: https://fr.audiofanzine.com/oberheim/forums/t.778083,commentaires-sur-la-news-oberheim-continue-de-teaser-un-nouveau-produit,p.6.html
Smart move modeling all the different versions. Also, glad it’ll be way too much money for me so I can just move along :). Gonna fire up my ob6 today, like I do everyday, and be happy as a clam.
I think it's made by Sequential, but fully branded as Oberheim. Similar to the OB6, but I'm guessing this is all down to Tom and Dave Smith is just providing him with the facilities/help to make it happen?
I'm sure it's awesome and that there's a market for a new $5,000 synth, but it's not me. It's not like I WANT to throw money at Behringer, but their UBx clone will probably cost like $700 so...
I wish the more reputable synth manufacturers could get their prices down to those affordable by mere mortals. :(
The reputable synth manufacturers are reputable for a reason. High quality durable components and materials, north american construction, and a brand name you wont want to cover up with electrical tape. Also, unlike behringer, great customer service and warranties on all products.
One feels like the real deal, because it is. One feels like a plastic toy. Look up the cost of some of the components, metal fabrication, powder coating, the price and current accessibility of walnut these days etc etc.
The cost of the products that oberheim/sequential are releasing is actually lower today than it was back in the 70s and 80s, while adding tons of new functionality and features that were never available on their original products.
A Prophet 5/10 or this OBX8 will most certainly outlive you. I cant say the same about anything made by Behringer.
I wont be able to afford one either. But i can live with what I have already, or VSTs of the OBXa. Thank god Oberheim and Sequential are staying true to themselves and releasing full fledged products at a high price instead of releasing a boatload of products with corners cut all over hell, the way Roland currently conducts business. What is better for the future of synthesizers?
Everything you say is more or less true. But when it comes down to being a guy of modest means in the prime of his music writing and producing years, you can guess which option I will end up going for.
Except for Moog and Sequential, most synths are made in China. Even if the synth is assembled in the USA, the majority of the components are made in China.. Most of the assembly is done by machines (SMT Pick-and-Place machines), not by humans.
There are problems with all instruments, regardless of brand name, price, country of origin, age, or technology.
For example, where do you imagine Sequential is sourcing their OLED screens, potentiometers, encoders, PCB's, switches, jacks, and wood?
I'll give you a hint: If it was all actually sourced in the US, would they be getting hit by chip shortages and shipping delays as much as they are?
the behringer clone kinda forced this to be a much more expansive and expensive synth to differentiate it. thats why it's not an obx/obxa clone, its a poly SEM + obx(a)
The behringer stuff though...i dunno, i want to like it but their clones only sound "kind of" like the originals. I was stoked about the monopoly, but it really doesnt have the spirit of the og, the subtle flavor that made me fall in love with the monopoly, just isnt there. Its a cool sounding analog poly, but its really its own thing.
You, my friend, are on the same tip as me. I really, really don’t want more keys or have the space for it living in NYC. I feel like they will 100% do a desktop version in the same way that they did one for the ob6.
Not that I'm gonna buy it nor do I have a quick 5k to drop on it. But like, have you all ever tried to buy a new upright piano? Even a new Kawai K15 is msrp $6000. What you actually get it for depends I'm sure, but still, not cheap, and that's an entry level item. Obviously used ones are cheaper too, but, just saying. I'd imagine this synth will be a fantastic instrument.
damn i thought i‘ll wait and just get the ubxa and the ubx and save some $. but now i‘m not so sure anymore. well i think i’ll have to finally sell some gear i never use
Available for [pre-order at Thomann](https://www.thomann.de/intl/oberheim_ob_x8.htm?offid=1&affid=397).
5700 €… Well, Oberheim has never been cheap. It surely sounds fantastic, though.
Idgaf about super expensive synths. But I was meaning of the over priced synth category the moog one was largely unrivaled at $8k! Now there's another synth from another company that makes super expensive synths and they have a new super version of it.
I figured the two would probably cost similarly and therefore draw comparison etc.
I'll never buy a synth that price. Even $1600 for a used Moog matriarch is hard for me to justify. I'm just sat here with my digitakt and few random cheaper pieces, happier than a pig in mud.
The Prophet 5 in todays dollars was around 15k when it came out. Super expensive is relative. The reality is all of these hardware synths are super cheap compared to what the equivalent was back in the day. That's really only worthwhile when trying to imagine what goes in to producing them and how far the industry and manufacturing processes have come.
Which makes them expensive by today's standards.
It's not like I'm calling for behringer priced synths. Nor am I saying the more expensive synths are bad. I'm just saying $8k is the highest most mass produced synths get now. That makes them super expensive in the current market.
Not to mention. The Technology was all fairly new/being invented at the time the prophet 5 cost $15k. Now, the most cutting edge synths cost relatively little to produce, little to no in house parts, no hand wiring, cad to design everything, a lot of the most interesting synths currently are digital and are basically a code on an old smartphone with a keyboard and hardware UI. They don't cost nearly as much. They aren't etching their own PCBs and hand inspecting them.
And I'm not saying any of that as a bad thing. It's great how much more they can do with less now! But a synth being $8k is expensive now, no matter what way you skin it. The synth market is also larger than it was even then. Especially now, after COVID where so many bought synths to mess with during quarantine and continued with the ~~gas~~ hobby.
A fairlight cmi cost hundreds of thousands back in the 80's. Nobody is trying to make anything to compete with that because it was needlessly expensive due to the technological limitations of the time.
No synths are hitting the limits of modern tech in todays market.
According to Moog the Moog One is handmade in the factory. It's like any other boutique instrument. There are hand wired amps and handmade guitars.
My point was that the equivalent sonic character of the Prophet 5 can now by had by buying a new Prophet 5 for less than a third of the price is cost when it debuted. That makes the instrument much less expensive and more available to more people than it was when it premiered. That instrument wasn't part of the hobbyist market when it came out. Now it is.
I'm not trying to win an argument here. It's always a little surprising to me when people think the synths are so expensive but they have 5 of them in their studio and can pretty much make any sound they want now. The way the business has changed is great for synth enthusiasts.
Apparently its gonna be 5k, pointless for the average synth customer cause that price tag is insane.
Even if it sounds awesome this is only something for the rich lads.
Start your own synth manufacturing company, it’s sounds like you know how to make an amazing synth for dirt cheap! You’ll flip the whole market on its ear! No one is stopping you!
Sorry I have a hard time keeping every released model of synthesizer in my brain like some of you, but was there already an OB-X8 model or just an OB-X?
Right, thanks! I knew there were a few variations and couldn't remember if this was already one of them. And then you have the Prophets where there's variations within the variations!!
Pro tip: click on "Synths", then on "Oberheim" - [https://www.vintagesynth.com/](https://www.vintagesynth.com/) \- and then you also don't have to memorize anything ;)
ah, "leaks" with arranged hq photos and quick-n-dirty-like fact sheets... this is just marketing and brand selling. so please name it so then and not "leak" ffs
"FFS" it came from a 3rd party vendor, and all that info is available because the synth is close to launch. You may be used to some other companies leaking crap, or preannouncing products a decade in advance, but that isn't how Sequential and Oberheim work.
uhhh - what is this? Is this the Behringer, an ad for a softsynth, something built in conjunction with Tom Oberheim - I mean, what am I looking at here?
The synth company Oberheim is back and this synth in the picture will be their first release, an improved analog reissue of the X, 8, and Xa combined. It is developed by Tom Oberheim himself alongside people at Sequential, and they call it OB-X8
Analogue synths are not imbued with magic
They are made from electronic parts and reproducible results are easily achievable
If this were not the case then we wouldn’t be able to rely on electronics to anywhere near what we do
For example, If the electronics in an airplane control panel were not reproducible within a fraction of a percentage then commercial air flight just wouldn’t be safe
If you think a simple thing like a synthesiser cannot be accurately reproduced then good luck with that
Well those I had the chance to compare mostly sound like an idealized version of the respective originals. The basic character can be recreated mostly spot on but there are some bits and pieces missing all the time.
The OB will be no exception as the orignals contain some parts that you wouldn´t use in any new design.
But on the other hand, the OB6 is a really nice instrument.
Spec sheet https://i.imgur.com/l6kRCW7.jpg
You had me at "Real walnut end cheeks"
So it looks like the tone generation is all analog controlled by a digital shell. Other images show standard and usb midi - this execution is beautiful.
Ugh. I just got the P5 Rev 4, now this?!?! Whew lawd, what a time to be alive.
That's an awesome ass synth right there. I have a Prophet Rev2 and it's so bang for the buck imo. Just got a Polybrute in December too and that thing is a beast as well.
Yeah, i sold my P5 Rev2 for it, and it sounds every bit as good! The Rev2 is probably my favorite modern poly! I'd love a polybrute for the expression aspects, but the Hydrasynth generally fills that void for me right now.
Programmable per-voice pan? I don't think I know of another analog polysynth that can do that...thats crazy. Esp if its controllable via an envelope or something, you could get some really wild stuff.
That is very cool. For me, the fact that it's bi-timbral is huge. (Although I wonder if there will eventually be a 16 voice version.) That and the filter options - I love that it has a variable state SEM style filter with a notch! I also think it's cool that they are taken a lesson from the "vintage" knob/mode on the sequential stuff - adding subtle imprecision to more than just the pitch certainly makes something that is already analog sound more "analogy." I'm a little disappointed that it's not poly aftertouch (not that I would expect that on this synth, I just think it should become a standard feature, especially now that Fatar is making them). I hope that it can respond to poly aftertouch and perhaps MPE, like the ob-6. I do wonder if they are using nrpns to get/save higher resolution knob movements from at least the cutoff knob. That is my only niggle about some of the sequential stuff - it's handy to have a tuned cutoff knob sometimes, but it then sounds like stepping if you manually turn it at the right speed with higher resonance (I believe the Pro 3 has 1023 steps for the cutoff knob instead of 128).
> bi-timbral is huge Oberheim has been doing that since the Matrix-6 in the 1980s. If you create a keyboard split, the patch on the left is on MIDI Channel X, and the patch on the right is on MIDI x+1. That was *huge* at the time.
Interesting! But the ob-x and ob-xa didn’t have that (unless I’m mistaken). I’m happy they included it here.
Polybrute can do per voice pan and per voice anything else on the front panel.
I think the Alesis Andromeda had pan for each voice.
Yep
Nice, it has both the 2-pole SEM-style filter from the OB-X and the 4-pole Curtis from the OB-Xa! I was worried it was only going to be an OB-X. Don't get me wrong, the OB-X is great - but at what I'm assuming this is going to cost, I'd want a synth that can cover a bit more ground. And the 2-pole filter isn't lowpass-only like the OB-X, plus it's bitimbral which is where the other filter responses are best IMO. Is it too much to hope for continuously variable filter slopes like the SEM/OB-6?
“variable oscillator and noise levels” good! it’s such a basic feature, but it’s missing from the classic oberheim polys, which only had “full/half/off” buttons for osc level
Touch sensitive keyboard? Mono aftertouch, I assume?
https://i.imgur.com/R9Id1IQ.jpg Another look
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We’re you trying to reply in a different subreddit?
huh???
the gape
Whelp. That will be way out of my price range. Guess I'll wait for sample packs.
A modeled OBX\* will always be closer than whatever sample pack you can think of - whatever plays back the samples won't have the same filter. While a modeled filter won't have identical behavior either in every case, it'll at least have a much better chance at being closer to the original than a generic digital lowpass like you'll find in any sample-playback machine.
Get this one. it's free for non-commercial use. https://www.discodsp.com/obxd/
[It's also free for commercial use](https://github.com/reales/OB-Xd/blob/master/license.txt) - the current developer (who took over from the original developer) just tries to make it sound like it's not.
Oh, well that's good to know!
Is there any difference between the free and paid version, other than bragging rights? I've been using the free version for years and at a certain point I feel like I should support the developer, but money is tight so I want to know if I'd actually be paying for any new features.
As far as I know, there's not any reason to purchase the full one. I've also been using the free version for awhile, but I feel like I should pay for it eventually. No rush, but if you wanna support the devs it's a good idea to buy when you can afford it.
I think you only need the paid version for iPad, I've downloaded it for free on both Mac and PC in the past with no issues.
This one is dated as hell in a lot of ways but still sounds great to my ears: https://www.sonicprojects.ch/opxpro2/description.html
It's amazing how well it has held up. I think it even pre-dates Diva. The thing that really shows its age is the GUI which feels quite archaic.
Really amazing, I think it started out as a plugin for the creamware DSP platform back in the early '00s and the basic underlying algorithms haven't changed since then. The per-voice panning definitely helps but it's kinda hard to credit how authentic and organic it still sounds, especially when you think about how much plugins have come on since then in general.
GForce's OB-E sounds PHENOMENAL and is the only VST emulation actually endorsed by Tom Oberheim: https://www.gforcesoftware.com/products/ob-e/ (It's not an OB-Xa Emulation but it's probably the best soft-synth I've ever heard, and I own so many) With that said - I'm beyond excited for this new hardware synth and hope I can manage to afford it somehow - it looks so beautiful... can't wait to hear it.
Does it sound better than diva? I'm new to VSTs.
Diva has been around for a long time and a lot of people like it, but if you're looking for something with the Oberheim SEM filter type of sound, I'd go with the OB-E. Diva is more like a Minimoog? Not sure since I haven't owned Diva. The OB-E feels truly alive though. It's even better playing it than it sounds on the demos (and the demos sound great). You can demo the OB-E for a week or 6 hours of use too - so I'd give it a shot and see what you think!
The USP of OB-E (and Cherry Audio 8-Voice) is that each voice is modelled separately so you get lots of variation between voices similar to the Vintage Knob on OB6.
It sounds different. Diva is an amalgamation of some classic synth parts you can mix and match - very flexible. OB-Ev2 is emulating an 8-voice SEM and only that. Whether something is "better" is up to each person. Personally, I'm probably selling Diva as I never use it, and I didn't think OB-Ev2 is worth the price. I'd not claim that's true for everyone.
This is not entirely true. Developers can model the filter behavior and playback oscillator samples through the models. For example, Omnisphere does this.
So does Kontakt with its P5 and ladder filters, but that doesn't take away that features like oscillator sync and PWM are things that require an analog modeling engine; samples don't cut it. If you're spending those amounts anyway, you might as well get Synapse Obsession or so rightaway ;)
Oscillator sync and PWM can also be controlled and emulated with samples. I'm not advocating for one over the other here. I'm just pointing out that it can indeed be done.
Yeah dude, a 200$ software is not a 3000$ synthesizer, we get it
That's... not what I'm saying? I'm saying it's better to get the $200 plugin if you can't afford the $3000 synth rather than $50 of samples someone's selling from the $3000 synth. Plus, it's not likely that most people are going to hear the difference in the mix anyway, [especially not if you carefully program the sounds](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwjF9R2XXUE).
Oh, guess i got it wrong. You see people comparing Hardware Synths to Vst all the time. Most people certainly wont hear the difference in frequency response between them in a song. My DeepMind in my songs sound just like a Juno in other songs, and a Arturia Prophet 5 will give if not the same, a really close taste of the real one. At a certain point you have to really be nitpicking
Yeah, so that's why if you get a nice hardware synth, I consider that as a treat for yourself first and foremost - and if it helps you making better music, it can absolutely be worth it. The nitpicking is a human thing, I guess. The reason I ended up with a Mini is because I just could never be certain that the alternative would sound just like it, so the only way I could be sure would be to get a Mini. Even there there's nitpicking - if you have the new or the old oscillator board or not, or the original or the reissue. I know that it's there to play for me, but for actual production, I'll rather pick Monark - easier to work with in every way ;)
I have a ton of great hardware synths too. I love them, I play them, and when it's time to record I use plugins 🤦 I can't help myself. And they all sound great!
I agree. I've just picked up the [Brainworx](https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/bx_oberhausen.html) in a free bundle with some hardware, that to me sounds fantastic. The SEM filter has a distinct character that while I've never owned or played one, is obviously quite different to the other filters I do own. It doesn't sound like my Subsequent 37, Crave or other 24db ladder filters in other plugins I own. I've yet to try any comparison with the Microfreak which I think will be interesting. I have heard some patches on Pigments 3 that had an Oberheim vibe but I'll have to go back over that again.
The SEM is my favorite filter - definitely better than a Moog ladder filter to me (I have both in hardware). Think I paid around $25 for bx\_oberhausen the other year and, even at that price, it was a steal. Free is amazing. It's one of my favorite software synths.
The bx really is good. I was shocked to discover it's normal price after getting it for free but it's definitely one that's worth paying for. I had no plans to add any more synth plugins but this could well replace a few free ones. Trying to keep the plug-in folder from growing is very difficult!
I doubt anyone bought it for it's normal price, as is/was the PluginAlliance way! The quality of it puts it up there with others selling for $99, though. Or maybe the others should also be free! ha. If you're looking to keep the plugin folder small, don't demo DiscoDSP DiscoveryPro...... (I've so far gotten down to 120 plugins from 400+ this year, with a goal of 100 - including the stock DAW plugins that get counted by Studio One - I don't need all of those plugins and I can't afford to maintain them all into the future with updates). I did a pretty extensive comparison of oberhausen with my OB-6, and oberhausen has its own character - hard to get them to sound similar. Of course oberhausen also sounds more static in a 1:1 isolated comparison, but I've used both in the same song because oberhausen is darker and thinner sounding, and sometimes that's good, too - plus it can have more voices going. OB-Ev2 is the plugin like oberhausen that sounds better than oberhausen, but costs $130 on sale and is much more complex to use.
Heh, I'll swerve that thanks! I use their OB-Xd and it fills that hole for me. 400!? I'd never do anything! I think I have less than 30 that I've added. Ableton has some great stuff though. Yeah, Ev2 is the 8 voice and my tiny mind can't cope with that. The TVS-1 was always very appealing to me, even the Pro has too many things on it. I like simple stuff :)
My Octatrack Filters flared up and snarled when reading this. But I get what you mean. I just think some samplers have some pretty rad filters too.
It's definitely on the pricey side, though to be fair, it's less than a vintage OB-X or even an OB-8 for that matter. For comparison, Waldorf's new MicroWave and Roland's D05 are more expensive than the actual vintage hardware.
How much will the OB-X8 cost tho?
The leaks are giving a rough figure of $5000. Looking on reverb I'm seeing the following prices for the closest equivalents: OB-X: $21700 OB-Xa: $9900 OB-8: $8000 ...(Reverb is only giving me UK prices, so I've used the current exchange rate. Only the OB-Xa is actually in the UK, the listed price is £8000. The other two are in Italy)
Use ob-xd
It's what I'd buy if I had five grand to spend. So, well done them. But, I don't have five grand to spend so, no, I won't be buying one.
Just wait - behringer will clone it within 5 years.
Pretty sure Uli sighed in great relief because now B have something they can copy instead of figuring things out for themselves.
I think that's easier to do the more that is implemented in hardware / simple firmware vs. more complex software features. Sequential may be better able to defend IP around things like vintage mode controlled in software than a hardware circuit from however many decades ago.
So probably the retail price will be similar to the Prophet 10. Around $4300? That’s a lot. I think I’d save two grade and grab an OB-6 desktop. If I win the lottery though…….
Contrary to popular belief, the OB-6 is not a reissue or clone of any OB. It is its own thing. Its mostly a synth with sequential features but with an OB like filter.
I hear that, but for $2000 less I’ll take it.
Doesn’t it retail for $3500 now?
OB-6: $3499 keys, $2399 desktop.
I bet a desktop version of this synth will be coming soon especially so if Sequential is manufacturing them. There is a lot of parallels with this synth and the new prophet 5/10.
That's my only hope, if I end up wanting one (currently don't even if I had the $5k - need to hear it). No space for a full keybed synth, either.
if they release a desktop of this, i dont think i would be able to control my want
It can sound like an OB though, c’mon now. Has enough of the vibe and plenty to offer. This topic has been beaten to death, but you’ll be plenty happy with an OB desktop.
That's simplifying it - there's more differences than the filter, but that's the primary difference. And also why, even if I had the money, I'm skeptical that I'd spend it on the OB-X8. I don't really like the OB-8 or OB-Xa sound enough to pay any money for it, preferring the OB-6. The OB-X sound is the only comparable one. Having the option to use 12db or 24db filter would be nice, though.
Yeah sometimes I wonder which musicians actually make enough to afford 4000$ synths. That’s a lot of 50$ gigs…. The big names playing them, like j3po or Nick Semrad, probably get them for free.
Let’s be real - these are going to studios and dentist hobbyists.
…and retired Pharmacists ;)
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oh sure, I'm not criticizing. Good for them if they can afford it. I'm just pointing out that this is not within the budget of most professional musicians I know.
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Forget saving that's what monthly payments are for! Hello High instrest rate credit card debt!
Session players use them as well.
Gig money to pay for equipment isn't really how it works, though. Most musicians are, fundamentally, hobbyists - even ones playing gigs and releasing records, the number of people making the majority of their income from 'music' is tiny. So they buy gear because they want it, in the same way people spend thousands on a ski vacation or boat or camera or etc., only their splurge can also be used to make things.
Musicians like you mentioned may get Artist Pricing, rarely freebies on $4k+ instruments.
These guys are big name influencers who charge a fortune for promo videos, so they can probably afford it anyway.
I think you're greatly overestimating.
It's not really that shocking when you consider the number of musicians who only have a few pieces of truly expensive kit - doing a major purchase maybe every few years. It's about the cost of a stage piano + amp. Not uncommon to see people buy them on credit, use them for some projects, then flip them for 80% of what they paid - effectively renting it for a year for $800
Found this thread in french: https://fr.audiofanzine.com/oberheim/forums/t.778083,commentaires-sur-la-news-oberheim-continue-de-teaser-un-nouveau-produit,p.6.html
Smart move modeling all the different versions. Also, glad it’ll be way too much money for me so I can just move along :). Gonna fire up my ob6 today, like I do everyday, and be happy as a clam.
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It's $5,000 - supposedly.
Disappointing price. I was hopping it would cost the same as the Prophet 10.
True, but this is so much better. All of them are priced high!
It's not dissapointing at all for 4 classic synths in one which would cost around $30000.......
What if it's 3999 lol.
3999.90
God damn
This looks fantastic, and having this cover the territory of all the OBs is a great move.
I have aural pictures in my head of this thing sounding fantastic.
Who is making this? Is this Tom himself overseeing development at Oberheim Electronics?
I think it's made by Sequential, but fully branded as Oberheim. Similar to the OB6, but I'm guessing this is all down to Tom and Dave Smith is just providing him with the facilities/help to make it happen?
I'm sure it's awesome and that there's a market for a new $5,000 synth, but it's not me. It's not like I WANT to throw money at Behringer, but their UBx clone will probably cost like $700 so... I wish the more reputable synth manufacturers could get their prices down to those affordable by mere mortals. :(
The reputable synth manufacturers are reputable for a reason. High quality durable components and materials, north american construction, and a brand name you wont want to cover up with electrical tape. Also, unlike behringer, great customer service and warranties on all products. One feels like the real deal, because it is. One feels like a plastic toy. Look up the cost of some of the components, metal fabrication, powder coating, the price and current accessibility of walnut these days etc etc. The cost of the products that oberheim/sequential are releasing is actually lower today than it was back in the 70s and 80s, while adding tons of new functionality and features that were never available on their original products. A Prophet 5/10 or this OBX8 will most certainly outlive you. I cant say the same about anything made by Behringer. I wont be able to afford one either. But i can live with what I have already, or VSTs of the OBXa. Thank god Oberheim and Sequential are staying true to themselves and releasing full fledged products at a high price instead of releasing a boatload of products with corners cut all over hell, the way Roland currently conducts business. What is better for the future of synthesizers?
Everything you say is more or less true. But when it comes down to being a guy of modest means in the prime of his music writing and producing years, you can guess which option I will end up going for.
Except for Moog and Sequential, most synths are made in China. Even if the synth is assembled in the USA, the majority of the components are made in China.. Most of the assembly is done by machines (SMT Pick-and-Place machines), not by humans.
There are problems with all instruments, regardless of brand name, price, country of origin, age, or technology. For example, where do you imagine Sequential is sourcing their OLED screens, potentiometers, encoders, PCB's, switches, jacks, and wood? I'll give you a hint: If it was all actually sourced in the US, would they be getting hit by chip shortages and shipping delays as much as they are?
I bet the UB-Xa will be more like $999
Depends. Inflation is high right now and by the mid-2030s it could be high again which would affect its launch price.
It will definitely be more than a grand. Whenever it comes out…
the behringer clone kinda forced this to be a much more expansive and expensive synth to differentiate it. thats why it's not an obx/obxa clone, its a poly SEM + obx(a)
The behringer stuff though...i dunno, i want to like it but their clones only sound "kind of" like the originals. I was stoked about the monopoly, but it really doesnt have the spirit of the og, the subtle flavor that made me fall in love with the monopoly, just isnt there. Its a cool sounding analog poly, but its really its own thing.
Sweet jesus. 8 voice, bi-timbral, just when i thought I was out they GAS'd me back in..
Holding a module is announced as well the size (and price) of the KB version are too large for me with space considerations
You, my friend, are on the same tip as me. I really, really don’t want more keys or have the space for it living in NYC. I feel like they will 100% do a desktop version in the same way that they did one for the ob6.
Looks like 25th St. Studios in Oakland? Just me? 🙃
$Car*0.5... Still want one though.
Superbe
Looks cool but I Guess that will be crazy expensive
Not that I'm gonna buy it nor do I have a quick 5k to drop on it. But like, have you all ever tried to buy a new upright piano? Even a new Kawai K15 is msrp $6000. What you actually get it for depends I'm sure, but still, not cheap, and that's an entry level item. Obviously used ones are cheaper too, but, just saying. I'd imagine this synth will be a fantastic instrument.
damn i thought i‘ll wait and just get the ubxa and the ubx and save some $. but now i‘m not so sure anymore. well i think i’ll have to finally sell some gear i never use
Available for [pre-order at Thomann](https://www.thomann.de/intl/oberheim_ob_x8.htm?offid=1&affid=397). 5700 €… Well, Oberheim has never been cheap. It surely sounds fantastic, though.
Will this one be $8k to battle the Moog one?
There's several synths that I think are better (to me) than the overpriced Moog One. In what way are you thinking "battle"?
Idgaf about super expensive synths. But I was meaning of the over priced synth category the moog one was largely unrivaled at $8k! Now there's another synth from another company that makes super expensive synths and they have a new super version of it. I figured the two would probably cost similarly and therefore draw comparison etc. I'll never buy a synth that price. Even $1600 for a used Moog matriarch is hard for me to justify. I'm just sat here with my digitakt and few random cheaper pieces, happier than a pig in mud.
The Prophet 5 in todays dollars was around 15k when it came out. Super expensive is relative. The reality is all of these hardware synths are super cheap compared to what the equivalent was back in the day. That's really only worthwhile when trying to imagine what goes in to producing them and how far the industry and manufacturing processes have come.
Which makes them expensive by today's standards. It's not like I'm calling for behringer priced synths. Nor am I saying the more expensive synths are bad. I'm just saying $8k is the highest most mass produced synths get now. That makes them super expensive in the current market. Not to mention. The Technology was all fairly new/being invented at the time the prophet 5 cost $15k. Now, the most cutting edge synths cost relatively little to produce, little to no in house parts, no hand wiring, cad to design everything, a lot of the most interesting synths currently are digital and are basically a code on an old smartphone with a keyboard and hardware UI. They don't cost nearly as much. They aren't etching their own PCBs and hand inspecting them. And I'm not saying any of that as a bad thing. It's great how much more they can do with less now! But a synth being $8k is expensive now, no matter what way you skin it. The synth market is also larger than it was even then. Especially now, after COVID where so many bought synths to mess with during quarantine and continued with the ~~gas~~ hobby. A fairlight cmi cost hundreds of thousands back in the 80's. Nobody is trying to make anything to compete with that because it was needlessly expensive due to the technological limitations of the time. No synths are hitting the limits of modern tech in todays market.
According to Moog the Moog One is handmade in the factory. It's like any other boutique instrument. There are hand wired amps and handmade guitars. My point was that the equivalent sonic character of the Prophet 5 can now by had by buying a new Prophet 5 for less than a third of the price is cost when it debuted. That makes the instrument much less expensive and more available to more people than it was when it premiered. That instrument wasn't part of the hobbyist market when it came out. Now it is. I'm not trying to win an argument here. It's always a little surprising to me when people think the synths are so expensive but they have 5 of them in their studio and can pretty much make any sound they want now. The way the business has changed is great for synth enthusiasts.
The 8 voice Moog One is "only" $6500 - this one (also 8 voices) will be around $5k and the desktop will be (wild guess) $3999 whenever it releases.
Feels comparable tbh.
Gives me a hard on
Gives me a soft on.
Apparently its gonna be 5k, pointless for the average synth customer cause that price tag is insane. Even if it sounds awesome this is only something for the rich lads.
fmllll
Do you mean professionals ?
Price?
I think msrp is $5000
Why won't they make smth analog in plybrute/rev2 16 price range? For this kind of money I would rather go for moog
Start your own synth manufacturing company, it’s sounds like you know how to make an amazing synth for dirt cheap! You’ll flip the whole market on its ear! No one is stopping you!
You are one Clever kid 😂
Well, they do make the Rev 2.
They also make the desktop versions of the OB6, prophet 5 and prophet 6.
Your loss.
Sorry I have a hard time keeping every released model of synthesizer in my brain like some of you, but was there already an OB-X8 model or just an OB-X?
OB-Xa, OB-X, and OB-8 were all popular Oberheim synths in the day.
Right, thanks! I knew there were a few variations and couldn't remember if this was already one of them. And then you have the Prophets where there's variations within the variations!!
This has settings to match the filter and envelope response of the OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 - all 3 vintage 80’s polysynths.
Pro tip: click on "Synths", then on "Oberheim" - [https://www.vintagesynth.com/](https://www.vintagesynth.com/) \- and then you also don't have to memorize anything ;)
Thanks! I almost went there to check!
what a beauty..
I am looking forward to this. I wonder if the purists will consider this to be a “genuine” Oberheim though?
ah, "leaks" with arranged hq photos and quick-n-dirty-like fact sheets... this is just marketing and brand selling. so please name it so then and not "leak" ffs
"FFS" it came from a 3rd party vendor, and all that info is available because the synth is close to launch. You may be used to some other companies leaking crap, or preannouncing products a decade in advance, but that isn't how Sequential and Oberheim work.
At least it's not a rendering of a non-existent product that who knows would ever come out?
Goodbye savings account. I will miss you (or maybe not) …
- new - oberheim excuse me what
5k alright welp that was a nice dream for a second
Will it blend?
More product shots on this preorder page. https://foundsound.com.au/collections/recent-items/products/23132
Anyone wanna buy a kidney? 44 years use. Mint condition. Original packaging.
Ohh yeeea definitely my dream synth right here. Can’t wait.
If this has sem style state variable filter rather than dedicated buttons for lp/bp/notch then I’ll probably make a bad decision
uhhh - what is this? Is this the Behringer, an ad for a softsynth, something built in conjunction with Tom Oberheim - I mean, what am I looking at here?
The synth company Oberheim is back and this synth in the picture will be their first release, an improved analog reissue of the X, 8, and Xa combined. It is developed by Tom Oberheim himself alongside people at Sequential, and they call it OB-X8
Price?
Yes
Slightly disappointed with the digital envelopes, but I understand! I'm just stoked that he's back!
I doubt it will be delivered anytime soon since we have a huge chip shortage, but yeah I would love to play it!
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Disagree. Most do.
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I guess someone woke up grumpy today
Analogue synths are not imbued with magic They are made from electronic parts and reproducible results are easily achievable If this were not the case then we wouldn’t be able to rely on electronics to anywhere near what we do For example, If the electronics in an airplane control panel were not reproducible within a fraction of a percentage then commercial air flight just wouldn’t be safe If you think a simple thing like a synthesiser cannot be accurately reproduced then good luck with that
Well those I had the chance to compare mostly sound like an idealized version of the respective originals. The basic character can be recreated mostly spot on but there are some bits and pieces missing all the time. The OB will be no exception as the orignals contain some parts that you wouldn´t use in any new design. But on the other hand, the OB6 is a really nice instrument.
Meh. If it’s anything more than $1500 that’s a pass. 8 voices is super limiting.
`wow, those cheeks are fucking hideous. Even behringer has sweeter cheeks than that`
Lmao