Dave Smith Oberheim OB-X8 8-voice Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer

The name Oberheim is practically synonymous with audio synthesizers, with founder Tom Oberheim considered one of the most influential figures in the history of the music industry. Nearly four decades since the last official Oberheim instrument, the juggernaut manufacturer reemerges with Oberheim himself steering the ship. Celebrating Oberheim's triumphant return is the OB-X8 polyphonic analog synthesizer, paying homage to the illustrious OB series by faithfully re-creating three of its models within a single synthesizer. By combining all the primary features of the OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 models, the OB-X8 contains a selection of the most unforgettable and iconic synth sounds of the '80s, complete with individual filter types and all the presets that made each a standout instrument. An all-analog signal path means the OB-X8 is just as sonically warm and full as its older siblings, with labelled sections containing tactile buttons and knobs for easy and complete control of your sound. Its 61-key FATAR keyboard is both velocity and -touch sensitive, providing unlimited options for expressive playing at your fingertips. And though the OB-X8 is a "classic" synthesizer, modern optimizations in the form of an OLED screen and MIDI/USB compatibility make it the perfect addition to any synthesist's arsenal. Don't miss out on the long-awaited return of one of the synthesizer's pillars of design and ingenuity!

The Oberheim OB series: dominating the airwaves since '79

While the uninitiated may not have played or experienced an Oberheim in person, anyone who has flipped through radio stations over the last four decades is sure to have heard one of these unmistakable instruments in action. As the first offering in the series, the OB-X polyphonic analog synth only sold approximately 800 units from 1979–1981. However, a selection of these synths ended up in the hands of some of the era's most beloved music makers, including Rush on their Moving Pictures and Signals albums, Dennis DeYoung from Styx, Madonna, and even Prince. Replacing the OB-X in only two short years was the OB-Xa, which optimized the OB-X with welcome upgrades and streamlining its setup for ease of use. This synthesizer is responsible for the intro to Van Halen's timeless track "Jump," as well as gracing releases by New Order, Queen, The Police, and others. As the OB-8 replaced the OB-Xa in 1983, Oberheim's influence on music expanded into the stratosphere as artists like Alice Coltrane, Boyz Noise, Depeche Mode, Kool & The Gang, and many more adopted synthesizers as a core component of their sound.

Faithful Oberheim sound and feel with expanded functionality

One of the primary factors in the OB-X8's absolute accuracy to the OB series is its all-analog audio path. This factor is the catalyst behind the full-bodied, punchy synth sounds found in classics like "1999" by Prince and "Tom Sawyer" by Rush. This is more than just your standard clone or replication — from the components themselves to the actual interactions between said components, everything was meticulously analyzed for 1:1 realism, resulting in a powerhouse synth that delivers the sound and response of three iconic models in one. Fans of the OB-8's extensive "Page 2" functions will find a lot more to love in the OB-X8, featuring all the classic parameters alongside new ones for everything from accessing additional SEM filter modes to LFO keyboard tracking, independent pulse width control, and so much more.

Easy to control and impossible to put away

At first glance, the OB-X8's expansive control set may seem daunting. That said, Oberheim designed the OB-X8 with new and veteran users in mind, ensuring everyone can experience its sonic magic with minimal effort. Everything is labeled in function-specific sections with tactile knobs and buttons for effortless navigation across the board. The Master section controls volume and balance for dialing in splits and doubles as well as chord memory, tuning, and note hold functions. Turn to the Control section, and you're given options for Oscillator 2 detuning alongside a unique Vintage knob, affecting the voice-to-voice variability of envelopes, oscillators, and filters like the behavior of vintage instruments.

Modulation offers six different waveforms and allows you to route the LFO to a wide range of destinations, channeling everything from filter sweeps to vibrato, tremolo, and other creative effects. Oscillators dials in the base sound of the OB-X8, with two SEM/OB-X-lineage oscillators per voice and sawtooth, pulse, and triangle waveform options. The Keyboard section handles bi-timbral capability, one of the OB-X8's most impressive playing features that boasts upper and lower presets assignable to different areas of the keyboard and a wealth of controls to balance everything to taste. The Filter section is where the Oberheim sound gets its time to shine, with three unique analog configurations taken from the original OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 models. Envelopes' 4-stage filter and volume envelopes further shape your sound by focusing on the harmonics and loudness, taking you from hushed sounds to "Hallelujah Chorus" jubilance with only a handful of knobs.

For those who like to save their favorite sounds for instant recall, Programmer is your soon-to-be secret weapon, allowing you to save and select presets and access global settings for even deeper tonal tweakability. A set of programmable Levers offer vibrato and other modulation options, with a bend box providing a second LFO dedicated to the mod lever. Sweeping arpeggios and complex passages are a breeze thanks to the OB-X8's Arpeggiator section, with an ultra-visible OLED screen displaying program information and accessing the synth's "Page 2" functions. The OB-X8 delivers the sonic versatility and sound-shaping options musicians of all stripes crave — best of luck putting it away once you dive in!

Features:

• 8-voice polyphonic analog synth marking the return of Oberheim with their first instrument in 35 years
• 3 all-analog synths in one: the Oberheim OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8
• 2 discrete OB-X/SEM-lineage VCOs per voice and discrete SEM-lineage VCFs deliver that vintage Oberheim tone and punch
• Genuine Dave Curtis-designed filters deliver classic OB-Xa and OB-8 character
• Additional SEM modes for highpass, bandpass, and notch functions
• Vintage knob dials in voice-to-voice variability
• Meticulously modeled envelope responses for each model; components as well as interactions between components analyzed for 1:1 realism
• 61-key FATAR keyboard is touch- and velocity-sensitive
• Bi-timbral capability allows 2 presets to be played simultaneously
• Up to 8-voice unison stacking
• Programmable per-voice pan for a wide stereo spread
• Variable triangle wave cross modulation
• Pitch and Mod levers for note bending, vibrato, and arpeggiator access
• Includes 400+ presets from the original 3 models as well as new ones
• Over 600 user presets
• OLED display shows program information and accesses advanced features
• MIDI and USB allow for compatibility with any setup
• Genuine walnut ends