Oberheim OB-X demo

[bigbongo]

Instant Simple Minds.

[Carey M]

Thanks for making me kick myself for not buying one when I had the money and the opportunity. Sounds fantastic.

- CM

[flat earth]

Beautiful demo.

OB-X for me is the ultimate 5 oct polysynth. (MM & P5 rev.2 followed closely)

Long gone, are any hopes of owning any of them :(

[SWAN808]

its weird but I think I actually prefer the CEM Oberheim sound - the Xa and the OB8...The OBX is a classic synth but I think its just too over the top for me...

I think the Prophet 5 and OB CEM synths are my fave poly analogues...

[Xero]

there's an 8 voice rev4 obx on ebay right now for $6500 OBO. never even seen a rev4 before, but you can see it has the computer port on the side for "the system"

if i wasn't so in debt right now, i'd have already bought it.

[Don Solaris]

Great synth, very organic, but a bit too fat sounding. Id rate OB-X as the king of individual sections, but for busy mix i prefer its younger cousin OB-8.

[BM0]

Originally Posted by SWAN808

its weird but I think I actually prefer the CEM Oberheim sound - the Xa and the OB8...The OBX is a classic synth but I think its just too over the top for me...

I think the Prophet 5 and OB CEM synths are my fave poly analogues...

I am with you. I would love to have an OB-X, but I prefer the features of the OB-Xa and OB-8. Cross mod on OB-X is overrated in comparison to the features of the later ones IMO.

[flat earth]

Originally Posted by SWAN808

its weird but I think I actually prefer the CEM Oberheim sound - the Xa and the OB8...The OBX is a classic synth but I think its just too over the top for me...

Originally Posted by BM0

I am with you. I would love to have an OB-X, but I prefer the features of the OB-Xa and OB-8. Cross mod on OB-X is overrated in comparison to the features of the later ones IMO.

Interesting, but to me the beauty of the OBX, is that it has the much rounder, encompassingly rich smooth sound.

Xa and 8 have the classic CEM sizzle charactor, which sounds fantastic in its own, but is sometimes hard to iron out or get away from. I can only describe it as a beautiful pure voice, but with a slight gruff sore throat that won't go away.

I can absolutely understand people owning OBX and Xa/8.

[Demokid]

Beautiful, me like! I have never tried a OB-X but I have owned a OB-Xa (8 voice) and a OB-8. How do they compare?

[Carey M]

Originally Posted by Don Solaris

Great synth, very organic, but a bit too fat sounding.

Too fat?!? That's like saying you have too much spray-on-tan. Ain't no such thing.

If I still could get an OB-X at yesteryear's prices, I'd sell most of my other gear to buy an OB-X and a P5, and call it a day.

- CM

[Don Solaris]

Sounds great on its own.

But in the mix, occupies 20Hz-20kHz. No much space left...

[playstation]

Anyone know which one did Subdivisions by Rush? The later Curtis ones?

[Mr. Varaldo]

Originally Posted by Don Solaris

Sounds great on its own.

But in the mix, occupies 20Hz-20kHz. No much space left...

As they say in the States, Don... that's a nice problem to have!

[BM0]

I don't know. I like to think that the guys at Oberheim tried to modify on features based on what the synth players wanted at the time. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is left up to each individual. All I do know is that Oberheim synths were popular American synths in their time. To own any of them is owning a piece of American music history. The focus to detail and quality is something to be respected. Plus, they were all used in a number of hit songs. Oh, and they sound fantastic.

[michenal]

Originally Posted by Don Solaris

Sounds great on its own.

But in the mix, occupies 20Hz-20kHz. No much space left...

That's what EQs are for

[Rust Creep]

Why EQ to tame the beast.. let er sit center stage
Or use the correct tool

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[eddy72]

I have the OB-X (8 voice) and the OB-Xa here and I think the sound is very different. I love both but the OB-X sound is the best ever from all analog polysynths in my opinion. permanent goosebump guaranty

[flat earth]

Although,, I prefer the OBX over Xa, to me its the Xa that has the classic 'Oberheim' sound I assosiate so much with the 80s.

I'm pretty sure the film 'Flash Gordon' had OBXa all over it. (can hear it many times in demo below)

ie at #1.00, #3.40 and #6.19



CEMy string and OB growl as the theme progresses.

[clusterchord]

nope. Flash Gordon is mostly OB-X.

OB-XA didn't even exist when this film was made (1980), as it came out a yr later. strings definitely have smoothness that ain't CEM edge but earlier design. Xa and X have areas where they behave similar so it's easy to mistake one for another if there is a lot of modulation, but in sustained sounds its easier to tell.

big part of that string sound is reverb used, obviously something combined with complex, diffused delays. i have something similar on lex300,, where poly chords with slow env "bloom" like that.

[eddy72]

yes absolute. but all sounds in the first retrosound demo video are self-programmed and not OBXa factory sound programs.

[Don Solaris]

Originally Posted by flat earth

Although,, I prefer the OBX over Xa, to me its the Xa that has the classic 'Oberheim' sound I assosiate so much with the 80s.

I find Oberheims to sound very sad. Almost as if they cry... as in that Flash Gordon clip.

AFAIK the Queen used OB-X !

[flat earth]

Originally Posted by clusterchord

nope. Flash Gordon is mostly OB-X.

OB-XA didn't even exist when this film was made (1980), as it came out a yr later. strings definitely have smoothness that ain't CEM edge but earlier design. Xa and X have areas where they behave similar so it's easy to mistake one for another if there is a lot of modulation, but in sustained sounds its easier to tell.

big part of that string sound is reverb used, obviously something combined with complex, diffused delays. i have something similar on lex300,, where poly chords with slow env "bloom" like that.

Ok, thanks for confirming what it was. I knew it was an OB of sorts, but that 'growling' in the back ground of the Flash Gordon clip sounded very much like the 'aggressive angry' tone of the Xa. Your right, the strings were slightly too smooth for a CEM based synth, although they started to 'sizzle' as the clip went on.

Obviousley the OBX & Xa have more cross-over than I suspected.

Dang! I gotta watch this film again tonight (even though its mostly remembered for the famous whipping scene, and the Blue Peter guy getting his hand eaten by the tree beast, and Brian Blessed's larger than life, over the top acting, .. )

I will be watching it purely for sonic analysis


@eddy72

Been watching all your vids, absoloutley superb.

[BM0]

Yes, I saw a video where Brian May is jamming on an OB-X

[Mr. Varaldo]

For me the OB-X is the ultimate Italo synth! I really need to get one

used in Gazebo's album

[Mr. Varaldo]

Originally Posted by flat earth

@eddy72

Been watching all your vids, absoloutley superb.

I agree!! Thank you for all your work, Eddy, great videos!!!

[eddy72]

thanks a lot guys! and Mr Varaldo, like your page a lot!

here the OB-X in the vid:

[Analog Prophet]

Great demo Eddy! Thank you for sharing

[eddy72]

thanks a lot!

[mikael488]

Originally Posted by playstation

Anyone know which one did Subdivisions by Rush? The later Curtis ones?

Geddy used both the OB-X and OB-Xa (as well as Jupiter 8) on the Signals
album and tour.

On "Subdivisions" the OB-X does the chords and bass (the bass part may be doubled by the Taurus pedals). The solo is played on the Minimoog.