Oberheim OB-X8

Pure Analog

The audio signal path of the OB-X8 is all analog, filled with warmth and punch. It’s the same trademark Oberheim sound that made iconic tracks like 1999 by Prince, Jump by Van Halen, and Tom Sawyer by Rush so unforgettable. And now it’s yours to enhance your own music.

All New Sounds

The classic OB-series factory sounds that you know from countless recordings are all here. But that’s just the start: our network of world-class sound designers have created jaw-dropping new sounds just for the OB-X. And because the OB-X8 has a clear and easy-to-grasp set of controls, creating your own sounds is as easy as turning a few knobs and saving what you like.

Three In One

The OB-X8 combines the three different voice architectures of the OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 into a single instrument. The individual filter types and other unique characteristics of each model have been faithfully reproduced, giving you the most authentic OB experience possible. You can even mix elements of different models to create sounds never possible with the originals. There’s never been an OB-series synth as powerful and versatile.

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Meticulously Matched

Creating the classic OB sound required more than just replicating vintage oscillators, filters, and envelopes.

The Oberheim design team exhaustively analyzed and recreated the complex interactions between the various components of each OB-series synth to capture their nuances and character.

The result is the most faithful, authoritative renewal of an analog classic possible — with all of the warmth, subtlety, and presence of the originals.

Page 2022

OB insiders know that myriad “page 2″ functions unlocked the hidden power of the original OB-X, OB-Xa, ad OB-8.

We’ve included all of the classic page 2 parameters and created new ones for 2022, giving you direct access to 40+ nuanced controls such as additional SEM filter modes, per-voice panning, LFO keyboard tracking, Mod delay time and envelope inversion, independent pulse width control, and much more.

A Tactile Triumph

The unique design of the expression levers was integral to bringing out performances that made the OB-series synths famous.

And for even greater expressiveness than the originals, the OB-X8 features a premium-quality Fatar keyboard with velocity and aftertouch sensitivity. Dig in with both holds for sizzling filter sweeps, intense vibrato and more.

Master

Set master volume, tuning, volume balance for splits and doubles, as well as chord memory and note hold functions here.

Control

Here you can set the amount of oscillator 2 detuning and add as much “vintage” character as you like. Vintage mode affects the voice-to-voice variability of OB-X8 envelopes, oscillators, and LFO to replicate the behavior of vintage instruments with all of their organic instabilities. Additionally, activate and route aftertouch and velocity sensitivity, set portamento (glide) amount, and turn on unison voice stacking.

Modulation 

Here you can route the LFO (low frequency oscillator) to a variety of destinations to create rhythmic filter sweeps, pulse width modulation, vibrato, tremolo, and other effects. Choose from six waveforms: sine, square, sample & hold (random), up saw, down saw, and triangle.

Oscillators 

Select the waveforms that generate the raw sound of the OB-X8. Each of the two discrete SEM-lineage oscillators produce sawtooth, pulse, or triangle waves. Combine pulse and sawtooth waves for extra punch. Hard sync and Xmod (oscillator frequency modulation) add more edge and sonic possibilities.

Keyboard 

This is where the bi-timbral  capability (two different sounds at once) of the OB-X8 comes into play. Choose any two presets (“upper” and “lower”) and assign them to two different regions of the keyboard. Alternatively, layer them together for more complex textures. Adjust panning and volume independently for each preset.

Filter 

This is the soul of the OB-X8 sound. Choose between the three different analog filter configurations that gave the original OB-X, OB-Xa and OB8 their unique character.

First, the classic SEM-lineage, two-pole, discrete low-pass OB-X filter is here, with its unmistakable ballsy sound. But it’s even more powerful on the OB-X8 because we’ve included not just the low-pass mode from OB-X, but all modes of the original SEM design — low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and notch, exponentially expanding the sonic possibilities.

From the OB-Xa and OB-8 we’ve also included the classic CEM3320 filter with both 2-pole and 4-pole modes, which gave those instruments their distinctive flavor.  

Envelope 

The 4-stage (attack, decay, sustain, release) filter and volume envelopes give shape to the harmonics  and loudness of OB-X8 sounds. Use these to make the OB-X8 whisper, growl, or scream by controlling the softness or percussiveness of synthesized textures.

OLED 

Scroll through sound banks  and access powerful “Page 2” functions for extra filter mode configurations, pan spread, LFO rate scaling, portamento modes, programmable bend box parameters, and more.

Programmer 

Select and save presets and access Global settings such as aftertouch curves, alternate tuning scales, MIDI parameters, and more.

Levers

If you want to bend notes and add vibrato or other real-time modulation, look no further. This is where you’ll find the classic, performance-friendly Oberheim pitch and mod levers. The levers feature programmable bend range and mod amount as well as the the ability to apply their effect to one or both oscillators.

The bend box also provides a second LFO with six different waveforms (triangle, square, Up Saw, Down Saw, sample & hold, and Noise). This LFO is dedicated to performance using the mod lever. Also present is a full-featured arpeggiator which can be applied independently to splits and doubles.

Arpeggiator

Use the arpeggiator to create chord-based rhythmic patterns. Hold down several notes and the arpeggiator will cycle through them at the rate that you set and a pattern that you choose: up, down, up & down, or note order played. You can transpose the arpeggio up or down an octave and apply it to one or both parts in a split or double.

MIDI Interface

The OB-X8 provides standard MIDI in/out/thru connections as well as USB for communicating with other electronic instruments or digital audio workstations (DAWS).

Inputs

Connect your pedals here and use them to sustain notes, create volume swells, perform filter sweeps, and trigger the arpeggiator.

Outputs

The OB-X8 provides both mono and stereo line-level outputs. Connect audio cables to these jacks, plug into a mixer or amp, and start performing or recording. Use the Page 2 enhancements to save stereo pan settings (4L4R, Ping Pong, Splayed, or Spread) per program.

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Specifications

Hardware

• 8-voice polyphony with sine, saw, square, triangle, and noise
• Two discrete SEM-lineage VCOs per voice deliver classic punchy Oberheim tone
• Discrete SEM-lineage VCFs deliver authentic OB-X-style tone and presence
• Genuine Curtis filters add bold OB-Xa/OB-8 character
• Meticulously modeled envelope responses match each OB model: OB-X, Ob-Xa, and OB-8
• The 61-key FATAR velocity- and touch-sensitive keyboard allows unparalleled expression and responsiveness
• Bi-timbral capability allows two presets simultaneously for splits and doubles
• 600-plus factory programs, including the full set of factory sounds for the OB-X, Ob-Xa, and OB-8
• Integral fanless heatsink-free power supply
• Real walnut end cheeks
• High-resolution OLED display enables patch management and easy access to advanced features
• Classic Oberheim Pitch and Mod levers allow expressive note bending, vibrato, and access to arpeggiator functions

Enhancements

• Additional SEM filter modes add high-pass, band-pass, and notch functions to the classic OB-X filter
• Vintage knob allows variable amounts of voice-to-voice variability to emulate the behavior of vintage instruments 
• Velocity sensitivity adds expressiveness to volume and filter 
• Channel Aftertouch adds real-time performance-based modulation
• Enhanced unison allows variable voice stacking from 1-8 voices
• Adjustable pulse-width per oscillator enables richer and more animated timbres
• Programmable per-voice pan allows wider stereo presence
• Variable oscillator and noise levels
• LFO keyboard tracking adds per-note variation in LFO speed

Ins & Outs

• L/R Stereo and Mono outputs
• Volume, Sustain, Filter, and Arpeggiator pedal inputs
• MIDI In, Out, Thru
• USB