Oberheim • OB-X
The first of the OB series Oberheim synths, this is a classic analog synthesizer available in 4, 6 or 8 voice configurations. It featured a 2 pole VCF lowpass filter with its own ADSR, a VCA with ADSR, a flexible LFO section, polyphonic sample and hold, polyphonic portamento and 32 patches of memory. Although it has been over-shadowed by the bigger and more popular OB-Xa and OB-8 synths which offer more flexible programming, the OB-X still holds its own. Capable of lush analog synth sounds comparable to the Sequential Prophet 5 but at a reasonable price. The OB-X also gives you Polymod functionality, something that the OB-Xa and OB-8 do not have. This synth is definitely worth checking out. It has been used by Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Cirrus, Depeche Mode, Queen, Supertramp, Kenny Kirkland, Jean-Michel Jarre, Japan, Tangerine Dream, Rush, Simple Minds, Chicago, Styx, Ultravox and dozens more!
comparably, its succesor OB-XA aint smooth, but one raw, angry beast (which i love too), thanks to Curtis chips. also, X output is like 10 dB hotter than XA. OBX only uses CEM3310 envelopes.
most notable albums, heavily based on OBX
Tangerine Dream "Tangram" and "Exit"
Jarre "Magnetic Fields"
Queen "Play The Game" & "Flash Gordon"
Japan "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" etc
if u get one: replace all capacitors with quality, voiceboards and PSU. replace VCO tune trimmers with hq multi-turns like bournes.
Won grammy awards for best song & best arrangement of the year with that one...
Spotted it being played in the *intro* of this live tv performance:
http://www.veoh.com/browse/v ideos/category/music/watch/v6552457HsS6f 7Bd