Oberheim • OB-X

Oberheim OB-X Image

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!


VISITOR COMMENTS

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Paris Clinton
Posted 74 days ago
It was used by Killing Joke on several records like love like blood .
clusterchord
Posted 162 days ago
one of my favorite polyanalogs of all time. smooth n creamy discrete-based classic. the filter is a variant of S.E.M. design, limited to lowpass operation - sounds very similar to FVS @LP. resonance is smooth , liquid and can get extremely powerful, nearing self-oscillation when turned to the max.

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.
Yama
Posted 201 days ago
Also used for the intro on Christopher Cross' 1980 #1 smash & universal yacht rock anthem 'Sailing'.
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
Thomas
Posted 324 days ago
I wrote a (in my own opinion a great review) on the OB-X on BlueSynths and programmed some nice sounds on my OB-X for that review. Please check out and realize that no other synth comes even close to the organic and warm sound of the OB-X.

Link: http://www.bluesynths.com/modules.php?na me=Sounds&rop=showcontent&id=37
Seth C Triggs
Posted 376 days ago
Don Grusin was known for using this model too (especially on Dave Grusin's "Out of the Shadows", listen to the first three tracks especially. The pad on Crystal Morning is great. He plays the same OBX on the "NY-LA Dream Band" album and has a nice part in "Mountain Dance." Dave Grusin's band on the Mountain Dance album also features this rig. It gave a nice and fat sound for various things.
 

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