After some details were leaked about Oberheim's alleged new synth the company has now officially announced the OB-X8. According to their statement, it sounds like a classic Oberheim because it is one and uses a 100% analog audio path that cuts through a mix like no other synth. Some fans have been waiting more than 40 years for this legendary analog synth sound to return, but the OB-XE promises to be more than just a new OB-series Oberheim. Instead, it is engineered to be the best modern OB ever created.

In addition to the classic OB-series factory sounds the OB-X8 also features new sounds created for it by world-class sound designers. In addition, with its clear and easy-to-grasp set of controls, users should be able to create their own sounds with ease. The power and versatility of the OB-X8 stem from the fact that it combines the three different voice architectures of the OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8. Not only has the individual filter types and other unique characteristics of each model been faithfully reproduced, but it is also possible to mix elements of different models.

Oberheim aimed to capture all the warmth, subtlety, and presence of the originals when creating the classic OB sound. This meant that their design team had to exhaustively analyze and recreate the complex interactions between the various components of all the synths in the OB series. The OB-X8 is also a very tactile synth, which features unique designs for expression levers. It also has a premium-quality Fatar keyboard with velocity and aftertouch sensitivity.

Some of the enhancements users can look forward to include additional SEM filter modes that add high-pass, band-pass, and notch functions to the classic OB-X filter. It will also have a vintage knob that allows variable amounts of voice-to-voice variability to emulate the behavior of vintage instruments. Its velocity sensitivity adds expressiveness to volume and filter while channel aftertouch adds real-time performance-based modulation. Variable voice stacking from 1-8 voices will be possible thanks to enhanced unison and the OB-X8 also boasts variable triangle wave cross-modulation. Finally, it has over 600 user-programmable preset locations, variable oscillator, and noise levels as well as a programmable per-program pan for wider stereo presence.

Check out the video for the OB-X8 below and visit the official website for more information (https://oberheim.com/). Musicians such as Trent Reznor, Michael Stein, and Steve Porcaro are already singing the praise of the OB-X8, which is available to pre-order now at $4,999.