Oberheim OB-X8
| OB-X8 | |
|---|---|
 Search Oberheim OB-X8 on Amazon. | |
| Manufacturer | Oberheim |
| Dates | 2022 – present (keyboard)[1] 2023 – present (desktop)[2] |
| Price | US$4,999 (keyboard)[3] US$3,499 (desktop)[4] |
| Technical specifications | |
| Polyphony | 8 voice |
| Timbrality | Bi-timbral |
| Oscillator | 16 VCOs (2 VCOs per voice)[5] |
| LFO | 1[5] |
| Synthesis type | FIND |
| Filter | multimode[4] |
| Attenuator | FIND |
| Aftertouch expression | yes[5] |
| Velocity expression | yes[5] |
| Storage memory | 600+ user patches[6] |
| Input/output | |
| Keyboard | 61-key[5] |
| Left-hand control |
|
| External control | MIDI in/out/thru[5] |
Search Oberheim OB-X8 on Amazon.
The Oberheim OB-X8 is a polyphonic (analog/digital?) synthesizer by Oberheim, designed for the modern synth market and combining their previous releases into one synth.
https://synthanatomy.com/2022/05/leak-oberheim-ob-x8-poly-analog-synthesizer-for-superbooth-22.html
https://www.musicradar.com/news/oberheim-ob-x8-synth-leaked
Specification
Synth engine
"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."[5]
"Oscillators dials in the base sound of the OB-X8, with two SEM/OB-X-lineage oscillators per voice and sawtooth, pulse, and triangle waveform options."[6]
The synth has the presets of the OB-SX, however they are not as tweakable as the other presets as it is just a preset version of the OB-X.[7]
Filters
"The Filter section is where the Oberheim sound gets its time to shine, with three unique analog configurations taken from the original OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 models. Envelopes' 4-stage filter and volume envelopes further shape your sound by focusing on the harmonics and loudness, taking you from hushed sounds to "Hallelujah Chorus" jubilance with only a handful of knobs."[6]
It’s got all the filters: Multimode SEM and CEM3320[4]
Tuning
"Tuning: First, some background. When it comes to tuning on an analog synth, there isn’t one but three elements that contribute to what we like or loathe about analog synths: 1) chromatic tuning, 2) intra-oscillator variation, and 3) jitter. | First, there is simple chromatic tuning — a voice hitting the right notes across the keyboard. If it doesn’t, if it’s truly “drifting” out of tune, then this isn’t desirable no matter what kind of analog diehard you are. However, a small amount — a few cents up or down on each voice — can create a pleasing sound, and this was a big part of the Oberheim “brass” sound. | Then there is the variation within a voice, between the oscillators themselves. Most traditional polys have two oscillators per voice, which means there are two sound sources that are not always going to track the keyboard accurately or have identical pulsewidth shapes or start at the exact same phase relationship as the last voice played. Like with chromatic tuning, too much intra-voice variation will simply sound out of tune or dissonant, but small amounts create all sorts of pleasing phasing and movement, which is what most people are probably thinking about when they espouse the virtues of analog. This is another hallmark of the Oberheim sound. | Finally, there is jitter, which is a term co-opted from the digital world that describes the movement of the oscillator pitch itself as micro-oscillations or fluctuations. Excessive jitter (think the sound of electricity) would just sound like a wobbly oscillator (not good), but small amounts along with the intra-oscillator variation above can lead to even more pleasant 3D-phasing or the “edge of the speaker” effect you’ll hear analog synth nerds (me) wax lyrical about."[4]
Controls
"Oberheim designed the OB-X8 with new and veteran users in mind, ensuring everyone can experience its sonic magic with minimal effort. Everything is labeled in function-specific sections with tactile knobs and buttons for effortless navigation across the board. The Master section controls volume and balance for dialing in splits and doubles as well as chord memory, tuning, and note hold functions. Turn to the Control section, and you're given options for Oscillator 2 detuning alongside a unique Vintage knob, affecting the voice-to-voice variability of envelopes, oscillators, and filters like the behavior of vintage instruments."[6]
"The Keyboard section handles bi-timbral capability, one of the OB-X8's most impressive playing features that boasts upper and lower presets assignable to different areas of the keyboard and a wealth of controls to balance everything to taste."[6]
Miscellaneous
"Fans of the OB-8's extensive "Page 2" functions will find a lot more to love in the OB-X8, featuring all the classic parameters alongside new ones for everything from accessing additional SEM filter modes to LFO keyboard tracking, independent pulse width control, and so much more."[6]
"Modulation offers six different waveforms and allows you to route the LFO to a wide range of destinations, channeling everything from filter sweeps to vibrato, tremolo, and other creative effects"[6]
"with an ultra-visible OLED screen displaying program information and accessing the synth's "Page 2" functions."[6]
(Keyboard) Weight: 32.5 lbs. Dimensions: 40.5” L x 16.67” W x 5.87” H[5]
[To pull info from]
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/oberheim-ob-x8[7]
https://www.perfectcircuit.com/signal/oberheim-obx8-review
https://synthanatomy.com/2023/02/oberheim-ob-x8-review-analog-polyphonic-synthesizer.html
https://www.musicradar.com/news/oberheim-obx-vs-obx8-synth-presets
https://musictech.com/features/awards/oberheim-ob-x8-musictech-product-of-the-year-2022/
https://musictech.com/reviews/hardware-instruments/oberheim-ob-x8-review/
Desktop version
In early 2023, Oberheim announced a desktop module version of the OB-X8.[2] Along with being US$1,500 cheaper than the full version, the desktop version drops the keyboard and the wheels to allow for a more compact design. The desktop module has a size of 22"x8.5"x4" and weight of 9.6lbs, making it 18.5"x8.17"x1.87" smaller and 22.9lbs lighter than the full keyboard model.[5]
Notable OB-X8 users
- Bnyx[8]
- Mike Dean[9]
- Djo[10]
- Paddy Kingsland[11]
- Steve Porcaro[12]
- Trent Reznor[13]
- Arthur Robert[14]
- Michael Stein[15]
- Tycho[16]
References
- ↑ "Oberheim Begins Shipping OB-X8 Analog Synth". Oberheim. 2022-07-25. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kirn, Peter (2023-05-09). "Oberheim OB-X8 is now a desktop module, in new edition of one of the best synths today". CDM Create Digital Music. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
- ↑ "Oberheim OB-X8 8-voice Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer". Sweetwater. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Vrazo, Matt (2023-09-30). "OB-X8: BEST Oberheim ever? (Part 1)". GreatSynthesizers. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 "OB-X8 analog synthesizer". Oberheim. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 "Dave Smith Oberheim OB-X8 8-voice Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer". www.musicplanet.co.nz. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Reid, Gordon (October 2022). "Oberheim OB-X8". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
- ↑ ONB (2025-02-09). BNYX and @AMAARAE (w/ @SEDDYHENDRINX) [Feb 9, 2025]. Retrieved 2025-07-11 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ↑ "Joe Keery Announces New Djo Album "The Crux," Shares First Single". FLOOD. 2025-01-24. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
- ↑ "Radiophonic Workshop (EMM Mar 1981)". Electronics & Music Maker (March 1981): 70–72. March 1981 – via mu:zines.
- ↑ "Oberheim Officially Announces The OB-X8 | Vintage Synth Explorer". www.vintagesynth.com. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
- ↑ Rogerson, Ben (2022-05-14). "Superbooth 2022: Oberheim is back with the OB-X8, carrying on the OB legacy from 1979 with help from Dave Smith". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ↑ Telekom Electronic Beats TV (2024-02-26). Tech Talk: Techno Producer Arthur Robert Discusses Elektron Machines, Drum Tuning, And More. Retrieved 2025-06-30 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Willings, Sam (2022-05-11). "Superbooth 2022: Tom Oberheim's OB-X8 lands, carrying on the OB legacy from 1979 with help from Dave Smith". MusicTech. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ↑ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2025-07-11.
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