At Superbooth 2023, being held in Berlin May 11-13, Oberheim is introducing the OB-X8 Desktop synthesizer.
The Oberheim OB-X8 keyboard, introduced at last year’s Superbooth, combines the three different voice architectures of the classic OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 synths into a single instrument. The individual filter types and other unique characteristics of each model have been faithfully reproduced, along with a 100% analog signal path. Since then, it’s earned a reputation as a worthy successor to Oberheim’s classic synths.
The new OB-X8 desktop version has the same features as the keyboard version, without the 61-note Fatar keybed and pitch/mod levers. The OB-X8 desktop module boasts an identical sound engine to the keyboard version, featuring an all-analog signal path with discrete VCOs, VCAs, and filters.
The desktop version also features the same knob-per-function sound design experience, with immediate access to virtually all the synth’s parameters.
Page 2022
OB users know that the myriad of “Page 2″ functions unlocked the hidden power of the original OB-8.
The OB-X8 includes all of the classic Page 2 parameters, along with new ones, giving you direct access to 40+ controls, including additional SEM filter modes, per-voice panning, LFO keyboard tracking, Mod delay time and envelope inversion, independent pulse width control and more.
Features:
- 8-voice analog polyphony
- Two discrete OB-X/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
- Bi-timbral capability allows two presets simultaneously for splits and doubles
- 400-plus factory programs, including the full set of factory sounds for the OB-X, OB-SX, Ob-Xa, and OB-8
- Integral fan-less, heatsink-free power supply
- Walnut end cheeks
- High-resolution OLED display enables patch management and easy access to advanced features
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 response adds expressiveness to volume and filter
- Channel Aftertouch response adds real-time performance-based modulation
- Enhanced unison allows variable voice stacking from 1-8 voices
- Programmable per-voice pan allows wider stereo presence
- Variable oscillator and noise levels
- Variable triangle wave cross-modulation
- Over 600 user-programmable preset locations
Details on pricing and availability are to be announced. See the Oberheim site for more info.
Well I’ll be¡! Didn’t think it would happen this soon kudos spacemiser kid’s¡! we’ll see how much less space it actually takes up really soon, I suppose thanx folks
What a beautiful looking synth! Thanks Oberheim, you’ll make many players happy with this module!
For all the things this is and may be, beautiful is not one of them.
Yes it is.
Not as beautiful as the recently announced UDO Super Gemini, but still a fine looking synth.
An ode to a classic design certainly, beautiful it is not.
You’re Beautiful
Bert, you handsome devil you!
Would be nice if they ask half the price of the keyboard then there is a changes it will end up in a lot of hands not only a few. I would consider it at that price point if the display also shows parameter values.
The keyboard and larger case only add about $300 to the manufacturing cost. It wouldn’t make sense for Sequential to sell it for 50% of the price of the keyboard version. Remember, a significant portion of the cost for an instrument like this is spent on development. It’s not a product that will sell in the thousands.
Looks like the retail is $3499, compared to $4999 for the keyboard version. That’s a 30% reduction.
Now, everybody will have room in their studios for a synth that can play “Jump” with name brand authenticity. I can’t wait to see what they are going to charge for this.
$3499 USD
van halen, ugh. pass.
Having no bi-timbral analog poly yet, this looks enticing enough to swap my OB6 for a second hand OB-X8 deal in the future. Then again, this one has no MPE. For their sound alone I probably wouldn’t bother, but having two of them (with limited poly) might do it for me.
Yeah. I’m not the sentimental type when it comes to old-fashioned brand / sound.
I was really hoping that this would support MPE functionality so I would pair it with my Osmose. Oh well, that’s $3500 I won’t have to worry about spending!
I’de sell my car to get this…but I still would be a few thousand short. ?
They made the most desirable modern synth (to me) even more accessible, and I am all for it. I hope I can afford one before they go out of production.
Awesome synth, terrible size, overpriced to the max. I’ll pass.
Sequential and Tom please start designing for 19″ racks. The current sizes are just stupid.
Superior instrument targeted only for a few people. I played it as a kid, but 3k5 for nostalgia is too high a price for my amateur studio. I might have been tempted if the original soundpath had fx added onto it. For now, I’ll stick to my physical OB-6 module and the more than excellent Sonicprojects op-x vst.