Oberheim Makes a Triumphant Return With Its New OB-X8 8-Voice Analog Synthesizer

Legendary synth manufacturer Oberheim has just announced its most powerful model yet: the OB-X8 ($4999). Combining the classic design and features from the OB series with modern enhancements, this versatile eight-voice analog synth serves up unmistakable Oberheim sounds while giving you the power to create and save hundreds of your own. Let’s dive a little deeper into what the OB-X8 has to offer.

Oberheim OB-X8 8-Voice Polyphonic Synthesizer

The OB-X8’s rich sound comes from its all-analog sine, saw, square, triangle and noise oscillators, which pass through Oberheim’s legendary SEM-lineage OB-X filter with low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and notch modes. Also included is the classic Curtis CEM3320 filter with both 2-pole and 4-pole modes, which gave the OB-Xa and OB-8 their distinctive sounds. With eight voices, you can play one note for each voice or stack them for huge mono leads. 

Oberheim pioneered programmable polyphonic synthesizers, and the OB-X8 takes this capability to new levels. This synth comes loaded with more than 400 preset programs, including the full set of factory sounds for the OB-X, OB-SX, OB-Xa and OB-8. You can also save more than 600 of your own programs and even load two programs simultaneously using the bi-timbral mode to create keyboard splits or double-stacked sounds.

Best of all, the OB-X8 is a joy to play and program. Taking cues from its predecessors, it features an extremely legible, streamlined front panel with well-spaced and clearly labeled buttons and knobs that will be instantly familiar to anyone who’s used a vintage Oberheim (or even a plugin version). The 61-key FATAR keyboard features velocity and aftertouch capability, an upgrade that expands the synth’s responsiveness and expression potential far beyond the already impressive capability of the originals. So don’t wait! Order your 8 voice synthesizer today and start creating your new sound.

Features

The Oberheim OB-X8 Synth is packed with classic features and modern enhancements. Here’s a complete list:

• 8-voice, pure-analog polyphony with sine, saw, square, triangle, and noise
• Enhanced unison allows variable voice stacking from 1-8 voices
• Programmable per-voice pan allows wider stereo presence
• Two discrete SEM/OB-X-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
• Additional SEM filter modes add high-pass, band-pass, and notch functions
• Vintage knob emulates the voice-to-voice variability of vintage instruments
• Variable triangle wave cross-modulation
• Variable oscillator and noise levels
• Meticulously modeled envelope responses for OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8
• 61-key FATAR velocity- and touch-sensitive keyboard 
• 400-plus factory programs, including factory sounds for the OB-X, OB-SX, OB-Xa, and OB-8
• Over 600 user-programmable preset locations
• Bi-timbral capability allows two presets simultaneously for splits and doubles
• High-resolution OLED display
• Classic Oberheim Pitch and Mod levers 
• Integral, fanless, heatsink-free power supply
• Real walnut end cheeks

Tech Specs

Now that we’ve covered the features, here are the specifications of this amazing Oberheim Synthesizer:

• Outputs: discrete stereo and mono TRS jacks
• Control inputs: volume, sustain, filter and arpeggiator clock
• MIDI: in, out and thru
• USB connectivity
• Weight: 32.5 lbs
• Dimensions: 40.5” L x 16.67” W x 5.87” H