For the first time in more than 40 years, a legendary analog synth sound returns.
The Oberheim OB-X8 8-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer lets you craft warm analog tones like never before. With discrete components meticulously matched to the original Oberheim OB-X, OB-Xa and OB-8, this powerful synth delivers the iconic punchy sound that shaped pop music. Two voltage-controlled oscillators and a variety of analog filters per voice enable you to shape a broad palette of sounds. Performance-friendly features like pitch and mod levers, aftertouch and an arpeggiator give you expressive control over your music. Whether you want to recreate classic '80s synth-pop or forge a modern sound, the OB-X8 puts real analog synthesis at your fingertips.
Authentic OB Tone
The OB-X8's 100% analog audio path provides the same trademark Oberheim sound behind hit songs from Prince, Van Halen, Rush and more. Discrete components meticulously match the complex interactions between oscillators, filters, envelopes and other elements that gave the OB-X, OB-Xa and OB-8 their distinctive character. From punchy basses to shimmering pads, the OB-X8 captures the depth and nuance of these analog classics.
Perform With Expression
The OB-X8 gives you hands-on control over your music. Hard sync and cross-modulation add complex overtones. Pitch and mod levers let you bend notes, apply vibrato and modulate filters in real time. Velocity and aftertouch sensitivity enable you to vary volume, brightness and other parameters by how hard you play. These performance features combined with a premium Fatar keyboard provide an inspiring playing experience.
New OB-X8 OS v2.0 Features
The new OB-X8 OS v2.0 offers exciting functionality, including instant binaural mode for true stereo operation and selectable waveshapes for each oscillator, enhancing timbral variety. It introduces a new 4-pole low pass filter with fuller bass at high resonance and VCO level LFO modulation for independent timbral mixing. The arpeggiator clock sync now includes selectable note division values. There are twice the split and double memory locations, supporting 512 more stored sounds. Additionally, the OS supports separate MIDI channels for bi-timbral operation, poly chain for up to 32 voices, and MPE for enhanced expressiveness.
Save and Recall Your Sounds
With over 600 preset locations, you'll have ample room to store the analog tones you create. The OB-X8 ships with over 400 factory programs that replicate the presets from the original OB-X, OB-Xa and OB-8. Its bright OLED display makes navigating presets and accessing the synth's advanced "Page 2" parameters fast and intuitive. Global settings allow you to configure aftertouch, tuning, MIDI and more to match your preferences and setup.
Specifications
- Pure-analog polyphony: 8 voices
- Waveform shapes: Sine, saw, square, triangle and noise
- Discrete VCOs per voice: 2
- User-programmable preset locations: Over 600
- Display: High-resolution OLED
- End cheek material: Walnut
- Power supply: Fanless, heatsink-free
- Keys: 61
- Velocity-sensitive: Yes
- Touch-sensitive: Yes
- Aftertouch: Yes
- Stereo and mono outputs
- Volume, Sustain and Filter inputs
- Arpeggiator clock input
- MIDI In, Out, Thru
- USB
- Weight: 32.5 lb.
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 40.5" x 16.67" x 5.87"
Features
- 8-voice, pure-analog polyphony with sine, saw, square, triangle and noise
- 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
- Meticulously modeled envelope responses match each OB model: OB-X, OB-Xa and OB-8
- The 61-key FATAR velocity- and touch-sensitive keyboard allows unparalleled expression and responsiveness
- 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
- High-resolution OLED display enables patch management and easy access to advanced features
- Classic Oberheim Pitch and Mod levers allow expressive note bending, vibrato and access to arpeggiator functions
- 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 sensitivity adds expressiveness to volume and filter
- Channel Aftertouch adds real-time performance-based modulation
- Enhanced unison allows variable voice stacking from one to eight voices
- Variable triangle wave cross-modulation, as well as variable oscillator and noise levels
- Programmable per-voice pan allows wider stereo presence
- Instant binaural mode pans individual voices hard left and right for true stereo operation
- Simultaneously selectable waveshapes for each oscillator extends timbral variety
- New 4-Pole low pass filter type with fuller bass at high resonance
- New VCO 1 and 2 level LFO modulation destinations for independent timbral mixing
- Arpeggiator clock sync now has selectable note division values for expanded rhythmic control
- Twice the Split and Double memory locations, including program storage directly in the new banks for 512 more stored sounds
- Separate MIDI channels for lower/upper split bi-timbral operation
- Poly chain for up to 32 voices with four connected instruments
- MPE for new levels of expressiveness