Adam C. Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 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 Integral, fanless, heatsink-free power supply Real walnut end cheeks 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 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 sensitivity adds expressiveness to volume and filter Channel Aftertouch adds real-time performance-based modulation Enhanced unison allows variable voice stacking from 1-8 voices Variable triangle wave cross-modulation Over 600 user-programmable preset locations Programmable per-voice pan allows wider stereo presence Variable oscillator and noise levels Ins & Outs: Stereo and Mono outputs Volume, Sustain, and Filter inputs Arpeggiator clock input MIDI In, Out, Thru USB MSRP: $5,000 Release date: June 5 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksoper Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABECK Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 No mini keys. Large enclosure. Metal chassis. Love it already! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reezekeys Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 Zero mention on their website or FB page... where is this info coming from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan_evett Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 44 minutes ago, ksoper said: Indeed! Time to play the Lottery, again... Quote 'Someday, we'll look back on these days and laugh; likely a maniacal laugh from our padded cells, but a laugh nonetheless' - Mr. Boffo. We need a barfing cat emoticon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wineandkeyz Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 10 minutes ago, Reezekeys said: Zero mention on their website or FB page... where is this info coming from? Perhaps "announced" was incorrect terminology; "leaked" is more accurate. 1 Quote Live: Yamaha S70XS (#1); Roland Jupiter-80; Mackie 1202VLZ4; IEMs or Traynor K4 Home: Hammond SK Pro 73; Moog Minimoog Voyager Electric Blue; Yamaha S70XS (#2); Roland Integra-7; Wurlitzer 200A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 If the OB-X8 does come to fruition, Tom Oberheim will be able to join Dave Smith with matching golden parachutes after cashing in on the analog synth resurgence. 😁😎 1 Quote PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stokely Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 Dang I like everything I hear there (other than maybe not having poly aftertouch!) This would not be something I'd probably ever get though...I'm 100% software at home and I doubt that will ever change. I have no desire to ever wire anything back up with midi and audio and programming per-song, been there done that. Software synths sound fantastic to me also. I still use hardware for live, but this feels too precious to be bringing out to bar gigs! So it falls into a weird "won't use" spot along with other high-end gear (that I know I'd love, but just wouldn't get mileage out of). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam C. Posted May 5, 2022 Author Share Posted May 5, 2022 39 minutes ago, Reezekeys said: Zero mention on their website or FB page... where is this info coming from? I got the Info from this Facebook Group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElmerJFudd Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 😂 $5000 I’ll add it to the “yeah right” list with the Rhodes Mk8. The UB is more viable. Uhe Diva more likely. But nice to see for Tom. A reboot this late in life is great to see. 2 Quote Yamaha CP88, Casio PX-560 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyberGene Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 $5000 is outrageous. I know this will find its crowd and I have the greatest respect for the great synth pioneers such as Dave Smith and Tom Oberheim and they deserve to make some money for the entire contribution their instruments made for the popular music of the last 40 years. But I find it hard to believe a bunch of electronic elements need to cost $5000 in 2022. I understand there's a strong pedigree and a noble tradition and the trendy synth nostalgia of nowadays is at its peak but still... 1 hour ago, ElmerJFudd said: The UB is more viable. Uhe Diva more likely. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Havu Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 I'm just guessing, but if MSRP is $5,000, that could potentially put the street price between $3,500-$4,500. Still, I'd want to get my hands on one first before shelling out that kind of dough. That is, if I even HAD the dough to begin with. 1 Quote Hardware Yamaha DX7, PSR-530, MX61/Korg Karma/Ensoniq ESQ-1/Roland VR-760/Hydrasynth Deluxe/ Behringer DeepMind12, Model D, Odyssey, 2600/Arturia Keylab MKII 61 Software Studio One/V Collection 9/Korg Collection 5/Cherry Audio/UVI SonicPass/EW Composer Cloud/Omnisphere, Stylus RMX, Trilian/IK Total Studio 3.5 MAX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stokely Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 Considering the prices Nord just went to--and they wouldn't do it if they felt they'd sell nothing, unless they have very little stock anyway I guess--3500 for an all-analog well-built monster of a synth doesn't seem all that outrageous. High, sure, and too much for me to gig with as I said. There's a crapton of people around with a crapton of money, just look at housing prices and how fast they still get snapped up. Cars too. I know a few people that wouldn't bat an eye at paying 80K or more for a car, these days I realize that isn't even THAT nuts...but I'm still stuck in the old days on car prices! Sucks as I want my next one and all others to be electric for sure, but my current one is paid off. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 41 minutes ago, Stokely said: Considering the prices Nord just went to--and they wouldn't do it if they felt they'd sell nothing, unless they have very little stock anyway I guess--3500 for an all-analog well-built monster of a synth doesn't seem all that outrageous. If only buying the Nord solely for its synth engine, I could understand the comparison. Otherwise, the Nord offers more sounds and features than an 8-voice analog poly synth. Comparing the OB-X8 to other analog poly synths on the market (Prophet 5/10, Moog One, Arturia Polybrute), $3,500 - $4,500 is within reason. Still higher than giraffe, er, but market rate.😁😎 Quote PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorSilver Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 This calls for a MAKCF hang at Chuck's when they get it in stock and set it up right next to the Prophet 5 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 When you consider the price of a fully restored 8 voice OB-X is $18,000 and up (Reverb) five grand doesn't seem all that bad. I'm assuming that sales of the new Prophet 5/10 have been solid, so Tom could go through with this. It's like owning a piece of history - plus a (hopefully) solidly built high quality piece that accurately reproduces the sounds of it's forebears. If so, it will have a market. I'd like to see a shot of the front panel. It looks OB-Xish from what we have now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RABid Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 Levers! Quote This post edited for speling. My Sweetwater Gear Exchange Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Coda Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 I appreciate the concept. OBX discrete OSCs and whatelse plus what OBX-a and OB-8 delivered, SEM-type filters w/ additionals etc., etc. ... When I think about what I payed for a OB-8 new when released,- the price for this toy might be acceptable,- depending how it sounds and how reliable it will work when released. I myself, I owned a OB-8 as 1st owner,- so I´m curious ... I wonder if all the OB-8 "page 2" features will be realised and how. But I also wonder WHY they need a "vintage" knob when constructing/ building it "vintage" w/ discrete components. We´ll see ... A.C. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Paxton Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 I'm curious, what was the street price for an OB8 when they were released, and what would that be in today's dollars? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Zeger Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 1 hour ago, ProfD said: Comparing the OB-X8 to other analog poly synths on the market (Prophet 5/10, Moog One, Arturia Polybrute), $3,500 - $4,500 is within reason. Still higher than giraffe, er, but market rate.😁😎 Prophet 5 $3,599 Prophet 10 $4,399 Moog One 8 voice $6,999 Seems like $5,000 is comparable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 7 minutes ago, Josh Paxton said: I'm curious, what was the street price for an OB8 when they were released, and what would that be in today's dollars? An OB8 was $4,395 in 1983 which is $12,686.55 in 2022. However, the difference in technology, parts and material costs could make it cheaper to produce the same product today.😎 3 Quote PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stokely Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 That makes sense, it always seemed odd that me that higher-end synths have (until recently at least) mostly been around the same price through the years. I remember walking into a music store as a synth-interested teenager and having my jaw drop after seeing a Polysix. It was somewhere north of $2K, perhaps closer to $3K. My Jx-10 was definitely in that range in the mid-80s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorSilver Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 I used to lust after an Oberheim Matrix 12 and those were well north of $10K There's the stereotype of the guy who buys an expensive sports car because of midlife crisis. This suits my interests more than the sports car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnchop Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 42 minutes ago, Mark Zeger said: Prophet 5 $3,599 Prophet 10 $4,399 Moog One 8 voice $6,999 Seems like $5,000 is comparable. That would depend on the synthesis capability. If it's essentially a reissue with limited modulation options, I wouldn't feel like it's comparable, or at least not all that interesting. Quote I make software noises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzjazz Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 I think this looks like a seriously good synthesizer, and considering what any OB cost 40 years ago, very good value for money. I can’t afford one just now, but I’ve been gassing for an OB for a long time, so I will start saving. congratulations Tom Oberheim on a huge achievement. 4 Quote www.dazzjazz.com PhD in Jazz Organ Improvisation. BMus (Hons) Jazz Piano. my YouTube is Jazz Organ Bites 1961 A100.Leslie 45 & 122. MAG P-2 Organ. Kawai K300J. Yamaha CP4. Moog Matriarch. KIWI-8P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonglow Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 I had an OB-8 in the mid-80s. Easily the most lush sounding synth I’ve owned. I used to apply some chorus (e.g., to a string patch) with a Boss Chorus Ensemble pedal. Heaven. I wonder if this new OB has any built-in effects? 2 Quote "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Emm Posted May 6, 2022 Share Posted May 6, 2022 I've demo'd a few Oberheims, so its easy to appreciate this as the hardware pinnacle of the OB line. I think effects were left off to keep it closer to the original, for that high boutique sheen. At $5K, buyers probably have whatever they need in that department. Pile of Lexicons, coming right up. I was spoiled by my early workstations, so I'd be more of an OB-6 player for the nice effects section. This luxury liner, though? I can almost see a spouse coming home, seeing the big honker in the living room and screaming 'WHAT DID YOU DO?? DIDN'T WE JUST DISCUSS THIS???" Its a beautiful instrument that doesn't feel unreasonable at $5K, but it also comes with that minty fresh Packrat aroma. https://umop.com/art/rl01.jpg Quote "Well, the 60s were fun, but now I'm payin' for it." ~ Stan Lee, "Ant-Man and the Wasp" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obxa Posted May 6, 2022 Share Posted May 6, 2022 That looks gorgeous. I guess they haven't gone up that much from when I bought my Xa LOL. I paid around $4300.00 in early 80's. Sam Ash NY did me a solid by shipping it to my parents house in NJ so I could avoid the tax. With interest on the loan, probably totalled $5500.00. .....Plus modifications, repairs. I had mine customized over the years with programmable volume, Midi, and other stuff. It paid for itself with gigs and sessions. I'm not really lusting for a new one, and use mine towards retirement. Unless I get a gig with an original artist 80's act, for the type of gigs I do now, I'd probably buy a new Mac and bring a Nord before I spent that kind of money or brought that on the road. 1 Quote Chris Corso www.chriscorso.org Lots of stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Real MC Posted May 6, 2022 Share Posted May 6, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dacm Posted May 6, 2022 Share Posted May 6, 2022 17 hours ago, Josh Paxton said: I'm curious, what was the street price for an OB8 when they were released, and what would that be in today's dollars? In July 1983 at LaSalle Music in West Hartford, CT, it was $3300.00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.