I just took delivery of mine today, having timed the order so it would arrive on my birthday. It's the best poly synth I've ever heard, and sounds even better in person! I must say, $5000 before tax *is* expensive for the vast majority of people, but this is no mass-produced Casio folks, this is a classy, high-end instrument, designed and made in the good old US of A and you feel the quality in every single aspect. From top to bottom, side to side and ear to ear it's a real player's synthesizer and the entire OB line in one huge slab! There's plenty of great synthesizers to buy on a budget and there's nothing wrong with any of them. Hell, there's more powerful synthesizers (in terms of sound design) for several thousand less; even a new Prophet 5 is almost half the price! Thing is, if you have to own the real deal Oberheim and won't settle for less, then start saving your money. I had to save up for half a year to afford it and even sold some other gear (surely you have some gear you can sell, nobody starts with this, you've got some others come on) but having been playing it all day, I can honestly say it's worth every penny. Save your money and buy one of these high-end dream synths you've always lusted for.
Thanks Dirk. Yeah, I really don't understand why most demos don't really show it off. All I did was plug it in and start twisting knobs. It's a monster!
I've been waiting for this video ever since you mentioned ordering one of these. It did not disappoint! Great sounds, great playing - thanks for this glimpse of an awesome powerhouse!
My favorite thing about this instrument in particular is that you really do get the feeling that you have 16 oscillators that differ slightly…they voice slightly different from each other…the glide rate (set from the same control parameters) differs slightly….and just like the original Oberheims can be alternately panned in the stereo field. WHAT A GREAT EFFECT !! Great programming, Jim.
I’m literally shooketh! lol 😂 Watching it on a tv, I turned up my home theater to a volume I enjoy watching movies, dude! My apartment is shaking! 🤣🤣🤣 Sooo good!!!!
Fck that sounds good. You cay actually feel the analog nuances. And the effects afterwards sound glorious!!! My ghetto neighbors are like "WTF??? Is that a space ship over there???"
This synth is just magical - pure lushness and beauty from the first to the last second of your fantastic video. Easily my favorite showcase of this instrument so far - thank you!
Holy Smokes. This is one of the best demos of this thing. I'm so in love with this synth. Great video. And btw, for the people saying it only sounds this good with effects, that's really not the case. I fell in love with this with just headphones plugged into it, no effects at all. It's overwhelmingly good. And of course, effects, as they do with most things, make it sound even better. But it still starts with a phenomenal sound all on its own.
Beautiful playing. As others have said, you give more of a sense of its depth and personality than many videos. I have never played an oberheim, but who knows, maybe one day
You are making it really difficult for me and my wallet Jim! Was gonna wait but you sound amazing on this... the sounds are same kinda things I gravitate towards...stacked 5th always a fav for me...
Thanks! I really just wanted to show that this thing is capable of more than the somewhat cheesy “vintage” sounds that everybody’s already heard a million times. All the trade show videos didn’t do this thing any favors because most were horribly uncomplimentary…. so this is the kind of thing I wanted to hear myself before pulling the trigger. I’m so glad I did! 😁
This sounds really incredible in your hands! Amazing performance 👍👍👍. I didn’t know the GFI specular tempus which sounds very nice! Of course it would be great to have a comparison between dry and wet sounds.
The Tempus might just be the star of the show - it makes everything sound stunning. Best atmospheric reverb I've ever heard, by a long shot. The OB-X8 is a monster though too!
Thanks for the kind words brother! They totally captured all the OB series goodness in this one box. I didn’t think it could be done but I stand corrected!
it really is one hell of a great synth. it's one of the synthsI bought where I honestly can't say I have one complaint about how it was designed or how it sounds.
Sounds awesome Jim, the filters sound amazing GFI Specular Tempus adds amazing depth to the sound need to pick one up for my Prophet 10 which I'm doing the Peter Gabriel tried and true method of running a Boss Stereo Chorus on. The Specular Tempus and the Chase Bliss 1974 are my two favorite reverbs for synths.
It just posted a few minutes ago, but for some reason I'm having trouble with youtube on my phone this morning - does this play for you? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-sh1KWfy09G8.html
Great demo! I would just like to take the ob-x8 to a stadium, hook it up to the speakers and just simply hold down the low E on the seismic bass sound! 😂
Hi Jim. I'm concerned about the issue of knob position latching. I see this happens when you are adjusting them. Apparently you must have previously loaded a patch, and of course if you move the filter cut-off, it jumps. This type of behavior is problematic for those of us who need to perform live, while attempting to vary sound quality, timbre, etc. as part of the performance/arrangement. Of course, an all analog, non-patchable synth doesn't suffer from this, so I was wondering if you have heard anything within this industry regarding different approach to parameter latch. Surely the OB-X8 and other signature synths seem disadvantaged by this. What are your thoughts please?
@@philmagnotta5553 you can change the knob behavior directly on the synth so that it avoids those "jumps." Not a problem at all. Most synths let you do that. And the OB-X8 signal path is entirely analog, as are others like the Prophet 5 Rev4; but they allow you to change the knob behavior from "pickup" to "instant jump." "Pickup" is what you were looking for… it means the knob has to pass through the current (stored) value before it will have an effect.
Its safer to pay 5K for this thing, than 1K for any other synth, because its very likely that you get at least the same price when you sell it anytime in the future.
1 year later. There are about 15 of these used on Reverb, $3699+. I've seen them as low as $3200 so far. Desktop version $2650+ currently. Lowest I've seen $2400 so far.
@@EnervatedSociety Yes, same happened for Analog Synths in the 80s, when Digital came out. Then again they went up recently. Future means more than 10-20 years. So maybe you better take the chance and catch one of these $2400 synths as long as you can ;)
@@teikomat I did end up getting one at a great price. I originally got one new when it came out and as much as I loved it I ended up returning it. I just thought it was way too much. I feel way better about it now.
Hey now I bet I could do *most* of that on the Prophet Rev2....just add a little audio mod for the sizzle and crackle...sure would like to try the OBX8 in person though!
Yes indeed - that’s one of the main draws of the Rev 2 - you can enjoy playing it in real time in binaural mode! No double tracking required! It’s only on the big classics that had little polyphony that you run into problems!
@@JimDaneker The OB-X8 Desktop, possibly due to the simplicity of controls, seems to be the loveliest of all the Sequential/Oberheim desktops! Double polyphony, via poly chaining just seems like a no-brainer! Instant wallet tug.
The sound is incredible. Man I can't wait for mine to show up. You mentioned the reverb you're using for this but do you have a recommendation for chorus?
Thanks! Honestly so many of these sounds already sound like they've got chorus on them, especially in double mode - it would ruin it to add more. For single sounds though where you aren't using the panning features, my favorite hardware options would be the Boss DC-2W (Dimension D), the Strymon mod pedal (forget what it's called), or the Source Audio. In software, I love the UA Roland Dimension D and the Roland Zenology FX suite - that includes all their classic chorus models.
@@JimDaneker thanks for the tips. I looked at the Strymon Big Sky since it does a little of everything. Maybe it's the one you were thinking of? I'll check out the others you listed.
@@derekliljequist1086 Sure thing! No, the Big Sky is their reverb pedal. It's great, but nowhere near as good or flexible as the Specular Tempus, IMO. The Mobius is Strymon's pedal that does modulation stuff like chorus, etc. Cheers!
@@bengsynthmusic it's got ALL the OB flavors and then some. It's their "greatest hits" under one hood and one of the best analog polys I've ever owned.
@@bengsynthmusic oh, ha - my apologies… I didn't realize what you were getting at! 😂 I'm not sure what mode it was set to... that was an early factory patch and I've overwritten almost all of them by now!
@@JimDaneker If it doesn't respond to PAT yet, I have to expect it will down the road like much of the recent Sequential stuff does thru Firmware upadates.
@@ChrisP3000x I'm referring to the Prophet-6 and OB-6 adding Poly At via firmware. Not that they can transmit it, but they now respond to it. So you would need a Roli, KMI, Haken, Linnstrument, X-Key or any controller that can transmit MPE. I think I saw somewhere that the Prophet 5/10 now responds to MPE and I would guess the new OB-X8 can have it's engine updated to respond to incoming MPE. The only straight up standard synth that is new and in-production that I'm aware of is the ASM Hydrasnth that can play MPE and has Poly Touch as they call it. It's Poly AT, and it is really nice. Expressive E Osmose will but it isn't shipping yet, and the new UB-Xa is advertised to have a Poly AT keybed, but again.... not yet shipping :(
I think it can, it’s just not nearly as immediate, and it requires a ton of learning to really get the goods out of it. Probably just not an instant gratification synth like this one is, but it’s massively capable under all that complex interface!
I’m just not a Nord guy. I know a lot of people like them, but their whole interface just doesn't click with me. And that compared to an Oberheim - totally apples vs. oranges. I suppose it depends on what you're after, but as an 80s synth guy, no studio is complete without an OB... it just lights me up to see that thing when I walk in the room. I would have ZERO emotional attachment to a Nord - and a Nord could never make these kinds of sounds. You need those iconic OB filters. 😁
@@JimDaneker My Thoughts Exactly Jim,I agree and your OBX sounds freakin amazing🔥.. I guess the logic for the Nord people is that there paying nearly $6000 for a really good organ emulation reallly good piano emulation and “decent” synth where is we’re just getting a phenomenal out of this world “synth” . I own a sequential prophet x and would not trade it for a Nord, or any other keyboard.💪🏾😎
Just wow! Wanted to buy a car, now i need OBX8! What other reverb pedals do you recomend ? Meris? Strymon? Or i will need to find Tempus for this type of cinematic reverb? I was thinking Meris will be more like Blade Runner?
Yeah, the X8 is a monster. As for reverbs, honestly I've tried them all and sold every one but the Tempus. NOTHING else sounds like it for that kind of dreamy, creamy, cinematic soundscape.
...because there are countless examples of the synth completely dry, and most of them are extremely unflattering. If you want to hear it dry, you're covered. As mentioned in the opening, I wanted to show it in more of a sound design context. That said, I could've worded that better, but the idea is that there's nothing else being done to the synth. And the Tempus was more like 50%, not 80. Still, you get the idea.
@@JimDaneker oh sorry i have the bad habit of not reading the descriptions lol. In my list now :) I think it will do a great job with my Odyssey and other synths as well :)
@@JimDaneker Hey man!!! Fantastic demo of both the OB-X8 and the Tempus...really a match made in heaven. Was wondering what algorithm(s) you were using for the Tempus?..in the beginning of the clip the display showed the "swell" algorithm...was hoping that you would answer "Spatium" as I hoped I could replicate this vibe with a Skylar..Thanks!
@@analogholic3651 thanks so much for the kind words! Yes, the Tempus is my desert island reverb for atmospheric stuff. It just blows everything else out of the water. I'm almost certain that the Swell algorithm is the one I used, but I'm not 100% sure. Spatium is great too!
@@JimDaneker That's some seriously good quality stuff you got going on, I am thinking an auto panner on rails. It looks like you have a team of peeps there lol, that's some great work Jim, really mean that.
No classic synth will have effects. Ppg, Moog, prophet, Jupiter 8, Prophet vs, etc. they are all one trick ponies, but the one trick they do is amazing. Nobody cares that you can’t afford the real deal, but you are here. I don’t go to the behringer videos, and voice my opinion. Let’s talk about resale, shall we.
Not sure I'm following your point? Certainly no classic synth has effects, but effects were used on pretty much all of them in their day: the 80s would have sounded very different without the Roland Dimension D chorus, Eventide Harmonizers, and AMS RMX16 for starters. But yes, you're absolutely right - those "one trick ponies" are sublime when it comes to what they do ;-) As for resale value, that's never been a consideration for me. I've owned plenty of original "icon" synths and frankly I've lost my desire to own any of them today. I've also lost any respect for the notion that they're categorically "better" in any way, or that their sale prices are any reflection on value. That ship has sailed, if your priority is making music as opposed to impressing Instagram or fellow synth enthusiasts. I absolutely love my synths, but purely for the inspiration they give me - not for their age or "icon" status.
@JimDaneker The point is the effects make it sound even more amazing......you have to Start with a great sound to begin with. Effects on shit is more shit....lol
It's not actually in the USB socket - it's an EMI/RFI choke. Basically a metallic ring that wraps around a USB cable to help with interference. It's common on higher end cables. Thanks for the kind words!
I didn’t think they could improve upon the new Prophet 5, and although it supposedly uses the same mechanism, it feels even better. Feels like they used improved springs. Easily one of the best actions I’ve ever played, and as you know I’m extremely picky!
@@christopherpederson1021 maybe, but I would never defile a synth this good by running it through a cheap reverb - it deserves the best. The two together make a jaw-dropping combo 😁
@@JimDaneker and Ventris is also beautiful, it has a very particular bright sound here the differences are very appreciated, for me Ventris embellishes analog synthesizers in a very particular way, everything it touches turns it into gold ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ypk52n9uTlw.html
There are tons of videos of it without effects - and they’re extremely boring and clinical IMO. I wanted to show it in a modern sound design context. I have a new studio tour video coming next week - I’ll play it a bit in that one with no FX. 😁
@JimDaneker Oh I forgot you had to run it through a $300 box to get it to sound good. So the Black Sledge is plastic, it sounds like rock. Enjoy playing Jump 'til your Visa bill comes.
@@Observe-n-Learn of course, any synth can sound enhanced by use of effects. But so many synths are slathered with effects from the factory…and when you turn the effects off, they sound thin, tweezy, and boring. Not this Oberheim, or the new Prophets 5 and 10. This is what a well designed analog is all about. You really have to play one live to truly appreciate it’s sonic depth. It’s difficult to put into words “the Oberheim sound”, but using a good set of headphones helps. Jim Daneker has some great stuff that he has programmed…and you can hear Marcus Ryle play every single original factory preset against the original in his three RU-vid videos. I will tell you that every time I play it, I go “”Aah…that’s what I’m talking about”.
$5K nope. For way under $5K I bought used -- Studiologic Sledge Black ($700), Deepmind12 ($700), Roland JD-XA ($900), Yamaha MODX61 ($950), Novation UltraNova ($350), (etc.)..... Way, way more powerful. They should have built a Matrix 24 instead. The Sledge Black alone blows this away. I feel bad for nostalgia seekers trying to relive the 80's. I'm just saying for the little guy there are better more affordable options. I know you have street cred. Even with Sledge FX off, it would still blow the OB away. If I had a OB, I could A/B prove it. In a patch for patch comparison I doubt folks could tell the difference. I would think a Polybrute would also smoke it. The Jump and Visa reference was an anecdote for average folks, lighten up. Just sayin'. Most youtubers play Jump wrong and now it has made the forbidden riff list.
We are all entitled to our opinions of course, but nothing in that pile comes remotely close to sounding like this when it comes to those unique Oberheim flavors.
@@JimDaneker Oh I forgot you had to run it through a $300 box to get it to sound good. So the Black Sledge is plastic, it sounds like rock. Enjoy playing Jump 'til your Visa bill comes.
@@Observe-n-Learn I have a Sledge Black and an OB-X8 too. They're not even *remotely* in the same league. Don't be so bitter because you can't afford it. It's a really ugly, toxic thing and will only harm your creativity. I'm sure if someone gifted you an OB-X8 you'd be singing its praises from cloud 10. Save your money instead of shitting on others, or don't buy it and be happy with the gear you have.
@@Observe-n-Learn Newsflash: you don’t need to run it through anything to sound good, you won’t find me playing ‘Jump” in any of my videos, and I paid cash for the OB-X8 like I do all my others. It’s not a hobby 😁
@@AdamBorseti You are part of my synthspiration. You get amazing sounds out of your synths. I'm not bitter at all. I know you'll get a lot out of your OB. Looking forward to hearing it in your vids, hopefully without FX. Few people can hear the difference between analog and new VA. You and Mr. D are two of them. I still would rather have my $5K eggs in many different baskets. Loved your last "Rainy" song.
