Oberheim OB-X8 Review // Desktop v Keyboard v OB-6 // 15 synth tips and ideas // Tutorial
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- čas přidán 12. 05. 2024
- Want to try out the OB-X8 at home without buying one? Check out my favorite patches - multisampled on my Patreon here:
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Gear used in the video
► Scopes by Melda
► Novation SL MK3
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The scopes I use aren't real - I use MOscilloscope and MAnalyzer by a company called Melda - they’re free with some limitations in the MFreeFXBundle.
TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:35 Overview
4:10 Page 2
6:30 vs Keyboard
7:50 Connectivity
9:30 Stereo
10:45 Vintage
12:35 Osc
13:35 Saw+Pulse
16:40 XMOD
19:05 Sync
20:20 Mixer
20:50 Filter
23:15 Envelopes
25:15 LFO envs
26:50 SPD env
27:30 Portamento
28:20 Bend env
29:10 LFO extras
31:50 Mod/Vib LFO
33:30 Expression
35:45 Hold
37:10 Chord
39:15 Unison
40:20 Arpeggiator
42:00 Arp holds
44:30 Arp transpose
45:15 Sequencer?
47:00 Arp repeats
48:50 Split, double
50:30 Editor, plugin
52:20 Misc
53:45 Pros & cons
58:30 Outro
Here's a list of the tips in this video:
1. Many synths have "hidden" parameters you get can access using MIDI controllers - for example, oscillator levels in the case of OB-X8. Check out the MIDI CC appendix of your synth!
2. If your synth happens to have inverted polarity square and saw waves, matched at the right levels you can create interesting octave trill (with a square LFO) and morph (with smooth LFO/envelope) effects.
3. Analog FM is hard to control in a way that makes it playable chromatically. Harmonic frequency ratios work better, but if that doesn't work, consider reducing the level of the carrier (the "metallic/noisy" LFO) and pairing it with a higher level "regular" oscillator.
4. Since you can point the Vibrato LFO to just one of the oscillators, you can use it with oscillator sync (routed to OSC 2), leaving the main LFO or filter envelope to do something else.
5. Filter tracking is important if you want to make sure notes levels don't get attenuated by the filter the higher up you play, or if you want to emphasize specific harmonics as you play up and down the keyboard, for example, to create organ like sounds.
6. Use high pass filter with resonance aimed at the fundamental as a bass emphasis
7. Use key triggering of the LFO alongside an arp or sequencer to help overcome the lack of LFO tempo sync
8. If you synth has a "bend in" portamento option, it actually has a dedicated pitch envelope! In the OB-X8 you can point this bend portamento to just one of the oscillators. You can use this as an osc sync envelope for OSC 2, or as a pitch envelope for OSC 1, which, along with XMOD, can make fantastic percussive sounds
9. Audio rate vibrato LFO + aftertouch pointed to LFO mod depth = expressive magic!
10. In some synths (like this one) LFO mod depth is quantized in semitones - that makes for easy to program/tune trill square LFO effects when pointing the LFO to pitch.
11. Point velocity to the filter frequency but not VCA level for expressive control over the filter cutoff without hurting sound levels.
12. OB-X8's hold is really a sostenuto not a regular latch.
13. Since the OB-X8 lets you play over latched drone notes/chords, be mindful of the velocity with which you play the held notes because they're going to be around for a while.
14. Not happy with your synth's arp or lack thereof? Turn LOCAL OFF and use an external arp.
15. OB-X8 has a funky relative knob mode - follow Van Halen and switch to Jump mode
Submit review and video ideas here (sorry I don’t offer 1x1 sessions/setup/purchasing advice):
► Ziv (at) loopopmusic.com
NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links to stores like Amazon, Sweetwater, Thomann and others. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.
Just saw the movie, had no idea he made synths too!
Lol.
Oberbieheimer
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
He used to drop bombs.. now he drops bass 🔊🔊🔊
I am become synth.
It took a year but we finally have one of the best OB-X8 demo reviews. Heavy on details. Great again, Ziv!
Thanks, my pleasure!
Ziv makes the best reviews, no contest.
@@jezgomez agreed. I think the thing that makes his content unique is that he combines review, performance, as well as tutorial. I own quite a few of the things he's reviewed such as this 3w as well as the Eventide H90. I NEEDED his H90 video due to it being a tutorial as well.
Fabulous Synth! Ive had the keyboard since last September and absolutely love it! Great Demo as always.
Excited for this one🔥!
Great overview, as always. I can see this synth in my future.
Another lovely hour demo from Loopop. 😌
I've repaired an original OB-X before .. the depth they put into this little thing is magic to me ha
i have an omega 8 and this thing just sounds so much more present and 3D.
@@christopherpederson1021 I covet a fully loaded one of those so much
@@0e0 it has the cs-80 filters, which are nice. the overall tone is heavy on the midrange, which can be hard to get used to. i have a matriarch which also sounds better Imo.
Sounds like something beautiful! I can rarely hear so much of a difference between synths but this is a special type of beast.
On top of my list. Thanks for your great review, helpful and nice to watch as always. 👌🔥🙏
what a sound this thing has! great patches and video! thanks
Great content once again..i remember drooling over an OBXA at my local music store in the mid 90s..
This new synth is doing the business !!
This sounds GREAT! Not buying it as its 3500 USD but it does sound really really really nice. The first synth in a long time that got me really excited. It's so thick and alive.
The OB-X8 sounds absolutely incredible. Really nice work on the demo, as always!
I coudn't barly imagine how this would be possible, but your reviews are still getting better and better. From top of the notch to topiest top... What a great work of art! Thank you so much!
Glad you like them!
Nice. I was waiting for this one. Waiitng to be in stock as i want to buy it. Excelent video as always, better than cinema. 1hour of fun! Cheers.
Fantastic detailed video, as always! Would LOVE to see you do one on the UDO Super Gemini when it comes out!
Thanks and me too!
I’ve had the keyboard version for 10 months and learned so much more from this video. Thank you.
Great to hear!
Thanks for playing a couple of my patches Loopop sir 🙌 Great demo as always and such a great synth!
Thanks and cool! Which ones?
Nice review with great tips! I had to get the pinstripe overlay just for the page 2 labels on the panel. My mind is way to feeble to remember all the buttons and knobs.
I love waking up with coffee just as the sun comes up and watching loopop reviews. Great episode this, Oberheim should add this to the manual as extended learning content. :)
It sounds so good! Thanks for the walkthrough and demo!
Oh hi there 😊
How did you get that cool emoji into your comment!! Please tell me
sounds wonderful, i can't wait for the behringer version
Hello. Thank you very much for this in depth video about OB-X8. 👍This synthesizer is complex and this vidéo is a very helpful video manual. 📖
Sounds beautiful 😍
Perfect synthesizer!
Excellent video!
🙌🏻🙏🏻
best review I have seen. I have an ob-x , ob-xa, and ob-8 but this seems to have allot more possibilities in one unit. having said that I do like the stright forward simplicity of my ob-x (and its sound) over anything else. I need to get my hands on one of these and spend some time with it side by side with the ob-x and see.
Awesome. Woild love to see/hear a comparison video between this and Sonic Projects OPX vst. It really does sound amazing
I remember that plugin! It probably shows its age since analogue modelling has improved a lot since OPX was made. Would love to see a new version.
This is the greatest synth channel I ever saw. Great work, thank you for all.
What are your scope & spectrum analyser that you're inserting in your vidéos ? I love them so much !
Thanks! I use MOscilloscope and MAnalyzer by a company called Melda - they’re free with some limitations in the MFreeFXBundle. Occasionally I’ll use scopes by VCV
@@loopop Thanks a lot ! Super tools!
Thanks for the in depth review. As an 80's prog fan, I absolutely had to invest in this instrument which I've had for about a month. I'm learning some great Page 2 tips here! I especially appreciate the double LFO setup and using Portamento for XMod and Sync. I need to revisit Hold and Chord modes based on what you show here.
I wanted to share an Arp Hold trick I learned... Press and hold the main Hold button, and then play your arpeggio keys one by one, with whatever velocities you prefer, and then release the Hold button. (No need to hold all the keys in one hand for a wide span of notes!)
My pleasure and yes, you're right! I show it in the video for the hold mode but it works for the arp too :)
an hour well spent. again best review I have seen.
Great review
Great video! Thank you 🙏
Without having both side by side I just went with the X8m. I've seen a few videos that say the X8 sounds better. I wanted the best sound and 8 voices is a plus. I need to buy that editor because that morph feature sounds extremely interesting. I wonder could they add that morph feature in an OS update maybe by having a 2 layer/split active and then using the morph mode to combine them? That would be a really fun feature without needing a computer and app.
I was on the fence, until I saw the coaster! 🤩
What do you mean, the synth is the gift you get in the box when you buy the coaster
@@loopopJust arrived, the coaster is even more impressive in person.
The synth is pretty cool too. 😋
debating selling the OB-6 to help fund an OB-X8. These videos help a bunch!
Do it you won’t regret it
I'd keep the OB-6, just because it has a continuously variable filter, which the OB-X8 (surprisingly) doesn't do!
Same. OBX8 Keyboard is just laughably large, completely gig-impractical. Modules are tedious to use live, too.
@@AlexandNeville Yeah they're quite different beasts, one is a 1:1 Oberheim, the other is a Prophet 6 in Oberheim clothing. Effects, Xmod, MPE, Analog distortion, SVF, Sub Oscillator, some interesting Oscillator tricks...the list goes on
you just can’t win here 🤣@@AynsleyGreen
The oscillators and filter sound very good and make this an expensive but competitive 8 voice poly. This is the first analog I might buy for purely the sound. The P6 and OB6 were both tempting, but I think this analog poly would be my choice of the 3. This synth would take up a nice space in a full mix. No guitars needed with these large full patches.
Friday.... I'm in love!!! ❤❤❤❤
This review is something else
This synth played through strymon effects reverb, delay, chorus, drive ect is sonic bliss.
Damn, this synth is just incredible.
Amazing sounds ☺♥♪ LOVE
Thank you for your excellent review of the OB-X8. I noticed the two video screens above the desk top synth which display waveform and oscillator. The video screens look very slim - could you please direct me where I can buy these? Thank you.
Thanks! The screens aren’t real unfortunately - just an overlay added in post, of software plugins. I use MOscilloscope and MAnalyzer by a company called Melda - they’re free with some limitations in the MFreeFXBundle. Occasionally I’ll use scopes by VCV
Lovely sounding instrument
My absolute dream synth is the Oberheim XPander. But of course I was interested in the OB6 because of vulnerability and price. But the missing modulation matrix and the fact that the resonance in the OB6 is not capable of self-oscillation made me refrain from buying it. The OB-X8 might now be an alternative. Great review as always!
A modern day Xpander with an input to process sounds with its filter would be amazing. I really hope someday it will see the light
I used to have an Xpander, and I recently got an OB-X8 Desktop. I'd say that the OB-X8 is more direct, with Xpander you had to "move around" more to change things, and the knobs were stepped. It did have more modulation options and you could have different sounds in all the voices etc. But I don't miss all that. Rest assured, the OBX8 has THE sound, it is performance oriented and it's readily available.
Verry nice video
Excellent deep dive as always. My old Xa had a jack input to latch/trigger the Hold function. So basically it has a sustinuto pedal functionality. I'm somewhat surprised the new X8 doesn't have this input jack. This is separate from the Sustain pedal on the Xa which simply lengthened the release times on the envelope so they died out more like an acoustic piano. I did notice the new X8 has a sustain jack input that as described in the pdf manual, behaves like the old Xa Sustain pedal input jack. Do you know if there Is there any way to program, such as the Page 2-mod matrix type functionality, the routing of the Sustain input jack to control Hold functionality with a sustain/latch-trigger pedal?
I’m going to keep going back and rewatching the arp section, since I can’t get how it works into my brain.
Great instrument ❤
it's been a while since the last interesting review
i want companies to go back to making old school rackmount units. i like the idea of having a workstation keyboard controlling a ton of different things in a rack. more synths in less space.
I want this one! It's expensive though, especially for my first hardware synth. But still why would I settle for less, even if I end up not liking the OB-X8, I will be able to sell it.
Can't wait for the comparison to the Behringer! lol
Behringer OB is more in my price range, likely still a bit pricey, but can't beat a real Oberheim, am sure this thing would make the Behringer OB seem lame in comparison, guess will be sticking to vst's unless secondhand prices come down.
Maybe … but that Behringer Pro-800 sounds pretty good, man … 🤔🤷🏻♂️
Love a loopop drop. Will you be looking at the Pro-800? I am on the fence
Thanks! No plans currently for the Pro-800
@@loopop No worries, thanks for the reply. Definitely flagging my interest for if you do consider it down the line, you are my go-to for this stuff.
I’d also love a Pro-800 video!
It's not exactly anything new, he doesn't really feature 30 year old synths on the page.
Plenty of videos comparing the 600 to the 800.
I have an original 600 and love it.
There have been a bunch of buyers hanging out on the Gearspace Electronic Music forum (in the thread about the Pro800, obv). If you have any specific questions (like, "Is this xxxx behavior normal? How do I switch the xxxx?" type of questions), that's one place to look for answers.
It's a great synth for sure, too expensive for my pockets but I can still appreciate the beauty of it..
Thx for the upload Ziv, another video guide for people who hate manuals.
Loopop, always right on time man! Lol
The stand you are using for the module, where did you get that?
Please see description
Great video. I fully agree with you on comparison with OB6. I have OB6 for years now, and it was built as a new instrument, with different architecture and features, while paying homage to the old models with SEM filter and raw oscillators. Now, these two overlap a lot, I'd say OBX8 was built to pack 3 synths in one and provide re-issue of the iconic synths people cannot find or afford.
Do you also do request video's how to do combinations of gear working together?
I have 4 synth setup videos on the channel and am working on more - happy to hear requests for topics to cover
Ooh! That's nice; it can go on the shortlist. Wait! How much? I'm no fan of Uli, but in this case I can make an exception.
Uli’s shit doesn’t sound as good, and isn’t built as good.
I can use two different effects at the same time for example Evetide reverb and chorus boss or there may be impedance problems? Thanks
I've never had issues with synths and pedals as long as I don't set level too high - have you?
I only tried with a Strymon Big and everything was ok. I would like to try with 2 chain pedals with my ob-x8. I had problems with a Dod mono effects processor and my prophet 6
Man hearing how good this thing sounds just makes me miss Dave Smith even more :(
Wishing they made it like the ‘original w/ Blue ‘pinstripes’
The ORIGINAL OBX-8 Synth CHANGED MY WORLD!!
(Keyboard/Sequencer/Drum Machine)😉
AWESOME VIDEO!!!
3:31 getting a copyright strike on a plain synth filter sweep in a demonstration context is a shining example of just how £¥
True
Insane
A modern day medium. Mean, mean site. Today's Loopop vid: Copyright strike.
AI is coming to save us from unfair filter sweep strikes … !!
Well, either that, or kill us all … in which case, only perfect AI filter strikes, from then on … 😏
@loopop: Will there be a Mantis demo from you? It was the last synth Chris Huggett was involved in and the demos at the fair were promising.
I don't think so, it seems nice, but there's quite a bit coming in the next few months
You know how the OB6 and P6 have a flashing LED to indicate when a pot isn't reflecting the stored preset value? Does the OBX8 have some equivalent of this? I saw these is a compare mode in the manual that allows you to compare the sound of presets vs the edits you have made but does that give you any indication of the pot values vs preset value? Did 1.1 firmware change this? It's quite disappointing how much menu diving there is when there's so much space - especially on the keyboard version.
What is the holders you used to put obx8 on top of keboard?
please see description
How did you get the led lights on the fl key midi?
It’s an SL MK3, not fl key
Does anyone know what frequency spectrum spftware he uses?
My precious
The OB Matrix 6 can give you almost the same sound 😊 it is bi-timbral?
Excellent and thorough. I have one, and I learned a few things that I hadn’t figured out yet. I would add one category to the possible buyers. If someone wants the best analog poly synth currently in production, it’s either this, the Prophet-5/10 or the Moog One. I had an OB-6 since it was released, and had them side by side when I got the X8. The sound difference is significant. Especially the filter. And the X8 has a much wider range of sounds it can make. If someone wants an Oberheim and is deciding between the two, I would say the only reason to get the OB-6 is convenience (effects, etc) and price. Sonically, the X8 is much better.
What do you mean when you say that the differences with the OB-6 are "immaterial" in comparison with its features, it seems to me not very precise. Could you add more? Great Review BTW
Thanks! I mean that to my ears, in the comparisons I’ve heard, I wouldn’t make the decision based on differences in the raw oscillator and filter sounds, but rather consider the other factors I mention
@@loopop What's odd is how can the price be so different yet you get so much less on the X8 except I guess the 8 voice bi-timbral and authenticity has to play a large part in the price difference. Therefore it HAS to sound better else it's a waste of money to buy the X8 if module to module is $1,100 separation. They'd be shooting themselves in their own foot. That doesn't make financial or logical sense as it's the same company. Let's beat out our own product with our previous other product. IF the prices were the same I'd make some sense. So where exactly is the price/value/worth difference occurring? X8 has to sound much better or it's irrational.
what would be good alternatives for the third category. What synths have more features and are cheaper? I have a Quantum but am curious to get an analog synth. OBX8 just sounds better to my ears than Polybrute, Prophet etc, but of course I could be confused :)
Cannot wait till they shift the decimal on the price to the left (Guess that's the Behringer version ;-) ).
great sounding synth for sure but man, that price!
The page 2 mode and the hidden modulations in general seem quite confusing...honestly for this price they definitely should have dropped the hommage and revise the interface entirely.
That 4 pole filter is such a LETDOWN
I wish all desktop synths had an 16 step sequencer implemented with 16 buttons
. Its so nice to be able to immediately create sound without having to connect external gear first
Tascam Model series full review. Thanks
@loopop does this offer the opportunity to increase to 16 voices by polychain? Thank you
Who owns the copyright to a filter sweep? What?
some unknown song that the algorithm thinks sounds like a filter sweep
I wondered the same thing, who can claim a filter sweep, this is ridiculous.
Deep
Est-ce qu’on peut connecter ce synthé avec tous les autres claviers comme : Korg Modwave, Roland Fantom8 etc…
Did someone loose a bet on the oled display?
My OB-X8 does not switch into a page 2 mode where the knob functions change. I'm not sure how you are doing that. I noted your words to say when you are in global however I think you meant to say when you change the setting under "Global" to the option "panel & display". I was going nuts for a moment but figured it had to be a setting.
It’s a setting, you need to activate in the global menu
Does it support polyphonic aftertouch? How about MPE?
Any information available?
Yes, want to know too!
I saw the video and thought: finally Behringer did it 🙈
Me:😍😍😍
My bank account:🤣🤣🤣
loopop: Hi!
Me: *reaches nirvana*
What midi controller is he using at the very beginning of the video?
Novation SL MK3
@@loopopspeaking of, what stand is being used for the obx8 here? I’m in the market for one as I have the same setup minus a stand.
Niiiiice
I saw your little note; who the fuck copyrights a filter sweep? CZcams's trippin.
Nobody copyrights it, it's the content ID algorithm that mis-matches it to songs, and youtube that doesn't do anything about it
@@loopop Well, hopefully another Patreon supporter helps with your efforts to make these informative videos. We appreciate the hoops you jump through for us!
@@kolvis6626 for sure - thanks!
with Curtis filter the sound is very close to rev2, maybe the closest. Obviously a proud rev2 owner
Same!!! AND I bought the Rev2 desk thanks to Loopop review:)
absolutely. I made an oberheim style brass patch on my rev2 last year
Rev2 is great :)
@@Dolores5000 I also watched his review before I got mine.
There are a lot of reasons why you should by the desktop version but the keyboard on it is great, the best I own in my humble studio
@@nanocyde_artist Yes, gritty or mellow, the rev2 is up to it
Juicy
i really doesn’t understand why they didn’t put second knob/button function name bellow knob or smaller font next to main function name … Major UI overlook …
Yeah, this whole Page 2 looks not so intuitive, besides of the weird name, instead of more common Shift or Function. No way to understand what button was it applied to. I'm too picky after Elektron machines.
The best true stereo VCO based analogue polysynth available (aside from the OB6).
The same way a journalist might get comment from a government or business before a story, it might be useful if you presented any product concerns to the company and got their response (comment/excuse/correction/promise). Thanks for the vids.
Thanks - I do discuss issues with companies sometimes just to make sure I didn't miss anything or didn't get something wrong if I think there's a major flaw, but very rarely do they promise to fix things in firmware updates (if they do I mention it). Sometimes they end up fixing things anyway later BTW - I guess as they hear it re-inforced from customers.
It’s all about the Benjamins … these things are made by Companies, after all …
A reaction against Behringer recreating vintage synths - with a premium price - or is that just me?
In a way. As the story goes, a friend of Dave Smith's (I think it was someone with a Latino name, but that's as close as my memory gets me... maybe someone else here remembers?) finally convinced Dave to make a new Prophet 5 before Behringer did, because they surely would. And that prodding was apparently the straw that broke the camel's back, and Dave finally decided to do it, after years of saying he wasn't interested.
And then, I think the success of the Rev4 Prophets helped pave the way for the OB-X8 to happen. So, I do think Behringer's looming clones helped prod Tom Oberheim to get back control of his trademark, and add tgis to his legacy.
😎
Hi Loopop, really nice video as usual. :) I sold my 2 OB-6s (keyboard + desktop) for an OB-X8 a year ago and I don't regret it. I agree with your feature requests including the LFO external clock sync and the adjustable number of voices on each of the two layers of a split program. There's one big miss for me, it's the polychain feature: that's the reason why I bought a second OB-6 back in the days, enjoying a maximum of 12 beautiful Oberheim voices at the same time - and I did a video explaining the different benefits of this feature here czcams.com/video/PVi0mHTqyCo/video.html - and the feature doesn't seem to be available on the OB-X8 which is a shame. That would have been a massive 16-voice synth like the 16-voice Moog One.
Thanks! I saw your video - you might be able to "solve" the problem in the first part by creating a split that uses the same patch on both halves - then the repeating bass won't cut off the pad on the right