An Uncomfortable Problem with the Oberheim OB-X8 & Behringer UB-XA
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- Опубліковано 25 чер 2022
- Today, Zach's goin OFF about a problem he has with Oberheim, and the reintroduction of Oberheim synthesizers into today's market. Take a listen and let us know... do you know agree?
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Long waffling video just to say . . . "not sure the OB sound is for everyone".
Thanks Tom Oberheim for being a genius and still going strong, helping the synth-community at age 85.
Long waffling video just to say “I’m not a 100% sure the oberheim sound is for me”
As an older person I tend to see people overthink this. My formative years in the world of synths was the early 80's and naturally I gravitated my interest towards big poly synths and I discovered that jupiter-8's were their own thing, same as anything by Sequential, Oberheim and many others. But I especially was drawn to OB-X's, -A's and -8's. They had a sound I liked above all else, never could afford one. That situation continues today, I can't justify buying one but it still has that Oberheim character and sound in similar ways its predecessors did. If I did have a lazy few thousand dollars lying around that would be the synth I would buy. We are especially spoilt these days when it comes to synths so the fact that the OB-X8 generates attention in a much louder and congested market speaks to its qualities. But here's the thing, three years ago I had the enormous privilege to visit Five-G Music Technology in downtown Tokyo. That store is iconic and a must visit for any synth person, it's chaotically stacked with an enormous array of vintage gear, some of which you would have certainly heard of but never have seen an example of in real life, but I digress. On the day I was there I noticed people gravitating towards OB gear more than any other. There was a young service tech in store with a soldering iron in hand under the hood of one, you couldn't chisel the smile off his face, he looked about 20yo. That's the Oberheim effect. Sure it's hugely subjective, your mileage may vary, which makes any attempt to perform an objective analysis largely redundant, it's what you like and what you feel when you make your music. The OB-X8 continues to generate that feeling and I for one am so glad it continues what is an enormously important historical legacy especially in the minds of a younger generation who clearly appreciate everything that came before it. Video opinion pieces make me laugh really, show us the gear, explain the controls, demonstrate the sounds but let us make up our own minds rather than pick at the seams in the vain hope something unravels. That's the real uncomfortable problem.
You're too young 😂
I think 2 things are true. 1. The infamous UB-Xa demo from Andertons is truly awful sounding in ways that have nothing to do with “Oberheim having a ‘niche’ sound.” And 2. I do think Oberheim synths have a lovely sound which-for me-rarely finds its way into a track. Oberheim synths scream “Hey look at me, I’m an Oberheim! Ain’t I yuuuuge?!” As gorgeous as they sound in their own, they’re usually just a bit too rich for me. Sort of like every dish is some sort of old-fashioned French concoction with a lot of heavy cream in it.
No issues with Oberheim. The OBX8 is doing very well.
Nena 99 luftballons spooky pad, simple minds don't you.... brassy stabs, Thomson twins general sound.
What are my thoughts? In 4 minutes you failed to explain to me what is actually the problem. Today at the rehearsal i missed the small tom, so the stick landed on the next obstacle along its curvature of travel -- which happened to be my knee. And it still hurts, now THAT's a real problem. Synth niche is only an imaginary one. Van Halen (or whoever played keyboards for him) did not think whether that sound was his or not, he just used the tool he could afford and programmed it just enough for the sound guy to be happy. Trying out different synth designs is important, but after you have an idea for a melody or a work routine in mind. Just to find out, which synth's limitations hinder you less in getting your music done. In other words, focus on your tune. If it becomes iconic, so will the synth you've made it on.
I have one word for the people who think they don't like the Oberheim sound... Prince!
Where some people are as passionate about Moog or the Prophet sound, I think I am in the camp that has always preferred the Oberheim sound. All of them are iconic and are a part of the historical legacy of electronic instruments. I am just thrilled that we all can get newer versions of them all so that they can continue to be explored in the years ahead.
Ferris Bueller had an EM-U Emulator 2 in his bedroom when he was a teen so it is no surprise he made this video.
The magic of the Oberheim sound is in the 2-Pole filter.
I think PRINCE kept the OB sound relevant, at least for me.
The new OBX8 sounds fantastic. It lives in our studio since 3 days. We can't wait to record new songs with it.
I have always wanted an OG Poly Obie so I preordered the X8; based on a few close and trusted friends who own various OG Obie's and have had considerable hands on time scutinizing the new X8.
I think that the glory of albums is often subconsciously transferred by the public to synthesizers. People think that a particular synthesizer is the key to success. But it's actually well-made music that has made certain synths more desirable today. At the time this music was being written, a particular synthesizer was just an instrument that the studio could afford.
I own the OB8, OBXa, Two Voice, and the more accessible Matrix 6 and 1000, and I’m waiting on my preordered OBX8 just to answer that question: is it going to sound like the vintage ones ? And I think I already know the answer: No
For me, it's always been about the oscillators. From the SEM module to the 2-voice, 4-voice, and then the OB series... the oscillators were/are incredible sounding. Especially on big sawtooth type stuff - just H U G E. It cuts through glass and still sounds warm. It cuts through a mix like butter. For me, the OB series was unobtainium during my formative playing years. Now, I can finally afford to get one, and somehow I'm going to squeeze it into my studio. Besides sounding huge, the thing IS huge. Figuring out that later!
When I think of the "Oberheim Sound" I think of Zawinul, Bob James, Bill Payne, Lyle Mays, etc. I don't consider "Jump" to be what makes the Oberheim legendary.