Just picked mine up. 4 days in I can honestly say its the greatest sounding polysynth I've ever played. I've owned/own the obxa, mks80, jupiter 6, Ob6, and P6. Its just frikin' tops.
Yes. Well done - was playing my X8 along with your video and learned a lot. Beautiful playing and chord choices. You and I have hands that choose the same default placements when we start playing…you’re my chord bro!
I can hear that melancholy that you said it had. This video helps me consider purchasing it one day. Thank you for your music and for touching upon the good things about this synthesizer.
hello i have question please guide me korg ms2000 or Oberheim(Ob8 obx8) ?? which one is better synthsizer? which should i buy? some people say korg ms2000 and some people say Oberheim obx8
This is such an excellent overview of the OB-X8. A great tribute to Tom, Marcus and Dave and everyone else who worked on this. This took me days to get through as every minute I was getting ideas that I had to go and and try , then i got deep deep dive every time with the ideas. Thanks so much.
My first exposure to the Oberheim sound was me discovering RetroSound’s videos on the OB-X. It left such an impact that I think the OB-X truly exemplifies Oberheim. The X8 is my chance to have that sound, with much more available. It’s all of the OB series in one. For those who always wanted a classic Oberheim, this is it.
Thanks for this video, the out of this world intro and your explanations which will help me a lot as soon as I‘ve gotten my OB-X8 - which leads me to the ‘cons‘ section: IMO 1 octave down/up is sufficient for a 5-octave keyboard and every time better than 4 octaves with 2 up/down. The P5/10 doesn‘t have an octave switch at all! In very special cases you could use an external 88-key controller. My cons: - No printed manual for a €5,600 synth? Ridiculous! - They really should have printed the page 2 designations below the panel knobs - in pale gray in order to not compromise the vintage look. BTW: what about the additonal page 2 SEM filter modes? The SEM *notch* filter represents even more *the Oberheim* sound than the LPFs.
Thanks so much Rayy! Appreciate the donation and comment man. That’s so interesting that the P5 doesn’t have an octave switch.. I’ll have to get used to that when I eventually pick one up. As for your cons that’s a good point! Manual would have been really nice for sure. And for the other modes, I had originally footage where i went through all of them but I was really rambling and it added like 15 min to the video which is already too long 😅 agreed though the notch is gorgeous
Thanks for sharing the history up front. It really set the right context for the rest of the video. The video/drone intro was really inspiring as well.
Commenting here again because I finally got to play an OBX8! Was shocked to see it just sitting out on demo at a random guitar center I was passing by on a trip. Sounded absolutely unreal in person even on a subpar (single) speaker. Was so rad to see it in person finally
Superb review, thanks for doing this. The OB-X8 sure does have serious wow factor, it sounds truly beautiful. The Prophet 10 sounded amazing in most demo videos, but in person it blows me away. Can’t wait to experience this beautiful instrument in person also. Hopefully very soon !
Excellent review, enjoyed it. I'd rather own one of these than a bunch of different synths that equal the same price tag, but to each their own. And I agree, the detune is where the magic really shines, sounds awesome:)
Thanks Jack! 100% agreed, I’ve found that this synth personally has made me realize that 1-2 classics is better for me than a filled studio of cheaper gear that causes analysis paralysis. Thanks for watching dude!
I am too scared to look up the price, but man these sounds bring me back to the 70's and 80's on the first note you touch. They do all sound kind of the same but the quality is amazing, and so is the look of the machine itself. Thanks.
Thanks for a great no-nonsense review. Your choice of sounds appeal to me, more than other reviews I've seen. 47:13 This issue was just fixed on the Prophet 10, so I'm sure it's going to fixed on the OB-X8 soon.
Great review mate. Congratulations. This from a former OB-Xa owner. I should say though that I kind of hated my OB-Xa. It was prone to not working on a Wednesday. It was also prone to not working on a Sunday. Or a Monday. I relented eventually and got rid of it. I don't miss it. It was absolutely massive. But this looks like a great option if you want the Oberheim sound. It looks spooky close to the OB-Xa. Nostalgia galore. Again, congratulations.
Thanks so much I can definitely imagine that the old Obie's were really temperamental. All the more reason I am happy this new one exists! Nostalgia galore indeed. See ya in the next video :)
@@devinbelangermusic The OB-xa was rather unreliable but you can reign them in. I was living in the north of England and the nearest tech was in London so it was rather difficult to maintain. Quick question, do the transpose up/down keys function as octave up/down keys in a traditional sense? Could you use them as octave up/down keys controlling software in other words?
Yeah, it's expensive, there are probably some poly that have a tone more feature, it doesn't have effects built in BUT it just sounds amazing. It has everything one really need in a poly. It's on my shopping list since it came out and sometimes i contemplate buying something else for analog poly but there is always something missing. The Obie just please my ears. It's the only synth that i hear and i say "i don't need to add any effect to its sound". And this is quiet important to me because i don't have to use effects to mask the "lack of character" of the base sound of the synth but as creative tools. Many times i've used synths that sounded cool on paper and then i had to drown them in effects to make them shine. I'm glad the OBX-8 exist. i already have the space ready on my desk to put it
Great comment! I completely agree. You are paying for that experience of sitting down, turning any knob and being instantly inspired. That's not worth it for everyone but it is for me. Enjoy when you get yours and consider checking out my custom synth patch bank for it in the description :)
Both Oberheim OB-X8 and Sequential Prophet-6 sounds insanely beautiful. Watched your OB-6 video before, and now your OB-X8. I must say that your Oberheim videoes have great depth and confort aural enjoyment. I played this keyboard in a music store, and just can't control myself in searching videoes of it after I come home. This is absolutely the best synthesizer I ever see.
@@devinbelangermusic hope you're ob6 is still calling you. I would not be able to afford the obx8 but a used ob6 is certainly possible. Thanks for your informative videos which help with decisions. While the obx8 is amazing but the menu diving is an instant no for me despite being a fantastic machine.
@@xntricity6446super late reply but 100% my OB-6 is still my all time favourite synth even over this! Keep an eye out for my EP coming March 2023 it’s almost all done on OB-6 😊
32:55 I always send velocity to filter envelope amount instead of amp volume. It sounds so much more musical to me. Adds brightness and therefore also a bit of loudness.
Even the Init sounded awesome. I just ordered the TEO 5 for the OB flavor to my setup, I will more then likely sell my DM12 since a lot of it is over lapping with my JunoX, not analog but it really covers the Roland sound. Good video bro, thanks for sharing.
When you talk about the limit on modulation in regards to the classic sound you like, are you referring to The Cars sync lead patch? I call it the WOEW sound originally created on the Prophet 5 for The Cars "let's go" modulating square waves. I know it should probably have a similar Van Halen patch used on the OBXa for "Why can't this be love". I really enjoyed watching this for the 3rd time!
Excellent to hear!! Hope you enjoy it! Stay tuned for my custom patch bank coming next week :) I'm not sure what you mean by that Cars patch, sorry! Can you give an example?
@@devinbelangermusic definitely looking forward to your patchbank! This is the Lets Go synclead sound I created on the Jupiter 6. m.ua-cam.com/video/iXjlWUkhflc/v-deo.html
It's the first big resurrection of the poly classics that isn't a "modern interpretation", it's just the straight up 4th major Oberheim. The OBX, the OBXa, the OB8, and the OBX8. It's not trying to be like them, it is just one of them. It sits under my Jupiter 8 and is every bit on its level.
I accidentally clicked on this video, was watching a video about theTrigon.. thought that it was a commercial break, but then the trees. . . AND THE SOUND. I thought, ok I’m finally impressed with this Trigon.. then the trees stop and I see your Oberheim
@@devinbelangermusic definitely it is super capable even though a VA digital synth has lots of punch and can be smooth, dreamy trance or downright filthy and hard
Good to see a new generation of musicians learning and understanding the beauty and musicality of Oberheims polys. Hopefully folks understand what all the fuss is about now and what's been missing for 30 years as digital became the norm.
Thanks for watching! You nailed it. I came from being an EDM producer for a living using only software, and the reason I created this channel a few years ago is that I have fallen down the rabbit hole of classic analog synths. There's nothing like an Oberheim !
I have yet to play an X8 but I have had an Xa for a long time. There is definitely something about Oberhiems that you can't find anywhere else. I did chuckle when you mentioned how easy it gets out of tune, the old ones are usually a gamble whether or not they will pass their tune routine xD. I picked mine up and moved it to a different stand one time and one of the voice cards failed and never worked again until it got serviced. We really are living in a golden age of synthesizers.
Dude I was waiting for your video as I’m usually finding myself aligned with all your views, and I must say I’m not disappointed - best video so far on this Beast - thank you Sooooo much, you convinced me! Also love how much muscle memory you developed so quickly! Take care buddy
@@devinbelangermusic I am sorry to ask you but how would you approach someone thinking about ob6 vs obx8 ? I dont sleep anymore because of this😆I think I could afford the obx8 but this would mean a big jump and I am feeling guilty / struggling to find the real rationale in spending 5k in a pleasure knowing this is by no mean a professional tool, just a shortcut to get goosebump and feeling inspired.... Do you miss a lot with the OB6 ? I am binge watching your shootout video since one month... but I need help !
Absolutely loving my OB-X8. One thing I have noticed, though, is that I struggle to layer it with other synths in a way that sounds pleasing to my ears. If I’m running it as the only synth over some drums, it’s amazing, but when I try to integrate it with various patches I’m playing on my Nord S3, I find it a struggle to fit it in musically. Maybe the answer is to not use any other synths 😂
Interesting comment! I find its the second easiest synth I own to mix (right behind the Prophet 6, which just sort of works like glue with anything. SEM filter with lots of resonance will cut through any mix ! I do find myself using the OB more for brighter sounds - keyboards, brass etc. The basses are amazing sounding but really earth shaking and tend not to work quite as well for the more crisp music i make.
@@devinbelangermusic As an update, it appears the reason I was having a hard time is my OB was simply out of tune. Even after tuning, it was a semitone down. Adjusted up a semitone in globals, and boom, easy to mix! Haha should just pulled out the tuner earlier. I don’t have a great ear for pitch… just knew it was off and somehow didn’t think to check.
That first section of improvised playing warmed my soul. Is that a factory patch or one of your own? Love your videos man! I'm psyching myself up to get the desktop module now it's been announced, it's just SO expensive here in Australia
Thanks so much! Happy you enjoyed. If I remember correctly that is the first strings patch in the stock OBX bank! I hope you can get one, they are really special!
2 years ago I hadn't subscribed to you yet. If I had seen this vid before, I could've saved some explanations.🥴. However my last OB8's previous owner had not detectedt the "SWM" feature even though he was heavily involved in the OB6 factory preset programming. I can only agree that OB-series VCOs are beating uniquely like no others. "SWM" can further be aqueezed out of other (Tom) Oberheim instrunents., but beats just half as broadly. Matrix 6/r/1000 offered usual Saw + Pulse-mix & SWM. Marion Systems MSR-2/Prosynth had some further unusual patameters for waveform alterations. There it's even more difficult to squeeze SWM out but it still does. Though REV2/Prophet 08 share modified budget Matrix-6 chips I'm not surprised that DSI still abandoned SWM. Despite slow LFOs/ENVs & 3:instead of 4 ENVs, Matrix-6 series nonetheless remains way more elaborate at least on a patch programming basis.
Would love to hear the obx8 vs the 3rd wave, I want to hear how it's svf filters compares to the oberheim sem as it's supposedly really really good. Unfortunately nobody is making comparison videos.
Very good overview, but there are two very important Page 2 settings you didn’t cover, which is the two different X/8 LFO and Envelope modes. The older LFO is way more extreme and wild sounding, while the OB-8 LFO setting is a lot more subtle, and is key for some of the other Page 2 LFO options which are from the OB-8. The envelopes are also very different, with the X again being a little bit looser and vintage sounding, and the OB-8 being faster and sharper. Those are settings people will want to be changing a lot as they aim for different types of sounds. There’s also a lot of Page 2 Portamento settings, but those are not as important. You covered everything else well.👍
100% great comment! Thanks for this. I originally had footage where I talked about this and the additional page 2 sem filter modes but it made the video over 1hr10 min long and I was rambling 😂 you just said it much better than I did in my footage so thanks for the comment
The OB-X8 is a dream come true and I love how you framed it as honoring Tom Oberheim's legacy in this new golden age of analog synthesis....Now, all we need is a vintage reissue of the legendary Oberheim Four-Voice / Eight-Voice that Dennis DeYoung famously used for the classic Styx sound!
Thanks for watching, stick around for more! That's a tough question, either set up is amazing. I'd probably go for this and the Rev 2 because you get more variety with the mod matrix of the rev 2 + the amazing vintage sound of this. BUT the P6 and OB6 are modern classic for a reason.
@@Rectangulaireyou can sort of, but it's definitely missing the modern staples like lots of modulation, distortion fx etc. It's main thing is vintage sounds like I showed. Rev2 or Prophet 6 better for modern! Check my Prophet6 review
@@devinbelangermusic Just checked your P6 review, really nice, I use to own a P6 + OB6 module but sold both.. The only one I regret is the OB6, that's the reason why I hesitate between OBX8 and OB6.. As you said, this vintage Oberheim melancholy is unique..
Pretty full overview, well done. I have an old Xa, and it seems like the only things that were oddly left off are a few rear control jacks. For example, while the new X8 has a Sustain pedal jack, along with Amp(?), Filter and Volume expression(?) input jacks, it lacks the program advance pedal jack along with a dedicated Hold pedal trigger jack. Do you know if these features can be programmed via the synth engine's page 2 midi/mod-matrix functions? I like to have one pedal for Sustain and another for Hold so I can play and trigger a Hold/Drone on the fly, almost like a Sustenuto pedal. Much like there is a company offering a pinstripe overlay, maybe an old school mod will come out to add a rear jack wired to the Hold circuit. Very common practice to add rear jack connections on old gear to add functionality and/or midi connectivity to pre midi analog gear.
That's really interesting, i don't own a vintage OB so I didn't know that was on the originals. I honestly don't know if it can - the hold feature is pretty barebones. A 3rd party controller would be sweet though!
I found an oberheim matrix6r with controller and tauntek chip upgrade second hand for 1400 euro. I don't know if this is normal or high priced but it seems to be a good deal in relation to the obx8. The demos are awsome i saw. It has a wonderfull strong ob filter, a lot of modulation possibilities but mono and dco's. The sound seems to be top notch. Check it out next weekend and i am really excited how i like it.
Hey i forgot to mention. The vermona perfourmer is also a super pleasing sounding synth. Not so expensive. 4 voices with and special fm design. That is something special. Maybe you like that. The sound is very very good.
@38:40, octave transpose is not the default for double mode. You were playing an existing double patch with a transpose setting. The default is no transpose as you’d expect.
Great sounds out of a great synth. The page 2 shift capability (more coming if they are smart) is a step in the right direction, but it will never be workflow/interface "perfected" like the P10 IMHO. For all of us the heart wants what it wants and that is different for everyone. For me IF I had decided to spend at this level for a poly Hydrasynth Deluxe + P10 Desktop would win out and I can admit some of that would be for the Poly AT.
Totally agree Kevin! And wow that's a deadly combo. For me, I think I'd get a keyboard P10 because I love the feeling and look of it, but usability wise, I think your combo of Hydra Deluxe and P10 module honestly sounds like the best possible modern set up!
Hi Miles! Idk if you remember me but I used to come to your channel for your take on the Novation summit. I literally bought and received the OB-X8 a few days ago and WOWZERS it's beautiful! The OB-X8 did remind me of the Novation summit but with even more limitations bc of the Obie being analog. However, the tighter limits actually bring out my own creativity that I don't think I could of ever done on the Summit. Definitely can say the OB-X8 is worth the $5k and gosh it's so amazing, I still have the summit but don't know if to sell. What do you think?
I do remember you! Congrats on the OB-X8, so happy you like it! Thanks a great question. They are extremely different beasts and if you like wavetables and complex mod like filter fm, linear fm, etc. If you are into that then keep both, but if you just used your summit for classic analog style sounds then I’d say sell it. I’m undecided right now if im selling my summit, prophet 6, or both!
I absolutely love the Oberheim sound. So I enjoy very much my OB6. After viewing and listening to many video reviews of the OBX8, like this excellent one here, I came to the conclusion that for me, personally, there's no way I'm willing to fork over $7400 CDN (including sales tax here in Quebec) for a polysynth with only 2 voices more than my OB6 and quite a few (surprising) limitations and cons. Anyway, thanks for this honest review and for sharing it.
@@devinbelangermusic Well... A year after my initial comment, I saved up enough to buy a discounted OB-X8. Good things come to those who wait. And the OB-X8 is a really really good thing! Although I will still keep my OB-6 because it does things the OB-X8 can't and the OB-6 sounds amazing too.
Great tip! I had some footage going through every page 2 setting but it made the video an extra 20 min and I was rambling, but this is absolutely a great tip.
I'd love to see the basic sonic characteristics compared with the GS E7 and Nina. I know this synth is unreal for pad and 80s leads sounds and as much as I love them they aren't very useful for my music. Would it be any good for house music and techno and more modern styles or does it have an intrinsically dated character? I don't think i've often heard many of these kind of OB sounds in the last few decades in the genres I listen to. Everything on the OB sounds so deep, emotional and beautiful in an 80s kind of way or regal and magestic. I'm not sure you can get away from that. Would you choose another synth for that in your studio?
Great comment, happy to help! Honestly yea - I would not choose the OB-X8 for techno/house personally. If you need the OB sound, get the OB-6. It's snappier, grittier and has built in analog distortion. Like you said the X8 is more like a sad beautiful pillow, lol. But my absolute favourite synth for techno is the Sub 37. So I'd personally get a Moog Sub 37 and then use the 2-3k leftover to get a polysynth of your choice like a Take 5, Prologue, GS E7 (beautiful but also not my first choice for techno), Hydrasynth or used Prophet 6 (amazing for techno and house but pricy). Hope that helps!
@@devinbelangermusic That's for your suggestions. I do already have 2 monos - a Future Retro XS and a Matrixbrute. I also really want a Jomox Alpha Base. The synth that appeals to me most, not in terms of sound, but in terms of practicality and ease of use is the Nina. I absolutely hate not being able to see what I'm doing and blind tweaking when it comes to patch editing/recall and multi-timbrality. How would you rate the sound compared to the others you've mentioned? The GS E7 sound does appeal to me. The Microwave M too. Sad beautiful pillow is a great description! I had an OB8 and loved the beauty of the sound but ultimately didn't find it very useful for making tracks.
I haven't used the Nina but it looks great! Did you see my videos on the 3rd Wave? That's no joke the best all around synth I own by far. Actually just sold my Prophet 6 since it was redundant. They make a module now too. GS E7 sounds incredible too though,, I never really use it for techno/house but for polysynth duties its up there with the OBs and Prophets. @@MadelnMachines
@@devinbelangermusic Yeah I've been listening and it seems great but probably overkill at the same time. I've heard so many amazing patches on the Hydrasynth and Waldorf M that it might be a very unnecessary extravagance. I dare say the people programming the hydrasynth to sound so amazing are probably way better than me!
I think it‘s the same as with the Prophet-5/10 and P6. I‘ve had a P6 for a while and was highly satisfied. This week I eventually bought a P5 - and out of a sudden the P6 sounded somehow flat and powerless in direct comparison. However: what I do is to play a fundamental sound with that extra portion of low end on the P5, layered with an airy, stereo-spread icing on the cake from the P6. That‘s what I would probably do with the OB-X8-OB-6 combo: imagine a growly 4-pole OB-X8 patch layered with a HPF patch from the OB-6 … :)))
Ordered an OB-X8 last Friday, and until it arrives Monday, I'm watching all kinds of UA-cam videos about people who're exited about their OB-X8, so I'll feel less guilty about all of the money I've spent so irresponsibly. Good video btw. I have a Prophet 5 as well and I agree with your comparison between the Prophet 5 and OB-X8. The Prophet 5 also sounds very "woody" to me. Very elegant. Almost like a classical instrument. It's a timeless sound. The OB's have this nostalgic 80s sound. You said electric. I always call it "rubbery". I thing it has a bit of an overblown coloured sound, with filters that sound sticky. I always thought the OB's have a less elegant, but grittier sound. My former music teacher could never relate to my opinions. He always said the Prophet 5 was great for leads and basses, while the OB's are "pad machines" as he liked to call them. He meant they can only do pads and nothing else. In never quite understood that, because if it can only do pads, why is the most famous sound a brass used in Jump by Van Halen? Why is it a typical rock synth because it's used in a lot of rock bands, while the Prophets are used more in funk bands? Anyway I think basses and leads often sound fine on an OB-X8. I think it's best at more strange effecty sounds and typical nostalgic 80's pads and sequences. I do believe the more coloured sound of the OB's and the good sounding filters make it always sound very "nice", while the more neutral sound of the Prophet can make it sound more in your face, especially with more basic typical synth waveforms. Maybe that's where he's coming from. It's super difficult to categorise synthesizers when there are so many different sounds you can make and parameters you can tweak. It's also very personal. I also have a Subsequent 37 and a Polybrute btw which are also great. With so many differences, overlaps and different opinions about the synths I really struggle which synth to use for what sound. It would be helpful to have a comprehensive and objective guide to what the differences between the synthesizers is, instead of just having to try everything out and be led by misinformation and personal opinions. Maybe such a guide can never exist, since everything in music depends on taste.
I can imagine that maybe the obx8 is a perfect fit for you. You are completely into analog subtractive synthesis. And all points to synth with great basic sound. So maybe a juno would also be a thing for you. Obx8, prophet 6 and juno could be a cool trio. I ask my self allthough what about other synthesis types? Aren't you into wavetables? Like microwave, ppg, m or 3rd wave? That is somethimg which i absolutely adore too. Or what about 90's va's like nord lead 2x, jp8000, waldorf q, an1x? They also have an imperfect great sound. What about fm synthesizers? Or is analog subtractive synthesis just your favorite cup of tea?
Good question! I love all types but I use VSTs more for stuff like granular (my fave), basic additive, fm, etc. I use my Summit or Argon for wave table, but I love Serum as well. But, for me no plug-in can match a good simple analog subtractive synth like a minimoog or Obie 90s I must confess is my least experienced decade. I don’t know any of those well, so thanks for the suggestions!
Octave steps and menu are still there, but they fixed my biggest issue which is there's now a mode to edit both layers in Duo mode at the same time, so you get a massive 4 voice super stereo synth. It's amazing I will have to do a video.
Very cool. Loving your content. Finally subbed. Kitty's appearance was the final incentive. Chomping at the bit for your OBX8 vs OB6 comparison. I am very seriously considering an OB6 purchase, but now I'm wondering if I need to save up for a year, or save up for TWO years to get the OBX8 instead. I have a feeling for my needs an OBX8 is overkill. I don't actually play piano/keyboard (guitarist) so mostly I'm dialing in tones, sequencing multiple tracks and occasionally doing some simple right hand only melodic lines. As far as I can tell, for me the big draw on the OBX8 would be access to multiple filters, but is the subtlety, however brilliant worth an additional 3k?
Thanks so much! And don't worry, kitty will return in future videos - haha! I'll make sure to go over my thoughts in more detail but it's tough because they are both so good at what they do. The OB-6 can do the SEM thing flawlessly and has way more useful modern and extra features, like the morphing filter, better xmod, analog distortion, etc. BUT there's some intangible magic in the oscillators of the OB-X8 that it's hard to put my finger on but it adds an extra 10% of lushness and vintage sounding amazingness. They honestly do sound different, which is why I am keeping both and likely selling my Prophet 6.
@@devinbelangermusic Thanks for the feedback Miles. I know what you mean about the oscillators. You can hear it, even across YT's crunched audio. I'll be keeping an eye out for the video. Cheers.
Thanks so much! I did a similar video on the OB-6 last year if you haven't seen that. Recorded direct into UAD apollo with light Neve pre-amp emulation. Anytime you hear effects it's Empress Reverb/Echosystem.
@@devinbelangermusic Bought mine OB-X8 today. It is truly phenomenal! Played it without any effects and it sounds absolutely gorgeous! Your video made me pull the trigger and buy it and I’m really happy with it! Thanks! 😁
Sounds great … but considering you have the OB6 already, I wonder if the Moog One 8 voice might have given you something different sonically? But hey, the heart wants what it wants. And you clearly have an idea of the types of sounds you want to use in your production. Enjoy!
Good question Michael. I think for me I buy instruments based on gut feeling and how it makes me feel inspired, and I’ve always wanted a vintage oberheim, so this was a no brainer. The One looks way more versatile though, I’d really love to borrow a One to review, but the few times I played it at stores it didn’t immediately click for me as much as I wanted it to. I’m sure it is great once you learn it inside and out, but here in Canada it’s 9$grand just for the 8voice.
@@devinbelangermusic That makes sense. My favorite synth of all time is the Juno 6, even though I have other synths that are far more complex, and most modern synths can do lots of things it can’t. But at the end of the day, I always go to the Juno because you can immediately dive in and get the sounds you want-and it still inspires me. So I completely understand. I’ve never played an Oberheim either, so maybe I would fall in love immediately like yourself? But if ideas are “constantly falling out of it”, you made the right choice. Also, I didn’t know how expensive the 8 voice is in Canada. But you must be talking new? Because the go for around 5 grand used online. But hey, nothing is more annoying than someone saying you should have gotten this or that. You didn’t buy a Moog One because youve played it and it didn’t click with you, period. I hop you make some great music with the OBX8!
@Rhizosphere true well in my case, I already have a Moog Sub 37 and DFAM so the OB X8 was my choice to get a new poly synth. Moog One is 3-4k more than OB X8.
thanks very much, it's the best review to really hear how everything sounds, the various diffencies with the filters... only one question: is there some filter steping on the filter cut off knob like on the Ob6 and Pro6 ?
Glad it was helpful! Check out my Prophet 6 and OB6 videos too, same format :) The filter works the same as on the P6 - it steps through the harmonics when you twist it but it is smooth as butter when you use and env or LFO - absolutely zero stepping
@@devinbelangermusic ob6 and p6 have the usual 127 midi audible steps ... if you like to play the filter to pickup harmonics and do a melodie with it, it will jump at moments to the next step ... on the Moog Voyager there is 1027 steps so it is not audible, on Deepmind12 there is a logarytmic curve that makes the steps inaudible etc...
Sound wise it is top notch and you hear that it is something else. But as a completely synthesizer it is not worth the money. Have you tried keyboard to lfo and whats going on there in singlemode? 2nd page with this encoder. The huge limitations that hasn't to be there. It stops my flow. And there will be other beautys in the future. They know howvto built them now
The first 1,000 people to use the link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/milesaway10221
Just picked mine up. 4 days in I can honestly say its the greatest sounding polysynth I've ever played. I've owned/own the obxa, mks80, jupiter 6, Ob6, and P6. Its just frikin' tops.
Couldn't agree more! It's so amazing! Congrats on yours, and stay tuned I'm releasing a Custom Patch bank in a week or two for the X8 :)
@@devinbelangermusic I own analog synths and you tell me to stay tuned? Is that some kind of micro aggression? 😉
Sure 🙂
@@alphamilkrecordings8974 😂 LOL that made me laugh! I didn’t even realize the accidental synth pun’
@@devinbelangermusic Is your OB-6/X8 comparison also coming very soon?
@@harrisonthacker9707 haven't forgotten just got busy but its coming in Jan/Feb!
Yes. Well done - was playing my X8 along with your video and learned a lot. Beautiful playing and chord choices. You and I have hands that choose the same default placements when we start playing…you’re my chord bro!
Thanks so much Tony! Big compliment coming from you dude, you make beautiful music! Glad you enjoyed the video
I can hear that melancholy that you said it had. This video helps me consider purchasing it one day. Thank you for your music and for touching upon the good things about this synthesizer.
You're most welcome! Thank you for supporting my channel!
Hiya Billy! Same here. I have added the OB-XA to my wish list. Cheers.
Best demo I've heard. Starts really simple. Shows the power of the sound.
Thank you so much! Lots of new demos coming soon, working on one for the 3rd wave, so stick around my channel :)
hello
i have question
please guide me
korg ms2000
or
Oberheim(Ob8 obx8)
??
which one is better synthsizer?
which should i buy?
some people say korg ms2000
and some people say Oberheim obx8
This is such an excellent overview of the OB-X8. A great tribute to Tom, Marcus and Dave and everyone else who worked on this. This took me days to get through as every minute I was getting ideas that I had to go and and try , then i got deep deep dive every time with the ideas. Thanks so much.
Thank you so so much! Comments like these really make me keep going and making these synth videos, as they take a long time to make :)
My first exposure to the Oberheim sound was me discovering RetroSound’s videos on the OB-X. It left such an impact that I think the OB-X truly exemplifies Oberheim.
The X8 is my chance to have that sound, with much more available. It’s all of the OB series in one. For those who always wanted a classic Oberheim, this is it.
Exactly. It really is having 3 vintage synths in one. Thanks for watching!
Me too actually! Jaw dropping retrosound OB-X videos
which is better oberheim('Ob8 obx8 ...) OR korg ms 2000
please guide me🙏
Thanks for this video, the out of this world intro and your explanations which will help me a lot as soon as I‘ve gotten my OB-X8 - which leads me to the ‘cons‘ section:
IMO 1 octave down/up is sufficient for a 5-octave keyboard and every time better than 4 octaves with 2 up/down. The P5/10 doesn‘t have an octave switch at all! In very special cases you could use an external 88-key controller.
My cons:
- No printed manual for a €5,600 synth? Ridiculous!
- They really should have printed the page 2 designations below the panel knobs - in pale gray in order to not compromise the vintage look.
BTW: what about the additonal page 2 SEM filter modes? The SEM *notch* filter represents even more *the Oberheim* sound than the LPFs.
Thanks so much Rayy! Appreciate the donation and comment man. That’s so interesting that the P5 doesn’t have an octave switch.. I’ll have to get used to that when I eventually pick one up.
As for your cons that’s a good point! Manual would have been really nice for sure.
And for the other modes, I had originally footage where i went through all of them but I was really rambling and it added like 15 min to the video which is already too long 😅 agreed though the notch is gorgeous
Thanks for sharing the history up front. It really set the right context for the rest of the video. The video/drone intro was really inspiring as well.
Glad you enjoyed that part! Thanks for watching:)
love that first piece of music!
Thanks so much! Musical ideas just fall out of this thing
That sound is my personal definition of beauty...holy cow...
Same here! It’s perfect. Thx for watching!
@@devinbelangermusic you're welcome...your videos are awesome, please keep it up
excellent video! love the cinematic elements you included. synth sounds incredible
Glad you think so! Thanks for watching.
Commenting here again because I finally got to play an OBX8! Was shocked to see it just sitting out on demo at a random guitar center I was passing by on a trip. Sounded absolutely unreal in person even on a subpar (single) speaker. Was so rad to see it in person finally
43:20 Like sound 007 on the OB6 but I do love that large keyboard and panel.
great video and synth breakdown 🔥🔥🔥
Glad you liked it! More synth videos coming weekly :)
+1 for the Studio Cat. 👍😻 Every synth owner should have one in their studio.
100% agree! Ruffles is in most of my videos now!
So cool, love learning about the history of what came before. Timeless synth 😎
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for this overview. Followed along with mine. Threw me off a bit until I realized you were transposed up a step.
Thanks for watching! And good catch, I must have left it on. Stay tuned for more synth videos weekly :)
Excellent demo! Great sound lively when a synth sounds wonderful in a very simple setup.
Superb review, thanks for doing this. The OB-X8 sure does have serious wow factor, it sounds truly beautiful. The Prophet 10 sounded amazing in most demo videos, but in person it blows me away. Can’t wait to experience this beautiful instrument in person also. Hopefully very soon !
Thanks so much Craig! Definitely play one in person if you can, UA-cam can’t do it justice :)
Excellent review, enjoyed it. I'd rather own one of these than a bunch of different synths that equal the same price tag, but to each their own. And I agree, the detune is where the magic really shines, sounds awesome:)
Thanks Jack! 100% agreed, I’ve found that this synth personally has made me realize that 1-2 classics is better for me than a filled studio of cheaper gear that causes analysis paralysis. Thanks for watching dude!
I am too scared to look up the price, but man these sounds bring me back to the 70's and 80's on the first note you touch. They do all sound kind of the same but the quality is amazing, and so is the look of the machine itself. Thanks.
es una maquina brutal es algo fuera de este mundo de ver tanta belleza junta
It's definitely super pricy but if you like that sound, nothing can beat an oberheim. Pure melancholic nostalgia.
@@devinbelangermusic agree and for same price as the Mini Moog Model D re-issue the OB X8 wins easily.
Thanks for a great no-nonsense review. Your choice of sounds appeal to me, more than other reviews I've seen.
47:13 This issue was just fixed on the Prophet 10, so I'm sure it's going to fixed on the OB-X8 soon.
Thanks for the kind words! And that’s awesome news, definitely looking forward to the next update fix
Great review mate. Congratulations. This from a former OB-Xa owner. I should say though that I kind of hated my OB-Xa. It was prone to not working on a Wednesday. It was also prone to not working on a Sunday. Or a Monday. I relented eventually and got rid of it. I don't miss it. It was absolutely massive. But this looks like a great option if you want the Oberheim sound. It looks spooky close to the OB-Xa. Nostalgia galore. Again, congratulations.
Thanks so much I can definitely imagine that the old Obie's were really temperamental. All the more reason I am happy this new one exists! Nostalgia galore indeed. See ya in the next video :)
@@devinbelangermusic The OB-xa was rather unreliable but you can reign them in. I was living in the north of England and the nearest tech was in London so it was rather difficult to maintain. Quick question, do the transpose up/down keys function as octave up/down keys in a traditional sense? Could you use them as octave up/down keys controlling software in other words?
@@Screaming-Trees yep! I believe they send midi messages if that's what you mean
@@devinbelangermusic Yeah if you push the up/down button do you get an octave change on a VST if you're using the synth to control a VST basically.
Bravo, nice review.
Glad you liked it!
Yeah, it's expensive, there are probably some poly that have a tone more feature, it doesn't have effects built in BUT it just sounds amazing.
It has everything one really need in a poly.
It's on my shopping list since it came out and sometimes i contemplate buying something else for analog poly but there is always something missing.
The Obie just please my ears. It's the only synth that i hear and i say "i don't need to add any effect to its sound". And this is quiet important to me because i don't have to use effects to mask the "lack of character" of the base sound of the synth but as creative tools. Many times i've used synths that sounded cool on paper and then i had to drown them in effects to make them shine.
I'm glad the OBX-8 exist. i already have the space ready on my desk to put it
Great comment! I completely agree. You are paying for that experience of sitting down, turning any knob and being instantly inspired. That's not worth it for everyone but it is for me. Enjoy when you get yours and consider checking out my custom synth patch bank for it in the description :)
Yet another video that gives me a push closer to buying a OB X8,good demonstration and well put opinion about this great "remake".
Thanks so much! Enjoy if you do, its spectacular
Both Oberheim OB-X8 and Sequential Prophet-6 sounds insanely beautiful. Watched your OB-6 video before, and now your OB-X8. I must say that your Oberheim videoes have great depth and confort aural enjoyment. I played this keyboard in a music store, and just can't control myself in searching videoes of it after I come home. This is absolutely the best synthesizer I ever see.
Thank you so much for watching! All great synths for sure you can’t go wrong with any !
@@devinbelangermusic hope you're ob6 is still calling you. I would not be able to afford the obx8 but a used ob6 is certainly possible. Thanks for your informative videos which help with decisions. While the obx8 is amazing but the menu diving is an instant no for me despite being a fantastic machine.
@@xntricity6446super late reply but 100% my OB-6 is still my all time favourite synth even over this! Keep an eye out for my EP coming March 2023 it’s almost all done on OB-6 😊
@@devinbelangermusic wow that's fantastic man, i will certainly supporting purchase of that EP 😊
32:55 I always send velocity to filter envelope amount instead of amp volume. It sounds so much more musical to me. Adds brightness and therefore also a bit of loudness.
Great tip Dave!
Even the Init sounded awesome. I just ordered the TEO 5 for the OB flavor to my setup, I will more then likely sell my DM12 since a lot of it is over lapping with my JunoX, not analog but it really covers the Roland sound. Good video bro, thanks for sharing.
TEO-5 is great congrats! My deep dive vide for it like this is coming today!
@@devinbelangermusic I saw it ! Great video too! Even more excited for my TEO now, should be here any minute ..
Great video! Mine will be here this week!
When you talk about the limit on modulation in regards to the classic sound you like, are you referring to The Cars sync lead patch? I call it the WOEW sound originally created on the Prophet 5 for The Cars "let's go" modulating square waves. I know it should probably have a similar Van Halen patch used on the OBXa for "Why can't this be love". I really enjoyed watching this for the 3rd time!
Excellent to hear!! Hope you enjoy it! Stay tuned for my custom patch bank coming next week :) I'm not sure what you mean by that Cars patch, sorry! Can you give an example?
@@devinbelangermusic definitely looking forward to your patchbank! This is the Lets Go synclead sound I created on the Jupiter 6. m.ua-cam.com/video/iXjlWUkhflc/v-deo.html
Did you get it? Thoughts? 😊 I had mine for a couple of weeks and I’m amazed! 😎
@@P-S-T yes! Amazing
23:34 That 4 pole is sublime in dark mode.
its amazing! I use it in 4 pole all the time for pads
It's the first big resurrection of the poly classics that isn't a "modern interpretation", it's just the straight up 4th major Oberheim. The OBX, the OBXa, the OB8, and the OBX8. It's not trying to be like them, it is just one of them. It sits under my Jupiter 8 and is every bit on its level.
Agreed! It’s truly legendary. What do you think about the Prophet 10 rev4?
I accidentally clicked on this video, was watching a video about theTrigon.. thought that it was a commercial break, but then the trees. . . AND THE SOUND. I thought, ok I’m finally impressed with this Trigon.. then the trees stop and I see your Oberheim
haha sorry to disappoint. :P I have owned a lot of modern synths and this one sounds the absolute best to my ears.
Agree such an amazing poly analog synth! Bought one today and very excited to get into it.
Sick! Big congrats on owning one! Stay tuned as my custom patch set is coming soon !
@@devinbelangermusic yeah I’m super excited! Will be fun to compare to my Virus and Moog. The Oberheim will be nice to play.
@@GuitarsAndSynths that's a great combo! I'd love to get a Virus one day, I used to regularly use one at a friend's house and its so unique.
@@devinbelangermusic definitely it is super capable even though a VA digital synth has lots of punch and can be smooth, dreamy trance or downright filthy and hard
I definitely want to buy one someday. I love the uplifting sounds that synths have.
So good! I hope you get one!
Good to see a new generation of musicians learning and understanding the beauty and musicality of Oberheims polys. Hopefully folks understand what all the fuss is about now and what's been missing for 30 years as digital became the norm.
Thanks for watching! You nailed it. I came from being an EDM producer for a living using only software, and the reason I created this channel a few years ago is that I have fallen down the rabbit hole of classic analog synths. There's nothing like an Oberheim !
I have yet to play an X8 but I have had an Xa for a long time. There is definitely something about Oberhiems that you can't find anywhere else. I did chuckle when you mentioned how easy it gets out of tune, the old ones are usually a gamble whether or not they will pass their tune routine xD. I picked mine up and moved it to a different stand one time and one of the voice cards failed and never worked again until it got serviced. We really are living in a golden age of synthesizers.
Totally agreed! And yea I bet if this one needs time to tune and warm up the vintage ones were a bit of a nightmare LOL
Gorgeous, thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much for watching!
Awesome sounding video! Thank you for the wonderful music video 📹. Super well done. Have a great weekend 😀. Mark Bensette Aux Bois 🇨🇦.
Thanks for watching Mark!
@@devinbelangermusic Always such a pleasure!
Dude I was waiting for your video as I’m usually finding myself aligned with all your views, and I must say I’m not disappointed - best video so far on this Beast - thank you Sooooo much, you convinced me!
Also love how much muscle memory you developed so quickly!
Take care buddy
Thanks so much Gauthier! Happy you enjoyed
@@devinbelangermusic I am sorry to ask you but how would you approach someone thinking about ob6 vs obx8 ? I dont sleep anymore because of this😆I think I could afford the obx8 but this would mean a big jump and I am feeling guilty / struggling to find the real rationale in spending 5k in a pleasure knowing this is by no mean a professional tool, just a shortcut to get goosebump and feeling inspired....
Do you miss a lot with the OB6 ? I am binge watching your shootout video since one month... but I need help !
Wow that intro sounded very nice, really nice playing
Thank you kindly! TEO-5 video coming tomorrow, if you are curious how it compares to this!
It really is the endgame Synth, great review!
Thanks so much Justin!
Ordered mine 2 days ago. Won’t get here until Sep. 6th and I can’t wait!!!
So exciting! Enjoy! If you haven't already, check out my custom OB-X8 patches as well :) maybe they will inspire you!
Great overview!
Thanks so much! Did you get an OBX8?
@@devinbelangermusic not yet, but thinking of trading in my moog one for it! just sprung for a juno + mpc x combo in the meantime 🔥
amazing demo!!
Absolutely loving my OB-X8. One thing I have noticed, though, is that I struggle to layer it with other synths in a way that sounds pleasing to my ears.
If I’m running it as the only synth over some drums, it’s amazing, but when I try to integrate it with various patches I’m playing on my Nord S3, I find it a struggle to fit it in musically.
Maybe the answer is to not use any other synths 😂
Interesting comment! I find its the second easiest synth I own to mix (right behind the Prophet 6, which just sort of works like glue with anything. SEM filter with lots of resonance will cut through any mix !
I do find myself using the OB more for brighter sounds - keyboards, brass etc. The basses are amazing sounding but really earth shaking and tend not to work quite as well for the more crisp music i make.
@@devinbelangermusic I’m not super experienced with mixing synths so that probably plays a role!
@@devinbelangermusic As an update, it appears the reason I was having a hard time is my OB was simply out of tune. Even after tuning, it was a semitone down.
Adjusted up a semitone in globals, and boom, easy to mix! Haha should just pulled out the tuner earlier. I don’t have a great ear for pitch… just knew it was off and somehow didn’t think to check.
@@MotorHolmesthere you go! Happy to hear that. Analog synths are unruly for tuning 😂
@@devinbelangermusic It’s my first big poly analog synth and so I’m certainly learning a lot. It even sounded great not in tune! 😂
Awesome demo 👌 Incredible Sounds 🤩 what a synth 💥💥💥💥💥 Amazing ❤ 🙌
Thanks Jay glad you enjoyed!
Awesome thank you!!😊😊
You are so welcome!
That first section of improvised playing warmed my soul.
Is that a factory patch or one of your own?
Love your videos man!
I'm psyching myself up to get the desktop module now it's been announced, it's just SO expensive here in Australia
Thanks so much! Happy you enjoyed. If I remember correctly that is the first strings patch in the stock OBX bank! I hope you can get one, they are really special!
2 years ago I hadn't subscribed to you yet. If I had seen this vid before, I could've saved some explanations.🥴. However my last OB8's previous owner had not detectedt the "SWM" feature even though he was heavily involved in the OB6 factory preset programming.
I can only agree that OB-series VCOs are beating uniquely like no others. "SWM" can further be aqueezed out of other (Tom) Oberheim instrunents., but beats just half as broadly. Matrix 6/r/1000 offered usual Saw + Pulse-mix & SWM. Marion Systems MSR-2/Prosynth had some further unusual patameters for waveform alterations. There it's even more difficult to squeeze SWM out but it still does. Though REV2/Prophet 08 share modified budget Matrix-6 chips I'm not surprised that DSI still abandoned SWM. Despite slow LFOs/ENVs & 3:instead of 4 ENVs, Matrix-6 series nonetheless remains way more elaborate at least on a patch programming basis.
It helps that you have a lot of talent! and passion for the instrument!
Thank you so much!
Would love to hear the obx8 vs the 3rd wave, I want to hear how it's svf filters compares to the oberheim sem as it's supposedly really really good. Unfortunately nobody is making comparison videos.
Cool idea! Will see what I can do ✌🏻
Very good overview, but there are two very important Page 2 settings you didn’t cover, which is the two different X/8 LFO and Envelope modes. The older LFO is way more extreme and wild sounding, while the OB-8 LFO setting is a lot more subtle, and is key for some of the other Page 2 LFO options which are from the OB-8. The envelopes are also very different, with the X again being a little bit looser and vintage sounding, and the OB-8 being faster and sharper. Those are settings people will want to be changing a lot as they aim for different types of sounds. There’s also a lot of Page 2 Portamento settings, but those are not as important. You covered everything else well.👍
100% great comment! Thanks for this. I originally had footage where I talked about this and the additional page 2 sem filter modes but it made the video over 1hr10 min long and I was rambling 😂 you just said it much better than I did in my footage so thanks for the comment
To prevent myself buying this synth I skipped straight to the cons section
😂😂 solid plan, good luck!
thank you
11:48 holy smokes that synth sounds glorious even with a raw wave
Its prettty amazing eh!
The OB-X8 is a dream come true and I love how you framed it as honoring Tom Oberheim's legacy in this new golden age of analog synthesis....Now, all we need is a vintage reissue of the legendary Oberheim Four-Voice / Eight-Voice that Dennis DeYoung famously used for the classic Styx sound!
Fvs-1 is my dream’s synthesizer!!!💕😎🎵( Prince had 2 back in the days…) some days…
Amazing review, thank you! Can someone help me to make a choice ? OB6 + Prophet 6 ? Or OBX8 + Prophet Rev 2 ?
Thanks for watching, stick around for more! That's a tough question, either set up is amazing. I'd probably go for this and the Rev 2 because you get more variety with the mod matrix of the rev 2 + the amazing vintage sound of this. BUT the P6 and OB6 are modern classic for a reason.
@@devinbelangermusic Done! About the OBX8, can you get modern tones out of it ?
@@Rectangulaireyou can sort of, but it's definitely missing the modern staples like lots of modulation, distortion fx etc. It's main thing is vintage sounds like I showed. Rev2 or Prophet 6 better for modern! Check my Prophet6 review
@@devinbelangermusic Just checked your P6 review, really nice, I use to own a P6 + OB6 module but sold both.. The only one I regret is the OB6, that's the reason why I hesitate between OBX8 and OB6.. As you said, this vintage Oberheim melancholy is unique..
@@Rectangulaire the X8 is the king of that melancholy but Ob6 gets really close! You will be happy with either :)
Is there a reason for me to keep my highly sought after Dave Smith / Tom Oberheim collab OB-6 ?
Thinking about trading it in for the OB-X8
Check out my full comparison between the OB6 and OBX8! Hopefully it will help your dilemma
Pretty full overview, well done. I have an old Xa, and it seems like the only things that were oddly left off are a few rear control jacks. For example, while the new X8 has a Sustain pedal jack, along with Amp(?), Filter and Volume expression(?) input jacks, it lacks the program advance pedal jack along with a dedicated Hold pedal trigger jack. Do you know if these features can be programmed via the synth engine's page 2 midi/mod-matrix functions? I like to have one pedal for Sustain and another for Hold so I can play and trigger a Hold/Drone on the fly, almost like a Sustenuto pedal. Much like there is a company offering a pinstripe overlay, maybe an old school mod will come out to add a rear jack wired to the Hold circuit. Very common practice to add rear jack connections on old gear to add functionality and/or midi connectivity to pre midi analog gear.
That's really interesting, i don't own a vintage OB so I didn't know that was on the originals. I honestly don't know if it can - the hold feature is pretty barebones. A 3rd party controller would be sweet though!
I found an oberheim matrix6r with controller and tauntek chip upgrade second hand for 1400 euro.
I don't know if this is normal or high priced but it seems to be a good deal in relation to the obx8.
The demos are awsome i saw. It has a wonderfull strong ob filter, a lot of modulation possibilities but mono and dco's. The sound seems to be top notch.
Check it out next weekend and i am really excited how i like it.
oh awesome! enjoy! I'd love to try a Matrix in the studio someday
Hey i forgot to mention.
The vermona perfourmer is also a super pleasing sounding synth.
Not so expensive. 4 voices with and special fm design.
That is something special.
Maybe you like that. The sound is very very good.
I haven’t played one! Very rare here in canada, I’ll try to find a used one if I can! It looks amazing. Thanks dude
Great you can determine noise level. The fact that noise is On/off on my OB8 drives me nuts
Yep that’s for sure a weird limitation of the original! Congrats for owning an original OB-8, that’s amazing!
Just a few more paychecks...... I will have my very own OB-X 8
Good luck! You got this! When you buy it, consider using my Perfect Circuit link in the description, free way to support my channel and videos! Thx
@@devinbelangermusic had it since the 10th. Best synthesizer I believe I've ever played.
Please compare this synth to the Prologue16
In the future, Thanks From Detroit
cool idea, will keep in mind thx!
I just need more sound banks!! With more variety for more genres :)
I am working slowly on a new bank! Stay tuned!
Good vid!
Thanks so much! I just did a full comparison with the OB-6 as well if you are curious :)
@38:40, octave transpose is not the default for double mode. You were playing an existing double patch with a transpose setting. The default is no transpose as you’d expect.
Thanks for the correction!
I’m so happy Mr O created this magnum opus.
same :)
❤👏Good
but i have question
which is better korg ms 2000 or oberheim obx8
please guide me😢
i dont know which one should i buy
Great sounds out of a great synth. The page 2 shift capability (more coming if they are smart) is a step in the right direction, but it will never be workflow/interface "perfected" like the P10 IMHO. For all of us the heart wants what it wants and that is different for everyone. For me IF I had decided to spend at this level for a poly Hydrasynth Deluxe + P10 Desktop would win out and I can admit some of that would be for the Poly AT.
Totally agree Kevin! And wow that's a deadly combo. For me, I think I'd get a keyboard P10 because I love the feeling and look of it, but usability wise, I think your combo of Hydra Deluxe and P10 module honestly sounds like the best possible modern set up!
Obies are grandiose and cinematic. It's like having a portable pipe organ.
well said! did you see my OB comparison? OB-6 vs OB-X8
Sounds like you have delay & reverb effects on the patches but you may want to point out that there aren't any FX built natively into the synth.
Hi Miles! Idk if you remember me but I used to come to your channel for your take on the Novation summit.
I literally bought and received the OB-X8 a few days ago and WOWZERS it's beautiful! The OB-X8 did remind me of the Novation summit but with even more limitations bc of the Obie being analog. However, the tighter limits actually bring out my own creativity that I don't think I could of ever done on the Summit.
Definitely can say the OB-X8 is worth the $5k and gosh it's so amazing, I still have the summit but don't know if to sell. What do you think?
I do remember you! Congrats on the OB-X8, so happy you like it! Thanks a great question. They are extremely different beasts and if you like wavetables and complex mod like filter fm, linear fm, etc.
If you are into that then keep both, but if you just used your summit for classic analog style sounds then I’d say sell it. I’m undecided right now if im selling my summit, prophet 6, or both!
Tom Oberheim must have gotten the memo to all legendary synth designers:
"If you don't do a vintage reissue of your work, Behringer will!"
😂😂
lol
I absolutely love the Oberheim sound. So I enjoy very much my OB6. After viewing and listening to many video reviews of the OBX8, like this excellent one here, I came to the conclusion that for me, personally, there's no way I'm willing to fork over $7400 CDN (including sales tax here in Quebec) for a polysynth with only 2 voices more than my OB6 and quite a few (surprising) limitations and cons.
Anyway, thanks for this honest review and for sharing it.
Totally fair! My OB6 - OBX8 comparison vid is coming soon but they are definitely pretty close. Both are amazing synths :) thx for watching
@@devinbelangermusic
Well... A year after my initial comment, I saved up enough to buy a discounted OB-X8. Good things come to those who wait. And the OB-X8 is a really really good thing! Although I will still keep my OB-6 because it does things the OB-X8 can't and the OB-6 sounds amazing too.
Try Lower Detune with 4L4R in double mode for instant massive stereo spread. It’s in the double mode Page2 settings.
Great tip! I had some footage going through every page 2 setting but it made the video an extra 20 min and I was rambling, but this is absolutely a great tip.
I'd love to see the basic sonic characteristics compared with the GS E7 and Nina. I know this synth is unreal for pad and 80s leads sounds and as much as I love them they aren't very useful for my music. Would it be any good for house music and techno and more modern styles or does it have an intrinsically dated character? I don't think i've often heard many of these kind of OB sounds in the last few decades in the genres I listen to. Everything on the OB sounds so deep, emotional and beautiful in an 80s kind of way or regal and magestic. I'm not sure you can get away from that. Would you choose another synth for that in your studio?
Great comment, happy to help! Honestly yea - I would not choose the OB-X8 for techno/house personally. If you need the OB sound, get the OB-6. It's snappier, grittier and has built in analog distortion. Like you said the X8 is more like a sad beautiful pillow, lol. But my absolute favourite synth for techno is the Sub 37. So I'd personally get a Moog Sub 37 and then use the 2-3k leftover to get a polysynth of your choice like a Take 5, Prologue, GS E7 (beautiful but also not my first choice for techno), Hydrasynth or used Prophet 6 (amazing for techno and house but pricy). Hope that helps!
@@devinbelangermusic That's for your suggestions. I do already have 2 monos - a Future Retro XS and a Matrixbrute. I also really want a Jomox Alpha Base. The synth that appeals to me most, not in terms of sound, but in terms of practicality and ease of use is the Nina. I absolutely hate not being able to see what I'm doing and blind tweaking when it comes to patch editing/recall and multi-timbrality. How would you rate the sound compared to the others you've mentioned? The GS E7 sound does appeal to me. The Microwave M too. Sad beautiful pillow is a great description! I had an OB8 and loved the beauty of the sound but ultimately didn't find it very useful for making tracks.
I haven't used the Nina but it looks great! Did you see my videos on the 3rd Wave? That's no joke the best all around synth I own by far. Actually just sold my Prophet 6 since it was redundant. They make a module now too. GS E7 sounds incredible too though,, I never really use it for techno/house but for polysynth duties its up there with the OBs and Prophets. @@MadelnMachines
@@devinbelangermusic Yeah I've been listening and it seems great but probably overkill at the same time. I've heard so many amazing patches on the Hydrasynth and Waldorf M that it might be a very unnecessary extravagance. I dare say the people programming the hydrasynth to sound so amazing are probably way better than me!
Will he be keeping his OB-6???? Been waiting for this ;)
Everyone I’ve seen who has both has been following the “¿Por que no los dos?” philosophy.
Absolutely. OB-6 is still absolutely a classic and it’s not replaced easily!
I think it‘s the same as with the Prophet-5/10 and P6. I‘ve had a P6 for a while and was highly satisfied. This week I eventually bought a P5 - and out of a sudden the P6 sounded somehow flat and powerless in direct comparison.
However: what I do is to play a fundamental sound with that extra portion of low end on the P5, layered with an airy, stereo-spread icing on the cake from the P6.
That‘s what I would probably do with the OB-X8-OB-6 combo: imagine a growly 4-pole OB-X8 patch layered with a HPF patch from the OB-6 … :)))
@@RayyMusik that’s a great idea!
We will see. Both are great. On the other hand maybe for some more variety in the future?
Technically over my head, but I appreciate your input.
Hi thank you for your videos… question; what is your tought about the arturia 12 compare to those synth ob6, ob-x8. Thanks
looks amazing but I dont have one!
Ordered an OB-X8 last Friday, and until it arrives Monday, I'm watching all kinds of UA-cam videos about people who're exited about their OB-X8, so I'll feel less guilty about all of the money I've spent so irresponsibly. Good video btw. I have a Prophet 5 as well and I agree with your comparison between the Prophet 5 and OB-X8. The Prophet 5 also sounds very "woody" to me. Very elegant. Almost like a classical instrument. It's a timeless sound. The OB's have this nostalgic 80s sound. You said electric. I always call it "rubbery". I thing it has a bit of an overblown coloured sound, with filters that sound sticky. I always thought the OB's have a less elegant, but grittier sound. My former music teacher could never relate to my opinions. He always said the Prophet 5 was great for leads and basses, while the OB's are "pad machines" as he liked to call them. He meant they can only do pads and nothing else. In never quite understood that, because if it can only do pads, why is the most famous sound a brass used in Jump by Van Halen? Why is it a typical rock synth because it's used in a lot of rock bands, while the Prophets are used more in funk bands? Anyway I think basses and leads often sound fine on an OB-X8. I think it's best at more strange effecty sounds and typical nostalgic 80's pads and sequences. I do believe the more coloured sound of the OB's and the good sounding filters make it always sound very "nice", while the more neutral sound of the Prophet can make it sound more in your face, especially with more basic typical synth waveforms. Maybe that's where he's coming from. It's super difficult to categorise synthesizers when there are so many different sounds you can make and parameters you can tweak. It's also very personal. I also have a Subsequent 37 and a Polybrute btw which are also great. With so many differences, overlaps and different opinions about the synths I really struggle which synth to use for what sound. It would be helpful to have a comprehensive and objective guide to what the differences between the synthesizers is, instead of just having to try everything out and be led by misinformation and personal opinions. Maybe such a guide can never exist, since everything in music depends on taste.
Great comment, appreciate your insight and enjoy your synth :) if you like my sounds I have a custom OBX8 patch bank
I can imagine that maybe the obx8 is a perfect fit for you. You are completely into analog subtractive synthesis.
And all points to synth with great basic sound.
So maybe a juno would also be a thing for you. Obx8, prophet 6 and juno could be a cool trio.
I ask my self allthough what about other synthesis types?
Aren't you into wavetables? Like microwave, ppg, m or 3rd wave?
That is somethimg which i absolutely adore too.
Or what about 90's va's like nord lead 2x, jp8000, waldorf q, an1x?
They also have an imperfect great sound.
What about fm synthesizers?
Or is analog subtractive synthesis just your favorite cup of tea?
Good question! I love all types but I use VSTs more for stuff like granular (my fave), basic additive, fm, etc.
I use my Summit or Argon for wave table, but I love Serum as well. But, for me no plug-in can match a good simple analog subtractive synth like a minimoog or Obie
90s I must confess is my least experienced decade. I don’t know any of those well, so thanks for the suggestions!
For five grand, you better love it
This video autostarted. Watched/listened to it anyway. Would love one, can't justify it :(
Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed
Nice video! Could you let me know if the downsides you mentioned have been somewhat fixed by software updates? Octave steps, complex menue? Thanks
Octave steps and menu are still there, but they fixed my biggest issue which is there's now a mode to edit both layers in Duo mode at the same time, so you get a massive 4 voice super stereo synth. It's amazing I will have to do a video.
@@devinbelangermusic thanks for the fast reply :)
@@tobiaspetzmusic no worries, I posted the new OB-X8 updated review last week if you havent seen it!
If it wasn't less cost is there any reason you would buy an OB6 instead of this?
SEM Filter morphing! OB-X8 can't do that and its a super unique sound, OB-6 is the only analog poly that can do that today.
Its the greatest of them all. Though my personal fave is the Jupiter 8.
20:40 “I‘m gonna leave it (keytrack) on for the remainder of the video“
20:46 Switches keytrack off 😂
LOL
Was the Prologue of the synths you sold to afford this? Sounds great!
No I kept the prologue! I love that synth and it’s discontinued so harder to get now
Very cool. Loving your content. Finally subbed. Kitty's appearance was the final incentive.
Chomping at the bit for your OBX8 vs OB6 comparison. I am very seriously considering an OB6 purchase, but now I'm wondering if I need to save up for a year, or save up for TWO years to get the OBX8 instead. I have a feeling for my needs an OBX8 is overkill. I don't actually play piano/keyboard (guitarist) so mostly I'm dialing in tones, sequencing multiple tracks and occasionally doing some simple right hand only melodic lines. As far as I can tell, for me the big draw on the OBX8 would be access to multiple filters, but is the subtlety, however brilliant worth an additional 3k?
Thanks so much! And don't worry, kitty will return in future videos - haha!
I'll make sure to go over my thoughts in more detail but it's tough because they are both so good at what they do. The OB-6 can do the SEM thing flawlessly and has way more useful modern and extra features, like the morphing filter, better xmod, analog distortion, etc. BUT there's some intangible magic in the oscillators of the OB-X8 that it's hard to put my finger on but it adds an extra 10% of lushness and vintage sounding amazingness. They honestly do sound different, which is why I am keeping both and likely selling my Prophet 6.
@@devinbelangermusic Thanks for the feedback Miles. I know what you mean about the oscillators. You can hear it, even across YT's crunched audio. I'll be keeping an eye out for the video. Cheers.
My god this is a great soundning synth and you recorded it amazingly to give it justice! How did you record it?
Thanks so much! I did a similar video on the OB-6 last year if you haven't seen that. Recorded direct into UAD apollo with light Neve pre-amp emulation. Anytime you hear effects it's Empress Reverb/Echosystem.
@@devinbelangermusic Bought mine OB-X8 today. It is truly phenomenal! Played it without any effects and it sounds absolutely gorgeous! Your video made me pull the trigger and buy it and I’m really happy with it! Thanks! 😁
@@P-S-T hope you are loving your X8! Not sure if you saw but I released my custom OBX8 patches, if you like this video's sound you will love em!
@@devinbelangermusic I love it! Thanks, will check em out. :)
Does the OB8x now replace your GSe7 ?
I still have and use the E7! But I definitely use the OB more, the filter is just the best thing since sliced bread
Sounds great … but considering you have the OB6 already, I wonder if the Moog One 8 voice might have given you something different sonically? But hey, the heart wants what it wants. And you clearly have an idea of the types of sounds you want to use in your production. Enjoy!
Good question Michael. I think for me I buy instruments based on gut feeling and how it makes me feel inspired, and I’ve always wanted a vintage oberheim, so this was a no brainer. The One looks way more versatile though, I’d really love to borrow a One to review, but the few times I played it at stores it didn’t immediately click for me as much as I wanted it to. I’m sure it is great once you learn it inside and out, but here in Canada it’s 9$grand just for the 8voice.
@@devinbelangermusic That makes sense.
My favorite synth of all time is the Juno 6, even though I have other synths that are far more complex, and most modern synths can do lots of things it can’t. But at the end of the day, I always go to the Juno because you can immediately dive in and get the sounds you want-and it still inspires me. So I completely understand.
I’ve never played an Oberheim either, so maybe I would fall in love immediately like yourself? But if ideas are “constantly falling out of it”, you made the right choice.
Also, I didn’t know how expensive the 8 voice is in Canada. But you must be talking new? Because the go for around 5 grand used online.
But hey, nothing is more annoying than someone saying you should have gotten this or that. You didn’t buy a Moog One because youve played it and it didn’t click with you, period. I hop you make some great music with the OBX8!
@Rhizosphere true well in my case, I already have a Moog Sub 37 and DFAM so the OB X8 was my choice to get a new poly synth. Moog One is 3-4k more than OB X8.
thanks very much, it's the best review to really hear how everything sounds, the various diffencies with the filters... only one question: is there some filter steping on the filter cut off knob like on the Ob6 and Pro6 ?
Glad it was helpful! Check out my Prophet 6 and OB6 videos too, same format :)
The filter works the same as on the P6 - it steps through the harmonics when you twist it but it is smooth as butter when you use and env or LFO - absolutely zero stepping
@@devinbelangermusic ob6 and p6 have the usual 127 midi audible steps ... if you like to play the filter to pickup harmonics and do a melodie with it, it will jump at moments to the next step ... on the Moog Voyager there is 1027 steps so it is not audible, on Deepmind12 there is a logarytmic curve that makes the steps inaudible etc...
🤞🏼waiting patiently for anyone to explore the vast microtonal scales available.. have yet to see one 😐
I don't use those in my music but I'd love to watch someone explain them as well!
Superb! 👍
What reverb effect do you use for the Oberheim OB-X8?
Thank you !
I’ve done a lot of different reverb pedal for synths videos! I really like either the Walrus Sloer, Meris Mercury X or Empress Reverb for the OB-X8
Anyone knows if you can get similar gritty sound from other synths in a more affordable pricerange?
Yep! Check out my review of the Korg Prologue. Similar gritty analog drifty goodness. The Minilogue XD is great too
@@devinbelangermusic Thanks! I will! 😎
il miglior synth analogico del mondo. Niente lo supera. Neppure Moog One. Neppure Prophet 10
Agreed! It's the best ever :)
Sound wise it is top notch and you hear that it is something else. But as a completely synthesizer it is not worth the money. Have you tried keyboard to lfo and whats going on there in singlemode?
2nd page with this encoder. The huge limitations that hasn't to be there. It stops my flow.
And there will be other beautys in the future. They know howvto built them now