Is the Oberheim OB-SX Really a Preset Mini OB-X? - Synthchaser
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- Опубліковано 31 лип 2024
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Some people claim the Oberheim OB-SX is a smaller, preset version of the OB-X. But is that really true? In this video we take a look the voice cards of the OB-X, OB-SX, and OB-Xa and explore their similarities and differences.
Parts, service and synthesizers available on my website. I buy broken synthesizers!
Perhaps some of the confusion comes from the well-known fact that the OB-SX could be reprogrammed using an OB-X and sending the patches to Oberheim Electronics.
Further confusion comes from the user manuals produced for the earlier and later models. the 1980 manual states that the OB-SX has the sound of the OB-X, but the later manual for my model states that the OB-SX has the sound of the OB-Xa. Given what you've mentioned about reprogramming an OB-SX from tapes dumps of OB-X sounds, someone out there could well own an OB-SX with a unique set of sounds in their instrument.
I have the OB-X8 which allows you to have all three filters. The ob-xa filter can be set to both 2-pole (same as SX) and 4-pole. from the manual:
The OB-X used a discrete 2-pole, 12dB-per-octave, state- variable lowpass filter based on the original SEM filter design, but with programmable resonance added, as found on the OB-X. Both the OB-SX and OB-Xa utilized a Doug Curtis-designed CEM3320 configured in 2-pole mode to emulate the OB-X filter. The OB-Xa also added a second CEM3320 configured as a traditional 4-pole, 24dB-per-octave filter. The OB-8 also used a CEM3320 for its 2-pole and 4-pole filter. All of these are available from the OB-X8’s front panel.
Great to see you posting a bit more content recently. You really know your synths inside out, and I think the attention to detail you pay to your refurbishments is incredible. Hopefully a generation of younger tinkerers and electronic engineering students will take note!
Thank you!
Indepth, but well said and well showed for everyone to understand. Your channel and work keeps being real gem.
All the best!
It is reassuring to see someone wanting to restore and maintain this often overlooked member of the OB-X family. When I bought mine, the only reason people were buying them was to cannibalise the Curtis chips to keep an ailing OB-Xa or Prophet 5 Rev 3 going. I've got a MK 3 OB-SX (If MK 1 is 24 sounds, MK 2 is 48 sounds, MK3 is 56 Sounds + OB-Xa paint job). Just to confuse things between models, just like some MKII ARP Odysseys started coming with the PPC controllers, so too I know of an OB-SX owner who has a 56 sound model but in the old OB-X colour scheme like yours in the video. Given that moving to a different production method presents a huge financial risk for a smaller manufacturer, would it be fair to say the OB-SX was a 'Proof of Concept' transitioning from discreet circuits to Curtis chips? It comes between the OB-X and OB-Xa in the timeline, and being lower cost to produce than the OB-Xa present less risk. Early models claim it has the sounds of the OB-X, but the manual for my model states it has the sounds of the OB-Xa. No wonder this forgotten member of the OB-X family confuses us all. Reminds me, I must get your OB-SX voice rescue kit at some point, and the ARP Omni 1 bits. Thanks again for taking us over these amazing instruments.
Pretty much an OB-X / OB-XA crossover synth, but minimized.. they took away the programmable features in front but compensated it with mixed components of the two bigger synths 👏
I do love your theme music!!! Keep the videos coming!
Spot on Nathan!
How about doing a comparison video? Side-by-side. Obx / Obsx / Obxa..
Awesome Synthchaser! Now I’m interested to see a comparison with an OB-8 voice cards! 😄
Very interesting video. I’ve got an OB-SX (old version) and an OB-Xa. For my ears they sound noticeably different, especially the VCF and the VCA. I’ve compared sounds with 2pole filter and although both use the same filter chip the resonance seems more pronounced. The VCA of the OB-SX sounds more gritty. With the Rolf Meurer Midi Interface the SX becomes fully editable via Midi CC. Great little synthesizer.
Do you know if there's a substantial difference in sound between the two voice card revisions of the OB-SX?
Please do a sound comparison!
Great stuff. Did all of the Curtis chips (used in the well known vintage synths) have temperature control built into them? Thanks! Cheers.
The VCO chips did, I don't think any of the filters did.
@@Synthchaser Ah, okay. Thanks very much! Enjoying your content here.
To my ears the OBSX sounds a lot closer to an OBX the an OBXa. And that’s interesting because the voice cards are closer to the OBXa😅