Oberheim OB-X8

The audio signal path of the OB-X8 is all analog, filled with warmth and punch. The OB-X8 combines the three different voice architectures of the OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 into a single instrument.

Master
Set master volume, tuning, volume balance for splits and doubles, as well as chord memory and note hold functions her.

Control
Here you can set the amount of oscillator 2 detuning and add as much “vintage” character as you like. Vintage mode affects the voice-to-voice variability of OB-X8 envelopes, oscillators, and filtersto replicate the behavior of vintage instruments with allof their organic instabilities. Additionally, activate and route aftertouch and velocity sensitivity, set portamento (glide) amount, and turn on unison voice stacking.

Modulation
Here you can route the LFO (low frequency oscillator) to a variety of destinations to create rhythmic filter sweeps, pulse width modulation, vibrato, tremolo, and other effects. Choose from six waveforms: sine, square, sample & hold (random), up saw, down saw, and triangle.

Oscillators
Select the waveforms that generate the raw sound of the OB-X8. Each of the two discrete SEM/OB-X-lineage oscillators produce sawtooth, pulse, or triangle waves. Combine pulse and sawtooth waves for extra punch. Hard sync and Xmod (oscillator frequency modulation) add more edge and sonic possibilities.

Keyboard
This is where the bi-timbral capability (two different sounds at once) of the OB-X8 comes into play.Choose any two presets (“upper” and “lower”) and assign them to two different regions of the keyboard. Alternatively, layer them together for more complex textures. Adjust panning and volume independently for each preset.

Filter
This is the soul of the OB-X8 sound. Choose between the three different analog filter configurations that gave the original OB-X, OB-Xa and OB8 their unique character.

Envelope
The 4-stage (attack, decay, sustain, release) filter and volume envelopes give shape to the harmonics and loudness of OB-X8 sounds. Use these to make the OB-X8 whisper, growl, or scream by controlling the softness or percussiveness of synthesized textures. Select between the OB-X/Xa or OB-8 envelope mode to capture the desired contour of each original instrument.

OLED
In performance the crisp OLED display shows the current program name along with its bank and group. It also provides easy accessto thepowerful “Page 2” functions for extra filter mode configurations, pan spread, LFO rate scaling, portamento modes, programmable bend box parameters, and more.