Comparison #3: how OB-X8 compares to an original OB-8

In the third and final side-by-side comparison, Marcus Ryle, co-designer of the Oberheim OB-X8 and an Oberheim engineer from 1980 to 1985, discusses how the OB-8 differs from the other OB synths including some details on the original electronic design in the vintage product.

Next he compares a selection of factory presets from the old and new, elaborating on some sound design tips that help you learn how these classic sounds were created.

All examples are recorded direct in mono, without EQ or effects.

The new OB-X8 — true Oberheim sound. Listen and judge for yourself.

0:00 Intro & how OB-8 is different
2:04 What is page 2?
4:07 A note about tuning (and de-tuning!)
4:52 Presets Overview
5:14 A1 Brass Ensemble
5:49 A2: St Genevieve
7:08 CD4 Pulse Width Mod
8:18 ABD1 Decelerate
8:53 AB7 Quantized LFO
10:05 BD6 Tremolo Rezz
10:37 D1 Delayed Octave
12:50 BD1 S/H Port Rezz
15:16 CD1 Bend portamento
16:23 CD5 Whippets

[abwdoc]

I am absolutely amazed at how much effort was put into the details of making sure of all the capabilities of the whole OB line were duplicated in exact detail. Marcus…thank you. You are definitely a professional in every sense of the word.

[ThomasKobrick]

Tremendous video. Not only is it another example of stellar work in creating the OB-X8 with OB-8 DNA, but it is also a lesson in synthesis. I have new appreciation for the dual oscillator options and the portamento features. Great work again and endless appreciation for your dedication!

[nik_elektrik]

Another great comparison. I also love the explanations and inspiring sounddesign advice for all the cool original OB-8 features. Most of which I was unaware of. Thanks, Marcus. And what an amazing synth the OBX-8 is. Thanks, Tom, Marcus and Dave❤

[synthnerd]

Short, sweet, and informative! I'm currently refurbishing a late OB-8 and it's a lot of work. I love vintage synths, but a new one this close and true to its origins is absolutely the way to go for any musician who doesn't want to worry about regular servicing for a while. Very nice.

[rohosynth]

Excellent video. I owned an OB-8 years ago (the store where I bought it and then worked at had a picture of the Oberheim system on the front window). The new OB-X8 is gorgeous!

[josefwashere]

Because of this video, I am now going from thinking about to actual purchasing an OBX8. Thank you Mr. Ryle to you & the team for bringing back these beast into one!!

[zvenx]

Even more than proving how the OB-X8 can reproduce the OB series with accuracy, these are master classes in the OB series.. So much thanks for doing this history of my favourite analog synths of yore....rsp

[oberday]

I think Prince used the tuned portamento feature in The Beautiful Ones from Purple Rain. Listen at 2:38 in the song, you hear this string sound gliding down from an upper preset interval. The portemento knob controls the rate of the glide, so as he plays along, he could have turned it off by rotating the portamento knob to zero. I've replicated this sound on my OB-8 and it's spot on.

[UniQueWerkx]

Thank you for taking the time to explain what's going on and then playing it! Great comparison! I agree with a previous comment from abwdoc about how much detail went into the making OB-X8! Such a beautiful synth!

[GuitarsAndSynths]

Awesome and a friend let me try out his vintage Oberheim this summer and loved the wall of sound so pulled trigger today on a new Oberheim X8! Looking forward to it.

[adrianh]

Thanks 😊 Marcus I will register my OBX8 soon

[mrkey-music]

Thanks Marcus for being so helpful to understand how to program OB-8 sounds with all features available on page 2. The manual is not very clear on how to musically use such parameters, but your description is very simple and comprehensive!

[realtrance]

Such a relief to hear a Master describe the details of how this all works! Always want to get the OBX8 after hearing Marcus’ presentations, thank you, sir!

[Gerald_Daniel]

Thank you Mr. Ryle to finally unravel my perhaps fave OB-8 feature of all time, I just labelled SWM. Strange if not a little sad is that any OB8 owner I know, didn't even perceive it. May I ask you whose genius idea it was?

[scottmcauleysounds]

Great Comparison video Marcus, OB-X8 has stayed so true to the originals :)

[DankePlace]

An amazing effort for all involved, kudos.

[skarajmusic]

When are the desktop OB-X8s coming out?

[wedream]

Portamento Bend (page two) function is also used on St. Genevieve preset. Gorgeous sound! One of my favorites.

[MacXpert]

Very interesting. They sound virtually identical to me. Even more so than with the comparison between the OB-X vs OB-X8 and the OB-Xa vs OB-X8, which do sound pretty close too.

[retrosound]

Both synths sounds good. 🙌
But I prefer the old OB-X.
We are all different like the synths we love. 😄