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On this site you will get to know the sonicprojects sensational remake of the legendary OB-X for VST and Reaktor. A real device was used for endless tunings and comparisons to get as close as possible. The result sounds nothing short of fantastic.
The secret of analog behaviour
OB-X Voiceboards >>
OB-X Voiceboards
Various methods have been used in the plugins world to copy analog behaviour. SonicProjects has made a new and different approach. By extensive exploring of the real device it became obvious that a big part of the organic feeling comes from the minor differences in sound between the voices. This has nothing to to with random behaviour but with device tolerances and slightly different trimpot settings. SonicProjects has implemented this behaviour into the virtual device. There are four global buttons which let you control the detunings of the oscillators, filters, envelopes and portamento times.
The real mighty OB-X
The OB-X saw the light of earth 1979 and was the first fully programmable polyphonic synth built by Tom Oberheim. It's the direct successor to the famous SEM based units. The secret of the OB-X is that it still has the old discrete 12db SEM-filters. All later units such as OB-Xa, OB8 and Matrix as well as many competing products made the use of the more sterile Curtis filterchips. This fact makes the OB-X one of the best sounding polyphonic synths of all time. Experts put the OB-X in the same league as the Memorymoog. We love this synth!!
The available formats
The OP-X is available as VST Plugin for PC and as Reaktor Ensemble for Reaktor5 Mac and PC. Both versions support automation and midi remote control.
Minimal System Requirements:
Pentium III 1 GHz, Mac G4 1,0 GHz
384 MB Ram
VST host (PC), Reaktor5 (Mac/PC)
The tuning section
As already described, VCOs, VCfs and ENVs of every of the six voices are slightly and individually(!) detuned by default. The tuning section lets you tune each of these three departments individually for accuracy. Multiple combinations of tuned VCOs, detuned VCFs etc. are possible. Combined with the stageless spread knob for proportional detune and the OSC2 detune knob you get incredible control. It's a dream!
Unisono and portamento
Stack all six voices at the touch of a button. Spread the voices if not detuned already. Polyphonic(!) portamento is there too!
The modulation matrix
An lfo with sine, square and s/h lets you modulate VCOs, VCFs and pulsewidth. The mod amount button for the VCOs has an extra designed double logarithmic response in the first quarter for finest modulation control.
Crossmod, Sync and Ring Modulation
While X-Mod and Sync are available in the original, ring modulation is a special gift. These tools make the OP-X a experimental sound monster.
The filter ob-x filter
The 12db SEM-based filter of the original is legendary and holds up to moog with different and unique character. One of the great things of SEM filters is that they don't lose gain or fullness at high resonance settings. This makes them sound very sweet even at high resonance settings. You won't find self oscillation here but you will never miss it. Listen to the comparisons.
Stereo voice pans
This was a popular feature within old analog synths and you won't miss it here as well! Every voice can be panned individually in the stereo field. This means real stereo and sounds fantastic! Not to mention every panpot can be fully automated...
The unique arpeggiator
One thing the real deal misses. The opx arpeggiator is specially designed. It's in fact a very intuitively handlable step sequencer. Every new played note is saved in one of six steps which are continously read out in variable speed. The number of read out steps can be varied as well.
Filterenv modulation
Again a thing the real thing misses and a speciality of prophet synths. The filter envelope can modulate notepitch and pulsewidth, positive or negative, oscillator selective or not. Great in combination with velocity control of the filter envelope.
Price: $99 for the VSTi version or $49 for the Reaktor ensemble
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