OB-X8

The OB-X8 is an eight-voice polyphonic synth with an all-analog signal path. Each voice has two discrete oscillators, and the filters follow the SEM and Curtis designs, so one instrument can reproduce the voice behaviour of the OB-X, OB-Xa and OB-8, including their envelope responses. Elements of the different models can also be mixed within one sound.

Beyond the vintage behaviour it adds extra SEM filter modes (high-pass, band-pass, notch), a vintage knob for voice-to-voice variation, velocity and channel aftertouch, unison of 1-8 voices, per-program panning, an arpeggiator, and bi-timbral splits and doubles. Over 40 "Page 2" parameters give access to deeper settings. More than 600 user preset locations are provided, and 400-plus factory programs include the sounds of the original OB models. OS version 2.0 adds binaural mode, a 4-pole low-pass filter, stackable oscillator waveforms, MPE, 32-voice poly chain and more memory.

It is offered as a 61-key keyboard with a Fatar velocity- and aftertouch-sensitive keybed, pitch and mod levers and walnut end cheeks, and as a desktop module without keys or levers. Connections are stereo and mono outputs, pedal and control inputs, an arpeggiator clock input, MIDI In/Out/Thru and USB. A separate editor/librarian plugin is available.