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Description
Welcome to the world of Oberheim OB-Xa, a game-changer in the realm of synthesizers. This instrument marks a significant shift from Oberheim's traditional designs, boasting Curtis style synthesizer chips instead of the classic SEM designs. Available in the versatile 4-voice, 6-voice, and 8-voice versions, this synthesizer provides a rich tonal range that caters to every musicians' needs. It's not just a synthesizer; it's a tool for shaping your unique musical expression.
Key Features:
- Curtis style synthesizer chips
- Available in 4-voice, 6-voice, and 8-voice versions
- Rich tonal range
- Versatile for various musical styles and expressions
Product specs
| Brand | Oberheim |
| Model | OB-Xa 61-Key 4-Voice Synthesizer, OB-Xa 61-Key 6-Voice Synthesizer, OB-Xa 61-Key 8-Voice Synthesizer |
| Finish | Blue with Wood Sides |
| Year | 1981 |
| Categories | Analog Synths, Keyboard Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Analog |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action |
| Number of Keys | 61 Keys |
| Polyphony | 4 Voices, 6 Voices, 8 Voices |
FAQs
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Is the Oberheim OB-Xa synthesizer polyphonic or monophonic?
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The Oberheim OB-Xa is a polyphonic synthesizer available in 4, 6, or 8 voice configurations, allowing for complex chordal textures and layered sounds.
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What are the standout features of the Oberheim OB-Xa's sound engine?
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The OB-Xa features a classic analog sound engine known for its rich, warm tones and powerful filter section, which is ideal for creating lush pads and leads.
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How does the Oberheim OB-Xa compare to other Oberheim models like the OB-8?
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The OB-Xa offers a more raw and aggressive sound compared to the OB-8, with a slightly less refined modulation matrix, making it ideal for those seeking vintage, punchy analog tones.
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What is the keyboard action like on the Oberheim OB-Xa?
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The OB-Xa features a synth action keyboard with full-size keys, providing a smooth and responsive playing experience suitable for both performance and studio use.
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Can the Oberheim OB-Xa be used for modern music production?
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Yes, the OB-Xa's classic analog sound is highly sought after in modern music production, offering a timeless character that complements both vintage and contemporary styles.
Videos
Matt Johnson Jamiroquai
Oberheim OB Xa 80's mega synth!
Oberheim OB Xa 80's mega synth!
Matt Johnson Jamiroquai
Oberheim OB-Xa Analog Synthesizer (1981) "Oberfett Xa"
RetroSound
Why I Love My Oberheim OB-Xa
J3PO
Oberheim Showdown! OB-Xa vs OB-8
NonDigitalTom
gettin moody with my 1981 Oberheim OB-Xa
J3PO
Oberheim OB-Xa pure, dry and raw, 50 sounds
synthlegends
Oberheim OB-Xa - the 104 classic factory patches
SynthMania
History and Sounds: Oberheim OB-Xa (deutsch)
AMAZONA Music Mag
Reviews
PROS
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Famous 33x0 series Curtis chips deliver distinctive sound
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Excels in sizzling, buzzy pads and dark, resonant strings
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Signature 12dB filter for characteristic tone
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Powerful basses in Unison mode
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Upgradeable with MIDI for modern compatibility
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Iconic sounds recognizable from classic tracks like VH's "Jump"
CONS
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Prone to aging and reliability issues over time
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Unique parts are difficult to replace, making repairs challenging
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Limited in features compared to modern synthesizers
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Oberheim OB-Xa.
Comparisons
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Owners note the OB-X8's lack of built-in effects compared to the OB-6, impacting immediate sound versatility.
Source -
Owners compare the OB-X8's presets to the original factory sounds, describing them as simple and less engaging.
Source -
The UB-XA strictly offers the Curtis filter from the OB-XA, unlike the OB-X8, which combines features from the X, XA, and 8 models.
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The UB-XA captures early-mid 80s Curtis/CEM sound, while the OB-X8 includes the OB-X/SEM 2-pole SVF, providing a broader range of tonal characteristics.
Source -
The OB-X8 offers three modes—OBX, OBXa, and OBX8—providing a broader range of tonal options compared to the UB-XA.
Source
User experience
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The OB-X8 is noted for its rich voice panning and spread, requiring more intentional setup in a dedicated space.
Source -
Some perceive the UB-XA's sound as thinner compared to the OB-X8, suggesting potential subjectivity in sound quality evaluation.
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Some owners appreciate the UB-XA's design aesthetics over the OB-X8, indicating personal preference plays a role in choosing between the two.
Source
Features and functionality
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The OB8's Page 2 functions offer unique arpeggiator programming capabilities, unlike the simpler presets of the OB-X8.
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The UB-XA lacks crossmodulation, a feature present in the OB-X8, impacting sound complexity for intricate sound design.
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The UB-XA's focus on the OB-XA's Curtis filters excludes the darker, deeper modulation associated with the Matrix series.
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The UB-XA includes polyphonic aftertouch and offers 16 voices and bitimbrality, adding a layer of expressive control not found in the OB-X8.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Vintage OB models can be maintained with resources like Synthchaser's kits for power supply and voice board component replacement.
Source
Use cases and applications
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Users report achieving Prince-style sounds with the UB-XA, particularly reminiscent of leads and stabs in "Delirious."
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 4 Reviews and 8 Ratings
221
My favorite of the early 80s CEM-based polyphonics. majestic tone with angry attitude.
Best of the early 80s, Curtis chip -based polyphonics i.e. utlizing the famous 33x0 serie chips.
love using it for sizzley buzzy cem pads/strings, voxy high resonance dark pads. it limited but sounds bigger than life. 12dB filter is its characteristic trademark tone. 24dB setting is not bad but i don't use it as often.
Great Vintage Board - Does not grow old well
My dream keyboard has become a boat anchor. Although this was a powerhouse from the 80s, it does not age well. There are numerous analog semis on the main board as well as the voice cards and they simply drift out of range over time. Since these are unique parts, replacements are sketchy and hard to find. My OB-Xa has reduced itself to a door stop.
221
that's a pity. you need to invest some time/money it can be as good as new. it's one of the easiest vintages to work on.
- it needs new capacitors, in PSU as well as voiceboard/motherboard
it needs new multiturn trimmers on vco pitch as well as linearity and high range
finally, if needed, new bushings, so your keys are evened out, and play softly without clunkiness.
all of it can be done in an afternoon with a capable tech. not a hundred bucks in parts all of the above.
cheers Tom
424
Analog Beast!
This Synth is one of my favorites. Big fat analog sound. Powerful basses in Unison mode. I've upgraded it with MIDI.
760
Artist usage
Add artist
Posted by his Label "Acid Test" John Frusciante names various Instruments he used over time. One of those is the Oberheim OBXa
the Oberheim OB-Xa is listed in this blog
In the music video for Van Halen's Jump, Eddie Van Halen can be seen [at 2:34] playing the Oberheim OB-Xa. According to this Keyboard magazine feature, he played the OB-Xa on "1984", "Jump" and "I'll Wait" on the 1984 album. On the former two songs, the OB-Xa was recorded direct in stereo, while on the latter the synth was run through a pair of Music Man amplifiers to make it sound nastier. Eddie Van Halen did his own programming on the OB-Xa: "I just know that if I twist the knobs enough, I'll hear what I like".
Live, the OB-Xa had to be replaced by the newer OB-8:
When we were getting ready to tour [for the 1984 album], I went out to buy four or five OB-Xas, because you need backups in case something breaks down. That's when I found out they didn't make the OB-Xa anymore. I didn't even know they made the OB-8, but I got a couple of them instead and tried to reprogram them. Now I only use my own programs.
Lists the OB-Xa being used. Photos can be found of this as well.
At 1:37 in this video tour of Le Pig studios, you can see a blue striped black Oberheim synth, most likely and OB-8 or OB-XA
In a post on Instagram, Flume can be seen using the Oberheim OB-Xa synthesizer.
Prince used the Oberheim OB-Xa as his go to Analog Synth on 1999 and Purple Rain. It's even responsible for the "Church Organ" intro on Let's Go Crazy, and it is all over "The Beautiful Ones" and the posthumously-released "Father's Song". The picture included is from around late 1984 during the Purple Rain era, of Prince playing at Lisa Coleman's synth rig.
source: http://blog.zzounds.com/2016/05/02/prince-musical-instruments/
His setup can be seen with his keyboard tech Tony Geranios in this image.
In a photo of Kanye West working on his 4th studio album "808's and Heartbreak", an Oberheim OB-Xa is seen in the background.
Sting regularly performed "Invisible Sun" on an Oberheim OB-Xa synthesizer live with The Police during the early 80s, for instance in this video of the Gateshead concert on 31 July 1982 at around the 59:30 mark. The Oberheim was Sting's main synthesizer both on tour and in the studio for both the Ghost In The Machine and Synchronicity albums, before it was replaced with the Synclavier.
According to Hugh Padgham in an interview featured in the March 1984 issue of Studio Sound magazine, Sting never liked spending ages programming a synth (the Oberheim OB-Xa in this case) to get particular sounds he wanted. Instead he'd say he wants roughly such-and-such and runs through the different presets available on the synth until he found something. "Walking In Your Footsteps" is an example of this.
Album Usage
The Oberheim OB-Xa has been featured on the following albums:
Battle Cry
Classix Nouveaux (2023)
Nobody's Hero
David Frank (2023)
Los Años Salvajes
Fito Páez (2021)
Satellite
Sergey Golovin (2019)
Apocalypse Live
Material (2017)
Discovery (Remastered 2015)
Mike Oldfield (2016)
808s & Heartbreak
Kanye West (2008)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (Remastered 2017)
Brad Fiedel (1991)
The Real Thing
Faith No More (1989)
Introduce Yourself
Faith No More (1987)
Here's to Future Days
Thompson Twins (1985)
The Works
Queen (1984)
Purple Rain
Prince & Prince (1984)
Grace Under Pressure
Rush (1984)
Into the Gap
Thompson Twins (1984)
1984 (Remastered)
Van Halen (1984)
Synchronicity (Remastered 2003)
The Police (1983)
Quick Step and Side Kick
Thompson Twins (1983)
Bark At The Moon (Expanded Edition)
Ozzy Osbourne & Ozzy Osbourne (1983)
Ghost In The Machine (Remastered 2003)
The Police (1981)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Oberheim OB-Xa, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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