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$500

$1501+

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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

Is the Oberheim OB-Xa synthesizer polyphonic or monophonic?

The Oberheim OB-Xa is a polyphonic synthesizer available in 4, 6, or 8 voice configurations, allowing for complex chordal textures and layered sounds.

What are the standout features of the Oberheim OB-Xa's sound engine?

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.

How does the Oberheim OB-Xa compare to other Oberheim models like the OB-8?

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.

What is the keyboard action like on the Oberheim OB-Xa?

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.

Can the Oberheim OB-Xa be used for modern music production?

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.

Matt Johnson Jamiroquai

Matt Johnson Jamiroquai

Oberheim OB Xa 80's mega synth!

Video thumbnail for Oberheim OB Xa 80's mega synth! by Matt Johnson Jamiroquai

Oberheim OB Xa 80's mega synth!

Matt Johnson Jamiroquai

Matt Johnson Jamiroquai

Video thumbnail for Oberheim OB-Xa Analog Synthesizer (1981) "Oberfett Xa" by RetroSound

Oberheim OB-Xa Analog Synthesizer (1981) "Oberfett Xa"

RetroSound

RetroSound

Video thumbnail for Why I Love My Oberheim OB-Xa by J3PO

Why I Love My Oberheim OB-Xa

J3PO

J3PO

Video thumbnail for Oberheim Showdown! OB-Xa vs OB-8 by NonDigitalTom

Oberheim Showdown! OB-Xa vs OB-8

NonDigitalTom

NonDigitalTom

Video thumbnail for gettin moody with my 1981 Oberheim OB-Xa by J3PO

gettin moody with my 1981 Oberheim OB-Xa

J3PO

J3PO

Video thumbnail for Oberheim OB-Xa pure, dry and raw, 50 sounds by synthlegends

Oberheim OB-Xa pure, dry and raw, 50 sounds

synthlegends

synthlegends

Video thumbnail for Oberheim OB-Xa - the 104 classic factory patches by SynthMania

Oberheim OB-Xa - the 104 classic factory patches

SynthMania

SynthMania

Video thumbnail for History and Sounds: Oberheim OB-Xa (deutsch) by AMAZONA Music Mag

History and Sounds: Oberheim OB-Xa (deutsch)

AMAZONA Music Mag

AMAZONA Music Mag

Reviews

PROS

  • Famous 33x0 series Curtis chips deliver distinctive sound

  • Excels in sizzling, buzzy pads and dark, resonant strings

  • Signature 12dB filter for characteristic tone

  • Powerful basses in Unison mode

  • Upgradeable with MIDI for modern compatibility

  • Iconic sounds recognizable from classic tracks like VH's "Jump"

CONS

  • Prone to aging and reliability issues over time

  • Unique parts are difficult to replace, making repairs challenging

  • 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

  • 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.

    Source
  • 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

  • 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.

    Source
  • 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

  • The OB8's Page 2 functions offer unique arpeggiator programming capabilities, unlike the simpler presets of the OB-X8.

    Source
  • The UB-XA lacks crossmodulation, a feature present in the OB-X8, impacting sound complexity for intricate sound design.

    Source
  • The UB-XA's focus on the OB-XA's Curtis filters excludes the darker, deeper modulation associated with the Matrix series.

    Source
  • 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

  • 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

  • Users report achieving Prince-style sounds with the UB-XA, particularly reminiscent of leads and stabs in "Delirious."

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The UB-XA is mentioned as a more budget-friendly alternative, costing significantly less than the OB-X8 while delivering similar presets.

    Source
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 8 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
clusterchord

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.

luke_smithwick

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.

clusterchord

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.

  1. it needs new capacitors, in PSU as well as voiceboard/motherboard
  2. it needs new multiturn trimmers on vco pitch as well as linearity and high range

  3. 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

federicovaona

Analog Beast!

This Synth is one of my favorites. Big fat analog sound. Powerful basses in Unison mode. I've upgraded it with MIDI.

omegaman_jonny

A Great Keyboard!

Lots of cool sounds including the sound for the VH track "Jump"

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Moonlight Matters uses Oberheim OB-Xa

Moonlight Matters

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video in which Moonlight Matters is taking Future Music Magazine on a tour of his studio, at 1:02:44 he says "Next up here is the OB-Xa".

See how Firechild uses Oberheim OB-Xa

Firechild

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via YouTube

Video of Firechild performing on the OB-Xa in his studio.

See how Michael Beinhorn uses Oberheim OB-Xa

Michael Beinhorn

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Red Hot Chili Peppers

...
Verified via Photo

Michael Beinhorn used the Oberheim OB-Xa synthesizer on Material's One Down, as evidenced by an image on Equipboard.

S

Simon Brenner

Keyboardist

Talk Talk

...
Verified via YouTube

Simon Brenner can be seen using the Oberheim OB-Xa at 0:15 into the video of this performance in Top of The Pops in 1982.

See how Paul Taylor uses Oberheim OB-Xa

Paul Taylor

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Alice Cooper

...
Verified via Photo

Paul Taylor is confirmed to use an Oberheim OB-Xa synthesizer during his time with Alice Cooper, as evidenced by a photo available on Equipboard.

See how Tommy Tallarico uses Oberheim OB-Xa

Tommy Tallarico

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via Photo

The screencap from Tommy Tallarico's studio in the 1990s at Virgin Games, sourced from the Virgin Press Kit's Tech Talk section.

See how John Massari uses Oberheim OB-Xa

John Massari

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via Facebook

In a Facebook post, John Massari is shown using the Oberheim OB-Xa synthesizer.

See how Steve Gray uses Oberheim OB-Xa

Steve Gray

Keyboardist, Composer

Sky

...
Verified via Photo

In this scan of the concert programme for Sky's Australian Tour of 1984, the listing for Steve Gray's onstage keyboard includes an Oberheim OBX-A polyphonic synthesiser. Also used onstage during previous touring with Sky.

From the "Fact File" on Steve Gray, Electronic Music Maker magazine May 1982 (http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/fact-file/4289) Keyboards with Sky: Roland JP8; Oberheim OBXa; Oberheim OB1; Hohner Clavinet; William De Blaise harpsichord;

See how Mark Stanway uses Oberheim OB-Xa

Mark Stanway

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Grand Slam

...
Verified

From "Electronics & Music Maker" February 1984, page 16:

Paul Wiffen: What are you using at the moment?

Mark Stanway: Well I swear by the Oberheim (OB-Xa, the one with 120 memories). It holds its tuningso well and it's never let me down. When I was in Sweden last month, I used the new OB-8 (reviewed in this issue) and it's got a few developments which are really good so I wouldn't mind moving up to that one. I think they ought to give me one really, but I suppose I'll have to fork out.

Paul Wiffen: What is your set up?

Mark Stanway: Well from the left round I've got Mellotron - still. It's a dear old instrument. I only use it on one track in the current (Magnum) set, just for the male voices which I can't get from anything else.

On top of that I've got the Korg organ, the BX-3. You see, I don't play enough organ in the show to warrant lugging a Hammond B3 about, and this is the nearest I can get to ne. It's a great thing, so compact but with a really full sound.

On top of that I have a Roland string machine, one of the old ones, the RS -202. I still use it in the studio, on the most recent Magnum for example (the Eleventh Hour - reviewed in E&MM Aug 83) and I'll continue to use it, 'cos it's got a great sound. I get a very thin sharp tone out of it, and using volume pedals and studio tricks on it, I can get it direct on one channel, with the delay panned to the other side.

Authored by Paul Wiffen.

See how Howard Goodall uses Oberheim OB-Xa

Howard Goodall

Singer, Keyboardist

...
Verified via Bluesky Social

Howard Goodall has confirmed his use of the Oberheim OB-Xa synthesizer, stating, "Ah - the synth strings on those intros were definitely a patch I made on my OB-Xa, I can at least confirm that." This information is sourced from his post on Bluesky Social.

See how Roger Limb uses Oberheim OB-Xa

Roger Limb

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified

Roger Limb uses the Oberheim OB-Xa, as he mentioned, ""Oberheim OBXa and an Elka Synthex. For a long time I used the Oberheim alone and we've only recently got the Synthex — they only overlap very slightly and there are still a lot of very useful sounds I can get on the Oberheim." This statement is supported by the document titled "1984 The Sound House."

See how Dubka uses Oberheim OB-Xa

Dubka

...
Verified via YouTube

Oberheim OB-Xa in video

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

Show yours
M

mandatorygnome

Gear IQ 210

jaris_roth

jaris_roth

Gear IQ 81

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