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$500

$1501+

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Description

Step back into the world of classic analog synthesis with the Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar Synthesizer, a beloved staple among vintage synth enthusiasts and modern musicians alike. This distinctive synthesizer seamlessly blends digital oscillators with analog filters, creating a unique hybrid sound that's both versatile and rich. Originally launched in the 1980s, the OSCar is renowned for its dual digital oscillators that provide a wide range of waveforms, from the standard sawtooth and square waves to more complex shapes. The distinctive "additive synthesis" capability allows users to craft custom waveforms, offering unparalleled sonic exploration.

The OSCar's robust build quality and intuitive interface make it a joy to play, whether you're a seasoned pro or just diving into the world of synthesis. Its analog filters offer that warm, fat sound that only true analog can deliver, while the built-in sequencer and arpeggiator add layers of rhythmic complexity to your compositions. With MIDI connectivity, the OSCar easily integrates into modern studio setups, bridging the gap between classic and contemporary music production.

Key Features:

  • Dual digital oscillators with multiple waveform options
  • Additive synthesis for custom waveforms
  • Classic analog filter section for warm, dynamic sound
  • Built-in sequencer and arpeggiator for complex patterns
  • Full MIDI compatibility for seamless integration into modern studios
  • Unique hybrid design combining digital and analog technologies
  • Sturdy interface with a classic aesthetic for intuitive operation

Product specs

Brand Oxford Synthesizer Company
Model OSCar 37-Key Analog Monophonic Programmable Music Synthesizer
Finish Black
Year 1980s
Made In United Kingdom
Categories Analog Synths, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital Analog
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Synth Action
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Number of Keys 37 Keys
Polyphony 1 Voice

FAQs

What type of synthesis does the OSCar Synthesizer use?

The OSCar Synthesizer utilizes analog synthesis, known for its rich and warm sound, ideal for creating classic synth tones with a unique character.

Is the OSCar Synthesizer monophonic or polyphonic?

The OSCar Synthesizer is monophonic, meaning it can play only one note at a time, which is perfect for bass lines, leads, and solos.

Does the OSCar Synthesizer have MIDI capabilities?

Yes, the OSCar Synthesizer features MIDI Input, Output, and Through, allowing it to integrate easily with other MIDI-compatible equipment.

How many keys does the OSCar Synthesizer have, and what is the key size?

The OSCar Synthesizer has 37 full-size keys, providing a comfortable playing experience similar to a traditional keyboard.

What is the keyboard action type of the OSCar Synthesizer?

The OSCar Synthesizer features a synth action keyboard, which is light and responsive, ideal for fast playing and expressive performance.

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Video thumbnail for OSCar Synthesizer by GForce Software

OSCar Synthesizer

GForce Software

GForce Software

Video thumbnail for Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar by MuStudio

Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar

MuStudio

MuStudio

Video thumbnail for Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar synth demo by Matt Brock

Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar synth demo

Matt Brock

Matt Brock

Video thumbnail for Oxford Synthesizer Company OSCar Demo & Review by musictrackjp

Oxford Synthesizer Company OSCar Demo & Review

musictrackjp

musictrackjp

Video thumbnail for Oxford Synthesizer Company OSCar Repair - Synthchaser #121 by Synthchaser

Oxford Synthesizer Company OSCar Repair - Synthchaser #121

Synthchaser

Synthchaser

Video thumbnail for Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar by MuStudio

Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar

MuStudio

MuStudio

Reviews

PROS

  • Unique handcrafted design, crafted with attention to detail

  • Powerful sequencer and additive synthesis for custom waveforms

  • Exceptional dual filters with separation knob and overdrive feature

  • Distinct, FAT sound rivaling even classic synths like the Mini Moog

  • Eye-catching industrial design with unique assembly method

  • Rare and collectible, adding to its allure and value

  • Offers classic analog and unique digital waveforms

  • Provides duophonic capability with patch memory

  • Ideal for special lead sounds, bass, and sequencing modulation

CONS

  • Prone to bugs and quirks common to all units

  • High market prices often considered overvalued

  • Buttons tend to fall out easily, causing inconvenience

  • Requires battery replacement, which can be a hassle

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar Synthesizer.

Features and functionality

  • The OSCar synthesizer has a dual 12db/oct multimode filter that combines to create a powerful 24db low-pass or 12db bandpass filter, ideal for producing growling sounds.

    Source

Build quality

  • The OSCar's hybrid design incorporates digital oscillators with analog filters, allowing for unique additive waveform creation and a wide range of vocal-type sounds.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Oxford Synthesiser Company's OSCar is noted for its distinctive multimode filters and additive synthesis, setting it apart from other vintage synthesizers.

    Source
  • The OSCar was considered an upgrade for bands like OMD after they used synths like the ARP, highlighting its advanced capabilities for its time.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners appreciate the OSCar for its versatility in sound design, particularly in creating complex and expressive tones.

    Source
  • Owners seeking early 80s synthpop sounds note the MS-20's compatibility with OSCar, emphasizing the MS-20's role in achieving the desired vintage sound profile.

    Source

Other

  • Only 2000 units of the OSCar were produced, making it a rare and sought-after piece among vintage synthesizer collectors.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The OSCar is suitable for replicating simplistic early OMD sounds, thanks to its unique synthesis capabilities that align with early synthpop tones.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
3emesexe

Fantastic rediculous great synth

God for special lead sounds, sequencing modulation , bass sounds , spheres

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Deadmau5 uses Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar Synthesizer

Deadmau5

Music Producer

BSOD

...
Verified via YouTube

Around the 1:26:07 mark of the video, "Deadmau5 livestream - April 06, 2016", Joel takes down the OSCar from the keyboard shelf and proceeds to use it.

See how Trent Reznor uses Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar Synthesizer

Trent Reznor

Singer, Guitarist

Nine Inch Nails

...
Verified via YouTube

Seen at 7:20 in the Archetype of a Synthesizer video.

See how Jean Michel Jarre uses Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar Synthesizer

Jean Michel Jarre

Keyboardist, Music Producer

The Dustbins

...
Verified via 45worlds

There is a list of the used instruments on the "Revolutions" album by Jean-Michel Jarre. Its inside the front cover. The text contains the following instruments (and two choirs): "Roland D50, Roland D550, Fairlight CMI II, Fairlight CMI III, Synthex, AKS, Oscar, EMS Vocoder, Dynacord ADDI, Cristal Baschet, AKAI MPC-60, Emulator, Ensoniq ESQ1, ARP 2600, Kawai K5, Geiss Matrisequencer, Cavagnolo MIDY 20, Elka, AMK 800, Drums, Simmons SDX, Bass, Trumpet, Megaphone, Guitar, Choir." Cd cover can bee seen at http://www.45worlds.com/cdalbum/cd/8370982

See how Underworld uses Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar Synthesizer

Underworld

Music Producer

Freur

...
Verified via Soundonsound

In the Sound On Sound article "The Making Of Everything, Everything," Underworld mentions their Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar Synthesizer, noting that although it's a valuable piece in their collection, it hasn't been used recently.

See how Orbital uses Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar Synthesizer

Orbital

Music Producer

Orbital & Angelo Badalamenti

...
Verified via Hyperreal

Included in equipment list

See how Vince Clarke uses Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar Synthesizer

Vince Clarke

Keyboardist, Composer

Depeche Mode

...
Verified via Photo

The OSCar can be seen pictured in his studio ... bottom row, 2nd from back/left.

See how The Crystal Method uses Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar Synthesizer

The Crystal Method

Music Producer

The Crystal Method & Bubba Sparxxx

...
Verified via Photo

The OSCar synthesizer can be seen in a picture The Crystal Method posted of their studio.

See how Rob Swire uses Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar Synthesizer

Rob Swire

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Pendulum

...
Verified via Soundonsound

mentioned in this interview: https://www.soundonsound.com/people/pendulum Rob compares it with the software OScar

See how Giorgio Moroder uses Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar Synthesizer

Giorgio Moroder

Music Producer

Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder

...
Verified via Soundonsound

GIORGIO MORODER RARE SYNTHESIZER COLLECTIONUS sample CD manufacturers Hollywood Edge produce a sample CD featuring Moroder's favourite synths. Giorgio Moroder Rare Synthesizer Collection contains 970 patches from vintage synths including the OSC OSCar, Korg Mono/Poly, Sequential Prophet 5, ARP 2600, Moog modular, Multimoog, TB303, Oberheim 4-voice, Roland Jupiter 8 and Juno 60, Moog Taurus, PPG 2.3, and the Buchla. It's available on CD-ROM in Akai, SampleCell, and Ensoniq formats. If you're interested, Time & Space, the UK distributors for Hollywood Edge, should be able to get hold of it for you, though it's not an item they carry in stock. Derek Johnson

See how The Future Sound of London uses Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar Synthesizer

The Future Sound of London

Music Producer

Vangelis & The Future Sound of London

...
Verified via Muzines

Accessit: RIAA amp Akai: S900, S1000, S1100, S1100EX samplers Alesis: ADAT digital multitrack (x2), BRC remote controller, AI-2 audio/video synchroniser, MIDIverb II (x2), Quadraverb (x2) Apple: Quadra 950 computer Atari: 1040ST computer running Emagic Creator sequencing software Audio Logic: 20001 digital sampler BBE: Sonic Maximiser 422A bel: BD-80 digital delay Digidesign: ProTools disk-based recording system (4-track version) Drawmer: DS201 Dual Gate E-mu Systems: Proteus/1 XR module, Vintage Keys module EMS: Synthi AKS synth Fostex: Model 3070 compressor/limiter Ibanez: DM1100 digital delay Jen: SX1000 synth Korg: DRV-1000 digital reverb, Wavestation A/D synth module LA Audio: MIDI gate Oberheim: Matrix 1000 synth module, OB8 synth OSC: Oscar monosynth Roland: D110 module, JX3P synth, MKS50 module, SH101 monosynth, TB303 bass synth, TR909 drum machine Tascam: 103 cassette deck Sony: CDP-770 CD player, DTC-1000ES DAT machine Soundtracs: IL3632 36-input mixing desk Tannoy: Little Gold monitors Technics: SL1210 Mk2 record deck Urei: monitors Yamaha: DS55 synth, NS10M monitors, Q2031 graphic EQ, SPX90 multi-FX unit, TX81Z synth module

Sony: BKE-9500 Editing Control Disk Unit Edit Desk PCM-7050 Digital Audio Recorder PVW-2650P Betacam SP Videocassette Player PVW-2800P Betacam SP Videocassette Recorder Monitors (x4)

See how Shpongle (Simon Posford) uses Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar Synthesizer

Shpongle (Simon Posford)

DJ

Shpongle

...
Verified via YouTube

A lovely Oscar analogue synth can be seen at 1:30, fantastic analogue sounds from that!

See how Peter Christopherson uses Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar Synthesizer

Peter Christopherson

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Coil

...
Verified via Brainwashed

"Our sound sources include quite a lot of original analog gear (OSCAR, Korg Poly-6, EMS synthi, Roland Juno60 - all midi-retro fitted BTW) plus the usual samplers (Emax, s1000, Samplecell II). These are controlled by sequencers including Studio Vision, Cubase and the "retro-style" Doepfer (originally made for Kraftwerk). The sounds are intially effected by various standard echoes and FX including a Roland SDX-330 Dimensional Expander (3D-ish) and a Boss SE70 (good vocoder presets!)."

Album Usage

The Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar Synthesizer has been featured on the following albums:

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 Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar Synthesizer, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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7
ARP 2600
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5
Roland Jupiter-8
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4
Yamaha TX816
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4
PPG Wave 2.3
PPG Wave 2.3 Synthesizers
3
Alesis Quadraverb
Alesis Quadraverb Effects Processors
3
E-Mu Emulator II
E-Mu Emulator II Synthesizers
3

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