The OB-X8 combines the three different voice architectures of the OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 into a single instrument. The individual filter types and other unique characteristics of each model have been faithfully reproduced, giving you the most authentic OB experience possible. You can even mix elements of different models to create sounds never possible with the originals. There’s never been an OB-series synth as powerful and versatile.

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8-voice Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer with 2 SEM/OB-X-lineage VCOs Per Voice, SEM-lineage VCFs, Curtis Filters, 61-key FATAR Velocity-/Touch-sensitive Keyboard, OLED Display, and 400+ Presets

$4,999.00


Oberheim OB-X8 8-voice Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer Features:

• 8-voice polyphonic analog synth marking the return of Oberheim with their first instrument in 35 years
• 3 all-analog synths in one: the Oberheim OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8
• 2 discrete OB-X/SEM-lineage VCOs per voice and discrete SEM-lineage VCFs deliver that vintage Oberheim tone and punch
• Genuine Dave Curtis-designed filters deliver classic OB-Xa and OB-8 character
• Additional SEM modes for highpass, bandpass, and notch functions
• Vintage knob dials in voice-to-voice variability
• Meticulously modeled envelope responses for each model; components as well as interactions between components analyzed for 1:1 realism
• 61-key FATAR keyboard is touch- and velocity-sensitive
• Bi-timbral capability allows 2 presets to be played simultaneously
• Up to 8-voice unison stacking
• Programmable per-voice pan for a wide stereo spread
• Variable triangle wave cross modulation
• Pitch and Mod levers for note bending, vibrato, and arpeggiator access
• Includes 400+ presets from the original 3 models as well as new ones
• Over 600 user presets
• OLED display shows program information and accesses advanced features
• MIDI and USB allow for compatibility with any setup
• Genuine walnut ends

 

OB-X8 costs $6,399.99 Canadian at Long & Mcquade
Saw a video on the Behringer version that a member on this site placed for us to see.
Sixteen voices at less than a third of the Oberheim price .
Would love to try them both side by side, lift them up and see the difference in weight, build and sound.

 

Last edited: May 16, 2022

Happy to see Oberheim back in business. The sound is very interesting, the price is outrageous: I guess it is an instrument dedicated to Arab emirs and Russian oligarchs

 

$6399 is a huge amount, but I'm looking at it like that's the price for a uncompromised, top of the line instrument and piece of art that will be worth 2-5x that amount in the future when Tom is gone or at least done building synths himself. Compared to a Behringer that'll be broken by the time I need a new laptop.. What behringer is doing is cool, and they're getting good instruments in the hands of lots of musicians, but if you're in the position to even consider an Oberheim, then that's the only option you have. Behringer shouldn't even be on the same list.

 

These were $5595 in 1982. Which would be $17k today with inflation and not even counting the markups and cost cutting methods that companies put on their products to increase their margins. This is a uncompomised top of the line instrument at a price lower than it was 40 years ago. I wouldn't call that outrageous. It's not affordable by any means but tbh it's incredible that any of us even have professional synths at our houses these days.

 

Here's me with my OB-XA in 1983 in the rehearsal room with a Pro-One, plus my Rhodes and Clavinet. The Oberheim spent more time in the repair shop than anything else I've ever owned.



And this is how those two keyboards sounded. One minute fifty is just those two.... Behold analog glory!

 

Last edited: May 16, 2022

Well, it's easy to have an universal debate on the indisputable convenience of this product compared to 40 years ago, but the reality is that $ 5k is out of the question. Any nice synth that I want but can't afford generates frustration in me, as you know, musicians are poor (with a few exceptions).
Let's put it this way: I challenge you to show off your gear setup: post your pics here, just to measure if your conceptual words match your status as a millionaire musician

 

The Behringer has poly aftertouch which the Obie should have at that price.
There sure sounds like a difference between the two when it comes to the Anderton's reveal video but that could be due to the audio recording or a pre-production model.
I'd love to hear the two together but Long & McQuade Music had to quit selling Behringer because Musictribe wanted to take over from Yorkville as the major brand supplier to the store and since L&M wouldn't go for it, Musictribe shut out L&M

 

A tiny bit of a tangent, but oh, brother, this is fucked up!


MUSIC TRIBE TO STOP SELLING ITS PRODUCTS IN MOST BRICK-AND-MORTAR MI STORES
BRIAN BERKDECEMBER 7, 2020

Music Tribe, formerly known as Behringer, announced in a Dec. 5 Facebook post that it would no longer sell its products to independent MI retail stores. Instead, it will focus on “super partners,” including Sweetwater and Amazon. This change is expected to commence on Jan. 1.

“For many years, our U.S. Customers have been suffering from late product delivery and high prices as we’ve been operating through an added distribution channel,” The Music Tribe, stated in the Facebook post. “This is about to change and it’s big news for you. We’re in close contact with the best U.S. e-commerce partners to establish a ‘factory direct’ model, where we’ll ship products straight from our factories to these super partners, which will dramatically increase speed and lower cost. These amazing super partners have also committed to stock all our products, so you have access at all times.

Best of all, we’ll be able to pass those massive savings on to you, which means U.S. prices will now be in line with our attractive prices in Europe. We’re also currently working on a global pricing strategy, so all of you have access to all products at equal pricing (excluding local taxes etc.).

Stay tuned, as we’ll soon be announcing our super partners and new pricing. Fasten your seatbelts. As always, we like to take the opportunity to thank you all for your incredible loyalty and support during these 30-plus years. We promise to work even harder to provide you with great products at the best possible prices.”

Music Tribe CEO Uli Behringer stated the following in an internal memo obtained by the Music & Sound Retailer: “Based on our Customer Obsession Vision, we believe that every customer must have access to all of our products anywhere, anytime, and at the most competitive global price possible,” he said. “As we are changing our selling model from ‘selling’ and serving every partner, we are now focusing on a select choice of the most influential e-commerce partners who have the largest customer reach and depth of services. In order to provide our customers with access for all our brands and products, deliver them at lighting speed and lowest possible cost, only large e-commerce partners are capable of delivering this service.

“As a consequence, this unfortunately disqualifies all small brick-and-mortar stores and traditional distributors, as serving them adds little value and increases cost, which our customers shouldn’t be burdened with,” Behringer continued. “We are now identifying these global super partners, such as Amazon, Thomann, Sweetwater, Alibaba, etc. and select them by country and region to establish large volume and factory-direct engagements to ensure we’ll build the leanest and most cost-effective channels to our customers. These savings will be largely passed on to our