Oberheim OB-8
| OB-8 | |
|---|---|
| File:Oberheim OB8.jpg The Oberheim OB-8 | |
| Manufacturer | Oberheim |
| Dates | 1983 - 1985 |
| Price | US$4395 |
| Technical specifications | |
| Polyphony | 8 voices |
| Timbrality | Bitimbral |
| Oscillator | 2 VCOs per voice |
| LFO | 3 |
| Synthesis type | Analog Subtractive |
| Filter | Switchable 12dB/oct or 24dB/oct resonant low-pass |
| Attenuator | 2 x ADSR (one for VCF & one for VCA) |
| Aftertouch expression | No |
| Velocity expression | No |
| Storage memory | 120 patches 12 splits 12 dual |
| Effects | none |
| Input/output | |
| Keyboard | 61-key |
| Left-hand control | Pitch Modulation |
| External control | CV/Gate MIDI Cassette Computer interface |
The Oberheim OB-8 is a subtractive analog synthesizer launched by Oberheim in early 1983 and discontinued in 1985. It belongs to the OB-X product line of polyphonic compact synthesizers and is successor to the OB-Xa. The number of production was about 3,000 units.[1]
The OB-8 features eight-voice polyphony, two-part multi-timbrality, a 61-note processor-controlled piano keyboard, sophisticated programmable LFO and envelope modulation, two-pole and four-pole filters, arpeggiator, external cassette storage, MIDI capability and 120 memory patches, 24 bi-timbral patches, and used the Z80 CPU. The musician's interface also consists of two pages of front panel programmable controls, left panel performance controls and a set of foot pedals and switches.
Artists who have used the OB-8 include Alice Coltrane, in her ashram music, Boys Noize, Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, Prince, Spinetta Jade[2], Queen, Van Halen, Depeche Mode, The War on Drugs, Styx, Kool & The Gang, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Clarence Jey, The Police, Siekiera,[3] Silent Running, The KLF, Future Sound of London, Barnes & Barnes and Nik Kershaw.[4]
Notable OB-8 users
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (June 2018) |
- 14 Bis
- Andy Whitmore (Greystoke Studios)
- Art of Noise[5]
- Depeche Mode
- Dennis DeYoung
- David Frank
- Prince
- Simple Minds[6]
- 'Til Tuesday
- Floating Points[7]
- Steve Roach
- Steve Hillier of Dubstar
- Jimmy Jam[8]
- Clarence Jey
- The Police
- The KLF[5]
- Soul II Soul[5]
- Pet Shop Boys[5]
- Van Halen
- Thompson Twins
- Levon Abrahamyan
References
- ^
Colbeck, Julian (2001-05-01), "Oberheim OB-8", electronic Musician,
The OB-8 was last in the line of classic Oberheim analog synthesizers that included the OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-SX, ...", "Number produced: 3,000
- ^ "Spinetta Jade's 'Alma de Diamante' back cover".
- ^ "FESTIWAL MUZYKOW ROCKOWYCH JAROCIN 1986". Jarocin-Festiwal.com. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
- ^ "The Official Nik Kershaw website: Drum Talk". Archived from the original on August 21, 2009. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Oberheim OB Series". Sound On Sound. September 1998. Archived from the original on 6 June 2015.
- ^ Gale, Dave (2018-01-03). "Vintage Rewind: Oberheim OB-8 - The Spirit Of The 80s". MusicTech. Retrieved 2019-10-08.
- ^ Elaenia, Floating Points https://www.discogs.com/Floating-Points-Elaenia/release/7682421
- ^ "The Making of Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation 1814"". reverb.com. Retrieved 2019-10-08.
- Vintage Synth: Oberheim OB-8
- Image of OB-8 : image source, copyright details
- Keyboard Museum
- GreatSynthesizers: Oberheim OB-8
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