01-The DSI/Oberheim OB-6: Part 1- The Oscillators

[@markmccann1]

just got an OB6 today and loving this overview. Thanks for taking the time to record the whole series.

[@therealone1288]

Another banger of a synth. Never getting rid of it

[@seanchristophersynthesizer6999]

As a new OB6 owner- THANK YOU for these tutorials! Loving my OB6! :)

[@automaticgainsay]

Thanks, Sean!

[@wcm5150]

Been waiting for this for a long time. Keep them coming Marc!!

[@automaticgainsay]

+wcm5150 I've been working on it a long time! More to come!

[@els1f]

That thing is amazing

[@JoeWisniewski]

Thanks for this! Very informative. I'm loving how I'm finding out features of this thing that are not only simply implemented but can create complex sound. I fall in love with it every time I play it. I like the Oberheim background too.

[@automaticgainsay]

+Joe Wisniewski Thank you!

[@nobel11]

Oh no, I shouldn't have watched this. My poor wallet is hiding in fear now.

[@pinkponyofprey1965]

Man, there's butter running out between the keys of that phat thing!!! :D

[@Peruanischerlimettendieb]

Oh yeah and I want to lick the sweet butter.

[@thedarkestrainbow]

Yes yes yes yes!!!! Finally I've been quietly hoping for this! I have for sure hogged the OB6 for hours at a time at my local Sam Ash and Perfect Circuit so I can play it all I want until I can afford it but I just LOVE your reviews. So informative. I watch them over and ober....get it?

[@automaticgainsay]

+SteeVtheRipper Thank you very much!

[@nonahyobusiness8063]

My OB-Xa sounds amazing but I will still get one of these. The OB-6 has some of the character of the old OB's yet it has its own character, too. Sounds great. Thanks for creating these videos.

[@automaticgainsay]

+Nonah Yobusiness Thanks for watching!

[@ewanstefani]

Previous demo videos have not impressed me, but the sound of these oscillators here is wonderful. I note that the 'slop' feature isn't here on the OB6, but there seems to be quite a bit of pleasant movement in the sound despite this that I missed on the P6.

[@automaticgainsay]

+ewanstefani Actually, the slop function is on the synth, it's just that it's in a different place with a different name! I don't think I used it at all in the demos! I mean, I love it... but there is so much fluctuation and warmth in these oscillators, that I don't think about it as much.

[@ewanstefani]

+AutomaticGainsay Ah yes - I missed that second 'detune' control - thanks Marc! Looking forward to hearing the filters now :)

[@Its_Avalon]

Great work as always, looking forward to the next installments!

[@automaticgainsay]

+OfficialDJAvalon Thank you!

[@adrianh63]

Thank you very much! i'm a home hobbyist i've been wanting to familiarize & learn "how to" program or use my DSI Prophets 06, 08 & 12 now outside the present where i live all the knobs are making sense thru your video tutorial looking fwd to all

[@automaticgainsay]

+Adrian H Thank you!

[@adrianh63]

+AutomaticGainsay Will you please contunue your series of "Edu" music videos "How to?" Your videos are extremely helpful

[@automaticgainsay]

Yes, thank you!

[@animalbeats]

Loving this too Marc

[@callumclarke4949]

Thank you for sharing all your extended knowledge for free as I’ve learnt how to use my matrix brute and now my ob6 and it’s crazy as in most videos you get to that point of surprise where you have to back off until later on in other tutorials please keep them coming as everything seems to go along the Euro rack route which is ok if you have a very huge wallet which I find too frustrating thank you

[@automaticgainsay]

Thanks for watching!

[@tomski2671]

My vco2 detune knob is centered slightly to the right. I have to turn it slightly to the right to get vco1 saw and vco2 saw in tune. Is that normal on this synth?

[@Asdrubale01]

6:36 what a massive sound. reminds me of 1984 by mr. van halen ... maybe he used this synth to compose that album?

[@Asdrubale01]

I just checked and discovered that I pretty much guessed it🥰👂💪

[@jasoncorganbrown]

Sounds amazing.

[@braincoral9866]

Just noticed the Oberheim'y stripe background. Nice work dude ;)

[@automaticgainsay]

+Braincoral Music Ha ha, thank you!

[@automaticgainsay]

+Braincoral Music I needed something to cover the ridiculous kludge that holds up the tripod so it can capture the whole synth!

[@t3l3phasicworksh0p]

Wow. I just accidentally watched this video on x0.5 speed after watching Kazoo Kid Vaporwave and Mark's narration fit in perfectly.

[@pcuimac]

I don't want noise! But that thing sounds big. Had the chance to try it out and it is great. I am tempted to sell some stuff to purchase this beast.

[@automaticgainsay]

+pcuimac :::takes hypnotist pose::: You wannnnnt noise.... you loveeeee noise. You want uncertain tuning and waveshape variance... you wannnnnt analoggggggggg

[@pcuimac]

+AutomaticGainsay Not really. I want that OB filter. It's obvious that the filter does most of the sound shaping, because of it's pronunced impact on the spectrum of the oscillators. But thx for the hypnosis atempt. :)

[@SPAZZOID100]

pcuimac it’s not just the filter

[@tombrews]

Quick question: Can you fine tune VCO 1 on the OB6? Or are you stuck with the quantized notes?

[@humbleprogress1226]

Hi i just got one of these and trying to learn synthesis. Could you do a few videos showing how to design some nice basic sounds on this? For example, a smooth creamy lead?

[@197979jones]

I would suggest learning synthesis with an app called Syntorial. Best out there

[@humbleprogress1226]

tanza thank you very much.

[@braincoral9866]

Yes! Thanks Marc, been waiting for this. Yet another one in my sights. It's this or the P6 desktop

[@astrophonix]

+Braincoral Music They're bringing out an OB6 module later this year, so you could have a Prophet 6 AND an OB6 module for layered awesomeness.

[@braincoral9866]

Yes! (and light wallet-ness!)

[@Eyepatchfilms]

Woohoo OB6 video!

[@automaticgainsay]

+Eyepatch Entertainment Yes! And lots more.

[@RobertDorschel]

That sure is a fancy schmancy opening splash and ditty ya got there, MD.

[@automaticgainsay]

+Robert Dorschel I said that to myself as it was taking forever to make. I said "ALL IT NEEDS IS TITLE AND SYNTH, MARC." But I didn't listen. The theme was fun, though. :D There's going to be a video that shows me playing all of the parts, at some point.

[@RobertDorschel]

+AutomaticGainsay :D BTW, no sarcasm at all in my statement. I enjoy these things. Looking forward to the rest of series.

[@tehwinnerz5006]

How do you get out of the presets and onto this? I pressed manual but it sounded nothing like this

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

I know synthesis basics, but this is very informative in that it is not only building on my existing knowledge, but specific to the OB-6. Because you don't buy a $3000 synth for the factory sounds alone.

[@agustinspinetto8939]

Hi, thanks for the video. Just wondering... which was the position of the level knobs you use to do de the comparisson? As I was reading the manual I noticed that if you´re using the level on full position, makes overload the synth. Thanks again.

[@bachelorgamer8001]

what song is that at 7:17

[@automaticgainsay]

I was just improvising chords

[@director2bob]

Hello....I have a digital Daw based on Ableton and recently purchased a Moog Sub 37 which was my first piece of analog outboard gear and I love it. It has a soul. Which synth P6 or OB6 do you belive would be a better synergy with the Moog sub 37. Thanks so much for taking time to answer this question

[@TheAvatrolOfficial]

I'd be willing to help you. Most all analog synths have a warmth and soul to them that is missing with digital synthesis. That being said, depending on the synthesizer you will get different sounds, and not one is always better than the other! In general, Moogs, in my opinion, have a sort of funky smooth filter sound. I think they are great for using in contemporary songs, but if you are doing more experimental/electronic music sort of stuff you might want to opt for something different. Roland tends to have a lot of clarity and space/depth. Roland, in my opinion, is great for driving techno sounds, very clear, sci-fi leads and pad sounds. Korg tends to be a little rougher around the edges. This is just my thought of the companies in general, and of course those descriptions are not going to match each and every synthesizer from them. So what are you trying to do?

[@marctronixx]

ooh i need this!! any tutorials on this beast is appreciated. i have one and i am not the best when it comes to sub synthesis so thank you for explaining things. X-mod too please!!

[@automaticgainsay]

+Marc Abernathy There are about 14 videos coming!

[@marctronixx]

+AutomaticGainsay OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are my new best friend sir!!!!

[@marctronixx]

+AutomaticGainsay this is also like those books as a child that had a book to accompany the toy you had. Cheap this is awesome. Sorry for my enthusiasm but I really want to wrap my head around this synth as best as possible. Plus your name is "Marc" too? An you rock even more...

[@automaticgainsay]

I promise I will delve quite deeply into the functionality! You'll know how to use this when I am done!

[@Chevytravelleruk]

Did you pinstripe your table?.. love that attention to detail

[@adrianh63]

Please include Sequential Prophet 6, DSI Prophet 9 & more to come gracias!

[@SPAZZOID100]

Adrian H prophet-9????

[@sysexstudio]

Oh yes, your doing this synth!

[@automaticgainsay]

+Sysex|Studio :D

[@SPAZZOID100]

Got one. Sounds closer to an OBX than the Obxa, Ob8, or matrix 12.

[@EverettDudgeon138]

BTW-are you going to do any REV2 videos?

[@jbflinnla]

I’m trying like hell to get my ob-6 to sound like this demo and it just doesn’t have the same buttery fat sound. Almost like it’s missing a bit of fire. Are you recording into something special or is it straight into your interface?

[@automaticgainsay]

I'm sorry to hear that. Yeah, in all of my demos, it's always straight to interface without any equalization or effects.

[@shtepoui]

this miiiight be next

[@jorgenstil]

Nice, good job!

[@automaticgainsay]

+Jørgenstil Thank you!

[@SPAZZOID100]

When will you demo a wavetable synth???

[@automaticgainsay]

+James Reeno Hmm... when they make an analog one? ;)

[@SPAZZOID100]

+AutomaticGainsay why does it have to be analog??

[@SPAZZOID100]

+AutomaticGainsay i used to be of the same point of view, but realized that analog cannot do a lot of textures that digital synthesis can. I need both.

[@automaticgainsay]

It's not a qualitative requirement, it's a personal interest requirement. I love analog synthesizers, is what it comes down to. I have nothing against digital types of synthesis, but I'm just not that interested in them. Also, I've spent the past 16 years deeply immersed in analog synths, and I don't know really that much about various digital synths... I wouldn't know what I was talking about! :D

[@SPAZZOID100]

+AutomaticGainsay fair enough Mark!! Though i am pretty confident you would quickly grasp any synth put in front of you. A PPG is basically a subtractive synth with sampled waveforms instead of live waveforms. Is it really that different?? Only FM synthesis is vastly different.

[@ewanstefani]

Dave Smith, if you're listening: the feature I'm missing on this is a sequencer that records parameter changes (Minilogue-style) :) I wonder if that might be possible via firmware upgrade, although I can't imagine how it could be done. Maybe on the rack version? Motion sequencing on this would sound amazing...

[@SPAZZOID100]

ewanstefani no

[@rayramon5955]

how do you reset patches on the ob-6 ?

[@markstewart2880]

Just download the original patches and follow the instructions here: www.davesmithinstruments.com/ob-6-factory-sounds/ I've already done it and it's simple. As long as you don't write to an existing patch from 000-499 then all changes you make on-the-fly to patches will not be written, but instead stored in a temp cache. Once you move off the sound and then back to the patch then it'll be reset.

[@pinkponyofprey1965]

A squaw tooth wave?

[@intrepidhibex]

+PinkPonyOfPrey And with a squawnagleidal generator is just instabuy

[@EverettDudgeon138]

Oberhiem Two Voice Pro or OB-6?

[@automaticgainsay]

They are SUCH different devices... it's a situation where it depends on your needs. The OB-6 is a great all-around synth, allowing you to play six-note polyphonic parts AND monophonic parts. The 2VP is duophonic, and better for applications that you'd use a monophonic synth for and has semi-modular routing. You really can't go wrong with either, but which one you'd choose depends on what you need!

[@EverettDudgeon138]

Yeah I already have a P6 and I do find the OB6 while nice sounding a bit redundant to the P6. The TVS Pro I really want but it’s close to a 7-8 month waiting period at about $5000 CDN. The one I tried at Moog Audio here was damaged (seems the bend box’s ribbon was detached during shipping) I was also shocked at how clunky the build quality was. But the sequencer and the bi timbral nature...it’s like Tangerine Dream in a box. Lol

[@riccardoantolinipil]

Yes thanks for the Tuts! also If anybody wants to hear more of the synth in action, here's some tracks I've done using only the Ob6>> soundcloud.com/ricky-antolini/sets/ob6 thanks!

[@FractalJim]

I modified my moog Rogue to add a sub oscillator, pulse width adjustment, independent waveform selection, osc 2 range increase and drone mode. You're welcome. (I know how 'into' oscillators you are)

[@twzstudio139]

Both the Prophet-6 and OB-6 sound great, and I like the oscillator options on the OB-6, but I kind of wish the oscillators on the Prophet were fixed shapes and not variable. I know it should give the user more sonic options, but it also seems to diminish some of the recognizable character of each shape.

[@jimmyfigueras4476]

i love it

[@brainac0cult]

you the man

[@felipeduenas9585]

what do you think sounds better the ob6 or prophet 5?

[@SPAZZOID100]

Felipe Duenas what does “better” mean??

[@carl156]

Can you review the Commodore 64 sid chips all revisions? lol

[@ClamsAnonymous]

just play thriller already! :P

[@automaticgainsay]

+ClamsAnonymous Ha ha!

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

Without trying to sound like a total nerd, I believe Thriller was done with a Jupiter 8.

[@ClamsAnonymous]

lol i only meant that he played a few riffs that kinda hinted at the opening of Thriller in the video.

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

+ClamsAnonymous yep I sort of thought the same thing.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Heathcliff bass was a minimoog.

[@MrFaceHead]

It's big and thick and huge.

[@uniblab_2024]

+MrFaceHead , "Oh behave" ;)

[@tw05k111]

Would be even greater, if you were able to mod shape 2 with the lfo. Imagine the flexibility of sound, considering the x mod function.

[@SPAZZOID100]

??????

[@gustavoelizondo2498]

PAAAAAAAADS!!

[@KILLAGORILLA7000]

You da man!!

[@calebnei8276]

Hehe. Listen to how rich and crunchy that is!

[@octakaoss]

Is this a custom ob-table or what? Who wants one?

[@automaticgainsay]

+O C T A N O N E What is a custom "ob-table?"

[@octakaoss]

+AutomaticGainsay the stripes of your table are looking like the graphic concept of the ob-series.

[@automaticgainsay]

+O C T A N O N E OHHH... oh, no. It's just a graphic to cover up the wires and tripod legs behind the keyboard. :D

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Why is this so bloody expensive?

[@automaticgainsay]

It's fantastic, and it helps one of the fathers of modern synthesis.

[@yevgenitiger]

It's 2k used and it's not expensive for such hog of a synth.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Renaissance Man if this were 1982, it would cost $14,000.

[@VacancyOfDisco]

LMFAO @ "click generator"

[@automaticgainsay]

+AJ Gapsquez :D

[@VacancyOfDisco]

+AutomaticGainsay nothing like a little passive aggressive trolling

[@automaticgainsay]

+AJ Gapsquez I didn't even think of it like that! But that's funny.

[@VacancyOfDisco]

+AutomaticGainsay oh I figured that you were referencing the infamous clicking analog poly synth. still funny regardless

[@thedarkestrainbow]

Yeah I thought that was a stab at the minilogue too

[@Matthew1981]

ring too tight

[@automaticgainsay]

It's been there since 1987... you're not wrong.

[@RobertDorschel]

Click Generator™