Dave Smith OB-6 Tarekith Review

Brief overview of the synth's functionality and my thoughts on it after a few weeks of heavy use.

[@basehead617]

Glad to see more videos from you, they are few and far between!

[@thom-alphaxiii-5106]

Nice to see you back

[@AlainHubert]

Nice review. I've had mine for a few months now (also the module version), and went through the same issues with the tuning. Had to do the same thing as you did (clear out the temperature table and start filling it back again). And it took many days, if not weeks, to finally get a really stable instrument. I did contact DSI service and they were the ones suggesting to clear the temp table. On a synth in this high price range, I would have expected that temperature table to have been properly filled up from the factory, not having to perform the filling of the table on my own time (and hassle). I hate it when companies rely on their customers to do the beta testing and bug reporting for them. Sure, they're listening and offering firmware revisions, and are helping with issues in a timely manner. But considering the premium price, I would have expected a fully tested product. But I also understand that DSI is a small company. Anyway, it doesn't change the fact that this synth sounds really great, despite all of this. It's almost as overwhelming as my Minimoog D in a mix... They go well together. Thanks for sharing your review.

[@richardwalley2862]

Thank you for posting this

[@NostalgicRuckus]

An OB6 with Digitakt midi CC parameter locking would be crazy! Great video.

[@tarekith]

LOL, I think my brain would melt if something like that existed. As much as I respect DSI and Tom Oberheim for reinventing a classic, I do wish more companies were pushing the boundaries a bit more like this too.

[@MODUS_OP]

Great rundown man! Hoping this is my next big purchase!

[@tarekith]

Modus Op it’s so much fun, I’m sure you’ll like it.

[@obwanz1921]

Great review! My thoughts exactly all around. I’m a keyboard player, and have an OB8. With the xmod functionality, I can replicate 95 percent of my OB8 sounds , and then go from there for more modern stuff. Great and thoughtful review. Thanks! 👍

[@rhampton1914]

EXCELLENT Review...Thanks for sharing..I'm considering one...I love how you went into detail pointing certain things out...i may have to pull the plug and grab on on Ebay..

[@tarekith]

Thanks, and glad you enjoyed it! The OB-6 is an amazing synth, I love fire that thing up and getting lost for hours. :)

[@theleastsignificantbit4794]

Excellent video.

[@hjhkjhre454554]

From your conclusions we should perhaps conclude ourselves that we have a future classic on our hands here. Mine arrives tomorrow. I am already in love with it.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

yes I want both the OB6 and P6 for new wave classics and soundtracks would be perfect. Now I just need a space 6k!

[@Richard-qx8jk]

Great review, very in-depth, informative and interesting! I just ordered the keyboard OB-6. Reaffirms my decision to get one. Had the Rev2 for a while, didn’t like the overly harsh Curtis Filters. I was VERY apprehensive about having only one LFO, but after explained the X-Mod features, I was quite relieved. Going from 4 LFOs on the Rev2, a synth half the price of the OB6. Can you create and edit the names of the sounds in the user banks? Can you modulate the Resonance? Subbed.

[@tarekith]

Richard Black you can name patches, but only with the Soundtower editor as I show in the video. The names don’t show on the hardware, only three digit numbers.

[@kisho2679]

are the parameters midi-mappable so that one could record the evolving movements and sequence them from an external controller (e.g. recording & playing the change/movement of the sem-filter)?

[@ubiquitousreverser]

Hi, I don't know if you still have this synth, but any chance you may be willing if you do to post a quick video with direct audio of the oscillator waveform sweep? Looking to use them as single cycle waveforms. Thanks either way and appreciate the review.

[@quantika72]

Great synthesizer, I was lucky to buy one new in the box for $700, and all though I have other Orberheims, this one has become the center of my recent I productions🤙🏼

[@lloydonlead]

I have a desktop version of the Ob-6 and I use a 61 key keyboard controller. I am glad I got the desktop version because I could get a smaller controller if I needed more room. Also the Ob-6 keyboard version doesn't have enough keys imho.

[@joshkorody7376]

You just affirmed what i'm trying to (record midi sequencers from the computer and dump them into the OB6 sequencer. But I was struggling with it getting in the same time/sequence. Slowly the sequence down is smart, I'm using Pro Tools so not as quick/easy to do that but can do it. Thanks!

[@bluename4]

would be good if DSI would come with a mark-2 update of the OB-6 providing more LFOs and a knob-changing recording feature (even at eliminating the digital effect-section instead)

[@paultp12cora24]

Good One Mate Well Done

[@navigator8222]

Thanks for the video. My question is what do you need to have this play in your pc in your daw? I have an ob-6 coming tomorrow. I have one midi cable. One 1/4 inch cable with a double 1/4 end on one side. A usb only midi keyboard and an audiobox usb 96 audio interface. Do I have everything? And how would you connect this? Thank you.

[@NachtSchreck13]

I realize this is old, but I have to say... If you're going to be rocking a $2400 dollar synthesizer (with tax), invest in a better audio interface than the audiobox! Your interface is the single most important component of your computer setup (assuming that you're using a computer capable of running your software, of course).

[@Rez311]

Really value your opinion and am thinking of buying the OB6 desktop... a year later how do you feel about it? Is it still top of your synth list?

[@tarekith]

Without a doubt, I love that synth so much. :)

[@alexovercast3359]

If you were looking for a less expensive substitute for this. What would you choose? Obviously I've got an Oberhiem plugin, but what would you choose in hardware?

[@tarekith]

Alex Overcast what is it about this synth you like? The sound, the layout, desktop version?

[@alexovercast3359]

tarekith the sound and as well the layout. I have a jx8p with programmer, and although I kinda regret buying it - I always find something I like when playing it. I'm looking for a module/desktop to compliment it. Also in the process of building a small rig with an mpc or digitakt at the centre for sequencing and sampling. Was thinking of the pulse 2 as it's paraphonic and I could sample chord stabs for live use as well as process the Roland with the Waldorf filter. I could also get the kiwi mod for the Roland to speed up the envelopes, but the filter isn't as sweet as say oberhiem/prophet/moog. I got a bit of the oberhiem sound in the plug-in, but I think hardware could get me closer. Although I can't justify spending that much on one peice of gear. Sorry for rambling on, thanks for the response.

[@tarekith]

That's a tough one in terms of sound, I've tried all the alternatives and nothing else honestly sounds like it. A lotof things sound really good, but in person it definitely has a thing all it's own (well, shared with the rest of the Ob family anyway). What about a Novation Peak? That was my runner up when I was debating getting the OB-6. Pretty sweet synth.

[@bluename4]

would be interesting to compare the sounds of the UDO Super 6 and the DSI OB-6. someone did it?

[@ItsThatJahncke2]

Really two different synths though

[@istvantoth7431]

What do you mean you have to always calibrate it? Does it go continuously out of tune?

[@barrnycharlton8951]

what did you mean about talking later at this point 6:53 thanks!

[@JoeWisniewski]

I'm loving my OB6 keys. I remember you either from Elektron or Virus forums. I just recently dumped my Indigo 2. I'm finding it difficult to set up aftertouch with the Octatrack midi sequencer where the real expressive magic happens. More recently discovering a sweet spot, "higher" filter type (notch, BP) and negative filter envelope. It's difficult to just walk away from this thing.

[@tarekith]

Well, I was on both the Virus and the Elektron forums, so either is probably likely :)

[@arsphoenix1822]

My OB-6 is arriving tomorrow. I've been having the same concerns as you about the limited modulation capabilities, because my previous DSI synths were a Pro 2 and a Rev2. I found a crazy good deal and have taken the plunge, though, just like you did. Nothing like getting your hands on a synth to figure out if you like it one your own.

[@tarekith]

Enjoy your new synth, I'm sure you'll love it.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Ars Phoenix this is not a deep modulation synth obviously.

[@cdwhiley]

You forgot to mention the analog distortion feature in the effects section. Press and hold the effects A/B selection button.

[@cdwhiley]

Just saw Part 2. I'll see myself out.

[@tarekith]

Beat me to it :)

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I suck at playing keyboard as well one must be a skilled pianist to do that well :-)

[@paulsacco5143]

Great review, but do you think someone wanted to hear what it sounds like? Just wondering...

[@tarekith]

Luckily I have quite a few other videos showing exactly that. Smart ass.

[@hjhkjhre454554]

Tone over features every time

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

Not a fan of 80s music.? You don’t deserve an OB-6😆

[@SPAZZOID100]

Brian Taylor he said that?? Wow!!! The 80’s were THE decade of the synth.

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

Pre-Zactly!! I have a petition in to the 80sPS (80s Preservation Society) to have his OB-6 forcibly removed from his premises. I've submitted 0:49 as my evidence as well as the statement at 0:13 about not being a keyboard player 😆😆😆😆😆 This dude, man!🤦🏽‍♂️

[@CaidicusProductions]

I understand where he's coming from. I bet he's a big fan of Bladerunner music, so it's less about the decade and more about the general feel of the music. I love a lot of music from the 80's, but there's also tons that feels hollow to me. I like 80's synth sounds, as used by electronic musicians of today. The 80's synth sound is just really damn comforting. See Stranger Things or Thor Ragnarok for examples. :P

[@digitaldiezel5870]

I get his point, 80's music is not the reason I would buy this synth.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Too much about the sequencer.

[@andymcnab6612]

I stopped listening when he said he uses PUSH instead of a keyboard. You can tell by listening to a song by the musicality if it is composed or just drawn notes in a daw. And the Ob-6 is a performance-instrument.

[@tarekith]

Now you're just being silly. :)

[@arsphoenix1822]

Uh oh, we got a real bad ass here! Look out!

[@wurlinnawurl]

I can only enter notes with a midi saxophone.. Keys are for wheenies!

[@monkvolcano]

you've got to be kidding me

[@wurlinnawurl]

Monk Volcano yes I am in fact kidding..

[@koastal_kid1234]

LESS TALKING PLZ