DSI OB-6 (2016) vs. Oberheim OB-Xa (1981) Analog Synthesizer battle

(c) 2016 vintage synthesizer demo by RetroSound
supported by UVI: bit.ly/retrosound-uvi
DSI OB-6 (2016) vs. Oberheim OB-Xa (1981) Analog Synthesizer
I have programmed a few of my favorite OB-Xa sounds on the OB-6 for a comparision video. I used only settings that you can find on both synths.
The OB-6 fx routing is on bypass.
no external fx or compression. You can hear only the raw sound from both synths.
Here can you find the full OB-Xa playlist with a lot single sound demos, synth comparisions and one synth demo tracks. Enjoy.
The OB-Xa playlist -- kzbin.info/aero/PLe08Lbpy8pPYApz7OEsMe5SnyNaLUw-f1
RetroSound synthesizer demo videos since 2007.
All is for free. If you like my work, I'm also happy about a small donation or a purchase of my music albums. All is very welcome and helpful. Thank you!
Facebook page: pages/RetroSound-Marko-Ettlich/265713782347
0:00 Einleitung
0:08 Oberheim OB-Xa (8 voice) - pad
0:52 DSI OB-6 (6 voice) - pad
1:25 brass sound
2:09 filter cutoff & resonance
4:03 string sound
4:59 VCO Sync & Unisono
5:40 Unisono & Detuning
6:22 filter modulation - envelope
8:24 filter modulation - LFO
#OBerheim #ob6 #obxa #obx8 #ubxa

[@retrosound72]

The Oberheim OB-XA Synthesizer is one of the big legendary synths in music history. Used by many pop and rock groups in the 80s. Most famous is Jump by Van Halen. Here can you find the full OB-Xa playlist with a lot single sound demos, synth comparisions and one synth demo tracks. Enjoy. The OB-Xa playlist ----> kzbin.info/aero/PLe08Lbpy8pPYApz7OEsMe5SnyNaLUw-f1

[@johnniecristaldi]

Now that the latest OB6 has the vintage knob function, the sonic differences will not be as profound. I think a retest is needed. the vintage knob function makes a big difference.

[@HiLoMusic]

I honestly think even before the vintage knob the ob6 has an extremely clean and appealing sound

[@stephenanthonythomas3533]

The OBXa sounds fatter because of the panning per voice. For a more honest comparison, the OB6 filter needs to be opened up and the panning spread turned up to about 3:00. Also the voices are cutting out on the OB6 because of the ADSR settings. The OBXa has 2 extra voices to compensate for longer release times. I had an OBXa for 5 years and when it worked it was glorious but man was it infuriating, which was 90% of the time. And yes I had access to a tech and parts, every 6-18 months it was in the shop. I spent WAY more time under the hood than I ever did playing it. If you're writing/ recording music or playing in a band, I promise no one will notice or care if you used an OB6 instead of an OBXa. At the end of the day the OB6 is a dream of a synth that we're lucky got made at all- with that said I'll take 2.

[@analogsynthaficionado1406]

It isn't just the panning of the voices that is different, the vintage OB's have an inherent randomness of the VCO's and filters that give it breadth. So far nothing can emulate that. The filters sound nothing alike either. Sorry to hear your OB-Xa was problematic. I have had numerous OB's and they were never problematic. Your mileage obviously varied from mine.

[@chrisstrobel3439]

My OBXa was problematic too over the years, and toting it from gig to gig in its Anvil flight case did wonders for my back too :(

[@Rhythmattica]

Mines been fully rebuilt ... Besides caps and such , A major recommendation is to replace all the trim pots... The old trim pots end up building a inherent resistance, even falling apart, so my tech recommended I replace them all with modern 10 turn ones... Def worth it.....

[@ProckGnosis]

"The filters sound nothing alike either" I realize these kind of statements are subjective, but the first thing I think of when I hear an OB6 is "wow, it sounds like an Oberheim", a sentiment I've heard and read echoed quite a bit. Identical? No, but definitely in the same family. But as I said, I guess it's subjective, eh?

[@ghettoent]

you're a fucking genius!! :D I get turned on hearing shit like that lool

[@BreannaMae]

I would have to say the Oberheim OB-Xa is the clear winner. The sound is so much fatter and just better quality. When it comes to the original analog synthesizers, you just can't beat them. They built them better back in the day.

[@breakdownhouse]

So I click away and leave this video playing in the background... along comes a sound that makes my heart skip two beats. I click back to the video and it's always the OB-Xa

[@AEMachinas]

Breakdown OB-Xa has an extra lower octave I believe, gonna use my 1977 Axxe to cover that missing low end once I get my OB6,

[@joeysgear1419]

Holy shit. I listened to this on my cell phone twice and the obxa just sounded bigger....hence all the comments. But THEN... I put headphones on and and then played it through studio speakers and was shocked to hear how amazing the ob6 sounded with the bass revealed. Fat. Analog. Warm. Real deal. I just ordered one.. down payment n all.

[@Renzsu]

It's currently my dream synth.. the more I hear it the more I want it...

[@johnadams5489]

I can hear more harmonics in the Filter-Resonance sound of the OBXa and not so much on the OB6. Back when those synths were the latest and greatest, I bought a OBX 6 voice, added a Prophet 5 a little while later, and also bought an OBXa. Paid on bank loans for years to own all that stuff. I sold off the OBX to pay off some of my loans, and kept the OBXa and Prophet. I never really had much trouble with either the Oberheim or the Prophet. I learned how to calibrate the OSC and used a Strobe tuner when I was on the road. I handled them myself and was very careful not to knock them around. In between bands I sold off the OBXa but couldn't find any buyers for the Prophet 5, so I still have it. It still works fine and its safely kept in my music room.

[@Jar-N2]

The OB-6 wasn't designed to be exactly like the OB-Xa, it's more closely related to the SEM systems in sound. Besides, These patches weren't matched well enough. The OB-6 needed some voice panning, more detune/slop, and a lower cutoff frequency in some patches.

[@rossminet]

I bought one the first Evolver from Dave Smith and I'm still using it. It has it's own distinct fat sound. Comparing synths on youtube has it's limitations.

[@meddybernard1988]

I would say the opposite for the cutoff part

[@Jar-N2]

Meddy BERNARD the silver mica capacitors used in the original SEM VCF are pretty rare and expensive, it’s likely they weren’t used in the OB-6, so If I buy an OB-6 I’m probably gonna mod some in and see what happens. Also, Dave Smith has released an update to the slop function, it now affects multiple parameters like on the Prophet 5/10 Rev4, this will certainly narrow the gap. I’ve also heard some rumors from reliable sources of an OB-X reissue from SCI, so that’s a thing.

[@sheriffb1544]

The Oberheim OB-Xa definitely sounds more raw, but the Oberheim-6 is still nice to listen to. Despite the Oberheim-6's design imitating that of the OB-Xa, they have really different characters, sound-wise. I would argue that the Oberheim-6 has definitely more of a modern touch, but that did not stop me from getting it. It does a nice balance of vintage and modern edge. OB-Xas are just too damn hard to find these days and too expensive to boot. Having one would be nice though.

[@carlosi104]

The OB-6 sounds great, but the OB-XA is a monster. Only the Jupiter 8 or the CS-80 can resist a comparison.

[@redmission1984]

I love my OB-6 desktop module. It's great for synthwave and ambient styles as well as weird FX.

[@jamesmeeker6933]

I own an OB-Xa, it is my favorite analog polysynth. The OB-6 is a worthy substitute. Nothing wrong with how it sounds at all. Sure, the Xa is better... but not THAT much better. I think Tom and Dave did a fantastic job.

[@TheJonHolstein]

Supposedly he did not use the drift parameter (called detune on the OB-6). And the filter is SEM baseed so it won't resonance quite as much, but on the OB-6 there is filter Mode modulations, which is pretty nice.

[@SPAZZOID100]

James Meeker “better”? Subjective

[@blib3786]

James Reeno You say that, and yet insist that anybody who says the same of the Prophet-6 regarding the Prophet 5 is "incorrect". You are a biased hypocrite.

[@jamesmeeker6933]

@@blib3786 I spent nearly 20 years owning a Prophet 5 and OB-Xa. Still have the Xa, but sold the P5 when the Prophet 6 came out. The older ones sound a little more imperfect/organic with a touch of harmonic distortion on them. However, when you factor in the plusses of the new stuff the slight sonic differences don't really matter. I can see if someone already owns an OB or Prophet keeping hold of theirs. However, for people in the market looking to buy something these new instruments make more sense than the outrageous cost of vintage Prophets or OB's. Of course, the cork-sniffer wannabe's will never be satisfied. They also rarely create music, so who cares what they think? :)

[@m7cm7c]

While I am liking the OB-6 generally, the OB-Xa (@ 2:35) gives me goosebumps that the OB-6 can't quite pull off.

[@peervincent7845]

Same for me, and you know what? It, the OBXa sounds better, more authentic! More 80s like at that point.

[@cyanodevacc8967]

As a owner of the Xa I am planning to switch to the ob6, just for maintenance reasons. Sound is more than close enough, but there ARE some differences in sound.

[@scottrogers2599]

I'm a little late to this discussion but... Everyone seems to be missing something important here: The sounds were created on the Xa then duplicated with the OB-6. The problem is that we didn't hear any of the OTHER things the OB-6 can do that the Xa cannot, specifically the different modes of the SEM filter, not to mention the extra capability of the modulation and yes, even the effects too which can be an important part of the sound. I definitely agree about the sound we hear in this video though. I am buying mostly older synths because I MUCH prefer the less clean, more electric snap in older oscillators that seems to be missing from the newer synths. But that doesn't make this a bad synth, it just means it's a bit different which is what synthesis is all about.

[@TheJonHolstein]

The analog drift parameter on this called Detune was supposedly not on either, so it wasn't sounding as vintage as it could. On the effects, well those can always be added with additonal hardware. One should not by a synth based on its internal effects. The filter mode mod of the OB-6 offers something rearely seen on hardware synths, so that really has potential for sounds that no classig could really touch unless one has a 4 voice or 8 voice SEM and som extra people to tweak the filter modes whilst one is playing.

[@garygood6593]

Masterfully put.

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

@ScottRogers I'm even later to the discussion but I totally agree with you

[@nick16279]

You can't beat that vintage synthesizer sound.

[@scottmcauleysounds]

Great comparison! I own the OB6 and although this video makes the synth sound thin and much less exciting than the Xa, the OB6 is an absolute monster of a synth, I have nord, access, and Roland virtual analog in the studio and none of them come anywhere near the OB6! I do agree with the limitation comments regarding the 6 voice but careful note selection or layering during recording will overcome that very easily. I am also lucky enough to own the Prophet 12 and both these synths working together is a match made in heaven! The build quality, warmth and clarity of dsi products are outstanding. I absolutely love both P12 & OB6

[@retrosound72]

thanks :)

[@peted4937]

The OB-Xa definitely has a thicker sound.

[@MrVinylistic]

Love the OB-6 more than OBXa. It sits better in the mix. If someone misses the analog sonic retro feeling, then ad a vintage pre-amp or tube compressor behind it and maybe some old pedal boards and the OB-6 sounds amazing.

[@DivKid]

The OB-6 certainly puts up a strong fight against the original. It's impressive really.

[@retrosound72]

+DivKidVideo FGTH Two Tribes :D

[@rednax3333]

Hey Ben- good to see you here! I couldn’t agree more... I expect to buy my OB-6 sometime this year. As long as I get to play with it for a good long while, I could literally die a happy man for having owned and enjoyed one! 😎👍

[@SPAZZOID100]

DivKidVideo OB6 is not a re-issue.

[@robbystafford8273]

funny how every online niche group has a few police channels

[@matrixmodulator]

@@SPAZZOID100 may i ask why you say this?

[@robbystafford8273]

good god the ob-xa sounds incredible. fuck i wanted to buy an ob-6 and i almost wish i didnt watch this video. also 8 voices on pads makes huge difference!

[@kilésengati]

In my opinion, the OB-6 is the better choice. They definitly doesn't sound the same. The OB-6 not only sounds like a modern OB-Xa but also features modern periferals and is way smaller. Once again it was a very enjoyable battle.

[@retrosound72]

+kilésengati :)

[@jamesmeeker6933]

I think the OB-6 is a decent choice. The OB-Xa is a decent choice. Depends on the buyer, budget, desire to own a vintage instrument, and whether or not they must have the 'classic' Oberheim sound or a close approximation. Personally, I'll stick with my OB-Xa as it is my favorite analog polysynth, limitations and warts and all. However, the OB-6 sounds impressive and certainly makes sense for most musicians. Neither instrument will stop you from making good music.

[@SPAZZOID100]

We are comparing sonics, not features.

[@busch028]

Finally tried an OB-6 the other day and I was very happy. I thought it sounded quite good. Is it as good as an OB-Xa, OB-8, etc.? No. But I really do think it sounds wonderful and it is a great instrument. I personally think it sounds much better in comparison to the vintage than the Prophet 5 vs. Prophet 6. I had a Prophet 5 (Rev 3.3) and a Prophet 6 RIGHT next to each other and the difference there was staggering. The Prophet 6 does NOTHING for me unlike the OB-6. But that is personal preference and just one person's opinion.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

When two synth legends make a synth....you get the OB-6.

[@snoolee7950]

I hate the sound of it, sounds like a toy.

[@embodie_breaks7089]

@@snoolee7950 You the fuckin toy. Hahaha.

[@tekis0]

@@snoolee7950 You need a hearing test/aid.

[@ULTIMATEPATCHES]

OB-6 is the winner! Because you can actually buy it new for a quarter of the OB-Xa used price, and have it work flawlessly for the next 20 years, unlike the elderly OB-Xa!

[@retrosound72]

I think this is no argument.

[@chrisstrobel3439]

Plus you get effects, a sequencer, the ability to poly chain units, and a desktop version giving you more than 5 octaves with a 76 or 88 key controller. Solder joints go cold often on the old vintage synths (my Prophet 5 rev3 is a prime example) So if you buy an OBXa, even in mint cosmetic condition, you have no gaurantee how much longer it will make sound. Clearly the OB-6 is the winner in my book.

[@tonato17]

Don't know if I am sure about that. The OBXa sounds as the real thing. Maybe to have the real thing that is the price you have to pay (more expensive plus non 3 year warranty)

[@chrisstrobel3439]

+Toni Fernandez Good point. You know I had the real thing along with some others like the Jupiter 8 and a Prophet-5 (rev3) I never really missed them until the prices of vintage synths started skyrocketing (I miss the cash I could get for them now lol) I have samples of all my old gear I play in Kontakt, and thats been good enough for me up until this year when I started going through late mid life crisis and wanted all my old stuff again :)

[@lorenmorgan1931]

The OP-X Pro is very close to the original, and if I could build this I would. www.synth-project.de/opx_controller.html

[@jamesmeeker6933]

OB6 is pretty close and sounds great. However, my OB-Xa is ingrained on my soul. :)

[@freebreeze9042]

I listened without looking and then looked and I always could tell the XA sounded more pleasing.

[@anoniconoclast2030]

The instant he hits that XA string sound! There it is....the winner.

[@ConstantinPhillipou]

Reason I got rid of my OB6. 40 years later, I want at least an equally sounding synth not lesser. Hopefully, they bring back the full rich sound of the OB-Xa and I will get one. Maybe it has to do with the 6 note polyphony limit.

[@retrosound72]

:)

[@Deeplycloseted435]

The OB-6 is still the best sounding analog poly made in the past twenty years IMO. The OB-Xa wins here, no question. The OB-6 is cheaper, comes with a warranty, full modern MIDI CC, and can do things the OB-Xa can’t do as well. Nice demonstration though. They are both excellent. If you can’t make music with an OB-6 after hearing this, you suck.

[@retrosound72]

thank you

[@snoolee7950]

If the OB6 is the best there is for new, then we're in deep shit. I hate it. And doesn't look like it is going to get any better. the big phat sound lost forever.

[@Deeplycloseted435]

Snoo Lee you mean those big phat sounds made by 3 osc mono synths that are completely useless when it comes to finding things that work in a mix? If you can’t make music with an OB-6, I dunno what to tell you.....if its so terrible, just spend all your money on vintage, so you can finally write your big phat sound epic album. Thats cool I suppose. I just almost never hear those sounds in actual music. So other than to play that phat sound to impress your friends, which will probably get old after a while, it really has limited uses, if any at all.

[@MFASonic]

@@Deeplycloseted435 Go and get playing an OB8 or OB-Xa. There is actually a big difference to modern copy-cat synths. The latter are half-way between the originals and VSTi. Why do you think all modern analogue synths have the name of their 1970-80ies idols on it?? Because they just try to imitate them with simple circuits. If they would have anything new to add, they would wear other names. Of course you can make music with the OB-6. I own one, it's quite a nice machine. Definitely inferior to the OB-Xa, but okay if you're on a budget and not aiming top-notch productions. Well - the more I think of it, the more I subscribe to Snoo Lee's point of view. We're in deep shit, since nothing new is in sight.

[@Deeplycloseted435]

MFASonic had an OB8 for about four years. It was great.....but over half the time I owned it, it either wasn’t functioning at 100% or was at the repair shop. I’ve had a bunch of em’, Prophet 5 Rev2, Juno 60, JX3P, SH-101, MKS-70 & 80.....and some others, but I’m tired of having money tied up in shit that needs constant repairs. The last thing I want when trying to write music, is to be dealing with having to either break out the soldering iron, or having to drive it a half hour to get repaired. Now, I only have the Prophet 5 left as far as vintage goes. Copy cat? Tom Oberheim was literally involved in the creation of the OB-6. The parts available for repairing vintage gear is finite. Its only going to get harder as more and more, everyone is using SMT. It is what it is. Yes, there is a small difference between the best analog of today and yesteryear. Besides synth dorks, can anyone else hear the difference? No. Do they care? No.

[@vintagesynths]

The OB-6 is much worse in the String example beginning at 4:0O and 4:30. But I think, that it could also sound in this discipline better or you can use the effect section for it. I just made a short example to demonstrate it and played Markos example in two try. One with fx of the OB-6 and one dry. soundcloud.com/r-diger-gaenslen/ob-6-string-response-retrosound-vid-ob-xa-vs-ob-6-may-21-2016

[@markjaylandes]

Dave Smith products are notoriously expensive. Nothing beats the original OBX-a for raw sound!

[@zarcon85]

Both Jimmy jam, Lisa Coleman and Dr. Fink APPROVE it. lol. that's enough for me, when i hear THE TIME or THE REVOLUTION do the MPLS thing. lol. i couldn't afford either an old obie by now, nor i could i buy a current one. this is the closest thing to the synth of my dreams.

[@erictripton]

Oberheim OB-X...hands down. Now........ if Tom would employ some folks to resurect this and the original Matrix 12

[@dolcevita9531]

I had try the OB-8 from the 80s and the OB-6 recently...to be honest the OB-6 sounds very very good to me...I had a lot of fun :-)

[@chieftp]

the old one sounds a little better. it's also nearly impossible to find one, higher priced than a used car, they break frequently, don't stay in tune, and techs for them are impossible to find as are parts. the new one sounds close enough that most people wouldn't know the difference, can be ordered from any dealer, has a warranty, probably made out of more reliable parts and is half the size and weight. we have more choice in analog synths today than people in the 70s and early 80s did. they're also a lot cheaper (adjusted for inflation) and do things the originals never could. I really don't see where anyone has anything to complain about. if you can do better, feel free to build your own. or go to best buy and get a casio that has digital piano like sounds.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Lots of techs can fix vintage synths.

[@chieftp]

James Reeno if you can find a tech, and the tech can find the parts and service manual, then of course they can. but finding a tech for old synths is like finding a TV repairman - they simply don't exist any more. and if you do find one, you better have a thick wallet.

[@analogsynthaficionado1406]

Having owned vintage synths since the time they were considered "modern", I have rarely had issues with any of them breaking down. It all comes down to how you treat your equipment. To presume that modern counterparts are more reliable is a fallacy. Do you think a modern synth in 20 years won't need service? Granted some vintage synths can be finicky, the Memorymoog and CS80 come to mind, but having vintage synths repaired isn't difficult or excessively costly.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Easily found on ebay.

[@thedarkestrainbow]

+Analog Synth Aficionado and also the benefit of fixing old synths is that many of the parts are individual components easily desoldered and replaced. Sure some parts are pricey or hard to find but not impossible. 20 years from now those parts will still be available. Modern synths have components that are very small and mounted to the boards. Often times you need to replace a whole board if one thing goes wrong. 20 years from not I wonder how hard it will be to replace boards from these synths or if anyone will be making them. As I understand it it's possible to replace these surface mount components individually with the right tools but I don't think there are many people offering that service.

[@stryker1999]

I have to say that as cool as this comparison is, you really could have been a little more careful in how your patch pairs were programmed. There are some striking differences between them. But still, these two synths are close enough in character that no one should feel they won't get vintage Obie sound from the OB-6. Tom and Dave - Tom did make the SEM circuitry first, after all - really did an outstanding job. It's an awesome synth.

[@MFASonic]

This is why Tom was always smiling whenever Sweetwater or others invited him to discuss with Dave Smith. The OB6 sounds like a toy, and now in 2016 there are so many virtual instruments that do outperform the OB6, even when it comes down to the pure sound and the liveliness. Still, nothing comes close to the sonic joy that the OB-Xa delivers. Whenever you watch any (!) demo of the vintage units here on KZbin, you simply understand that you will never get that sound unless you get such a dinosaur for a whole lot of money.

[@TheJonHolstein]

U-he diva sounds great. And supposedly in this comparisson video, the drift parameter called Detune on the OB-6 was not on, so it would sound like expected from a modern synth with stable OSCs rather than an vintage one that drifts. And the filters of the OB-6 is SEM based, not the same as the Xa, so other than the OB name, their are not quite the same.

[@ollimoore]

MFASonic ?? Thought this was a collaboration? I mean Tom Oberheim can't have the same view of DSI and specifically the Prophet 6 as the "sounds like a bad VA" haters or else he wouldn't have put his name on this thing

[@antaniblindaconlasup]

every frequencies sounds so good and so powerful.... i'm in love with oberheim

[@LesterH25]

Wow at last a demo that puts the OB 6 in second place and by quite a margin. Great demo, thanks

[@retrosound72]

Our pleasure!

[@cayvzcult]

These OBs remind me of The Terminator soundtrack. Fiedel knocked that outta the park. Sweet menacing sounds!

[@retrosound72]

+Colin thanks

[@SPAZZOID100]

Colin Cayvz That was Prophet-5.

[@ErikHawk]

Thank you for doing this.

[@retrosound72]

:)

[@Mikeroo8]

Oberheim OB-Xa......just my dream!

[@chrisstrobel3439]

Close enough for government work ;)

[@SkratchingCatRecords]

The 0B-6 is beautiful!

[@juanespinosa1259]

Nice comparison. The OB-6 sounds so much smoother and cleaner than the OB-Xa.The OB-Xa is actually more fat and difficult to mix due its higher mid-level EQ. You need to apply some more cut-off EQ to the OB-Xa. But than again, the OB-6 Oberheim sounds as good as a 2016 polysynth should sound and very similar to the OB-Xa. For the cost of a Corvette '76, in the 80s, the OB-6 is cool enough.

[@chizmo7]

OB6 sounds brighter and a little thinner to my ear. Kind of like it hasn't reached puberty yet. I was hoping to sell off a few of my other OB synths (including an Xa) but I may be changing my mind. One thing for sure: You have to dig into any synth before it starts to reveal it's personality. I'll probably still get one anyway. There is a good sonic state demo on youtube. Worth checking out.

[@TheJonHolstein]

He supposedly did not use the Detune feature. And it doesn't have the same filter. so perhaps it can't replace an OB synth.

[@100DollarHeadache]

Returning to this video with more experience, between playing the OB-6 in the store and buying an OB-8 from a nearby Reverb seller instead (performing the Jürgen Haible bass mod to close the gap between 8 and Xa), I finally put my finger on it. The OB-6 has the Oberheim character (more so than the Matrix series ever did), but it does not move right for those vintage sounds. You can really hear it in the comparison of the string sound. It inherited the Prophet-6's LFO, which means only one amount for all destinations, and needs to sacrifice a VCO to get the second LFO. Meanwhile, the OB-X/Xa/8 have independent vibrato and PWM amounts on the main LFO, and the Xa/8 offer an extra vibrato LFO in the bender box.

[@pbasswil]

On the first patch compared, it sounded like someone put a deep EQ band cut on the DSI and scooped out all the midrange detail and texture. I was so relieved to find that not the case on subsequent patches!

[@deelux5519]

OB6 gets bitch slapped, But it's all relative, I tried an ob 6 the other day and it blew me away, just because it isn't as good as the XA doesn't mean it isn't great

[@retrosound72]

:)

[@grahamhunter2576]

Awesome comparison (as usual). Thanks for all you do!

[@retrosound72]

+Graham Hunter thank you for watching and your feedback! :)

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

wow , i have waited long for a comparison video. Thankyou very much Retrosound ,always a pleasure to view your videos , indeed one of the best synth channels in my opinion.

[@retrosound72]

thank you for watching and your feedback :)

[@vincenteoppolo9025]

Brilliant demo... gives us all a taste ... I totally hear the Obie DNA in OB6. Clearly the most Obie synth on the market (still) ....No, it does not sound as full as the X but no 6 voice ever will.

[@markusfuller]

Wow that sounds magnificent. I replayed the video again through better speakers and its colossal. thankyou for the demonstration

[@retrosound72]

Hi Markus, thank you. :) And now grab this OB-6 and slaugher it. haha ;)

[@Sonikbytes]

bigger 'goose bump ' factor on obx during the filter sweep ;D

[@retrosound72]

;)

[@brodymagdalene]

The OB-Xa sounds so much better than The OB-6. For some reason older synths have a certain energy and emotion that seems to be almost impossible to capture with new gear or plug ins. Maybe it's 70s & 80s magic dust on the boards:-)

[@retrosound72]

yes

[@thiagotecnico]

i call this electric magic, making magic with electricity, not binary code :))

[@AustinLeeds]

I imagine it's the temp instability of the older circuitry... That oh so slight drift in the VCO, the envelopes, and the filters...

[@metalboxhead]

Have a look at the new Dreadbox stuff, that's new and still sounds fat and amazing, because they understand what that means and know how to achieve it.

[@metalboxhead]

Aeox, firstly no software is able to fully capture the analogue sound, it's actually impossible, although over time the gap will be less as resolution increases. Then there's good and bad analogue. At the birth of these synthesizers sound was everything. Over time the emphasis has become functionality over sound. You cannot say that any modern Moog sounds as good as a Minimoog, or even it's clone, but they do offer much more functionality (and are very usable). The Dave Smith stuff is excellent but clinical (some even say compressed sounding). The older circuits were made to sound great, even the older digital ones like a PPG Wave or a Sequential Prophet VS. If you think of synthesizer in relation to tone, much like a guitar, you'll begin to understand the differences. Anyway, I think it's fair to describe that difference as emotion.

[@synthscolors]

Great Comparison, Even If At The Start ... The Ob-Xa 8 Voices Against The OB-6 Makes A Big Difference For This Kind Of Pad With Long Release... Surprisingly Enough... Very, Very Slight Sound Difference At The Very End...! Again, Both Are Superb, Different Machines... Still Really Love The Very Recognizable OB-Xa Filters & Low End / Range Sounds ... A Delight For Ears ! Thumbs Up & Thanks For The Moment ! Keep Creating & Sharing These ! ;-))

[@retrosound72]

+synths colors thanks a lot for your feedback. :))

[@synthscolors]

My Pleasure ... ;-))

[@robbystafford8273]

Why Do You Capitalize The First Letter Of Every Word. seems a bit serial-killer-y. otherwise, love your positive comment!

[@danielfisch389]

Danke an die Stiftung Retrosoundtest für die exklusive Kaufberatung ;-)

[@retrosound72]

+Daniel Fisch Du bist ja auch im RS VIP Club und bekommst alle News immer schon einen Tag vor der Veröffentlichung. ;)

[@danielfisch389]

ja, VIP sein ist ne tolle Sache! :-)

[@kemicon]

I feel like Dave Smith's stuff is finally getting good again. The OB6 sounds great! I wish I had the money and or space.

[@rollerskater]

I clicked play and listened with this is the background with no idea which was which... the difference was stark and immediately obvious which was a revered classic and which was a modern synthesizer. The classic is the clear winner here unlike your OB-8 vs Prophet-08 video.

[@tommymandel]

I hear more 'animation' (Motion) in the OB-Xa than in the OB-6.

[@DuaLeaD]

People need to LISTEN to this video instead of watch it - You're more prone to bias than you realize! Having said that, the legendary OB-Xa does sound a little better - But once you put it in a mix with other instruments, I don't think any differences will be discernable - At least that's my musician's perspective - I own a Dave Smith Prophet '08 (my first analog synth!!), just threw down on a Nord Electro 5D for organ, piano, and electric piano capabilities, but this OB-6 is next on my list!! And ditto on the polyphony, would love to see an 8-voice version soon!! All hail legendary Dave Smith and Tom Oberheim XD

[@gjc82071]

Awesome. This video is much appreciated. IMO, at times the 2 synths sound quite similar, & other times they sound quite different,....but both sound amazing in their own way. This video just makes me want BOTH. :-D

[@retrosound72]

+gjc82071 this is good. both are great synths thank you

[@brianschiller4053]

They both sound great, very close but I'm hearing a bit more punch and bass in the OB-XA. I'd be thrilled to have either one in my setup.

[@retrosound72]

jep

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

I had to come back for another listen , pure ear candy !!!!. That Ob8 sync is unmistakable , absolutly love it !!!!!!!!@

both sounds great... very different and yet really close. I kinda prefer the OB-Xa better thou. Thanks

[@damiansalza7297]

OB-Xa for the win but not by as much as you would think. Great job on this one. I don't think you would notice too much mixed into a song but solo you can hear a bit more depth and warmth in the OB-Xa. I think like some have said(including myself, I had one for 8 years) is that t this older version was a big pain in the ass. I would go with the OB-6 at this point unless you have tons of money.

[@MrFricoco]

Nice comparison!

[@retrosound72]

+MrFricoco :) ty

[@MusicZtorm]

Both are great, but i largely prefer the ob6 grain !

[@mattjbyron2010]

I've been waiting for this video!! I love them both, but man, the resonance on the obxa is amazing. Great video, now there are 2 more synths I want!

[@retrosound72]

+Matt Byron Hi Matt thanks. you must buy all! :)

[@ScotLang]

It's funny, I've been buying a lot of analog synths lately. So many fantastic new ones, and then a lot of old ones that I have always wanted to try out in person. And there is something to the vintage tone that the modern analogs can't quite match. But honestly, when I hear this demo, I definitely prefer the sound of the vintage synth, but I would much rather mix the new synth into a track. It almost sounds the same, only compressed, and EQed and just more polished. Which sort of goes with the trend of synth enthusiasts versus working composers and musicians. I'd rather play an OBxa all day in the studio, but I think I'd rather record and perform with the OB6.

[@gel1912]

Scot Lang someone gets it

[@TheJonHolstein]

The OB-6 has a detune knob that makes it sound more vintage. But the filter is based on the SEM filter not the OB filter, so it will not sound exactly like an OB in every situation. But it does offer the exciting possibility of modulation on the filter-mode.

[@preis205]

OBX-a for sure ! But it would be funny a blind test... Thank you Marko.

[@retrosound72]

:)

[@mainmajo]

86 Daumen runter 👎? Das ist wenig in der heutigen Zeit. Mir hat das Video gefallen. L G M

[@retrosound72]

Manch einer teilt sich eben so mit :D LG

Hell, that OB-Xa sounds awesome! Damn GAS

[@retrosound72]

:D

[@viniciusgoncalo3586]

i love this channel... and i love analog synths

[@retrosound72]

+vinicius gonçalo this is good!

[@geertwaegeman7469]

The OB-6 has, compared to the OB-Xa, a "closed" sound. The OB-6 is ok, the OB-Xa makes you happy.

[@Hansepans68]

Exactly what it also does to me Geert!

[@brendanlau9426]

to me they sound similar enough to justify spending 2k less. The 4 octave keyboard is annoying, as is the single LFO, but IMHO they sound approximately 95% identical. The OB6 is definitely brighter, so that gives it a bit of a more 'modern' (whatever the fuck that means) sound, but I don't think it's a bad thing at all... just different

[@5dgisd528]

when he makes the filter sweeps at 2:07, I think the difference is more than 5%.. the OB-Xa sounds so deep and psychedelic even with that filter sweep, the OB-6 quite flat in comparison. It somehow doesn´t evoke the same emotion. If you listen to the OB-6 alone, you think it sounds good, which it does, but in direct comparison...

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

I can't imagine anyone alive who has always wanted an Oberheim buying an OB-6 and walking away disappointed. It's 99.99% the same as the old beauties.

[@AlainHubert]

Good comparison (would have been even better in full stereo). Thanks for sharing this ! But it shows that 6 voices aren't enough for pads and strings with long VCA envelope release (lots of voice stealing). Moreover, a 4 octave only keyboard isn't enough. For those reasons I'd get an OB-Xa over an OB6 any day.

[@st0rmchild]

Two different synths. Both sound good.

[@retrosound72]

yes

[@cmath8577]

I owned and sold the OB-6 because I already owned the OBX-A for 20+ years and just wanted to get my feet wet with another OB-Flavor .Both share similarities and overlap .The stability and precision is clearly in the OB-6. The XA sounds like 8 separate synthesizers playing a chord and the phase and beating is more diverse from note to note. I did a live gig with OB-6 and it was perfect. When you own an XA-It's like you soak up the good days you have before you need to take it in for something. The sex is great but shes a an expensive bitch the rest of the time.

[@c.tstrayer8059]

The OBXa does sound better but keep in mind , unless there is a MIDI retro out there, to my knowledge you cannot sync the LFO's or arp to Midi and or your DAW. I actually have the OB-8 that came w/MIDI and you cannot sync . The other is the up keep, these beasts are getting very old and expensive to keep running. Although different sounding the OB-6 is a great modern alterrnative in my opinion. Nice demo!

[@scrotiemcdicknass8341]

The XA is an incredible synth, I was rooting for the OB-6 and although it was close, it was no cigar.

[@snoolee7950]

it wasn't close.

[@DearbornJohn]

Interesting Comparison!

[@retrosound72]

+DearbornJohn thanks

[@j3po784]

Cool to hear these instruments side by side.

[@retrosound72]

:)

[@j3po784]

I've got the OB-6…absolutely LOVE it. Have recorded in the studio a few times with a wonderfully maintained OBXa and that has something pretty darn magical…ugh these instruments! Fine wines...

[@mark-yj5sg]

7 mins in the OBX does a great TB303 impression

[@quarkyzarky]

Here, OB-Xa clearly is better than OB-6. And I almost bought an OB-6! I find OB-6 without being compared would be a fine synth, and you can make great music, BUT next to the OB-Xa for context it really shows some short-commings of the OB-6 sound. OB-6 sounds more 'compressed', contained, smaller, less Dynamic, less open, in fact it ALMOST sounds like a VA next to the Xa! It doesn't tickle the ear at all, it sounds a bit flat and more like a super juno than a VCO super synth. Just my take on it, but I'm not one for features over sound, so here I'd even take a Polysix over the OB-6 as I believe the sounds they can both make the Polysix does it with more realism and life. Of course OB-6 can do way way more than a simple Polysix but it costs more, has 4 octaves and doesn't blow me away on tone. I used to think I preferred OB-6 to Prophet 6 but I think I prefer the solidity and robustness of the Prophet 6 more now (though again I'm not totally blown away by the Prophet 6 either). My moog sub 37 had a bit more grit for modern VCO than the Prophet 6 or OB-6 but is of course only mono (or duo). FWIW I also prefer certain aspects of the analog engine on the new Roland JD-Xa vs the OB-6 and Prophet 6, even though its only 4 voice DCO, it can't sound as big as the DSI's but it can sound sweet and musical in a way they don't. Also overall the Xa is a powerhouse of sound with the crossover tones of analog and digital.

[@AustinLeeds]

It's all in your musical tastes, I suppose. I've had the pleasure of being able to put an SCI Pro One, an Arturia Microbrute, and a Novation UltraNova side by side, and I've found that I like the sound of all three of them... provided they're not the same sound. The Pro One excels at simple detuned leads and arps. Its filter is what lets it down, I feel - resonance is almost useless due to how much low end it cuts out. Of course, that's not a problem when you're milking that hard sync for all its worth... the raw, primal scream... so beefy... The Microbrute can go full-on metal and screech like a dying walrus being attacked by a horde of mutant screaming zombie goats... or it can sound very mellow and mesmerize you with a slow sequence. The Steiner-Parker filter is flexible like that. It doesn't quite have the warmth of the Pro One, but add a tiny bit of delay and chorus and few people will notice. Except for the lack of sync... so beefy... The UltraNova is a different beast entirely, though I've made some surprisingly warm patches with it. Obviously, the filter can't compete with an analog filter in a 1v1, but emulated oscillator drift, deep modulation and aftertouch can give it a "living," evolving tone the Pro One and Microbrute can't hope to touch... provided you don't go overboard. The biggest problem I've seen with VAs is that most people can't seem to comprehend subtlety with them. It's either cold, boring analog emulations or supersaws on steroids. TL;DR Different strokes for different folks.

[@tinkerwithstuff]

And you say those things without trying it yourself, fiddling with the settings and test the boundaries - just after watching this little clip? Sounds like quite some hasty judgement... Maybe it sounded "compressed" because a stage was driven enough for it to actually get compressed. And may be that can be prevented by diminishing the volume just before that stage. (I'm guessing here, but I don't like rash dismissals of a promising product ^^)

[@quarkyzarky]

tinkerwithstuff I will try it if I ever get chance but I won't be spending £2250 to 'try it' and discover it's not quite as cool as I thought. I was commenting on what I hear, I'm fully aware you can never judge a synth properly until you have it under your own fingers and tweak to your tastes, and I'm certain OB6 is a GREAT synth. I only said it doesn't quite sound as good as the other synth and in fact suffers from some of what ALL DSI synths suffer from, a kind of unmusical stiffness to the sound. Kinda the opposite of Roland (Always musical and yielding)

[@AustinLeeds]

quarkyzarky Yeah, but Roland really needs some aesthetic help lately. The early Junos (pre Alpha), Jupiters, JD-800, and JP-8000 are the high points of Roland design... with the possible exception of the GAIA (sad little thing though it is...).

[@quarkyzarky]

had all the junos, still got the JD-800 and my JD-XA sits next to it and looks every bit as good (ok it's more plastic but it looks better in reality than photos). Also it's more powerful than any of the mentioned ones from the past (and yes the analog side can sound 'proper' analog too). Turn the red lights off (A menu option) and it looks half way normal ;)

[@electriceyeslide5959]

The OB-6 sounds flatter but just like the OBX-A (to me the finest synth ever created).

[@retrosound72]

:)

[@dmomcilovic9185]

New synth is more versatile, will not have the maintenance headaches of vintage gear, future classic for sure as Tom Turned 80, this Could be one of his last creations.

[@ebeep]

Close enough! Thank you Sequential!

[@edcollins9377]

Similar, but the OB-Xa definitely sounds fatter, brighter, and more alive!

[@cubdukat]

They're both great. but I gotta give the edge to the original. The OB6 here seems to be exhibiting some of the same "politeness" tendencies most of Dave Smith's Prophet-based synths seem to have.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Larry Wilson i have one. NOTHING polite about it.

[@bitspacemusic]

I can't tell the difference. They both sound really nice.

[@three-leggedcat6241]

7:00〜 Oberheim OB-Xa is like a Roland TB-303. very cool!!!

[@retrosound72]

yes :)

[@nosik673]

The ob xa has such a good sound. Ob6 is good as well but I prefer the ob xa.

[@summerswinterer9247]

This is why I've subbed to this channel because we get to see all the remakes versus the original and while they make an attempt they don't quite capture the original in projection and sound.

[@st0rmchild]

OB-6 is not a remake. Totally different synth with different components. It just looks similar.

[@flyingnukes]

Xa NO QUESTION

[@jimmyfigueras4476]

Amen

[@freddiesamples]

Your right, its just got that sound!

[@raymondgracie2592]

OB-Xa has a richer, deeper sound. Both are excellent tho. I’d love to have either in my collection.

[@retrosound72]

yes. Different sound but cool.

[@Diegel]

As much as I love vintage stuff I give the sonic edge slightly to the OB-6. OB-xa sounds like a black and white tv program from the the 60's whereas the the OB-6 sounds like the latest X-men movie in 3d imax. That is an exaggeration of course and having said that there is a certain raw quality on the ob-xa I do prefer so its a very close race.

[@John_Stone_]

"OB-xa sounds like a black and white tv program from the the 60's whereas the the OB-6 sounds like the latest X-men movie in 3d imax" "its a very close race."

[@dver89]

It's depressing how much better the OB-Xa sounds. The OB6 sounds like a thin little twig in comparison.