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

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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,

[@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

[@redmission1984]

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

[@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...

[@feline1973]

I was reading a review of the OB6 in this month's Sound on Sound, and it makes the point that "since the frequency ranges of the oscillators and their tracking accuracies are greater than on vintage synths, DSI have provided a second detune parameter that adds a bit of random offset and drift to both oscillators’ pitches. Used carefully, this can make the OB6 sound less pristine - a bit more vintage, if you prefer to think of it like that." ... did you have that function switched on on the OB6 when doing the comparison? If not, then its obviously gonna sound more clinical than the OBXa...

[@909Thumper909]

I noticed a lot more detune on OBXa, especially apparent on strings. You might be on to something. Also the resonance was obviously up more on the original during the filter sweep. Fishy.

[@kylecoltrane4269]

He didn't use detune on the OB-6

[@TheJonHolstein]

The SEM style filter of the OB-6 is not know for it's resonance. That is why Analogue Solutions added a resonance boost on the Nyborg 12.

[@christopherthomasrichardso9014]

I think the ob6 sounds pristine WITHOUT sounding clinical. That's what's so great about it to me. (Just my opinion though.)

[@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.

[@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.

[@LesterAmbientAndroid]

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

[@retrosound72]

Our pleasure!

[@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]

:)

[@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

[@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.

[@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 :)

[@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.

[@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?

[@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 :)

[@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.

[@FrankManhands]

What kills me about all DSI synths is that the envelopes do not re-trigger properly. If you are playing a patch with a slow decay the new keys typically re trigger at the sustained volume of the previous note. You can hear this clearly at 1:09. I sold my PolyEvolver and P'08 because of this problem. I cant say that I'd ever buy another DSI synth until that problem is fixed.

[@H4NDCRAFTED]

Frank Manhands Yes I noticed this too

[@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!

[@peted4937]

The OB-Xa definitely has a thicker sound.

[@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.

[@freebreeze9042]

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

[@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

[@nicksutton2964]

At around 1:28 for the OB-Xa vs 1:47 for the OB-6, clearly you are not setting them up the same. The OB-Xa is de-tuned more and has fast portamento on the note attack portions whereas the OB-6 has far less de-tune and no fast pitch sweep in the attacks. The OB-6 can be set up better than this. This may lead some to conclude that the OB-Xa fits the without-the-condom analogy whereas I contend that they are both in the without-the-condom class and you are just perpetuating the myth that "old analog equals better".

[@1st2mind]

Nick Sutton Exactly. He’s deliberately making the OB6 sound worse.

[@gizka6816]

@@1st2mind the cia wants you to think you have to give some boomer 6000000 dollars and one of your kidneys to get good synth sounds

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 ;)

[@LifeofCharlie19]

It makes some difference that the volume on the OBXa is a bit louder than he OB-6 on the first patch. Kind of gives a little bias towards the OBXa. If I compensate for this they sound more alike but the OBX-a seems to have quite a lot more organic depth on some patches. It depends. At 4:50 the OB6 sounds nothing like the OBXa but I've heard it sound totally gorgeous on other demos. I guess you have to use it for what it's best at playing. They're never gonna be quite the same.

[@ErikHawk]

Thank you for doing this.

[@retrosound72]

:)

[@nick16279]

You can't beat that vintage synthesizer sound.

[@Robguitarjarvis]

I own an OB 6 and it’s excellent, wouldn’t like to comment on which is better as I’ve only listened through a crappy iPhone speaker and even then I’d like to try the OB xa in real life for a real comparison, a gambled guess would be that the original not only looks fatter but sounds fatter too, but I’ll bet you can tweak the OB6 to sound incomparable in a blindfolded test with time and patience.

[@jamiesea231]

At 2:29 OB-Xa it just sounds smoother than the DSI at 3:27. Maybe the LFO or something? Dunno

[@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...

[@oberday]

The OB-6 is a state variable design modeled after the SEM, not the Curtis filter in the OB-Xa. Therefore wouldn't the Oberheim Four Voice make for a better comparison, tone wise?

[@retrosound72]

better not :D

[@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.

[@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.

[@DIGITALSCREAMS]

The Sequential Prophet 6 and OB6 set a new standard for modern analog poly sound. Yeah, they do sound somewhat different from their vintage counterparts....but I really don't think that is the issue. For me, its the damn 49 key restriction that makes me hesitate spending £2200. Maybe I'm just being stupid - life is full of compromises - even 'classic' vintage analogs had compromises. I have a question for you all. If you could only have ONE analog synth....what would it be? I'm talking new analog not the classic old stuff.

[@analogsynthaficionado1406]

If DSI synths are the new standard of what modern analog poly synths are, then I'll never buy a modern poly synth. If I was forced to pick a modern analog synth it would be the Schmidt or the Moog 55. At least the Moog is a modern recreation rather than an abomination like the OB-6 and Prophet 6.

[@longshotkdb]

korg volca keys... link it to full size keyboard =) its beautiful and dusty and 'true' very 'restricted' but then limitations are often a driving force to be more creative or at least to work in a new and fun way... for £100 its almost a crime not to get one! i would think very seriously before spending big money on any new synth although there are some very faithful rebuilds but with usb and midi interaction now so thats always handy.. good luck!

[@Jkeane1337]

+Analog Synth Aficionado moog 55 is over 30k, why don't you buy a house for a poor person instead.

[@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! :)

[@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? :)

[@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.

[@TheCanadianDreamEvergreen]

I dont like how the chords stutter and clip as there changing with the OB 6... maybe some added attack would solve that issue

[@machiwoomiapoo]

I think I prefer the original OB-Xa over the OB-6 in this battle, but I'm sure the OB-6 shines in different ways. Great job. I finally got my studio set up. It's time to make some music. Are you going to buy that MOOG MINIMOOG Model D remake? I was thinking about it until I saw the price. :)

[@retrosound72]

+Machiwoomiapoo thank you for the feedback. :) I have a fantastic old Lintronics Minimoog with Midi and LFO. I need no optical MM remake. ;) This is not for vintage synth fanatics.

[@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.

[@thepanel2935]

Anyone who owns both of these keyboards: do you find the 'one less octave' on the OB-6 a big setback, or not too much to worry about?

[@retrosound72]

Mostly no problem.

[@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

[@themossinator]

filter sounds more closed on the OB-6 in first example?

[@anoniconoclast2030]

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

[@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

[@FOCtv]

It would be interesting to hear a comparison between the OB-6 and OB-X since the architecture is much more similar than between the OB-6 and OB-Xa.

[@retrosound72]

but the sound to the OB-X is very different

[@FOCtv]

The OB-Xa uses Curtis chips for it's oscillators and filters. The OB-6 and the OB-X both have discreet oscillators and discrete state variable filter like an Oberheim SEM, so as far as I understood the OB-6 is supposed to be a polyphonic programable SEM synth similar to the OB-X, whereas the OB-Xa was a significant re-design more similar to other types of Curtis based synths of the time. Not that I'm saying the OB-Xa isn't a fantastic synth with a beautiful sound, it's just that the voice architecture has a different approach.

[@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.

[@antaniblindaconlasup]

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

[@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

[@tonato17]

OB XA sounds definitely better. Question is, would you buy a new OB6 or a second hand OBXa $1000 more expensive? After this demo I feel tempted to go for the OBXA

[@TheCanadianDreamEvergreen]

I feel the XA flows into the different chords smoother.... I think if you added some attack it would do the trick

[@paulwilkinson1290]

I skipped around the video trying to guess which is which and was wrong almost half the time. There are a few sounds where it was pretty obvious, which was which. But I think that comes down to programming. Vintage synths are about those to-die-for sounds and don't really shine in comparisons.

[@DuaLeaD]

Also, as a side-bar were Dennis DeYoung's epic synth solos on Styx's "Fooling Yourself" (1977 "Grand Illusion" album) done on an Oberheim? I noticed on the 1994 Styx reunion footage he is rocking one - Just wondering if anyone knows!

[@retrosound72]

on the Oberheim Four Voice

[@analogsynthaficionado1406]

Yes, an Oberheim FVS also known as the Four Voice. A true masterpiece the FVS is. Also heard on Supertramp records. The only thing fatter is the super rare Oberheim 8 Voice.

[@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.

[@TomasBodin]

We have two polysynths with a similar sound. Both are sounding great. Another thing, if you compared two OB-Xa you would probably hear a difference too.

[@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! :-)

[@bigblockelectra]

I wonder why they made the keyboard an octave smaller

[@retrosound72]

costs

[@bigblockelectra]

@@retrosound72 what would happen if you ran an 88key controller to the desktop version? Would all of the keys work?

[@s.kxx1956]

bigblockelectra yeah but still only 6 keys at once hence 6 voices.

[@chrisstrobel3439]

Close enough for government work ;)

[@VanHau5]

Ob 6 is awesome also has 500 factory presets... 😅 plus I think it will work for a long time to come. Old stuff does sound better but... how long will it last and are you willing to pay is the question

[@SteveSteeleSoundSymphony]

No disrespect but were you handling and dialing in the OB6 as well as you were the Xa? A couple of examples you showed great control over the Xa, but perhaps your touch on the OB6 was a little off? Did you notice that or was it the OB6 itself?

[@TheJonHolstein]

He supposedly did not use the "detune" knob that makes it sound more like a vintage synth. And the filter in the OB-6 is based on the SEM filter, not the OB filter, so they should sound different... guess they just felt like the OB was a better brand name, to make it clearer it was an Oberheim. otherwise it would have been "The 6 voice" or something.

[@markjaylandes]

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

[@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 :-)

[@retrosound72]

Vintage Synthesizer and Drummachines sound demos, sound tutorials, one synth demo tracks and a lot more since 2007 can you find on the RetroSound Channel. Enjoy! RetroSound Playlist -----> kzbin.info/aero/PLDE9B65840284BBA0

[@jamesmeeker6933]

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

[@hawaiianshirtguy_29]

Dude you should make a video on the Oberheim Ob 8

[@retrosound72]

+ChrisTheCruncher the problem is: I have no OB-8 ;)

[@hawaiianshirtguy_29]

+RetroSound No problem dude I just thought that would be cool. Could I ask you a question?

[@retrosound72]

+ChrisTheCruncher but I have a OB-X :D yes sure

[@hawaiianshirtguy_29]

+RetroSound An Ob X would do fine. And could you give me a shout out I am a beginning youtuber and I really want to make a living off of it. If you don't want to that is cool.

[@retrosound72]

+ChrisTheCruncher show interesting themes and make it different as all others. ;) find your own way.

[@Screaming-Trees]

I thought the OB-6 had the SEM based filter (same as OBX) and the OBXa has a CEM 3320 chip based filter? One is discrete and the other isn't. Why not compare the OB-6 to the OBX instead?

[@retrosound72]

the SEM based filter in the OB-6 is not a SEM filter like in the OB-X and sounds not like the OB-X. OB-6 vs. OB-X is like david vs. goliath.

[@Screaming-Trees]

Well it definitely doesn't sound like the OBXa. Frankly I don't know if comparing the OB6 to the OBXa is strictly necessary because, well the OB6 wasn't designed to sound like the OBXa. It would have been more useful to compare it to the OBX. At least then we'd get a better idea of how similar the new SEM filter is to the older one that's in the OBX. All that said I've heard people squeeze out more vintage sounding strings out of their OB6 than the ones in this comparison as well as some more vintage sounding patches overall. I'd be curious to see just how vintage the OB6 can actually get (so switch off effects and dig in to find those classic oberheim sounds) and then compare with the older oberheim. I have an OBXa as well and if the OBX is as large, physically, as the OBXa then yeah it's definitely David and Goliath :).

[@MIDERA]

Is there some significance to this chord progression? I think you use it in all of your videos - or many of them. I'm unfamiliar with the progression. Good comparison btw.

[@retrosound72]

Yes, exactly. I use these chord progression in all sound demo vids.

[@MIDERA]

@@retrosound72 Right - I'm just wondering if it's from a song or if you just like using them for comparison value, etc?

[@retrosound72]

@@MIDERA yes from the song Friends

[@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!

[@bitspacemusic]

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

[@tommymandel]

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

[@northerntao]

What a sound, and without the headaches of maintaining a vintage synth. Maybe not exact, but close enough and some tinkering could take it further. The Prophet 6 doesn't do much for me and I've been eyeing the Prophet 12 for it's versatility. But the OB-6 is making it a really tough call. Maybe I can afford both the modules!

[@SPAZZOID100]

The p6 is the only recent synth i have liked from. DSI

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Id be swung on the p12 personally as it just seem to have a vaster pallete even thou its part digital doesnt bother me . I like dave smith thinking in making something a bit diffrent . However the P6 i like but seems a bit tame to me , if i could afford it i go ob6 over prophet6.

[@TheJonHolstein]

I don't like the interface of DSI synths, except for Prophet-6 and OB-6. But I have no issue with the digital OSC of the prophet 12. But I really don't like that the prophet 12 is missing out on the SEM style filter of the Pro 2.

[@maeltrik]

Hello! Amazing demo!! What is the first 2 tracks, does anyone know the original?

[@retrosound72]

thank you kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3qkpoOjidmtZ5Y

[@wcm5150]

Will you do a video of your Matrix 12/xpander? Your videos are among the best!

[@retrosound72]

thank you! :)) the problem is: I have no M12 /Xpander. ;)

[@tremot7143]

How would Sonic Projects OP-X PRO II stack up against these analog beasts? Bang for your buck is a given, but raw sound quality.. If you've compared them let me know!

[@retrosound72]

+tremot OP-X Pro II is nice but the workflow is very different to hardware

[@tremot7143]

+RetroSound Workflow definately plays a big part of what you will get out of a synth beyond preset tweaks. I'll never even sell my Matrix-1000, updated to V1.20 and working great with Patch Touch.

[@retrosound72]

+tremot The M-1000 is a fantastic synthesizer!

[@SkratchingCatRecords]

The 0B-6 is beautiful!

[@Iofflight78]

basically I didn't watch the video just had it scrolled down so I couldn't see what was playing. When I heard a sound I really liked i scrolled back up to see which one it was. I responded more to the obxa sounds but there were enough ob6 that I think it's worth checking out.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

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

[@TheSHARCRASH]

Wait... OK apparently the machines sound different... each having its bests (1st part for OB-Xa, later for OB-6)... But, is this an exact parameter by parameter comparison or is there still room to tweak each thus suggesting both machines are "close enough"??? Nice demos but with such long sound by sound comparisons, the comparison might be obvious to you (ear somewhat trained to the instrument) but not necessarily to people having never played it. Still nice to have someone doing comparisons of synths, thanks! :)

[@st0rmchild]

Two different synths. Both sound good.

[@retrosound72]

yes

[@reissphilippe2217]

The OB-Xa sounds a little dirtier, so a low gain overdrive could get the OB-6 to sound closer - though in most cases probably difficult to discern the difference between the two within a dense mix.

[@ebeep]

Close enough! Thank you Sequential!

[@MrFricoco]

Nice comparison!

[@retrosound72]

+MrFricoco :) ty

[@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!

[@ironinquisitor3656]

The biggest debate I will have for a while for future plans is do I get the SC OB-6, the Oberheim OB-X8, or Behringer's UB-XA when it comes out?

[@retrosound72]

All very different in sound and a matter of taste. I would buy a Matrix6 with Stereoping Programmer. The best classic OB sound for money

[@ironinquisitor3656]

@@retrosound72 Almost forgot about the Oberheim Matrix 6. I was mostly referring to buying a brand-new synth but I'll have to check out the prices for the Matrix 6.

[@kylew706]

Why do the strings sound so much worse on the 6?

[@thedarkestrainbow]

This isn't exactly a fair comparison. The OB6 is meant to sound more like a SEM based Oberheim as opposed to an OBXa or OB8 which use the CEM chips which are known to be brighter, brassier and harsher sounding. Granted there are other things that go into the sound, different components, aging components, I mean a voice of the OB6 fits in the palm of your hand and is mostly little chips where as the OBx-8 have enormous voice cards populated with large components. It's really an impossible comparison.

[@retrosound72]

Believe me OB-X and OB-6 is not fair :D

[@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...

[@ducav2]

I was looking for a video where the OBX-a makes percussive sounds, I couldn't find any. Yes, the 2pole filter is the magic etc but I don't think this synth can only do pads or leads, does it? For example how snappy are the envelopes?

[@nielswil]

I've got a couple of questions, as someone who remebered the 80's upclose and witnessed the rise and fall of the analog synths and digital like the DX-7.1) Why do they "remake" analog synths with ver few voices? 6 or 8 voice, while we have 64 or 128 instruments. Don't say that they want to recreate they original instruments. Because (that will be my next questions).2) why 4 octave keyboards instead 5 octave keyboards, like the originals.3) why smaller sized keys (Yamaha reface, Korg Arp Odyssey). Is it because they want us to experience the "real" thing but on a different level?How does the mighty Yamaha CS-80 (CS-2080) looks like?

[@retrosound72]

I think this is an cost problem.

[@nielswil]

I am afraid that you are so right. That is why in europe th ob6 en the sequential are between €2700, and €3000, . They would even more expensive if they changed a bit on these instruments.

[@retrosound72]

An OB-Xa had cost 14.000 DM in 1981. That would cost with the inflation 14.000 Euro in 2016. Never would pay that for a synthesizer these days. A synth for 3000 Euro is expensive for the most. That is the problem.

[@nielswil]

You might think that with the technology, it would cheaper than €3000,- . But constructing a OB-X(A) look a like is something to think about, even as a midi controller.

[@viniciusgoncalo3586]

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

[@retrosound72]

+vinicius gonçalo this is good!

[@torbenanschau6641]

Wusste gar nicht, dass ein OB-X auch TB 303 kann ;-) Zum Vergleich: Hier wie oft habe ich auf dem rechten Monitor ein Spiel laufen und auf den linken gucke ich nur nach akustischem Interesse. Fast immer wenn ich rüberschaute war's der OB-Xa! Im Vergleich dann war der OB-6 meist irgendwie etwas langweiliger ohne dass ich es auf den Punkt bringen könnte warum. Der OB-6 war oft lauter und cleaner, aber der Xa hatte das Flair. Bei 9.45 war's mal anders rum. Ich fand die Sounds gar nicht so ähnlich programmiert, oft war im Xa noch was drin, was im 6 bestimmt auch gegangen wäre, vor allem beim Brass-Sound. Nach dem ich bis jetzt die komplette Serie von Marc Doty regelmäßig schaute wurde mir klar, dass es bei dem OB-6 um die Oberheim Charakteristik geht, die er definitiv hinkriegt. Ansonsten ist er ein neuartiger eigenständiger analoger Synth mit neuen Möglichkeiten, keine Emulation. Was ich toll finde.

[@retrosound72]

+Torben Anschau Haha, ja das Filter-Zwitschern kann er auch gut. Der OB-6 hat weniger Eigenleben was ihn im ersten Augenblick etwas langweiliger klingen läßt. Der Klang der VCO´s ist schon ziemlich unterschiedlich und auch das Detuning Verhalten. Er ist ein toller Synthesizer keine Frage.