GEOSynths - Synth Show Reviews - DSI (Sequential) OB6

Buy OB6 Patches Now - www.geosynths.com/dsi-ob6
/ geosynths Synth Patches - www.geosynths.com
Score Board - bit.ly/2TAxdWN
(Some Audio Glitches from ADAT not Syncing)
So, I get asked the same sort of question over and over, which is "This Synth vs That Synth vs That one". Now I decided to a Sound designers Review of 10 Synths that I have made Banks of Patches for and come up with 5 areas to go over and to to give them a score out of 20, for a final total.
These are:
Features - 14
Workflow - 18
Sound Design - 16
Versatility - 15
Value For money - 13
DSI (Sequential) gets - 76/100
Behringer DeepMind 12 - • GEOSynths - Synth Show...
Novation PEAK - • GEOSynths - Synth Show...
DSI OB6 - • GEOSynths - Synth Show...
Nord Lead A1 - • GEOSynths - Synth Show...
Sequential Prophet REV 2 - • GEOSynths - Synth Show...

[@Alphadestrious]

The only synth to make me cry due to the pure analog heaven it contains. Just pure beauty

[@cfs]

Gave me literal goosebumps when I first played it. Brings a smile to my face every time I use it (most every day since for 10 months).

[@MajorOSC]

Well, its official, I ordered an OB-6 today. (desktop). Absolutely stoked. Great coverage and great channel.

[@N-trepid1]

You will LOVE the OB. Well worth the $$. Congrats ;) It sounds simply AMAZING.

[@MajorOSC]

Picked it up early at Fedex facility. couldn't wait. Even w/ high expectations, it managed to exceed them still! OB6 just sounds incredible. I think this is the best sounding synth I've ever owned (i is) , and I think this could be the synth I've ever heard, period. Might not be super versatile. BUT, It makes up for it by sounding better than every other synth at all the things is IS capable of.

[@davebellamy4867]

3:54 ... 1000 patches because there are numbers 000 to 999. Patch 000 comes as default on power on by the way folks but by pressing Globals three times when playing another sound, that current one will appear on power on.

[@machiwoomiapoo]

Awesome video! I love that OB6 sound. Take care, Sam.

[@SteveMayzak]

Love these. Thank you!

[@florianinside5666]

Such a good channel, Jamie, i love your reviews! 76 points is a lot, i think, and a really good result, and - most important - an objective one. Thanks a lot and i really love to see your next reviews 👍🏻

[@GEOSynths]

Thanks Florian, much appreciated :)

[@st0rmchild]

He should stop with the points. They're arbitrary and completely meaningless. Otherwise good reviews.

[@jangayen]

Thanks Jamie for your very personal evaluation of the OB-6!! You are a skilled sound designer and pleasant to listen to. I'm referring to your almost poetic formulations and descriptions of the varying musical expression of the synth and how you experience and put it into words. In a week I hope to be the owner of this unique hybrid of D Smith and T Oberheim both masterpieces - Prophet 5 and OB-8 synths -> OB-6. we already share the Summit/Peak and DeepMind 12 synths and probably more, but above all the love of sound design. Thanks again!

[@PitchAccurate]

Great review, cheers!

[@johnrichardson3297]

I thought it was an unbiased review. Great job! I agree that this beauty of a synth as an accompaniment synth, which is a great piece of gear at HQ

[@hemibass]

Seems like a really nice synth. That 7.40 sound is brilliant!

[@electronic2427]

Great video!

[@youvsyou945]

Are you considering doing an updated video with the vintage knob? Or perhaps a new soundset to take advantage of this new functionality?

[@thesrabbit]

Love my OB-6. It's full of surprise sweet spots that carry you away for hours. I was just looking at the documentation and it looks like the OB-6 and Prophet-6 have near identical MIDI implementation, with the exception of the filters, since the prophet has a separate HPF. You ever think about layering the two? You should be able to get the envelopes and other settings spot on in sync with each other, I would imagine.

[@station2station544]

The OB6 has a thing it does....amazingly well. Sizzly foamy filter. Sounds like you just poured a coke in a glass and put your ear up to the foam as it dissipates. The perfect setup is the Prophet 6 with a OB6 desktop mounted behind it.

[@embodie_breaks7089]

@WZRD 805 how do you like your OB?

[@Nospoon777]

Ordered one to compliment my Moog Matriarch!! I'm about to heal the world!😎

[@embodie_breaks7089]

@@Nospoon777 get it get it!

[@davebellamy4867]

Nearly there, station2station. Got both keyboards. Not using anything else. So different in sound but so similar in the interfaces.

[@davebellamy4867]

@The Good Lion Experience Did you get both yet? I have a few videos but not recorded direct, though they give ideas of the differences or contrasts between them. Some of the videos are daft though, because they are dedicated to the Synth Punk.

[@davebellamy4867]

4:16 The layout of the OB-6 is about perfect, with all the modulation stuff on the left and effects right at the last right corner at the back. It's more logical in layout than the Prophet-6 whose features are a bit more scattered on the panel though I do like the master volume on the P6 at top left with the program volume top right because you can reach for whichever one quickly when the crazy filter resonance kicks on and makes your speaker jump!

[@dukeofpearl]

Bought the desktop(no room for more keyboards)it’s a very satisfying synth. The SEM is just unbeatable! It’s an Oberheim, with DS’s input. Don’t think any more needs to be said! 🎶🕶🤟🏻

[@noiselabproject9659]

Hey nice lil review here. Defo not a one synth to own if u have no others to use but, after watching a load of stuff about it, a seemingly awesome addition to an existing setup. I ordered the desktop version yesterday and am very much looking forward to adding it to my current crop of other synths which include the likes of the Sequential Prophet Rev2, Korg Prologue 16, Moog Minataur, Roland SE-02 and the Nord Electro 6D 73, yeahy

[@GEOSynths]

Yeah, it should fit in nice with the other Synths you mentioned.

[@lustrousmetal3677]

Nice very nice!

[@djcrouton2680]

Good overview. It’s one of those synths that sounds really good doing what it does but if you don’t have the right situation to use it in, might be more of a novelty than a tool. But if you want that character it’s great.

[@theway3058]

Love Geo synths patch’s

[@st0rmchild]

This thing sounds so ridiculously good.

[@johnadams5489]

The OB6 has more features than the original OBX. Of course back in 1979 synths were still in the embryo stage and the OBX sounded massive. We didn't give much thought to only having 1 LFO back then, that's what you got. This rendition of Oberheim sounds very much like an OBXa and I believe the added features this brings to the table makes this much more versatile than the original. There are other synths that offer more in terms of sound shaping, but if you want THAT sound, this is it. As far as the cost $2439 at Thomann. Plus shipping. A module is $500 less. The Prophet 6 is $2249. I don't know what it would cost if you live in the US and if US customers have to pay VAT. I had contacted Thomann and asked about shipping to US and how warranty is handled if it needs service. They told me they ship from Germany and if it needs warranty service, it has to go back to Germany. I'd be better off buying from a Sequential dealer in the US. Honest review by Jamie!

[@janpieternieman5295]

I hope you will do the Jupiter X in the near future. That thing with its 4 oscilators is a beast.

[@peteinindia3914]

Great intro to the OB6, Jamie! I think it’s a must have. Saw your wonderful ear openers on the Prophet 12 which I own. OB6 and Prophet 12, a good couple?

[@merchannel7762]

Prophet 600 then? Looking for my first poly but you say maybe start elsewhere. Love Juno & DX7 but they’re already the sound of popular bands today. Would appreciate your advice.

[@innerspacerace9196]

I’m kind of excited I just snagged a mint analog four 1 for 600$, I also have a voyager XL, Deep mind 12, and a Roland SH 7 I just wanted to say great videos and voice an opinion. Sound design wise DCO synths sound nothing like the discreet circuitry SH 7, when it comes to the weird and the wild side of things. I think that is what makes them worth the vintage gear price. Then again the SH 7 is probably the weirdest there is in the weird synth department

[@sicknotelvd]

its a bit narrower in range ... thats exactly what keeps me thinking if i should buy this or the rev 2

[@Mike_the_Barbarian]

Love this synth! On your Sunday live show, could you give some advice on how to make a modern poly like a deepmind, peak or ob6 (I have all 3) emulate a divide down string machine with the ensemble effect? Like a Solina. I'm trying to get a great string sound for some Darkwave "The Cure" kinda music.

[@GEOSynths]

Hi Michael, remind me in the comments and i'll see what I can do :)

[@davebellamy4867]

There's one patch that I have on factory presets that is a bit like a string machine. Kind of JMJ type thing. Using phasers with it gives more 70s effect. There are a couple of phase shifter effects including the emulation of the Maestro phase shifter that Tom Oberheim developed many decades ago.

[@jupitermarx]

Hi Jamie! It’s interesting looking around your studio. Not only because you have a beautiful space, but every modern synth you show. I have in my space. So I feel validated that I have good taste! Where have you stored your vintage gear?

[@GEOSynths]

Great Minds...haha...I don't really have any Vintage Synths anymore, I sold them all to get the latest to make Patches, plus the cost of Repairs etc. I still have a Juno 6 and JX3P, but that's it...Oh and a Cheetah MS6...In repair!

[@jontip]

Brilliant review again Jamie. Would it be possible to keep a google sheets shared doc recording the scores and comments for future reference? (Linked in all review descriptions) Potentially the scores could be updated reflecting future firmware updates or price changes.

[@GEOSynths]

Yeah, that's not a bad idea, will set it up.

[@barrnycharlton8951]

good idea man

[@johnadams5489]

Most of us have more than one synth. It is very difficult for one synth to "do it all". I do believe if you like the sound of the OB6, it is an investment worth making. These days I usually look for more than one filter. A number of synths have two and that gives you more weapons for sound shaping. I do agree with Jamie in that its about textures. If you like the sounds you can create, its a keeper.

[@SPAZZOID100]

John Adams it’s a great synth.

[@st0rmchild]

It's like wanting one tube of paint that produces every possible color. That's not how paint works.

[@RabbitintheMoon]

So good.. I got the keyboard and desktop....

[@N-trepid1]

Excellent review as always :) I was also surprised the OB6 scored just below the DM12. While the DM12 may be somewhat more versatile, the OB completley blows the doors off within it's lane. That said, based on your scoring rational, I can understand why the DM12/Peak edged out the OB6. The value/versatility scoring contributes heavly to your weighting--and the DM12 is a real steal. That said, the OB is also my personal favorite. It's the synth I gravitate to most. While the price of admission is high, it's worth every penny in my opinion.

[@GEOSynths]

As I said in the video, it's my favourite Synth, but I had to be objective. If the DM12 had still been £1,000 then it wouldn't have scored as well, but seeing as it is £600 or so now, that's a lot of Synth for the money. The OB6 at one point was close to £2800 in the UK and while I love it, you could get a PEAK, DM12 and a Prologue for that money.

[@SPAZZOID100]

James Hall had a DM. The basic tone was vanilla. Sold it. The OB6 blows it away in raw tone.

[@SPAZZOID100]

GEOSynths Prologue cannot touch the OB6 in it’s raw tone.

[@jacobbrown1690]

if the dm 12 had more types of waves it would be up there with this.

[@CarlArmstrong]

Great vid, I missed this one before and found it after you did the OB-X8 vid. You probably answered this in a previous video, but if not-What is that great shelf/stand you have with the keyboards back there-each on wood shelves with ridges on the front? That looks really helpful if you have a lot of gear. Is that a Jaspers stand?

[@GEOSynths]

Yes, it’s a Jaspers Stand and I bought large Timber boards and screwed in a 2 inch strip across the front to stop the synths falling off. This way, I get to use the width and can place small fx, drum machines etc by the side of the synth.

[@CarlArmstrong]

@@GEOSynths Thanks so much for the quick reply and the info, such a useful way to use it.

[@jupitermarx]

What’s your audio setup that makes everything sound so great on KZbin? That’s a discipline I’m greatly lacking in.

[@GEOSynths]

I use 4 x Behringer ADA8200's over ADAT at 48khz which goes into 2 x Presonus Quantum's. Bit of compression/limiting and that's it.

[@julianhigginson5946]

Hi. Does the DSi ob6 pump out cc data from the knobs -

[@phd_sound]

Yeah a bunch of the knobs and buttons send cc data.

[@modernmystic1778]

Sounds great but I am hearing a lot of clicks and pops through my monitors. Is that something wonky with the recording or maybe the KZbin audio compression? I don't think it's my monitors.

[@GEOSynths]

It was the recording, digital sync not working properly. The Synth is flawless.

[@MrPlutocat]

This is a great review but really, what’s up with the ratings at the end? For your favorite synth you seemed to have rated it low imo. What is a 20 out of 20 or even a 19 out of 20 for reference sake?

[@GEOSynths]

Well, if I gave it a High score becuase it is my favourite, then that would be a bit biased, so when i'm scoring i'm trying to be as objective as possible. There wouldn't be a 20/20 as that would be the perfect Synth which doesn't exist...then again, Moog ONE? :)

[@st0rmchild]

The ratings are a meaningless distraction. I just ignore them.

[@AlainHubert]

The digital encoders on mine (desktop version) are awful. Often skipping, or not registering at all when turned slowly, one notch at a time (especially if I don't use it for a few days). Also, the plastic knobs on the potentiometers feel really cheap, and some of them wiggle and wobble on their shaft. And I've been using it only in my studio, and I'm very gentle with it. So, as far as build quality, allow me to disagree with you Jamie.Especially considering the high price that Sequential is asking for it. Don't get me wrong, I do absolutely love it for the sounds it can produce though. I disagree also with you that it can't do round and juicy bass. Sure, it's not a Minimoog D, but it's no Korg Monotron either. lol ! Nevertheless, I do agree on your final overall score and thanks for a very nice review. Just a small footnote: there are some slight audio glitches that can be heard at times (8:10 and 8:20 and 8:42, and 10:51).

[@dnch]

all DSI synths have shitty pots, i sweared i will never buy another one again but this sounds sooo beautiful

[@billytruant]

I’m hearing crackling on almost all of the patch examples. Sounds like vinyl crackle. Is that intentional?

[@SPAZZOID100]

The OB6 is the most sonically characterful tone in a modern analog poly.

[@malkytrance]

wished this was 12 voices poly!

[@barrnycharlton8951]

just buy two;)

[@andrewpodolski2442]

try to show more what the key

[@innerspacerace9196]

This dsi sounds way more analog than do my mono evolver

[@dnch]

well no shit

[@ZenMountain]

No kidding...

[@bluename4]

how does it compare to the "nord lead 4"?

[@GEOSynths]

The Nord Lead 4 has more Synthesis capabilities, I just preferred the sound quality of the A1 better.

[@bluename4]

@@GEOSynthsso soundwise is the ob-6 also better than "nord lead 4"?

[@WillieG1016]

blue name of course

[@infestedalien]

It's really hard to chose between this or Prophet 6

[@embodie_breaks7089]

what did you choose

[@infestedalien]

@@embodie_breaks7089 First I bought the OB6 and totaly loves it! The OB6 can create sounds that are very unique thanks to the SEM-filter. But after a while I bought the Prophet 6 to be able to create more typical 24 dB filter sounds. I don't regret buying them both and they are two unique synthesizers that are needed in my gear when I want to make analog music. One year later I feel that both synthesizers covers many other analogue synthesizers except for moog matriarch which might be a purchase for me but still not sure, I don't like non memory synthesizers that much but still the matriarch is a very much modular moog for the money today :)

[@embodie_breaks7089]

@@infestedalien understandable. I debate on selling my prologue for a prophet or ob6. I would keep building my arsenal but I'm trying to minimalize it these days. Love the prologue. Miss the aftertouch for pads and such tho. Those dsi just have a nice thickness to them. Love my pro3.

[@infestedalien]

@@embodie_breaks7089 I have to say that Prophet can really create warm and smoth brassy pads. While the OB6 always tend to make all sound way more "space feeling" with that extra fizzy touch. Myself I am an owner of a Pro 2. Was looking at the Pro 3 but not sure if it's worth getting it. Seems like I am re-buying same synthesizer. Is there something special you like with the Pro 3? Did you buy the standard or special edition of the pro 3? Prologue seems to be a favourite for synthesizer owners.

[@embodie_breaks7089]

@@infestedalien I had a standard editing pro3 for a bit. Then I liked it so much I decided to splurge on the special editing which I ordered at the beginning of april. Still waiting. Great synth but I can see how the pro2 has some weight on it. I never had a pro2. I had a sub37 and sold it. Lovely synth. I just sometimes like dirty synths. I like the modulation on the pro3 and the sequencer. The ob-6 does seem to make things sound very stereo. I may pull the trigger. The prophet seems to have closer to an organ sound. Both sound amazing and will probably work towards both but for now... sell the prologue for the ob? I know it's not gonna be anything like my prologue but I do have the pro3 for other sounds... I'm really not sure if the upgrade to the pro3 from the pro2 would be worth it. I got the special edition only because I work off my table alot in a daw. Not on a rack.

[@TheKayoO0]

I am hearing alot of small little crackling noises in this review. Is that just part of the synths character? Or was it over driven or a recording issue.

[@GEOSynths]

At the time I used a free streaming app to put all the cameras together in one shot and it was a bit crap, it’s not the synth, have a different set up since this.

[@steveviab]

Great synth. I wish they added a few more utilities. Eg Sequencer and Arpeggiator out over midi.

[@SuperOhashi]

You have to change the global setting “Param Xmit” to output the Arp/Sequencer, it is not enabled by default: Feature: MIDI Out for the Arp/Sequencer - Param Xmit Global options CAS (CC + MIDI Out for arp/seq) and nAS (NRPN + MIDI Out for arp/seq)

[@maydaygoingdown5602]

It's a great synth, however it's overpriced considering what you can get for that price. Ie I could get 3 synths as a 3 rack module that would offer much more in term of sound and modulation and synthesis and features.

[@aiken000]

noob question: what's USP?

[@nielsdt]

Unique selling proposition. What makes it unique and which brings value

[@aiken000]

@@nielsdt thank you!

[@jumpingman8160]

DM12 - 77 PEAK - 78 DSI : OB6 - 76

[@st0rmchild]

The points are meaningless.

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

It really should have one more LFO though.

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

AS for the rating system, the OB_b is definitely more versatile then it might seem given the short list of features, but it can be used to a variety of effects, it is a useful combination of features. But really, a 16 for versatility? No way. There are synths that are WAYYY more versatile....

[@GEOSynths]

Jonathan Osborn Versatility is 15 and is in the context of the 10 Synths I’ve made Patch libraries for, not other Synths

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

@@GEOSynths Fair enough.

[@st0rmchild]

This is why made up numbers add no value to reviews. You're not actually measuring anything. It's completely meaningless.

[@montazownianr1]

I like the sound of this synth but I hate blue lines :(

[@st0rmchild]

The desktop module is much cleaner.

[@kierenmoore3236]

😂 … Just pretend it’s blue, with black lines, then 😉

[@TheTerracide]

Those lines are iconic