How does the sound of the OB-X8 compare to an original OB-X?

Marcus Ryle, co-designer of the Oberheim OB-X8 and an Oberheim engineer from 1980 to 1985, walks through all 32 of the factory presets on his original OB-X to demonstrate just how faithfully the new OB-X8 reproduces each one.
All examples are recorded direct in mono, without EQ or effects.
The new OB-X8 - true Oberheim sound. Listen and judge for yourself.
0:00 Intro
1:38 Bank A Presets
6:32 Bank B Presets
7:50 Bank C Presets
10:33 Bank D Presets

[@AdamBorseti]

I got mine on my birthday after saving my paychecks for a good long time! This is easily the best sounding, highest quality hunk of American made audio chocolate I've ever owned. The stereo panning brings a fuckin' tear to my eye! Absolutely worth every cent; no regrets. Every time I look at it I have to rub my eyes and appreciate the fact that I own such a beautiful instrument. A heart-felt bravo and thank you to Tom Oberheim, Dave Smith, Marcus Ryle and everyone else who had a hand in making this dream a reality for me. 😍❤️

[@jfracine_composition]

Just played for the first time with mine few days ago. I've got lots of synths but this one is the best sounding, and best feeling I had playing a synth ... ever. ! Happy for you as well !

[@AdamBorseti]

@@jfracine_composition It's an absolute joy to play!

[@natura808]

I’m really thankful for the OBX8, thanks to all creators!

[@JimDaneker]

Just got my OB-X8 last night and I've been having trouble pulling myself away. It is shockingly, staggeringly good. Much to my relief, it has all the weight, texture, creaminess, power, and rock-n-roll attitude of the originals. I can count on one hand the times I got this kind of emotional response out of a synth over my 30+ year career... this thing is top of the class. Well done!

[@jfracine_composition]

Bought one mostly because of your prophet comparaison video. Best experience with a synth in my life. Could I ask, wich other synths ( that you can count on your hand ) made you feel the same ?

[@JimDaneker]

@@jfracine_composition so glad! I've fallen head over heels for mine as well. I’m a sucker for most of the big 80s synths, so my OB, Prophet 5, Roland analogs & D-50, and the Yamaha DX series all keep me happy!

[@chizmo7]

Let’s not forget that the X8 also has velocity, aftertouch, factory MIDI, a backlit LCD, a warranty, and a built in OBXa and OB8!! What’s not to love?

[@payt01]

It's a tad pricey for my liking.. but maybe I'm just a poor slob..lol

[@mrdali67]

@@payt01 ya, poor like all the rest of us :p

[@etpslick100]

@@payt01 yeah I feel you. But when you look @ the prices of a “USED” Obx, Obx-a, and a OB8, $5k doesn’t sound bad at all. Can’t believe how crazy the prices of ‘used’ gear has skyrocketed.

[@mrdali67]

@@etpslick100 Many of these Synth’s is either over or nearing an age of 40 years, and even the first Digital synths is made with really “small and simple” size ic’s, just alot of them which is just as unstable and prone to failure as discrete components. If you can even find a tecnician that can diagnose and repair them, it cost an arm and 2 legs to refurbish them if they are in really bad shape.

[@Sensorium_Studios]

@@etpslick100 there’s value in the old units not having any ICs that will eventually turn them into paperweights. Can’t say that about the new ones. Also, there’s value in the appreciation of the older units due to their historical significance. Older units are an investment, newer units are a liability. So the older units don’t actual “cost” anything since you’ll likely be able to sell them for more than you bought them for. You’re simply temporarily converting the money into something you can enjoy :)

[@jawoody9745]

It is very cool to see Marcus going through the vast collection of Oberheim's that HE helped DESIGN and put together.

[@IoannisKazlaris]

Really, really impressed by this comparison! Well done Oberheim/Sequential team!

[@philippezsiga1125]

I am an OB-Xa owner and i am just amazed with the job you done. I am ordering my OB-X8 . Thank you so much Marcus and Tom . You are living legend with Dave Rossun

[@googlingthevoid]

I’ve owned the OB-X8 for almost a year now. It’s hands down my favorite analog polysynth currently in production. Thank you for all the work in getting the sound and vibe right. It absolutely paid off. Thank you a million times over!

[@antoniorusso5149]

The OB-X8 is close enough to the OB-X for me. This demo and another recent one makes me glad I decided to order the OB-X8. It will go perfectly with my Rev 4 Prophet 10. Great work Oberheim and Sequential team !

[@electrocolourfield2200]

superb isnt it, its even better than two originals side by side, which ive been fortunate enough to have tried.

[@peterldelong]

I’m more excited about this synth coming up the walk in the hands of my trusty FedEx driver than any other synth in 35 years. Thank you Dave, Marcus and Tom.

[@tommyg5095]

What date was given to you for shipping,,, and from which dealer, if I may ask...

[@peterldelong]

@@tommyg5095 Sweetwater. They received the first 50 units yesterday, but my order is in the second batch due in on 09/30 per my sales rep.

[@tommyg5095]

@@peterldelong Yes, Sweetwater also. I was told first shipment, and will call right now to verify if I will be part of first shipment .Thanks.

[@tommyg5095]

@@peterldelong I just got off the phone with Sweetwater. They said they have not received any units as of now, but looks like about another week. At least this is what I was told. I was informed if they in fact get the 50 units as allocated, I would be in the first batch for shipment. Fingers are crossed.

[@VincentPresley]

"trusty Fedex driver"? Is that really a thing? After a good dozen failures by them I stopped buying from any seller that uses that company. I'd sooner have rats pull my mail in a wagon.

[@SessionsWithMike]

Thanks for the side by side video. It's all in there. Now it's just up to the creativity of the users to make it really sing with our own custom presets. Great job Sequential and Oberheim!

[@Madrrrrrrrrrrr]

The sample and hold 2 filter was different. It's always the same: on simple patches clones come really close but when you start to push it ... yep still angry. I should have taken a broken obx when i could but didn't because i didn't know enough. x8 = 9 out of 10 though.

[@MattPicsET]

Proud owner of an OB-X8 for a year now and my gosh this is easily my favorite instrument in my arsenal. I can’t pull myself away from it.

[@MacXpert74]

Very impressive and very well done comparison! This must be the closest sounding recreation of a classic synth I've ever heard. The difference in sound is negligible, with the noise sound actually being a clear improvement. You guys did an awesome job! And with the OB-X8 also covering the OB-Xa sound palette, it's a more versatile instrument than just the OB-X or OB-Xa alone.

[@McEnroe911]

This is the demo ive been waiting for. Thank you! Can't wait to get my hands on one. OB-X8 sounds insane.

[@thaiiland2003]

Presets D2 and D3, classic Rush and Styx right there in all it's glory. Oh man, I can't wait for my OB-X8 to arrive in the mail. Thank You

[@jonkelly5246]

Amazing, almost identical. Well done

[@chrismurphy9750]

You guys did what we've all wanted for the last several decades! bravo!

[@neilloughran4437]

Closest recreation/reissue I have heard so far. Any differences in sounds I suspect would be the same when comparing two different OBX synths... Great job Marcus! Loved the brass and string sounds in particular.

[@MarshalArnold]

Man, you folks did a bang up job! Thank you very much 😊

[@SacSynths_Jack_Z]

Amazing job guys, both sound superb!

[@galaxiesmerge_original]

The new OB-X8 module fed into a Thermionic EarlyBird with Pullet EQ is simply AMAZING with the Chase Bliss CXM78 (Lexicon 224) reverb. The Tube Preamp/EQ combo adds all the extra tone anyone could ever need. Marcus, building the module version enabled me to buy it as I have no studio keyboard space left! But I can still fit some modules in :). Thank you for a great job!

[@lavoltabbona]

OB-X still sounds slightly warmer/organic, it's incredible...

[@ironinquisitor3656]

Well the OB-X is 40 + year old aged components and the OBX8 is brand new so of course.

[@chrisstrobel3439]

I’m 61 and had an XA briefly before my Jupiter 8 in the 80’s, the brassy and stringy pad sounds were good for the prog rock/jazz fusion I did on my own, and the top 40 gigs that put bread on the table, but I tired of it .. and eventually the Jupiter 8 too, we all wanted Fairlights or Synclavier II’s, or even Emulator II’s, fun how things have turned full circle. When I got a notice these new OB’s were out and available I thought to myself “that’s it I’m getting one!”, then I fired up my Sonic Projects OP-X Pro II plug-in which I haven’t used in a few years .. dialed up the same Patches as in this video .. and I can’t tell a difference in the sound. Of course my hearing is half shot from age as well as chronic ringing in the ears (Tinnitus) from years on the road, I’m sure a young keyboard player with fresh ears could tell the difference .. but I can’t, and as cool as it would be to have this new OB I just can’t justify the 5k it would cost .. and the room it would eat up in the home studio. Kudos to Tom for putting a 5 octave keybed on this, I know a lot of monster players are going to appreciate that, and Kudos to Tom Oberheim and the manufacturer for bringing this out for the younger generation to get an idea what it was like for us old hats. Thanks Oberheim 👍

[@flyingnorth5093]

Lovely presentation, Marcus, thank you so much! Although you must have done this a million times before, it still feels very vivid.

[@petegreenwood2793]

Great job, well done to everyone involved!

[@sweetdiscretestudio8326]

Incredible job, and to think there is so much more to the OBX8. On my shopping list for sure 🤞🤞

[@seppoinnanen5577]

Ob-x8 sounds almost perfect, well done and thank you 👍 It's great to notice that the original guys are involved in the project after many decades

[@PeteMOBie1]

Superb demo! I have an OB-SX and heard many familiar presets. Great to see Oberheim is back.

[@kamelhamlaoui9983]

Heard it too. Especially on Dirty mind, and controversy albums.💕☔️☔️☔️

[@paulmolive1821]

Perfect video! I got my OB-X8 a few days ago and am loving it

[@beamer64]

Thanks for doing this Marcus

[@barbenzinc]

It looks and sounds awesome, awesome job !

[@hardcoreherbivore4730]

Got the truest to original sounding Oberheims for the modern era. This and the Two voice pro, I feel very fortunate.

[@JoelBouchillon]

Sounds incredible! Great Job!!!!!

[@michaelecaloroso8263]

I own an OB-X and I have heard many clones. The OB-X8 is an excellent spot on recreation of the organic alien tones of the OB-X, and they even recreated the "imperfections" like glide and pulse width variations between voices. Great job to the OB-X8 team.

[@kamelhamlaoui9983]

I got an obx-8. Recognized many Prince’ sounds used on dirty mind, controversy albums. owned long time ago 23 years ago obx/obx-a/ob-8/ SEM. Glad to. Have the obx-8, but I mis, and dream about an OG, OBX. Have 2 SEMs reissue. Know a guy on working on a clone of an FVS Oberheim. ( SEM 4 voice) my dreams one!!!☔️☔️☔️☔️

[@VEsound]

Thanks @Oberheim Official and Marcus! ❤ Will you make the same videos for the OB-Xa and OB-8? That would be perfect.

[@SRDhain]

Beautiful. I did notice a tiny smidgeon of stepping on the filter of the OBX (during the hard sync patch demo) , but the OBX was and is a powerful instrument. The OBX8 is on another level altogether, with far more options change & sweeten the sound palette for all tastes. Thank you for such a solid demo, Marcus 👍

[@robertk6422]

cool sounds, it's a pleasure to hear that comparison thnx

[@ast4127]

Wonderful demo!!! Cheers from Cyprus

[@magicmastera]

Thats unbeleveble. Wow. Congratulation. Cant wait to get mine in a view weeks. Thank you for this fantastic comparsion.

[@steveg219]

An incredible accomplishment in a modern synth with great classic sounds (and more!)

[@BboySalamon]

Thanks a lot! This is a huge gift for all retro, vintage music lovers, musicians and singers Mr. Ryle! I also need OB-8. This new synth includes all OB line and you don't have to buy the old, used device, for big money.

[@oholm09]

I do too

[@BboySalamon]

@@oholm09 We’re colleagues then bro-) I need OB-8 for making a rebuild of one famous Italodisco hit, from 1983. Also need Minimoog, Arp Odyssey and DMX.

[@oholm09]

@@BboySalamon oh ok i got a behringer model d poly d and Odyessy

[@BboySalamon]

@@oholm09 Happy for you my friend. So you can try to make a rebuild of Ryan Paris -Dolce Vita👍

[@oholm09]

@@BboySalamon yes sir

[@offworldnetwork]

Great that you demo these without swathes of reverb

A equipe da Oberheim Sound está de parabéns! O OB-X8 está incrível!

[@PrinceOfBodom]

This is one of the best comparison videos of two synths and one of the best reissue synthesizers ever made. Very well done!

[@friendlynoise]

Amazing work. A true classic reborn with added superpowers. 😃

[@tekis0]

Boom, nailed! Spectacular job.

[@stevehunt2125]

Nailed it. Well done guys

[@pascalcoole2725]

Verry impressive recreation of a already impresive vintage machine

[@Goettel]

The OB-X voices do seem to have just a little more weight / bass to them.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Nope

[@ZenMountain]

... And still some people insist that plugins sound the same.... (??) What a lovely sound, please release a module version for those of us who don't have more room. Thanks.

[@synthuser3656]

Not the same, but some can come pretty close: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIikgot3Zr5pna8

[@ZenMountain]

@@synthuser3656 Oookay, here we go again... Go buy your plugin mate.

[@paulwally9007]

Jesus-freakin'-Christ, this is phenomenally beautiful! With a few of the sounds I noticed some -barely audible- differences. But most, especially the more percussive sounds, sounded identical to me. What an absolute monster -flexibility-wise.

[@paulberger1444]

Listening with my eyes closed, I couldn't tell one from the other. Brilliant job, guys.

[@xa1a]

Ordered. Thank you for this.

[@rodrigotosin9220]

Fantastic Job Marcus

[@basswerkrec]

very nice and musical examples!

[@SPAZZOID100]

15:19-Queen’s “Play the Game” right before the guitar solo.

[@StylesLee]

Love this video & your Studio set up! The sounds are Fat No Computers just Synths & a Window showing Natures Greatness!

[@TheWarriorSongProject]

unbelieveable. spot on.

[@electrom4gnetik465]

This here will be the SYNTH of a lifetime! Thank you everyone at Oberheim/Sequential!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@electrocolourfield2200]

Totally agree

[@jorgemellooliveira9611]

Ótimo vídeo congratulações

[@nativesonno.1113]

Great Job!

[@jeremythornton433]

Very cool! Well done, people.

[@akamrkris]

Great video, Marcus! The OBX has been my favorite polyphonic analog synth for 40 years. Can't wait to get a new one!

[@kamelhamlaoui9983]

Curious to hear you to compare them. Please let me know.☔️☔️☔️☔️

[@joshuaswannmusic6462]

I don’t care what it takes, how long it takes. I’m buying this

[@bobule]

Sounds great!!

[@ABequet]

I'm trying to ascertain if Marcus was a player or an engineer first! Very cool demonstration, thanks!!!! Lusting for one of the new OB-X8s in the worst way!

[@norbacsam]

Amazing instruments, thanks for the tour

[@wedream2]

I was impressed with the OB-X8 sound and sound design features inclusive of the OB-8 when I demoed it at NAMM this year (2022). I can't tell the difference between the OB-X and the OB-X8 (except for the obvious noise source on the wind patch). Remarkable!

[@ThomasKobrick]

The thing about this synth not having delay and effects built-in is that I can imagine using every one of these presets in a song, or in fact having them inspire a new song. Really impressive and uncanny recreation of these sounds, and that's only a portion of what this new monster can do. Exciting times, well done Oberheim family!

[@jamesmeeker6933]

Honestly, I have a pair of Lexicon racks (PCM 90 and MPX-1) that built-in effects cannot touch. I understand the utility for live play, but I never do that.

[@paulwally9007]

Absolutely. And I think it made perfect sense to spend all the money on making the synth engine as good as possible.

[@LFOVCF]

Well, as my ol' dad used to say..."near as makes no difference" Great sounding palette

[@soloharmonicsrobj8246]

I have an OB-X software synth that has no presets. All my patches I constructed myself. I'm not comparing the software unit to an actual hardware unit but it sounds incredible and fun to play. The unison mode is my favorite function. I hear no difference between the OB-X and OB-X 8, great demo. Mabey someday I'll visit a music store that has one of these classic synths. I'm not a professional but I love the synthesizer and studied them for many years. I once owned a Cat by Octave hardware unit back in the eighties. The OB-X is an incredible synth and so many professional and famous musicians used it back in the day.

[@AlainHubert]

I've noticed that when tweaking the filter knob, there are of course audible steps on the original OB-X but thankfully not on the new OB-X8. That's a huge plus! Also, great choice not to have replicated the "looping" white noise of the dreaded MM5837 chip. 👍

[@F0nkyNinja]

That noise chip was in my Moog Source I used to have, have to agree with you there. The OG Prophet 5 had even worse stepping than the Oberheim. At least in the filter values.

[@SPAZZOID100]

@@F0nkyNinja My Rev 3.0 P5 does not have any noticeable stepping.

[@F0nkyNinja]

@@SPAZZOID100 crank the resonance to max

[@SPAZZOID100]

@@F0nkyNinjayou are mistaking harmonics for stepping.

[@abwdoc]

Marcus…thank you for the best video that I have seen yet. And thank you for bringing out this synth. Better in every way to an original OB (better keybed, more reliable, more features, etc. There have been a lot of complaints about the price ($4,995.00)…but it is cheaper than the original OB-X with all 8 voice cards ($5,995). Great job Marcus, Tom, and Dave (R.I.P., Dave). This (if you can afford it) seems like a real no brainer. Can’t wait to get one to go with my Prophet-10 Rev 4. 🏆

[@paulwally9007]

I'm envious. That's my wish-list right now: this Oberheim, a Prophet 5, and a custom shop Strat.

[@kamelhamlaoui9983]

❤ got mine in December 8 th 22. Now please do the SEM 4 voices !!!💕

[@nik_elektrik]

Amazing comparison. Was going to order one anyway, but this video makes me want to order two. The mojo, the 80s nostalgia, the SOUND! I still can't believe this is happening. Thanks, Tom , thanks Marcus, thanks Dave (RIP). You are the best.

[@dcolfer00]

Cant wait to run this through my strymon effects.

[@Lachenmann7]

That “sample and hold” patch must have been used (unaltered) on Rush’s “The Camera Eye”.

[@TonyAndersonMusic]

Holy SHIT. This is incredible. Marcus you are a legend.

[@mellotronik78]

Stunning

[@obwanz1921]

Great job Marcus, Tony, et al. Sometimes it sounds like the X8 has more balls. Incredible!

[@Fluxwithit]

Fantastic work!

[@VTOLKits]

For me it sounds perfect the same on a high level. Oberheim made a fantastic job! Great video also!

[@analogaddict]

I used to own an OB-X. Sold it due to never-ending maintenance and no funds to keep it up and running. I never thought I'd ever be able to own one again, but there it is... Amazing!!!

[@kamelhamlaoui9983]

Hello! What do you think, how you compare them? Please let me know. Thanks.☔️☔️☔️☔️

[@justblaze]

Come on with that delivery already. 🙏🏽

[@JOSHRIGGSZ]

FACTS

[@synthartist69]

Only one thing.. I wish that the OBX8 was the size of the OBX so that they could have put that large OBX8 graphic on the upper left front panel. That was so awesome on the Oberheims! I'm sure I'm the only one who cares about that. I wonder if Marcus is the original owner of the OBs in his video comparisons?

[@kamelhamlaoui9983]

Me too! and I wondering the same question.😉

[@XanderEwald]

Beautiful

[@Rwtheking]

I can’t afford one but I still have to say this was an incredible synth you came up with. The Ob series of synths were legendary and you did them justice so well.

[@anthonym612]

@11:00 - I wonder if that's where the title of the Bill Bruford song came from on his 1979 album, given that it was written by keyboardist Dave Stewart..

[@savoiemathieu]

Wow, it looks massive! Let's hear that sound now! :)

[@markushutto4017]

A keyboard I hope to add to my collection of classic keyboards

[@sound4label]

Hello guys, will you release a desktop version ? :)

[@MatheusLeston]

that's impressive!

[@olealbrecht745]

A lot of the presets sound identical to me. However, some presets sound better on the old one because the respective sound on the new one is brighter, cleaner, more clinical... in a negative way. Of course the new one sounds fantastic too but I wonder why they cannot fully recreate this.

[@vaportrails7943]

Because the sound you think is “better” is the sound of 40 year old, worn out components.

[@74goldenjet]

So, they can emulate and recreate every part of vintage synth, except the magic vibe of worn out components? If this is the missing link, then someone should start working on replicating it asap! Then even Behringer stuff would sound good.

[@xfloodcasual8124]

Differences probably come down to linear PSU versus SMPS, but I'd love to see what they went with in the new one.

[@electrocolourfield2200]

Put x2 original OBX together and do they sound the same... well no they don't, back in the early 2000's i was lucky enough to attain one in the early days of ebay, and i compared it with one owned by a fellow record label artist. Cutting to the chase, this is absolutely staggeringly good.. If you can afford one of these new ones and you want the OBX sound, get it !

[@harveygarry597]

Great video.Looks like a lovely synth....

[@nilespeterclemens8328]

2 questions: - do you have to lift the hub to adjust voice panning on the X8 or is this a menu option now? - can you adjust the volume of the noise osc?

[@JimDaneker]

You don’t have to pop the top anymore - voice panning modes are all programmable per patch ;-)

[@midimike88]

Great comparison. Thank you.

[@Oberheim.OB-XA]

SENSACIONAL OB-X8

[@arpearson76]

They both sound very good! I'm retired and can never afford to buy a Oberheim OB-X8! Hopefully OBX8 VST Plugin soon?

[@xxheartbrokexx100]

That’s an Oberheim alright, no doubt about it.

[@ast4127]

Hi I have a question that lovely Flute A6 pattern you play is that from a song or just random chords? Lovely, almost a bit mellotron.