Oberheim OB-X8 Ambient Pads

Some of the first patches I've made (from scratch) to the Oberheim OB-X8, here ambient pads. Added Lexicon PCM80 reverb (8 seconds). A foot pedal is connected to the filter. No other processing. Sorry for some distortion at some places - no limiter was used.

[@symbiat0]

Obie’s are just special in many different ways.

[@analogprophet]

Yes, for sure

[@lars1588]

Portamento on pads never ceases to blow me away. It makes it sound so mysterious and I love it.

[@analogprophet]

Yes, portamento gives an additional dimension

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Your usage of the portamento immediately brings something up for me. Other users of Oberheim polyphonic synthesizers have attempted to duplicate the sawtooth patch created by Eddie Van Halen for “Jump”. One thing they (almost) always seem to forget about is that Eddie included just a trace of portamento in that patch. I was very pleased when I got my microKorg XL to dial up their emulation of that patch and to hear how they included the minute amount of portamento.

[@analogprophet]

Thank you! I have not patched up Jump yet ;)

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Take your time, @@analogprophet. Hehehehehehe!

[@NikolausBrocke]

So beautiful and wide sounds. Amazing.

[@analogprophet]

Thank you!

[@cortical1]

Happy to have just become your 100th subscriber! Very nice videos. Looking forward to more. Cheers from southern California.

[@analogprophet]

Thank you and congratulations! Cheers from the capitol of Sweden; Stockholm

[@watersidelive]

Absolutely gorgeous

[@analogprophet]

I love the sound of the OB-X8

[@vincenzoguerra]

Splendido Strumento! Eccellente sintesi della storia del suono di Tom Oberheim! Grande raffinatezza nella programmazione dei suoni, nell'abbinamento al riverbero Lexicon e nella performance esecutiva! Ben fatto! 😎🎹🎶🚀

[@analogprophet]

Gracias!

[@jfracine_composition]

2:42 my favorite part. The melody is so beautiful and the inside voices as well.

[@analogprophet]

Thank you

[@sauermusicDE]

Wow...8 seconds of reverb. Now I finally know how to achieve these pads. 👍

[@analogprophet]

A long dense reverb is a part of this particular sound

[@vfloev]

Reverb is everything in music, period. I have a lexicon 224x I run everything through and it will turn a sterile sound into pure art. It's an often overlooked part of music I wish more people were aware and invested in a more beautiful reverb instead of just slapping on cheapo reverbs.

[@f.herumusu8341]

Wow! I love your patch sound and your playing! Just bought the OB-X8 as a deskop version but currently moving my studio.

[@analogprophet]

Good luck with your OB-X8!

[@chrisdavies9143]

These are excellent, I'll add my voice to those saying you should sell these presets, I would buy in a heartbeat

[@analogprophet]

Thank you!

[@buttersstoch4694]

Beautiful, Rich,Lush OBX8 pads! please release a pkg of your Patches. Sounds wonderful!

[@analogprophet]

Than you!

[@CC_Timbral]

Sounds wonderful.

[@analogprophet]

Thank you! And Oberheim has nailed the sound!

[@Echochamber79]

I love these dreamy pads. I was going to buy the Novation Summit now I am seeing this incredible synth!... so hard to choose!

[@analogprophet]

Booth are great synths. I’ve made my choice and don’t regret.

[@Echochamber79]

@@analogprophet I get the feeling that the Summit is a little more versatile but I am fairly new to synths so I could be wrong.

[@Goettel]

@@Echochamber79 The Summit is much more versatile.

[@BlackMan614]

Nice job. 1983-ish pcm80 still rocks. I have a pcm70 which I had the audio signal modded... sounds fantastic. Great algos.

[@analogprophet]

Thank you!

[@erichkohl9317]

Gorgeous synth and sounds.

[@analogprophet]

Yes it is

[@jfracine_composition]

Keep coming back for those warm and unstable pads. Currently hesitating between the OB-X8 and the UDO super6. Both are superb instruments but I'm starting to hear the stabitily of the digital osc from the super6, wich sounds a bit dull to me.

[@analogprophet]

They are booth great synths, a matter of taste… and how far to stretch the budget. Personally I prefer digital as software and analog as hardware, but that’s just me.

[@Rectangulaire]

I just bought a super 6 and I didn’t like it, it sounds plastic, just returned it to the shop and I’m buying an obx8 next week, that’s a real instrument with soul in it, super 6 is already old fashioned

[@Rectangulaire]

The Super 6 sounds artificial, and all the sounds coming from it are kinda like hitting the same kind of chewy plaster envelope. It also doesn’t fit really well in a mix. Oberheim without any doubt!

[@jfracine_composition]

@@Rectangulaire thx for the input ! I'll go with OB as well. Just got the prophet 10 and it's quite magical. First time I play a synth that feels like an accoustic instrument because of the small variations between every key pressed. And the sound.. !

[@P-S-T]

@@Rectangulaire Did you bought the OB-X8? What do you think about it and also what do you think about it compared to Super 6? I have Super 6 and found it really nice. I also have the amazing Prophet 10. On the fence to buy OB-X8, but need to get rid of one of them because I have no space left. 😅

[@mwmusic29]

Lovely sounds!!

[@analogprophet]

Thank you! I love the sound too

[@RayyMusik]

Elysian. Pads are the real strength of the Obies. Which filters/envelopes did you use?

[@analogprophet]

OB-8 4 pole (24 dB) filter. Don’t know what EG, the default when hit starting from scratch from the Basic Patch

[@dankeplace]

This is a pad monster, I would love one but I think it would be wasted on me.

[@borisangeloffsimeonoff1288]

What about the SEQUENCIAL up there 👆

[@analogprophet]

@@borisangeloffsimeonoff1288 the Prophet 5 rev 4 (expanded to Prophet 10 with the extra voice card) is a wonderful synth as well but with another sound; more edgy. Before the OB-X8 was set up in the studio I had some concerns they were to close soundwise but the are not, they complement each other as great I hoped for with different character.

[@vicejacksonmusic]

I guess I'll be the sole dissenter about the reverb: I want to hear this in the same situations I'll be using it in. Nice work!

[@analogprophet]

Thank you! The reverb is a part of the sound.

[@thorz.2222]

I agree, add the reverb! I would be adding it myself too when I used the synth. I have an Oberheim Matrix 12 which sounds great, but add some reverb (even a little) and it sounds fantastic!

[@SPAZZOID100]

@@thorz.2222 yes, during a mixdown.

[@pinocarella_00]

il più bel synth polifonico analogico della storia umana

[@analogprophet]

Yes, it’s absolutely wonderful.

[@KeeJayFreak]

fantastic.. made me want to buy an ob-x8 ;-)

[@analogprophet]

Thank you!

[@jfracine_composition]

Is your stand a Jaspers ? About to get one. I also have the P10 I was wondering if the 15kg limit for the upper racks is sketchy ?

[@analogprophet]

Yes it is Jaspers. Except the OB-X8 and Prophet 5 it is populated by a Minimoog Model D (pretty heavy) and an Xpander. No problems with the weight. I’ve put the 5th rack at the rear for support just in case.

[@21leonardo]

OB-X8 can make MKS-70-esque sounds. Beautiful. Is it possible for you to share those patches ?

[@analogprophet]

Thank you! I plan to possibly release some patches eventually

[@2ammusik]

Beautiful demo. I keep hearing pops/clicks at the 0:32, 0:34, 0:36 marks. Is that reverb or the OBX8 producing that sound? Everything else sound gorgeous, other than that.

[@analogprophet]

Thank you! Regarding the pops/clicks: I’ve checked the sound from the YT stream and can’t hear any pops/clicks at those positions when listening with earphones. I guess it may have been caused by your stream or monitor.

[@f.herumusu8341]

As @analogprophet I can't hear any pops or clicks in the YT streaming audio. Probably your audio system.

[@2ammusik]

@@f.herumusu8341 it was my stream. I’m aware.

[@pensatorseven1898]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@wurlinnawurl]

So, I have to ask .. what is your favorite that you own? The obbie?

[@analogprophet]

It depends, the synths I keep are those I really like: The Moog Model D sounds like nothing else. The Arp2600 is a never ending source of discovering new sounds. The new Behringer System 100 connected to my Roland System 100m is so much fun to patch and sequence, and so on… But when it comes to analog polys the OB-X8 can’t compare to anything else I owned or played. There is a special place in my heart for the Prophet 5 (rev 4, expanded to a Prophet 10) as well, great together with my favorite: OB-X8.

[@klstay]

Sounds great. I wonder about this synth if you set the panning to 4L4R and select a multi or split program does one of the two patches route exclusively out the L and the other exclusively out the R outputs?

[@analogprophet]

Yes, that’s one of the new features compared to the originals

[@klstay]

@@analogprophet thank you for taking a moment to verify that and respond to me; that is a big plus in my book. If they had put just a few more things knob per function instead of page 2, made the OB-X filter response sweepable like on SEM (even though OB-X did not have that), and done poly instead of channel AT it would be the perfect companion for a P10 desktop IMHO. I may end up with one anyway. (Maybe the 3320 would grow on me...😉)

[@cfibb]

@@klstay With you 100% on all of that, especially poly AT. I'm spoiled after playing someone's CS80 years ago for a few hours. I've heard OBX8 responds to poly AT though! So, hopefully a desktop version...🙏

[@klstay]

@@cfibb While I hope you are right the manual seems to indicate the voice architecture itself is strictly channel aftertouch...🥲

[@Lainer1]

@@cfibb Check out Cherry Audio's VST version of the CS80

[@synthdude7664]

What is the converter you’re using ?

[@analogprophet]

Running the signal thru an SSL Matrix console to an Apogee Orion 32 converter

[@CaseJams]

2:40 is my favorite one

[@analogprophet]

Thank you

[@robmlisanti]

Nice 👍 I wish I had room for more synths 😂😂

[@analogprophet]

Make room for your dreams!

[@markrussell6813]

Thank you. Beautiful patches, great programming. Really show off the strengths of the OB-X8. Are you going to make them available to buy? I would definitely buy them.

[@analogprophet]

Thank you! I might sell them eventually

[@markrussell6813]

I would definitely buy a bank of your pads. Great sounds

[@Goettel]

Instant Steve Roach.

[@Cos3D]

2:40 sounds almost like trumpets

[@analogprophet]

The OB-X8 has a sort of brassy sound

[@bedroom2stadium]

1:37 Wow! those distortions are beautiful ! how did you dooo ???

[@analogprophet]

Thank you! It is noise from the a noise generator at the OB-X8 that appears when the filter opens up.

[@pinocarella_00]

la batteria con cosa l'hai fatta?

[@analogprophet]

Sorry, I don’t quit understand

[@alainthiry3965]

wonderful. would you accept to share some of this pad prest?

[@analogprophet]

Thank you! I might release some presets eventually, haven’t decided yet.

[@alainthiry3965]

@@analogprophet you have already released that which are in your record.... (or you used factory presets)?

[@analogprophet]

No, I rarely use factory presets at synths but personalize them with my own sounds that fit my way to play. I’ve made these presets.

[@alainthiry3965]

@@analogprophet if not for share why this video?

[@analogprophet]

@@alainthiry3965 why not make your own presets as it is easy like a piece? I’ve made a video how to program ambient pads like these: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmGah317rqlke6Msi=XYJ4ANbAJ5boUCDc

[@shanemaderejr.7675]

Incredible sounds!! Are these available for purchase? If not, CAN they be? 😜

[@analogprophet]

Thank you! My intention was not to release them but as some few asked for it it might be.

[@shanemaderejr.7675]

@@analogprophet I would certainly purchase them! They are astounding pads!!

[@joaopaulomelosilva4292]

With an OB-6 would these sounds sound as good?

[@analogprophet]

OB-6 is a great synth as well as the new TEO-5. You should be able to make similar sounds on these. A part of the sound is the reverb. I use Lexicon PCM-80 with a hall of 15 seconds, but would work great with other reverbs such Blackhole etc. Another central part of the sound is the use of the filter that I control with a foot pedal. Good luck with your sounds!

[@joaopaulomelosilva4292]

@@analogprophet What do you think of Strymon's BigSky Reverb?

[@analogprophet]

@@joaopaulomelosilva4292 Strymon Big Sky is an excellent reverb to ambient soundscapes such these kind of ambient pads.

[@andy80sdrums]

For the price I have been underwhelmed since day one. And when I tried it in person, my impressions were confirmed.

[@JamesCorbettMusic5000]

Yeah? I went for the Prophet 10, I played it and instantly fell in love with the thing. I have an OB6 which sort of covers the oberheim sound

[@analogprophet]

The OB6 is a great synth as well.

[@Hoophey]

Best stick to software emulation then if your ears can't detect any benefit to real analogue.....

[@hufftalbot9296]

Sounds lovely but almost any synth would fed through that reverb.

[@analogprophet]

Thank you! Yes a good reverb and/or delay is something I consider as a part of a sound.

[@digitalperformer7]

Honestly I’d prefer listening to the dry sound. Outboard processing doesn’t help figuring it out.

[@analogprophet]

There are two sides of the coint: One about the dry core sound and the other in a context

[@TheCanadianDreamEvergreen]

Still not impressed with this synth

[@analogprophet]

All synths are not for all musicians. Hope you’ll find what your looking for.

[@roderickaugust]

same. ill take a prophet 10