Oberheim OB-X8 vs Sequential OB6 - Which Should You Choose?

The incredible new Oberheim OB-X8 Desktop version is here and it's time to compare it with the older OB-6! Both synths offer that unmistakeable Oberheim flavour but they have some key differences that set them apart! | tinyurl.com/27sq674c
» Oberheim OB-X8 Desktop Analog Synth Module | tinyurl.com/22ec5khk
» Oberheim OB-X8 | tinyurl.com/2289q3uc
» Check out all our Oberheim Synths! | tinyurl.com/278333u4
» Dave Smith OB6 Desktop Module | tinyurl.com/28xbatma
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⏰ Timestamps ⏰
» 0:00 Introducing the Synths!
» 1:40 The Differences!
» 3:33 The OB-X8 Filters!
» 8:35 The Reduced Size?
» 10:00 The OB-6 Filter
» 12:29 Modulation and Poly Mod/X-Mod
» 19:05 The Effects?
» 20:50 Arpeggiators & Sequencers?
» 22:30 Poly Chain, Voices & Multi-Timbral?
» 23:30 Which One to Choose?
» 24:40 Thanks For Watching!
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[@nelnich4445]

Obx8 is easier to dial in just what you want, its crisp and fits great into a mix. The ob6 is more gritty, dirty, dark and ambient. Thankfully I have both. They sound much different and both have a purpose for me. I love them both.

[@DubElementMusic]

i absolute love the sound of my ob6

[@skyskate9211]

Thanks for the vid, very useful. I tried the OB-X8 and the OB-6 in Andertons showroom in Guildford. Both synths are fantastic, both among the best synthesizers ever made, in my view. I bought the OB-6. I find the OB-6 to be more immediate, and to cover a wider sonic range. The OB-6 presets are fantastic, you can just turn it on and be wowed. The OB-X8 takes more work. The OB-X8 makes some fantastic sounds, a few even better than the OB-6 ... but overall, the OB-6 manages to be exciting more often. The OB-X8 is the true vintage Oberheim, and the OB-6 is a slightly modernised version. Maybe you could say the OB-X8 is 100% Oberheim, whereas the OB-6 is 80% Oberheim and 20% Prophet. So the OB-X8 will please the purists - but the OB-6 is no second-rate version, it is actually better in some ways. But hey, you can't go wrong with either of them, they're both awesome - thanks for taking the time to make the vid.

[@kujumz806]

ob6 doesnt do the proper oberheim resonance. still great but doesnt do the tricks.

[@markus6409]

Really don't care about proper resonance behaviour. I also sended the obx8 back and kept the ob6.

[@hardcoreherbivore4730]

Great breakdown, for me the extra voices are exciting to me. The OB-X8 allows for sequencing two separate patches at once. Which basically eliminates the need for an additional synth, in my use case. To each their own, both are great synths.

[@kujumz806]

@@markus6409 yeah if youre not looking for the classic poly oberheim sound the ob6 is good on its own

[@BlackMan614]

Boomers need the OBX8. The rest of us... OB6.

[@asynchronicity]

My OB-6 desktop is one of those never gonna let go synths👍

[@eddievanheinous666]

Same here.

[@Matt4star]

I have an ob6 and I love it

[@bbarker78]

This video made it very clear for the OB-6, a complete, reasonably priced solution that covers nearly everything on the OB-X8 AND has awesome effects. If the question had been what do you want on the desert island rather than grab from the fire, it’s clear the OB6 wins.

[@carbonvibes]

OB-X8 all the way

[@googlingthevoid]

Had the OB-6 and sold it after the OB-X8 arrived on my doorstep. I did a thorough comparison for 30 days. The OB-6 is fantastic but the X8 is so damn regal and lush. It’s sound CANT be matched by any other analog poly currently on the market. I even sold my Prophet-10 shortly after. The X8 is my favorite analog poly synth currently in production.

[@kujumz806]

@@AlexandNevilleyikes

[@FakeGlasses]

Interesting. I tried the x8 in cme and was underwhelmed. Didn’t like needing a page 2 for a synth of that size and expense either. The p10 is a lot for just raw sound though. But kind of part of the deal to get ‘the classic’ as was. I have the p10 and ob6 module. No bad choices.

[@paulmapp8306]

@@AlexandNeville Decards dream is another I keep toying with - but again no FX which ALWAS puts me off as I bake FX in as PART of a patch not add after.

[@SPAZZOID100]

@@FakeGlassesPage 2 works fine.

[@kvmoore1]

I'm actually surprised you sold your Prophet 10 after getting the OB-X8. I'm actually hoping to get an OB-X8 one day to compliment my Prophet 10. They both sound immaculate to my ears. However, I can understand how one may be more of a preference to you than the other. One thing I will say is I also had a Prophet REV2 as well. After getting the Prophet 10 later, I decided to let go of the Prophet REV2. The pure raw tone of the Prophet 10 is on another whole level in comparison. Features aside, I like the raw tone and overall feel of the Prophet 10 better than the REV2. I think the OB-X8 would be a nice companion to the Prophet 10.

[@JeffPalmer83]

I have an OB-6 Desktop, so I’m perhaps partial to it, but the FX, particularly the chorus and DDL delay, are really useful, especially because I take my module as part of my rig to practice and gigs.

[@mick3950]

OB6

[@paulmapp8306]

After many many days of directly comparing them - and 2 years of owning the OB6 - I feel this TOTALLY comes down to where you playing - live or at home/studio. The OB8x is substantially different sounding in the flesh - its much more open and complex sounding BUt the filter doesn't close as much and the resonance isnt a aggressive (could be good, could be bad). BUT the 2 big things.... 1. the OBx8s page 2... its a bit of a workflow breaker. Yes its just one page, but the screen is so small and there are so many options it just breaks the knob per function, on the fly "playing" of the instrument. Bigger still, the OBx8s lack of any FX. At home or in a studio thats no problem - add in the box or from external processors when you record or play around. BUT live, you'd almost always want to bake FX into the tone - there PART of the sound you playing. I do play live, but not with the sequentials I own, I DO bake FX into my patches - so Im really in a 50/50. i definitely prefer the sound of the OBx8 and I have other synths with a VSF if I want that kind of tone with high filter cutoff (a 3rd wave and a polybrute) BUt the lack of FX even at home for me will be a PITA..... I do think Ill be swapping soon though now the desktop version of the OBx8 is out. I need to sell th eOB6 desktop first, and my next "in " is an osmose anyway - but after than I can see me changing.

[@SPAZZOID100]

I own both but barely have touched my OB6 since i got the OBX8.

[@Donetur]

Ob-x8 sounds better to me. Both are nice tho.

[@g3cd]

I tried out the OB-X8 and the Prophet-6 desktop at Superbooth 23 and while I was able to squeeze some weird stuff out of the Prophet 6 (with a layout and buttons very, very similar to the OB6), I had a harder time figuring out the OB-X8. Also it felt like the OB-X8 sounds more "tamed" and "grand", more like something Hans Zimmer would love, while the Prophet 6 comes pre-loaded with hundreds of House/Techno presets. So I bought the Prophet 6 in the end, but I'd really recommend to get your hands on them and try all of them out, including the Trigon, they're very different, both user interface- and sound-wise.

[@angeldc54]

I have the OB6. great synth Fabolous sounds. I'm not so crazy about the effects and less so about the overly complicated xmod section

[@adamchisum2150]

Your guys’ voices sound great

[@RayyMusik]

Have had the OB-6 for 3 years and the OB-X8 for a week. The OB-6 sounds very good and is easier to program, but it’s a Sequential synth with Oberheim oscillators and filters. The *OB-X8* is the real thing I dreamed of for 44 years! It can do things the OB-6 can only dream of. Another two remarks: 1. The positive flip side of the non-resonating filters: they don‘t kill bass frequencies when cranked up. 2. As much as I like Calc, he doesn‘t seem to know the Oberheims very well. Otherwise he had been sure about the sequence of the original releases and found the distortion on the OB-6.

[@vegettoblue8705]

Just like Steiner Parkers filters

[@kierenmoore3236]

I think Calc had only just moved across to Oberheim … he got it right, anyway …

[@markus6409]

The ob6 also has osc fm. Why he didn't mention that? The obx8 misses filter fm thats all.

[@peterkadarmusic9728]

One nice thing the OB-6 can do that the X8 cannot is sweep from LP-Notch-HP in real time, and be modulated. The X8 has discreet modes you have to switch to. The 6, for this and many other reasons (like FX), is capable of some amazing pads that the X8 can't do. If you need splits, layers, 8 voices and a screen, get the X8. If you can get by with 6 voices and monotimbral functionality, get the 6. FWIW, the 6 layers very nicely with the Polybrute - another excellent 6 voice synth.

[@peterkadarmusic9728]

Quite a difference with the Poly Mod. Makes me glad I own a 6. I still want an X8 at some point though.

[@christopherpederson1021]

ob-x8 is the most fun i have had on a synth in a long time. i could care less about switching to page 2. the envelopes are so punchy and the filter (s) sound beautiful. This thing excels at bass and bells and of course pads. The doubles are the fun time.

[@NullStaticVoid]

I've owned the OB6 keyboard since about a year after it came out. All I know is that I went into a Sam Ash music and tired out the OB6 next to Prophet 12 and Prophet 08 and it smoked both of those. I had actually been planning on getting the Prophet 12 based on features, but the OB6 just sounded 3 dimensional and real where the Prophets sounded like they could do a lot of cool modulations and effects, but were very flat and 2 dimensional. Similar to a Blofeld! (I love the Blofeld but its just not as big sounding) I do not see anything with the OBX8 that makes me want to spend that much more for it. The only thing I do not like about the OB6 is the single LFO. But then thats where the OBX8 lacks as well. The filter on the OB6 is great, the OSCs sound great. I rarely use the effect but there are some great modulation effects. The aftertouch control was something I did not notice if you 'touched' upon? That was a lot different for me than any other synth I own where you have to go into a menu to adjust aftertouch amount and target. So it's a huge feature for me. I actually bother to use aftertouch a lot now.

[@JonManness]

If I had to choose one, it'd be the Trigon-6. 😜

[@paulmapp8306]

That temps me too - and I have the OB6 and Prophet 6. I have a 3rd wave too though which has the P10 filters, and a digital VSF, so think th eT6 and OB8x might be a better paring with the 3W than my current P6 and OB6 (though Ive had them a while and the 3W not long).

[@skyko]

No, the Poly 61 🤣

[@SpacehotelMusic]

I had P6 and OB-6 and now have Trigon 6 which is the best of the 3 to me. Much deeper, more power and sounds great at both extremes of dark and light. It sits with my Prophet 10 R4 happily.

[@scottmcauleysounds]

OB6 does have distortion 👍

[@RayyMusik]

… which is awful, killing all high frequencies. Tom allegedly didn‘t want it while Dave did; so they hid it as a compromise.

[@scottmcauleysounds]

@@RayyMusik agreed, but sometimes top frequencies need calming so it is very useful for exactly that when needed :)

[@RayyMusik]

@@scottmcauleysoundsI admit to sometimes use it for that purpose when the low-pass filter is not active - with maximum value 3, though. I feel that it also reduces the pan spread.

[@jimlutz1290]

And the winner is 🎹 Oberheim OB-X8 ! ! ! I hope to get mine in Spring 2024 . . .

[@IanWaugh]

They;re like Smarties )(or M&Ms)... 😊

[@rubenzemog]

You look like guitarists reviewing synthesizers

[@tonyodoul5679]

rude guy.

[@adieuparis33]

J'ai les 2 .... impossible de mes séparer des 2 ;)

[@chrisstrobel3439]

Neither unless your playing with Prince or Van Halen tribute band 😉

[@JgHobley]

I wish I had the cash and talent....

[@nostandingonlydancin]

Gun to head, ob-6.

[@dukeofpearl]

ob6. All day long.

[@zachleetch8138]

The OB6 captures the spirit of the Oberheim sound in a wonderful way, but at the end of the day, it has its own unique character that sounds a bit more modern and aggressive. The OBX8 is a faithful recreation of its vintage predecessors intended to satisfy purists who’ve dreamt of owning a vintage Oberheim, but could never afford it. Personally, I like the raw tone of the OBX8 better-I think it has an edge there-but it’s highly frustrating that some of the BEST design choices of the OB6-it’s dedicated filter mode knob, immediate knob-per-function interface, polyphonic sequencer, and on-board effects-did not make it over to the OBX8! Oberheim said, “No, let’s not put anything that made the OB6 great into the OBX8. Absolutely not”. 😂

[@Michael-xp1fq]

I just chose the ob-6 keyboard because it was £1600 on ebay LOL

[@klstay]

Brands went with the 3320 back in the day because of inherent temperature stability. There is a good reason when Sequential did the OB-6 they went with a SEM design and not 3320 - the SOUND plus stability issues had long been worked out by then. Still, I cannot imagine buying either one given Nina is available around the same price. Yes, different filter and if I just had to have a SEM poly I would save up a bit longer for an Omega 8 long before getting either of these. In fact if I were going that route I MIGHT also pass on the Nina...

[@paulmapp8306]

Nina is great - but it doesnt sound as good as the price point would indicate. Those motorised knobs are great - but.... Ive ummed and arred for a ling time over nina. I have a P6 and OPB6 already so ended up with a 3rd wave.

[@klstay]

@@paulmapp8306 yeah 3rd Wave is the one of the other serious considerations if you have the budget for it. For those who keep a synth long term and spend a LOT of hours with it instantly seeing exactly what a mod source is doing and where patch parameters are set would become a big deal IMHO. On 3rd Wave the circuit drift feature seems underappreciated as part of why it sounds so good. If they do an 8 (or so) voice 2 part version (with poly AT keybed please) around $2k someday I will be all over it. Current model is worth the asking price, but not in my budget...

[@djkanyon]

OK i got it, Behringer UBXA is on it's way to the market so stores try to sell originals as fast as possible while they can.

[@tonyodoul5679]

shit synth

[@vaportrails7943]

The only people who like the OB-6 better are those who don’t want to spend more. Which is reasonable if you don’t need a real Oberheim. It’s good for a bit of the flavor. But the OB-X8 is legendary.

[@BaltimoreReese]

Yea that’s it.🥴

[@tonyodoul5679]

shut it snob

[@pttvgesoif]

First!

[@raymondo6665]

UB-Xa 👍👍👍

[@jfn467]

I will choose Behringer UB-Xa, could probably get 3 for the same money...

[@paulmapp8306]

This is an option if your budget it limited. Ive not heard it sound good enough to tempt me personally - but Im lucky not to have real financial barriers. I have a Prophet 6, and OB6, a 3d wave (more expensive than the OBx8), and a polybrute - AND several others.

[@Flashback_Jack]

Choose neither of them. Get the OB-E software synth which sounds basically indistinguishable from every hardware Oberheim synth. And it's endorsed by Oberheim himself.

[@Beinlausi]

I'll just wait for the Behringer. 🤷‍♂

[@runestone1337]

Them's fightin' words!

[@robertszordykowski4919]

Only 6 more years.

[@ChrisPBacon3000]

Then you'll have something that sounds like neither.

[@Beinlausi]

@@ChrisPBacon3000 We'll see. I'm happy with the ones I have.

[@ChrisPBacon3000]

@@Beinlausi Ignorance is bliss.

[@rwesreal]

Good lord! Too much talk!!

[@synthsamuraiproductions]

I’m UBXA for sure. 3 desktops for the price of OBX8. Whos with me? Behringer all the way

[@googlingthevoid]

Remind me again where we can order the UBXA desktop?

[@synthsamuraiproductions]

@@googlingthevoid its coming any day now….. any day lol. Soon real soon. 6yrs later….. any day now. 😥 🙏

[@googlingthevoid]

@@synthsamuraiproductionsI’m curious what the hang up is? They can’t blame the chip shortage as other companies are putting out way more complex gear. I’d love to mess around with a desktop unit.

[@synthsamuraiproductions]

@@googlingthevoid i dont know man. Maybe they waiting for xmas rush. Inwould love the desktop as well.

[@RayyMusik]

The OB-X8 is four synths in one box; the UB-Xa is just an OB-Xa clone. You‘ll miss the SEM filters with the Uliheim.

[@PsychologyAcademia]

The video upload that shows a £100 midi keyboard controlling synths priced several thousands of pounds. Congrats.

[@RayyMusik]

So what? It sends the same MIDI data resulting in the same sound.

[@dougie6897]

@@RayyMusikwould you demonstrate a Steinway Grand using two fingers and playing chop sticks? it’s the same sound… as you say

[@RayyMusik]

@@dougie6897 Yes ;p

[@paulmapp8306]

and? its the best way of taking a keyboard characteristics out of the equation when comparing two sound engines.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Too much talking. Not enough sounds.

[@JB-xz6dt]

Way too much talk guys, Jesus Christ

[@Station2Station-du2gh]

Why is Oberheim(Sequential) hiring this guy. They have a horrible track record on demonstrators. Stateside they have that Gary Basserman guy who couldn't tell you the difference between a Cm7 and a Cmaj to demonstrate their product. And Europe must get this equivalent guy. Nothing musical about this demonstration. Good players are everywhere. They should get Jack to cover Europe. It's ok to talk tech, but this guy sounds like he just read the manual and is spewing it..

[@Test-zv9ty]

I think when demonstrating a synth, both deep technical knowledge and the musical ability to make it sing are important. Different people do one or the other better, but you rarely find someone who can do both.

[@billybartcody3591]

Meanwhile, a desktop Pro3 would probably outsell both.

[@vaiman7777]

Highly doubt it, as the key is ranked 93 on Thomann. Long way from 31

[@billybartcody3591]

@@vaiman7777 because we're all waiting for the desktop version, haha. The keyboard eats up a lot of real estate for 3 voices, it would make more sense as a rackmount unit.

[@paulmapp8306]

doubt it. you cant compare monos and polys. Many people dont get on with monos. I had a Pro 3 for 18 months and loved its sound but it never got much playtime due to it being a Mono. Now a POLYPHONIC Pro 3 Im with you (PROPPER 6 voice, 3 Osc poly NOT paraphiliac) .

[@MrCowfood]

@@paulmapp8306isn’t that what the Trigon is? 3 osc, 6 voice, polyphonic. Not sure on its sales rank…

[@paulmapp8306]

@MrCowfood yes, but it doesn't sound like the Prologue 3. It doesn't have the sequencer modulation lanes. It doesn't have the 3 filters, it doesn't have the wavetBke oscillator, it doesn't have the 3 envelopes or 4 lfos...