Dave Smith Instruments OB6 Desktop Poly Synth - SonicLAB Review

[@NelsonGuised]

Do you hear that? It's the sound of my wallet sobbing quietly in the night.

[@stocchinet]

It's like a thousand wallets screaming all togheter

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

NelsonGuise its alright its better than spending $2300.00 on golf clubs.

[@andyq9669]

Mr. Irrelevant brilliant. I'm going with that justification.

[@MrQmason]

LOL

[@michaelgranger9139]

hahaha I know!! This acquisition is non-negotiable my friend.

[@muleFUEL1]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1099">18:19</a> the overdrive face I'm sure everyone's made that face at some point

[@devmiles]

lol, i can totally relate

[@BlatendCrude]

Yes I make that face on the toilet.

[@electroteque]

hahaha I see it.

[@graphene1487]

Spot on. The only true Oh Face.

[@tjs6025]

That is the face of a man doing what he loves to do. Think about it.

[@AveMcree]

this thing is flat out amazing

[@davebellamy4867]

I agree. Tom and Dave.

[@synth4ever]

Dave and Tom really outdid themselves with this synth, it is a future classic no doubt. There is something intangible in the sound that makes it feel so alive, compared to a lot of others on the market both past and present. The SEM filter is unmistakable and contributes so much... OB6 is truly an amazing piece of kit, well worth the accolades and praise IMO.

[@TheJonHolstein]

I'm not sure it will be a future classic. There are too many things that could be imrpoved. If it was a limited series productions with guarantees of no future collaborations, well then perhaps, yes. Or if the hardware hype suddenly goes completely dead (there is a risk, as some makers, don't do enough with their hardware to convince the market that hardware has a lot of advantages over software). It seems like a great synth. From this video and the time I played with one. I would love to have one. But I'm afraid there will be a second generation, or another kind of product that outdoes this one. Just adding one more LFO, so you don't have to give up one VCO for the tasks of a 2nd LFO. Or even more better, a third osc, that is the modulation OSC, making the 2nd a normal VCO, but allowing for 3 OSC poly sounds as well.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Jon Holstein ????

[@IoannisKazlaris]

From <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="494">08:14</a> - <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="510">08:30</a> sounds divine, that resonance is so beautiful and familiar

[@SjN7HETIK]

U my friend are absolutely right. TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU, that pad sound, that awesome pad sound, almost made me cry...

[@xavierstg8753]

@@SjN7HETIK made you cry??? Lmfao what a pussy

[@cortical1]

@@xavierstg8753 Well, he is a cat, so...

[@blakecasimir]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1120">18:40</a> is excellent, and makes me really sad that I'll miss out on seeing Nick live at the Railway. :( Nick, you get some incredible sounds out of every synth and this is no exception. And the end jam: Nick, release an album already darnit! :D

[@espacemaxim]

Love the old school radio clock Lcd on these, simple and stylish

[@CausaliDox]

I am so completely and utterly in love with this synth. It's gonna break the bank, but I'm getting this next year. Thanks so much Nick, I've been waiting for you to review this and you did not disappoint! :)

[@cortical1]

Did you get one? Do you love it as much as you'd hoped?

[@CausaliDox]

@@cortical1 I did. And I do.

[@cortical1]

@@CausaliDox Excellent.

[@michaeltechbytes]

The outro tune you play is just fantastic, would have loved to hear more. RAW and deep tones.

[@inthefade]

It is really amazing sounding. Shocking how good it is.

[@channelkerr]

Headphones required at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="461">7:41</a> ! Amazing!

[@davebellamy4867]

I think the OB-6 is just an astoundingly beautiful sounding synth. Evry time I hear a demo there is a sound that blows me away - and sometimes several.

[@kiickinballistics]

20:13 is why I finally got an OB-6 desktop. It is amazing 🤩

[@DEADLINETV]

You know it's a good synth when even the quirky sounds sound gorgeous...

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

Nick your Sonic Labs have come a long way, keep up the great work.

[@uirehuigedkahds]

Holy crap this thing sounds magnificent. BRB selling my organs

[@fortheloveofnoise]

@Jack Schitt My girl would like that one.

[@lying-dalai]

Thanks a lot Nick, I really love the way you bring the better of a synth, while not forgetting the limitations...Your reviews are positive, constructive... But overall they are a very enjoyable musical moments, candys for synth heads :DA real pleasure, frankly. Now these sounds... Comfort me in the position where I should sell some gear to get an OB-6.

[@danieljones-tg9oe]

The OB 6 is by far the most beautiful sounding synth.

[@rain_irl6460]

been waiting eagerly for this review....thanks a million nick

[@neanderthalboneflute6519]

It's that sound isn't it. The sound of my credit card straining.

[@liverawkstar]

It's so incredibly beautiful. Of course, listen in headphones😜

[@Wazoox]

Oh good jeebus in velvet pants, this machine sounds awesomely marvelous.

[@krystiandobkowski5321]

Sounds like a nice Boards of Canada sound design toolbox :)

[@xntricity6446]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1130">18:50</a> distortion is amazing omg

[@kierenmoore3236]

Resonance - filter and phaser

[@unofsnd]

Never knew Mr. Batt to be a Japan fan. You learn something new every day! :-)

[@junglsmor]

i used to watch these videos knowing nothing about synthesis and loving the sounds but like listening to a foriegn language and now ive come back to this after getting into synths and im actually understanding most of what youre talking about lol

[@JBrm]

Came back here 7 years later after watching the TEO-5 video. The OB-6 has it beaten in the sound-department by miles - and this review was done BEFORE the vintage knob update!

[@embodie_breaks7089]

I was just thinking this. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like the OB-6 sounds more 3d, more Dynamic and sorta like it has more room to Breathe. All good though. I could see why someone wants a TEO-5.

[@fuzzjohn]

SEM filter = Nostalgia Generator

[@sonicstate]

yeah its true

[@AlainRaes67]

lovely bit of Japan tin drum in your playing :)

[@hostnik777]

Haha, sorta... a little too detuned and closed filtered... or something.

[@Initial_Gain]

The OB6 has 1000 programs not 999. You have to add the 000 patch as well. Thank you for the review. I bought the desktop version and am very glad I did it sounds fantastic. 🇲🇹

[@OscillatorCollective]

These tones literally bring me to tears… When I think of what a “synthesizer sounds like”…I think Sequential and OBERHIEM. Both those tones are attached to my SOUL. Seriously, pure ASMR affects and really only OBERHIEM, SEQUENTIAL, KORG, YAMAHA CS, MOOG, ARP and PPG do that.

[@ledheavy26]

I wasn't too excited about this synth when I looked at the features. Especially when compared to the mopho I have with its long list of features. But man, that first sequence you played made me make an audible "uuuuunnnnnnnnngggg", it sounds beautiful. Thanks Nick for making me want one now, you have a knack for that.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Boo Radely it's about sound. Not features.

[@ledheavy26]

I know that. But features also aid in sound development and add to the overall value of a synth, especially one costing a fair chunk of change.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Boo Radely did not help the mopho. Especially with it’s crippled interface. The ob6 is fantastic.

[@foggydrifty]

You can hear the enchantment right off the bat. Damn... Serious vibe on this thing.

[@frankforest2733]

Great review, beautiful sounding synth.

[@jasonm2279]

That patch with the phaser sounds remarkable. so much to the sound. And Nick you've also disproved your weekly downplay of your musical ability. Those melodic lines are pretty sweet. Thanks again Nick

[@cammy1273]

Thing sounds incredible!

[@tekis0]

Oberheim sounds so, so good! I always loved them and they seem to be making the real deal again.

[@lauriliinat7262]

Stunningly beautiful-sounding poly. Quite versatile, too. Keep those great reviews coming!

[@MentalFrizbee]

Yes!! A proper modern instant classic synth!! Fantastic!!! Great review Nick!

[@sear2558]

ugh i come back to this review all the time for that opening song. those 2 chords starting at 18. sweet jesus

[@xisotopex]

love your analogy of the battery radio.... it brings me back to hear certain sounds... boards of canada does that to me also takes me back to being a small child in the '70s

[@LordoftheBadgers]

I think of a heady mix of bakelite valves and dusty electronics... And a burgundy colour somehow when I think of old synth music. I know they weren't oberheim acts but people like ultravox or Thomas dolby. Good time to be into music it was back then. Sat waiting patiently for the postie with my ob desktop...

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

The filters are great, but I think many people dont realize how much the character of the incoming signal has, even the difference between different VCO's, these ones have a lovely and useful character to them, as does the Prophet with its own flavor VCOs

[@euroDIGLET]

Its gotta be one of the best sounding synthesizers on the market

[@gillsgills]

man that guy kills it every time

[@tehJoe11]

Jeez, from about <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="470">7:50</a> onwards, just incredible sounds.

[@LesterH25]

Joe Wilcox yes absolute quality.

[@dreamervision5169]

Man, that intro is good.

[@jerbusf]

Really, really wonderful breakdown. You are very good at what you do, my man. Thank you.

[@st0rmchild]

Hello and welcome to another episode of Nick Sells Me A Synth.

[@Chevytravelleruk]

That machine really does sound totally Oberheim.. Magical Sounds Great review Nick!

[@KeithCanisius]

That intro is just lovely

[@vibereflection226]

The end of this video make me cry ;-) , beautiful sounds in deed.

[@EwaldK]

Great demo. own the OB-6 and this demo actually showed my quite some tricks I wasn't aware that the OB-6 could do (distortion, chord unsion)

[@paulf9814]

I have the keyboard version and love it, it compliments the P6 very well!

[@TheParanoidAndroid79]

Sweet fancy Moses. Now that's a nice-sounding synth.

[@corncobjohnsonreal]

is your shirt a magic eye? I can kinda see a boat

[@montazownianr1]

So you don't see "OBEY", "BUY IT" ?

[@daniyalahmed97]

Must be the trip bruh

[@noiselabproject9659]

Just revisited this review, fantastic. 5 odd years later and I really want one now in my setup. I have some now unused synths like rack mounted Supernova 2 and a Nord Rack 2x to sell which should go much of the way to paying for one of these and so finally I can afford/justify getting one, yeahy

[@Jkeane1337]

absolute nostalgia machine, very happy with mine. great playing mr. batt, your keyboard skills are improving quite a lot.

[@dannypqliar8763]

I am SO GETTING a DSI instead of a Moog when I have the cash.

[@station2station544]

that like saying "Im only eating salty snacks the rest of my life. Never sweet again." " YOU NEED BOTH. :)"

[@edjwise]

Did you ever get one?

[@Nonpartisanmusic]

@@edjwise he's still saving up lol

[@2112jonr]

He's too busy enjoying it to reply.

[@tommychappell6359]

What's a dsi?

[@profoundisstereotactic835]

The talking sound at the end is just beautiful , I guess better start saving for this one hehe Thanks!!!

[@SjN7HETIK]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="607">10:07</a> 'it just sounds WONDERFUL.' Yes my friend, u put the soul in your review and we see and like it. Nick, thanx for being... Nick. I hope one day I'll shake your hand.

[@john9291]

I decided to buy one after I heard the X-Mod demo at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="900">15:00</a>, just soo dreamy. Should arrive in 3 weeks!

[@phatjayg]

Why do i keep coming back to this vid? is it the synth or is it something else? After all the modular gear, i keep coming back to this, "and that's just one of those things" isn't it.

[@st0rmchild]

I must have watched this at least a dozen times. Was only a matter of time before I caved in and bought one. It's coming next week.

[@WillieG1016]

Stormchild I agonized over this purchase for a while and just got mine last week! Used, but for 2 grand, with the keys, so worth it to me

[@st0rmchild]

@@WillieG1016 Assuming it's in good condition, that's a great deal. Enjoy!

[@WillieG1016]

Stormchild mint in box! Locally too so no taxes or shipping. It’s a lovely synth.

[@CaidicusProductions]

Sounds epic. Great review Nick... as always.

[@CaidicusProductions]

"It's unipolar and bipolar" - Nick. So, sometimes it sounds amazing, and sometimes it can hardly even get out of bed. ;P

[@gabrielmanzanedo]

Great one, Nick!

[@UTSONUT]

@ <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1110">18:30</a> = nick plays a patch he made = beautiful warm OB magic = soundgasm wicked stuff Nick! you da man!

[@maxmatson1578]

Mad props👌 for mentioning "John Carpenter". My favorite director of all time!

[@thedarkestrainbow]

it sounds just so darn beautiful

[@greatlakestrader]

brilliant review!! Thank you for taking the time to show all the subtle beauty of these instruments.

[@vmitchell1131]

I'm only 10 minutes in and I'm just stunned by this thing's sound. Like, I'd get lost for hours in this thing. Daily.

[@vmitchell1131]

Wow. Seriously just blown away. I just had to comment because this synth is truly special. It's just beautiful, regardless of any nostalgia factor.

[@motherbrain2000]

Nick I return to this video for the music! Gorgeous stuff. I've even tried to recreate the patch (not even close!).

[@motherbrain2000]

the opening music is what I'm refering to but it's all good

[@LesterH25]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="462">7:42</a> Can’t get enough of this section

[@SoundsandImages]

Great review and sound run through Nick, seems quite a beast. Had often wondered why no Dave Smith reviews.. Maybe we could have your touch on some of the other products.

[@sonicstate]

its not by design, its because historically its been hard to get hold of review units in the UK, everything gets sold...

[@SoundsandImages]

That is a bit of a bugger! Seems DSI is rather popular. Good to see one in your hands as you have a great way of explaining things and that makes all the difference.

[@Soykuya1]

sonicstate wish you review the p6,pro2, and the p12, the ob6 just has a magical sound along with the p6

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

He reviewed the Tempest I remember because he had a really funky song started with that thing.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Great great review Sonicstate , in my opinion id have the sem filter over most filters anyday its so intrestingly versatile. Gorgeous is an understatement !!!

[@gojifan96]

That filter, in the words of the late, great Bill Paxton, "makes you want to stand up and beg for buttermilk!"

[@mooster808]

Your video really helped me understand how to fly the spaceship when it came in! I’m loving it! Mahalo from Hawai’i

[@justanaverageperson544]

That outro was spectacular.

[@robyoink]

This is the dream, right here.

[@biegalex]

what a wonder piece of gear wow, that sound.

[@simplestickman5513]

incredible sounding sinth

[@Rgdonaire_07]

All your patches are brilliant....

[@MarctheDarc]

Great video, and amazing synth! Possibly my favorite sounding synth on the market. Currently testing and recording a Roland System 500, which is almost the same price, and an awesome synth in its own right. But I know what I'd get for my own money - if I had that much money.

[@jutjup4731]

I want that so badly! Thanks for the fantastic review

[@JulesFox]

great review... spelt out the pros and cons and the sweetness of this synth.

[@BiGreDNoSecoMpAny]

Great review, really enjoyed watching this one!

[@LFOVCF]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1135">18:55</a> wow Nick, that's a stirring piece with that patch. I imagined Gary Numan singing over that!

[@TherapyHiccup]

that is gorgeous

[@robertsyrett1992]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="193">3:13</a> "Basic sauce tooth." Don't deny it, you left that in on purpose.

[@ForbiddenDuke]

Robert Syrett I liked that too :-)

[@JulesFox]

Kyle Scotese I liked the "pedestrian pad"

[@nyallwarner4599]

😂😂😂 I'm dying!

[@christopherthomasrichardso9014]

Sing song harmonics

[@almightyEsquilax]

I heard "saw's tooth"

[@chizmo7]

As a former owner of an Oberheim Four Voice, I am here to say to those that always wanted one: BUY an OB6.

[@Bendy2K]

Why hasn't Nick reviewed the Prophet 6 yet? So many people are finding it hard to choose between the two - it would be so useful!

[@SpacehotelMusic]

I've had both and 'easily' choose the OB-6 (sold the Prophet)

[@OrlandoDCaros]

Quite common to hear people will choose the OB6 over the Prophet. For me, the OB6 would be the choice too. Great character and the OB filter sweeps sound really sweet.

[@rhampton1914]

Wow, i must get one of these....This is really a great sounding Synth...i like everything about it..

[@wavesequencer]

lovely.. much warmer sounding than the P6.

[@pazhonda1821]

Ok, I don't think I need to watch this video again. The search for my next synth is officially OVER!

[@danwentz]

Chord memory is very cool to have, and the only synth I've ever owned that has that feature is the Memorymoog

[@fedesartorio]

After watching this video about 20 times in the past few years, I finally pulled the trigger and ordered one! Can’t wait for it to arrive! I hold Nick Batt responsible for me eating only potatoes for a few months.

[@gpeioarngo]

Very interesting review, informative and clear. I like it how you did it. Thank you!

[@cray56]

I love my Oberheim Xpander but it was forever having to get fixed.

[@legitimatefrenzy]

I've never heard someone describe a pad as fairly pedestrian hahaha I love this channel

[@Psychlist1972]

Nice review and some beautiful sounds.

[@MisterNiles]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="940">15:40</a> I immediately thought: "where's Mick Karn?" Then I got exactly what I thought was coming. Canton. Amazing synth. Wonderfully done review. I guess my modular addiction will have to take some time in rehab. Thanks.

[@cresshead]

do all the controls respond to midi CC commands?

[@electroteque]

This is a thing of beauty. Heaven. I'll never get my hands on a keyboard but happy to compromise with this ! This is medicine. that sound !

[@skyreadersociety6183]

thanks for the "tin drum" quote