The Oberheim OB-X (1979)

A look at the classic Oberheim OB-X synthesizer from 1979. Huge thanks to Steven R Sellick for the kind loan!
Check out Steven's track "Do Androids Dance to Electro Beat":
unts-untsplinksandplonks.band...
0:00 Intro
1:07 The Oberheim OB-X
1:30 Potted History
3:01 Demo 1
4:10 What's on an OB-X?
6:50 Demo 2
7:44 The Filter and Tom Sawyer
10:45 Demo 3
11:46 The Impact of the OB-X
13:19 Outro
Huge thank you to my Patreons.
/ alexballmusic

[@AlexBallMusic]

A correction: Several people have pointed out that Queen's "no synths!" comments were as much a defence of how they made their unique sounds (with practical miking and playing techniques) as they were saying that they didn't want synths.

[@EvilDragon666]

Yup, that's precisely it! They did rather crazy stuff in the studio...

[@mitchelstephen7536]

Hypocrisy, they made some really cool sounds on synths.

[@enforcerxr8848]

No synths at all until The Game in 1979. @@mitchelstephen7536

[@davidholloway3011]

Richard Barbieri is an absolute master with the OB-X the OB-Xa and the Prophet 5. And in my humble opinion doesn't get anywhere near the recognition he should. Shout out to you good sir.😀

[@ferccino]

Ah! The great song Som Tawyer from the band Crush, awesome recreation

[@AlexBallMusic]

😂

[@zackcolbourne6921]

Maybe next he'll do the music from The Shinning.

[@rachelar]

From "Pooving Mixtures" album?

[@RCAvhstape]

Rash covered it with an accordion and tuba.

[@activelow9297]

I like Crush, but honestly they only have one song. They just play different versions of it.

[@retrosound72]

Never heard of this synth. Thank you for showing

[@AlexBallMusic]

😂

[@Peter_S_]

🤣

[@MacXpert74]

😂

[@amonster8mymother]

😊

[@busyworksbeats]

I will never forget playing the OBX and it made a sound I’ve never heard before. Was like an extremely detuned brass but it was insane how other-worldly it was.

[@chibacityblues2003]

I love how you snuck The Beatles into that artist roll at the end. They truly were pioneers, making use of a synth that wouldn’t be out till 10 years after they broke up.

[@AlexBallMusic]

They used it on "Free as a bird" in 1995.

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

I was fortunate enough to buy an OBX back in 1996 for $600. With out sounding hyperbolic it completely change my life.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Xellent.

[@x0d-live]

I also found one super cheap back around '96 and really regret selling it (along with a few other classics)

[@tomahzo]

Cue 2:46 ;D@@AlexBallMusic

[@tomahzo]

And that probably wasn't as dirt cheap as you COULD'VE gotten it back in those days. The analog dark ages. Oh to have a time machine and go back and buy a truckload of old classics for third-digit amounts ;).

[@jeffjfindley4802]

Don't take this the wrong way, but I hate you. LOL -- kidding. But OMG

[@WillieWonka928D]

It was actually Geddy Lee/Rush's use of the OB-X that started my love affair of synthesizers. Tom Sawyer is iconic but what really did it for me was the OB-X pad sound front and center on Subdivisions (my all time favorite song). Signals is chock-full of great OB-X (and OB-Xa) sounds. Some other of my favorite OB-X moments being the pads on Chemistry, the soft sequence on Losing It, and the ass kicking brass on Countdown. Ah, great stuff.

[@evinlambert736]

Exactly the same experience for me. I squinted at that B&W picture in the liner notes of Moving Pictures to barely see what word was etched on the right side of that synthesizer, all with Geddy's flowing hair and witch-like nasal protuberance guarding the closely kept secret of sonic joy. I was hooked and an Oberheim guy forever

[@ramonrojasalmuzara290]

same here, Subdivisions was an epiphany in my then dawning love affair with synths and has remained a favourite ever since

[@Kaffimusic]

Phew, the first song came in a Rush.

[@thereisnodarkside]

Better let Tom Sawyer know!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thought I'd inject some life, son.

[@paulinfrancis]

Bummer, you beat me to it 😂

[@AnnaDavidMerz]

Tom sawyer coming 😉

[@Kaffimusic]

@@AlexBallMusic Uhmm, thanks Papa. I mean... dad.

[@SylphDS]

Demo 3 is a banger! You should make a full length version and release it on its own.

[@adpitts1]

Absolutely need the song as a complete track.

[@jordanrattanavong2655]

The OBX-D is a wonderful free emulation as well and it just got a great update. It’s such a good plugin.

[@michaelfeiner]

One of best sounding synths ever! Big love for Oberheim!

[@questorc]

ok im paying attention that big synth note in the start is magical

[@kevinryan8538]

Alex, to put it mildly, YOU ARE A TREASURE! Please NEVER STOP! ❤

[@fallingmanuk]

Any video that begins with THAT sound and has one of your fab songs on it just makes my day!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers!

[@PCoyte]

The synth sounds on Tin Drum are some of the best I've ever heard and I wondered at the time why I couldn't get them on my Jupiter 6...

[@Zwopper]

The most amazing sounding Oberheim of them all, to my ears. Closely followed by the Matrix-12, again, to my ears.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Would LOVE a go on a Matrix-12.

[@darkcharles7472]

Have you heard the br0wn hatter?

[@MrJC1]

That could be true... to my ears.

[@Zwopper]

@@MrJC1 Well you know, the internet... 😁 One better be obvious with subjective stuff. 😁

[@dms8504]

The Xpander is the best for me.

[@alfish18]

I'm Geddy with excitement.

[@NickOleksiakMusic]

It brings me Life, son!

[@kabongpope]

Perfect timing, I'm off to see Geddy Lee tonight! :D

[@johanboberg]

Great outro, chewy harmonies. I love the Death Star aesthetics, glad they brought that over to the OB-X8.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Death Star! That's what it reminded me of.

[@masonx3376]

OH BOY ITS OBERHEIM TIME

[@leftovernoise]

Obertime

[@masonx3376]

@@leftovernoisethought about that the second i left a comment..

[@SynthgodXXX]

The 'Oh My Gawd' synth for sure! Great video!!!

[@XavierRadix]

So lush! So phat! It just has THAT Oberheim sound, that only the Oberheim's can do... Incredible unit. Also glad you mentioned Mr. Barbieri as is was indeed a master at this instrument. Tin Drum has this and the Prophet 5 all over it!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yep, really glad to tick this one off the list. I knew what it sounded like before I pressed a key and that says a lot. 😍

[@furiobisotti8150]

I was sure Barbieri made that metallic sounds with Prophet. Nice to learn more from an expert

[@AlexBallMusic]

@furiobisotti8150 Definitely used the Prophet a lot too, absolutely.

[@evinlambert736]

I will admit, this is the one video where I honestly felt inward loss at the realization that it was coming to an end. And Alex your final closing track did indeed drive the stake further in with your strategic melancholy that I can only assume was poignantly planned. Please my variably filtered friend, oscillate for longer next time you do a video on this beast... so temperamental, so earthy, not an ounce of abstract, nor a pound of pretense...THIS marvelous miracle of Methuselah is literally IN YOUR FACE. Just like that addictive relationship that is so rewarding, yet you know is inherently unhealthy for you.

[@johnsabal777]

Demo 3 !💙"Know that I'm with you, come wind or rain" is astonishingly poignant. I'll echo the other comments wondering if there's more song with that fantastic chorus hook. The G# melody note making the IV a major 7th chord (w/ those vocal harmonies) gets me right in my wistful heart.

[@markkusmierz3756]

Awesome! Love the "Don't Cry" Song.That should be on the Radio.

[@christopherhammell9904]

Always love your videos. Keep them coming. When specifically back to watch this one.

[@EdgyNumber1]

No matter what you do to hi-filters and reso, you cannot kill the bass at all on these. Always maintains its bass clarity, no matter what.

[@grogboggoth]

Demo 3 is almost the quintessential Alex Ball song. I love it. Just perfect!

[@NatLifeSounds]

Just finished a soundbank for it's VST clone by GForce, it sounds so close. Amazing to listen more information about this beautifull instrument

[@rologreen5742]

Demo 3 has to go on the next album Alex, a real beauty ❤

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Something about Oberheims just speaks to my soul. And who better to demo the (imho) greatest Oberheim synth than Alex Ball! Great video man.

[@skyrocketautomotive]

Brother, I'm supposed to be doing invoices. I need to pay my rent. Why you gotta do me this way?! Oh well, the office is shut, I can spend 15 minutes basking in Oberheim glory :D

[@AlexBallMusic]

Put down the invoices and delay the rent. There's an Oberheim here.

[@skyrocketautomotive]

@@AlexBallMusic that was well worth it, my god does the resonance work beautifully on that old beast!

[@sedumjp]

Not sure I can pin it down rationally, but this synth sounds awesome, every single note you played on it sounded amazing. As usual another outstanding video from the daddy of KZbin Synth nerds. A music lesson, a history lesson and an electronics lesson wrapped up in a splendid package.

[@adamharris7775]

The Oberheim OB-X was heard in the song "Ladies' Night" (1979).

[@SPAZZOID100]

Not much synth on that.

[@budgetkeyboardist]

An amazing synth to be sure. The opening of Tom Sawyer might be one of the coolest synth parts ever... and it's only one note. Amazing.

[@maxir4k]

Not only an already amazing video for an amazing synth, but also Seru Giran is mentioned. Hell yeah!!

[@kaitlyn__L]

Also, this transition-phase design (between all off-white like the 2/4/8-voice, and all black and blue like later synths) is really appealing to me. It's clearly still designed to look and feel like you've got a bunch of modules in a case, even though it's just one panel.

[@davidaubespin4587]

Wait whaaaaaat???? Can you make a longer version of Demo 3 plllleeeeeaaaase? So uplifting early 90s feeling! Love it.

[@reidhauke3389]

Holy crap, I've spoken to Steven a few times on a nerdy synth meetup. He's a great guy - now with a great synth.

[@AlexBallMusic]

He's a good guy, yeah.

[@Scodiddly]

I don't always watch an Alex Ball video about the OB-X, but when I do so do my neighbors. Seriously, take a moment to put on the Big Speakers for this one.

[@adam872]

The OB-X has always been one of my favourite synths, right from when I heard The Game back in 1980. Years later I became a fan of Rush and when I heard that opening bass sound on Tom Sawyer I fell in love all over again. What a beast.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Don’t forget “Flash Gordon” which was actually recorded before “The Game”.

[@adam872]

@@SPAZZOID100 yeah fair. I heard The Game before I saw Flash though.

[@inchoate]

I have *that* OB-X in for restoration right now. When it's back I'll get the Tom Sawyer patch into it and figure out how to share it around here

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ah great, hope the restoration goes well. I've multi sampled the Sawyer patch and it's going on Patreon today, funnily enough.

[@dankeplace]

Pretty sure this is what was used on Flash Gordon with Queen. Lovely machine, lovely sounds, lovely price that I could never afford. Thx for the memories Alex.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes indeed! I discussed the Queen / OB-X relationship right at the end of the video. It was the synth that turned them to the dark side.

[@entropybentwhistle]

@@AlexBallMusicBefore the OB-X8 came out, my Oberheim sound go-to was Sonic Projects’ OP-X Pro II. It’s great fun to scroll through the banks of famous sounds in their sound banks, especially all the patches from Queen. Playing little bits of Queen songs with that software would aways perk up people’s attention.

[@puffjocktaffer]

Forget the OB-X, I want to hear the Polymoog that’s lurking in the background. Pretty please. Yes, I’m begging.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Fear not my synthy friend, that will get a sexy video. A sexy video indeed...

[@labouch]

@@AlexBallMusicI have a 280 with Pedals if you want to include that too. I’m not far from you.

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@labouch 👀

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@labouch How do I contact you?

[@labouch]

@@AlexBallMusic I’ll FB you. We have a couple of mutual friends.

[@StolTechInc]

Speaking words of wisdom, Geddy Leee-eee..

[@user-ql1pc7pi9x]

My dream synth. The reissue sounds identical. I love me some Rush. Geddy Lee incorporated synths into their sound beautifully (Xanadu, Subdivisions, The Camera Eye, etc).

[@djmastergroove946]

Brilliant Alex. I always look forward to hearing you play these incredible sounds. Beautiful synth! 😍

[@amazingmono]

Amazing as always, thank you Alex!

[@hammondeggsmusic]

Heh on the back of Larry Fast (Synergy)’s first album, he had “And nobody played guitar” as a response - with “and still no guitars” on the 2nd album. On the 3rd album with the guitar synth they had “and finally guitars… sort of” heh.

[@chriszanf]

yes, but did he play Sun City despite everyone asking not to?

[@polydata]

Fantastic, and nice Barbieri jam!

[@obwanz1921]

@AlexBallMusic Many thanks for this fantastic video! Especially loved the Xmod examples. Love the clangorous tones. Also, thanks for the GForce OBX comparison. Wonderful compositions and vocals as well. Cheers!

[@GuidoGautsch]

4000 views, 1.1K likes...that's one helluva ratio there, Mr Ball 😮 Watching it now, I can see why - great stuff. That synth's as old as I am!

[@oscar_charlie]

It's amazing how certain sounds are instantly recognizable. I was expecting more than a couple Rushed notes in the begining.

[@cerebralkaos2385]

Alex, I always look forward to your reviews. Yet another sterling effort!

[@jeffjfindley4802]

Alex, your channel is just as lovely a thing as I can find nowadays. Bravo, and don't you go a-changin'!

[@evanglicanism]

Loved your demos implementing the glory of these oscillators - also very much enjoyed your new album!

[@DoctorJasonWilson]

Your videos are a joy Alex, keep it up

[@thefool2007]

Wow what treat this was to listen to. Excellent all around. Love your videos! Impressive how advanced this was for 1979. OMG that filter.

[@skoocha]

Wonderful as usual, the right balance of everything, learned a thing or two, and got so nicely entertained along the way, Extra special mention to the sheer musicality !

[@AdamBorseti]

Fantastic video Alex!

[@carriersignal]

As usual, another great video! Love the OB-X. Thanks!

[@Musikkeller-Innsider]

Gorgeous synth, gorgeous demos!

[@PeranMe]

Man, I live your tight vocal harmonies. You’re the best!

[@ianwynne764]

Hello Alex: The list of all of the people/bands who have used this synth is amazing. Thank you for jogging my memory on David Sanborn. His concert in Budapest in 2015 is on KZbin and it's wonderful. Have a wonderful weekend.

[@co.agmusic]

I was waiting for Gary Numan to start saying on that 1st Track

[@moonkeele]

A few years after Queen's, No Synthesizers comment, the Human League responded by putting a No Guitars message on theirs.

[@Flat8G]

Ohh, fantastic demo as always!! That filter sweep! Might need to pre-order one of them new clones now! 😍

[@rickkearn7100]

I eschewed the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 in favor of and OBXa and never regretted it. Fattest analog synth I have ever heard or played or owned. Top shelf.

[@thebreathalyzer]

Another wonderful video!!! Lovely bit at the end.

[@zoartis]

All your videos are of high quality, interesting and informative. The demos are also very good!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@renemunkthalund3581]

Sounds ridiculously good. Solid demos and jolly fun.

[@amonster8mymother]

I first heard that sound in high school in 1984.

[@synthfellow]

Lovely! Thank you for a great demo! ❤

[@DavidLee07]

The metallic Demo 2 at 6:50 is absolutely killer! Great stuff, Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers!

[@palindrone]

yeah, this one is 🔥

[@flomojo2u]

Alex, you have such an amazing sound and always manage to make these classic synths shine! Love your work, too bad you had to send the Ob-X on its way.

[@benoftroy]

Brilliant as ever. Thanks Alex!

[@martinlubitz3171]

Thanks Alex for the wonderful video🙏🤩👊

[@PATRIK67KALLBACK]

Great video Alex!

[@kerzwhile]

This was absolutely wonderful!! ❤

[@EvilDragon666]

"Ooooh? Teeroo!" killed me 😂

[@richardalldredge9129]

I made a patch of “that sound” with the arturia SEM and honestly it made me fall in love with the synth. Little bit of stereo delay with modulated filter sweeps, and you get magical and atmospheric sounds all day.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Excellent. 😀

[@prosaschleuder]

I had a good chuckle both at the basket and the Mercury jokes (no spoilers!)

[@The.Last.Guitar.Hero.]

Loved Ultravox's use of this synth. That synth still sounds like the future its gorgeous sounding

[@mikemorrisonmusic]

Man oh man, one of my all time favorite synths!!

[@ISLAInstruments]

Wonderful video mate, you’re such a treasure! Gotta get mine finished. I have an sx here too. Thanks for the cameo! ❤

[@AlexBallMusic]

Hey Brad! Yeah, worth restoring. The SX is really weird. I played one recently.

[@johnroynon9784]

Fantastic video as always. Thank you in particular for mentioning Richard Barbieri. Criminally underrated and a true pioneer of synth programming. Whenever Oberheim is mentioned, the automatic reference is Van Halen. But for me, it will always be Japan and Barbieri. I saw their last tour at the Bristol Colston Hall back in the day... Would love to see you do a feature on his work and the unique sounds achieved by Japan.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Synth hero for sure. Really interesting and unique sounds. My ultimate goal is to figure out that mad patch at the start of Ghosts, but even Richard can't recall how on earth it was done.

[@crnkmnky]

🎶 "Still Life in Mobile Homes" came on my MP3 player the other night. 😍

[@ymmv99]

@@AlexBallMusic Invite him on the show! Interviews with these synth pioneers would be so interesting!

[@stevefranklin5714]

Love your videos Alex

[@reddragonrespect]

one moment I had impression that you would play Tom Sawyer. Great tool. great work!

[@soepil]

So great that The Beatles got to beta-test this synth some 10 years before it's release ... :) Great video, thanks.

[@AlexBallMusic]

I was waiting for this comment! Free as a bird - 1995. Nearly twenty years _after_ it was released. 😀

[@vinylarchaeologist]

@@AlexBallMusic😮

[@activelow9297]

Well, the synth came out in 1979, and John Lennon didn't get wasted until 1980.. so in theory they could have used it for that 1 year period.

[@SPAZZOID100]

????

[@jameslehmann3598]

Entertaining, informative and well-balanced overview of an absolute classic. That poly S&H sounds so sweet! I wonder how many of these are left in the wild in good working condition like this one? Like you, I think I might have to be 'away from the office' when the delivery guy calls to take it away! 😬

[@carlosserrano3985]

Great video as always. COMING SOON, THE POLYMOOG, STAY TUNED!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Indeed!

[@simonhodgetts6530]

My word. I’m undone. I think I’ve had a synthgasm! What a fantastic piece of kit - but I’ve always been a fan of Oberheim!

[@jonhollinsworth8785]

That’s a beautiful sounding instrument, the Japanese style demo was so good! Will have to try the vst. Thank you

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers! Yep, the plugin is very much worth the time.

[@piggosalternateaccount4917]

The "obe-eggs in one basket" cutaway made me laugh like i did at the old Family Guy cutaways

[@vaiman7777]

Awesome stuff man, love your videos. Have you ever done a video on how you 'do your videos'? I think people would be interested, especially the jams

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers! Never done a behind-the-scenes. Might be a bit niche perhaps, but I'll consider it.

[@vaiman7777]

@@AlexBallMusic Yeah maybe, but we all know geeky synth dudes love a good rummage behind others desks :)

[@philippendletonmusic]

What a synth! Really enjoyed the metallic exploration.

[@vco8450]

One of the best uses of this thing is ELO's Twilight and Prince's Controversy

[@donmorton7282]

Amazing and classic vintage sound. Phenomenal

[@gionspenzers]

This is one of the synth (along with the Jupiter-8) that brought me to the synth world and it made me interested on synthesisers. And the reason is because of Queen! When I learned that they used this synth on The Game, it made me curious on what is an Oberheim and here I am listening to synth music. Great video