New Brainwerx bx_oberhausen - Poly Oberheim SEM Soft Synth

Published on Apr 9, 2019 Plugin Alliance

"We’re proud to announce that Brainworx Audio has developed their first virtual instrument, and what a way to kick it off than with a future classic namely ‘bx_oberhausen'. Expand, Evolve, Experience.

What makes this synthesizer so unique is that Brainworx included their TMT technology, making this THE most faithful recreation to date. Included is a powerful unison mode, M/S processing and a set of effect modules from brands such as Mäag, Brainworx Audio and more."

Playlist:
Brainworx bx_oberhausen Trailer
bx_oberhausen Overview
bx_oberhausen walk through
THIS IS: bx_oberhausen - World Premiere Video! (Revised)
bx_oberhausen - Interview with Christian Diehl
Brainworx bx_oberhausen Synthesizer (Oberheim SEM Emulation) | The Plugin Minute | SYNTH ANATOMY

"Brainworx brings acclaimed analog synth module back to the future with breathtaking bx_oberhausen VI debut


“The Brainworx bx_oberhausen is a fantastic synth! Being an owner myself of a few of the originals, I can clearly tell how good this sounds! Besides the original concept, it also comes with really great effects to make the most brutal or subtle patches you can imagine! A must-have for synth enthusiasts!”
- Tom Holkenborg (a.k.a. Junkie XL), GRAMMY® Award-nominated, multi-platinum producer, musician, and film composer, 2019


LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY: having hosted a successful ‘synth tasting’ event earlier this year at Sphere Studios in North Hollywood, healthily attended by industry insiders and electronica luminaries like BT, Paul Haslinger (ex- Tangerine Dream), and Tom Holkenborg (a.k.a. Junkie XL), Brainworx Audio is proud to announce availability of bx_oberhausen — the cutting-edge company’s highly-anticipated first VI (Virtual Instrument) after more than 10 years of creatively crafting top-tier mixing and mastering plugins, applying the same modelling know- how and technology to bring back an acclaimed analog synthesizer expander module in a future-facing, feature-packed form fit for today’s Digital Audio Workstation world — as of April 9…

bx_oberhausen draws deeply from Brainworx Audio’s extensive experience of working with analog audio equipment to creatively craft top- tier mixing and mastering plugins. As the cutting-edge company’s highly-anticipated first VI, it effectively revisits an acclaimed analog synthesizer expander module much loved by generations of musicians for its sought-after sound. The sound itself is reliant on fully-analog, discrete circuits and a classic state-variable 2-pole filter. First introduced in the Seventies, that trailblazing synthesizer subsequently proved popular — so much so that it was reissued in various form factors by its iconic creator using the same circuits as the original.

Original or otherwise, the acclaimed analog synthesizer’s sound now benefits from the ultimate upgrade. Thanks to Brainworx Audio ably boosting bx_oberhausen with full polyphony of up to 32 VOICES — twice the voice count of today’s priciest poly synths remaining resolutely in the analog domain, users can create sounds that are not possible using the original hardware! But better still, Brainworx Audio also includes its proprietary, patent-pending TMT (Tolerance Modeling Technology) that was first used on its industry-leading pro audio plugins like the Solid State Logic-approved bx_console SSL 4000 E and bx_console SSL 4000 G channel strips, therefore this is the most realistic recreation to date!

Digging deeper into the wonderful world of TMT, this works by ensuring each bx_oberhausen voice sounds slightly different. Why? Well, the original synthesizer’s creator specified acceptable tolerances for the individual electronic components used in its manufacture, making for slight variations in its sound — especially evident when several such synth voices are played simultaneously. So Brainworx Audio took those tolerances into account when modelling the analog hardware to arrive at a more authentic, analog-sounding result. Indeed, it is those slight variations in frequencies and phasing as well as frequency responses that add the complexity, depth, nuance, and width to the resulting synth sound.

Saying that, bx_oberhausen’s voices can be combined into a powerful UNISON mode which — when used with the unique TMT feature — forms a complex, rich, and authentic analog sound simply unrivalled by any other VIs. ‘Virtual vitamin’ boosting brings Mid/Side (M/S) technology to bx_oberhausen, further facilitating its uniqueness. Users can select which part of the sound passes through the filter section and which part does not. Results ranging from a solid bass foundation to crazy stereo processing are all perfectly possible!

Pushing onwards and upwards, bx_oberhausen benefits from an intuitive set of effects modules based on some of the Brainworx Audio brand’s best effect plugin products, plus partner Mäag Audio’s AIR BAND® shelf boost EQ. So signal chain changes in bx_oberhausen’s FX section can quickly be made with drag and drop functionality.

Further features of note include an Arp (arpeggiator) with an adjustable Swing parameter and a sound design dimension-enhancing Mod (modulation) matrix. Meanwhile, Brainworx Audio also took this opportunity to add FREQ MODULATION (Frequency Modulation) to an analog classic.

Complete with over 300 presets professionally created by celebrated sound designers to get them started, bx_oberhausen users can categorise their own sound creations for easy recall while also adding notes. Needless to say, the in-plugin preset management system itself is fully NKS (Native Kontrol Standard) compliant, so integrates well with NKS-enabled products.

Put simply: “A must-have for synth enthusiasts!” So says GRAMMY® Award-nominated, multi-platinum producer, musician, and film composer extraordinaire Tom Holkenborg (a.k.a. Junkie XL). After all, as “...an owner of a few of the hardware originals...” he should surely know!


bx_oberhausen is available for purchase — as an AAX Native-, AU-, VST2-, and VST3-supporting Virtual Instrument plugin for MacOS (10.9 through 10.14) and Windows (7 through 10) — exclusively from Brainworx Audio’s US-based sister company/distribution partner Plugin Alliance for an introductory price of $149.00 USD, rising to $199.00 USD thereafter — from here: https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/bx_oberhausen.html

From April 9 onwards, a fully-functional, 14-day trial is available to anyone registering for a free Plugin Alliance account here: http://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/registration.html

Note that the proprietary Plugin Alliance Installation Manager means users can select, download, and install only the products and formats needed for their system. For more in-depth information, including several superb-sounding audio demos, please visit the dedicated bx_oberhausen webpage here: https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/bx_oberhausen.html'

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And via Plugin Alliance

"The bx_oberhausen draws deeply from Brainworx Audio’s extensive experience of working with analog audio equipment to creatively craft world class mixing and mastering plugins. As the cutting-edge company’s highly-anticipated first Virtual Instrument, it effectively revisits an acclaimed analog synthesizer expander module much loved by generations of musicians for its sought-after sound. The sound itself is reliant on fully-analog, discrete circuits and a classic state-variable 2-pole filter. Some of the key features which have never been done before on this synth is a powerful unison mode, M/S Technology and the signature Brainworx Audio Tolerance Modeling Technology (TMT).

Full analog modelling

Original or otherwise, the acclaimed analog synthesizer’s sound now benefits from the ultimate upgrade. Thanks to Brainworx Audio ably boosting bx_oberhausen with full polyphony of up to 32 voices, twice the voice count of today’s priciest poly synths remaining resolutely in the analog domain, users can create sounds that are not possible using the original hardware!

Introducing TMT

Using Brainworx’s proprietary, patent-pending Tolerance Modeling Technology (TMT) to accurately replicate individual component variations specified by the manufacturer. This creates, in separate voices slight variations which you would expect to hear in an original analog instrument. With TMT each voice produces a slightly different sound including variations in frequencies and phases as well as frequency responses - exactly like an analog hardware would.These slight variations add the complexity, nuance, depth and width for which analog instruments are loved.

Unison

The voices can be combined to a powerful unison mode. When used with the unique TMT feature, Unison generates a rich, complex and analog sound unparalleled by any other virtual instruments.

M/S Technology

Introducing an unheard feature to the world of synthesizers, this allows you to select which part of your sound passes through the filter section and which doesn't. Allowing for subtle effects like solid bass foundation as well as crazy stereo processing.

Effect Section

These are not just effects. We took some of our best products and shrunk them into an effects rack that is proudly carrying the Brainworx brand. We also asked our partners at Mäag to add their infamous AIR BAND®. The signal chain in the effects section can easily be altered by a drag & drop function.

Extensive Modulation Matrix

The modulation matrix gives you a whole dimension of sound design possibilities.

FM included

Adding Frequency Modulation to an analog synth classic allows you to push the boundaries of creativity much further than the original synthesizers.

Arpeggiator

The arpeggiator comes with all the functions you would expect from it - including an adjustable "swing" parameter.

In-Plugin Preset Management with NKS support

The preset management system allows you to categorize your presets for easy retrieval. You can mark favorites and add your own comments.The bx_oberhausen comes fully loaded with over 300 presets created by the most renowned professionals.The preset management system is fully NKS compliant and nicely integrated with NKS-enabled products.

FEATURES

Full analog modelling with full polyphony up to 32 voices
TMT inside: Tolerance Modeling Technology (TMT) to accurately replicate individual component variations specified by the manufacturer.
Unison: Combine your voices to a powerful unison mode. Together with the unique TMT feature, Unison generates a rich, complex and analog sound unparalleled by any other virtual instrument.
M/S Technology: Create subtle effects like solid bass foundation as well as crazy stereo processing with M/S Technology.
Modulation Matrix: The extensive Modulation Matrix gives you a whole dimension of sound design possibilities.
Effect section: small versions of effects products proudly carrying the Brainworx brand – including the infamous Mäag AIR BAND®.
FM: We push the boundaries of achievable sounds by adding Frequency Modulation to an analog synth classic.
The arpeggiator comes with all functions you would expect from it - including an adjustable "swing" parameter.
In-Plugin Preset Management with NKS support"