Updates on the New OB-X Synths

As you know Oberheim recently posted a new teaser for their upcoming synth. It's obviously a new OB-X. The big question is will it be different from the original?

Swissdoc created an image featuring the highlights from the video. Here's what he had to say about it:

"I created a focus stack from the movie to get the full picture.

Compared to pictures of the OB-X I noticed these differences:
Knobs for Menu at the bottom left of the Programmer buttons 1-8
In the Portamento/Detune section there are three buttons instead of one

The upper row seems to be identical, I see/guess the same number of knobs
Colors and knobs i.e. the industrial design is taken over 1:1"

He also reminded me of Abstract Instruments rackmount OB-X, the VS-1.

The following is an update on the project from their Kistarter campaign posted just a few days ago on April 25.

"We're back up to full speed making very good progress. We've decided to prepare the DIY kits for shipping with the option to ship the mainboard in a second shipment. There is a lot of building to complete for the kits and this will allow everyone to get started while software development is completed. As mentioned in a few prior updates.. parts for full parts kits are packaged per PCB assembly. Each PCB has the relevant parts separated, even if the same part number is used in more than one PCB assembly. This makes it easier for assembly and partial shipments. For the mainboard we're 'still' testing a few aspects including the new interface option for the OLED and vetting a new ROM IC. We still don't want to make this assembly until 100% sure it's perfect. We're not sure when the DIY kits will start shipping but I will update soon with a delivery estimate once we have a reasonable estimate. The full retail versions are built in groups of (10) units. We've had the first few groups staged for along time already and will start to ship once the software is ready.

I received many messages last Friday and over the weekend regarding the Behringer UB-X. Some colleagues and customer friends were snickering at the notion I might be working for Behringer. I will confirm the answer is no. The design of the OB-X is very particular. On one hand it's a textbook implementation of a polyphonic analog synthesizer. If you were designing a polyphonic analog in 1978 the OB-X is basically what you would find in publications of the time. Discrete oscillator, 12dB OTA-based filter, OTA-based VCA's and the new CEM ADSR IC's. On the other hand there are many minor quirks that you do not want to overlook. That said I know the in-house engineers at Behringer are excellent engineers. At the end of the day these synths aren't rocket science and these guys know what they are doing. The fact that they contracted someone to help is interesting. I do not have any insight as to who or why they have contracted someone. In any case it's safe to say I would not agree w/ all of the design trade-offs that will end up in the Behringer model. The VS-1 is second to none in this regards. Since we are a boutique company we can focus intensely one one or two designs and don't need to make any design trade-offs.

On a personal note I had mentioned that the office was closed at the beginning of the year for family reasons. I wanted to let everyone know at the time that there was a reason for the inactivity, but didn't believe it was necessary to go into details. However I received many personal messages and would like to confirm that there is no concern at home or with the VS-1. My wife and I had premature babies...twins. They came dangerously early and it was full time care for a good while. Babies are at home and healthy.

Regards,

Brian Castro | Abstrakt Instruments"

And finally we have Behringer's UB-X update from the 22nd.

Three OB-X synths are in the works. One with the orginal build from the original maker, one rackmount, and one compact. It's worth noting Sequential typically follows up with a desktop version of their flagship keyboard synths a few months later as well, and if its not obvious, Oberheim is backed by the Sequential team.