OB-Xtreme 3.0 Mac & PC VST3 AU short preview

video upload by Aly James Lab

https://www.alyjameslab.com/

A look under the hood at the virtual voice boards.

"In essence, OB-Xtreme functions as an 8-voice polyphonic, 8-voice unison mono, or true mono synth. The Unison mode adds a rich, thick texture by enabling polyphonic unison, which offers a powerful 8x8 voice configuration with adjustable voice clones (configurable as 1, 3, or 7 clones per voice).

Core OB-X/OB-Xa features are faithfully included, with SAW, PULSE, and TRI oscillator shapes, as well as the unique SAW+PULSE combination, which can add an extra octave harmonic based on the pulse width setting.

Filter options include a 2-pole and a 4-pole mode: The 2-pole filter, based on the OB-X, provides the smooth, resonant SVF (State Variable Filter) response, while the 4-pole filter, modeled after the CEM3320, offers a Moog-like resonance at lower cutoff values. High-pass and band-pass outputs are available in 2-pole mode, along with an optional filter 'bleed' for added authenticity.

The Xtreme Factor control manages emulated OTA-induced distortion, particularly the classic CA3080 chip distortion used throughout the OB-series circuits. Users can push these settings beyond the original specifications for more aggressive tones or stay within traditional limits for a classic OB sound. Both PRE and POST distortion circuits can be bypassed independently for flexibility, with PRE affecting lower notes and POST acting linearly across the range.

Additionally, OB-Xtreme offers under-the-hood controls for fine-tuning the voltage offsets of each voice card, which is essential for replicating authentic analog character. This approach uses Virtual Component Modeling (VCM) to mimic analog nuances effectively without excessive setup time. Seven macro sliders provide quick access to these settings:

OB-Xtreme 3 voice cards

OSC (SPREAD): Controls tuning offsets for oscillators 1 and 2.
FILT: Adjusts filter envelope offsets.
AMP: Sets amplitude envelope offsets.
VCF: Modifies VCF deviation.
PW: Controls pulse width offsets.
PORT: Sets portamento glide time lag.
XMOD: Adjusts cross modulation offsets.

You can apply small random deviations per note in real-time or scatter them across all eight voices. These voltage offsets are visually represented in the interface with positive or negative voltages (yellow/blue), making it easy to see adjustments. Tuning individual cards in semitone steps (up to +1 OCT) opens creative possibilities like a pseudo-chord mode when using Unison mode."

You can find additional OB-Xtreme posts here.

AJLAB's Introduces OB-Xtreme 2 - Virtual Oberheim OB-X/OB-Xa Soft Synth for PC & Mac

via AJLAB aka Aly James Lab

What happens when you take 8 mono synths and use them together? Huge analog sound! This sound is the result of slight imperfections between each voice card and, because of some electronic components (mis)behavior, parts from the orginal circuit (notably the OB-X) caused all sort of distortion happening at different stages from filter to VCA and also at the output stage, OB-Xtreme place a special attention to the later with an emphasis on "the Growl".

There is a lot to say about what V2 is, I can already say what it is not : a simple V1 cross-platform update. V2 is a full remake, while V1 was a simpler take on an OB voice card architecture, V2 is more closely related to original OB designs and specs (including features from OB-X, OB-Xa etc) it is not a direct V1 replacement, nevertheless it got a Legacy mode for Envelope Generators and Filter control so V1 sounds can be reproduced or made (more on that later).

V2 have higher specs in every part of the circuit, it comes as an upgrade gift to all V1 owners, V1 owners will get it for free or use a "give what you want" option.

Pre-Release main features
This pre release is the full functioning synth minus the v2 factory presets (only v1 bank + some extra are included until September) and LFO2 not active. This will be ready for final release in september 2022 which will come as a free 2.0.1 update for all owners of v2. Bare with me, trying to keep this summer release date as one man operation was THE WAR :) at least you can already design sounds and funk it up with some Brass Stabs, cutting leads, lush pads and screaming bass.

A complete list of OB-XTreme 2.0 features is provided below, in a nutshell OB-Xtreme can act as an 8 voice polyphonic, 8 voice unison mono or true (one voice) mono, a FAT mode engages the unison while also providing polyphonic unison, that means 8x8 voices power.
Most OB-X/OB-Xa functions are provided, including SAW, PULSE, TRI oscillators shapes and the peculiar SAW+PULSE which can produce an interesting +1 OCT harmonic depending on the pulse width setting.
the 2Pole filter is based on the OB-X and the 4Pole is based on the CEM3320 implementation, the 2pole has that classic SVF linear "singing" resonance accross the bandwidth while the 4pole will resonate less at lower cutoff values (a bit Moog like), a bandpass output is also provided in 2pole mode while 4pole have an optional volume loss compensation.

The Xtreme factor is the main control over the emulated OTA enduced distortion, one chip in particular the CA3080 was used a lot at different places in the circuit (although less and less over the OB synths evolution). OB-Xtreme gives some control over that, you can push them way beyond the original specs or stay at minimum for more traditional behavior, you can also bypass PRE or POST circuits for versatility. The PRE stage will act more on lower notes while the POST stage is linear across the range.

Another feature is the under the hood access so you can control the 8 voice cards voltages across the main parts. The cards variations are an important factor to mimic the analog character, while using a VCM (virtual component modeling) approach, I wanted something effective but not time consumming so I designed some pre-defined offsets and deviations that you can mix in or scatter accross all 8 voices.
You get five macro sliders: OSC (which doubles on the front panel as the "SPREAD") controlling OSC 1 and 2 tuning offsets, FILT filter envelopes offsets, AMP for amplitude envelope offsets, VCF for VCF deviation and PW for pulse width offsets. Additionaly you can toggle a realtime small random deviation per note or randomize and scatter deviations around. voltages offsets reflect on the GUI as positive or negative voltages (yellow/blue).
I removed a not so usefull temperature function that changed the EG timing to make room for individual card tuning (will be featured in September update) so we can have a ressembling chord mode.

JAM with OB-XTREME VSTi Oberheim OB-X Extended VA Synth

Published on Sep 28, 2014 Aly James

http://www.alyjameslab.com
https://soundcloud.com/alyjameslab/se...

Description for the first video in the playlist above. OB-XTREME is now available at http://www.alyjameslab.com.

"Quick demo of my upcoming OB-XTREME VSTi, it wasinspired by the legendary 8 voices design which has been played by many legends, OB-XTREME adds some extended features like 2 virtual analog saturation stages for a beffy sound, a fat mode and some other useful things you will find at the website :)

great for OB Brass sounds, Bass, Pads and cutting Leads. The saturation stages can also bring some really nasty sounding tones in conjunction with the filter...

I first made this VST for personal needs, sort of a quick simple OB synth with the bare minimum feature and added some extended options along the way :)

Then I decided that I could add it to my product line although it is not a straight emulation.

In this demo I have used my VLINN VST (Linn LM-1 Drum Machine) for the drums, OB-XREME VST for everything synth and recorded some electric guitar & bass.

There is also a few hits of real drums cymbals and toms."

OB-X Based VSTi OB-XTREME, OP-X & OBXD OSC & Filter TEST

Published on Oct 3, 2014 Aly James

"http://www.alyjameslab.com READ DESCRIPTION!

By popular demand...let's do a basic comparison of the OSC and FILTER sound of those OB-X based VSTis, as nobody seems to read products specs and details..

No insert, nothing on the master bus, just the VSTs, same settings.

I have been used all at some point and they are all good, I will quickly showcase what the differences are and why OP-X, OB-XD and OB-XTREME have each their nice peculiarities.

IMO:
OP-X PRO is really good for lush PADS because it features interesting modulations the other don't have.

OB-XD is free (which is a point :) ) and feature a really nice clarity and top end the OP-X can lack while sounding warmer.

OB-XTREME have a simpler 'hands on' approach with far less functions and features but it provides 2 analog saturation stages before and after the filter and a FAT mode which makes it growl in a way the others don't.
It also feature 8 separate outputs so you can have 1 channel per voice in your DAW if you want :)

Basically I needed to have the "essence of the OB Sound" not the full feature list, mainly that huge analog wall we all love.

That is why I made OB-XTREME in the first place, in you liked the OB-X you should have them all :)"

OB-XTREME VST (Virtual OB-X) Analog Saturation Stages

Published on Oct 2, 2014 Aly James

"http://www.alyjameslab.com HQ audio here: http://soundcloud.com/alyjameslab/ob-... [below]
Quick overview of the 2 virtual analog diode clipping stages, before and after the filter stage, which really bring the bite and warm character :)"

OB-XTREME VST OB-X 8 Voices Lite EXTENDED -- Vintage Mode

Published on Sep 29, 2014 Aly James

"http://www.alyjameslab.com
https://soundcloud.com/alyjameslab/se...
Quick demo of the classic vintage side of OB-XTREME VSTi which is based on a stripped down version of an OB-X with some extended functions."

JAM with OB-XTREME VSTi Oberheim OB-X Extended VA Synth

Published on Sep 28, 2014 Aly James

http://www.alyjameslab.com
https://soundcloud.com/alyjameslab/se...

"Quick demo of my upcoming OB-XTREME VSTi, it wasinspired by the legendary 8 voices design which has been played by many legends, OB-XTREME adds some extended features like 2 virtual analog saturation stages for a beffy sound, a fat mode and some other useful things you will find at the website :)
great for OB Brass sounds, Bass, Pads and cutting Leads. The saturation stages can also bring some really nasty sounding tones in conjunction with the filter...

I first made this VST for personal needs, sort of a quick simple OB synth with the bare minimum feature and added some extended options along the way :)
Then I decided that I could add it to my product line although it is not a straight emulation.

In this demo I have used my VLINN VST (Linn LM-1 Drum Machine) for the drums, OB-XREME VST for everything synth and recorded some electric guitar & bass.
There is also a few hits of real drums cymbals and toms."

OB-XTREME VST LITE OBERHEIM OBX 8 ANALOG SYNTH

Published on Sep 19, 2014 Aly James

"http://www.alyjameslab.com
HQ audio demos at http://soundcloud.com/alyjameslab
OB-Xtreme VST is based on the classic Oberheim OB-X design with less options, kind of an OB-X lite, however it features new extended options like two saturation stages, auto glide, FAT mode etc... It was created as a quick go to synth when I am in need of some Minneapolis style OB Brass but can reach far more analog territories! FULL SPECS are coming soon."

Rack #1

flickr by rhodeschroma
(click for more)

"The list of stuff in the pictures is (with a few exceptions I couldn't fit in the frames:)

Rhodes [ARP] Chroma, Chroma Expander, 2 Chroma Polaris' and 1 Chroma Polaris II Sequential Circuits Prophet VS, Dave Smith Prophet-8 Special Edition and Poly Evolver Keyboard, Hartmann Neuron, Oberheim Xpander and OB-8, Anxiously Awaiting John Bowen Synth Design Hardware Solaris

I have a few enjoyable monophonics:
Moog Minimoog and Voyager Signature, and Crumar Spirit.

Other fun goodies
Yamaha Motif ES8, DX100, FS1r, TG33, S80, Alesis Andromeda, Elektron Sidstation, Korg Triton, Triton Extreme 76, 01WFD, 707, 01R/W, Wavestation SR and A/D, Ensoniq ESQm, Technics WSA1r, Roland JV5080, D550, S550, MKS 7; 10; 20; 30; 50; 70; 80 (all with programmers), D20, JD800, Juno 106 Kawai K5000s, SX210, SX240, K3m, K5m, Emu Carnival, Xtreme Lead, Audity 2000, Virtuoso 2000, Waldorf Q, two original Microwaves, Microwave 2, Pulse Plus, and Microwave XT, ARP Omni and Omni II Moog CDX, Akai VX-600 Clavia Nord Lead 3 and Nord Electro 73, Rhodes 54, Casio CZ-101 and various PT series yumyums...
TONS of MOTU MTP-AV's and regulated power supplies. Everything is housed in multiple Omnirax stations with Yamaha 01V's and 01v96V2 using lightpipe."