Oberheim OB-Xa Vintage Analog Synthesizer (1981) "Springday"

Published on Jun 9, 2016 RetroSound

"(c) 2016 vintage synthesizer demo track by RetroSound

all synthesizer sounds: Oberheim OB-Xa Analog Synthesizer from the year 1981
drums: LinnDrum (1982)
recording: multi-tracking
fx: reverb and delay

The OB-Xa is one of the best polyphonic analog synthesizers ever. The sound is different to the OB-X and OB-8. And the OB-6 too. ;)"

DSI OB-6 (2016) vs. Oberheim OB-Xa (1981) Analog Synthesizer Battle

Published on May 20, 2016 RetroSound

"(c) 2016 vintage synthesizer demo by RetroSound

DSI OB-6 (2016) vs. Oberheim OB-Xa (1981) Analog Synthesizer

I have programmed a few of my favorite OB-Xa sounds on the OB-6 for a comparision video. I used only settings that you can find on both synths.

The OB-6 fx routing is on bypass.

no external fx or compression. You can hear only the raw sound from both synths."

Oberheim OB-Xa Analog Synthesizer "Short Trip"

Published on Mar 27, 2016 RetroSound

"(c) 2016 vintage synthesizer demo track by RetroSound

all pad and string sounds: Oberheim OB-Xa analog synthesizer (1981)
the melancholic and moody side of the OB"

Oberheim OB-X vs. OB-Xa Vintage Analog Synthesizer

Published on Oct 15, 2015 RetroSound

"(c) 2015 vintage synthesizer demo by RetroSound

Oberheim OB-X (1979) 8-voice vs. Oberheim OB-Xa (1981) 8-voice Analog Synthesizer with identical self-programmed sound programs.

This video shows the different sound character. The OB-X is discrete analog like the SEM modul and sounds very raw and wild.
The OB-Xa based on Curtis CEM ICs and sounds more smooth.
Both are great synths and I love both a lot. The king class of polyphonic analog synthesizers."

Oberheim OB-Xa "Spring Day"

(c) vintage synthesizer demo track by RetroSound
all sounds: Oberheim OB-Xa Analog Synthesizer (1981)
drums: LinnDrum
sequencing: Dark Time step sequencer
recording: multi-track

Oberheim OB-Xa sound design tutorial Van Halen Jump

Published on Apr 23, 2015 RetroSound

"(c) 2015 vintage synthesizer sound tutorial series by RetroSound

The infamous synth brass sound in "Jump" from Van Halen

the sound is made with the huge Oberheim OB-Xa Analog Synthesizer (1981)"

RetroSound - A View Into The Heart - Vintage Synths

Published on Mar 19, 2015 RetroSound

Direct synth playing with various synths starts at 4:31 in the video.

"(c) 2015 Electronic Music by RetroSound

25 audio tracks, wav audio (16Bit/44,1kHz), total time: 74:35min

All tracks produced with the following Vintage Synthesizers, Analog Stringmachines and Drumcomputer:

PPG Wave 2.2
PPG Waveterm A
Oberheim OB-X
Oberheim OB-Xa
Moog Source
Moog Prodigy
Moog Minimoog
Moog Taurus 1
SCI Pro-One
SCI Prophet VS
Roland Juno-60
Roland Jupiter-4
Roland VP-330
Roland D-50
Roland JD-800
Roland TR-707
Roland TR-808
LinnDrum
Korg Polysix
Korg KR-55B
Korg DR-55
Yamaha DX7 II FD
Tiracon 6V
Logan String Melody II"

Oberheim OB-Xa sounddesign tutorial Van Halen 1984 Intro

Published on Jan 15, 2015 RetroSound

"(c) 2015 vintage synthesizer sound tutorial series by RetroSound
supported by UVI: http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi

the intro sound from Van Halens legendary "1984" album
the sound is made in split mode with the huge Oberheim OB-Xa Analog Synthesizer (1981)"

Oberheim OB-Xa sound design tutorial - Billy Idol

Published on Jan 2, 2015 RetroSound

"(c) 2015 vintage synthesizer sound tutorial series by RetroSound
supported by UVI: http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi

The famous pitch down sweep sound in Billy Idol`s 'Eyes Without A Face' from 1984

The sound is made with the Oberheim OB-Xa Analog Synthesizer (1981)
Drums: LinnDrum

Very important is the slow pitch bending only from VCO2"

Oberheim OB-X Analog Synthesizer Sounds

Published on Dec 4, 2014 RetroSound

"(c) 2014 vintage synthesizer demo by RetroSound
supported by UVI: http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi

Oberheim OB-X Analog Synthesizer from the year 1979

The demo video shows some self programmed classic synth sounds.

The Oberheim OB-X is one of the best analog poly-synths ever. The sound character (based of the discrete circuits and the SEM design VCF) is different to the later curtis chip based OB-Xa and OB-8.

Used by: Rush (Subdivisions, Tom Sawyer), Nena (99 Luftballons, Nur Geträumt), J.-M. Jarre (Magnetic Fields), Killing Joke (Love Like Blood), Roxy Music (Avalon), Queen (Flash Gordon), Styx (Too much time on my hands), Japan, Supertramp, Suzanne Ciani, Tangerine Dream (Exit) and more"

Oberheim OB-Xa Analog Synthesizer "1981"

Published on Sep 19, 2014 RetroSound

"(c) 2014 vintage synthesizer demo track by RetroSound
supported by UVI: http://www.uvi.net

synthesizer sounds: Oberheim OB-Xa Analog Synthesizer (1981)
drums: LinnDrum
recording: multi-tracking without midi
fx: a bit reverb and delay"

Oberheim OB-Xa "1981"

"(c) 2014 vintage synthesizer track by RetroSound
all sounds: Oberheim OB-Xa Analog Synthesizer (1981)
drums: LinnDrum (1982)
recording: multi-track
fx: a bite reverb and delay"

Oberheim OB-Xa "Sommermorgen"

Published on Jul 17, 2014 RetroSound

"(c) 2014 vintage synthesizer track by RetroSound

all sounds: Oberheim OB-Xa Analog Synthesizer (1981)
recording: multi-tracking without midi
fx: a bit reverb and delay"

Oberheim OB-Xa "Sommermorgen"

"(c) vintage synthesizer demo track by RetroSound

all sounds: Oberheim OB-Xa (1981)
recording: multi-track without Midi"

Vintage Stringmachines "Streichzart"

Published on Jul 3, 2014 RetroSound

"(c) 2014 vintage synthesizer demo track by RetroSound

used vintage stringmachines:
Logan String Melody II (1979)
Crumar Performer (1979)
Roland VP-330 (1979)

s/h bass: Oberheim OB-Xa (1981)
drums: Roland TR-808
recording: multi-tracking layered without midi
fx: reverb and delay

I used the special functions (human voices, brass filter, lfo, tone colour, chorus...) and you can hear the different sound-character of the stringmachines."

Oberheim OB-Xa Sound Design Tutorial Foreigner

Published on Apr 16, 2014 RetroSound·271 videos

"(c) 2014 vintage synthesizer sound tutorial series by RetroSound

part one: the haunting pad sound in Foreigners "Waiting For A Girl Like You"

the sound in the original song is made with the huge Oberheim OB-Xa Analog Synthesizer (1981) and layered with a simple OB sweep pad sound.

very important is the filter resonance (12dB/oct) and the pitch modulation."

Vintage Strings "Streichzart"

(c) 2014 vintage synthesizer demo track by RetroSound

real analog strings:
Logan String Melody 2
Crumar Perfomer
Roland VP-330
sample/hold bass: Oberheim OB-Xa
drums: Roland TR-808
recording: multi-track

via Marko on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

RetroSound - A Vintage Synth Odyssey

Published on Mar 8, 2014 RetroSound·266 videos

"(c) 2014 Electronic Music by RetroSound
the new vintage synthesizer album is now available for download:
direct link: http://directpaylink.com/?id=1365RQTSO
music-shop: http://directpaylink.com/?plist=766PGMMQ

18 audio tracks, wav audio (16Bit/44,1kHz) and mp3 (320kb/s), total time: 60:47min

All tracks produced with the following Vintage Synthesizers, Analog Stringmachines and Drumcomputer:

PPG Wave 2.2
PPG Waveterm A
Oberheim OB-X
Oberheim OB-Xa
Moog Source
Moog Prodigy
Moog Minimoog
Moog Taurus 1
ARP Odyssey
SCI Pro-One
SCI Prophet VS
Roland Juno-60
Roland Juno-106
Roland SH-101
Roland Jupiter-4
Roland VP-330
Roland M-VS1
Roland JD-800
Roland TR-707
Roland TR-808
LinnDrum
Korg Polysix
Korg KR-55B
Korg MiniPops
E-MU Emax SE
Yamaha DX7 II FD
Crumar Performer
Logan String Melody II"

Synth Artist Interviews via I♥SYNTHS

You might remember the I♥SYNTHS interview with Richard Devine previously posted here. Jim Smith of I♥SYNTHS has been sharing new interviews on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge.  There are currently a total of nine artist interviews.  The following is a list of each with with one pic, one quote and one link to the full interview.  You'll find some great synth spotting throughout and of course you'll get some insight and perspectives on the synths and more from each artist.  You can also find I♥SYNTHS on Facebook.




009: Shawn Rudiman

"I♥SYNTHS: What was your first synthesizer?

Shawn Rudiman: My first synth was a Yamaha b200 M. That was what started me on this wild ride. It was a Prosumer FM 8 voice / 4 op poly. I got it for Christmas in 1990. I believe I was 18 and It was my first real love. That poor synth has had a lot of flight time hours on it. They keys have started to degrade and melt and the buttons are all in need of serious replacing as well. I still love it and pull it out sometimes. The next day after that Christmas, I went out and picked up an HR16b, with whatever money I had saved. I still have that as well and it’s been modified now with the patch bay-hack that scrambles the 16-bit data lines which makes the sounds totally into something new."




008: Custom Synth

"I♥SYNTHS: You’ve done some custom synths for celebrities and famous musicians. What was your most unique or original project?

Custom Synth: One of the most unique projects was for Tom Rowlands (The Chemical Brothers studio). I built a midi controller keyboard to sit in the bumper rail of a large SSL mixing desk. It has a detachable cover to match the rest of the desk and two modular cabinets. One was for the Serge modular system in a two piece metal arch and the other was a MOTM system to match the Roland 700 system."




007: Kebu

"I♥SYNTHS: What was your first synthesizer?

Kebu: A new Kawai K1 II, which I hated because it didn’t have a decent piano sound and the black keys were harder to press than the white keys. I probably would appreciate it now for what it is, but back then I would have needed a PCM-based workstation, like a Korg M1 that I lusted for, but couldn’t afford back then. Soon after, I found a used Roland SC-155 (Sound Canvas module), which I really liked but realized that I really need the patch storage capability for live use, which the SC-155 lacked. I then realized that synths are VERY different from each other. Not in terms of nuances, like with different types of guitars, but more like apples and oranges. I also realized that by learning and trading on the second hand market I could try many different synths without loosing too much money. So the Kaway K1 was the first and only new synth I ever bought. After that, I’ve had over one hundred different hardware synths."




006: Soft Lighting

"I♥SYNTHS: What’s your go-to piece of gear that defines the Soft Lighting sound?

Soft Lighting: I usually choose a different set of tools for each album because I think it helps give that body of work a uniqueness. The first album, “Slow Motion Silhouettes” was all done on the Juno 60 and the drums where a lot of old Casios so it has a real washed out lo fi vibe. “Portraits” was made with the DX7, Juno 106 and Roland drum machines so it has a cleaner more digital sound. Now I’m working a lot with my Virus TI which is taking the sound out of the realm of vintage 80s and taking it to a more contemporary place."




005: Synth.nl

"I♥SYNTHS: What was your first synthesizer and how old were you when you started collecting?

Synth.nl: I still remember exactly what my first synthesizer was, the Yamaha TX81Z. It is a rack module so I had to buy an extra midi keyboard, that at that time wasn’t even velocity sensitive. It must have been around 1987 when it was just released. So, I was 17 I guess. That adds up, since I bought it from the money I got to buy a moped from my parents, when I didn’t smoke until my 16th birthday. I guess their trick worked since I still don’t smoke. I also still have the TX81Z with my original sounds I made back then. I can also remember well, that FM programming was not easy and still isn’t easy."




004: Richard Devine

"I♥SYNTHS: What is your go-to synthesizer when writing music? Is there one synth that defines the Richard Devine sound?

Richard Devine: My go synth would have to be the Nord G2 modular. This is hands down one of my favorite synthesizers. The concept is that its a virtual modular software environment where you can create basically anything you want. You then can assign multiple pages and knobs over the the synthesizer for all your patches. So ahead of its time, and I wish Clavia would bring it back."




003: Dallas Campbell


"I♥SYNTHS: When did you start collecting gear and what is your prized possession?

Dallas Campbell: This dude I knew in college let my roommate and I borrow a four track cassette recorder. I was pretty much hooked on gear and music after that. I started buying synths about 10 or so years ago. I’m guessing the rarest thing I have is a Yamaha SY20. I don’t think it was ever released outside of Japan. All the writing on the synth is in Japanese! My favorite synth is probably my SCI Pro-One for mono and the Korg Polysix for poly. As for favorite fx units, I would say the Dimension D Chorus, Multivox Multiecho Delay, the Eventide Space Reverb, and the Roland SBF-325 flanger."




002: RetroSound

"I♥SYNTHS: What is your favorite synthesizer that you can’t live without?

RetroSound: My absolute favorite synthesizer ever is the Oberheim OB-X (not the later OB-Xa). The raw sound and the power is pure sex. It’s really the best!"




001: FM Attack

"I♥SYNTHS: If you were stuck on an island with one synth from your collection, what would you bring?

FM Attack: That’s a tough question. I think I would probably go with the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5"

Oberheim OB-Xa "In My Room"

Published on Nov 24, 2013 RetroSound·252 videos

"(c) 2013 vintage synthesizer demo track by RetroSound
'In My Room'

all synthesizer sounds: Oberheim OB-Xa Analog Synthesizer (1981)
drums: Roland TR-808
recording: multi-tracking
fx: reverb and delay"