Replicating Oberheim OB-X patches in my Prophet Rev2

[tearyhistory]

Hi folks –

I just got back to my studio after a few weeks of quarantine. A friend loaned me his Oberheim OB-X and I'd like to try replicating some patches in my Prophet Rev2. I think that with a little effort I could get to program sounds quite similar.

I have some specific questions:
1. LFO: How could I use the Pulse Width Modulation option of the OB-X in the Prophet Rev2?
2. OSC: Would the ShapeMod of the Prophet Rev2 be equivalent to the Pulse Width of the OB-X?
3. Filter: How could I use the "OSC Half / Full" option of the OB-X in the Prophet Rev2?
4. Filter: How could I use the "KBD (keyboard)" option of the OB-X in Prophet Rev2?

I have been studying both manuals but have not been able to figured out.

Thanks in advance!

[creativespiral]

Hi folks –

I just got back to my studio after a few weeks of quarantine. A friend loaned me his Oberheim OB-X and I'd like to try replicating some patches in my Prophet Rev2. I think that with a little effort I could get to program sounds quite similar.

I have some specific questions:
1. LFO: How could I use the Pulse Width Modulation option of the OB-X in the Prophet Rev2?
2. OSC: Would the ShapeMod of the Prophet Rev2 be equivalent to the Pulse Width of the OB-X?
3. Filter: How could I use the "OSC Half / Full" option of the OB-X in the Prophet Rev2?
4. Filter: How could I use the "KBD (keyboard)" option of the OB-X in Prophet Rev2?

I have been studying both manuals but have not been able to figured out.

Thanks in advance!

I spent several months doing recordings of OBX/OBXA and replicating sounds on Rev2, including doing some more advanced modeling...   

1/2:   Yes, the Shape Mod acts as PWM destination when using a Square/Pulse oscillator.   So, yeah, just set Osc1 Shape Mod or Osc2 Shape Mod as destination of an LFO (and probably use Triangle Shape).. set your speed to taste, and you're set.

3:  The Osc2 Half/Full on OBX is just a control for how much of Osc2 is mixed into the filter section.   The equivalent control on the Rev2 will be to use the "Osc Mix" knob.  At 0, you'll have just Osc1, and none of Osc2.   At 64, you'll get both Osc1 and Osc2 mixed evenly going into the filter (that would be the equivalent of "Osc2 Full")  Probably somewhere around 32 value you will get the equivalent of "Osc2 Half". 

4. The KBD switch is a control of Keyboard tracking for the filter.   On the Rev2, you've got variable tracking all the way from none up to full tracking (0-128)  So setting 0 would be equivalent to OFF on the OBX, and 128 to ON... then you've got a ton of variation between.

If you want to read up some more on my research I did into classic synth voice variance, check out http://www.VoiceComponentModeling.com, or you can read this thread for discussion:  https://forum.sequential.com/index.php/topic,3449.0.html

With voice modeling you can virtually model an 8-voice OBX / OBXa within the Rev2, down to individual voices with offsets to tuning, filter, env timing and other characteristics.   I took measurements/recordings from an OBX and two OBXa synths when I was researching all of this, and built some voice models for the Rev2.  There's a few free patches you can download:  (the ones with VCM in the name):  VCM_8V2O_(IIJG)_INIT_Template.syx (this is a "init patch" based on the OBs I measured)
https://www.presetpatch.com/user/CreativeSpiral

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

[tearyhistory]

Hi Jason –

Thanks for your reply. I will try your advices. I wrote you an email a while ago. I'm trying to replicate a specific patch, like brass-horn strings that you can find in various Pat Metheny Group songs. I sent you some examples. I will definitely look into your sound set.

[creativespiral]

Hi Jason –

Thanks for your reply. I will try your advices. I wrote you an email a while ago. I'm trying to replicate a specific patch, like brass-horn strings that you can find in various Pat Metheny Group songs. I sent you some examples. I will definitely look into your sound set.

I think I know the sound you're after... there are a couple patches in the VCM bank I created that are inspired by Pat Metheny / Lyle Mays.   

LED-P WindMeth (#92) - Brass wind chirp lead sound inspired by Pat Metheny / Lyle Mays
LED-P WindVox (#103) - Another wind lead patch that is similar but with less transient pitch shift and more of a soft lead sound

Also, there are a bunch more Brass and Wind Ensemble patches in the set - classic synth brass patches as well as realistic acoustic ensemble type of sounds, with lots of dynamics and performance nuance from velocity, key pressure and mod wheel.

I will try to record and upload some demos of them soon.   

[tearyhistory]

Hi Jason –

Thanks for your reply. I will try your advices. I wrote you an email a while ago. I'm trying to replicate a specific patch, like brass-horn strings that you can find in various Pat Metheny Group songs. I sent you some examples. I will definitely look into your sound set.

I think I know the sound you're after... there are a couple patches in the VCM bank I created that are inspired by Pat Metheny / Lyle Mays.   

LED-P WindMeth (#92) - Brass wind chirp lead sound inspired by Pat Metheny / Lyle Mays
LED-P WindVox (#103) - Another wind lead patch that is similar but with less transient pitch shift and more of a soft lead sound

Also, there are a bunch more Brass and Wind Ensemble patches in the set - classic synth brass patches as well as realistic acoustic ensemble type of sounds, with lots of dynamics and performance nuance from velocity, key pressure and mod wheel.

I will try to record and upload some demos of them soon.

Thanks Jason! It would be great to hear a few seconds as an example of those sounds! Cheers

[creativespiral]

Hey @tearyhistory -
Here's some examples of patches inspired by Pat Metheny -

SYN Mays Prophet VCM
This is a lead tone inspired by Pat Metheny / Lyle Mays.   This one has an aggressive attack and combination of noise and transient pitch settle for that characteristic "chirp" sound.   A good lead tone to cut through the mix in fusion/progressive tracks. 


I uploaded the above "SYN Mays Prophet VCM" patch here, if you wanna give it a spin:
https://www.PresetPatch.com/user/CreativeSpiral

A couple more quick examples:

LED-P WindVox VCM
More of a soft wind lead, that can be played mono or polyphonic.


LED-P WindMeth JC
Inspired by Pat Metheny / Lyle Mays wind/ocarina lead tones.  This one has a fairly aggressive attack and transient pitch settle effect.


Sorry I missed your email, btw.. regarding the other sounds you mentioned, those sound like fairly standard slow pad / slow string type of backgrounds.  There are some patches like that in my VCM soundset, and probably some in the factory banks as well.

[tearyhistory]

Hey @tearyhistory -
Here's some examples of patches inspired by Pat Metheny -

SYN Mays Prophet VCM
This is a lead tone inspired by Pat Metheny / Lyle Mays.   This one has an aggressive attack and combination of noise and transient pitch settle for that characteristic "chirp" sound.   A good lead tone to cut through the mix in fusion/progressive tracks. 


I uploaded the above "SYN Mays Prophet VCM" patch here, if you wanna give it a spin:
https://www.PresetPatch.com/user/CreativeSpiral

A couple more quick examples:

LED-P WindVox VCM
More of a soft wind lead, that can be played mono or polyphonic.


LED-P WindMeth JC
Inspired by Pat Metheny / Lyle Mays wind/ocarina lead tones.  This one has a fairly aggressive attack and transient pitch settle effect.


Sorry I missed your email, btw.. regarding the other sounds you mentioned, those sound like fairly standard slow pad / slow string type of backgrounds.  There are some patches like that in my VCM soundset, and probably some in the factory banks as well.

Awesome! You are a genius! I will try the patch right now.