OB-8 sounds in the OB-X8

[angelogogo0]

I would like to know is it possible to transfer my patches from my OB-8 into the OB-X8 through sysex or any other way?

[Obwanz]

Same here!

[drew_n]

I would like to know is it possible to transfer my patches from my OB-8 into the OB-X8 through sysex or any other way?

Yep! You can also load from cassette, if you have that format.

[Obwanz]

Thanks Drew!

Got hundreds of them to load.

Have you checked for consistency between the two?

[drew_n]

Thanks Drew!

Got hundreds of them to load.

Have you checked for consistency between the two?

It's identical, e.g. f you're loading an OB-8 library, it should be pretty much dead on. Marcus and the team did incredibly deep analysis of the 4 other ancestor synths--OB-SX, OB-X, Xa, and 8. I did spectrum plot comparisons between the X8 and 8 and I couldn't spot any difference. I also A/B'ed the OB-8 factory presets and couldn't hear any difference.

[angelogogo0]

How do you load your OB-8 sounds into the OB-X8? I don’t see any cassette interface inputs on the OB-X8.

[drew_n]

How do you load your OB-8 sounds into the OB-X8? I don’t see any cassette interface inputs on the OB-X8.

Either through sysex or cassette/mp3/audio. I'm not sure which jack it is offhand, but one ALSO serves the purpose of an input for audio data.

[OurDarkness]

Thanks Drew!

Got hundreds of them to load.

Have you checked for consistency between the two?

It's identical, e.g. f you're loading an OB-8 library, it should be pretty much dead on. Marcus and the team did incredibly deep analysis of the 4 other ancestor synths--OB-SX, OB-X, Xa, and 8. I did spectrum plot comparisons between the X8 and 8 and I couldn't spot any difference. I also A/B'ed the OB-8 factory presets and couldn't hear any difference.

So it is possible to hear comparisons of those OB-X8/OB-8 patches?

In another forum cbmd posted two audio clips of OB-X8 horns played in low and mid registers. In both cases I liked the OB-8 mode much better whereas the other two sounded very tame and indifferent in comparison. Does anyone know why is that?

[Analog Prophet]

Many times it’s due to slightly volume differences - louder/brighter always sounds better in a comparison. Accurate LUFS measurements (except the ears and level meter) are necessary.

[strytten]

In another forum cbmd posted two audio clips of OB-X8 horns played in low and mid registers. In both cases I liked the OB-8 mode much better whereas the other two sounded very tame and indifferent in comparison. Does anyone know why is that?
[/quote]

I used to own an OB-8 and it was my go to synth for years. I got to play an OB-XA at NAMM and was excited how good the OB-8 sounds are. I found that having the option to tweak those sounds with other filters and envelopes led to some great alternatives, too. I never owned any other Oberheim (until last year, when I bought an OB-6), so I was most comfortable with the OB-8 patches on the OB-XA. But I spent some time with the other patches and they sounded beautiful to me. I could tell as I auditioned them that I will need to go up a learning curve to find the sweet spots when performing or altering these other patches. But I don't think anyone's going to be disappointed with the OB-XA. It is amazing.

[Jim Alfredson]

I have been comparing my 1983 OB8 with the OB-X8 over the last few days. The OB-X8 is almost dead on. Really the only differences are the slightly noisier output on the OB8 and my OB8’s right output is a bit duller than the left, probably due to an aging op-amp in there. Otherwise, they are the same. The OB-X8 is just slightly brighter (not in a bad way… just more ‘fidelity’), something easily remedied with gentle EQ in mixing if it bothers you. I’m splitting hairs here. They are so close that I wouldn’t be surprised if the differences are smaller than the difference between to OB8s.

[LPF83]

I have been comparing my 1983 OB8 with the OB-X8 over the last few days. The OB-X8 is almost dead on. Really the only differences are the slightly noisier output on the OB8 and my OB8’s right output is a bit duller than the left, probably due to an aging op-amp in there. Otherwise, they are the same. The OB-X8 is just slightly brighter (not in a bad way… just more ‘fidelity’), something easily remedied with gentle EQ in mixing if it bothers you. I’m splitting hairs here. They are so close that I wouldn’t be surprised if the differences are smaller than the difference between to OB8s.

Thank you for the feedback, I really appreciate these updates from those who are able to do comparisons between vintage units and the OB-X8.

[Dan Chat]

Ok I’m gonna say what everyone is thinking. Yes the obx8 is the best of all worlds for the ob series. Simply cause it is the original sounds of the ob. And yes I owned an ob8 as well. You get what you pay for lol. Although true.

[The Real MC]

Owner of a FVS, OBX, and OBSX, happy OB-X8 owner since early August.

Bottom line: if you want the vintage Oberheim sound in a modern package, they don't come any better than this.  The ability to mix features across different legacy models is a huge plus.

PS it receives polyphonic aftertouch from an external MIDI controller.