Any chance for an OB-X16...?

synthRodriguez

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Any chance for an OB-X16...?
« on: August 19, 2022, 11:18:41 AM »
I really like what I'm hearing for demos, and would bite, but one thing holds me back. I want to be able to generate double-mode, 8-voice patches. Now you're really got a beast that fits into my world.

Any thoughts on this? Can the architecture even support the possibility (ala Prophet 5/10)?

LPF83

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Re: Any chance for an OB-X16...?
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2022, 03:51:37 PM »
I really like what I'm hearing for demos, and would bite, but one thing holds me back. I want to be able to generate double-mode, 8-voice patches. Now you're really got a beast that fits into my world.

Any thoughts on this? Can the architecture even support the possibility (ala Prophet 5/10)?

If history is any indication of the future, this would likely be possible with a keyboard + hopefully upcoming desktop version polychained.
Prophet 10, OB-X8m, Prophet 6, OB-6, 3rd Wave, Prophet 12m, Prophet Rev2-16, Toraiz AS-1, Pro 2, Virus TI2, Moog SlimPhatty, Hydrasynth desktop, Korg Minilogue XDm, Roland JP-8080, Roland System-8, Roland SPD-SX SE / Octapad, Maschine, Cubase/Ableton/Akai MPC

synthRodriguez

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Re: Any chance for an OB-X16...?
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2022, 04:09:32 PM »
I would hope for an integrated unit. I have the Prophet 6 and have almost pulled the trigger on a desktop to polychain a half-dozen times, but in the end it's yet another stereo audio input to balance and manage along with physical space. It would have to sit on the floor, not a worthy end for such a great synth.

So, while I would applaud the maneuver, a 16-voice unit for stage or studio would be superb and unbeatable compared to the latest analog offerings. Make it 16 voice, add $1500, sign me up.
« Last Edit: August 19, 2022, 04:27:06 PM by synthRodriguez »

LPF83

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Re: Any chance for an OB-X16...?
« Reply #3 on: August 19, 2022, 04:38:41 PM »
I would hope for an integrated unit. I have the Prophet 6 and have almost pulled the trigger on a desktop to polychain a half-dozen times, but in the end it's yet another stereo audio input to balance and manage along with physical space. It would have to sit on the floor, not a worthy end for such a great synth.

So, while I would applaud the maneuver, a 16-voice unit for stage or studio would be superb and unbeatable compared to the latest analog offerings. Make it 16 voice, add $1500, sign me up.

I think the value proposition is there, what would for some be basically two OB-Xs for $6,500 or just a doubled monster 8 voice.  But when I think of it from Focusrite's perspective, the price point of the existing 8 voice has been the main point of objection...  Probably most analog synth lovers would love to own this synth, but for any type of product there is a certain price point at which sales numbers drop off...  and I just wonder if $5k is sort of the inflection point at which MSRP becomes no man's land.

Then again, maybe they designed it such that an 8 voice upgrade board can be dropped in like the Prophet5?

As much as I adore the polyunison (doubled P5) mode of the P10, it's such a thick sounding synth that I often find myself scaling it back in order to blend better with other instruments.  And, Obie's are thick sounding synths too.
Prophet 10, OB-X8m, Prophet 6, OB-6, 3rd Wave, Prophet 12m, Prophet Rev2-16, Toraiz AS-1, Pro 2, Virus TI2, Moog SlimPhatty, Hydrasynth desktop, Korg Minilogue XDm, Roland JP-8080, Roland System-8, Roland SPD-SX SE / Octapad, Maschine, Cubase/Ableton/Akai MPC

Re: Any chance for an OB-X16...?
« Reply #4 on: August 19, 2022, 08:04:34 PM »
Look inside - are there any unused multi connectors at the boards inside (like at the P5 rev 4)? If so it might be prepared for voice expansion, if not it’s not likely.

Re: Any chance for an OB-X16...?
« Reply #5 on: August 19, 2022, 09:01:22 PM »
I don't think so... Because the OBX8 already has a daughterboard.
Oberheim OB-X8, Minimoog D (vintage), OB6 (Desktop), Oberheim Matrix-6 (MIDI Controller for OB6), VC340

Re: Any chance for an OB-X16...?
« Reply #6 on: August 22, 2022, 07:19:41 PM »
Yeah, put me down for an expansion card if by some chance the beast supports it. All my favorite sounds are those big, layered stereo monstrosities, but then the 4-voice note limit ruins all the fun. I'd be first in line if a voice expansion were possible!
Jim Daneker
Composer/Producer, Nashville TN
www.jimdaneker.com

Elric

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Re: Any chance for an OB-X16...?
« Reply #7 on: August 22, 2022, 09:30:26 PM »
I don't think so... Because the OBX8 already has a daughterboard.

Looks like the 8 voices are on that daughter board. They might be able to fit another board under that one with "stacking" plugs, if there's height space, and heat space.

[Edit:  Wait, if that's the case, could you stack another one on there for a 24 voice? - But that might hit the processor too hard.]
« Last Edit: August 22, 2022, 10:37:38 PM by Elric »
:Elric:
Kurzweil K, Pro3, TX81z, K1r, Triton w/MOSS, Wavestation EX in a bag in the corner.

Re: Any chance for an OB-X16...?
« Reply #8 on: August 24, 2022, 06:55:33 AM »
I don't think so... Because the OBX8 already has a daughterboard.

Daughterboard holds voices 5-8.
The main board holds voices 1-4.

There are no other interconnects on the main board for more daughterboards, so eight voices is the max.

Re: Any chance for an OB-X16...?
« Reply #9 on: August 24, 2022, 12:42:16 PM »
You always buy 2, 3 or more OB-X8 and double, triple etc the voices if you are prepared to pay for 16, 24 or more voices. Another more cost effective way is to use a DAW and record unlimited amount of voices and layers.

Re: Any chance for an OB-X16...?
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2022, 07:15:46 AM »
You always buy 2, 3 or more OB-X8 and double, triple etc the voices if you are prepared to pay for 16, 24 or more voices. Another more cost effective way is to use a DAW and record unlimited amount of voices and layers.

Unfortunately the OB-X8 does not have a chain function.  Hopefully this can be added.

Re: Any chance for an OB-X16...?
« Reply #11 on: August 27, 2022, 02:13:45 PM »
You always buy 2, 3 or more OB-X8 and double, triple etc the voices if you are prepared to pay for 16, 24 or more voices. Another more cost effective way is to use a DAW and record unlimited amount of voices and layers.

Unfortunately the OB-X8 does not have a chain function.  Hopefully this can be added.

That was a shame, than I can’t add 15 more OB-X8 to chain to a 128 voices machine. Hope they fix that in next firmare update.