Supplementary Arpeggiator Manual

PolyBrute · « **on:** July 14, 2023, 02:21:49 PM »

Hi guys & gals!

In case anyone is interested, I put together a detailed manual for using and understanding the OB-X8's arpeggiator. There might already be one out there, but I wasn't able to find one.

I found the factory manual severely lacking, particularly when it comes to explaining the transposition functions. Anyway, check it out if you want to; I'm happy to take constructive feedback, update it, and correct errors. I'm sure there are spelling, usage, grammar, and convention errors.

As I was finishing it up, I realized that probably the only people buying/using the OB-X8 are competent, intelligent adults who probably already know everything about it because they used it years ago. But just in case there are others out there like me who bought it just because of the sound and found the arp to be a curious, mysterious, and fun little add-on that I (at the time) probably wouldn't use much, this manual should come in handy.

Anyway, Feel free to download/share as you like or view online. The download is a zip file only because the forums don't allow docs, but it's just a standard .doc file.

***Scroll down to find the latest version.***

LPF83 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 14, 2023, 04:23:22 PM »

Quote from: PolyBrute on July 14, 2023, 02:21:49 PM

As I was finishing it up, I realized that probably the only people buying/using the OB-X8 are competent, intelligent adults who probably already know everything about it because they used it years ago.

Grinned on this comment

I definitely never used the vintage OB arps, and had already resigned myself to potentially never using the OB-X8 arp due to it's wacky / untuitive nature (even if it is historically accurate, and interesting in it's own right) if necessary.

Even without using the arp feature, I would 100% repeat the purchase of this module if I could turn back time (and recommend to anyone chasing the Oberheim sound). I am enamoured by its tone and characteristics and never get tired of playing it.

I suspect A LOT of folks will avoid the arp feature or / find another way to arpeggiate if they aren't looking for historical authenticity, but I will definitely check out your manual, thank you for this and I plan to dig in when time allows. I've prefixed the filename with "Unofficial" in my documentation folders just so I don't get it confused with any official release documentation.

Right now to me it feels like this misbehaving rascal is amusing and results in some worthwhile output yet definitely requires either tolerance or some deeper study to demystify. Well, the Obie's were known for character weren't they? The arpeggiator of the OB-X8 is kind of like the Cousin Eddie add-on to the Griswald famly

LPF83 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 15, 2023, 11:46:15 AM »

Quote from: LPF83 on July 14, 2023, 04:23:22 PM

thank you for this and I plan to dig in when time allows.

I did take a look at it today and learned a few things; thanks again. Definitely fun to play around with, but as mentioned toward the end, I'll probably reach for my Keystep Pro to drive the module for intentional arp work with it. I like sending the note output to the DAW anyway which the Keystep is ideal for. I also would probably reach for the Prophet 6 and OB-6 to do arps and repeating sequences before this synth, I think the strength of the OB-X8 is in pads/strings/sustained synth sounds etc.

SMV · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2023, 09:33:46 AM »

Great help. Thank you. I am Italian, so for me was even harder to understand it

PolyBrute · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2023, 10:05:34 AM »

Latest version here.

Changelog
V1.1 – 17JUL2023 – Added changelog, added page numbers, added clarification to the HOLD function on top of page 3, corrected word usage error on page 8. Added “lever box” usage convention to introduction. Document title capitalization. Version/date separation in header.

Vestapol · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2023, 11:35:47 AM »

Thanks for this help. I'd never have sussed all that on my own.

PolyBrute · « **Reply #6 on:** October 16, 2023, 11:46:47 AM »

Updated version of the manual to 1.2.

Changelog for this version:

V1.2 – 16OCT2023 – Added Lever Box explanation and included considerations for the Desktop version of the OB-X8, since it lacks the UPPER (9) and LOWER (10) buttons. Adjusted previous change wording to not specify page numbers, as things may be added that affect page numbers. Expanded on the transposition examples to provide all 12 notes’ interval values. Corrected some minor details in Final Thoughts. Plan is to add a “useful links” section in next update.

PolishPrince · « **Reply #7 on:** October 17, 2023, 11:12:19 PM »

Thanks so much.. I'm still new on this synth, and the Arp usually doesn't do what I expect it to do. I'll be studying your Manual for sure!! This is great stuff - Thanks again!

PolyBrute · « **Reply #8 on:** October 18, 2023, 04:12:11 AM »

Quote from: PolishPrince on October 17, 2023, 11:12:19 PM

Thanks so much.. I'm still new on this synth, and the Arp usually doesn't do what I expect it to do. I'll be studying your Manual for sure!! This is great stuff - Thanks again!

My pleasure! That's exactly why I wrote it - I was like, "What the hell is going on here?!?" And after a bit of experimenting and reading, I got it sorted. I don't think I missed anything, although it's possible things might change with FW updates.

jeffreestar · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2024, 06:30:27 PM »

Quote from: PolishPrince on October 17, 2023, 11:12:19 PM

Thanks so much.. I'm still new on this synth, and the Arp usually doesn't do what I expect it to do. I'll be studying your Manual for sure!! This is great stuff - Thanks again!
that's not my neighbor

I'm sure it will be really helpful for both new users and those who might need a refresher on its features.

PolishPrince · « **Reply #10 on:** July 24, 2024, 01:41:40 AM »

Quote from: PolyBrute on October 18, 2023, 04:12:11 AM

Quote from: PolishPrince on October 17, 2023, 11:12:19 PM
Thanks so much.. I'm still new on this synth, and the Arp usually doesn't do what I expect it to do. I'll be studying your Manual for sure!! This is great stuff - Thanks again!
My pleasure! That's exactly why I wrote it - I was like, "What the hell is going on here?!?" And after a bit of experimenting and reading, I got it sorted. I don't think I missed anything, although it's possible things might change with FW updates.

I got to tell you Polybrute... I sold my Polybrute Noir last Saturday. The OB-X8 and the Matrix-6 fill my polyphonic needs. But, I'll never my MatrixBrute.

I know the Polybrute was a wonderful synth, but I'm not into ambient music, and the Polybrute is epic in that respect. I personally wasn't using it enough.

I have 3 other synths to sell to clean my studio up.

Analog Prophet · « **Reply #11 on:** July 24, 2024, 03:54:14 PM »

Quote from: PolishPrince on July 24, 2024, 01:41:40 AM

I know the Polybrute was a wonderful synth, but I'm not into ambient music, and the Polybrute is epic in that respect.

That makes me curious as I’m into ambient music

PolishPrince · « **Reply #12 on:** July 24, 2024, 09:15:36 PM »

Quote from: Analog Prophet on July 24, 2024, 03:54:14 PM

Quote from: PolishPrince on July 24, 2024, 01:41:40 AM
I know the Polybrute was a wonderful synth, but I'm not into ambient music, and the Polybrute is epic in that respect.

That makes me curious as I’m into ambient music

Get the Polybrute 12. Polybrute 6 came with a sucky keybed. I know the 12 has the upgraded. It's a ambient machine. I'll look for a YouTube review from you 🎹 🎹 🎹 🎹 🎹

chrisgvitar · « **Reply #13 on:** August 03, 2024, 11:16:38 PM »

Fantastic read. Especially love the colorful language regarding the arp in unison mode. I wanted to ask something that wasn't directly addressed, or perhaps it was indirectly but I didn't catch it.

Getting a nice fat unison patch loaded up, whether it be 4 or 8 voices, put on spread mode (any spread type) and played normally, it is nicely spread across the stereo field. And when arp mode is activated and a note is quickly tapped (rather than held), that note is no longer spread in unison mode nor across the stereo field. The volume decrease, harmonic thinning, and more mono sound makes me wonder what exactly is going on with the arp in unison mode. Is it just defaulting to the poly mode and giving me 1 note to play with? Because if that is basically the case, then you, sir, are correct- it is pretty much useless!
Thanks!

PolyBrute · « **Reply #14 on:** August 04, 2024, 04:19:10 AM »

Quote from: chrisgvitar on August 03, 2024, 11:16:38 PM

Fantastic read. Especially love the colorful language regarding the arp in unison mode. I wanted to ask something that wasn't directly addressed, or perhaps it was indirectly but I didn't catch it.

Getting a nice fat unison patch loaded up, whether it be 4 or 8 voices, put on spread mode (any spread type) and played normally, it is nicely spread across the stereo field. And when arp mode is activated and a note is quickly tapped (rather than held), that note is no longer spread in unison mode nor across the stereo field. The volume decrease, harmonic thinning, and more mono sound makes me wonder what exactly is going on with the arp in unison mode. Is it just defaulting to the poly mode and giving me 1 note to play with? Because if that is basically the case, then you, sir, are correct- it is pretty much useless!
Thanks!

Thank you for the kind words! I find myself visiting the manual these days, too since I’ve already forgotten how to use it lol!

In any case, I’ll try what you did and see what my results are. I suspect that the arp defaults to monophony or defaults to mono for the first note of the arp and when you’re quickly pressing a note, you’re basically starting the arp over again each time. I’ll get back to you with my findings!

bjgerkes · « **Reply #15 on:** August 13, 2024, 05:24:21 AM »

Thanks for the manual, it is a handy document.
However, the arpeggiator just lacks 1 *ONE* feature to make it about 100% more usable, and that is a latch function as we know it from about any other arpeggiator out there. It is beyond me that this is not implemented.

PolyBrute · « **Reply #16 on:** August 13, 2024, 06:01:33 AM »

Agreed. The HOLD function is hardly a substitute for latch…

MicroRNA · « **Reply #17 on:** August 16, 2024, 05:00:38 PM »

Thank you so much for this document. I just got the OB-X8 and it was taking too long to figure out by just playing around. I like doing that but after reading this Word document, I could see how far away I was from getting to where I wanted. So, thanks again! PS. My wife thanks you too. I was driving her crazy with the arp.

Chris

PolyBrute · « **Reply #18 on:** August 16, 2024, 06:56:11 PM »

Quote from: MicroRNA on August 16, 2024, 05:00:38 PM

Thank you so much for this document. I just got the OB-X8 and it was taking too long to figure out by just playing around. I like doing that but after reading this Word document, I could see how far away I was from getting to where I wanted. So, thanks again! PS. My wife thanks you too. I was driving her crazy with the arp.

Chris

My pleasure! I will publish the update as soon as I wrap my head around the new features in 2.0.0

PolyBrute · « **Reply #19 on:** August 22, 2024, 11:54:31 AM »

Updated manual: v1.3 - see changelog below. Thanks!

Changelog:
V1.1 – 17JUL2023: Added changelog, added page numbers, added clarification to the HOLD function, corrected some word usage error. Added “lever box” usage convention to introduction. Document title capitalization. Version/date separation in header.

V1.2 – 16OCT2023: Added Lever Box explanation and included considerations for the Desktop version of the OB-X8, since it lacks the UPPER (9) and LOWER (10) buttons. Adjusted previous change wording to not specify page numbers, as things may be added that affect page numbers. Expanded on the transposition examples to provide all 12 notes’ interval values. Corrected some minor details in Final Thoughts. Plan is to add a “useful links” section in next update.

V1.3 – 19AUG2024: Added notes & explanation about the new Binaural mode (pp.6-7). Added Arp Clock subdivisions new to FW version 2.0.0 and internal/external arp clock explanation (p.9). Various formatting & grammar fixes; general editing.