Dipping a toe into the Oberheim pond - suggestions?

[Manbird]

Hi all. In the days when the main choice in my life was between the Prophet 6 and the OB-6, I landed the P6. Still, I'd go to the music store, even after buying the P6, to play both, as if to confirm my choice. I liked the OB-6, but Sequential stuff is burned into my blood.

I'm tempted now to dig into an Oberheim. The OB-X8 isn't on my list, though. Too pricey just for the sake of adding OB flava to my bowl.

So, I'm hoping for a few sales pitches from peeps here regarding the OB-6 and the TEO-5. I'm pretty much out of space for either - ha - but that doesn't tend to stop synth geek me. My synth collection is already pretty Jenga'd up, so what's one more?

I don't go crazy for modulation options, but then again, maybe I would if I had them. Etc. This synth would be for studio use. I kid myself thinking I'll start bringing something to local gigs. Still a small synth might come in handy for such - my wife also plays synth sometimes at shows.

Yeah - if anyone has a vibe towards one synth or other, I'm curious to hear.

Thanks!

[LPF83]

Hi all. In the days when the main choice in my life was between the Prophet 6 and the OB-6, I landed the P6. Still, I'd go to the music store, even after buying the P6, to play both, as if to confirm my choice. I liked the OB-6, but Sequential stuff is burned into my blood.

I'm tempted now to dig into an Oberheim. The OB-X8 isn't on my list, though. Too pricey just for the sake of adding OB flava to my bowl.

So, I'm hoping for a few sales pitches from peeps here regarding the OB-6 and the TEO-5. I'm pretty much out of space for either - ha - but that doesn't tend to stop synth geek me. My synth collection is already pretty Jenga'd up, so what's one more?

I don't go crazy for modulation options, but then again, maybe I would if I had them. Etc. This synth would be for studio use. I kid myself thinking I'll start bringing something to local gigs. Still a small synth might come in handy for such - my wife also plays synth sometimes at shows.

Yeah - if anyone has a vibe towards one synth or other, I'm curious to hear.

Thanks!

I know you said no interest in OB-X8, but I'm going to throw an opinion in, anyway

Are you only interested in keyboard or is desktop an option and are you buying new or used?   If new, the *current* discount price of OB-X8 isn't that much compared to OB-6, and because of that, and given all the things the OB-X8 can do (and above all, the sound)....   $2,800 for OB-X8 versus $2,400 for OB-6 makes me heavily biased toward the OB-X8 if a desktop module is your destination.

If you want a keyboard then my recommendation might change as long as you're okay with 49 keys.  The large size of the OB-X8 keyboard, the fact I like wheels instead of paddles etc. was an important part of my decision to get the desktop instead.  A smaller synth seems to be a benefit for you and that leads me more toward the OB-6 as a recommendation.  One thing I always appreciate about my P6 and OB-6 combination, is the workflow is very similar, very immediate, and not as menu-oriented as the OB-X8 is for certain things.

The OB-6 is a fantastic instrument and my OB-X8 didn't replace it for me, I kept mine -- they are both Obies but different synths.  I think in terms of versatility, it is not in the same league as a P6, but it has its own character.  A lot of people prefer the core sound of the OB-6 to the P6, and I can understand why because it has a nice "sizzle" that's typical of 2 pole filters.

I'll try to use a couple of old school 80's actors as examples to illustrate my perception of the difference between OB-6 and P6.

OB-6 - It has a character all its own that's welcome in a performance, kind of like Robert Di Nero.  It never disappoints, and you always know what to expect out of it and its always welcome.  You may not be able to cast it to any role, but it will find a place.
Prophet-6 - It can do a vast number of characters - its more like Sean Penn.  It can have a certain character in one context and be unrecognizable in another context, so you're kind if in awe in the range of things it can do.

Unfortunately I cannot comment on the TEO-5 because I've only heard them on YT and wasn't interested because my Obie bases are covered.  A lot of folks are happy with them.  I suspect they are a good value.  They aren't fully analog signal path and I hear something different in the circuitry which is one of my peeves with lower cost analog synths, but that doesn't really matter if the player is inspired by the instrument.

[Manbird]

Hi all. In the days when the main choice in my life was between the Prophet 6 and the OB-6, I landed the P6. Still, I'd go to the music store, even after buying the P6, to play both, as if to confirm my choice. I liked the OB-6, but Sequential stuff is burned into my blood.

I'm tempted now to dig into an Oberheim. The OB-X8 isn't on my list, though. Too pricey just for the sake of adding OB flava to my bowl.

So, I'm hoping for a few sales pitches from peeps here regarding the OB-6 and the TEO-5. I'm pretty much out of space for either - ha - but that doesn't tend to stop synth geek me. My synth collection is already pretty Jenga'd up, so what's one more?

I don't go crazy for modulation options, but then again, maybe I would if I had them. Etc. This synth would be for studio use. I kid myself thinking I'll start bringing something to local gigs. Still a small synth might come in handy for such - my wife also plays synth sometimes at shows.

Yeah - if anyone has a vibe towards one synth or other, I'm curious to hear.

Thanks!

I know you said no interest in OB-X8, but I'm going to throw an opinion in, anyway

Are you only interested in keyboard or is desktop an option and are you buying new or used?   If new, the *current* discount price of OB-X8 isn't that much compared to OB-6, and because of that, and given all the things the OB-X8 can do (and above all, the sound)....   $2,800 for OB-X8 versus $2,400 for OB-6 makes me heavily biased toward the OB-X8 if a desktop module is your destination.

If you want a keyboard then my recommendation might change as long as you're okay with 49 keys.  The large size of the OB-X8 keyboard, the fact I like wheels instead of paddles etc. was an important part of my decision to get the desktop instead.  A smaller synth seems to be a benefit for you and that leads me more toward the OB-6 as a recommendation.  One thing I always appreciate about my P6 and OB-6 combination, is the workflow is very similar, very immediate, and not as menu-oriented as the OB-X8 is for certain things.

The OB-6 is a fantastic instrument and my OB-X8 didn't replace it for me, I kept mine -- they are both Obies but different synths.  I think in terms of versatility, it is not in the same league as a P6, but it has its own character.  A lot of people prefer the core sound of the OB-6 to the P6, and I can understand why because it has a nice "sizzle" that's typical of 2 pole filters.

I'll try to use a couple of old school 80's actors as examples to illustrate my perception of the difference between OB-6 and P6.

OB-6 - It has a character all its own that's welcome in a performance, kind of like Robert Di Nero.  It never disappoints, and you always know what to expect out of it and its always welcome.  You may not be able to cast it to any role, but it will find a place.
Prophet-6 - It can do a vast number of characters - its more like Sean Penn.  It can have a certain character in one context and be unrecognizable in another context, so you're kind if in awe in the range of things it can do.

Unfortunately I cannot comment on the TEO-5 because I've only heard them on YT and wasn't interested because my Obie bases are covered.  A lot of folks are happy with them.  I suspect they are a good value.  They aren't fully analog signal path and I hear something different in the circuitry which is one of my peeves with lower cost analog synths, but that doesn't really matter if the player is inspired by the instrument.

I dig that the OB-6 might be a one-flavor pony - it makes the "Oberheim" sound and asks to take up space in its own right, whereas the Prophet 6, indeed can cover alllll sorts of bases. But at this point, if I jump towards one Oberheim or other, it would be for the specific sound vibe it has.

I am out of space, probably! I have two studios at home, one upstairs full of synths and my basement below, which is more for tracking - guitars, vocals, piano, drum kit. But that's where my Trigon, Taiga and System 8 live. A module might be the way to go, but... I generally need/want keys. And 49 is fine. I'm used to it, as 4 of my 6 polys are 4-octave machines. Finding a place for anything - 4 octaves or even 3 - would be a challenge.

It's funny for me to consider an Oberheim synth at a time when I'm (also) craving something weirder again. The Taiga can go pretty weird in its semi-modularity. I think, rather than for the classic Juno/Jupiter sounds, that my grabbing a System 8 again, was for its own engine, which can get mysterious . An OB-6 is not gonna take me to dark, dangerous places. It's gonna sit on top of a pop song, a friend to the world! I'm always back and forth this way. I seek the unknown from synths, whether that's in their sound or in their workflow. But my fav synth always will be the Prophet 5, which I mainly use for the most "musical" tasks. I don't need its helicopter patch in my songs, but I need it rich sawtooth thang.

I appreciate your take, always. It's good to live life on a forum where there's no such thing as "too many synths!"

[Soundquest]

Rotating slowly thru my instruments over the course of months, two synths always manage to amaze me with thier sound quality after not hearing them for awhile...  PEK and OB6.  Both I could pick out of a lineup w. my eyes closed.  I cannot comment on the other OB's, as I don't own them, but the OB6 is really a gem.  It's simplicity is part of the joy.

[Manbird]

I love how simplicity can be such a key w some synths, given how complex these instruments are. The Prophet 5 is that for me. It just does one thing, in a way, even if that one thing is made of countless many things.

I sorta talked myself down from the OB-6 ledge for now. I spent time w my Trigon, a synth I adore, and it reminded me I need to dig far deeper into that one before adding yet another synth to my bag. The Trigon is in my basement studio, where synths are a bit secondary. It’s prob time to bring it upstairs to be swapped w the Prophet 6, except the P6 is my go-to for most things!

[williamcorlin]

Hi all. In the days when the main choice in my life was between the Prophet 6 and the OB-6, I landed the P6. Still, I'd go to the music store, even after buying the P6, to play both, as if to confirm my choice. I liked the OB-6, but Sequential stuff is burned into my blood.

I'm tempted now to dig into an Oberheim. The OB-X8 isn't on my list, though. Too pricey just for the sake of adding OB flava to my bowl.

So, I'm hoping for a few sales pitches from peeps here regarding the OB-6 and the TEO-5. I'm pretty much out of space for either - ha - but that doesn't tend to stop synth geek me. My synth collection is already pretty Jenga'd up, so what's one more?

I don't go crazy for modulation options, but then again, maybe I would if I had them. Etc. This synth would be for studio use. I kid myself thinking I'll start bringing something to local gigs. Still a small synth might come in handy for such - my wife also plays synth sometimes at shows.

Yeah - if anyone has a vibe towards one synth or other, I'm curious to hear.

Thanks!

I know you said no interest in OB-X8, but I'm going to throw an opinion in, anyway

Are you only interested in keyboard or is desktop an option and are you buying new or used?   If new, the *current* discount price of OB-X8 isn't that much compared to OB-6, and because of that, and given all the things the OB-X8 can do (and above all, the sound)....   $2,800 for OB-X8 versus $2,400 for OB-6 makes me heavily biased toward the OB-X8 if a desktop module is your destination.

If you want a keyboard then my recommendation might change as long as you're okay with 49 keys.  The large size of the OB-X8 keyboard, the fact I like wheels instead of paddles etc. was an important part of my decision to get the desktop instead.  A smaller synth seems to be a benefit for you and that leads me more toward the OB-6 as a recommendation.  One thing I always appreciate about my P6 and OB-6 combination, is the workflow is very similar, very immediate, and not as menu-oriented as the OB-X8 is for certain things.

The OB-6 is a fantastic instrument and my OB-X8 didn't replace it for me, I kept mine -- they are both Obies but different synths.  I think in terms of versatility, it is not in the same league as a P6, but it has its own character.  A lot of people prefer the core sound of the OB-6 to the P6, and I can understand why because it has a nice "sizzle" that's typical of 2 pole filters.

I'll try to use a couple of old school 80's actors as examples to illustrate my perception of the difference between OB-6 and P6.

OB-6 - It has a character all its own that's welcome in a performance, kind of like Robert Di Nero.  It never disappoints, and you always know what to expect out of it and its always welcome.  You may not be able to cast it to any role, but it will find a place.
Prophet-6 - It can do a vast number of characters - its more like Sean Penn.  It can have a certain character in one context and be unrecognizable in another context, so you're kind if in awe in the range of things it can do.

Unfortunately I cannot comment on the TEO-5 because I've only heard them on YT and wasn't interested because my Obie bases are covered.  A lot of folks are happy with them.  I suspect they are a good value.  They aren't fully analog signal path and I hear something different in the circuitry which is one of my peeves with lower cost analog synths, but that doesn't really matter if the player is inspired by the instrument.

I dig that the OB-6 might be a one-flavor pony - it makes the "Oberheim" sound and asks to take up space in its own right, whereas the Prophet 6, indeed can cover alllll sorts of bases. But at this point, if I jump towards one Oberheim or other, it would be for the specific sound vibe it has.

I am out of space, probably! I have two studios at home, one upstairs full of synths and my basement below, which is more for tracking - guitars, vocals, piano, drum kit. But that's where my Trigon, Taiga and System 8 live. A module might be the way to go, but... I generally need/want keys. And 49 is fine. I'm used to it, as 4 of my 6 polys are 4-octave machines. Finding a place for anything - 4 octaves or even 3 - would be a challenge.

It's funny for me to consider an Oberheim synth at a time when I'm (also) craving something weirder again. The Taiga can go pretty weird in its semi-modularity. I think, rather than for the classic Juno/Jupiter sounds, that my grabbing a System 8 again, was for its own engine, which can get mysterious . An OB-6 is not gonna take me to dark, dangerous places. It's gonna sit on top of a pop song, a friend to the world! I'm always back and forth this way. I seek the unknown from synths, whether that's in their sound or in their workflow. But my fav synth always will be the Prophet 5, which I mainly use for the most "musical" tasks. I don't need its helicopter patch in my songs, but I need it rich sawtooth thang.

I appreciate your take, always. It's good to live life on a forum where there's no such thing as "free online games"

I totally get the appeal of the Oberheim sound, especially with the OB-6's unique character. It seems like a fantastic choice for studio work, and I love how it can add that classic vibe to your music. The TEO-5 also sounds intriguing, especially for those looking for something a bit different. I think it really comes down to what you want to achieve with your sound. Can't wait to hear more thoughts from everyone!

[Manbird]

"It's good to live life on a forum where there's no such thing as online games!" Huh.