Is it too late to suggest 8-part multi-timbrality?

[monkeejuice]

Just thinking about the bliss of the original EVS and how the SEM filters in the X8 would be fun to explore in that classic EVS  style? Wouldn't it be cool if the various instances of each voice program could be accessed with a a 2-button handshake? Something(..) and uhh... 1-8. Seems honest enough, eh?

[Analog Prophet]

No instrument that the OB-X8 recreates ever had that architecture. True multitimbrality belongs to the Xpander/M12, which are a completely different kind of synthesizer.

In any case, with modern recording it’s easy to multitrack the OB-X8, effectively giving you as many timbres as the number of tracks you record.

[The Real MC]

I've been waiting since 2024 for Oberheim to fix a bug that prevents me from using it with my stage system so I wouldn't hold your breath.

[monkeejuice]

Honestly, I am surprised that they did not included this into the firmware from the start. The only way to truly go SEM system is if you can have independent control over each voice. It seems like an easy concept to conjure since it the voices are under total software control. The only thing missing is variability between HP/LP filter states.

[The Real MC]

Honestly, I am surprised that they did not included this into the firmware from the start. The only way to truly go SEM system is if you can have independent control over each voice. It seems like an easy concept to conjure since it the voices are under total software control. The only thing missing is variability between HP/LP filter states.

The voices are under software control but the hardware generates the CVs and the hardware is not there for 100% independent CV per voice like the SEM polysynths.  The OB-X8 is not designed to emulate the SEM polysynths, it is designed to emulate the OBX/OBXa/OB8.  Like the original OBXa/OB8, the hardware supports duo timbrality in that the total voices can be split or layered, but only by two.  That means four voices produce one sound while the other four produce another.

Component wise, duo timbrality requires two sets of CMOS switches and S&H buffers to product the CVs to two sets of voices. Hardware costs money.

To accomplish eight voice timbrality like the SEM polysynths, you need four times the hardware components.  More hardware does not come free, it costs more money.

This is not a feature that firmware can solve.

[monkeejuice]

Honestly, I am surprised that they did not included this into the firmware from the start. The only way to truly go SEM system is if you can have independent control over each voice. It seems like an easy concept to conjure since it the voices are under total software control. The only thing missing is variability between HP/LP filter states.

The voices are under software control but the hardware generates the CVs and the hardware is not there for 100% independent CV per voice like the SEM polysynths.  The OB-X8 is not designed to emulate the SEM polysynths, it is designed to emulate the OBX/OBXa/OB8.  Like the original OBXa/OB8, the hardware supports duo timbrality in that the total voices can be split or layered, but only by two.  That means four voices produce one sound while the other four produce another.

Component wise, duo timbrality requires two sets of CMOS switches and S&H buffers to product the CVs to two sets of voices. Hardware costs money.

To accomplish eight voice timbrality like the SEM polysynths, you need four times the hardware components.  More hardware does not come free, it costs more money.

This is not a feature that firmware can solve.

I have not had a chance to look under the hood yet. I went on the assumption that multiplexing was handled in a more centralized layout. Any pics of the PCBs? None on the web that I have been able to find.

[Elric]

I have not had a chance to look under the hood yet. I went on the assumption that multiplexing was handled in a more centralized layout. Any pics of the PCBs? None on the web that I have been able to find.

It's two 4-voice boards. There's some pics in this thread...

https://gearspace.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-and-electronic-music-production/1377698-oberheim-back-ob-x8-synthesizer-310.html