| OB-8 | |
|---|---|
 The Oberheim OB-8 | |
| Manufacturer | Oberheim |
| Dates | 1983 - 1985 |
| Price | US$4395 |
| Technical specifications | |
| Polyphony | 8 voices |
| Timbrality | Bitimbral |
| Oscillator | 2 VCOs per voice |
| LFO | 3 |
| Synthesis type | Analog Subtractive |
| Filter | Switchable 12dB/oct or 24dB/oct resonant low-pass |
| Attenuator | 2 x ADSR (one for VCF & one for VCA) |
| Aftertouch expression | No |
| Velocity expression | No |
| Storage memory | 120 patches 12 splits 12 dual |
| Effects | none |
| Input/output | |
| Keyboard | 61-key |
| Left-hand control | Pitch Modulation |
| External control | CV/Gate MIDI Cassette Computer interface |
The Oberheim OB-8 is a subtractive analog synthesizer launched by Oberheim in early 1983 and discontinued in 1985. As the fourth product in the OB-series of polyphonic compact synthesizers, the OB-8 was the successor to the OB-Xa. The number of production was about 3,000 units.[1]
The OB-8 features eight-voice polyphony, two-part multi-timbrality, a 61-note processor-controlled piano keyboard, sophisticated programmable low-frequency oscillation (LFO) and envelope modulation, two-pole and four-pole filters, arpeggiator, external cassette storage, MIDI capability and 120 memory patches, 24 bi-timbral patches, and used the Z80 CPU. The musician's interface also consists of two pages of front panel programmable controls, left panel performance controls and a set of foot pedals and switches.
Artists who have used the OB-8 include Alice Coltrane, in her ashram music, Boys Noize, Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, Prince, Spinetta Jade,[2] Queen, Van Halen, Depeche Mode, The War on Drugs, Styx, Kool & The Gang, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Clarence Jey, The Police, Siekiera,[3] Silent Running, The KLF, Future Sound of London, Barnes & Barnes and Nik Kershaw.[4]
