Oberheim OB-1

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OB-1
Oberheim OB-1.jpg
Oberheim OB-1
Manufacturer Oberheim
Dates1977 - 1979
Price US$1,895
Technical specifications
Polyphony Monophonic
Timbrality Monotimbral
Oscillator 2 VCOs
LFO 1
Synthesis type Analog Subtractive
Filter 1 VCF (2 or 4 pole switchable)
Attenuator 2 ADSR envelope generators (one for VCF, one for VCA)
Aftertouch expression No
Velocity expressionNo
Storage memory8 patches
Effects No
Input/output
Keyboard 37 keys
Left-hand control Pitch bend/modulation lever
External control CV/gate

The Oberheim OB-1 was a monophonic analog synthesizer introduced by Oberheim Electronics in late 1977. With the ability to store and recall up to 8 instances of its sound settings, it was the first completely programmable synthesizer, [1] [2] and the first of Oberheim's OB-series of synthesizers.

Contents

Development

Oberheim's OB-series was developed as a replacement for the previous generation of Oberheim SEM-based instruments and intended to be used for live performance. [3] [4] Building on the technology developed for their Polyphonic Synthesizer Programmer, Oberheim designed the OB-1 with the ability to store and recall up to 8 instances of its sound settings, making it the world's first completely programmable synthesizer. [2] [1] It originally sold for $1,895.

A slightly updated version, the Oberheim OB-1a, was introduced in 1979 that features the grey color scheme of its polyphonic sibling, the OB-X. [5]

Specification

The OB-1 features two voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs), each selectable between either "Pulse Type" or "Saw Type" waveform, with continuously-variable control ranging from a square wave to a narrow pulse wave for the "Pulse Type" setting, or from a triangle wave to a sawtooth wave for the "Saw Type". The oscillators can be synced, and there is an available square wave sub-oscillator. The voltage-controlled filter is switchable between either 2- or 4-pole, with frequency cutoff and resonance controls. There are two ADSR envelopes: one for the filter, the other for the voltage-controlled amplifier. [3] There are eight program memory buttons for storing and recalling the OB-1's settings. [1] [2]

There is a portamento knob allowing for adjustment of portamento amount, as well as a pitch bend/modulation lever. [1] [2]

Notable users of the OB-1 include Vince Clarke and the bands Tangerine Dream, Rush, and The Grid. [3]

A 2014 feature on the French radio station France Inter claimed that the OB-1 had been used by Star Wars sound engineer Ben Burtt to create the voice of R2-D2, and that the name of another Star Wars character, Obi-Wan Kenobi, derives from a transliteration of "OB-1". [6] [7] However, Star Wars was first released in May 1977, prior to the OB-1's release, and most sources credit the ARP 2600 synthesizer as being used to create R2-D2's voice. [8] [9]

Software emulations

In 2024, GForce Software released the Oberheim OB-1 software synthesizer, an emulation of the OB-1. [10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Colbeck, Julian (1996). Keyfax Omnibus Edition. MixBooks. pp. 84–90. ISBN   0-918371-08-2.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Forrest, Peter (1996). The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizers Part Two: N-Z. Devon, England: Susurreal. pp. 7–15. ISBN   0952437716.
  3. 1 2 3 "Oberheim OB-1". Vintage Synth Explorer. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  4. ↑ Moog, Bob (1993). Vail, Mark (ed.). Vintage Synthesizers: Oberheim SEM Module. San Francisco, California, USA: Miller Freeman Books. pp. 151–156. ISBN   0-87930-275-5.
  5. ↑ "Retro Synth Ads: Oberheim OB-1A and OB-X "A family that plays together..." ad, Contemporary Keyboard, 1979". Retro Synth Ads. 26 March 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  6. ↑ France Inter (18 February 2014. "Star wars Identities: visite virtuelle". Retrieved 25 April 2015 (in French)
  7. ↑ Russ, Martin (2012) Sound Synthesis and Sampling, 3rd edition, p. 333. Taylor & Francis
  8. ↑ Kunkes, Michael (May-June 2009). "Sound Trek: The Audio Explorations of Ben Burtt". Editors Guild Magazine
  9. ↑ Pinch, T. J. and Trocco, Frank (2004). Analog Days, p. 273. Harvard University Press
  10. ↑ "GForce launch Oberheim OB-1 soft synth". Sound On Sound. 9 July 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
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