| Synth Name: | OB-8 |
| Synth Manufacturer: | Oberheim |
| Synthesis Type: | Analog Subtractive |
| Polyphony: | 8 voices |
| Timbrality: | Bitimbral |
| Oscillator: | 2 VCOs per voice |
| Filter: | Switchable 12dB/oct or 24dB/oct resonant low-pass |
| Attenuator: | 2 x ADSR (one for VCF & one for VCA) |
| Left Control: | Pitch Modulation |
| Lfo: | 3 |
| Keyboard: | 61-key |
| Velocity: | No |
| Aftertouch: | No |
| Memory: | 120 patches 12 splits 12 dual |
| Ext Control: | CV/Gate MIDI Cassette Computer interface |
| Fx: | none |
| Dates: | 1983 - 1985 |
| Price: | US$4395 |
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.
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,[1] Queen, Van Halen, Depeche Mode, The War on Drugs, Styx, Kool & The Gang, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Clarence Jey, The Police, Siekiera,[2] Silent Running, The KLF, Future Sound of London, Barnes & Barnes and Nik Kershaw.[3]
In May, 2022, the Oberheim OB-X8, a new 8-voice analog synthesizer with the voice architecture and filters of three classic Oberheim models: the OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8, along with functionality and features not included on the original models, was announced. The new synthesizer is manufactured by Sequential in partnership with Tom Oberheim.[7] [8]
