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. About 3,000 units were produced.
Specification 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.
Notable OB-8 users Jack Antonoff Art of Noise Daft Punk Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Nik Kershaw The KLF Pet Shop Boys The Police Queen Steve Roach Simple Minds Soul II Soul Prince Van Halen
Hardware re-issues and recreations In May, 2022, the Oberheim OB-X8, a new 8-voice analog synthesizer with the voice architecture and filters of four classic Oberheim models: the OB-X, OB-SX, 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.
References
External links Vintage Synth: Oberheim OB-8 Keyboard Museum GreatSynthesizers: Oberheim OB-8