Oberheim OB-E
by GForce Software · Synth · Oberheim 8-Voice emulation
Not rated yet
An emulation of the Oberheim 8-Voice, built from eight independent SEM modules, and endorsed by Tom Oberheim.
It adds split and unison modes, an 8-step sequencer, a drum mode and 700+ patches, and includes an OB-EZ license, for $169.99.
Best for: Keys & Synths, Bass, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Pop, Rock & Indie, Ambient & Cinematic.
Keywords: polyphonic, hardware emulation, sequencer, analog, brass, leads, monophonic, pads, 70s, inspired by, MPE support, musical, preset-driven, round-robin, simple, sound design, subtle, subtractive, textures.
What it does
OB-E recreates the Oberheim 8-Voice, the 1970s polysynth built from eight SEM modules, and lets you edit each of those eight voices on its own. It carries Tom Oberheim's personal endorsement, and version 2 was refined with him and former Oberheim engineer Marcus Ryle.
- Eight SEMs: each with three oscillators (VCO1 and VCO2 with pulse and sawtooth, VCO3 as an audio-rate LFO or extra modulation source), a zero-delay-feedback multimode filter, two ADS envelopes and an LFO.
- Editing: edit SEMs one at a time or all together in Group mode, copy, paste and save single SEMs, and zoom in on one SEM with its front and rear panels side by side.
- Keyboard modes: mono, mono legato, poly, unison and split (SEMs 1–4 below the split point, 5–8 above), with continuous round-robin voice allocation.
- Sequencer: an 8-step sequencer inspired by the original MS-1, which can trigger SEMs in turn or be routed to SEM 8 for three-part split setups.
- Drum mode: each SEM is played from its own key, with 10 drum-kit presets.
- Character: per-voice sonic inaccuracies, a v2 Vintage knob that "dials in more realistic musical inaccuracies", and a refined Detune control.
- Expression: polyphonic aftertouch, velocity, MPE support and MIDI CC mapping.
- Effects and presets: an analog-style stereo delay and the v2 Matrix Reverb, each routable to the upper module, lower module or both, and 700+ tagged patches by Dave Spiers and guest designers.
The current version is 2.6. The free trial runs for 6 hours or 7 days, whichever is longer, with the Alpha patches only. It includes a free licence for the simpler OB-EZ.
Source: GForce Software product page
When to use it
OB-E is the pick when you want the 8-Voice specifically: eight separate SEMs you can detune and voice individually, for wide, slightly unstable Oberheim pads and brass. Compared with Arturia OB-Xa V or OB-Xd, which model the later OB-X polys, it gives you per-voice SEM editing and the earlier, looser modular sound. Next to Diva, it covers one classic instrument rather than many, but goes much deeper into that one sound. It also costs more than GForce's own single-voice SEM, which shares its patches, so choose the SEM if you only need mono bass and leads.
- Best for: huge poly pads, brass, unison leads, per-voice detuned textures and split-keyboard parts.
- Genres: synth-pop, electronic, rock, film and ambient.
- Look elsewhere if: you want an OB-X/OB-Xa sound (OB-Xa V or OB-Xd) or just quick presets (the included OB-EZ).
- Tip: turn the Vintage knob fully up first, then back it off until character and clarity balance (MusicTech).
What producers say
Reviewers and users rate it at the top of the scale for sound, with price the main reservation.
- MusicTech gave version 2 10 out of 10 (the original also scored 10), praising the Vintage control, the new reverb and sequencer zoom; its only con was a Detune that may feel too subtle.
- KVR users rate it 5 out of 5 from 2 reviews, praising "the fattest sound", proper hard sync and Oberheim voice allocation.
- Criticisms: one KVR user found it "expensive for what it is".
Where to buy
- GForce Software: $169.99
- Plugin Boutique: $169.99
- AudioDeluxe: $169.99
Tutorials and reviews
- Gforce Software Oberheim OB-E v2: Sound Demo With Feature Highlights (including Windows support)
- Gforce Software OB-E Plugin Review & Sound Demo (Oberheim 8 Voice Synthesizer Emulation)
- OB-E V 2.0 - La nueva versión del VST de Gforce Software que emula el mítico 8-Voice de Oberheim
- GForce OB-E v2 Blurring The Line Between Virtual And Hardware
- GForce Oberheim OB-E v2 on a Surface Pro 8
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