Obsession

Name: Obsession
Price: 99 USD
Author: Synapse Audio

by Synapse Audio · Synth · Vintage analog polysynth model

Not rated yet

Obsession is Synapse Audio's model of a famous vintage polyphonic analog synth, with per-voice control over its virtual voice boards.

Single, dual and split modes, built-in reverb, delay and chorus, and 500 patches come for €99 (about $112).

Best for: Keys & Synths, Bass. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Pop, Rock & Indie.

Keywords: polyphonic, analog, vintage, warm, preset-driven, 80s, CPU-light, hardware emulation, modulation matrix, pads, tempo-synced, basses, classic, creative, ensemble, fat, gritty, leads, lush, modern, MPE support, subtractive.

What it does

Obsession is Synapse Audio's model of a classic VCO/VCF/VCA polysynth, which the developer calls "a new era in poly-analog synth modeling". Reviewers identify the Oberheim OB-Xa as its inspiration, though it aims for a modern take rather than a strict copy.

Voice boards: choose 8 or 16 voices. A trimpot panel sets each voice's cutoff, amp release and oscillator/filter scaling, so voices differ slightly like on real hardware.
Oscillators: two VCOs with saw, triangle and pulse waves and pulse-width modulation, modeled on the Curtis CEM3340 chip.
Filter and amp: a low-pass VCF switchable between two-pole (12 dB/octave) and four-pole, with an optional band-pass mode and VCA saturation for extra grit.
Envelopes and LFOs: two ADSR envelopes and two LFOs. The LFOs have stepped modes with freehand drawing, and LFO Steps give tempo-synced rhythmic patterns of up to 128 steps.
Modulation and drift: a modulation matrix, plus an Organic knob that adds temperature-style fluctuations to the voices.
Two-part engine: Single, Dual and Split modes for layering two patches or splitting them across the keyboard.
Effects: reverb with a Shimmer mode (octave transpose and feedback), a stereo delay, and chorus/ensemble.
Presets and control: 500 patches in the full version, plus MPE and NKS support.

It is also available as a Rack Extension for Reason. Free demos are available.

Source: Synapse Audio product page

When to use it

Obsession is the better pick when you want one focused Oberheim-style polysynth that plays like hardware, at a lower price than most premium analog models. Compared with u-he Diva it covers one instrument rather than many, but its per-voice trimpots and Organic drift are built around that one sound. Against Arturia CS-80 V it targets the brassy OB-Xa sound rather than the Yamaha CS-80, and its Dual and Split modes make layered brass and pad patches quick. Next to Serum 2 or Pigments 7 it is far narrower; it has no wavetables or samples, only a classic two-oscillator voice. KVR users also note its low CPU use.

Best for: brassy poly stabs, warm pads, fat basses and lush leads with an 80s Oberheim character.
Genres: synthwave, 80s pop and rock, electronic and film scoring.
Look elsewhere if: you want many vintage synth styles in one plugin (Diva) or modern wavetable sound design (Serum 2 or Vital).
Tip: use the LFO Steps editor for tempo-synced rhythmic patterns, then layer a second patch in Dual mode.

What producers say

Reviewers and users rate it very highly for its warm, hardware-like sound; the few complaints concern the step editors and the shimmer reverb.

Bedroom Producers Blog rated it 93% and praised its "unabashed warmth and phatness", the per-voice offsets and the factory patches.
KVR users give it 5 out of 5 from 5 reviews; one called it the "best OB-Xa emulation", another said it feels like hardware and "just feels alive", and several mention low CPU use.
Criticisms: Bedroom Producers Blog found the step editors lack smoothing and line drawing, and the shimmer "somewhat shrill on occasion".

Where to buy

Best Service: $99
PluginFox: $99
AudioDeluxe: $99
Synapse Audio: $112.41 (Listed at €99; converted at €1 = $1.1355 (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))

Tutorials and reviews

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