I was lucky to get to play the new OB-X8 at Synthplex 2022 last week, it was amazing! Definitely a 'main synth' for any worthwhile project studio. Tom Oberheim was there, he is awesome, very patient with his legion of fans too. Thanks for posting.
Doing my own blind test, I only incorrectly guessed the Low Strings, the aftertouch confused me and I flip-flopped a couple times before settling wrong, LOL. Though I was 4 out of 5 here, and 5 out of 5 on your Prophet 5 rev 4 vs. Arturia blind comparison you guys did a little while back, I've owned both 80's synths since the mid 80's and the Arturia products really stand up well. I've dialed in my Prophet 5 rev 3 sounds on the Arturia close as dammit spot on, and similar to the OB for sounds. Oddly to my ears, I had to tweak the Rush Rez sound in the Arturia soft synth, and the this new X8 sounds closer to the Arturia than the original OB synth, but that could just be the aged components of nearly over 40 years plus. In the end if I had to live only with the Arturia, I would be more than happy with the sounds. The experience and ease of editing on a hardware machine though is way better than a mouse with a computer.
Yes, I made exactly the same wrong guess. I'm still very happy having bought the OB-X8, for various reasons. Probably the biggest difference is that it always sounds good, and doesn't need tweaking all the time to sound "oh that's soo close" :)
Its funny watching people make comparisons between the two leaning their biases toward the OB-X8 despite the fact that they weren't blind tested like the folks in the video. Blind-testing makes a HUGE difference and forces you to put your biases aside. Thats what I liked about this video, there was no bias, just pure blind-testing. I can't take the comment section too serious when I know everyone knew what was playing, when it was playing without being blinded. The biases become strong.
That was awesome! Thanks for doing this guys. Yeah, Arturia did great. The real OB-X8 sounds amazing, of course, but there's a place and budget for the software too. Obviously the best time ever to be a music producer!
Yet again a comparison actually showing how important good dynamics and EQ setup is (and how it can "level" out any small differences) while both recording and mixing. At the very least on the monitor loop while recording.
Honestly I did it blind on my phone and I got them all. Are these guys synth guys. The real one is much more meaty and had more of a full organ vibe. It's close but no cigar. People say you wouldn't hear it in a mix bit you would. The mix would need less work to make it sound full meaning you could have a cleaner mix, simpler and less fussy. It would just sit better and be lovely and do lovely thick lush pads but also be able to rip the speakers apart when it needed to. There's a reason it's a classic.
Great test! I'd like to hear patch comparisons for presets that specifically highlight random pitch detuning used to create "beat frequencies" and alias modulation over time. Wonder if the finite digital world would be noticeable different than the infinite analog environment. Cheers
I found while both sounded very nice, the Arturia became easy to pick out as I found it had a bit of a harshness in the higher frequencies, while the OB-X8 was so buttery smooth. I feel that if I'm mixing with the Arturia plugin, I'd likely need to do a bit of surgical EQing (or Soothe2) in the upper frequencies whereas I feel I could just get away with a high shelf EQ on the OB-X8 if I want to bring out some of those higher frequencies a bit. I have the Synth V collection with OP-Xa, but I feel I'll still be saving up for the OB-X8. At least I know I've got something pretty solid to play with until then!
Yep you can do a lot with EQ. What I do sometimes is run my laptop with the virtual instrument through vacuum tubes and it makes a world of difference especially smoothing out the high frequencies. In fact I run my main work station through vacuum tubes to just listen to streaming music. It helps a ton to help warm it up - note I do NOT mix with vacuum tubes in the chain.
The Arturia version often had a greater and more detailed stereo spread. I think that's what was fooling the ears of our auditors. I actually preferred the sound of the Arturia version on many of these patches. That "Rush Resonance" one was definitely better on the OB-X8, though, to my ear. (Through _these_ headphones on _this_ computer.) Nice comparo.
Sure they can sound very similar, but the overall experience is much more visceral & tactile with the actual instrument than a facsimile of it. And NOTHING can ever change that.
I must say, i listen to the test in a proper studio. My ears aren't that trained, and still, each time OBX was playing the difference was huge, at the first second. Also, no matter whether it was played first or second, i could still guess easily from the first when it was weak, lacking frequencies, and when it was full, and simply beautiful. Just got myself an OBX8, thanks to that video. Well done guys this was very helpful8 Séb
I am really impressed with OB-Xtreme by Alyjames lab. A lot cheaper and sounds amazing. I also own an OB6. I didnt wanna fork over the big bucks for an OBx8 so bought this plug in and really love it.
The AJ Lab sounds SICKKKK. Sounds way closer to playing on an analog machine in my opinion. If they could just get the CPU hunger in order it would be insane.
Got 5/5 here (blind test -- listened but didn't watch) but I did listen on headphones. For the first patch, the modulation is smoother on the OB-X8 (you can hear the Arturia doing some wonky stuff). For all of the patches, the Arturia's release on its envelopes isn't as clean or smooth. For all of the pads, I think the OB-X8 is very clearly more subtle and expressive while the Arturia sounds more static and blaring. And the fifth patch was super obvious, it's almost like there was some clipping on the initial resonance squelch for the Arturia. But I'm guessing they are pretty close to most people's ears and once you add some effects, no one might be able to tell the difference!
As an update to this video, Can you do a side by side comparison of the new GForce OB-X VST officially endorsed by Oberheim vs the OB-X8 keyboard? I think that is the comparison a lot of people are waiting to see. Ideally, matching the best of the OB-X8 presets, many of which came from the OB-X, Xa & 8.
@@vaiman7777 I think biggest thing for me was each voice in arturia’s sounded pretty much identical, it didn’t have the subtle variations you get from VCO/VCF etc , this was most apparent on the Rush patch. I also think they got the stereo spread settings and filter cutoff settings wrong on some of the patches but that could probably be changed with programming
@@jesuslovestoastyaya I picked the X8 mostly, but it was mostly really fine margins. I'd certainly not refuse an X8 as it's beautiful, but software is too close these days. I've said it before, I doubt many would take this similar test and wager $1000 on it :)
@@NamelessSmile listen to the Rush or French horns patch. Completely different . Arturia is great but this isn’t 100% like U-He Repro is to a Prophet 5. That’s a vst that sounds identical.
The difference is in when you're actually playing them. Nobody has NEEDED an analog synth over a VST since like 2008. AB comparisons are always pointless. The vibes and inspiration you get using hardware vs a MIDI controller on a screen are light years apart. I regularly tell people just to get a System 8 because it sounds basically the same as the real Jupiter 8, but am I ever selling my JP8? Hell no. Do I have the V collection and did I still buy an OBX8? Hell yes.
If you ever do sell your Jupiter drop me a line! Worst decision I ever made, got sucked into the FM dream, sold it for £800 and bought a DX7 and a JX-8P. Big mistake! ☹️
You're a real gearslut. Just like me. I have over 14 hardware synths over here, mostly collecting dust. Because soft synths are so damn good and they are instant recall. I do use some hardwares though. But I just can't get to sell the ones I rarely use. Addictions 😀
Seriously, in a mix you would never know the difference - especially with a bit of patch tweaking. Fair enough if you need the OB sound on stage with instant hands-on, no laptops and the feel of a dedicated keyboard. However I'm very happy with my Arturia V collection and definitely wouldn't be adding the OBX to the studio just to get that sound.
BT has done a lot in the box on stage, leaving the analogs at home. I almost bought the new OBX, but so so glad I didn't. Between Omnisphere and MODX+ and maybe the OP-Xa, it's all good.
@@NetworkPorter I don't play on stage but between Diva, Arturia V collection and Native Instruments Komplete I could probably get close to most of the sounds I need for covers and replicating classic keys.
Next time troll everyone by doing a blind camera test as well, Have us lock in our choices in the comments section of the video and reveal the answers a week later at the beginning of the your next video.
Or, release a video next week saying that in fact, the patches were actually switched around in this video. That the hardware sounds were actually software and vice-versa.
It's the dynamics, i've watched all of the videos and it's not about the volume. The digital software it's near, but the difference it's audible if not mixed in a song.
Not always but mostly indeed. I am not an engineer but I assume this is because the electronics on the left/right audiopaths are not identical; The hardware also has real analogue voices not being identical whith is what makes it sound more alive. There are some good soft synths though that simulate that behavior. But a couple of 100 bucks you get the entire Arturia collection whereas 1 OB8 costs over 5k. Easy choice.
Big difference on headphones, i guess they didn't have a nice Stereo Setup for the listening (horns patches I'm talking about) crazy how they got them wrong. Easiest patches tbh.
Not in this video though. Way too close, I picked the same as Falcon, but I'd never say either was 'better'. I just picked 1 I liked, a few tweaks and I could get the other the same though.
@@vaiman7777 Yeah, these videos are full of people saying "yeah I can clearly tell the difference" when in reality they'd likely just be the same as the folks on the sofa here who are struggling. While it can be easy to say there is a difference, I'd bet the vast, vast majority of people would not be able to reliably pick out the OB-X8. And of course, identifying which was used in a mix will be next to impossible.
@@_mickmccarthy Yeah true. I doubt anyone would wager $2000 on this test. YT comment guys would though. In it's defence, I do think the X8 would slaughter it in normal patch creation and fun value. But A/B on default patches no. I have original Juno's and a Jupiter X, and I can't tell the difference tbh. But I certainly rather play the Juno all day. Being happy with your purchase is one thing, and the most important to me... but pretending there's a massive difference in sound when bounced down to audio or a YT video is just crazy talk and your wallet speaking.
@@vaiman7777 Oh absolutely, in terms of hands-on control there's no contest. I've got Arturia's Keylab and even with its integration with the V-Collection and Analog Lab, there's no substitute for using a physical synth. I've come to a happy (for me) compromise of picking up a little JX-08 Boutique which offers a ton of physical controls that I can map to the virtual synths I use and cover most of the functionality. I know a lot of people despise them, but honestly the controls are certainly big enough to offer granular control (also great to be able to stick it in a backpack with a laptop and have a fully portable 'studio') If we were talking about an old second hand cheap subtractive synth I'd absolutely be on the side of choosing the hardware, but for £5k, boy that's a tougher sell!
@@_mickmccarthy Yeah, I've owned all the Boutique range, they are all excellent and tons of fun. The controls never bothered me either. Heck, the sliders on my JX-8P don't even work properly! And the volume is stuck on full. We are living in a wonderful age where we can have both options, cracking sound & good value.
The Rush Res was really obvious but outside of that particular sound (well, OK, the French horn was darker and fatter on the real deal) they're both amazing instruments. The difference in price has a lot to do with simply how much cost is involved with building a real "thing". Love em both, the software definitely takes up less space, lol.
Interesting. Overal I certainly preferred the real Oberheim, but Arturia did come quite close on certain patches. It does seem that the aftertouch is a bit too sensitive on the Arturia, but maybe this can be tweaked (?), or does it have something to do with the aftertouch implementation of the Oberheim keyboard?
It's night and day . But get them to wear headphones next time as they are In different places in the room which isn't far to your speaker location. But fun game :)
It's amazing how great these emulations have gotten. I would prefer the real thing, but space, expense and practicality can make it really hard to have all hardware (my Polybrute is super heavy and takes up a lot my limited space). This emulation is not just "close" or "pretty good" but at times indistinguishable -- even some patches sounding better than the hardware synth. Both of these are legit products.
I have an OBXa and I will say software is really close from my experience. It is kind of hard to explain tho but there is something my OB does that I haven't heard in software quite yet.
@@SPAZZOID100 you could buy the arturia v collection every 10 years for a century and still be better off, I'm not sure that's an argument when the prices are so different, the more expensive one is so much more that you could buy multiples of many other things
@@NamelessSmile Funny you mention this. I am also an accountant. The real kicker is the value of the Xa vs the value of the Soft Synths you have been buying for 10 years. Value is a weird metric when something only seems to appreciate. I would agree with you if the value of the Xa became worthless but that isn't really the case is it?
@@irife2771 that is the case, I'm sure the oberheim will appreciate, but how many years until it appreciates until you've covered the cost of the oberheim (less important). As in, if I pay for oberheim V or whatever its called from arturia, I'll never make money, but I also won't have any need to wait for it to appreciate as it isn't an investment
Wow Arturia was already one of my favorite soft synth makers but this really tells me that I definitely don’t need to spend 2-5 grand on a Analog synth!
Most people besides musicians don't care what makes the tune only if they like the tune, I have Analogue lab 5 and you can stack two synths of different makers to make a patch, it can sound really good but it takes a bit of work sometimes.
@@christopherpederson1021 he's saying the end result is what's going to matter the most at the end of the day, not the tools that got you there. they're just that, tools. if you have a fetish for hardware then go for hardware, otherwise go with software.
Here is Australia the OB X8 sells for over $7,000. The Arturia VST is a couple of hundred. I think it would be a huge waste of money to buy the hardware synth. They are so similar, it's just not worth the difference in price.
The thing software really can’t emulate is filter resonance. As shown by the last patch in the comparison. But if you’re on a budget, you can totally make great music with the V-Collection. It’s all a matter of taste and priorities whether something like the OB-X8 is worth it for you.
lol...ya, I just watched it a second time with eyes closed running through my studio monitors. Only one you could tell a difference was the last one. Also...do people actually think that they are going to hear a true difference through the YT compression???
I actually preferred the Arturia version every time. It would be nice to have the real thing buuuuuut I’m gonna say we’re gonna record into the DAW where it’s gonna get converted anyways.
Great video. It seems like the software is very close for one tenth the price. I'd rather have the real thing... unless I have to pay for it, and then I'd rather have the software.
Hey! I saw Jean-Michel Jarre live in Paris (1990 and 1995) and Mont-Saint-Michel (1993). Does that mean that I can be on your show? 🙂 The sample size is too small to come to a definite conclusion, but this means that tossing a coin would have been equally accurate in guessing which is which.
There is some extra weight in the hardware sound that's missing in the software. That said in a mix I'm not sure how much that is noticed. Arturia definitely is brighter and seems to have more movement. In some cases I preferred the Arturia in particular to patches that need more high end. That said the sounds are pretty close and it is almost like were just flipping coins. I wonder if it would be more interesting to use duplicate models to account for variance in machines and maybe use an Arturia patch with a different variance calibration. I think even with a bit of doctoring the presets, the difference could be even less as sometimes there were obvious differences in brightness and/or modulation.
Simple. Just as similar other tests. Good software can be incredibly close to real hardware. You buy hardware because it's sexier and you can edit sounds much better with all the gizmos. You don't buy hardware because it sounds better, because this is a lie, in 2022. As time passes, software will improve. I own Arturia collection since many years and I am sure about that.
I missed the first one but got the others correctly, however the differences were subtle except for the last one. The consequence of context is in isolation we may or may not be able to discern the differences, however in a full mix it would be impossible, especially in hybrid studio setups or just plain in the box EQs and filters alla Fabfilter. At that point your wallet speaks volumes.
The hardware always sounds as if it has more stereo separation. Probably because the electronics on both paths are never identical which gives a wider feel. But you can work on that with processing imo. Arturia is damn close.
I love the Hi-tech VR glasses, this is space age 21 century just like the Thunderbirds predicted. I'm watching Man Down so will check this out asap. :D
Hardware was a bit wider, probably because of phase drifts going on. But apart from the last patch, I would be fine with either, and could probably "correct" the software to sound more like the hardware with eqs and widening plugins. Btw, on some examples I even preferred the Arturia one. But the last patch the hardware destroyed the software. The filter and resonance are way better on the Oberheim.
Arturia did a great job, but for analog nuts the difference is immediate. Maybe someday the digital realm will be able to simulate a filter as rich and beautiful as what Tom Oberheim painstakingly spent years creating...but not yet. The two cannot be equated. I don't really care about digital vs analog, whatever inspires you, but they're different enough not just in sound, to find joy in both.
Lol.. trolling video…is funny really and make you think that sometimes you don’t nrrd to waste money for your compulsive GAS. Btw if you don’t hear the difference then you need a new pair of ears 😂 just tweek the filters…and you are done, in a mix is really really hard or impossible. Tip: run the arturia software at 48 kHz and play it ..then switch your audiocard at 96 kHz and tell me how incredible sounds better ….so since i own few audio card and few macs i do use dedicated mac to play virtuals at 96 kHz connected via analog to my main audiocard. Btw i ordered an ob-8x because i do love hardware synths, i don’t know but I’m an old fart guy who was born in 1972 and i was living my teen age in music in the 80’s synth era …I cannot live without hardware..i need it hahahah! 😊
Great points! Not all VSTs sound better at higher sample rate though. Some do, some need internal oversampling first. Aly James Lab OBxtreme sounds AMAZING in my opinion. At least through my UAD Apollo x8. The attention to detail in that VST made me smile. I love that one and I love my OB-X8. If I had to sell it and only play said VST, I'd be bummed out for sure, especially inspirational wise. Huge part is walking into my studio and having an analog beauty right there to greet me.
They do sound similar by the time they're bounced down to 16 bit or compressed audio. When I'm listening to my analogs with they naked ear, I notice a bigger difference. Especially when tweaking the filters.
OBX8 destroys software, it has amazing pan spread, depth, dynamics and clearly sounds just overall better. This is why I use hardware and not software, nothing can really emulate the real thing unless it was digital to start off with, then things get closer, but analog wins hands down in the hardware realm. Will you be doing a deep dive on the Mini?
comparing an OBX8 with a simple Arturia software is like wanting to see Tarzan naked at a party in Ibiza are you really comparing me an iconic synthesizer with a piece of crap software?
I was 4/5. Guess I’ll give my self some cookies lol in all seriousness, I used my headphones to see if I’m making excuses to buy hardware or if there is an actual difference. I found that both statements are true. 🤦🏾♂️😂😂🤷🏾♂️
Are these guys deaf? The Oberheim is vastly richer in every way. It's too bad they didn't disable the effects on the Arturia. The OBX8 purposely has no effects.
@@saren6538 obsession by synapse audio. Diva can do a good impression of a oberheim. Opx pro still may be the best for some sounds after all these years.
if we're talking about music, no one has needed a real synth from about 20 years ago.. if we're talking about bullshit like feeling, the real knob then yes, 5000 dollars for the real synth are justified
@@MrPsanterIsBack Strange that top musicians prefer a legendary instrument as opposed to a software program? Wonder why Tom Oberheim didn't spend his final years writing a VST.
I was lucky to get to play the new OB-X8 at Synthplex 2022 last week, it was amazing! Definitely a 'main synth' for any worthwhile project studio. Tom Oberheim was there, he is awesome, very patient with his legion of fans too. Thanks for posting.
BTW, you can really hear the diff between soft & real synths when you are performing thru a concert PA. Especially if it's a good PA.
Nice one! I am so impressed with the V collection. I bought the CS80 V and it blows my mind.
Love this too and the most of the collection but the CPU load on it is a bit brutal l need to decide carefully on bigger sessions.
@@Tommass79
Have you guys updated?
Thanks for putting this together guys. It was lots of fun to watch.
Arturia has done a great job, but especially on the Rush Res the difference was like night and day. Digital resonance filters are not up to the task.
Doing my own blind test, I only incorrectly guessed the Low Strings, the aftertouch confused me and I flip-flopped a couple times before settling wrong, LOL. Though I was 4 out of 5 here, and 5 out of 5 on your Prophet 5 rev 4 vs. Arturia blind comparison you guys did a little while back, I've owned both 80's synths since the mid 80's and the Arturia products really stand up well. I've dialed in my Prophet 5 rev 3 sounds on the Arturia close as dammit spot on, and similar to the OB for sounds. Oddly to my ears, I had to tweak the Rush Rez sound in the Arturia soft synth, and the this new X8 sounds closer to the Arturia than the original OB synth, but that could just be the aged components of nearly over 40 years plus. In the end if I had to live only with the Arturia, I would be more than happy with the sounds. The experience and ease of editing on a hardware machine though is way better than a mouse with a computer.
Yes, I made exactly the same wrong guess. I'm still very happy having bought the OB-X8, for various reasons. Probably the biggest difference is that it always sounds good, and doesn't need tweaking all the time to sound "oh that's soo close" :)
Its funny watching people make comparisons between the two leaning their biases toward the OB-X8 despite the fact that they weren't blind tested like the folks in the video. Blind-testing makes a HUGE difference and forces you to put your biases aside. Thats what I liked about this video, there was no bias, just pure blind-testing. I can't take the comment section too serious when I know everyone knew what was playing, when it was playing without being blinded. The biases become strong.
That was awesome! Thanks for doing this guys. Yeah, Arturia did great. The real OB-X8 sounds amazing, of course, but there's a place and budget for the software too. Obviously the best time ever to be a music producer!
Yet again a comparison actually showing how important good dynamics and EQ setup is (and how it can "level" out any small differences) while both recording and mixing. At the very least on the monitor loop while recording.
The third one… Arturo’s sounds Amazing!
The great thing about the Arturia V collection is that it comes with most of their midi controllers! Always great to get a new video from you all!
Definitely.
You just made me xtra happy with my V-collection (3 versions :-))
Honestly I did it blind on my phone and I got them all. Are these guys synth guys. The real one is much more meaty and had more of a full organ vibe. It's close but no cigar. People say you wouldn't hear it in a mix bit you would. The mix would need less work to make it sound full meaning you could have a cleaner mix, simpler and less fussy. It would just sit better and be lovely and do lovely thick lush pads but also be able to rip the speakers apart when it needed to. There's a reason it's a classic.
Great video Jeff and Falcon 🙌🏻
Great test! I'd like to hear patch comparisons for presets that specifically highlight random pitch detuning used to create "beat frequencies" and alias modulation over time. Wonder if the finite digital world would be noticeable different than the infinite analog environment.
Cheers
I found while both sounded very nice, the Arturia became easy to pick out as I found it had a bit of a harshness in the higher frequencies, while the OB-X8 was so buttery smooth. I feel that if I'm mixing with the Arturia plugin, I'd likely need to do a bit of surgical EQing (or Soothe2) in the upper frequencies whereas I feel I could just get away with a high shelf EQ on the OB-X8 if I want to bring out some of those higher frequencies a bit. I have the Synth V collection with OP-Xa, but I feel I'll still be saving up for the OB-X8. At least I know I've got something pretty solid to play with until then!
Yep you can do a lot with EQ. What I do sometimes is run my laptop with the virtual instrument through vacuum tubes and it makes a world of difference especially smoothing out the high frequencies. In fact I run my main work station through vacuum tubes to just listen to streaming music. It helps a ton to help warm it up - note I do NOT mix with vacuum tubes in the chain.
The Arturia version often had a greater and more detailed stereo spread. I think that's what was fooling the ears of our auditors. I actually preferred the sound of the Arturia version on many of these patches. That "Rush Resonance" one was definitely better on the OB-X8, though, to my ear. (Through _these_ headphones on _this_ computer.)
Nice comparo.
COM PAR RO
Sure they can sound very similar, but the overall experience is much more visceral & tactile with the actual instrument than a facsimile of it. And NOTHING can ever change that.
Tactile Shmactile. Visceral Shmisceral.
@@annother3350 ?????
sure 5000$ will help with your "tactile" needs LOL
@@davemaverick8438 I stand by what i said.
@@SPAZZOID100 not judging its human nature... audiophiles also feel difference by using 2000$ cables vs 20$
I must say, i listen to the test in a proper studio. My ears aren't that trained, and still, each time OBX was playing the difference was huge, at the first second. Also, no matter whether it was played first or second, i could still guess easily from the first when it was weak, lacking frequencies, and when it was full, and simply beautiful.
Just got myself an OBX8, thanks to that video.
Well done guys this was very helpful8
Séb
Very cool demo / test!! Thanks gusy!!
I am really impressed with OB-Xtreme by Alyjames lab. A lot cheaper and sounds amazing. I also own an OB6. I didnt wanna fork over the big bucks for an OBx8 so bought this plug in and really love it.
The AJ Lab sounds SICKKKK. Sounds way closer to playing on an analog machine in my opinion. If they could just get the CPU hunger in order it would be insane.
I knew the Arturia OB-Xa was pretty good but damn it really held it's own here.
Got 5/5 here (blind test -- listened but didn't watch) but I did listen on headphones. For the first patch, the modulation is smoother on the OB-X8 (you can hear the Arturia doing some wonky stuff). For all of the patches, the Arturia's release on its envelopes isn't as clean or smooth. For all of the pads, I think the OB-X8 is very clearly more subtle and expressive while the Arturia sounds more static and blaring. And the fifth patch was super obvious, it's almost like there was some clipping on the initial resonance squelch for the Arturia.
But I'm guessing they are pretty close to most people's ears and once you add some effects, no one might be able to tell the difference!
As an update to this video, Can you do a side by side comparison of the new GForce OB-X VST officially endorsed by Oberheim vs the OB-X8 keyboard? I think that is the comparison a lot of people are waiting to see. Ideally, matching the best of the OB-X8 presets, many of which came from the OB-X, Xa & 8.
Good advisor right there
Not even a close contest. Ob-X8 sounds incredibly lush and 3d, it’s just perfect. Arturia is pretty good too though.
So how did they get them wrong? Should have been night/day to them in the room...
@@vaiman7777 I think biggest thing for me was each voice in arturia’s sounded pretty much identical, it didn’t have the subtle variations you get from VCO/VCF etc , this was most apparent on the Rush patch.
I also think they got the stereo spread settings and filter cutoff settings wrong on some of the patches but that could probably be changed with programming
it is quite a close contest lol what are you on about
@@jesuslovestoastyaya I picked the X8 mostly, but it was mostly really fine margins. I'd certainly not refuse an X8 as it's beautiful, but software is too close these days. I've said it before, I doubt many would take this similar test and wager $1000 on it :)
@@NamelessSmile listen to the Rush or French horns patch. Completely different . Arturia is great but this isn’t 100% like U-He Repro is to a Prophet 5. That’s a vst that sounds identical.
The difference is in when you're actually playing them. Nobody has NEEDED an analog synth over a VST since like 2008. AB comparisons are always pointless. The vibes and inspiration you get using hardware vs a MIDI controller on a screen are light years apart. I regularly tell people just to get a System 8 because it sounds basically the same as the real Jupiter 8, but am I ever selling my JP8? Hell no. Do I have the V collection and did I still buy an OBX8? Hell yes.
If you ever do sell your Jupiter drop me a line! Worst decision I ever made, got sucked into the FM dream, sold it for £800 and bought a DX7 and a JX-8P. Big mistake! ☹️
You're a real gearslut. Just like me. I have over 14 hardware synths over here, mostly collecting dust. Because soft synths are so damn good and they are instant recall. I do use some hardwares though. But I just can't get to sell the ones I rarely use. Addictions 😀
Seriously, in a mix you would never know the difference - especially with a bit of patch tweaking. Fair enough if you need the OB sound on stage with instant hands-on, no laptops and the feel of a dedicated keyboard. However I'm very happy with my Arturia V collection and definitely wouldn't be adding the OBX to the studio just to get that sound.
BT has done a lot in the box on stage, leaving the analogs at home.
I almost bought the new OBX, but so so glad I didn't. Between Omnisphere and MODX+ and maybe the OP-Xa, it's all good.
@@NetworkPorter I don't play on stage but between Diva, Arturia V collection and Native Instruments Komplete I could probably get close to most of the sounds I need for covers and replicating classic keys.
Next time troll everyone by doing a blind camera test as well, Have us lock in our choices in the comments section of the video and reveal the answers a week later at the beginning of the your next video.
Or, release a video next week saying that in fact, the patches were actually switched around in this video. That the hardware sounds were actually software and vice-versa.
But then everyone suddenly couldn’t be an expert and sit there having a smug.
YES! THIS! THIS!
Not sure if its volumes or "stereo image"....but the real one always sounds "wider" hard to describe
It's the dynamics, i've watched all of the videos and it's not about the volume. The digital software it's near, but the difference it's audible if not mixed in a song.
Agreed.
Not always but mostly indeed. I am not an engineer but I assume this is because the electronics on the left/right audiopaths are not identical; The hardware also has real analogue voices not being identical whith is what makes it sound more alive. There are some good soft synths though that simulate that behavior. But a couple of 100 bucks you get the entire Arturia collection whereas 1 OB8 costs over 5k. Easy choice.
Big difference on headphones, i guess they didn't have a nice Stereo Setup for the listening (horns patches I'm talking about) crazy how they got them wrong. Easiest patches tbh.
I have both of these, and unequivocally, the OB-X8 sounds much better to my ears. No offense to Arturia, though, as they make great stuff. :)
Not in this video though. Way too close, I picked the same as Falcon, but I'd never say either was 'better'. I just picked 1 I liked, a few tweaks and I could get the other the same though.
@@vaiman7777 Yeah, these videos are full of people saying "yeah I can clearly tell the difference" when in reality they'd likely just be the same as the folks on the sofa here who are struggling. While it can be easy to say there is a difference, I'd bet the vast, vast majority of people would not be able to reliably pick out the OB-X8.
And of course, identifying which was used in a mix will be next to impossible.
@@_mickmccarthy Yeah true. I doubt anyone would wager $2000 on this test. YT comment guys would though. In it's defence, I do think the X8 would slaughter it in normal patch creation and fun value. But A/B on default patches no. I have original Juno's and a Jupiter X, and I can't tell the difference tbh. But I certainly rather play the Juno all day. Being happy with your purchase is one thing, and the most important to me... but pretending there's a massive difference in sound when bounced down to audio or a YT video is just crazy talk and your wallet speaking.
@@vaiman7777 Oh absolutely, in terms of hands-on control there's no contest. I've got Arturia's Keylab and even with its integration with the V-Collection and Analog Lab, there's no substitute for using a physical synth.
I've come to a happy (for me) compromise of picking up a little JX-08 Boutique which offers a ton of physical controls that I can map to the virtual synths I use and cover most of the functionality. I know a lot of people despise them, but honestly the controls are certainly big enough to offer granular control (also great to be able to stick it in a backpack with a laptop and have a fully portable 'studio')
If we were talking about an old second hand cheap subtractive synth I'd absolutely be on the side of choosing the hardware, but for £5k, boy that's a tougher sell!
@@_mickmccarthy Yeah, I've owned all the Boutique range, they are all excellent and tons of fun. The controls never bothered me either. Heck, the sliders on my JX-8P don't even work properly! And the volume is stuck on full. We are living in a wonderful age where we can have both options, cracking sound & good value.
The Rush Res was really obvious but outside of that particular sound (well, OK, the French horn was darker and fatter on the real deal) they're both amazing instruments. The difference in price has a lot to do with simply how much cost is involved with building a real "thing". Love em both, the software definitely takes up less space, lol.
Curious how oberheim stands against Synapse Obsession
Interesting. Overal I certainly preferred the real Oberheim, but Arturia did come quite close on certain patches. It does seem that the aftertouch is a bit too sensitive on the Arturia, but maybe this can be tweaked (?), or does it have something to do with the aftertouch implementation of the Oberheim keyboard?
It's night and day . But get them to wear headphones next time as they are In different places in the room which isn't far to your speaker location. But fun game :)
It's amazing how great these emulations have gotten. I would prefer the real thing, but space, expense and practicality can make it really hard to have all hardware (my Polybrute is super heavy and takes up a lot my limited space). This emulation is not just "close" or "pretty good" but at times indistinguishable -- even some patches sounding better than the hardware synth. Both of these are legit products.
I played at home with studio monitors and got it 100% correct. Low end is NEVER the same with virtual.
Same here ! low end is mad on the original🙂
any idea on how i can process my vst to sound more like the hardware?
OB-X8 takes it by my ears.
I have an OBXa and I will say software is really close from my experience. It is kind of hard to explain tho but there is something my OB does that I haven't heard in software quite yet.
A few thousand pounds!
@@NamelessSmile and something that will still work in 8 years.
@@SPAZZOID100 you could buy the arturia v collection every 10 years for a century and still be better off, I'm not sure that's an argument when the prices are so different, the more expensive one is so much more that you could buy multiples of many other things
@@NamelessSmile Funny you mention this. I am also an accountant. The real kicker is the value of the Xa vs the value of the Soft Synths you have been buying for 10 years. Value is a weird metric when something only seems to appreciate. I would agree with you if the value of the Xa became worthless but that isn't really the case is it?
@@irife2771 that is the case, I'm sure the oberheim will appreciate, but how many years until it appreciates until you've covered the cost of the oberheim (less important). As in, if I pay for oberheim V or whatever its called from arturia, I'll never make money, but I also won't have any need to wait for it to appreciate as it isn't an investment
Wow Arturia was already one of my favorite soft synth makers but this really tells me that I definitely don’t need to spend 2-5 grand on a Analog synth!
I guess if you are fine with factory presets. You you make your own patches, the OB-X8 would be much better .
you are totally correct
Most people besides musicians don't care what makes the tune only if they like the tune, I have Analogue lab 5 and you can stack two synths of different makers to make a patch, it can sound really good but it takes a bit of work sometimes.
@@Pulse2AM So, do you make music for other people, or yourself?😂
@@christopherpederson1021 he's saying the end result is what's going to matter the most at the end of the day, not the tools that got you there. they're just that, tools. if you have a fetish for hardware then go for hardware, otherwise go with software.
The price difference of the two in question here shows that the “real” instrument isn’t always the best value.
would be interesting to campare to the Gforce Oberheim Plugin.
Here is Australia the OB X8 sells for over $7,000. The Arturia VST is a couple of hundred. I think it would be a huge waste of money to buy the hardware synth. They are so similar, it's just not worth the difference in price.
Yup especially for people who make music for the public. Casual listeners could never tell.
The thing software really can’t emulate is filter resonance. As shown by the last patch in the comparison. But if you’re on a budget, you can totally make great music with the V-Collection. It’s all a matter of taste and priorities whether something like the OB-X8 is worth it for you.
thats where you put eurorack analogue filters in the chain.. thats what i do
run vsts through hardware preamp gain it up and its nice! also alyjames has a tremendous obx vst
Aly James, yes. OBxtreme is godly.
really this time arturia did great job its their best emulation i ve heard
I want to see the commenters who are saying that they can hear the difference, doing it without visual aid...
it is basically a crap shot... even them got like half right and half wrong.
lol...ya, I just watched it a second time with eyes closed running through my studio monitors. Only one you could tell a difference was the last one. Also...do people actually think that they are going to hear a true difference through the YT compression???
I actually preferred the Arturia version every time. It would be nice to have the real thing buuuuuut I’m gonna say we’re gonna record into the DAW where it’s gonna get converted anyways.
Great video. It seems like the software is very close for one tenth the price. I'd rather have the real thing... unless I have to pay for it, and then I'd rather have the software.
And if you only want the OB, well the software version is more like 1/50th of the price!
@@_mickmccarthy Software is going to dominate in the future.
Very nice video, I own the Arturia V Collection and this video makes me feel better about it lol.
Hey! I saw Jean-Michel Jarre live in Paris (1990 and 1995) and Mont-Saint-Michel (1993). Does that mean that I can be on your show? 🙂
The sample size is too small to come to a definite conclusion, but this means that tossing a coin would have been equally accurate in guessing which is which.
The vst had few dbs more on most patches to my ears ? This makes a huge difference in perception
Definitely varies from patch to patch because that last patch wasn't really close.
There is some extra weight in the hardware sound that's missing in the software.
That said in a mix I'm not sure how much that is noticed.
Arturia definitely is brighter and seems to have more movement. In some cases I preferred the Arturia in particular to patches that need more high end.
That said the sounds are pretty close and it is almost like were just flipping coins.
I wonder if it would be more interesting to use duplicate models to account for variance in machines and maybe use an Arturia patch with a different variance calibration.
I think even with a bit of doctoring the presets, the difference could be even less as sometimes there were obvious differences in brightness and/or modulation.
And vice verser! The Arturia on some of those sounds just sounded better!
OB-X8 vs UB-XA comparison?
Simple. Just as similar other tests. Good software can be incredibly close to real hardware. You buy hardware because it's sexier and you can edit sounds much better with all the gizmos. You don't buy hardware because it sounds better, because this is a lie, in 2022.
As time passes, software will improve. I own Arturia collection since many years and I am sure about that.
Rush res was off, but it shouldn't be. Maybe it's a VST calibration issue?
I missed the first one but got the others correctly, however the differences were subtle except for the last one. The consequence of context is in isolation we may or may not be able to discern the differences, however in a full mix it would be impossible, especially in hybrid studio setups or just plain in the box EQs and filters alla Fabfilter. At that point your wallet speaks volumes.
Both are good. But there are some differences.
I personally think the OPX-Pro II is even better than the Arturia
@@annother3350 agreed. That’s the reference point
It's like the wine tasting of 1976. Well done. (and now I know, I don't really need the $5K box unless collectible freak)
If a person were to use a really fancy two channel ADC like a Burl B2 Bomber with the OP-XA could that put it over the top?
The hardware always sounds as if it has more stereo separation. Probably because the electronics on both paths are never identical which gives a wider feel. But you can work on that with processing imo. Arturia is damn close.
Extremely similar.. first one I thought was the obx
Very interesting.
I love the Hi-tech VR glasses, this is space age 21 century just like the Thunderbirds predicted.
I'm watching Man Down so will check this out asap.
:D
the real deal OBX8 def sounds phatter, but the Arturia is damn close and not even comparable in price!
😮😮😮😮 incredible
Hardware was a bit wider, probably because of phase drifts going on. But apart from the last patch, I would be fine with either, and could probably "correct" the software to sound more like the hardware with eqs and widening plugins. Btw, on some examples I even preferred the Arturia one.
But the last patch the hardware destroyed the software. The filter and resonance are way better on the Oberheim.
I wonder how my old cheap OP-X PRO-II VST would fare :)
As long the type of sound is a muted one then very hard to Tell , but on bright and modulation types software loses.
They're quite similar, but quite different. Ultimately, the software is not a patch on the original. No pun intended.
Am I the only one that feels like the filter cutoffs are not particularly well matched for comparison on a few of these patches?
Arturia did a great job, but for analog nuts the difference is immediate. Maybe someday the digital realm will be able to simulate a filter as rich and beautiful as what Tom Oberheim painstakingly spent years creating...but not yet. The two cannot be equated. I don't really care about digital vs analog, whatever inspires you, but they're different enough not just in sound, to find joy in both.
Hello, OP-Xa V I can't find mono Low or Legato Low, maybe that function is missing?
Sorry if already answered, but what do you use for amplification? Or just the studio monitors?
Man the cork sniffers in comments is Haliriouse sitting in their ivory towers! lol
Use the hardware in studio and the software live so you don't have to lug that beast around and risk it getting damaged or stolen.
Volumes are not the same on some patches
Some patches were better on Arturia
Lol.. trolling video…is funny really and make you think that sometimes you don’t nrrd to waste money for your compulsive GAS. Btw if you don’t hear the difference then you need a new pair of ears 😂 just tweek the filters…and you are done, in a mix is really really hard or impossible.
Tip: run the arturia software at 48 kHz and play it ..then switch your audiocard at 96 kHz and tell me how incredible sounds better ….so since i own few audio card and few macs i do use dedicated mac to play virtuals at 96 kHz connected via analog to my main audiocard.
Btw i ordered an ob-8x because i do love hardware synths, i don’t know but I’m an old fart guy who was born in 1972 and i was living my teen age in music in the 80’s synth era …I cannot live without hardware..i need it hahahah! 😊
Great points! Not all VSTs sound better at higher sample rate though. Some do, some need internal oversampling first. Aly James Lab OBxtreme sounds AMAZING in my opinion. At least through my UAD Apollo x8. The attention to detail in that VST made me smile. I love that one and I love my OB-X8. If I had to sell it and only play said VST, I'd be bummed out for sure, especially inspirational wise. Huge part is walking into my studio and having an analog beauty right there to greet me.
They do sound similar by the time they're bounced down to 16 bit or compressed audio. When I'm listening to my analogs with they naked ear, I notice a bigger difference. Especially when tweaking the filters.
OBX8 destroys software, it has amazing pan spread, depth, dynamics and clearly sounds just overall better.
This is why I use hardware and not software, nothing can really emulate the real thing unless it was digital to start off with, then things get closer, but analog wins hands down in the hardware realm.
Will you be doing a deep dive on the Mini?
Jack , you have grown up - i like you new understated - knowing old man - teewee persona .... and your playing has deff approved ,- 🤔
comparing an OBX8 with a simple Arturia software is like wanting to see Tarzan naked at a party in Ibiza
are you really comparing me an iconic synthesizer with a piece of crap software?
I was 4/5. Guess I’ll give my self some cookies lol in all seriousness, I used my headphones to see if I’m making excuses to buy hardware or if there is an actual difference. I found that both statements are true. 🤦🏾♂️😂😂🤷🏾♂️
Arturia is the best. You can beef up the sounds if you know what you’re doing.
You can put a supercharged V8 in Ford Pinto if you know what you're doing too.
And this lady and gentlemen is why i dont spend 5Gs on Hardware.. i dont know how anyone can try and justify the price they pay for these things
Also … the prophet x literally has an OBX that can go in it
Nice one. Saves me wasting money on the arturia. 👍
Night and day.
C’mon Behringer, give us the UB-Xa already!
I’m not a fan of the OBX8 and chose/preferred the Arturia every time except for the sweep!
My bank is smiling at me
Are these guys deaf? The Oberheim is vastly richer in every way. It's too bad they didn't disable the effects on the Arturia. The OBX8 purposely has no effects.
There are no effects on the Arturia on the original OB-Xa factory patches, just checked.
I dont even think Arturia makes the best Oberheim plugin... IMO.
enlighten us then
@@saren6538 obsession by synapse audio. Diva can do a good impression of a oberheim.
Opx pro still may be the best for some sounds after all these years.
@@johnbach2380 … ok you’ve enlightened us 👍
The OBX8 will last a lifetime. The VST will likely not work after a few OS updates.
LOL what rubbish! You think Arturia is just going to stop because of a OS update?
In the end, they are close enough to not spend $$ on the Oberheim. Sorry.
if we're talking about music, no one has needed a real synth from about 20 years ago.. if we're talking about bullshit like feeling, the real knob then yes, 5000 dollars for the real synth are justified
Bottom line: it's impossible to differentiate them in a mix.
And yet, this $5,000 synth is selling like hotcakes.
@@SPAZZOID100 which is strange.
But I have seen stranger things.
@@MrPsanterIsBack Strange that top musicians prefer a legendary instrument as opposed to a software program? Wonder why Tom Oberheim didn't spend his final years writing a VST.
Shouldve been midi lines controlling them so the keys, sensitivities etc are the same.