The thing to remember is that before the Prophet ‘08, there were no analog poly synths on the market. None. Dave Smith is an awesome guy, who in my opinion does not get nearly enough credit for what he’s done. He’s a hero. I just hope things at Sequential keep humming.
Fully agree here! Such an incredible human, and his story rocks. Check out Alex Ball's History of the Prophet: he does a great job with the story of Dave Smith :)
Oberheim's sound, the character as you said, is really unique. You can identify it in a thousands of synths. It's just so amazing, so thick and warm, full of harmonic frequencies. Also it has very nice on board effects. I don't have a chance to own a OB-6 myself, but just simply by watching you play I can feel how good the synth is. Thanks for sharing!
For another side of the OB-6 almost no one demonstrates, check out the latest patch set by GEOSynths (Vol3). Lots of Xmod and Osc2/LFO2. Also, you can make it more delicate by keeping the osc volume to 2/3 and, more important, the amp envelope to 60-80% (internal gain staging). It really adds more "space" in the sounds - but that can be increased or decreased. I've been using the Vintage functionality since Day 1 of the public beta. In poly mode, my default is 25% or so for it - because it can have some unwanted side-effects. In mono mode, my default is 75% for it. One of the synth's greatest strengths (and also a minor flaw) is how much range each knob has. Very small adjustments can end up having a large impact. Sometimes that's frustrating. Most of the time it's amazing because of the nuance you can achieve.
I agree! It’s one of the most full, lush, warm, huge, and beautiful sounding analogue synths I’ve ever owned (and I’ve owned a lot of hardware synths going back to the 1980’s). IMHO, it’s the best Tom Oberheim synth ever made!
Sold my OB-6 and Prophet 6, bought a Prophet 10 but do miss the OB-6 sometimes. Definitely one of my favourite character synths. It's not quite as deep/epic a sound as the Prophet 10 rev 4 (inc the resonance and filter sweeps) and I wouldn't take one over the P10 but has its own beautiful vibe. They would make a great team. Great video that shows the beauty of the OB-6 that many other videos don't get to. Also 'Character over features' is spot on, been saying that for years. You get bored of gimmicks but not of great tone!
@@MilesAwayOfficial I don’t own one yet, but it’s a must-buy for me. The OB-X8 looks amazing, but it’s just so big I don’t want to make room for it haha
@@MilesAwayOfficial Well, long story. I've been mostly away from my studio during the pandemic (almost a year). At my NYC studio I have a lot of synths: Memorymoog, Xpander, MiniMoog, 2600, etc. I only brought the OB-6 and Pro3 down here. And it's made me consider selling the Memorymoog. Hmmm.
Awesome review on this beautiful synth! I just bought the desktop myself and I am thoroughly enjoying your walk-through and comments and of course you’re playing as well. Thank you.
Absolutely beautiful tones and thank you for the great demo of the OB-6. I have the Prophet 10 and it's sublime. I'm also considering the OB-6 for the onboard arp and seq - I'm a little torn as it has a lot of similarities to the P10. Thanks again for your great insights into all these synths.
I have the Prophet 10 and the OB6. I am new to synths but I feel like their is enough difference to justify having both. The OB6 clearly has more bite, and that signature character to it. The prophet 10 is amazing quality wise sound and construction. Dialing in sounds are much easier, very high quality in a warmer way. I can’t really describe it but I literally am in love with both. Granted they are my first synths I ever had. I did a lot of research before getting them. I bought the prophet 10 desktop thinking it would be there for when I needed it and the ob6 be my main synth, however, after playing with prophet 10 I exchanged it for full keyboard version. Totally worth it!
@@MilesAwayOfficial I’ve been running Prophet 10 through UAFX Golden reverb and Starlight delay and the results are incredibly lush. I own the Take 5, Polybrute, Prologue, Sub37 and the tone of the Prophet 10 is warmer and a notch above all these other synths. I do love them all. Surprisingly the Take 5 is also very warm and very high quality tone. I think I’ll eventually get the OB6 for its extra ‘bite’ and onboard sequencer. I think you’ll absolutely live the P10 - it’s so immediate and is my most inspiring synth to play, with the Take 5 close second.
@@Truth1nNature thanks so much for sharing your experience with both synths. I think I’ll eventually buy the OB6 once I find a bit more room in the studio. That’s great to hear you’re loving both.
One sneaky secret you missed - try hitting the right hand end board of the synth when you're using the Spring Reverb. Not sure it's really that useable, but fun that they added it.
I got a chance to play one of these last year and it was so beautiful. So expressive and subtle. I really liked the aftertouch on it to be so much better than other keyboards I've played.
went to a local music shop yesterday and tried Pro5 rev4 and the Ob-6. I decided on the Ob-6. Just like you said, the character and the sound are very important and the Ob-6 has it in spades. That is in no way saying that the Pro5 is bad. It’s amazing. But my experience on the day, I just instantly connected with the Ob-6. I think you are correct in that it can make you think you’re a better sound designer than you are as it makes things sound good over such a wide range. I’m still interested in a Pro5 rev4 but it will have to wait a little longer. It is newer and will probably be around a bit longer. The Ob-6 module I got was the last one they had apart from the keyboard demo and they are shipping it from another city as it wasn’t in their store. I couldn’t find any other units at other retailers. Some second-hand units online (Reverb) but not in my country. I don’t know if more are coming or when. EDIT - so there’s been discussion and rumour around for a while that there may be an Oberheim re-issue like the Pro5 rev4. Could be very interesting. What great times we live in for playing and making music. On the keyboards thing, that’s one area that I thought both Ob-6 and Pro5 were weakest in. That is just my opinion and again they are not bad but I didn’t think it was as great as a lot of others seem to think it is. And that should tell you a lot there as many people do like the keybeds. I thought the keys on the Ob-6 seemed a little small (? I’m not sure they are that’s just how they felt to me) and soft. I’d like a little more resistance to suit my ideal. Just a little. But that is beside the point as I was able to get the module and can pair with whichever keybed I like. Best of both worlds, thanks Sequential.
That's a great choice! either of those synths are seriously cream of the crop sound wise. Enjoy! And consider checking out my Custom OB6 Presets I made :) keyboard wise they use Fatar, so if you don't like the softness you might prefer a synthier action keyboard like the Novation Summit.
@@MilesAwayOfficial - I have a Juno106, Akai controller board and a stage piano that I will probably run the OB6 through. There's enough of a variety in key action there to keep me guessing (lol). Your presets sound great.
The OB6 Is actually another one i was looking at getting. You hit it spot on with the Character and synth technology in the opening! I just recently go into sound resound in the past year and the prologue was my first poly synth, then followed the Summit and Prophet XL... The OB6 and Moog 16 are my next items on the list.... The OB6 is MUST HAVE board in my opinion.
That is an amazing set up! The ob will definitely fit in great I too would love a moog one but it’s a bit out of my range I’ve been toying with the idea of selling my summit and getting a prophet 10 though 😳 And of course if a used prophet x came on the market i would be tempted too. Xmod with samples sounds so cool!
Glad you pointed out the oscillator pure tone, I don't claim to understand it but somehow what looks like a nearly pure shape in a scope can on some synths sound fantastic, and on others not at all, on this it's hard to argue with the pure sounds, it's just touching!
You're right. You can do ANYTHING on this synth and it sounds good. That's why I love the OB-6. It gets front position in my studio. All other synths are to the side. This one sits right in front of me at all times, ready to go.
@@MilesAwayOfficial Well, my other synths are a Prophet 12, DeepMind 12, Moog Subphatty, Roland D-50, JV-1080, Yamaha TX802 and 81Z. So yeah, a bit of a list there, but I tell ya, I agreed with every word you said. I love there being no menu, for example. It's all right in front of you. Easy access. It truly is a synth I would recommend to beginners to be honest... but I mean that in the best way possible. It's just easy to use, easy to know what's going on... since you see everything right in front of you. Nothing hidden. And pretty much everything you do just sounds so good. As for which of my synths I recommend? Definitely the first four I listed there. The DeepMind 12 is a workhorse synth and if I could keep any synth, other than my OB-6, it would be that one. Very nice sound to it.
@@cybernitemusic thanks for the awesome comment! Wow - a D50! Incredible :) and cool to hear such good things about the Deepmind! I've never tried one, but would love to review it. How do you like the Prophet 12? That was my other choice when I bought the Summit, and I'm fascinated with the Pro12.
Really enjoyed your comparison of prologue with matriarch. One can clearly see pros and cons and think about application areas. I would highly appreciate a comparison of prologue with ob-6.
@@MilesAwayOfficial At first, when I plugged it in I was a little underwhelmed because it's dry, mono, with no onboard effects whatsoever. But after spending some time with and finding my way around it (didn't take long), it became huge, thick-sounding and like being wrapped in a warm blanket. I'm running it through a BigSky and an OTO Bim at the moment - it's a complete literal wall of sound. Can't say enough!
@@MilesAwayOfficial I also got one of the new Prophet 5's. It definitely takes a little time to get to know what all it's capable of but you really get out of it what you put into it. Absolutely the most inspiring and incredible instrument I have ever owned or played. It's a very unusual synth because it can sound like so many things. Most synths from that era have a particular sound they are known for. The Prophet 5 is like an alien that can morph into whatever it wants. I'm adding an OB6 next because I'm really missing some features particularly a sequencer. I'm able to emulate that somewhat with the arpeggiator on my Korg Prologue, but the OB6 seems like the upgrade I need.
@@cekla6895 if you mean my own music, yes! Search "Miles Away" and you will see the same picture as here. All my music is there. If you mean will I publish the demo songs in this video, no, I will not. But I might do a patreon for giving them away as copyright free downloads
Great vid! With the effects, man some of them are stellar and you didn't get them their due here...the CHORUS on the OB-6 is downright amazing, thick and lush...just beautiful(so man maybe you haven't explored it then, just wait til you do! High Depth/Low Rate good mix and WOW!). ......The Chorus on the OB-6 is killer man, no bs.... Folks do NOT overlook the OB-6 Chorus I like everything on there except the verbs.....so don't used them just use the delays(Especially the BBD delays).....if I crave just verbs I use an Eclipse in my synth rack....OB-6 Chorus is outstanding and in general the mods and delays are very good.....don't let the verbs shine a negative light on the rest of the awesome effects the OB-6 has to offer. I love your vid here(TY btw)...but respectfully, your CON for the OB-6 effects is way off.
Thanks for watching! I'll definitely check the chorus out some more, I'll admit I haven't experimented with it all that much recently. Overall, I just found that the FX being enabled made the sound a bit "mushy" and less 3D. It could just be placebo but all the best recordings I've gotten of this were recording dry then using Valhalla Shimmer Reverb, and Chorus and Delay from Native Instruments!
@@MilesAwayOfficial Man, thank you for the vid....But seriously man, you are in for a treat!!!! The OB-6 chorus is to die for.....low rate, high depth....generous mix.....it will blow you away...also, man the other mods....and Emulations of Tom's original phase and ring mod are in there too. I like all the effects other than the verbs...just use the delays for ambience(love the BBD delays)....You are in for a treat)
Thanks 😊 ! I really enjoy your video(s), for me the OB-6 is my first ever synth! I am not a professional piano player, but I love it! There's no other sound that comes close to that dreamy, lush 80's sound. This is a dream come true for me, especially with the vintage knob. And it also provides a lot of Moog-ish bite. I won't need another synth in the next years, except the OB X8 😅, maybe in 10 years..
Great to hear and thanks! Congrats on the OB6, it really is a dream synth. It's made it onto every single song I make since I got it in 2020! Stay tuned for my OBX8 video, slight delay but its coming!
@@MilesAwayOfficial Thanks! I am looking forward to your OB X8 video, though it’s out of reach for me 😉. And by the way, I really enjoy your OB 6 sound library, excellent work 👍!
thanks for the timestamp, woah...this might just push me over the edge. I hate having to sell my virus ti2 to make room for this, but unfortunately, it just doesn't jive with m1 macs and that's a dealbreaker
@@solomonjenkins9505 OMG, I would NEVER sell my Virus TI. I couldn't care less about the Virus software - I just use it like any other synth, and to this day, it's like the BMW of the synth world. It sounds stunning and is ridiculously powerful. The OB-6 is a great synth, but it doesn't have "TI" style integration either, so there's that ;-) I liked the OB-6, but ultimately sold it a few months in because there are software versions that can easily match it. Not popular to say, but true. I ended up with the new OB-X8 for that classic Oberheim flavor... now THAT has no software equivalent. Keep your Virus, forget about the TI stuff (it never worked well), and if you want an Oberheim, save a bit more for the OB-X8 desktop!
I’ve bought and sold a lotttt of synths.. the OB-6 is the only one I promise to take to my grave.. nothing will come between me and that beauty.. I love it so much I don’t even play it half the time I just stare and touch in awe
at 44:07 everything came so clear... OB-6 and those strings... I need this synth... it has sounds you hardly find in other synths nowadays... thanks 👍🏻
Thanks! Every song of mine you hear is made in Logic but with mostly hardware synths. My new album if you are interested! open.spotify.com/album/65NNkC1BRl8EtWViffifSX?si=_BqGfdnrRAGdRJdmKLc65g
I've owned an OB6 for over a year and a bit now. I have to say your video is very straight to the point and informative. Even though I knew alot already of what you talked about I appreciate you putting all this information in one place because I had to do a bit of research on my own time before finding this video. The OB6 can get sorta prophet-style sounds out of it when the mixer section is down with sometimes the addition of the amp envelope being turned down aswell. Absolutely love the OB6. Hopefully you made some patches for this bad boy. I'll take a look through your videos. But yeah, great video dude. PS: If you havent tried one, play around with a Pro3 when you can. Amazing synth aswell.
I need to pick one up ASAP before it is discontinued. I’m surprised it’s still being made today. Seems like a long production period for a synth of this caliber.
Totally agreed! I feel that way about the Pro 2. I keep eyeing it on the used market because I know now that it's discontinued it's going to rise in price.
Splendid review man! I'm planning on buying either the OB-6 or the Prophet 6 but as time goes on I'm leaning more and more towards the OB-6. However, I might go for the module as I'll probably be more comfortable with two more octaves from an external keyboard. Thanks a lot for this in depth review once again!
@@MilesAwayOfficial Wow. Yeah that one is just a little too far out of reach for me price wise lol. I'm good with my OB6 for now. I'll still check out the video though!
I've had mine for a few years and I still fall in love every time I use it. It's limitations are opportunities. Currently having trouble updating to latest OS and I guess I need to purchase a stupid midi to usb cable. I'm looking forward to the new AT responses and vintage modes.
it's completely worth it Joe! That vintage knob alone turns the synth from a great modern synth to a sound on par with the famous analog polys of yesteryear. Seriously, just some saw waves through the filter at 50-70% vintage into a good reverb will hit you right in the feels!
this vintage knob is larger than life wow! also i'd love to see your hands on the new prophet 5 and compare it! thank you for this awesome video, appreciate it!
@@MilesAwayOfficial I recently bought a Eventide Space, Timefactor and H9. this is really a enhancement for all my synths. it brings also my pro synths to a new level. much better than every delay or reverb plugin on the planet.
@@MilesAwayOfficial H9 for me. But If you like the analog feel of turning buttons, I'd would go with ET Space. The sound is so classic. It's exactly what I've always been looking for in Reverb plugins. But I couldn't find it there, that depth in ET Space is unreachable. H9 has the the same Algorithms. Caution, the ET plugins unfortunately cannot compete with the hardware. Sounds completely different.
This and the Virus are two of my favorite dream synths along with a good drum synth like Jomox. But can the Oberheim do house, techno and trance music?
Absolutely it can! The demo track in this video I made exclusively with the OB6, I don’t produce techno myself but this would work well. The only thing the OB cannot do well is those type of round Moog basses, Because the filter is 2 pole vs 4 pole
@@MilesAwayOfficial wow that is awesome! I already have a Moog Sub37 and Analogue Solutions Leipzig v3 for bass duties. Plus OB6 is great for soundtrack work same with the Virus.
Sweet video! Really enjoy your perspective and knowledge. I’m definitely sold on this being my analog poly when I can afford it. My only gripe is for what you pay, and for the fact that is such a landmark filter, not only being the Oberhiem 12db but with the sweepable mode’s it really deserves an audio input to pass outside audio through it. Other than that it is my poly of choice for sure as well.
thanks for watching! I totally agree, it would have been sweet to get an audio in to run stuff through. However, if you just need 1 single SEM filter, you can actually get some pretty great clones in eurorack format. I am still dabbling with the idea of starting a eurorack just to add a SEM filter to my Moog DFAM!
@@MilesAwayOfficial 😄 I was actually looking into making a single powered module if possible for just the filter a few weeks ago. I still have some experimenting to do with running my vst’s through my analog filters to see what I can come up with. May eventually do the module but hmm...decisions decisions. Great music by the way!
@ghost mall Well having the Ob-6 you get the 6 voices so it’s the sound, but for say a filter in general I’d put other things through it, other synths, warm it up and over drive it, but the pro3 at least has it on offer. I don’t do it a lot but it was a charmer for a nord lead 2 to have warm that up, it was great through the stiener parker filter I had and that SEM filter is legend.
Hi, Thanks for you letting us entering in a pure and full analog world. Thanks also to enlight the philosophy of character vs bunch of possibilities new machines you demonstrated as Prologue, Summit recently. Will you get and review the Polybrute from Arturia, that seems in line with both full analog circuitry and bunch of modulation possibilities ?
Thanks! I'd love to review the Polybrute but unfortunately they are almost impossible to get where I live. I've already reached out to Arturia to see about reviewing one but nothing yet!
@@MilesAwayOfficial I love its sound and its immediacy! In so far it‘s clearly on par with the P5/10: simple but efficient. However, I wouldn’t prefer it as my only poly synth. The 4-octave keybed range sucks, and sometimes I really need a traditional mod matrix (e.g. for noise -> resonance). But as a complement for a PolyBrute, Rev2 and some digital synths it is perfect.
Absolutely the best OB6 video around. Thanks for such a great overview! Can you please tell me what the very first patch is? So warm and loaded with character…👍
@@MilesAwayOfficial It’s all over the latest Halloween, and it’s on the latest album that just came out. Lost Themes 3: Alive after Death. Check out the pad sound in the middle of: The Dead Walk.
Great content as usual, thanks for posting! I checked out your other vids featuring the OB-6 as well - torn between this and the (perhaps more safe option) Prophet 6.....Looking for those lush pads as in the intro to this...Decisions!!
Finally, A channel that approaches this beautiful board with feel over function in mind. Sure 19 gajillion parameters and simulated outboard FX can be nice but ultimately it's how it's going to make me feel when I try to create with it, How expressively I can play and whether it will inspire me when I touch the keys and start dialing in sounds that will make me long for it enough to buy it or keep it.
100%! Thank you! Emotions over features/parameters has always been my motto, I try to approach every synth review I do on this channel like that! Welcome!
Awesome video. The best I've seen, thank you! I'm on the fence about this synth but only because of the looks. If only they did an OB6 that looked like a Prophet 6. I know that would go entirely against the point - but still.
The is one of the most comprehensive reviews of what makes the OB-6 so special, pairing synth features & sound design. Kudos! Took me a year to pull the trigger on this one--and NEVER looked back. Now for the 64 million dollar question..... Oberheim OB-X8? 5K for the OB-X8 is quite a premium, & I think there will be a LOT of overlap with the OB-6. Your thoughts?
Thanks James! Great timing, I actually just posted a full thoughts video on the OB-X8 vs OB-6. Check out my most recent upload! Spoiler alert I'm getting one, but not selling my OB-6. I'm gonna post a full detailed musical comparison on the channel as well as a patch bank when it comes out! So stay tuned for that!
I have a REV2, PRO2, Prophet 6 but my OB-6 is the jewel in my Dave Smith colection. The filter is amazing, it's why ppl love Tom Oberheim so much I guess.
Wow amazing video, great fan! Could you tell me a bit about that incredible pad at 44:09? Trying to recreate it. I can see some settings but not all the dials match that patch I guess. Thanks!!
That one sound is from J3P0's pack, full credit to him. You should check out his patches, usually as a patch maker I just make my own but his OB-6 pack is incredible (his is the best one along with my own, if I may brag - haha)
Thank you! Yea it’s a tough choice but different depending on what you like. for me I prefer fewer high quality pieces of gear with huge sweet spots that inspire me to play vs a bunch of different cheaper gear
I agree 100%.. Character b4 features any day of the week! Man, I wish they would have built this with 61 keys though, it's the only thing that stopped me from hitting the buy button. Great video
ok, now I come to my decision... I have A Virus TI, a MonoPoly (and yes, all the vst plugins outhere) and I'm searching for a polyphonic analog Synth.. I'm was not sure about if I should buy a sequential or polybrute... The only think I know now is, that now I know nothing! Great sounding and quality video, thx :-))
Devin (Devon?), I wholeheartedly agree with your new mantra, especially after an expensive, two-year journey which found me rediscovering my fave synths, based on how they made me feel. Questions: Have you played GForce's OB-E? Compared it w/the OB6?
@@MilesAwayOfficial dope! loved what you covered in the video! I would always have the vco amounts at full potential but im gonna dial them back to 50%!
Ahh that intro playing and visual combination was just superb! Nice one! The filter doesnt sound amazing to my ears though to be honest. Doesnt seem to have that clean "peeling" sound (for lack of better description) you get from the likes of a Moog filter, my Virus TI2 filter or even the Matrixbrute Steiner filter to a lesser degree. Or maybe this video just isnt showing it's full capacity? I'd love to hear how this synth produces nice thick plucks. I'm just being nit picky though. I want this synth badly!
Thanks so much for the kind words Sam! I think that maybe what you look for in filters is different than me! For me, this synth doesn't do thick plucks very well - a 24 db filter like on a moog or on a Novation peak is much better for that. What this filter excels at is really fizzy, musical resonance that is smooth and never harsh. Different colours than a moog! But the Moog ladder filter is my second fave after the SEM.
I have 3000$ for my first polysynth and Its down to either a Prophet 6 or Ob6. Id love to hear your thoughts... The Ob6 is definitely grittier and fizzier, more in your face and high end tone... but people say the prophet 6 is better for fitting into a mix and has a more lush mid range tone. I have a korg MS-20, which is a super gritty, distortion oriented synth so maybe the ob6 would be overkill and the prophet 6 would excel at the ms20’s weakness... but then again i agree that sound > features and versitility... really cant decide!
I have both the P6 and the OB-6. They’re both amazing but they’re really SO different from each other. The OB-6 is so fat and gnarly, and has a tendency to be a little fizzy sounding. But it is really amazing. Sounds absolutely fantastic for basses, brass, leads, etc. and sticks out of a mix really well. The filter is incredible and can make some fantastic layered sounds with the state variable filter. It’s very “80s” and can almost approach Juno territory with some of the sounds once you put on the chorus. The P6 on the other hand is so lush and smooth, and has such a massive sweet spot. The pads on it are absolutely sublime. It’s a lot more versatile than the OB-6- you can cover an extremely wide gamut of sounds with it. The sounds from the OB-6 always seem to have a similar type of character (albeit a great one), but the P6 can be a bit more of a chameleon for different styles of music. Also the P6 definitely sits deeper within a mix than the OB-6, which likes to stick out in front more. It’s a really tough decision to make because they both are equally as awesome. If I were you I’d probably go P6 first just because of the versatility, but you really can’t go wrong either way because they both rock
OB-6 is really interesting. The oscillators and filter sound really good but I’m not sold on if I’d actually be able to make use of it or if I’d just mess around on it to make sounds which are cool but that I might never use in a mix. So then it’s a lot of money to drop if it winds up being more of a novelty. If I ever get contracted do score a remake of Tron, this would be my go to. Could also be that I find a lot of music that used classic Oberheim sounds super cheesy from what I think of as the era of bad synth. Not bad synthesizers necessarily, just utilization, and just my opinion. Like, Jump is one of my most despised songs, and Tom Sawyer might actually be a good song if they dropped the cheesy lead synth. Intro is cool though. I do like some of the simplicity and character of the OB-6 compared with a Rev 2, biggest issue these days is that supply is so short that it’s tough to get your hands on one to try out to make a real informed selection. Good overview. Makes me more interested in wanted to see what one can do in practice with the sound of the oscillators and filter.
Great comment! Thanks for the thoughts. Also LOL I despise Jump too. But I love the Tom Sawyer sound ;) That's the beauty of how different synths can sound from one another. You hit the nail on the head: I'm not reaching for the OBie if I want crystalline clear futuristic plucks. I'm reaching when I want that warm, messy and detuned, but comforting sound. That's why I have so many synths and pedals, each one is like a colour.
The thing to remember is that before the Prophet ‘08, there were no analog poly synths on the market. None. Dave Smith is an awesome guy, who in my opinion does not get nearly enough credit for what he’s done. He’s a hero. I just hope things at Sequential keep humming.
Fully agree here! Such an incredible human, and his story rocks. Check out Alex Ball's History of the Prophet: he does a great job with the story of Dave Smith :)
Actually, the first "modern" analog poly synth was the Alesis Andromeda I believe. I've never actually heard any demos of it though.
@@shaynewhite1 That was no longer in production when the Prophet ‘08 was made.
The Omega 8 was in the market. No keyboard, but it's an analog poly.
Oberheim's sound, the character as you said, is really unique. You can identify it in a thousands of synths. It's just so amazing, so thick and warm, full of harmonic frequencies. Also it has very nice on board effects. I don't have a chance to own a OB-6 myself, but just simply by watching you play I can feel how good the synth is. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Alys, totally agreed there! Appreciate you watching!
Our house just got an OB 6 and I really appreciate your introduction! Incredible machine. And I agree about the filter, it is the BEST
Congrats! It really is the creme de la creme :) more OB6 videos coming!
Such a high quality video bro! Impressed
Thank you so much Tim!
@@MilesAwayOfficial :)
Just received my OB-6, and this video was exactly what I needed. Thank you so much!
sick, congrats! Enjoy - more OB6 videos coming soon :)
For another side of the OB-6 almost no one demonstrates, check out the latest patch set by GEOSynths (Vol3). Lots of Xmod and Osc2/LFO2.
Also, you can make it more delicate by keeping the osc volume to 2/3 and, more important, the amp envelope to 60-80% (internal gain staging). It really adds more "space" in the sounds - but that can be increased or decreased.
I've been using the Vintage functionality since Day 1 of the public beta. In poly mode, my default is 25% or so for it - because it can have some unwanted side-effects. In mono mode, my default is 75% for it.
One of the synth's greatest strengths (and also a minor flaw) is how much range each knob has. Very small adjustments can end up having a large impact. Sometimes that's frustrating. Most of the time it's amazing because of the nuance you can achieve.
@@cfs Thank you! This is great! I’m experimenting with the Vibtage knob this week.
honestly one of the best videos out there on this -- thank you !
Thank you! I’ve got another ob video today stay tuned :)
"Character over features" - I couldn't agree more sir ✊🏻
Thanks for watching! Stoked you agree.
I agree! It’s one of the most full, lush, warm, huge, and beautiful sounding analogue synths I’ve ever owned (and I’ve owned a lot of hardware synths going back to the 1980’s). IMHO, it’s the best Tom Oberheim synth ever made!
Amazing to hear! I've never tried an original OBxa/OB8 but I would love to do a comparison one day. Thanks for watching, more synth content soon :)
Sold my OB-6 and Prophet 6, bought a Prophet 10 but do miss the OB-6 sometimes. Definitely one of my favourite character synths. It's not quite as deep/epic a sound as the Prophet 10 rev 4 (inc the resonance and filter sweeps) and I wouldn't take one over the P10 but has its own beautiful vibe. They would make a great team. Great video that shows the beauty of the OB-6 that many other videos don't get to. Also 'Character over features' is spot on, been saying that for years. You get bored of gimmicks but not of great tone!
Thanks so much! And glad you agree with my mantra :) new synth video posted here every friday!
You’re one of the only people on RUclips that seem to speak to the OB-6 as glowingly as I feel about the sound.
Welcome to the right channel LOL. It's my fave synth ever, desert island unit. Check out my Custom Patches for it if you haven't already! :)
@@MilesAwayOfficial I don’t own one yet, but it’s a must-buy for me. The OB-X8 looks amazing, but it’s just so big I don’t want to make room for it haha
Love both my OB6 and Prophet 5. Dave Smith is the man. Both are truly great works of art! 😊
P5 is on my dream wish list! Always tempted to sell some gear for one. hah
The sequential sound is a HOT SAMURAI SWORD…
The OBERHIEM. is the warm hug of the geisha you’re in love with.
BOTH bring me to tears…and I love it.
Haha I love that analogy so much 😂
Best overview of this synth I have seen. Thank you.
Thanks Daniel!
Subscribed, i did not expect the excellent tutorial as well. Your passion for the ob-6 inspires me to get one
Thank you so much! More synth content soon !
Thanks! I own a lot of synths and I agree! I've had mine for a few years. Your video reminds me to get back into programming it!
Nice! Glad I could help :) what's your top synth?
@@MilesAwayOfficial Well, long story. I've been mostly away from my studio during the pandemic (almost a year). At my NYC studio I have a lot of synths: Memorymoog, Xpander, MiniMoog, 2600, etc. I only brought the OB-6 and Pro3 down here. And it's made me consider selling the Memorymoog. Hmmm.
BTW, here's my more synth oriented channel. ruclips.net/channel/UC3GWQE6_dGW1pEM-g-eln0w
Awesome review on this beautiful synth! I just bought the desktop myself and I am thoroughly enjoying your walk-through and comments and of course you’re playing as well. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much, how are you liking the synth?
@@MilesAwayOfficial love it so far! I’m wondering how good it can do simple monosynth work.
Absolutely beautiful tones and thank you for the great demo of the OB-6. I have the Prophet 10 and it's sublime. I'm also considering the OB-6 for the onboard arp and seq - I'm a little torn as it has a lot of similarities to the P10. Thanks again for your great insights into all these synths.
Thanks for watching! I want a P10 so bad after falling in love with the OB6. I think it’s a great combo
I have the Prophet 10 and the OB6. I am new to synths but I feel like their is enough difference to justify having both. The OB6 clearly has more bite, and that signature character to it. The prophet 10 is amazing quality wise sound and construction. Dialing in sounds are much easier, very high quality in a warmer way. I can’t really describe it but I literally am in love with both. Granted they are my first synths I ever had. I did a lot of research before getting them. I bought the prophet 10 desktop thinking it would be there for when I needed it and the ob6 be my main synth, however, after playing with prophet 10 I exchanged it for full keyboard version. Totally worth it!
@@MilesAwayOfficial I’ve been running Prophet 10 through UAFX Golden reverb and Starlight delay and the results are incredibly lush. I own the Take 5, Polybrute, Prologue, Sub37 and the tone of the Prophet 10 is warmer and a notch above all these other synths. I do love them all. Surprisingly the Take 5 is also very warm and very high quality tone. I think I’ll eventually get the OB6 for its extra ‘bite’ and onboard sequencer. I think you’ll absolutely live the P10 - it’s so immediate and is my most inspiring synth to play, with the Take 5 close second.
@@Truth1nNature thanks so much for sharing your experience with both synths. I think I’ll eventually buy the OB6 once I find a bit more room in the studio. That’s great to hear you’re loving both.
One sneaky secret you missed - try hitting the right hand end board of the synth when you're using the Spring Reverb. Not sure it's really that useable, but fun that they added it.
Unreal! Great easter egg!
I got a chance to play one of these last year and it was so beautiful. So expressive and subtle. I really liked the aftertouch on it to be so much better than other keyboards I've played.
Agreed! It really does feel like a complete instrument. Stick around my channel, I cover lots of different interesting synths !
33:03 Yes, an additional 4-pole LPF like on the OB-Xa is the only thing I miss.
Totally agree - if it had that I don't think there'd even be a need for me to have a Prophet :0
went to a local music shop yesterday and tried Pro5 rev4 and the Ob-6.
I decided on the Ob-6. Just like you said, the character and the sound are very important and the Ob-6 has it in spades. That is in no way saying that the Pro5 is bad. It’s amazing. But my experience on the day, I just instantly connected with the Ob-6. I think you are correct in that it can make you think you’re a better sound designer than you are as it makes things sound good over such a wide range.
I’m still interested in a Pro5 rev4 but it will have to wait a little longer. It is newer and will probably be around a bit longer. The Ob-6 module I got was the last one they had apart from the keyboard demo and they are shipping it from another city as it wasn’t in their store. I couldn’t find any other units at other retailers. Some second-hand units online (Reverb) but not in my country. I don’t know if more are coming or when. EDIT - so there’s been discussion and rumour around for a while that there may be an Oberheim re-issue like the Pro5 rev4. Could be very interesting. What great times we live in for playing and making music.
On the keyboards thing, that’s one area that I thought both Ob-6 and Pro5 were weakest in. That is just my opinion and again they are not bad but I didn’t think it was as great as a lot of others seem to think it is. And that should tell you a lot there as many people do like the keybeds. I thought the keys on the Ob-6 seemed a little small (? I’m not sure they are that’s just how they felt to me) and soft. I’d like a little more resistance to suit my ideal. Just a little. But that is beside the point as I was able to get the module and can pair with whichever keybed I like. Best of both worlds, thanks Sequential.
That's a great choice! either of those synths are seriously cream of the crop sound wise. Enjoy! And consider checking out my Custom OB6 Presets I made :)
keyboard wise they use Fatar, so if you don't like the softness you might prefer a synthier action keyboard like the Novation Summit.
@@MilesAwayOfficial - I have a Juno106, Akai controller board and a stage piano that I will probably run the OB6 through. There's enough of a variety in key action there to keep me guessing (lol). Your presets sound great.
@@riloh58 thanks so much!
I feel the same about the keyboardunit...and i wanted one more actave
Really a very good channel ! Thanks !
Thank you so much and welcome, synth videos weekly!
Incredible video, incredible synth. Thank You!
Thanks for watching!
Aaaaahhhhhh, what a good tune enters after your first speech!
Thank you Bartosz! I actually just posted this exact same video but for the Prophet 6 , so subscribe and watch that one on my channel if you like :)
The OB6 Is actually another one i was looking at getting. You hit it spot on with the Character and synth technology in the opening! I just recently go into sound resound in the past year and the prologue was my first poly synth, then followed the Summit and Prophet XL... The OB6 and Moog 16 are my next items on the list.... The OB6 is MUST HAVE board in my opinion.
That is an amazing set up! The ob will definitely fit in great
I too would love a moog one but it’s a bit out of my range
I’ve been toying with the idea of selling my summit and getting a prophet 10 though 😳
And of course if a used prophet x came on the market i would be tempted too. Xmod with samples sounds so cool!
Glad you pointed out the oscillator pure tone, I don't claim to understand it but somehow what looks like a nearly pure shape in a scope can on some synths sound fantastic, and on others not at all, on this it's hard to argue with the pure sounds, it's just touching!
Exactly! Oscillators are not all created equal. It's like cooking, start with the best ingredients you can
You're right. You can do ANYTHING on this synth and it sounds good. That's why I love the OB-6. It gets front position in my studio. All other synths are to the side. This one sits right in front of me at all times, ready to go.
Amazing! Fully agree. What other synths do you have and recommend?
@@MilesAwayOfficial Well, my other synths are a Prophet 12, DeepMind 12, Moog Subphatty, Roland D-50, JV-1080, Yamaha TX802 and 81Z. So yeah, a bit of a list there, but I tell ya, I agreed with every word you said. I love there being no menu, for example. It's all right in front of you. Easy access. It truly is a synth I would recommend to beginners to be honest... but I mean that in the best way possible. It's just easy to use, easy to know what's going on... since you see everything right in front of you. Nothing hidden. And pretty much everything you do just sounds so good. As for which of my synths I recommend? Definitely the first four I listed there. The DeepMind 12 is a workhorse synth and if I could keep any synth, other than my OB-6, it would be that one. Very nice sound to it.
@@cybernitemusic thanks for the awesome comment! Wow - a D50! Incredible :) and cool to hear such good things about the Deepmind! I've never tried one, but would love to review it.
How do you like the Prophet 12? That was my other choice when I bought the Summit, and I'm fascinated with the Pro12.
Same! Nothing else I have is more lovely or inspiring. Or nasty and brutal. Or mystical. Or funky. Or....
totally agree
great video, really helpful intro to the synth, thanks!
Your vid is what’s tipped me over. Thanks for the clear and helpful guides. Ace music too!
Thank you! And glad to hear that, enjoy it if you get it- incredible synth
Really enjoyed your comparison of prologue with matriarch. One can clearly see pros and cons and think about application areas. I would highly appreciate a comparison of prologue with ob-6.
Thanks for watching and absolutely, great idea - will do a comparison!
hey! i just posted this comparison, check it out
The OB-6 Rocks !
Thanks for the wonderful music and video.
Thank you for watching!
Always been an Obie fan, so a special place for me in the OB-6....so glad when it came out.
Same! OB has "that sound" for me, and this encapsulates it perfectly.
The OB6 sits above a Prophet 5 Rev4 on my main stand. Hard to decide which to use sometimes, both are incredible. Great video.
wow! so jealous. I've been eyeing the new Prophet 5s for so long now... looks amazing. How do you like it?
@@MilesAwayOfficial At first, when I plugged it in I was a little underwhelmed because it's dry, mono, with no onboard effects whatsoever. But after spending some time with and finding my way around it (didn't take long), it became huge, thick-sounding and like being wrapped in a warm blanket. I'm running it through a BigSky and an OTO Bim at the moment - it's a complete literal wall of sound. Can't say enough!
@@NineFourOneMedia that's an incredible chain! Would love to get one eventually :)
@@MilesAwayOfficial I also got one of the new Prophet 5's. It definitely takes a little time to get to know what all it's capable of but you really get out of it what you put into it. Absolutely the most inspiring and incredible instrument I have ever owned or played. It's a very unusual synth because it can sound like so many things. Most synths from that era have a particular sound they are known for. The Prophet 5 is like an alien that can morph into whatever it wants. I'm adding an OB6 next because I'm really missing some features particularly a sequencer. I'm able to emulate that somewhat with the arpeggiator on my Korg Prologue, but the OB6 seems like the upgrade I need.
@@GusFogle that's a great set up! Very inspiring 🙏 thx for watching
this is what I gonna buy soon!!! thanks for the video!!!
My pleasure! I highly recommend getting it :)
@@MilesAwayOfficial but im getting the module version : /
@@MilesAwayOfficial is there going to be an album with all the songs on spotify?
@@cekla6895 if you mean my own music, yes! Search "Miles Away" and you will see the same picture as here. All my music is there.
If you mean will I publish the demo songs in this video, no, I will not. But I might do a patreon for giving them away as copyright free downloads
Great synth, sounds so warm! Thanks for the video!
Great video. Nice to hear how much you like the instrument and know about it.
Thanks so much! I've got a couple other OB6 videos since this one on my channel, stick around!
Great vid! With the effects, man some of them are stellar and you didn't get them their due here...the CHORUS on the OB-6 is downright amazing, thick and lush...just beautiful(so man maybe you haven't explored it then, just wait til you do! High Depth/Low Rate good mix and WOW!). ......The Chorus on the OB-6 is killer man, no bs.... Folks do NOT overlook the OB-6 Chorus I like everything on there except the verbs.....so don't used them just use the delays(Especially the BBD delays).....if I crave just verbs I use an Eclipse in my synth rack....OB-6 Chorus is outstanding and in general the mods and delays are very good.....don't let the verbs shine a negative light on the rest of the awesome effects the OB-6 has to offer. I love your vid here(TY btw)...but respectfully, your CON for the OB-6 effects is way off.
Thanks for watching! I'll definitely check the chorus out some more, I'll admit I haven't experimented with it all that much recently. Overall, I just found that the FX being enabled made the sound a bit "mushy" and less 3D. It could just be placebo but all the best recordings I've gotten of this were recording dry then using Valhalla Shimmer Reverb, and Chorus and Delay from Native Instruments!
@@MilesAwayOfficial Man, thank you for the vid....But seriously man, you are in for a treat!!!! The OB-6 chorus is to die for.....low rate, high depth....generous mix.....it will blow you away...also, man the other mods....and Emulations of Tom's original phase and ring mod are in there too. I like all the effects other than the verbs...just use the delays for ambience(love the BBD delays)....You are in for a treat)
Thanks 😊 ! I really enjoy your video(s), for me the OB-6 is my first ever synth! I am not a professional piano player, but I love it!
There's no other sound that comes close to that dreamy, lush 80's sound. This is a dream come true for me, especially with the vintage knob. And it also provides a lot of Moog-ish bite.
I won't need another synth in the next years, except the OB X8 😅, maybe in 10 years..
Great to hear and thanks! Congrats on the OB6, it really is a dream synth. It's made it onto every single song I make since I got it in 2020! Stay tuned for my OBX8 video, slight delay but its coming!
@@MilesAwayOfficial Thanks! I am looking forward to your OB X8 video, though it’s out of reach for me 😉.
And by the way, I really enjoy your OB 6 sound library, excellent work 👍!
My word - the pad at 44:12. The low end. The power. This synth is a monster!
So good. Thanks for watching!
thanks for the timestamp, woah...this might just push me over the edge. I hate having to sell my virus ti2 to make room for this, but unfortunately, it just doesn't jive with m1 macs and that's a dealbreaker
@@solomonjenkins9505 OMG, I would NEVER sell my Virus TI. I couldn't care less about the Virus software - I just use it like any other synth, and to this day, it's like the BMW of the synth world. It sounds stunning and is ridiculously powerful. The OB-6 is a great synth, but it doesn't have "TI" style integration either, so there's that ;-)
I liked the OB-6, but ultimately sold it a few months in because there are software versions that can easily match it. Not popular to say, but true. I ended up with the new OB-X8 for that classic Oberheim flavor... now THAT has no software equivalent. Keep your Virus, forget about the TI stuff (it never worked well), and if you want an Oberheim, save a bit more for the OB-X8 desktop!
great job on this demo. hits a lot of the special things of this synth.
Thanks!
44:18 analog strings sound amazing. Fuzz, buttery. Beautiful. Wow. That's a unique sound to that Oberherim there.
Absolutely agree!
I’ve bought and sold a lotttt of synths.. the OB-6 is the only one I promise to take to my grave.. nothing will come between me and that beauty.. I love it so much I don’t even play it half the time I just stare and touch in awe
so true :P this comment is spot on. Thanks for watching and stay tuned for my OB6 custom patches!
I will be buried with it, even if it dies before me!
at 44:07 everything came so clear... OB-6 and those strings... I need this synth... it has sounds you hardly find in other synths nowadays... thanks 👍🏻
Glad you like it! Hope you get one. Stay subbed to my channel for my upcoming comparison of OB6 to the new OBX8!
Great review , love to see you using it in logic
Thanks! Every song of mine you hear is made in Logic but with mostly hardware synths. My new album if you are interested! open.spotify.com/album/65NNkC1BRl8EtWViffifSX?si=_BqGfdnrRAGdRJdmKLc65g
I've owned an OB6 for over a year and a bit now. I have to say your video is very straight to the point and informative. Even though I knew alot already of what you talked about I appreciate you putting all this information in one place because I had to do a bit of research on my own time before finding this video. The OB6 can get sorta prophet-style sounds out of it when the mixer section is down with sometimes the addition of the amp envelope being turned down aswell. Absolutely love the OB6.
Hopefully you made some patches for this bad boy. I'll take a look through your videos. But yeah, great video dude.
PS: If you havent tried one, play around with a Pro3 when you can. Amazing synth aswell.
Thanks so much! My custom patches are coming soon :)
Also I have a pro 2 but not a pro 3! Amazing synths
Excellent job! Thanks for helping me get the most out of my OB-6. Much appreciated.
No worries, thanks for watching! My Ob6 preset pack is coming soon
Great demo!! Thanks so much!
I need to pick one up ASAP before it is discontinued. I’m surprised it’s still being made today. Seems like a long production period for a synth of this caliber.
Totally agreed! I feel that way about the Pro 2. I keep eyeing it on the used market because I know now that it's discontinued it's going to rise in price.
Just bought an SEM pro yesterday, and will by an ob-6 pretty soon
Good lord it is beautiful
Agreed Lol. So good.
Splendid review man! I'm planning on buying either the OB-6 or the Prophet 6 but as time goes on I'm leaning more and more towards the OB-6. However, I might go for the module as I'll probably be more comfortable with two more octaves from an external keyboard. Thanks a lot for this in depth review once again!
My pleasure! You can’t go wrong with either. Both are fantastic but the OB for me will never leave my studio
one of the best synth's vid I've ever seen , et j'en ai vu beaucoup :))))
Merci!
i have one, its like Champagne fizz with an amazing chorus effect. had it since release, still kills me
Absolutely fabulous presentation.
Thank you kindly! Glad you enjoyed. New video every single friday (including today) so stay tuned!
Dude you're a boss on that thing. I had to rip a copy of this video so I could refer to it later.
Thank you! Glad it helped! Stay tuned here on the channel as my OBX8 is almost here and I’m gonna do a big in depth comparison with OB6
@@MilesAwayOfficial Wow. Yeah that one is just a little too far out of reach for me price wise lol. I'm good with my OB6 for now. I'll still check out the video though!
@@_EightySix awesome :) thanks for supporting the channel!
Always loved this thing, and this is the best overview. And I agree, the Tom Sawyer sound alone justifies the price ; )
The Tom Sawyer sound is so satisfying to make
Did you make this drone video? Sooo beautiful!
Really exceptional demo 🙌
Thanks!
good stuff! sounds awesome! on the top of my short list 'to buy'.. thanks!
I've had mine for a few years and I still fall in love every time I use it. It's limitations are opportunities. Currently having trouble updating to latest OS and I guess I need to purchase a stupid midi to usb cable. I'm looking forward to the new AT responses and vintage modes.
it's completely worth it Joe! That vintage knob alone turns the synth from a great modern synth to a sound on par with the famous analog polys of yesteryear. Seriously, just some saw waves through the filter at 50-70% vintage into a good reverb will hit you right in the feels!
Thank you for the great demo, I’ll get a desktop one.
Enjoy!!
this vintage knob is larger than life wow! also i'd love to see your hands on the new prophet 5 and compare it! thank you for this awesome video, appreciate it!
Thanks for watching! The P5/P10 is on my wish list 🥵
You are fire bro!!
Appreciate that
thanks for your expenditure. I immediately freed the ob-6 from the dust and connected it. Your explanations were very inspiring. Thanks!
Awesome to hear, thanks!
@@MilesAwayOfficial I recently bought a Eventide Space, Timefactor and H9. this is really a enhancement for all my synths. it brings also my pro synths to a new level. much better than every delay or reverb plugin on the planet.
@@kristosvidinakis that’s so sick! I was looking at that vs the Big Sky. Any advice?
@@MilesAwayOfficial H9 for me. But If you like the analog feel of turning buttons, I'd would go with ET Space. The sound is so classic. It's exactly what I've always been looking for in Reverb plugins. But I couldn't find it there, that depth in ET Space is unreachable. H9 has the the same Algorithms. Caution, the ET plugins unfortunately cannot compete with the hardware. Sounds completely different.
This and the Virus are two of my favorite dream synths along with a good drum synth like Jomox. But can the Oberheim do house, techno and trance music?
Absolutely it can! The demo track in this video I made exclusively with the OB6,
I don’t produce techno myself but this would work well. The only thing the OB cannot do well is those type of round Moog basses, Because the filter is 2 pole vs 4 pole
@@MilesAwayOfficial wow that is awesome! I already have a Moog Sub37 and Analogue Solutions Leipzig v3 for bass duties. Plus OB6 is great for soundtrack work same with the Virus.
@@GuitarsAndSynths I love the Sub 37, stay tuned I am working on a video on it ;) never tried the Leipzig!
Love it man. I love you music video Bring me back
thank you so much!
The keybed is magnificent also.
Agreed! Great master keyboard as long as you are ok with 49keys
Sweet video! Really enjoy your perspective and knowledge. I’m definitely sold on this being my analog poly when I can afford it. My only gripe is for what you pay, and for the fact that is such a landmark filter, not only being the Oberhiem 12db but with the sweepable mode’s it really deserves an audio input to pass outside audio through it. Other than that it is my poly of choice for sure as well.
thanks for watching! I totally agree, it would have been sweet to get an audio in to run stuff through. However, if you just need 1 single SEM filter, you can actually get some pretty great clones in eurorack format. I am still dabbling with the idea of starting a eurorack just to add a SEM filter to my Moog DFAM!
@@MilesAwayOfficial 😄 I was actually looking into making a single powered module if possible for just the filter a few weeks ago. I still have some experimenting to do with running my vst’s through my analog filters to see what I can come up with. May eventually do the module but hmm...decisions decisions. Great music by the way!
@@ubiquitousreverser that's a super cool idea! Hope it turns out! and thank you :) new music coming this Friday stay tuned
@@MilesAwayOfficial Thanks, look forward to the tunes man!
@ghost mall Well having the Ob-6 you get the 6 voices so it’s the sound, but for say a filter in general I’d put other things through it, other synths, warm it up and over drive it, but the pro3 at least has it on offer. I don’t do it a lot but it was a charmer for a nord lead 2 to have warm that up, it was great through the stiener parker filter I had and that SEM filter is legend.
Character > Features 🖤
Hi, Thanks for you letting us entering in a pure and full analog world. Thanks also to enlight the philosophy of character vs bunch of possibilities new machines you demonstrated as Prologue, Summit recently. Will you get and review the Polybrute from Arturia, that seems in line with both full analog circuitry and bunch of modulation possibilities ?
Thanks! I'd love to review the Polybrute but unfortunately they are almost impossible to get where I live. I've already reached out to Arturia to see about reviewing one but nothing yet!
Fantastic machine. After hesitating for over 4 years I eventually ordered one.
LAr probably means last note reset.
Unreal! How are you liking it?
@@MilesAwayOfficial I love its sound and its immediacy! In so far it‘s clearly on par with the P5/10: simple but efficient.
However, I wouldn’t prefer it as my only poly synth. The 4-octave keybed range sucks, and sometimes I really need a traditional mod matrix (e.g. for noise -> resonance). But as a complement for a PolyBrute, Rev2 and some digital synths it is perfect.
Absolutely the best OB6 video around. Thanks for such a great overview! Can you please tell me what the very first patch is? So warm and loaded with character…👍
hey Mick! Thanks so much, that is patch 453 of my Custom OB6 patches for sale :) thanks if you end up buying em!
John Carpenter and his son have been using the OB-6 for their latest work. I’m very psyched to get one eventually.
That's so cool to hear!! Definitely worth it, it's amazing. Any links to their new project?
@@MilesAwayOfficial It’s all over the latest Halloween, and it’s on the latest album that just came out. Lost Themes 3: Alive after Death. Check out the pad sound in the middle of: The Dead Walk.
It’s all on RUclips or his Bandcamp.
Also, Com Truise. :)
@@harrisonthacker9707 will check out! and sick! Love Com Truise, didn't know he used an OB!
Amazing demo. Thank you for the full length exploration. You do a great job and know where to dial things in (so rare for demos).
Thank you! Plenty more content coming!
Great content as usual, thanks for posting! I checked out your other vids featuring the OB-6 as well - torn between this and the (perhaps more safe option) Prophet 6.....Looking for those lush pads as in the intro to this...Decisions!!
Thanks Doug! I actually got a Prophet 6 and will be doing a video + patch set as well, so stay tuned!
@@MilesAwayOfficial cheers, I'll keep an eye out!
The filter is hitting some spots that remind me of my old Crumar Bit 99.
unreal! never tried a Crumar but they are legendary. thx for watching, tons more synth videos on the way
This just sold me
❤❤
That synth is really good
I agree!
Finally, A channel that approaches this beautiful board with feel over function in mind.
Sure 19 gajillion parameters and simulated outboard FX can be nice but ultimately it's how it's going to make me feel when I try to create with it, How expressively I can play and whether it will inspire me when I touch the keys and start dialing in sounds that will make me long for it enough to buy it or keep it.
100%! Thank you! Emotions over features/parameters has always been my motto, I try to approach every synth review I do on this channel like that! Welcome!
Now I want one
You won't regret it bro! Would love to watch a video on how you use it :)
Awesome video. The best I've seen, thank you! I'm on the fence about this synth but only because of the looks. If only they did an OB6 that looked like a Prophet 6. I know that would go entirely against the point - but still.
The is one of the most comprehensive reviews of what makes the OB-6 so special, pairing synth features & sound design. Kudos! Took me a year to pull the trigger on this one--and NEVER looked back. Now for the 64 million dollar question..... Oberheim OB-X8? 5K for the OB-X8 is quite a premium, & I think there will be a LOT of overlap with the OB-6. Your thoughts?
Thanks James! Great timing, I actually just posted a full thoughts video on the OB-X8 vs OB-6. Check out my most recent upload!
Spoiler alert I'm getting one, but not selling my OB-6. I'm gonna post a full detailed musical comparison on the channel as well as a patch bank when it comes out! So stay tuned for that!
amazing job,,, thank you
Thanks for watching! New Oberheim OBX8 video drops tomorrow if you wanna watch!
It is the best synth ever isn’t it
Definitely one of them 🤩
I have a REV2, PRO2, Prophet 6 but my OB-6 is the jewel in my Dave Smith colection. The filter is amazing, it's why ppl love Tom Oberheim so much I guess.
That's a great collection! I've got the Pro2 as well, I dig it but I'm more of a Poly Synth guy. How do you like the Prophet 6?
Wow amazing video, great fan! Could you tell me a bit about that incredible pad at 44:09? Trying to recreate it. I can see some settings but not all the dials match that patch I guess. Thanks!!
That one sound is from J3P0's pack, full credit to him. You should check out his patches, usually as a patch maker I just make my own but his OB-6 pack is incredible (his is the best one along with my own, if I may brag - haha)
best filter Ive heard on a synth is novation peak. Its so good. I haven't tried OB 6 though.
The Summit and Peak filters are so amazing! Check out my Summit vs Prologue video if you wanna hear them compared, Prologue’s filter is so great too
Well done, very much like this. Just checked the price in Australia and damn, do I sell half of my collection... maybe I need to consolidate..
Thank you! Yea it’s a tough choice but different depending on what you like. for me I prefer fewer high quality pieces of gear with huge sweet spots that inspire me to play vs a bunch of different cheaper gear
Oh man 21:07 yes! That is truly Oberheim!
Yes! So good :D thx for watching, more synth content soon
By the way that real thing OB-6 analog sound is absolutely marvelous, Software emulated keyboards sounds stinks.
9:01 really love🥰
Thank you!
Great video. OB6 coming in 48 hours....
Nice!! How do you like it?
I agree 100%.. Character b4 features any day of the week! Man, I wish they would have built this with 61 keys though, it's the only thing that stopped me from hitting the buy button. Great video
Thank you for watching!
ok, now I come to my decision... I have A Virus TI, a MonoPoly (and yes, all the vst plugins outhere) and I'm searching for a polyphonic analog Synth.. I'm was not sure about if I should buy a sequential or polybrute...
The only think I know now is, that now I know nothing! Great sounding and quality video, thx :-))
Thank you! Polybrute is amazing too. Been trying to get my hands on one to review. Both great synths
Devin (Devon?), I wholeheartedly agree with your new mantra, especially after an expensive, two-year journey which found me rediscovering my fave synths, based on how they made me feel.
Questions: Have you played GForce's OB-E? Compared it w/the OB6?
thanks for watching! I haven't yet, but definitely on my list to check out. I asked them for a review copy but didn't hear back.
best, Devin :)
@@MilesAwayOfficial, thanks for the quick reply! I enjoy and trust your vids!
you should drop your patches! Really great work!
they are coming! make sure to subscribe not to miss them. I'm releasing my Summit sounds first then this after :)
@@MilesAwayOfficial dope! loved what you covered in the video! I would always have the vco amounts at full potential but im gonna dial them back to 50%!
Ahh that intro playing and visual combination was just superb! Nice one!
The filter doesnt sound amazing to my ears though to be honest. Doesnt seem to have that clean "peeling" sound (for lack of better description) you get from the likes of a Moog filter, my Virus TI2 filter or even the Matrixbrute Steiner filter to a lesser degree. Or maybe this video just isnt showing it's full capacity? I'd love to hear how this synth produces nice thick plucks. I'm just being nit picky though. I want this synth badly!
Thanks so much for the kind words Sam! I think that maybe what you look for in filters is different than me! For me, this synth doesn't do thick plucks very well - a 24 db filter like on a moog or on a Novation peak is much better for that. What this filter excels at is really fizzy, musical resonance that is smooth and never harsh. Different colours than a moog! But the Moog ladder filter is my second fave after the SEM.
I have 3000$ for my first polysynth and Its down to either a Prophet 6 or Ob6. Id love to hear your thoughts... The Ob6 is definitely grittier and fizzier, more in your face and high end tone... but people say the prophet 6 is better for fitting into a mix and has a more lush mid range tone. I have a korg MS-20, which is a super gritty, distortion oriented synth so maybe the ob6 would be overkill and the prophet 6 would excel at the ms20’s weakness... but then again i agree that sound > features and versitility... really cant decide!
I have both the P6 and the OB-6. They’re both amazing but they’re really SO different from each other. The OB-6 is so fat and gnarly, and has a tendency to be a little fizzy sounding. But it is really amazing. Sounds absolutely fantastic for basses, brass, leads, etc. and sticks out of a mix really well. The filter is incredible and can make some fantastic layered sounds with the state variable filter. It’s very “80s” and can almost approach Juno territory with some of the sounds once you put on the chorus. The P6 on the other hand is so lush and smooth, and has such a massive sweet spot. The pads on it are absolutely sublime. It’s a lot more versatile than the OB-6- you can cover an extremely wide gamut of sounds with it. The sounds from the OB-6 always seem to have a similar type of character (albeit a great one), but the P6 can be a bit more of a chameleon for different styles of music. Also the P6 definitely sits deeper within a mix than the OB-6, which likes to stick out in front more. It’s a really tough decision to make because they both are equally as awesome. If I were you I’d probably go P6 first just because of the versatility, but you really can’t go wrong either way because they both rock
Hey! Just saw this. For me personally the OB6 is my choice, but the P6 is amazing too. If you like the sound of the OB nothing sounds like it
I actually think that the MS 20 an OB would paired together really well. If you want cleanest on the OB you can always use the VCO2 triangle
31:34 sounds like old sci-fi music
haha could totally hear that!
Look kids, this is how analog synthesizer should sound
Yep it’s so special
OB-6 is really interesting. The oscillators and filter sound really good but I’m not sold on if I’d actually be able to make use of it or if I’d just mess around on it to make sounds which are cool but that I might never use in a mix. So then it’s a lot of money to drop if it winds up being more of a novelty. If I ever get contracted do score a remake of Tron, this would be my go to.
Could also be that I find a lot of music that used classic Oberheim sounds super cheesy from what I think of as the era of bad synth. Not bad synthesizers necessarily, just utilization, and just my opinion. Like, Jump is one of my most despised songs, and Tom Sawyer might actually be a good song if they dropped the cheesy lead synth. Intro is cool though. I do like some of the simplicity and character of the OB-6 compared with a Rev 2, biggest issue these days is that supply is so short that it’s tough to get your hands on one to try out to make a real informed selection.
Good overview. Makes me more interested in wanted to see what one can do in practice with the sound of the oscillators and filter.
Great comment! Thanks for the thoughts. Also LOL I despise Jump too. But I love the Tom Sawyer sound ;)
That's the beauty of how different synths can sound from one another. You hit the nail on the head: I'm not reaching for the OBie if I want crystalline clear futuristic plucks. I'm reaching when I want that warm, messy and detuned, but comforting sound. That's why I have so many synths and pedals, each one is like a colour.