Models

Oberheim OB-Xa

Polyphonic analog synthesizer

Synthesizer · United States

The Oberheim OB-Xa, released in 1980, is a polyphonic analog synthesizer with two oscillators per voice and the ability to split and layer sounds. Powerful and aggressive, its sound is famous from records such as Van Halen's 'Jump' and many other 1980s productions.

Ensoniq SQ-80

Eight-voice digital/analog hybrid synthesizer

Synthesizer · United States

The Ensoniq SQ-80, produced from 1988 to 1989, is an eight-voice 'cross-wave' digital/analog hybrid synthesizer and successor to the ESQ-1. It edits digital waveforms through analog-style four-pole low-pass filters, adds an expanded waveform set and polyphonic aftertouch on its 61-note keyboard, and includes an onboard sequencer.

Ensoniq VFX

Twenty-one-voice wavetable synthesizer workstation

Synthesizer · United States

The Ensoniq VFX, released in 1989, is a 21-voice digital synthesizer workstation using PPG-style wavetable synthesis with 109 selectable waveforms per patch. It features a 61-note polyphonic-aftertouch keyboard, a high-quality onboard effects processor, and (in the VFX-SD) an integrated sequencer and disk storage.

Oberheim Matrix-12

Twelve-voice analog synthesizer with matrix modulation

Synthesizer · United States

The Oberheim Matrix-12, introduced in 1985, is a twelve-voice analog synthesizer with extensive digital modulation routing. Each voice provides two oscillators, a noise source, a fifteen-mode multimode filter, five envelopes, five LFOs, ramp and tracking generators, and a deep modulation matrix, on a 61-note keyboard. It is widely regarded as one of the most powerful analog polysynths ever built.

Oberheim Xpander

Six-voice analog synthesizer module with matrix modulation

Synthesizer · United States

The Oberheim Xpander, introduced in 1984, is a six-voice rack-format analog synthesizer module and the architectural sibling of the Matrix-12. Each voice offers two oscillators, fifteen filter modes, five LFOs, five DADSR envelopes, ramp and tracking generators, and a flexible modulation matrix, making it a benchmark of analog synthesis flexibility in a keyboardless module.

Oberheim OB-X

Programmable analog polyphonic synthesizer

Synthesizer · United States

The Oberheim OB-X, released in 1979, was Oberheim's first fully integrated programmable polyphonic synthesizer, available in four-, six-, or eight-voice configurations. It replaced the earlier stacked-SEM approach with internal discrete voice boards and patch memory, with two VCOs per voice and a discrete low-pass filter, and a 61-note keyboard.

Oberheim OB-8

Eight-voice analog polyphonic synthesizer

Synthesizer · United States

The Oberheim OB-8, launched in early 1983, is an eight-voice two-part multitimbral analog synthesizer and the last of the original OB-series polysynths. Each voice has two VCOs and switchable two- and four-pole filters, with a 61-note keyboard, arpeggiator, programmable LFO and envelope modulation, expanded 'Page 2' functions, and MIDI on later units.

Oberheim Two Voice

Two-voice analog synthesizer (TVS-1)

Synthesizer · United States

The Oberheim Two Voice (TVS-1), produced from 1975 to 1979, was Oberheim's first keyboard synthesizer: two SEM voice modules coupled to a 37-note keyboard and a simple two-channel analog sequencer. It offered two independently programmable voices, each with the SEM's twin VCOs and multimode filter, and is regarded as one of the first compact polyphonic performance synthesizers.

Oberheim SEM

Semi-modular analog synthesizer voice module

Synthesizer · United States

The Oberheim SEM (Synthesizer Expander Module), introduced in 1974, was Oberheim's first product: a compact semi-modular single-voice analog synthesizer module with two VCOs and a distinctive two-pole multimode voltage-controlled filter offering low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and notch responses. Stacked SEMs formed the basis of the Two Voice, Four Voice, and Eight Voice instruments, and its filter character was later revived in the OB-X8.