Oberheim OB-8

The Oberheim OB-8 is a subtractive analog synthesizer launched by Oberheim in early 1983 and discontinued in 1985. It belongs to the OB-X product line of polyphonic compact synthesizers and is successor to the OB-Xa. The number of production was about 3,000 units.[1]

OB-8
The Oberheim OB-8
Manufacturer	Oberheim
Dates	1983 - 1985
Price	US$4395
Technical specifications
Polyphony	8 voices
Timbrality	Bitimbral
Oscillator	2 VCOs per voice
LFO	3
Synthesis type	Analog Subtractive
Filter	Switchable 12dB/oct or 24dB/oct resonant low-pass
Attenuator	2 x ADSR (one for VCF & one for VCA)
Aftertouch expression	No
Velocity expression	No
Storage memory	120 patches 12 splits 12 dual
Effects	none
Input/output
Keyboard	61-key
Left-hand control	Pitch Modulation
External control	CV/Gate MIDI Cassette Computer interface

The OB-8 features eight-voice polyphony, two-part multi-timbrality, a 61-note processor-controlled piano keyboard, sophisticated programmable LFO and envelope modulation, two-pole and four-pole filters, arpeggiator, external cassette storage, MIDI capability and 120 memory patches, 24 bi-timbral patches, and used the Z80 CPU. The musician's interface also consists of two pages of front panel programmable controls, left panel performance controls and a set of foot pedals and switches.

Artists who have used the OB-8 include Alice Coltrane, in her ashram music, Boys Noize, Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, Prince, Spinetta Jade,[2] Queen, Van Halen, Depeche Mode, The War on Drugs, Styx, Kool & The Gang, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Clarence Jey, The Police, Siekiera,[3] Silent Running, The KLF, Future Sound of London, Barnes & Barnes and Nik Kershaw.[4]