Arturia shows with the OB-Xa V an emulation of the well-known Oberheim OB-Xa poly analog Synthesizer extended with many new creative features
Yet another emulation from France. Arturia today launched the OB-Xa V, a Synthesizer plugin that recreates the sound of the iconic Oberheim OB-Xa poly analog Synthesizer. This release must not be confused with the OB-X, which is already available in several plugin versions (discoDSP, SonicProjects…) The OB-Xa was quite similar to the OB-X but uses Curtis chips for the filters instead of a discrete SEM 12dB/oct state variable filter. The result was less creamy as the OB-X but more aggressive but still a massive synth for pad sounds.
Arturia has reproduced the OB-Xa in all its beauty in a virtual instrument with an interface that is very much based on the original. The features are almost the same but added with several new features like 4 function generators, built-in effects, chord memory, modern modulation matrix & more.
OB-Xa made music history on albums released by Prince, Billy Idol, Chaka Khan, and Bon Jovi, and is most recognizable for appearing on Van Halen’s biggest hit, ‘Jump’. Contemporary musicians by the likes of Flume, Chrome Sparks, Calvin Harris, and Venetian Snares have also incorporated its energetic potential to enter a new musical dimension. OB-Xa V is here to offer the iconic sound in all its glory while opening up the instrument to more complex and satisfying creations.
Features
Not only did we recreate the spirit, the sound, and the features of the original instrument, but we also added new special functions to make it unique and open new sonic capacities:
- Brand new stereo spread feature
- 16 voice polyphony (double the original)
- Arpeggiator
- Huge unison
- 4 function generators
- Embedded effect section
- Over 400 deep, piercing presets
Review & Sound Demo
I had the opportunity to look at the plugin a few days before the release. Very good sounding synth with a nice Oberheim style interface. However, I must be said that I can’t compare it to an original one, neither
Very good sound and optics. A little CPU hungry otherwise a nice release. However, it must be said here that I can neither compare the plugin with the original OB-Xa, no can I can say how close it is to the hardware. I don’t have a hardware unit.
Arturia OB-Xa V is available now for an introductory price of 149€/$149 (regular 199€/$199) for a limited. Arturia users who have registered their products are rewarded with personal offers. Offer ends June 9th.
More information here: Arturia
I bought it and I like the OB-Xa very much, but I feel the Arturia SEM has a edge over it. In my opinion the SEM can create patches that are almost identical to the OB-Xa. If I could choose just one out of the two synths, I’d choose the SEM. Overall Arturia has done a great job(again)