Cheshire, CT, United States
About this listing
Due to ship in June.
In a momentous industry development, Oberheim Electronics, one of the mostvenerated names in synthesizer design, has announced its return to operation to meet the rising global demand for itsinstruments.Today, the company is launching its first new product, the OB-X8: an eight-voice polyphonic analog synth thatcombines all of the key features of the legendary OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 products from the 1980s – including allthe original presets that gave them their signature sounds.“I wanted to come back strong with a new design that brings together the sounds of the greatest instruments fromacross the OB range, together with the distinctive sound and styling of those synths,” said Tom Oberheim. “Butwe took it even further. You can now combine the various OB voice architectures in ways that produce unique andinteresting new sounds and capabilities.”Originally founded by Tom Oberheim in 1969, Oberheim Electronics created ground-breaking products that fueledthe electronic music revolution throughout the 1970’s and early 1980’s. After ceasing operations in 1985, theseinstruments attained near-mythical status, with highly prized vintage models selling for many times their originalprice on the secondhand market.Since that time, Tom Oberheim had created a handful of limited-production instruments and co-designs with variouspartners under other names. But in a recent significant development, he regained control of the Oberheim trademarksand IP, and now, in partnership with Focusrite PLC, has decided to once again introduce new products under theOberheim brand name for first time in more than 35 years.“I’ve always had a very optimistic outlook on our industry and the future in general. I felt that one day, when the timewas right, Oberheim would return. A big part of this was the fact that so many musicians have contacted me over theyears to ask how to get hold of an original Oberheim. So when I finally reacquired the Oberheim name, it was clearthat the time was finally here,” said Oberheim.The catalog of artists associated with the original products is long, and includes innovators like Prince, Van Halen,and Herbie Hancock. For many, it was much more than just an instrument. A handful of A-list artists such as TrentReznor, creative force behind Nine Inch Nails, and Golden Globe, Academy Award, and Primetime Emmy-winningcomposer got pre-release previews. “When I was shown the new OB-X8, I was immediately impressed with theforensic level of detail that went into its design and the respect for its lineage,” remarked Trent. I will be makingroom in my studio for one and I’m excited more people will be able to experience this classic instrument.”Creating a new company out of thin air was no small feat. “I’m excited to work with my old friend and audio industryinnovator Marcus Ryle, along with some other members of the original Oberheim team again,” said Tom. “Andthanks to an exclusive partnership with Focusrite group company Sequential LLC, we have the ability to design,manufacture, distribute, and support new instruments on a global scale.”
For Marcus Ryle, one of the inventors behind the ADAT, the QuadraSynth, and Line 6 guitar amps and effects, thisrepresents closure of sorts: “Synths were my first love and the reason I entered this industry. Tom hired me when Iwas 19, and I feel lucky to have been a part of the Oberheim design team during its glory days. Now, a whole newchapter in the story of analog synthesizer-based music is about to get written.”Dave Smith, founder of Sequential and himself a legendary figure in synth history, also collaborated with Marcus(an Oberheim team member from the 1980s) and Tom to create the new product. “We’ve already developed otherinteresting design ideas with Tom for follow-up products that will allow us to take Oberheim into the future as asynth brand,” commented Smith. “It’s a very exciting time to be a musician.”The OB-X8 eight-voice analog synthesizer will be available at the end of June with a US MAP of $4,995.For more details visit .About Oberheim :Oberheim is the 21st century return of the legendary company that helped fuel the electronic music revolution. Now,just as then, Oberheim is guided by the vision of engineer and inventor, Tom Oberheim. Tom’s genius for innovationintroduced the world to the first commercially available poly synth and other groundbreaking electronic instruments thatliterally changed the sound of music. Today, Oberheim reawakens this legacy by bringing the famed Oberheim sound toa new generation of instruments and artists. The company’s passion remains unchanged by time or technology — to onceagain provide the world with the finest-sounding analog synthesizers ever made. Oberheim brings its products to marketwith the help of renowned synth maker, Sequential.
Original Price$4,999
$999.01 price drop
New Price$3,999.99
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