Oberheim OB-X vs. SonicProjects OP-X PRO

http://www.sonicprojects.ch/

SonicProjects OP-X PRO software synth featuring the Separate Voice Design (SVD) modeling technology compared to an Oberheim OB-X

To verify the showed comparison demos you can download the used patches in fxb bank format here:

Bank for the demo version:
http://www.sonicprojects.ch/opxpro/banks/opxprodemo_videobank.zip

Bank for the full version:
http://www.sonicprojects.ch/opxpro/banks/opxpro_videobank.zip

Demo version of OP-X PRO:
http://www.sonicprojects.ch/opxpro/demo/opxprodemo.zip

You will notice that the sound of course is much better without the youtube compression. If you want to exactly recreate the examples you also need to play the same voices, which can be recognized by their panorama setting

To keep everything uncolored and clean for a real 1:1 comparison the stereo outputs of OB-X were recorded directly to daw using an apogee converter. OP-X PRO was rendered directly to harddisk as well.

Furthermore all voices of OP-X PRO before were calibrated to the exact same settings (pan, filter cutoff) as the corresponding voices (6 as well) in the hardware device. With a few exeptions always the same voices were compared by always starting at the same voice position in the circular allocation, which might sometimes give the impression that the same audio file was used. But if you listen very carefully there still can be noticed tiny differences. OB-X generally is a tad bit slimmer and brighter sounding with more weight in the heights and less in the mids while OP-X PRO is a bit darker and has more weight in the mids.

Separate Voice Design (SVD):
http://www.sonicprojects.ch/obx/separatevoicedesign.html

This modeling technology used by OP-X PRO is based on completely independent voices with separate signal path and slightly differend sound, as it is the case too in voltage controlled polyphonic analog synths which in fact are based on separate monosynths that are globally controlled. Other than real synths OP-X PRO allows to globally activate and deactivate the detunings of individual parameter groups on demand as well as fine tuning them for each voice separatly with virtual trimpots. This allows for a wide palette of colors between completely "pissed off" and tight and precise. This allows to recreate the character of different synths or to copy the voice settings and character of one specific device in its current state, as it has been done in this video.

The detunings of the following parameter groups can be independently activated and deactivated as well as tuned in detail per voice:

- oscillator pitch
- filter cutoffs
- filter envelope times
- portamento times

All settings of course can be saved with the preset. Have a look at the video to learn what impact those fine tunings can have on the general character of the sound.

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Category:

Music

Tags:

• SonicProjects
• OP-X
• PRO
• Separate
• Voice
• Design
• SVD
• Oberheim
• OB-X
• Jupiter
• Prophet
• Minimoog

[subby33]

Thanks for this video. As far as emulation goes, the people who created this software have done a better job than any other synth software company I have heard. For example, I have heard Arturia products versus they original, and they sound 100 times different. With this software, I can hear a difference, but it is VERY slight . . . I would say they sound about 95% alike.

Thanks for this comparison video, I know it must have been time consuming.

[virtualoberheim]

@subby33 thank you :-)

[soopahsoopah]

interesting but I wonder if it can replicate the OB-X S&H LFO (random low frequency oscillator) like in the beginning of Camera Eye by Rush

[virtualoberheim]

yes of course, sample & hold is there too - it's quite an important feature

[lettermanguitar]

That was very cool sounding !!

ROCK ON

[virtualoberheim]

thanks :-)

[JockRonayne]

OK $150 for the pro version...God knows how much for an original bit of hardware IF you could ever find one for sale.

AND, if you are actually recording (or for that matter playing live) how many of the punters do you actually think are going to give a rats arse as to whether it was was made with a VST or a Hardware Synth, let alone be able to hear the difference when sitting in a mix...give me strength! Will the pretentious wank ever die out in electronic music?

[Hamudi2000]

i am a vsti lover but Unfortunately I have to admit that this vsti sounds like a cheap mp3 copy of the real thing, especially in the high frequencies

[kiDchemical]

This is remarkable. Anyone who says there is a big difference is fooling themselves, I guarantee I could fool them all with a blind a/b comparison, nevermind if the sounds are in a mix, then it gets even more difficult to differentiate.

[2009korte]

is this possible???

[Aetila]

I just wish that VST emulations get better and better in order to kill the hysterical analog market; the prices are so sick for instable old analog synths...you can't afford them any more so I welcome every effort that can punish the insane second hand analog market. (Especially on Ebay) lol

Excellent work here!

[rudiedisone]

SOLD!! I just picked up the VFX OPX-PRO version from you guys today (I'm on a Mac) Thanks so much for the great product. This is HANDS DOWN the BEST VST re-creation of any synth that I've ever heard./played period. I mean it sounds like i have the real deal! WICKED HOT AND WORTH EVERY PENNY!

[rudiedisone]

SOLD!! I just picked up the VFX OPX-PRO version from you guys today (I'm on a Mac) Thanks so much for the great product. This is HANDS DOWN the BEST VST re-creation of any synth that I've ever heard./playem period. I mean it sounds like i have the real deal! WICKED HOT AND WORTH EVERY PENNY!

[0e0]

by the way..as great as the real ob-x sounds..it's a fuckin' pain in the ass.

[0e0]

i think anyone attempting to make products that do emulations should do a/b comparisons just like this. I had an ob-x for a short time..and it's a really awesome sounding thing.. this software is really fun. i think it still needs some work to be spot on..but it will give you the vibe (which is most important for inspiring music to happen)

[1314matt]

That's what I call an ACCURATE emulation! :D I wouldn't blame the Arturia instruments, they also sound pretty awesome, but this one is surely better. ;)

[TWMusicBerlin]

one its gonna be 100% perfect, you cant stop technology..