Dave Smith Instruments OB-6

6-voice polyphonic analogue synthesizer with full-sized, semi-weighted, 4-octave keyboard that is the result of a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration between the two most influential designers in poly synth history, Dave Smith and Tom Oberheim. It takes the classic bold Tom Oberheim sound – with its true voltage-controlled oscillators, 2-pole filter, and amplifiers – and adds modern enhancements such as studio-quality effects, a polyphonic step sequencer, an arpeggiator, and more. The sound engine is inspired by Tom’s original SEM, the core of his acclaimed 4-voice and 8- voice synthesizers. It features two discrete voltage-controlled oscillators (plus sub-oscillator) per voice with continuously variable waveshapes (sawtooth and variable-width pulse, plus a triangle wave on oscillator 2). The classic Oberheim-inspired 2-pole, state-variable, resonant filter provides low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and notch functionality. Voltage-controlled amplifiers complete the all-analogue signal path. The dual effects section provides studio-quality reverbs, delays (standard and BBD), chorus, flangers and faithful recreations of Tom’s original phase shifter and ring modulator. While the effects themselves are digital, with 24-bit, 48 kHz resolution, a true bypass maintains a full analogue signal path. Also present is X-Mod, which expands the tonal palette and makes it easy to create dramatic and unconventional sounds. Modulation sources are filter envelope and oscillator 2, both with bi-polar control. Destinations include oscillator 1 frequency, oscillator 1 shape, oscillator 1 pulse width, filter cutoff, and filter mode. Another welcome reprise is Unison mode, which features configurable voice count (1-6 voices) and key modes. The polyphonic step sequencer allows up to 64 steps and up to 6 notes per step. User can create sequences polyphonically, with rests, and sync to an external MIDI clock. The full-featured arpeggiator can be synced to external MIDI clock as well. The knob-per-function front panel offers instant access to virtually all unit’s functions. Included are 500 permanent factory programs and 500 rewritable user programs. Turning On the Manual button enables live panel mode, in which the sound of the module switches to the current settings of its knobs and switches. All of this awe-inspiring sound is packed into a chassis that features walnut end panels and trim. Dimensions: 807 x 323 x 117 mm. Weight: 9,5 kg.