Oberheim Electronics makes its first new synth in 40 years

Iconic music equipment brand Oberheim Electronics makes its first synth since ceasing production in 1985.

The new product, an analogue OB-X8 synth, is an 8-voice polyphonic synth which has featured in the seminal OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 Oberheim products from the 1980s.

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This includes having the signature presets which gave them their original sounds — and users can mix and match properties from the old synths to create the exact sound that they want to achieve.

The new take on the classic synths has some 21st-century additions which make the production value much higher; users can also expect velocity sensitivity, a 61-key keyboard, 600 user presets, a variable oscillator and other modern features.

A description of the product explains that "the individual filter types and other unique characteristics of each model have been faithfully reproduced, along with an uncompromising 100% analogue signal path, giving you the most authentic and satisfying OB experience possible."

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Speaking on the new synth, founder Tom Oberheim says: “I’ve always had a very optimistic outlook on our industry and the future in general.

"I felt that one day, when the time was right, Oberheim would return. A big part of this was the fact that so many musicians have contacted me over the years to ask how to get hold of an original Oberheim.

"So when I finally reacquired the Oberheim name, it was clear that the time was finally here.”

Tom Oberheim has made various other products under different names since 1985, such as an SEM synthesizer that he started to hand-make and distribute in 2009.

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OB-X8 was on display this week at the electronic instrument fair Superbooth, in Berlin. It is currently priced at $4,999.

Check out a video about the OB-X8 below. For more information, visit Oberheim's website here.

Aneesa Ahmed is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter