Dave Smith Instruments OB6

Kevin Nolan · Post by **Kevin Nolan** » Sun Jan 24, 2016 6:28 pm

Completely with you on that Joe - 5 octaves is the minimum for a polysynth:

- Bach's 2-part inventions need 5 octaves minimum
- Hammond B3, CS80, P5, OBXA, Memorymoog and JP8 all 5 octaves

History is on your side Joe - no argument there - if you play with two hands, you need 5 octaves; period. Anyone saying different isn't a player and doesn't know what they are talking about. Dave Smith isn't a player, and strangely, doesn't get this point either (or - any more!).

Have to say about the OB6 - it doesn't do it for me. the OBXA and OB8 were huge in stature and huge in sound. That looks puny and simply does not sound like an Oberheim.

aron · Post by **aron** » Sun Jan 24, 2016 7:18 pm

I will never forget meeting Mr. Oberheim for the first time. I was so excited having the OB-X and now my OB-1. I wanted him to sign mine! I told him how much I loved my OB-1 and he snapped back "I didn't design that thing, xxxxx did". He said it like he was really upset that I brought it up.

Now my Oberheims don't seem quite the same.

It's funny now.... not so much then.

Bertotti · Post by **Bertotti** » Sun Jan 24, 2016 7:26 pm

I am exceptionally lucky to not be able to play those pieces that need large boards, I am not a great player I love the sounds so I will enjoy once i can get one even with the smaller board. For me now it is all about traveling one reason I really like the Rise 25 is for the portability! When I want more I midi into a roland piano or my Kornos 61. I understand others want more, more power to you I hope you can get what you want as well!

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Sun Jan 24, 2016 7:34 pm

Maybe it they come out in table top units, I'll think about them more. I can play them from my Kronos. That'd work for me but I'm still iffy on the price points.

EvilDragon · Post by **EvilDragon** » Sun Jan 24, 2016 7:52 pm

Kevin Nolan wrote:simply does not sound like an Oberheim.

Au contraire. It has all the trademarks of an Oberheim sound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFndmSO7OFo

The brassiness is there. The strings are there. Definitely has the OB character down pat. Listen to 4:30, that sounds HUGE!

I mean, sure there are better options options out there that would nail the OB sound even closer, like SE Omega 8 loaded with SEM filters, but that one costs twice as much!

OB6 definitely sounds the best out of all DSI synths. Seems like the missing ingredient was Tom's know-how after all.

jimknopf · Post by **jimknopf** » Sun Jan 24, 2016 9:02 pm

Kevin Nolan wrote:Completely with you on that Joe - 5 octaves is the minimum for a polysynth:
- Bach's 2-part inventions need 5 octaves minimum
- Hammond B3, CS80, P5, OBXA, Memorymoog and JP8 all 5 octaves
History is on your side Joe - no argument there

"History" is a completely pointless argument in this case, as I have described in detail above. What didn't you get about the examples of a lot of modern electric instruments, for which your claims are just ridiculous and totally irrelevant? They were never made to play Bach, Messiaen, Keith Emerson or whatnot on them. They were instruments to be discovered for their own kind of use. And they proved to be marvellous, without ever having to respond to silly general claims. I recommend to you to read Joe Zawinul's thoughts on that again to get a clue.

if you play with two hands, you need 5 octaves; period.

I play with two hand on four octaves. Simple as that.
I don't even have to say "period" to do so.

Anyone saying different isn't a player and doesn't know what they are talking about.

Same poor pattern as Joe's: having no real argument doesn't mean you should switch to childish patterns like "period" or even try to become offensive.

Dave Smith isn't a player, and strangely, doesn't get this point either (or - any more!).

Yes, sure, really strange, Dave Smith and everybody else using four octaves doesn't get the point, while some think, that calling themselves "players" and denying that to others, might perhaps do the trick and come close to an argument. How funny is that?

Have to say about the OB6 - it doesn't do it for me. the OBXA and OB8 were huge in stature and huge in sound. That looks puny and simply does not sound like an Oberheim.

To me it sounds a lot like an Oberheim, even in the few videos so far. The SEM filter characteristics are so obvious, that everbyody should be able to hear them. And you are probably aware that different OB and Moog models sounded different, while having a lot in common, are you?
So what?

DodgingRain · Post by **DodgingRain** » Mon Jan 25, 2016 3:56 am

All I know is the ob6 is the first dsi that sounds smooth and yummy.

jimknopf · Post by **jimknopf** » Mon Jan 25, 2016 10:06 am

Who wants a first impression of the sound characteristics of both synths, should look at/listen to this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_mlwh4OtKU

Bertotti · Post by **Bertotti** » Tue Jan 26, 2016 1:31 am

Thanks for that link, it will be nice to hear a had to head but no biggie as I like both a lot but am more drawn to the OB6. People can dislike all they want for me they both sound great. I will have one or both at some point.

Vondragonnoggin · Post by **Vondragonnoggin** » Tue Jan 26, 2016 2:54 am

This thing sounds awesome in all the demos I've heard. Great team up with Tom and Dave.

On the wishlist for sure.

I hope they come out with a module only version actually, but the keybed looks nice on it.

Really is a great time to be an analog synth enthusiast!

jimknopf · Post by **jimknopf** » Wed Jan 27, 2016 11:35 pm

More testing online:

https://youtu.be/aajpQVaKod8

Kontrol49 · Post by **Kontrol49** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 7:23 am

jimknopf wrote:More testing online:

https://youtu.be/aajpQVaKod8

Some great sounds in there,(9:53) Lovely Vangelis inspired EP/Bell,really love this patch.

The OB6 seems to have a nice fizz and air to its sound,I'm liking this more and more every time I hear more demos.

Kontrol49 · Post by **Kontrol49** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 7:28 am

jimknopf wrote:More testing online:

https://youtu.be/aajpQVaKod8

Some great sounds,(9:53) Lovely Vangelis inspired EP/Bell

The OB6 seems to have a nice fizz and air to its sound,I'm liking this more and more every time I hear some demos.

shefu · Post by **shefu** » Fri Jan 29, 2016 7:25 pm

I am not saying it's a bad synth, but to me, the actual aspect of the synth contributes to my inspiration. The problem with all Dave S. synths is that they all, look more or less the same. I understand the "vintage" style ....but personally they look boring as hell. It makes me not wanna play it, regardless of how good the results are.

That's just my 2 cents.

jimknopf · Post by **jimknopf** » Sat Jan 30, 2016 3:47 pm

What exactly do you mean by looking "boring"?
I play a P6, and it has one of the smartest subtractive synth UIs I have ever met: everything in direct reach and at the right place. So what do you expect from a classical subtractive synth layout?

Just by the way, I am much more inspired by great sounds and smart functionality, than by any possible funny views.