GForce Software program has introduced the successor to its in style OB-E software program synthesiser, the OB-E v2, and this time the instrument will bear the official branding of Oberheim.
OB-E is an eight-voice comfortable synth primarily based on Oberheim’s EVS (Eight Voice), the 1977 SEM-based (Synthesizer Enlargement Module) instrument. The traditional synth had a significant impression on the polyphonic panorama with its iconically rich-sounding stack of oscillators, and have become a precursor to the corporate’s now-legendary OB-series.
GForce Software program’s unofficial OB-E VST got here into being in 2021, following Tom Oberheim’s determination to discontinue his SEMs. GForce’s mission was to faithfully recreate the cumulative sound and character of the venerable modules.
In accordance with GForce, the corporate was contacted by Oberheim developer (and Line 6 co-founder) Marcus Ryle on behalf of Tom Oberheim himself, shortly earlier than the discharge of the OB-E final yr.
“By way of Marcus,” mentioned GForce, “OB-E discovered its option to the ears of Tom Oberheim they usually had been each impressed sufficient to recommend a collaboration to refine the instrument and launch an replace carrying their full endorsement.”
“I used to be fairly amazed by OB-E,” mentioned Tom Oberheim. “It was fairly rattling shut proper out of the shoot. It was, ‘wow! I like listening to that.’ With OB-E v2, it’s like you’ve the {hardware} with you.”
Extra options for the OB-E v2 embrace a brand new reverb, over 100 new patches, a zoom perform on its sequencer, and a brand new Drum Mode that allocates every SEM to a devoted key. Although different VST devices have borne the Oberheim brand earlier than, that is the primary time Oberheim’s title has appeared on a comfortable synth since being given again the trademark by Gibson in 2019.
MusicTech granted the unique OB-E an Excellence Award in our assessment. We mentioned: “OB-E is, fairly merely, good. The emulated analogue filters are wealthy and easy, and the oscillators are fats and punchy. Critically, the efficiency controls and ease of programming make it monumental enjoyable to make use of. It additionally makes getting glorious sounds swift and environment friendly.”
Present house owners of the OB-E can benefit from the v2 as a free improve, in any other case, it retails at an introductory worth of £119.99 / $139.99, after which it’ll value £179.99 / $199.99.
The OB-E v2 is on the market for Mac as a Standalone Software, AudioUnit, AAX, VST and VST3 and for PC as a Standalone Software, AAX, VST and VST3.
For more information head to gforcesoftware.com
