KVR Audio

Peter999 · Post by **Peter999** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:32 pm

SonicProjects OP-X PRO-II compared to an Oberheim OB-X, including several different sounds and some tweaks:

No effects or any other treatments are involved, it's all completely dry. The original's detunings have been copied in every detail voice by voice with the tuning features of OP-X PRO-II for a perfect 1:1 match.

The used sounds (6) can be downloaded here:
http://www.sonicprojects.ch/opxpro2/use ... tml#Newest

To achieve its very bright sound character the patches use the BRL (brilliant) filter mode which allows the filter to open into the infra sound area and adds some extra shine in the top:

Here are some better quality mp3 outtakes of the used sounds. One is always OB-X, the other OP-X PRO-II. Can you guess which is which?

Brass:
Listen: File 1
Listen: File 2

Sweep1:
Listen: File 1
Listen: File 2

Sweep2:
Listen: File 1
Listen: File 2

Pmpad1:
Listen: File 1
Listen: File 2

Pmpad2:
Listen: File 1
Listen: File 2

Strings:
Listen: File 1
Listen: File 2

BrightStrings1:
Listen: File 1
Listen: File 2

BrightStrings2:
Listen: File 1
Listen: File 2

SyncSolo:
Listen: File 1
Listen: File 2

----

PietW. · Post by **PietW.** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:43 pm

Hi Peter,

this is so difficult. The brass I think the first is the Pro-II. For other examples, I do not hear a difference.
Is something new planned for the future?

best regards

Piet

Peter999 · Post by **Peter999** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:27 pm

There IS a slight difference, but one has to know both well to be able to tell them apart for some sounds

There will be released a new soundbank in a few days

PietW. · Post by **PietW.** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:32 pm

I know, unfortunately, only the emulation but I'm very satisfied.

I'm sure in a blind test no one notices the difference.

Examigan · Post by **Examigan** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:40 pm

I am looking forward to hearing these examples after work today.

Also looking forward to that new bank, cool!

How many presets will be in it, or is that still in the works?

Peter999 · Post by **Peter999** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 7:10 pm

82 - it's ready since a while already in fact...

btw, the sounds for this comparison can be downloaded as well, 6 patches; the two pads and the sweep really are worth it, they have this typical 1979 OB-X lush & dirty power:
http://www.sonicprojects.ch/opxpro2/use ... tml#Newest

Viktor [TUC] · Post by **Viktor [TUC]** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 7:49 pm

Hey Peter,
no risk, no fun!
Let it not be said that I'm too chicken to give an answer in the endless debate.
I'll write which ones are (I think) from the original analog synth:

Brass: file 2
Sweep1: file 1
Sweep2: file 1
Pmpad1: file 2
Pmpad2: file 2
Strings: file 2
BrightStrings1: file 1
BrightStrings2: file 2
SyncSolo: file 2

I'm not 100% sure on two of these examples, but I'm fairly certain that I've got at least 7 out of 9 correct. If not, well, live and learn I say.
I love these games! This one was good, not too easy.

Peter999 · Post by **Peter999** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 9:35 pm

Thanks for your tip!

I'll post the solution after some other brave guys' votes.

Btw, from the tech side, OB-X went directly over the line inputs of a HDSP 9632 to disk, OP-X PRO-II directly to disk too, no eq, effects or mastering.

breakmixer · Post by **breakmixer** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 9:49 pm

Brass:
File 1 is OP-X Pro II

Sweep1:
File 2 is OP-X Pro II

Sweep2:
File 1 is OP-X Pro II

Pmpad1:
File 1 is OP-X Pro II

Pmpad2:
File 2 is OP-X Pro II

Strings:
File 2 is OP-X Pro II

BrightStrings1:
File 1 is OP-X Pro II

BrightStrings2:
File 2 is OP-X Pro II

SyncSolo:
File 2 is OP-X Pro II

It was very hard to judge though...

Sendy · Post by **Sendy** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:23 pm

Those are VERY well matched, I must say!

My problem with OP-X, or at least, trying the demo, was the oscillator. It suffers from what I call the "city skyline" effect which you can see on a spectrogram, where different notes' spectrums are cut off at different places, so you can play a C and get lots of 'air', then play the B below and suddenly the air is gone. It doesn't make much sense to have a filter that can go above hearing ranges when the oscillator isn't consistent in spectral content at the high end.

I know, it's pretty much impossible to tell in these snippets which is which, and doubtless it's a very good synth, and powers some brilliant creativity... But this phenomenon isn't JUST something you see on a spectrogram - you can hear it on single parts if your hearing isn't damaged too much - especially if you've got the filter resonating at a high pitch which is present in one note but not another.

Maybe it's because I have a truckload of VA's anyway, and this is my 'excuse' for not spending more money on that cause

. I grant that this is more about my OCD than anything else

Examigan · Post by **Examigan** » Tue May 01, 2012 12:13 am

Peter999 wrote:82 - it's ready since a while already in fact...

btw, the sounds for this comparison can be downloaded as well, 6 patches; the two pads and the sweep really are worth it, they have this typical 1979 OB-X lush & dirty power:
http://www.sonicprojects.ch/opxpro2/use ... tml#Newest

82!? Wow cool! Can't wait

I am going to listen/watch the video now

Thanks ahead of time for all the effort you've put into the presets Peter

braj · Post by **braj** » Tue May 01, 2012 12:22 am

Wait, is there a prize? Here are my guesses, I can't imagine I would be able to tell in a mix what was 'real' and what was emulated even if I could make the right choices here.

Brass:
Listen: File 2

Sweep1:
Listen: File 2

Sweep2:
Listen: File 2

Pmpad1:
Listen: File 1

Pmpad2:
Listen: File 2

Strings:
Listen: File 2

BrightStrings1:
Listen: File 1

BrightStrings2:
Listen: File 2

SyncSolo:
Listen: File 1

rasscass · Post by **rasscass** » Tue May 01, 2012 12:26 am

OBX
Brass - File 2
Sweep1 - File 2
Sweep2 - File 2
Pmpad1 - File 1(?) very close, hard to distinguish
Pmpad2 - File 1
Strings - File 1
BrightStrings1 - File 1
BrightStrings2 - File 2
SyncSolo - File 2

The OP-X PRO-II sounds just as good as the original without the inherent line output noise.

izonin · Post by **izonin** » Tue May 01, 2012 6:45 am

My guesses for the analog:

brass 2

sweep1 2

sweep2 2

pmpad1 1

pmpad2 1

strings 1

brightstrings1 1

brightstrings2 1

syncsolo 2

Peter999 · Post by **Peter999** » Tue May 01, 2012 10:01 am

Thanks for your votes

Let's say, the best one gets a free OP-X PRO-II (also can be used stand alone on intel Macs), if you own it already a Stringer license.

Best format is which you think is the real one, e.g. like izonin did, sound name and following number which you think is the real one. I made a table to record the votes. So let's continue the riddle fun!

Oberheim OB-X vs. OP-X PRO-II