Upcoming Synapse OB-Xa: Obsession

[chk071]

TBH, I wasn't even aware that it was negative, or "against" Obsession. I rather read it as a good description for what to listen out in a good emulation. At least that's how I understood it. Maybe I'm wrong.

[BONES]

But for me it's about nailing the sound when you say it is a certain synth, more than adding a slew of new/modern features.

Why? It seems like a massive waste of time and effort to me, especially when it comes to coding in all the bad things as well as the good things. e.g. The way the ladder filter attenuates the bass register when you increase resonance. Surely a synth that addressed and eliminated those unwanted characteristics would be a better synth and a better use of development time? I mean, I understand completely why someone would want to accept the challenge of coding a perfect emulation, I just don't get why anyone is interested in buying it, warts and all.

If you are bored with analog hardware synths, are you really that interested in Obsession? I think of the whole point of Obsession, The Legend, Repro is to have a vintage analog synth ITB.

That might be somebody's point but it's not mine. I don't use Legend at all, because of the limitation I've mentioned above. I do use RePro-1 now and again and I definitely use OBSession quite a bit, because they sound great, are relatively quick and easy to work with and have extra functionality that take them beyond the originals. I've also just started using FBM's Mono/Fury quite a bit, unlike the more accurate emulation I bought from Korg many years ago, which I have not used even once. FBM may not have nailed the sound but through a much better interface they have definitely nailed the experience of using my old hardware Mono/Poly. OTOH, Korg got the sound right but made it harder to use than it needs to be.

Resonance is one of the easy ways to separate out the best from the rest, in terms of analog softsynths (esp emulations). Seems that analog resonance and noise is really hard to replicate. So far.

I disagree. I think a lot of analogue filters have awful resonance. The best ones have a wide Q band so that the resonance reaches down deep into the lower frequencies, creating a more integrated timbre. Too many "classic" synths lack that quality in their filters. Korg got it right more often than not, even synths like the Delta have a great sounding filter, much moreso than any of the American brands at the time. They should also work like a low pass filter, not a band-pass, and not attenuate lower frequencies at higher resonance settings. The screechy thing is such a tiny fraction of use-cases that it's largely irrelevant in practical terms. My favourite filter sounds are mostly in VSTi, not in hardware.

[PAK]

Yes very! I realised I was wrong! I don't like ANX's examples! I won't purchase Obsession because my ears deceived me! It doesn't sound good! Horrible!

Seriously? Nobody's saying that! You're projecting your emotions into things. Stop getting upset about a virtual synth. It doesn't care how you feel.

What was posted was only about trying to figure how OB-XAct things are Which likely you (and many more) don't care about. I assume that because it's not even my own primary interest! I'm more curious if there's improvements in how things like the filters are being calculated because, ultimately, I think it's an important element which will help lead to "more musical" synths.

Please stop taking things personally. Nobody's questioning your ears. Only your reading comprehension maybe! I'm sure Obsession will be a very good synth. Cheer up - you likely don't have long to wait for a release

[Teksonik]

Resonance is one of the easy ways to separate out the best from the rest, in terms of analog softsynths (esp emulations). Seems that analog resonance and noise is really hard to replicate. So far.

It's not easy to replicate a Jackrabbit being killed by a Coyote either but that's another sound I never want to hear again.....

[Teksonik]

Don't know what brought it all about, but weird how so many companies are suddenly on the OB-Xa train! makes you wonder if they talk about what they're all working on at the same time

I was wondering if ik saw these obxa’s coming out and decided after that’s to give away theirs. Though I’m not sure what the logic would be there.

Because theirs is sample based and they felt it didn't stand a chance ? I already have their OB set in Syntronik. I should check it out again to see how it sounds. Been a while since I've loaded it up....

[EnGee]

Yes very! I realised I was wrong! I don't like ANX's examples! I won't purchase Obsession because my ears deceived me! It doesn't sound good! Horrible!

Seriously? Nobody's saying that! You're projecting your emotions into things. Stop getting upset about a virtual synth. It doesn't care how you feel.

What was posted was only about trying to figure how OB-XAct things are Which likely you (and many more) don't care about. I assume that because it's not even my own primary interest! I'm more curious if there's improvements in how things like the filters are being calculated because, ultimately, I think it's an important element which will help lead to "more musical" synths.

Please stop taking things personally. Nobody's questioning your ears. Only your reading comprehension maybe! I'm sure Obsession will be a very good synth. Cheer up - you likely don't have long to wait for a release

So what are you nitpicking about then?! He posted examples and I liked them and you begin to over-analyse things bringing examples and what's not! I don't know what are you trying to say?! That the synth sounds good doesn't mean it is a good emulation! Ok! So?
Yes, I'm stupid and my comprehension is low. I just don't get what you want to say! Or maybe I just leave this thread to smart people like you going in circles and waste your energy!

[electro]

so when is release?

[Hink]

Resonance is one of the easy ways to separate out the best from the rest, in terms of analog softsynths (esp emulations). Seems that analog resonance and noise is really hard to replicate. So far.

It's not easy to replicate a Jackrabbit being killed by a Coyote either but that's another sound I never want to hear again.....

dude, dude, dude...great little brother story coming

when I was a kid I had a device for calling predators that made the sound of a dying rabbit when you pulled on the bellows. My bedroom was in the basement at this point and next to it was the laundry room, they were separated by a tongue and groove knotty pine wall. A couple of the knots were gone and you could spy into the laundry room.

I took the predator call and tied it to a pipe behind the washer and dryer, I ran a string over the beams into my room and waited for the next time my sister did laundry. One night she came down stairs, I decided to wait until she was putting her clothes in the dryer from the washer.

When she had her hands full of wet clothes I pulled the string, it let out this absolutely horrid sound, clothes went flying in the air, she bolted up the stairs screaming and no joke...she would not go in the basement for over a month...dad took away the predator call (until we went to the camp) but he was in tears laughing while he did

[Yorrrrrr]

so when is release?

Very soon, Richard said maybe in 1-2 weeks. Manual, library and NKS validation still lacking.

[PAK]

He posted examples and I liked them

There were some nice sounds there, and I liked them too

I don't know what are you trying to say?!

It happens. You don't know what I'm trying to say, and I don't know why you're getting upset. Unless you now plan to propose marriage I suggest we move on

That the synth sounds good doesn't mean it is a good emulation! Ok! So?

Again, you're putting words in peoples mouths and implying things are being said which nobody is saying. I haven't used the product, so it would be pretty dumb of me to judge something before knowing all its merits. There are many aspects which go into making a good synth. Some you might like, some you might not, but ultimately it's a combination of things - and a good product speaks for itself, regardless of what anyone posts on a forum

[wagtunes]

I've been really struggling with this whole Arturia vs Obsession vs Oberheim thing, forgetting that I really don't need another synth. But then who does.

Well, the 15 minute mark of this video finally made me realize that the Arturia doesn't even come close to the real thing. And since there really isn't anything in V7 that i desperately need, I've decided to pass on the Arturia sale.



So the only thing that's left is whether or not I'm getting this emulation at all. I'd be stunned if Obsession could duplicate that patch at the 15 minute mark in such detail. I just don't think soft synths are capable of doing this yet.

If I'm going to get Obession, I'm first going to want to hear a side by side comparison of that patch from each synth. Then I'll know.

And that's providing I can get by the modulation system of this synth that I never really did like. It's the only one I ever had to actually read the manual to understand. Honestly, while the original synth sounded great, the design, as far as user friendliness, left a lot to be desired. At least IMO. I never really liked it. It was the sound that sold me, period.

Anyway, since Arturia is out of the running I don't have to worry about missing the sale and I can wait for Obsession. It'll either blow me away or it won't. But since I don't need another synth, it will have to be so close to the original that you can't tell the difference.

[Yorrrrrr]

Wags, just checked here and Obsession can replicate that easily (if you mean the 5th S&H reso filter sweep). But, let's wait until more competent sound designers chime in and possibly post it, if you're really interested in that patch.

[Teksonik]

dude, dude, dude...great little brother story coming

That's a great story. Did your Sister ever forgive you?

Yes there is something really eerie about the sound of a dying Rabbit. Kind of like a Human baby being slowly killed....something that sticks in your mind forever.....

[Teksonik]

Wags, just checked here and Obsession can replicate that easily (if you mean the 5th S&H reso filter sweep). But, let's wait until more competent sound designers chime in and possibly post it, if you're really interested in that patch.

He's a competent sound designer. He should be able to tell if OBsession can do that patch five minutes after trying the demo.

Why anyone would base their decision on a patch like that is beyond me but to each his own.

[wagtunes]

Wags, just checked here and Obsession can replicate that easily (if you mean the 5th S&H reso filter sweep). But, let's wait until more competent sound designers chime in and possibly post it, if you're really interested in that patch.

He's a competent sound designer. He should be able to tell if OBsession can do that patch five minutes after trying the demo.

Why anyone would base their decision on a patch like that is beyond me but to each his own.

Simple. I've been listening to a lot of Arturia vs Oberheim demos. The mid range and low end of each synth is close enough that they're basically interchangeable.

Where Arturia falls short is on the high end "shine" and the filter rez. I'm not techy enough, as far as how synths are built, to understand why. But those are the glaring differences. And the rez is simply horrible on the Arturia, in comparison.

Point is, I can get other synths to duplicate the low to mid range without having to sink money into an Oberheim. If I'm going to buy an emulation, those are the two areas the emulation needs to nail. Otherwise, for me anyway, it's pointless and I'll just keep the synths I have now that I am more than happy with. Heck, even the OP-X II is good enough.