Synapse Audio OBSESSION is now available!

[TheHelioSequence]

Here's a question: the OB-Xa's "Performance" LFO (the one used for the Mod lever) allowed for a saw waveform by pulling the Rate knob.

If you zoom in to the Rate knob (to the left of the keyboard) you can see "Pull for Saw"; the saw waveform is also mentioned in the Xa manual for that section.



Is there a way to assign a Saw LFO Waveform to the MW in OBsession? Or was this just a small oversight? The OB-8 allowed a triangle waveform there, which is even more useful honestly. Would love to have a triangle and/or saw added even if not front-panel options. Just want to be able to assign a triangle LFO to Modwheel and assign that to pitch.

Yeah, I immediately found it strange that there was no Saw waveform on LFO2. I own an OB-Xa and almost alway have the LFO on the mod wheel section set to Saw. I was able to draw one in using the step LFO, but this just seems like an odd omission to me. Why go through the trouble of adding things like the Triangle OSC from the OB-8 and Cross-Mod from an OB-X and leave off something that is on the actual synth? Maybe they could at least make it easier to allow saving and recalling of different step patterns but why not just add more shapes? Triangle, Ramp and Saw would be very welcome additions to the LFO section. Model the triangle from the OB-8, model the Saw from the OB-Xa and reverse it for the Ramp.

For anyone who has never calibrated an OB-Xa, one can easily modify each voice card to have more resonance. The calibration guide suggests to turn up resonance (this is only for the 12db filter) until it self oscillates, then back it off until it no longer does. Most people I know who have one and my tech suggest to turn it up to let it self oscillate. This gives a more aggressive, varied and fun OB-Xa experience in my opinion. Even with the resonance turned up all the way on each voice in Obsession, it didn't feel as resonant as my OB-Xa. Was hoping for just a tiny bit more oomph there.

All that being said, it sounds very good! Closest thing I've heard ITB to my OB-Xa (or frankly any Oberheim at this point).

I actually enjoyed the Arturia as well and I do think it's their best sounding analog "emulation" so far (The only Arturia synth I own is Pigments and I'm one who's been constantly disappointed by their emulations over the years - but I am seeing improvements with their latest FX and synths which is exciting). Yet OBXa-V seems more inspired by OB-Xa and OB-8 rather than a true emulation to my ears. It sounds good, but different than an OB-Xa, yet still has an Oberheim-ish vibe. In some ways this is alright to me since Obsession is more realistic, while OBXa-V is a good sounding/slightly more modern Oberheim like soft synth and having both will cover a lot of Oberheim ground for people who are fans of those tones (for my own Oberheim references I have OB-Xa, Xpander and Matrix 6r and have spent time with OB-8, other OB-Xa's and SEM modules). If Arturia add some more synths of interest or updates of older instruments (of this quality level) then I would maybe even consider the V collection once 8 comes out.

I'll definitely get Obsession, though! Wish the upcoming synths were different choices but I'm happy to have someone doing this quality level of emulation (especially since U-He seemed to signal he was done with emulations for a while).

What a great time for synthesizers! Attainable hardware clones, upgrades for old synths, an incredible amount of fantastic modular synth options, unique/expressive/useful midi controllers and so many great sounding and inspiring software synths.

[chk071]

Here's a question: the OB-Xa's "Performance" LFO (the one used for the Mod lever) allowed for a saw waveform by pulling the Rate knob.

If you zoom in to the Rate knob (to the left of the keyboard) you can see "Pull for Saw"; the saw waveform is also mentioned in the Xa manual for that section.



Is there a way to assign a Saw LFO Waveform to the MW in OBsession? Or was this just a small oversight? The OB-8 allowed a triangle waveform there, which is even more useful honestly. Would love to have a triangle and/or saw added even if not front-panel options. Just want to be able to assign a triangle LFO to Modwheel and assign that to pitch.

Yeah, I immediately found it strange that there was no Saw waveform on LFO2. I own an OB-Xa and almost alway have the LFO on the mod wheel section set to Saw. I was able to draw one in using the step LFO, but this just seems like an odd omission to me. Why go through the trouble of adding things like the Triangle OSC from the OB-8 and Cross-Mod from an OB-X and leave off something that is on the actual synth? Maybe they could at least make it easier to allow saving and recalling of different step patterns but why not just add more shapes? Triangle, Ramp and Saw would be very welcome additions to the LFO section. Model the triangle from the OB-8, model the Saw from the OB-Xa and reverse it for the Ramp.

For anyone who has never calibrated an OB-Xa, one can easily modify each voice card to have more resonance. The calibration guide suggests to turn up resonance (this is only for the 12db filter) until it self oscillates, then back it off until it no longer does. Most people I know who have one and my tech suggest to turn it up to let it self oscillate. This gives a more aggressive, varied and fun OB-Xa experience in my opinion. Even with the resonance turned up all the way on each voice in Obsession, it didn't feel as resonant as my OB-Xa. Was hoping for just a tiny bit more oomph there.

Very interesting. I hope you will forwards this to Synapse Audio so they'll maybe take notes, and update Obsession.

[Yorrrrrr]

I already did, as I found this very interesting as well. As everything in the world, Obsession could be further improved. Richard is an open minded person and maybe it could result in something.

BTW, let's remember he modeled the particular OB-Xa unit he had, and I don't doubt he did it very carefully.

[e-crooner]

One can add several constant->resonance modulations in the matrix, but they don't really seem to add up as expected.

[chk071]

That doesn't change the resonance range, it will just change the resonance parameter value.

The only thing which does are the voice trimmers.

[zerocrossing]

Extra oversampling is not useful in the case of Obsession (it's 4x), according to what Richard told me during beta testing. So, now it's as good as it gets. The Legend needed more, because of the huge amounts of saturation from the filter and amplifier.

Legend also does audio rate modulation of the filter via osc 3, which can sound dull or alias in some lesser synths. Try doing it in Dune without the high quality modulation option checked.

[shortyedwards]

Quick question - if I purchase the VST now I can get the RE for Reason *at no cost* when it comes out? If so, that’s a great deal. Thank for any info.

[e-crooner]

That doesn't change the resonance range, it will just change the resonance parameter value.

The only thing which does are the voice trimmers.

Hehe, it seems to work the other way round, though, i.e. removing resonance almost completely when setting the constant to min

[Ingonator]

One can add several constant->resonance modulations in the matrix, but they don't really seem to add up as expected.

You can route a "Const" source to Cutoff or Pulse width and extend the range of those parameters this way. I have done this in a few of my patches.

[Teksonik]

Yeah, I immediately found it strange that there was no Saw waveform on LFO2. I own an OB-Xa and almost alway have the LFO on the mod wheel section set to Saw.

The OB-XA manual seems to make no mention of a Saw wave. Was that something that could be added by tweaking 'hidden' parameters or ?

OBX-A 062120.png

[BONES]

Seems negligible to me, but I only run one or two instances on return channels anyway. I don’t insert it in every track.

I'm the same and, as I said, it will depend on the settings you choose. I have seen my CPU use almost halve, in a project with half-a-dozen instruments playing, just by removing it from a Send channel. i.e. From 25% down to around 14%. And it doesn't sound any better than the Diffuse Delay in Orion, which is modelled off some fancy Lexicon unit and uses almost zero CPU. I don't have anything in Cubase that is quite as good but I do have plenty that get the job done to a high enough standard without the CPU penalty.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

Yeah, I immediately found it strange that there was no Saw waveform on LFO2. I own an OB-Xa and almost alway have the LFO on the mod wheel section set to Saw.

The OB-XA manual seems to make no mention of a Saw wave. Was that something that could be added by tweaking 'hidden' parameters or ?




OBX-A 062120.png

It's in the performance controls section of the manual.

[TheHelioSequence]

Yeah, I immediately found it strange that there was no Saw waveform on LFO2. I own an OB-Xa and almost alway have the LFO on the mod wheel section set to Saw.

The OB-XA manual seems to make no mention of a Saw wave. Was that something that could be added by tweaking 'hidden' parameters or ?




OBX-A 062120.png

It's not on the main LFO area, but on the modulation panel (to the left of the keys). Look at page 16 in the manual that explains how to switch between sine and sawtooth wave by pushing in or pulling out the rate knob.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

The words "Pull for Saw" are also clearly written on the unit itself.

Pull For Saw.png

According to the manual you can also manipulate the levers for a square LFO shape too.

[BONES]

A suggestion: I can hardly see the x in disabled voices. I suggest making the LED's bi-color. The LED is off when the voice is disabled, green when enabled and red when sounding.

A suggestion: Get your eyes tested or buy a new computer monitor.

Also, since it seems one has to click 7 or even 15 times in order to select a sort of mono mode, how about enabling double clicking any voice button in order to make it the only enabled voice and double clicking it again in order to turn on all voices again?

What sort of idiot would select 16 voice poly and then want to turn off 15 of them? You really are grasping at straws.

There is a little inconsistency: In the 8-voice mode the section title "voice adjustment" only applies to the edit, in the 16-voice mode it applies to muting as well.

There is no section titled "voice adjustment" in 8 voice mode, it's titled "Voice Adjustment/Edit" so ti is perfectly consistent with functionality.

You really are determined to find fault, aren't you? What's the matter, did Richard run over your dog or something?

Question: Is there a way to pan part A and B to different sides? and also do these parts share the voice randomization?

Yes. The different sides use their own set of voices so you can go in and set voices 1-4 full left and 5-8 full right (or 1-8 and 9-16).

Totally unrelated to the sound, but I appreciate that the synth is $99 after taxes, not before. Not sure how it works in Europe but here in the US its pretty standard to say the cost is $99 only to find out that of course it really isn't because taxes are then added on. So kudos on this, not something I see very often.

In Australia it is against the law to advertise a price that doesn't include all taxes and other charges. I've always found it amusing that the US trusts greedy corporations more than it trusts the government it elects.

Great synth! Here's hoping for a CS-80 clone next.

If you want to buy one and loan it to Rich, I am sure he'd love to do it.

Quick question - if I purchase the VST now I can get the RE for Reason *at no cost* when it comes out? If so, that’s a great deal. Thank for any info.

AFAIK, that is correct. It's what happens with Legend so it stands to reason (pun intended) that this is the same.