Synapse Audio OBSESSION is now available!

[TheHelioSequence]

The OB-Xa filter can be made to self oscillate in the 12db filter mode. It doesn’t when using the suggested/factory calibration though (manual says to turn up until oscillation is audible and then back off until it’s gone when calibrating the resonance on the voice cards). The OB-Xa definitely has a larger range than what is capable in Obsession.

Yes, I recall that from the manual where it says to set the resonance into self oscillation then back it off slightly. But even with the Tweaks pages and the res trimmer maxed out, it still never hits that point, which I'd expect it to.

Yes I agree! I remember before attempting to calibrate my OB-Xa I talked to my synth tech and he said not to follow the instructions for resonance and to push it further “to taste”. The synth sounds better with more resonance and mine settled with slightly more than the current max trimmer setting in Obsession.

For what it’s worth, Obession is much closer sounding to my OB-Xa (which is currently in for repair) than the Arturia version. Synapse did a very good job. But the resonance should have allowed self oscillation and they missed the sawtooth/ramp waveform from the extra lfo by the mod wheel/pitch bender on the hardware. Sadly, it appears these things will not make it into this emulation.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

Good to know about it sounding closer to your hardware than the Arturia. I too doubt we'll see updates to Obsession to address some of these things, but you never know. I'd certainly welcome those changes.

[Echoes in the Attic]

The resonance in obsession sounds a heck of a lot better than the arturia one, which falls apart at high resonance.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

The resonance in obsession sounds a heck of a lot better than the arturia one, which falls apart at high resonance.

We just need it to go to eleven. You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing with resonance at ten. You're on ten on the main page, all the way up, ten on the Tweaks page, and where can you go from there? Where?

Nowhere. Exactly! What we need for that extra push over the cliff is for the resonance to go to eleven. So it's one more resonant.

[zvenx]

Lol.... then why not just make 10 a little more resonant.
rsp

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

No...these go to eleven.

[waltercruz]

LUDICROUS RESONANCE! GO!

[rafa1981]

Lol.... then why not just make 10 a little more resonant.
rsp

I guess to keep current patches sounding the same.

[zvenx]

Lol.... then why not just make 10 a little more resonant.
rsp

I guess to keep current patches sounding the same.

oh.. sorry, FET and I were doing a skit from Spinal tap.

Wasn't meant to be serious. (unless you know and you are playing along too)



rsp

[Teksonik]

A "Random" knob to control the depth for Tweak variations would be nice. Just to create a quick way to add some slight variation without having to enter 8 different pages

From the manual:
Organic (Knob):
Modulates all sound parameters in all voices randomly. This control can be used to further
enhance the "analog feel" of the instrument.

------

This isn't aimed at any one person in particular but....I am dismayed at the constant complaining about "workflow" here and that goes for any synth from any developer.

Is Obsession (or any synth) perfect? No of course not, nothing is perfect and there is always room for improvement in anything.

But we can choose to either deal with the quirks in any synth and learn to use them or we can waste time complaining about them on some forum.

"Obsession's workflow sucks" doesn't hold much water when we realize that many many users have happily created tons of great presets for it because they spent time using it and not complaining about it. It doesn't come with training wheels, you have to put in a little effort.

If it's really that big of a deal then everyone should bring it up at the Synapse forums where your concerns will be heard. Richard is open minded and listens to input but he does have a specific vision for each of his instruments.

I have made many suggestions for all of the Synapse synths over the years and some of those suggestions were dismissed as not being technically possible, practical, or within the vision for the instrument (for example Layer Split points and .sfz support in DUNE 3 and so on).

But if the features I want are not added I just accept things as they are and learn to enjoy what we have instead of constantly complaining about what we don't have. For every synth I own I have a least a few feature requests I'd like to be added or changes I'd like to see made.

All we can do is make our requests in a calm and respectful manner and make a cogent argument as to why those features should be added. "It Sucks" isn't how adults handle things.

Development of Obsession has not ended (there is a small update coming to address an obscure issue with the Mac version) so you can put in a little effort in an attempt to guide its development in the direction you wish or you can simply waste time complaining about it on forums where it will likely do you no good. Guess which will be more productive.

In the end, changing Obesssion's workflow to suit a handful of people will not change what's coming out of our speakers. It's not going to make it sound any different. It will only perhaps make things a little easier for some people.

At any rate I was made aware of this thread elsewhere and I don't plan on coming back to KVR for a while so your responses will go unread.

[zvenx]

I have no idea how many copies of Obsession were sold, but I take note of how often a synth is spoken about on the three forums I frequent (kvr, gearspace and vi-control) and how many third party sound designers have made banks for it.
For sure using those two metrics I don't' think Obsession has done well, but like I said I have no idea how the sales are, I have seen many valid criticisms of it here.
I myself don't like its workflow on many levels and rarely if ever use it (not solely because of the workflow though).
rsp

[Vortifex]

..

[zerocrossing]

The resonance in obsession sounds a heck of a lot better than the arturia one, which falls apart at high resonance.

If you look at OB-Xa V on a scope, you’ll see that the parameter ranges are wider than Obsession’s. If you take a moment to match them, they both do well. I personally appreciate the extra range, though I imagine it’s not accurate in terms of emulation.

[zerocrossing]

In the end, changing Obesssion's workflow to suit a handful of people will not change what's coming out of our speakers. It's not going to make it sound any different. It will only perhaps make things a little easier for some people.

At any rate I was made aware of this thread elsewhere and I don't plan on coming back to KVR for a while so your responses will go unread.

My guess is, a lot more people avoid Obsession and just don’t make noise about it than “a handful of people.” I’m in that group, though I guess I just left it. I guess you’ve left with your fingers in your ears yelling, “la la la la I CAN’T HEAR YOU!” (Pee Wee Herman style) but as a big Synapse Audio fan, I rarely use Obsession because it’s a bit of a mess. Maybe I’ll go though it later if I have a few minutes and specifically outline what I find lacking about it.

[Echoes in the Attic]

The resonance in obsession sounds a heck of a lot better than the arturia one, which falls apart at high resonance.

If you look at OB-Xa V on a scope, you’ll see that the parameter ranges are wider than Obsession’s. If you take a moment to match them, they both do well. I personally appreciate the extra range, though I imagine it’s not accurate in terms of emulation.

It's not the authenticity of the range, it's simply that the Arturia version does not sound nearly as squelchy (even though obsession apparently has a lesser range). There were some great examples online but I've lost them. This one sort of shows a decent comparison to the real thing where Arturia just doesn't have the same resonance (on the rush res preset):

Obsession nails this nail of thing IMHO.