Gforce Oberheim OB-X

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

Exactly!

Or if you're going to stick to a 6hr total runtime limitation, then pop up a second box when I click "Run Demo" that says very clearly in big bold letters, "Warning: there is a 6 hour total runtime on this demo." Don't count on people to read the product pages.

And you might say, "but it's in big bold text that's all caps on the product page!" And I'd say, "everything in that section is in big bold text that's all caps so the 6hour thing in no way stands out."

i agree that a pop-up in the demo could remind you of the 6-hour limit. but still... if you go to download the demo, and don't read the text with it... that's a choice (& not a great one). it's right there.

Screenshot 2023-10-13 at 4.55.44 PM.png

...And I'd say, "everything in that section is in big bold text that's all caps so the 6hour thing in no way stands out."

[fisherKing]

Exactly!

Or if you're going to stick to a 6hr total runtime limitation, then pop up a second box when I click "Run Demo" that says very clearly in big bold letters, "Warning: there is a 6 hour total runtime on this demo." Don't count on people to read the product pages.

And you might say, "but it's in big bold text that's all caps on the product page!" And I'd say, "everything in that section is in big bold text that's all caps so the 6hour thing in no way stands out."

i agree that a pop-up in the demo could remind you of the 6-hour limit. but still... if you go to download the demo, and don't read the text with it... that's a choice (& not a great one). it's right there.

Screenshot 2023-10-13 at 4.55.44 PM.png

...And I'd say, "everything in that section is in big bold text that's all caps so the 6hour thing in no way stands out."

am agreeing with you about a notice IN the demo. but really; there are THREE SENTENCES right above the download buttons; if you're gonna download a demo, you should probably read what it covers. and if you choose not to read that, how is it the developer's fault?

[Teksonik]

It also says in bold text:

THE TRIAL VERSION IS LIMITED TO 6 HOURS OF USE OR 7 DAYS, WHICHEVER IS LONGER.

Whichever is longer and it seems like people are reporting the demo times out after 6 hours, in less than 7 days. I just got the demo this morning so wouldn't know.

Now that I read it again that doesn't even make sense. Shouldn't it read "whichever is shorter" or whichever comes first?

Using the demo for 6 hours in one day and it times out? That would be shorter than 7 days.

GForce 101323.png

[fisherKing]

It also says in bold text:

THE TRIAL VERSION IS LIMITED TO 6 HOURS OF USE OR 7 DAYS, WHICHEVER IS LONGER.

Whichever is longer and it seems like people are reporting the demo times out after 6 hours, in less than 7 days. I just got the demo this morning so wouldn't know.

Now that I read it again that doesn't even make sense. Shouldn't it read "whichever is shorter" or whichever comes first?



GForce 101323.png

ha, that probably should say shorter...

[mi-os]

I think we got it now regarding demo limitations and pricing.

Anybody with a real OB-X in the house? How does it compare to the original?

[fisherKing]

I think we got it now regarding demo limitations and pricing.

Anybody with a real OB-X in the house? How does it compare to the original?

as i posted earlier, my brother (who collected vintage synths in the '90s) had an OBX and an Xa. the X sounded much better than the Xa. only going on my memory of it, the gforce emulation is pretty great. of course, it can do so many things the original X could not.

ultimately (i think) what matters is what one would use it for in the present, more than how it compares. but anyway, just my observations.

[Chauzou]

It is what it is, I don't like the 6 hours demo thing either, but I have to say it never stopped me from deciding to get a Gforce product or not. On the other hand, the OPX pro II demo was a deal breaker for me. It's like a wine tasting where after a sip they would immidiatly force you to drink redbull or sprite or sh*t soda, only then are you allowed to have another sip of wine.
Speaking of which, could anyone share some thoughts on Gforce OBX vs OPX pro II? In the presets videos, the OPX pro sounds totally in character, the gforce one, not so much...

[mi-os]

I don't neccessarily need a 1:1 emulation if the emulation sounds even better than the original. I just want the full, present and lively sound of analog synths in the box.

[Teksonik]

I don't neccessarily need a 1:1 emulation if the emulation sounds even better than the original. I just want the full, present and lively sound of analog synths in the box.

So try the demo. No one can tell you what you like other than you.

Stop worrying about the original and just see if you like this synth for what it is....

[mi-os]

I don't neccessarily need a 1:1 emulation if the emulation sounds even better than the original. I just want the full, present and lively sound of analog synths in the box.

So try the demo. No one can tell you what you like other than you.

Stop worrying about the original and just see if you like this synth for what it is....

Reread what i wrote. I'm not worrying about the original. The original would just serve as a reference. So next time read and comprehend properly before replying. Thanks a bunch.

[MrJubbly]

Disappointing you only have a very limited number of presets to demo. I fell foul of the 6 hour demo limit by leaving it active in a project Anything that restricts demoing whenever you want is going to hurt sales. People can't help trying new shiny shiny things.

As somebody who already bought OB-X and own all their other plugins, except for MKII, I completely agree. GForce are sometimes their own worst enemy when it comes to attracting new customers, with their bizarre and nonsensical demo limitations.

Because I now own most of their products, I realize their quality and am more likely than not going to purchase newly released plugins from them. But even still, they need to be a bit more lenient with their trial policies, imho. Especially, if they intend on increasing their customer base to any current non-GForce users.

Their policy of allowing only the so-called 'alpha' presets to be available to demonstrate the plugin to prospective customers, will never make commercial sense to me. I've heard some of the reasons for justifying that (anti-piracy, etc.), and they're just as illogical too (what, crackers who can break the DRM won't also be able to unlock the presets? Lol, as if!)

GForce, relax your limitations on your trial demos and you'll get more sales ... you're trying to attract as many new customers as possible, not deter them, by showcasing your products in their best light and full potential, remember?

As someone who owns almost everything you've produced, I can tell you, several of those purchases were on the flip of a coin, on whether or not, I would actually take the dive and buy them, and each time, was always due to the self-imposed limitations and restrictions on your trial demos.

I have zero doubt, you are (and have been) losing out a lot of custom from people, who very likely would otherwise have purchased your products, given a bit more leeway, time and unrestricted access with them. No one wants to feel like they're on a short "ticking countdown clock" when they're trying to relax and enjoy playing with something ... tick tick tock ... only 5 more hours to go ... tick tock, only 1 hour left (the pressure) ... I better start enjoying this, I've only got 5 more minutes... That's crazy

It's crazy how different some elite audio plugin companies operate. On one end of the spectrum you'll have a company like Gforce, with their extremely limited access time and preset restrictions. And then on the other end, a company like u-he, with completely unlimited time and free access to presets (barring a minor crackle every couple of minutes or so). Two developers at the top of their game, but with completely different philosophies on marketing their products.

Sound and product quality wise, I would put both on a similar level. Although, I wonder whose marketing strategies actually garner more customers? I don't know the answer to that, but I'd be willing to guess it wasn't the one who makes their products seem 'less attractive' in their limited demos.

Okay, rant over. (And I already own their damn catalogue) ... But I also have to keep it 100! It's a fact that the biggest hurdle that could have prevented me becoming a GForce customer ... was GForce themselves (or at least their bizarre illogical trial policies).

[Teksonik]

I don't neccessarily need a 1:1 emulation if the emulation sounds even better than the original. I just want the full, present and lively sound of analog synths in the box.

So try the demo. No one can tell you what you like other than you.

Stop worrying about the original and just see if you like this synth for what it is....

Reread what i wrote. I'm not worrying about the original. The original would just serve as a reference. So next time read and comprehend properly before replying. Thanks a bunch.

I comprehend this part:

if the emulation sounds even better than the original.

Anybody with a real OB-X in the house? How does it compare to the original?

Perhaps you should learn to read what you wrote.

But my advice remains the same whether you comprehend the point or not. Stop worrying about the "original" and focus on whether you like this synth or not. What if it sounds exactly like the original but you hate the sound? You either like this synth or not whether it sounds exactly like the original or nothing like it at all.

Try the demo yourself. Asking other people's opinions is utterly pointless. It's really that simple.

[BONES]

I produce music myself and i care about the initial sound, what it brings to the table.

Then you are doing things back-to-front. The song matters and the synth's only importance is in what it can bring to the song. SEM is one of those instruments that, in my experience, always makes the song better than it was. I never found the OB series to be as special but they are great workhorse synths that are quick and easy to dial in. I'd suggest that if the presets don't grab you, you should spend a bit of time making some sounds of your own.

I like Aly James but with no demo I never tried it, although it's not a strict emulation so I would probably treat it as a separate sound source to any OB-X/Xa clone anyway.

I have less than zero interest in how good an emulation anything is. I mostly use them because they have excellent sound quality and are easy to work with. For me, they only need to sound good. And, honestly, I have no understanding of why anyone would care how accurate an emulation any of them are. It seems like the most pointless exercise imaginable.

[Frantz]

Their policy of allowing only the so-called 'alpha' presets to be available to demonstrate the plugin to prospective customers, will never make commercial sense to me.

+1000

I am demoing it now and discovering most of the presets are locked out. Why??? None of the brass presets are available. It is nuts.

I want to quickly hear the potential of the synth by flipping through the presets. Often brilliant presets will help convince me to buy it.

[plexuss]

Their policy of allowing only the so-called 'alpha' presets to be available to demonstrate the plugin to prospective customers, will never make commercial sense to me.

It's an incentive to buy. Making presets available is one incentive. Locking some presets behind a paywall is another incentive.