One Synth Challenge #208: OB-Xf by the Surge Synth Team (Now Compatible with OB-Xd patches!)

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lectro_wind wrote: Thu Jun 04, 2026 5:18 am So genuine single instance opportunities only really exist with multi-timbral synths I suppose.
Not really. You can host automate the bejeeus of things.

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lectro_wind wrote: Thu Jun 04, 2026 5:19 am
RichardSemper wrote: Thu Jun 04, 2026 4:47 am

No. Each bounced track would count as a separate instance.

Welcome to OSC, and good luck :)
Or, if you mixed all the bounced tracks into 1 track?
Each instance bounced is still a separate instance

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EvilDragon wrote: Thu Jun 04, 2026 6:24 am
lectro_wind wrote: Thu Jun 04, 2026 5:18 am So genuine single instance opportunities only really exist with multi-timbral synths I suppose.
Not really. You can host automate the bejeeus of things.
Or write an amazing piece of music for a single instrument. There’s plenty of single piano work which is incredible. But indeed that’s more a composition than sound design and production exercise so it’s not quite the intent of the challenge. Curious if anyone ever does that in osc?

Anyway it’s always thrilling to hear what this community does with the synths we work on whether it’s one instance of 100. Can’t wait to listen!

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Today is my first time ever using this synth (including past versions). My only Oberheim experience is with a Matrix 6.

Found a preset I really love and already have a melody / bassline going.

Hopefully I can get an entry together, and also I should check out the current voting on last month's just so I understand the format.
REAPER + Davinci Resolve Pro on Manjaro KDE. Neve 88m. Focusrite 18i20 2nd gen. Neumann NDH30 headphones. Mics: Telefunken TF39, AT4050, Miktek C7e, EV RE-15. VSTs: u-he Hive 2, F'em, Renoise Redux, Apisonic Speedrum 2.

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RichardSemper wrote: Thu Jun 04, 2026 7:09 am
lectro_wind wrote: Thu Jun 04, 2026 5:19 am
RichardSemper wrote: Thu Jun 04, 2026 4:47 am

No. Each bounced track would count as a separate instance.

Welcome to OSC, and good luck :)
Or, if you mixed all the bounced tracks into 1 track?
Each instance bounced is still a separate instance
You are you all talking about how to report OB-XF instances once the song is finished, or something else? I assume every time I load it counts, no matter how many layers or groups are per track. There's no limit on instances, correct?

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Correct!

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Basically there are two types of submission.

1. Single instance. In this you can only have ONE instance of the plugin to which all your MIDI is fed. This single track can have any FX as per the rules. This is then mastered to stereo (or mono) for submission.

2. Multiple instances. You can have as many tracks as you wish each with an instance of the synth and their own FX chains. These tracks are then mixed and then mastered down to stereo (or mono) for submission.

dB

Here's a single instance piano piece quickly knocked together. Some audio artefacts can be heard, will track them down later. Just thought I'd put this up ... enjoy

PS. This is NOT a submission

https://soundcloud.com/doctorbob/single ... mple-using

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I know I should write in the dedicated thread or on GitHub, but: why do some controls react to mouse scroll in the opposite direction?
For example, poly or voices, pitchbend down or up, all decrease when rolling forward. It looks like only these LED-like controls are affected.
At the same time knobs and sliders react as expected (rolling forward increases the value)

BTW Show Track Envelope and Show in Track Controls (in Reaper) available under RMB is a very nice touch. Never seen it before in any other softsynth

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Here it is! I wish the rest of my work went this well.
Powered by FLStudio, 10 instances of OB-Xf, 2x Fruity Reeverb 2, 1x Wider

ELERON IV HAZARDS:
- Extreme Cold
- High Energy Storm Systems
- Subterranean fauna adapted to high energy levels

https://soundcloud.com/user-299616995/s ... -on-eleron

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spridgeon wrote: Wed Jun 03, 2026 10:31 pm Careful about that chorus, it could get you disqualified!
Yeah, after doublechecking I had removed it and replaced it with Wider at the suggestion of Taron. I ran into some very strange behavior after I exported the track, but after reloading and seeing it's back to normal, I'm satisfied with it and I hope you guys like it.

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doctorbob wrote: Fri Jun 05, 2026 10:16 am Basically there are two types of submission.

1. Single instance. In this you can only have ONE instance of the plugin to which all your MIDI is fed. This single track can have any FX as per the rules. This is then mastered to stereo (or mono) for submission.

2. Multiple instances. You can have as many tracks as you wish each with an instance of the synth and their own FX chains. These tracks are then mixed and then mastered down to stereo (or mono) for submission.

dB

Here's a single instance piano piece quickly knocked together. Some audio artefacts can be heard, will track them down later. Just thought I'd put this up ... enjoy

PS. This is NOT a submission

https://soundcloud.com/doctorbob/single ... mple-using
Very nice example. I guess a single instance does get to the heart of the synth. And now I understand the $50 is only for a single plug-in only entry, aka Hardcore Mode. Didn't grasp what that meant when reading the rules at first.

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I gotta say, this challenge is has already been a huge learning experience. Since I know I'm constrained to the synth, I'm editing a ton of automation. Instead of Ableton utility, I automated the OB-XF master volume; simple but feels more focused. Instead of wondering about more LFOs, I'm drawing them in (or occasional m4l lfos), which just makes you realize you can make any synth 10x more powerful by using your DAW. There's so much going on with new midi tools and Ableton's piano roll in Live 12, there's a lot of features I've been putting off that I'm using now.

Plus the CPU is so light, I can do whatever I want with groups/layered synths. I'm simultaneously being more streamlined and economical yet also have the freedom to layer as much as I want.

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