OB-Xtreme

In essence, OB-Xtreme 3.0 functions as an 8-voice polyphonic, 8-voice unison mono, or true mono synth. The Unison mode adds a rich, thick texture by enabling polyphonic unison, which offers a powerful 8x8 voice configuration with adjustable voice clones (configurable as 1, 3, or 7 clones per voice).

Core OB-X/OB-Xa features are faithfully included, with SAW, PULSE, and TRI oscillator shapes, as well as the unique SAW+PULSE combination, which can add an extra octave harmonic based on the pulse width setting.

Filter options include a 2-pole and a 4-pole mode: The 2-pole filter, based on the OB-X, provides the smooth, resonant SVF (State Variable Filter) response, while the 4-pole filter, modeled after the CEM3320, offers a Moog-like resonance at lower cutoff values. High-pass and band-pass outputs are available in 2-pole mode, along with an optional filter "bleed" for added authenticity.

The Xtreme Factor control manages emulated OTA-induced distortion, particularly the classic CA3080 chip distortion used throughout the OB-series circuits. Users can push these settings beyond the original specifications for more aggressive tones or stay within traditional limits for a classic OB sound. Both PRE and POST distortion circuits can be bypassed independently for flexibility, with PRE affecting lower notes and POST acting linearly across the range.

Additionally, OB-Xtreme offers under-the-hood controls for fine-tuning the voltage offsets of each voice card, which is essential for replicating authentic analog character. This approach uses Virtual Component Modeling (VCM) to mimic analog nuances effectively without excessive setup time. Seven macro sliders provide quick access to these settings:

1. OSC (SPREAD): Controls tuning offsets for oscillators 1 and 2.
2. FILT: Adjusts filter envelope offsets.
3. AMP: Sets amplitude envelope offsets.
4. VCF: Modifies VCF deviation.
5. PW: Controls pulse width offsets.
6. PORT: Sets portamento glide time lag.
7. XMOD: Adjusts cross modulation offsets.

You can apply small random deviations per note in real-time or scatter them across all eight voices. These voltage offsets are visually represented in the interface with positive or negative voltages (yellow/blue), making it easy to see adjustments. Tuning individual cards in semitone steps (up to +1 OCT) opens creative possibilities like a pseudo-chord mode when using Unison mode.

OB-Xtreme 3.0 New Features:

• New PC VST3 and Mac VST3 AU with native support for Silicon (Universal Silicon/Intel compatibility).
• Completely remade high-resolution, DPI-aware GUI with vector knobs, improved graphics and functionality.
• Refined sound engine with selectable polyphony (4 or 8 voices) and configurable mono and poly unison modes (2, 4, or 8 clones).
• New global stereo panning presets, including Wide, Spread, Ping Pong, with selectable panning power law.
• Expanded modulation options: velocity can now modulate filter or amp envelope decay, and XMOD can patch to filter modulation.
• Added 2-Pole HighPass output with filter bleed; 4-Pole volume compensation now automatically applied.
• Up to x16 refined oversampling for optimized CPU performance.
• Enhanced POST and PRE OTA (CA3080 chip for VCA, Filter, and Output Stage) variable distortion (Xtreme Factor) with maximum gain doubled.
• Envelope scope now visualizes filter or amplitude envelopes when parameters are adjusted.
• New Keyboard Scaling (KBS) feature allows configurable keyboard voltage tracking, assignable to master volume or LFO modulation depths.
• Improved user experience with altGr + click reset on knobs, skin setting recall, and more.