Sequential Instruments - OB 6 Desktop Module
The OB 6 is a 6-Voice Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer, classic
Oberheim-inspired 2-pole, state-variable, resonant filter provides
low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and notch functionality.
The Sequential OB-6 desktop module is just as powerful and easy to use as its
counterpart, the OB-6 Keyboard. The module has all of the same controls
as the keyboard version and provides the same immediacy and ease of use.
As with the OB-6 Keyboard, all parameters are at your fingertips, with
full-sized knobs and switches and a comfortable, intuitive layout.
How does it sound? Massive — just like the keyboard, because on the
inside, it’s exactly the same. The same analog signal path with discrete
VCOs and VCFs. The same high-quality digital effects. The same classic
Oberheim sound that has been earning raves from musicians around the
world.
We’ve also added a poly chain feature so that any two OB-6s can be paired for twelve-voice polyphony!
Two Legends. One Instrument
Both the OB-6 desktop module and OB-6 keyboard are a
once-in-a-lifetime collaboration between the two most influential
designers in poly synth history, Dave Smith and Tom Oberheim. The OB-6
takes the classic bold Tom Oberheim sound — with its true
voltage-controlled oscillators, 2-pole filter, and amplifiers — and adds
modern enhancements such as studio-quality effects, a polyphonic step
sequencer, an arpeggiator, and more. No other modern analog poly synth
can boast such a pedigree or such a massive, in-your-face sonic
signature.
Vintage SEM Tone
The OB-6 sound engine is inspired by Tom’s original SEM, the core of
his acclaimed 4-voice and 8- voice synthesizers. It features two
discrete voltage-controlled oscillators (plus sub-oscillator) per voice
with continuously variable waveshapes (sawtooth and variable-width
pulse, plus a triangle wave on oscillator 2). Voltage-controlled amplifiers complete the all-analog signal path.
Dual Effects
The dual effects section provides studio-quality reverbs, delays
(standard and BBD), chorus, flangers, and faithful recreations of Tom’s
original phase shifter and ring modulator. While the effects themselves
are digital, with 24-bit, 48 kHz resolution, a true bypass maintains a
full analog signal path.
X-Mod and Poly Step Sequencing
Also present is X-Mod, which expands the tonal palette and makes it
easy to create dramatic and unconventional sounds. Modulation sources
are filter envelope and oscillator 2, both with bi-polar control.
Destinations include oscillator 1 frequency, oscillator 1 shape,
oscillator 1 pulse width, filter cutoff, and filter mode. The polyphonic
step sequencer allows up to 64 steps and up to 6 notes per step. You
can create sequences polyphonically, with rests, and sync to an external
MIDI clock. The full-featured arpeggiator can be synced to external
MIDI clock as well. Unison mode features configurable voice count (1-6
voices), chord memory, and key modes.
Easy to Program
The knob-per-function front panel puts virtually all OB-6 functions
at your fingertips. Included are 500 permanent factory programs and 500
rewritable user programs. Turning on the Manual button enables live
panel mode, in which the sound of the OB-6 switches to its current front
panel settings. In this state, what you see is what you hear.
Easy to Play
This analog powerhouse is packed into a desktop module that’s small
enough to fit in a backpack. It’s an ideal combination of portability
and power for the project studio or the gigging musician.
OB 6 Desktop Module Specifications
OSCILLATORS
- Two discrete VCOs per voice
- Continuously variable wave shape (sawtooth and variable-width pulse, plus triangle on oscillator 2) per oscillator
- Pulse width per oscillator
- Hard sync: oscillator 1 syncs to oscillator 2
- Square wave sub-octave generator (oscillator 1) per voice
- Low frequency mode (oscillator 2)
- Keyboard tracking on/off (oscillator 2)
- Oscillator detune amount for increased tuning instability, from subtle to extreme
MIXER
- Oscillator 1 amount
- Oscillator 1 sub-octave amount
- Oscillator 2 amount
- White noise amount
STATE-VARIABLE FILTER
- Two-pole, resonant, filter per voice with low-pass, high-pass,
band-pass, and notch functionality inspired by the original Oberheim SEM
filter
- Bi-polar filter envelope amount
- Velocity modulation of envelope amount
- Keyboard tracking: off, half, full
FILTER ENVELOPE
- Four-stage (ADSR) envelope generator
- Velocity modulation of envelope amount
AMPLIFIER ENVELOPE
- Four-stage (ADSR) envelope generator
- Velocity modulation of envelope amount
LOW FREQUENCY OSCILLATOR
- Five wave shapes: sine, sawtooth, reverse sawtooth, square, and random (sample and hold)
- Clock sync (internal or external MIDI clock)
- Initial amount
- Mod destinations: oscillator 1 frequency, oscillator 2 frequency,
oscillator 1 and 2 pulse width, filter cutoff, filter mode, amp
X-MOD
- Sources: filter envelope (bi-polar) and oscillator 2 (bi-polar)
- Destinations: oscillator 1 frequency, oscillator 1 shape, oscillator
1 pulse width, filter cutoff, filter mode, normal to bandpass filter
AFTERTOUCH
- Source: channel (mono) aftertouch with bi-polar amount
- Destinations: oscillator 1 frequency, oscillator 2 frequency, LFO
amount, amplifier envelope amount, filter envelope amount, filter mode
CLOCK
- Master clock with tap tempo
- BPM control and display
- MIDI clock sync
ARPEGGIATOR
- Selectable note value: 16th note, 8th note triplet, 8th note, dotted 8th note, quarter note
- One, two, or three octave range
- Up, down, up/down, random, and assign modes
SEQUENCER
- Polyphonic step sequencer with up to 64 steps and rests
EFFECTS
- Stereo analog distortion
- Dual, 24-bit, 48 kHz digital effects, including: reverb (room, hall,
plate, spring), delay (full bandwidth digital delay and emulated bucket
brigade), chorus, flanger, phase shifters, and ring modulator
- Delay sync
- True bypass maintains fully analog signal path when digital effects are off
PERFORMANCE CONTROLS
- Full-sized, semi-weighted, 4-octave keyboard with velocity and aftertouch
- Backlit pitch and mod wheels
- Spring-loaded pitch wheel with selectable range per program (1 to 12 semitones up and down)
- Transpose controls for an 8-octave range
- Hold switch latches held notes on
- Polyphonic portamento
- Unison (monophonic) mode with configurable voice count, from one to all six voices, chord memory, and key modes
- Manual switch: when on, the front panel is live; what you see is what you hear
PATCH MEMORY
- 500 user and 500 factory programs in 10 banks of 100 programs each
- Direct program access, including single-button access to the current set of 10 programs
IN/OUT
- Left/mono and right audio outputs (2 x 1/4” phone jack)
- Headphone output (stereo, 1/4” phone jack)
- MIDI in, out, and thru ports
- USB for bidirectional MIDI communication
- Filter cutoff expression pedal input
- Volume expression pedal input
- Sustain footswitch input
- Sequencer start/stop footswitch input
POWER
- IEC AC power inlet for internal power supply
- Operates worldwide on voltages between 100 and 240 volts at 50 to 60 Hz; 30 watts maximum power consumption
PHYSICAL SPECS
- 20.75” L x 7.8” W x 4.4″ H (52.0 cm x 19.8 cm x 11.2 cm)
- 13.0 lbs (5.9 kg)
- Walnut end panels
Sequential Instruments products are used by an ever-growing roster of well-known musicians. Call or chat with
a RSPE representative today for more information.