Oberheim OB-1

The Oberheim OB-1 was a monophonic analog synthesizer introduced by Oberheim Electronics in late 1977. With the ability to store and recall up to 8 instances of its sound settings, it was the first completely programmable synthesizer,^[1][2] and the first of Oberheim's OB-series of synthesizers.

OB-1
Oberheim OB-1
Manufacturer	Oberheim
Dates	1977 - 1979
Price	US$1,895
Technical specifications
Polyphony	Monophonic
Timbrality	Monotimbral
Oscillator	2 VCOs
LFO	1
Synthesis type	Analog Subtractive
Filter	1 VCF (2 or 4 pole switchable)
Attenuator	2 ADSR envelope generators (one for VCF, one for VCA)
Aftertouch expression	No
Velocity expression	No
Storage memory	8 patches
Effects	No
Input/output
Keyboard	37 keys
Left-hand control	Pitch bend/modulation lever
External control	CV/gate

Development

Oberheim's OB-series was developed as a replacement for the previous generation of Oberheim SEM-based instruments and intended to be used for live performance.^[3][4] Building on the technology developed for their Polyphonic Synthesizer Programmer, Oberheim designed the OB-1 with the ability to store and recall up to 8 instances of its sound settings, making it the world's first completely programmable synthesizer.^[2][1] It originally sold for $1,895.

A slightly updated version, the Oberheim OB-1a, was introduced in 1979 that features the grey color scheme of its polyphonic sibling, the OB-X.^[5]

Specification

The OB-1 features two voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs), each selectable between either "Pulse Type" or "Saw Type" waveform, with continuously-variable control ranging from a square wave to a narrow pulse wave for the "Pulse Type" setting, or from a triangle wave to a sawtooth wave for the "Saw Type". The oscillators can be synced, and there is an available square wave sub-oscillator. The voltage-controlled filter is switchable between either 2- or 4-pole, with frequency cutoff and resonance controls. There are two ADSR envelopes: one for the filter, the other for the voltage-controlled amplifier.^[3] There are eight program memory buttons for storing and recalling the OB-1's settings.^[1][2]

There is a portamento knob allowing for adjustment of portamento amount, as well as a pitch bend/modulation lever.^[1][2]

In popular culture

Notable users of the OB-1 include Vince Clarke and the bands Tangerine Dream, Rush, and The Grid.^[3]

A 2014 feature on the French radio station France Inter claimed that the OB-1 had been used by Star Wars sound engineer Ben Burtt to create the voice of R2-D2, and that the name of another Star Wars character, Obi-Wan Kenobi, derives from a transliteration of "OB-1".^[6][7] However, Star Wars was first released in May 1977, prior to the OB-1's release, and most sources credit the ARP 2600 synthesizer as being used to create R2-D2's voice.^[8][9]

Software emulations

In 2024, GForce Software released the Oberheim OB-1 software synthesizer, an emulation of the OB-1.^[10]