Summary

The Oberheim OB-1 by GForce Software is an emulation of the classic 1978 Oberheim OB-1 synthesizer, developed in collaboration with Oberheim. It combines vintage analog sound characteristics with modern enhancements, aiming to appeal to techno, electro producers, underground artists, and composers who value vintage tones.

Features

• Authentic emulation of the original OB-1's rich and aggressive analog sound
• Unique 2-pole or 4-pole filters with screeching resonance
• Waveshaping capabilities with hard sync, cross modulation, and extensive modulation options
• Expanded polyphony of up to 16 voices, including Unison, Legato, and Poly modes (original was monophonic)
• X-Modifier technology enabling deep modulation of nearly all parameters with X-LFO and X-ADSR
• Built-in high-pass filter with keyboard tracking
• Integrated chorus, stereo delay, and matrix reverb effects with on/off control
• Four programmable macros allowing real-time performance adjustments, including Macro4 automation by the sequencer
• 16-step arpeggiator and sequencer featuring probability, step length variations, scale and random modes, and macro modulation tracks
• Advanced preset browser with over 300 categorized patches from diverse sound designers
• Fully scalable user interface
• Velocity response, polyphonic aftertouch, pan modes, vintage mode, hold function, and more

Historical and Technical Context

The hardware Oberheim OB-1 was the first programmable monophonic synthesizer, introduced in 1978. The GForce Software version enriches this legacy by adding modern functionality such as polyphony, effects, and advanced modulation systems, while preserving the original's core analog tone.

Compatibility and Formats

The OB-1 is available as a virtual instrument on Mac (Intel and Apple Silicon) and Windows platforms. It supports Standalone, AudioUnit, AAX, VST2, and VST3 plugin formats. Minimum requirements include macOS 10.13+ or Windows 7+, with a 2GHz CPU and 2GB RAM recommended.