Oberheim OB-1 Analog Synthesizer

The Oberheim OB-1, introduced in 1978, is a monophonic analog synthesizer and one of the first commercially available synthesizers to offer programmable presets (also called patches). This feature allowed musicians to store and recall their sound settings, a significant innovation at the time. The OB-1 is often overshadowed by Oberheim's later polyphonic models, but it remains a significant instrument in the history of synthesis due to its pioneering features and robust sound.

The OB-1 was used by various artists in the late 1970s and early 1980s like Vince Clarke, Tangerine Dream, Rush and The Grid, contributing to its reputation as a reliable and high-quality synthesizer. The OB-1's unique combination of analog warmth and digital convenience made it a standout instrument in its era.

Despite the similarity in the name with a certain famous Jedi, it should be noted that the first Star Wars movie was released one year before the commercial release and this synthesizer. Apart from a similar-sounding name, the two are unrelated.

The Oberheim OB-1 features a single Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO) capable of producing multiple waveforms, including sawtooth, square, and pulse waves. Additionally, it includes a sub-oscillator that can generate an octave-lower waveform, adding depth and richness to the sound. The synthesizer is equipped with a 2-pole and 4-pole voltage-controlled filter (VCF), providing detailed control over the timbre and resonance of the sound.

One of the OB-1's key innovations is its eight programmable preset buttons, which allow users to store and instantly recall their sound settings. This feature was groundbreaking at the time, offering a level of convenience and flexibility previously unavailable in analog synthesizers. The OB-1 also includes an envelope generator with Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release (ADSR) parameters, as well as a Low-Frequency Oscillator (LFO) for modulation effects such as vibrato and tremolo and portamento controls.