Oberheim OB-Xa Analogue Polyphonic Synthesizer

Made:
1981 in Los Angeles
maker:
Oberheim
Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981 Oberheim OB-Xa Analogue Polyphonic Synthesizer Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981 Oberheim OB-Xa Analogue Polyphonic Synthesizer Oberheim OB-Xa Analogue Polyphonic Synthesizer Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981 Oberheim OB-Xa Analogue Polyphonic Synthesizer Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981 Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981 Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981 Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981 Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981 Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981 Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981

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Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Oberheim OB-Xa analogue polyphonic synthesizer, c. 1981
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Oberheim OB-Xa Analogue Polyphonic Synthesizer, USA, 1981.

Developed by computer engineer, physicist and self-taught electronics whiz, Tom Oberheim, and produced between 1980 and 1982, the OB-Xa was one of the first analogue synthesizers to feature a split keyboard (allowing different sounds to be played on different parts of the keyboard) and layering (allowing one key to trigger more than one sound). Evolved from Oberheim’s groundbreaking SEM circuits, with logic gate-based polyphony and programmable memory, the OB-Xa, although using analogue synthesis, was a significant step towards the fully digital synthesizers that would follow from 1983. The OB-Xa has been used by a wide variety of artists, including Prince, Queen, Bon Jovi, Depeche Mode, Van Halen (Jump!), Gary Numan, Jean Michel Jarre, New Order, Jethro Tull, Stevie Nicks, Sneaker Pimps, Rush, Mike Oldfield, Richard Barbieri, the Thompson Twins.

Details

Category:
Sound Technologies
Object Number:
2019-205
Materials:
metal (unknown) and plastic (unidentified)
Measurements:
overall (synthesizer): 152 mm x 1016 mm x 508 mm, 21 kg
overall (case and synthesizer): 265 mm x 1125 mm x 695 mm, 43.5 kg
type:
synthesizer
credit:
Trevor Learoyd