After being discontinued in the mid-80s, the Oberheim OB-8’s sought-after sounds became a collector’s item seemingly overnight. Prices for the synth skyrocketed, and even today will set you back up to thirteen thousand dollars. And those looking to tap into the bright and lush timbres of the synth without breaking the bank might feel like they need more options.
This is why we decided to do the heavy lifting for you and find six of the best polysynths that you can snag today, whose sound is, at least on some level, comparable with the timeless sound of the iconic Oberheim OB-8. While we know full well that none of these synths will ever match the timbres and sounds of the classic Oberheim OB-8 they make up for it in price points, modern functionality, and smaller build designs that save you valuable real estate in your studio, and synth racks.
But before we dive into the list, let’s chat about what made the Oberheim OB-8 so undeniable in the first place. If you wish to jump right into the list, just click on any of the items in the table of contents to jump to the synth you’re most curious about.
What Is The Oberheim OB-8?
The Oberheim OB-8 made its debut in early 1983 and was discontinued two years later. With a production of about 3,000 units, the OB-8 was the fourth product in the OB series of compact polyphonic synths and the successor to the OB-Xa.
Featuring eight-voice polyphony and two-part multitimbrality, the OB-8 boasted a 61-note processor-controlled piano keyboard, advanced programmable LFO and envelope modulation, arpeggiator, external cassette storage, MIDI capability, 120 memory patches, and 24 bi-timbral patches. The musician’s interface was user-friendly, with two pages of programmable controls on the front panel, performance controls on the left panel, and a set of foot pedals and switches.
Renowned artists such as Alice Coltrane, Boys Noize, Prince, Queen, Van Halen, Depeche Mode, The Police, Nik Kershaw, and many more have utilized the OB-8 in their music. Whether creating niche-market IDM or producing chart-topping and radio-friendly bangers, the OB-8 was a must-have for any serious musician looking to add depth and richness to their sound and it’s no wonder why many modern artists are looking to tap into its sounds without forking out $13k.
So let’s dive into the alternatives…
ROLAND JD-XI ANALOG/DIGITAL SYNTHESIZER
The Roland JD-Xi is a versatile and powerful polysynth that offers excellent value for its price. It boasts an impressive 128-note polyphony, thanks to its analog synth engine and two digital synth sections, which give you a range of classic waveforms and the latest SuperNATURAL synth tones. This machine is perfect for generating massive voicings in your productions, with 37 keys and many top-notch sounds.
One unique feature of the JD-Xi is its gooseneck mic, which opens up a world of creative possibilities with its vocoder, AutoPitch, and other vocal effects. The 4-track pattern sequencer is another standout, allowing you to build loops and create powerful beats with its Pro Drum kits. To further enhance your sound, the JD-Xi comes equipped with four simultaneous effects, which you can use to shape and refine your sound.
In terms of connectivity, the JD-Xi can be used as a USB audio interface, making it easy to communicate with your computer music software. It comes pre-loaded with a large selection of ready-to-play sounds and patterns. You can easily download additional sounds from Roland’s Axial site. This polysynth is a fantastic investment for anyone looking for a serious piece of hardware that can take their productions to the next level.
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OBERHEIM OB-X8
After 35 years, Oberheim returns to the music industry with its 8-voice polyphonic analog synth, the OB-X8. This new instrument pays homage to the company’s illustrious OB series, bringing together three all-analog synths in one: the OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8.
With two discrete OB-X/SEM-lineage VCOs per voice and discrete SEM-lineage VCFs, the OB-X8 delivers the vintage Oberheim tone and punch that made these synths famous. The Dave Curtis-designed filters provide classic OB-Xa and OB-8 characters. At the same time, additional SEM modes offer highpass, bandpass, and notch functions. The vintage knob dials provide voice-to-voice variability, and the envelope responses have been meticulously modeled for 1:1 realism.
The 61-key FATAR keyboard is touch- and velocity-sensitive, and the bi-timbral capability allows two presets to be played simultaneously, with up to 8-voice unison stacking.
The programmable per-voice pan allows for a wide stereo spread, and the variable triangle wave cross modulation, combined with the pitch and mod levers, offers endless creative possibilities for note bending, vibrato, and arpeggiation. The OB-X8 includes 400+ presets from the original three models and new ones, with over 600 user presets available. The OLED display shows program information and allows for advanced feature access. MIDI and USB compatibility make the OB-X8 a perfect addition to any setup.
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BEHRINGER POLY D POLYPHONIC ANALOG SYNTHESIZER
The Behringer Poly D Polyphonic Synth is a budget-friendly alternative to various iconic and expensive polysynths. It is a worthy addition to any studio. This full-analog polysynth boasts true-to-the-original D-type circuitry and a pure analog signal path, providing rich and warm sound-shaping capabilities.
The synth offers three modes of operation: Mono, Poly, and Unison, giving you versatility and flexibility in your production and playing this synth with 37 full-size keys and After Pressure is a breeze. The 4 VCOs, including LFO (Oscillator 4 set to Low range) and classic Ladder Filter with lowpass and highpass modes, make for an ultra-flexible sound-shaping experience.
In addition, the BBD Stereo Chorus and Distortion units add a touch of classic warmth to your sound, and the onboard 32-step Sequencer and Arpeggiator make it easy to create unique and intricate patterns. This synth is an excellent choice for those seeking a powerful, budget-friendly polysynth that provides rich, classic analog sounds.
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ROLAND JUNO-DS61
The Roland JUNO-DS61 is a digital synthesizer that seamlessly combines portability and versatility with pro-level sounds and performance features. With its 61-note velocity-sensitive keyboard, musicians can enjoy a comfortable synth action and take their musical expression to the next level.
The JUNO-DS61 comes loaded with various performance-ready sounds, including updated pianos and different organs. It provides access to over 1,000 free downloadable sounds from Roland’s Axial website. And for those looking to import their sounds, the JUNO-DS61 also includes a sample import function that allows you to play WAV files on the keyboard.
Sound manipulation and editing are made easy with hands-on knobs and sliders. At the same time, the 8 Phrase Pads provide a convenient way to enhance your performances with triggered samples and songs. The JUNO-DS61 also features a mic input and dedicated reverb, vocoder, and Auto Pitch effects for impressive vocal performances.
The JUNO-DS61’s 8-track pattern sequencer with non-stop recording makes it the perfect tool for quickly developing song ideas. Its integrated USB interface allows you to build a mobile recording studio. And with its battery-powered operation, the JUNO-DS61 is the ultimate musical flexibility.
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BEHRINGER DEEPMIND 12
The Behringer DeepMind 12 49-key 12-voice Analog Synthesizer is a powerhouse of musical expression, delivering all the essential features needed to unleash creativity. With its velocity- and aftertouch-enabled 49-note keyboard, musicians can add dynamic and emotional performances to their music. Overall, it allows for that tastefully bright and lush timbre of the Oberheim OB-8 but with many more modern functionalities.
As a 12-voice mono-timbral analog polysynth, the DeepMind 12 provides incredible sonic versatility with two oscillators per voice, a noise generator, oscillator sync, and voice unison detune options. With 1024 patch memory locations organized in 8 banks of 128, users can store and recall their sounds quickly and easily.
The synth’s 2/4-pole lowpass filter and its additional highpass filter provide precise tonal control. The three envelopes, VCA, VCF, and assignable mod, allow even greater sound-shaping possibilities. And with each voice featuring an independent LFO, the DeepMind 12 can produce rich, complex textures.
An extensive 8-bus modulation matrix, along with the unison mode with detune fader, provides an abundance of modulation options. The four integrated digital effects engines, with four parts and over 30 types of effects, offer even more sound design possibilities. And with the hard-wire effects bypass, authentic analog sound is always available.
The DeepMind 12 also includes an arpeggiator/32-step sequencer with gate-time control and an LCD with an encoder, navigation buttons, and sliders for quick and easy navigation. With CV/pedal input for connecting with modular systems, all parameters controllable via Wi-Fi, and editable via PC and tablet apps, the DeepMind 12 is the perfect solution for modern musicians. With USB and MIDI connections, the possibilities are endless.
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ROLAND JU-06A
The Roland JU-06A is a compact, portable synth module that pays homage to the iconic Juno-60 and Juno-106 synthesizers. It checks many of the same boxes as the Oberheim OB-8 but at a far more approachable price point. This synth module offers a switchable design, instantly allowing users to choose between the two classic synths. The 17 dedicated sliders provide ample hands-on control. The unit includes the 106’s continuous highpass filter and the 60’s envelope-controllable pulse width modulation.
The 16-step sequencer allows for the saving of up to 16 patterns, and there are two chorus modes to fatten up the sound, just like on the original synths. The JU-06A can be powered by 4 AA batteries or USB, and it features a built-in mini speaker, eliminating the need for an amp or headphones. Additionally, the unit can serve as a USB audio interface for a simple production setup.
The JU-06A is built to last, with tough metal panels and robust metal-shafted sliders. It is also compatible with the optional K-25m keyboard dock, which can be purchased separately. Whether you’re looking for a simple, portable synth module or a compact production setup, the Roland JU-06A is a great choice.
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Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
