Aly James Releases OB-Xtreme v3

Aly James has released version 3 of OB-Xtreme, available for €51.00. The upgrade is FREE for version 2 owners.

What’s new in version 3:

• New PC VST3 and Mac VST3 AU with native support for Silicon (Universal Silicon/Intel compatibility).
• Completely remade high-resolution, DPI-aware GUI with vector knobs, improved graphics and functionality.
• Refined sound engine with selectable polyphony (4 or 8 voices) and configurable mono and poly unison modes (2, 4, or 8 clones).
• New global stereo panning presets, including Wide, Spread, Ping Pong, with selectable panning power law.
• Expanded modulation options: velocity can now modulate filter or amp envelope decay, and XMOD can patch to filter modulation.
• Added 2-Pole HighPass output with filter bleed; 4-Pole volume compensation now automatically applied.
• Up to x16 refined oversampling for optimized CPU performance.
• Enhanced POST and PRE OTA (CA3080 chip for VCA, Filter, and Output Stage) variable distortion (Xtreme Factor) with maximum gain doubled.
• Envelope scope now visualizes filter or amplitude envelopes when parameters are adjusted.
• New Keyboard Scaling (KBS) feature allows configurable keyboard voltage tracking, assignable to master volume or LFO modulation depths.
• Improved user experience with altGr + click reset on knobs, skin setting recall, and more.

magine combining 8 mono synths to create a massive, authentic analog sound! This unique sound is born from the subtle variations and imperfections across each voice card. Certain electronic components, especially those in the classic OB-X circuits, introduce rich layers of harmonic distortion at various points—from the filters and VCA to the output stage. OB-Xtreme focuses specifically on recreating these imperfections, with a special emphasis on delivering that signature “Growl” at the output stage.

Now introducing OB-Xtreme V3, the latest evolution in the OB-Xtreme series. While OB-Xtreme 1 was a simpler, streamlined interpretation of the OB voice card architecture, V2 refined this approach, staying true to the specifications and feel of the original OB-X and OB-Xa designs.

Below is a summary of the OB-Xtreme 3.0 features. In essence, OB-Xtreme functions as an 8-voice polyphonic, 8-voice unison mono, or true mono synth. The Unison mode adds a rich, thick texture by enabling polyphonic unison, which offers a powerful 8×8 voice configuration with adjustable voice clones (configurable as 1, 3, or 7 clones per voice).

Core OB-X/OB-Xa features are faithfully included, with SAW, PULSE, and TRI oscillator shapes, as well as the unique SAW+PULSE combination, which can add an extra octave harmonic based on the pulse width setting.

Filter options include a 2-pole and a 4-pole mode: The 2-pole filter, based on the OB-X, provides the smooth, resonant SVF (State Variable Filter) response, while the 4-pole filter, modeled after the CEM3320, offers a Moog-like resonance at lower cutoff values. High-pass and band-pass outputs are available in 2-pole mode, along with an optional filter “bleed” for added authenticity.

The Xtreme Factor control manages emulated OTA-induced distortion, particularly the classic CA3080 chip distortion used throughout the OB-series circuits. Users can push these settings beyond the original specifications for more aggressive tones or stay within traditional limits for a classic OB sound. Both PRE and POST distortion circuits can be bypassed independently for flexibility, with PRE affecting lower notes and POST acting linearly across the range.

Additionally, OB-Xtreme offers under-the-hood controls for fine-tuning the voltage offsets of each voice card, which is essential for replicating authentic analog character. This approach uses Virtual Component Modeling (VCM) to mimic analog nuances effectively without excessive setup time. Seven macro sliders provide quick access to these settings:

• OSC (SPREAD): Controls tuning offsets for oscillators 1 and 2.
• FILT: Adjusts filter envelope offsets.
• AMP: Sets amplitude envelope offsets.
• VCF: Modifies VCF deviation.
• PW: Controls pulse width offsets.
• PORT: Sets portamento glide time lag.
• XMOD: Adjusts cross modulation offsets.

You can apply small random deviations per note in real-time or scatter them across all eight voices. These voltage offsets are visually represented in the interface with positive or negative voltages (yellow/blue), making it easy to see adjustments. Tuning individual cards in semitone steps (up to +1 OCT) opens creative possibilities like a pseudo-chord mode when using Unison mode.

Features include:

• Cross-platform 64-bit capability (PC VST3 and Mac VST3, AU (Audio Unit)).
• 64-bit build using the latest OS and IDEs (PC: Visual Studio, Mac: Xcode).
• Updated high-resolution, DPI-aware GUI (graphic interface).
• Refined and rewritten sound engine for enhanced performance.
• 8 or 4-voice with polyphonic or mono unison with per-voice pan control and global stereo widening, supporting single-voice mono and polyphonic unison (8×8).
• Comprehensive OB-X/OB-Xa functionality, including oscillator shapes, X-MOD, F-ENV, SYNC, with expanded modulation routing options.
• Enhanced oscillators and filter modes: 2-Pole/4-Pole LowPass and 2-Pole HighPass & BandPass, based on OB 2-Pole SVF and CEM 3320 24Db.
• Accurate SAW + PULSE oscillator mixing, generating a +1 octave harmonic depending on pulse width settings.
• Up to x16 oversampling for cleaner, higher-quality audio.
• PRE and POST OTA (CA3080 chip for VCA, Filter, and Output Stage) with adjustable distortion (Xtreme Factor) and bypass options.
• Seven macro controls manage voltage offsets and deviations across all 8 voice cards, with options for random propagation and real-time per-note deviation.
• Legacy filter modulation and EG/VCA modes enable compatibility with V1 sounds; default envelope/VCA uses the CEM3310/CA3080 combo (linear VCA and exponential envelopes), while legacy mode offers ultra-snappy response.
• Dedicated Vibrato LFO, original LFO + additional LFO 2, with phase reverse for LFO 1 & 2 (cards 1, 3, 5, 7), and optional keytracking inversion.
• Gate re-triggering for LFOs, featuring SINE, RAMP, PULSE, SAW, TRI, S&H, and Noise waveforms. LFO 2 can BPM sync or act as a one-shot ramp envelope (up or down).
• Single or multi-LFO modes: one global LFO or one per voice card.
• Optional VCF bleed effect.
• Sustain pedal options: standard or OB Mode (sustain like piano) with controllable envelope release offset.
• Keyboard Scaling (KBS) enables master level blending between presets from two OB-Xtreme instances or patching to LFO’s modulations.
• Built-in preset browser with categorized organization for easy navigation.
• Switchable OB-X (light mode) and OB-Xa (dark mode) skins for visual variety.

OB-Xtreme is available to PC and Mac users (VST3 and AU).

For more information on OB-Xtreme, click here: 

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