discoDSP have updated OB-Xd, currently available for $99.00. The update is available as a FREE download for existing users.
What’s new in version 3.14:
Polyphonic Unison Mode
- Previously unison forced monophonic behavior allowing only one note to sound at a time with all voices stacked in classic mono synth behavior.
- Now unison mode maintains polyphonic behavior where Polyphony Voices controls the number of simultaneous notes you can play and Unison Voices controls how many voices stack per note.
- Classic mono unison still available by setting polyphony to 1 voice for vintage Minimoog-style behavior.
- Play thick chords with unison enabled: stack 2-4 voices per note across 4-8 note chords for massive pads and lush leads.
- Flexible voice budgeting balances thickness vs. polyphony based on your part-thick mono leads or thinner polyphonic textures from the same preset.
Practical Examples
- 8 voices, unison ON, multiply 2: Play 4 notes with 2 stacked voices each = thick chords with moderate detuning.
- 16 voices, unison ON, multiply 4: Play 4 notes with 4 stacked voices each = super-wide stereo pads.
- 8 voices, unison ON, multiply 8: Play 1 note with 8 stacked voices = classic mono unison lead (vintage mode).
- 32 voices, unison ON, multiply 2: Play 16 notes with 2 voices each = complex polyphonic sequences with movement.
User Interface Enhancements
- Polyphony Preset Menu: Replaced linear 1-32 voice count menu with musically meaningful preset values (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32) matching classic and modern synthesizer standards.
- First-Time Unison Dialog: Informational dialog appears once when unison is clicked, explaining the new polyphonic behavior and how to achieve classic mono unison.
Technical Implementation
- Simplified voice allocation logic by removing unison/non-unison branch distinction.
- Always uses polyphonic allocation with calculated voices per note group.
- Vectorized architecture processes voice groups efficiently through SIMD instructions (AVX2 on Intel/AMD, NEON on ARM).
- Makes complex polyphonic unison practical on modern CPUs without performance degradation.
OB-Xd is a classic synthesizer with a timeless sound that continues to captivate musicians and producers alike. With its rich, full-bodied tones and expansive sound design capabilities, the OB-Xd is the perfect choice for those looking to add a vintage touch to their music. Whether you’re producing electronic tracks, recording live instruments, or composing for film and television, the OB-X is an invaluable tool that will bring a unique and expressive quality to your sound. So why wait? Add an OB-Xd to your studio today and take your music to the next level!
The OB-Xd is a synthesizer that has been designed to recreate the sound and behavior of the Oberheim OB-X. However, the original design of the OB-X was limited in some ways, so the OB-Xd includes a number of additional or altered features. One key feature of the OB-Xd is its implementation of micro random detuning, which helps to create a fuller, richer sound. Overall, the OB-Xd has been designed to produce a sound that is as good and as rich as the original OB-X.
Understanding the importance of legacy projects, discoDSP offer release 2 builds of OB-Xd for those who need compatibility with older projects. This ensures that our users can continue to work seamlessly on their existing creations without any compatibility issues.
OB-Xd is available to PC, Mac and Linux users (VST3, AU, AAX and LV2).
For more information on OB-Xd, click here:
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