Image: Grapetonix, Public domain — via Wikimedia Commons
Oberheim OB12
| Category | Electronic (virtual-analogue synthesizer) |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Italy / USA |
| Classification | synthesizer |
| Wikipedia | en.wikipedia.org |
| Wikidata | Q2009822 |
Overview
The Oberheim OB12 is a 12-voice virtual-analogue synthesizer released in 2000. Manufactured in Italy by Viscount under the Oberheim brand during the period when Gibson owned the Oberheim name, the instrument attempted to update the Oberheim sonic identity for a digital era. Its bright blue case, knob-rich panel, and multitimbral architecture were designed to evoke the original Oberheim polysynths while delivering the operational conveniences of a modern digital instrument.
Origin & History
After Tom Oberheim left the company, the Oberheim brand passed through several owners before settling under Viscount, an Italian organ and electronic-instrument manufacturer, with Gibson’s involvement on the trademark side. The OB12 was the most prominent product to emerge from this period. Released in 2000, it offered a self-contained synthesis architecture — virtual-analogue oscillators, modelled filters, modulation matrix, on-board effects — together with a four-part multitimbral mode and a built-in arpeggiator. Production was modest, and the instrument was discontinued within a few years.
How It’s Played
The OB12 is played from a 49-key keyboard with most parameters available directly via dedicated front-panel knobs. The architecture per voice provides two oscillators, a noise source, two filters in series or parallel, three envelopes, two LFOs, and a modulation matrix. Multitimbral operation lets the player split or layer four parts; the arpeggiator and step-pattern features support live performance and sequenced work. On-board digital effects round out the signal path.
Cultural Significance
The OB12 is a contested entry in the Oberheim catalogue. Some players felt it did not capture the warmth associated with the original analogue Oberheim instruments; others valued it as a capable virtual-analogue synth with strong modulation routing and an unmistakable visual presence. In retrospect the instrument is remembered mainly for its place in the brand’s history — a transitional product between Oberheim’s analogue years and the brand’s later revival under Tom Oberheim’s renewed involvement.
Related Instruments
- Oberheim OB-X – classic analogue ancestor
- Oberheim OB-Xa – classic dual-filter analogue ancestor
- Oberheim OB-1 – first Oberheim programmable monosynth
- Access Virus – contemporary virtual-analogue rival
- Korg RADIAS – contemporary virtual-analogue rival
Frequently Asked Questions
Who built the OB12?
Viscount in Italy, under the Oberheim brand.
Is it analogue?
No — it is a virtual-analogue (digital) synthesizer.
How many voices does it have?
12.
