The Oberheim OB-1 was a monophonic analog synthesizer introduced by Oberheim Electronics in late 1977. With the ability to store and recall up to 8 instances of its sound settings, it was the first completely programmable synthesizer, and the first of Oberheim's OB-series of synthesizers.
Development Oberheim's OB-series was developed as a replacement for the previous generation of Oberheim SEM-based instruments and intended to be used for live performance. Building on the technology developed for their Polyphonic Synthesizer Programmer, Oberheim designed the OB-1 with the ability to store and recall up to 8 instances of its sound settings, making it the world's first completely programmable synthesizer. It originally sold for $1,895.
A slightly updated version, the Oberheim OB-1a, was introduced in 1979 that features the grey color scheme of its polyphonic sibling, the OB-X.
Specification The OB-1 features two voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs), each selectable between either "Pulse Type" or "Saw Type" waveform, with continuously-variable control ranging from a square wave to a narrow pulse wave for the "Pulse Type" setting, or from a triangle wave to a sawtooth wave for the "Saw Type". The oscillators can be synced, and there is an available square wave sub-oscillator. The voltage-controlled filter is switchable between either 2- or 4-pole, with frequency cutoff and resonance controls. There are two ADSR envelopes: one for the filter, the other for the voltage-controlled amplifier. There are eight program memory buttons for storing and recalling the OB-1's settings.
There is a portamento knob allowing for adjustment of portamento amount, as well as a pitch bend/modulation lever.
In popular culture Notable users of the OB-1 include Vince Clarke and the bands Tangerine Dream, Rush, and The Grid.
A 2014 feature on the French radio station France Inter claimed that the OB-1 had been used by Star Wars sound engineer Ben Burtt to create the voice of R2-D2, and that the name of another Star Wars character, Obi-Wan Kenobi, derives from a transliteration of "OB-1".France Inter (18 February 2014. "Star wars Identities: visite virtuelle". Retrieved 25 April 2015 Russ, Martin (2012) Sound Synthesis and Sampling, 3rd edition, p. 333. Taylor & Francis However, Star Wars was first released in May 1977, prior to the OB-1's release, and most sources credit the ARP 2600 synthesizer as being used to create R2-D2's voice.Kunkes, Michael (May-June 2009). "Sound Trek: The Audio Explorations of Ben Burtt". Editors Guild MagazinePinch, T. J. and Trocco, Frank (2004). Analog Days, p. 273. Harvard University Press
Software emulations In 2024, GForce Software released the Oberheim OB-1 software synthesizer, an emulation of the OB-1.
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