Xpantastic!

Hi,

I know the KLF used a OB-8 to create some great textures (along with an 
S900 for samples).

Is the Xpander capable of sounding as good? Even if we don't say it's 
got a greater variety of sounds.

There are definitely time when I flip through the Xpander's banks and it 
doesn't quite satisfy me.

Thanks,

Jeremy.

Hello Jeremy,

When I have played an OB8 It seems to have a lot more thick going on.
( Don't own one, Wish I did )
If I remember right the OB8 does not have velocity sensing. So 
all the voices are full on. Where in the Xpander the voices are 
lower in volume to allow velocity to kick them up. Maybe thats why.

Karl   


--- In xpantastic@yahoogroups.com, Jeremy Smith <jeremy@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
> 
> I know the KLF used a OB-8 to create some great textures (along with 
an 
> S900 for samples).
> 
> Is the Xpander capable of sounding as good? Even if we don't say it's 
> got a greater variety of sounds.
> 
> There are definitely time when I flip through the Xpander's banks and 
it 

> doesn't quite satisfy me.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Jeremy.
>

The OB8 is warmer and thicker sounding (As Karl has mentioned) than the Xpander, however the Xpander is capable of some very unsual sounds. Which one is better

I had an OB-8 once, no MIDI. Now I have an M12.  I haven't put the two side by side, but I haven't missed anything soundwise from the OB-8 to the M12, in fact it's got so much more modulation stuff I would def not trade it for the OB-8.  Plus, the 12-part multitimbrality and 12 ind outs is much better than the two-part, two output OB-8 (I always use multi-timbral, multi mode, ind outs).
 
Maybe I'm wrong cause I never put the two side by side, anyone else?

--- On Sat, 8/9/08, Jeremy Smith <jeremy@...> wrote:

From: Jeremy Smith <jeremy@...>
Subject: [xpantastic] OB8 versus Xpander
To: xpantastic@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, August 9, 2008, 3:09 PM






Hi,

I know the KLF used a OB-8 to create some great textures (along with an 
S900 for samples).

Is the Xpander capable of sounding as good? Even if we don't say it's 
got a greater variety of sounds.

There are definitely time when I flip through the Xpander's banks and it 
doesn't quite satisfy me.

Thanks,

Jeremy.

> I had an OB-8 once, no MIDI. Now I have an M12.  I haven't put the two side by side, but I haven't missed anything soundwise from the OB-8 to the M12, in fact it's got so much more modulation stuff I would def not trade it for the OB-8.  Plus, the 12-part multitimbrality and 12 ind outs is much better than the two-part, two output OB-8 (I always use multi-timbral, multi mode, ind outs).
>
> Maybe I'm wrong cause I never put the two side by side, anyone else?
>

I have an OB8 with after-market midi (Encore), and an Xpander.

The Xpander/M12 definitly have much more programmability and midi
features (zones, voice rotate/rob),
the Xpander has 6 audio outs, plus Left/Right main mono outs,
CV/Tigger Inputs (the CV ins are a bit unusual on synths with midi,
but are rarely used).

I still like the warmth of the OB8, but i would never sell either
synth, unless I was starving.

The OB8 has a special meaning for me because it was my first
fully-analogue synth ;-)
I'm sure I will be discovering things about the Xpander for a long time.

The OB-8 was my first all analog synth too.  That's one reason I'd like to have it back, just pure nostalgia!  I sold mine because I was starving... I've decided never to sell any instrument again!

--- On Sat, 8/9/08, Tony Cappellini <cappy2112@...> wrote:

From: Tony Cappellini <cappy2112@...>
Subject: Re: [xpantastic] OB8 versus Xpander
To: xpantastic@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, August 9, 2008, 8:33 PM






> I had an OB-8 once, no MIDI. Now I have an M12. I haven't put the two side by side, but I haven't missed anything soundwise from the OB-8 to the M12, in fact it's got so much more modulation stuff I would def not trade it for the OB-8. Plus, the 12-part multitimbrality and 12 ind outs is much better than the two-part, two output OB-8 (I always use multi-timbral, multi mode, ind outs).
>
> Maybe I'm wrong cause I never put the two side by side, anyone else?
>

I have an OB8 with after-market midi (Encore), and an Xpander.

The Xpander/M12 definitly have much more programmability and midi
features (zones, voice rotate/rob),
the Xpander has 6 audio outs, plus Left/Right main mono outs,
CV/Tigger Inputs (the CV ins are a bit unusual on synths with midi,
but are rarely used).

I still like the warmth of the OB8, but i would never sell either
synth, unless I was starving.

The OB8 has a special meaning for me because it was my first
fully-analogue synth ;-)
I'm sure I will be discovering things about the Xpander for a long time.

> The OB-8 was my first all analog synth too.  That's one reason I'd like to have it back, just pure nostalgia!  I sold mine because I was starving... I've decided >never to sell any instrument again!
OK- I'll trade you my OB8 for your M12- so you can have that notalgia
feeling back. ;-)

William Cason wrote:
> I had an OB-8 once, no MIDI. Now I have an M12.  I haven't put the two 
> side by side, but I haven't missed anything soundwise from the OB-8 to 
> the M12, in fact it's got so much more modulation stuff I would def 
> not trade it for the OB-8.  Plus, the 12-part multitimbrality and 12 
> ind outs is much better than the two-part, two output OB-8 (I always 
> use multi-timbral, multi mode, ind outs).
>  
> Maybe I'm wrong cause I never put the two side by side, anyone else?
>
Hi,

Thanks, I guess the KLF used multitracking and sequencing to get 
multitimbrality out of the OB-8.

I hope this wasn't a too-FAQ-ey question. I guess the answer is, there 
is a difference, but given they both cost a grand, the Xpander has more 
places to go. Also, you have to limit your options when programming the 
Xpander.

I heard the Noise Professor's Xpander tracks, and I hope I can get that 
kind of sound from it.

As for my first analog synth, I had a Crumar Bit One, then a Matrix 
1000, but the Xpander was my first non-DCO synth.

Cheers,

Jeremy.

> I hope this wasn't a too-FAQ-ey question. I guess the answer is, there
> is a difference, but given they both cost a grand, the Xpander has more

I doubt you can get either for $1000, unless they are broken.
I bought my Xpander for $1600 in 1998 or so, and they are no cheaper today.
I dont' think Xpanders go for less than $2000, and OB8's are probably
about $1200. If they have the Page 2 silk screen then they may be even
higher.
M12's are easily $2500 or more.

PeWe wrote:
>
> Here in germany/europe, Matrix12 go for EUR (!) 3.000.- actually and 
> Xpanders for EUR 2.000.- and more,- depends on condition. If you check 
> ebay regulary, you´ll find out, Oberheims auctions become less 
> frequently, especially OBX, OB-8, Xpander and Matrix12 in working 
> condition.
>
> Tony Cappellini schrieb:
>>
>> > I hope this wasn't a too-FAQ-ey question. I guess the answer is, there
>> > is a difference, but given they both cost a grand, the Xpander has more
>>
>> I doubt you can get either for $1000, unless they are broken.
>> I bought my Xpander for $1600 in 1998 or so, and they are no cheaper 
>> today.
>> I dont' think Xpanders go for less than $2000, and OB8's are probably
>> about $1200. If they have the Page 2 silk screen then they may be even
>> higher.
>> M12's are easily $2500 or more.
>>
>  
While price is on topic, my Xpander in 2005, cost me $2000 plus $400 
postage (from L.A.) and $400 customs (VAT) charges. I got charged tax 
for a 2nd hand item!

At the time I was worried I'd overpaid. Now 2 years later, the price on 
EBay is around $2800. This is wonderful - it's now worth more than the 
postage and tax I overpaid!

It's nice to buy something that is a long-term investment as well as a 
great instrument.

Jeremy.

Based on pure raw sound I much prefer the OBX over the OB8. But to me 
the OB8 is so different in every aspect to an Xpander I really couldnt 
compare. 

The Xpander is great but it doesnt mean I'd get rid of my Juno-60 if 
you get me?

So you need both. hehe. 




--- In xpantastic@yahoogroups.com, Jeremy Smith <jeremy@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
> 
> I know the KLF used a OB-8 to create some great textures (along with 
an 
> S900 for samples).
> 
> Is the Xpander capable of sounding as good? Even if we don't say it's 
> got a greater variety of sounds.
> 
> There are definitely time when I flip through the Xpander's banks and 
it 

> doesn't quite satisfy me.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Jeremy.
>

Based on pure raw sound I much prefer the OBX over the OB8. But to me
the OB8 is so different in every aspect to an Xpander I really couldnt
compare.

The Xpander is great but it doesnt mean I'd get rid of my Juno-60 if
you get me?

So you need both. hehe.