{{Short description|Monophonic analog synthesizer}} {{Infobox synthesizer | synth_name = OB-1 | synth_manufacturer = [[Oberheim]] | image = Oberheim OB-1.jpg | image_caption = Oberheim OB-1 | dates = 1977 - 1979 | price = [[US$]]1,895 | polyphony = [[Monophonic (synthesizers)|Monophonic]] | timbrality = [[Monotimbral]] | oscillator = 2 [[Voltage-controlled oscillator|VCO]]s | lfo = 1 | synthesis_type = [[Analog synthesizer|Analog]] [[Subtractive synthesis|Subtractive]] | filter = 1 [[Voltage-controlled filter|VCF]] (2 or 4 pole switchable) | attenuator = 2 [[ADSR envelope]] generators (one for VCF, one for VCA) | aftertouch = No | velocity = No | memory = 8 patches | fx = No | keyboard = 37 keys | left_control = [[Pitch bend]]/[[modulation]] lever | ext_control = [[CV/gate]] }} The '''Oberheim OB-1''' was a [[Monophonic synthesizer|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,<ref name="Colbeck">{{Cite book|title=Keyfax Omnibus Edition|last=Colbeck|first=Julian|publisher=MixBooks|year=1996|isbn=0-918371-08-2|pages=84–90}}</ref><ref name="ForrestP">{{cite book|last=Forrest|first=Peter|title=The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizers Part Two: N-Z|publisher=Susurreal|location=Devon, England|date=1996|isbn=0952437716|pages=7–15}}</ref> 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 Polyphonic Synthesizer|Oberheim SEM-based instruments]] and intended to be used for live performance.<ref name="VS">{{cite web|title=Oberheim OB-1|url=http://www.vintagesynth.com/oberheim/ob1.php|website=Vintage Synth Explorer|access-date=14 March 2015}}</ref><ref name="Vail1">{{cite book |last=Moog |first=Bob |editor-last1=Vail |editor-first1=Mark |title=Vintage Synthesizers: Oberheim SEM Module |date=1993 |publisher=Miller Freeman Books |location=San Francisco, California, USA |isbn=0-87930-275-5|pages=151–156}}</ref> 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.<ref name=ForrestP/><ref name=Colbeck/> 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 [[Oberheim OB-X|OB-X]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Retro Synth Ads: Oberheim OB-1A and OB-X "A family that plays together..." ad, Contemporary Keyboard, 1979 |url=http://retrosynthads.blogspot.com/2012/03/oberheim-ob-1a-and-ob-x-family-that.html |website=Retro Synth Ads |date=26 March 2012 |access-date=29 March 2023 }}</ref>
==Specification== The OB-1 features two [[voltage-controlled oscillator]]s (VCOs), each selectable between either "Pulse Type" or "Saw Type" waveform, with continuously-variable control ranging from a [[Square wave (waveform)|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 envelope]]s: one for the filter, the other for the [[Variable-gain amplifier|voltage-controlled amplifier]].<ref name=VS/> There are eight program memory buttons for storing and recalling the OB-1's settings.<ref name=Colbeck/><ref name=ForrestP/>
There is a [[portamento]] knob allowing for adjustment of portamento amount, as well as a [[pitch bend]]/[[modulation]] lever.<ref name=Colbeck/><ref name=ForrestP/>
==In popular culture== Notable users of the OB-1 include [[Vince Clarke]] and the bands [[Tangerine Dream]], [[Rush (band)|Rush]], and [[The Grid]].<ref name=VS/>
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".<ref>[[France Inter]] (18 February 2014. [http://www.franceinter.fr/evenement-star-wars-identities-visite-virtuelle "Star wars Identities: visite virtuelle"]. Retrieved 25 April 2015 {{in lang|fr}}</ref><ref>Russ, Martin (2012) [https://books.google.com/books?id=B6J5AgAAQBAJ&pg=PT333 ''Sound Synthesis and Sampling''], 3rd edition, p. 333. Taylor & Francis</ref> 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.<ref>Kunkes, Michael (May-June 2009). [https://www.editorsguild.com/Magazine.cfm?ArticleID=721 "Sound Trek: The Audio Explorations of Ben Burtt"]. ''[[Motion Picture Editors Guild|Editors Guild Magazine]]''</ref><ref>Pinch, T. J. and Trocco, Frank (2004). [https://books.google.com/books?id=3hjvWzkMK-sC&pg=PA273 ''Analog Days''], p. 273. Harvard University Press</ref>
==Software emulations== In 2024, GForce Software released the Oberheim OB-1 [[software synthesizer]], an emulation of the OB-1.<ref>{{cite web|title=GForce launch Oberheim OB-1 soft synth|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/news/gforce-launch-oberheim-ob-1-soft-synth|website=Sound On Sound|date=9 July 2024|access-date=16 January 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Oberheim}}
[[Category:Oberheim synthesizers|OB-1]] [[Category:Analog synthesizers]] [[Category:Monophonic synthesizers]]