OB-Xd Virtual Synthesizer

Introduction

The OB-Xd is based on the Oberheim OB-X. It attempts to recreate its sound
and behaviors, but as the original was very limited in some important ways a
number of things were added or altered to the original design.

If you're unfamiliar with the OB-X, its user manual can easily be found from
various sources on the net. This manual will make no attempt to explain basic
synth programming or the operation of the OB-X, but will discuss
modifications from the basic design and in some cases their ramifications.

The OB-Xd was designed to sound as good and as rich as the original. It
implements micro random detuning which is a big part of that sound. Also,
like many synths of the OB-X’s generation, the OB-Xd has no internal effects
so its sounds and textures can be greatly enhanced by the use of additional
processing like chorus, reverb, delay, etc.

Thanks to all who participated in its creation and also to the various people
who stepped up to create excellent free patches for the OB-Xd.
Oscillators
Mixer Section
The mixer section has been overhauled to
offer more flexibility in blending the two
oscillators and a noise source. This new
design allows for adjustable levels rather
than the fixed levels found in the original
design, providing users with a more
nuanced control over the balance and
mixture of sounds.

Oscillator Cross Modulation

In a departure from the OB-X, where
Oscillator 2 modulated Oscillator 1, the
OB-Xd features reverse cross modulation,
with Oscillator 1 modulating Oscillator 2
(Frequency Modulation). This alteration
yields more musically useful sounds,
favoring harmonic sync and cross-
modulation over the inharmonic results of
the original modulation path.

Step Switch Button

The Step switch enables precise tuning of
the oscillators in semi-tone increments. When this feature is disengaged, the
pitch control returns to a continuous adjustment mode, allowing for gradual,
fine-tuning rather than locked semi-tone steps.

Brightness Control
The Bright control specifically adjusts the presence of higher harmonics,
affecting the perceived 'clarity' or 'brightness' of the sound. This control can
bring forward or suppress the shimmering qualities of the sound's upper
harmonic spectrum.

OSC2 Detune
Unlike the original OB-X's bilateral detune capability, the OB-Xd's OSC2
Detune control solely allows for upward pitch adjustments from the base
pitch, offering a different range and character of detuning effects.

Tip: To transpose the OCT range into a 12-semitone range, hold the SHIFT
key while using the mouse. For transposing by a single semitone, hold the
Option key on macOS or the Alt key on Windows/Linux. To switch to the cent
range, use the Control key.
Global Oscillator Controls

Transpose: This control in the Master section transposes the pitch of both
oscillators in parallel, strictly by octaves. It is important to note that this does
not affect the filter cutoff frequency, which maintains the harmonic center of
the filter relative to the oscillators' fundamental frequencies. This design
choice preserves the characteristics of the original OB-X. For transposition by
steps, external MIDI processing is required to achieve the desired pitch
adjustments.

Spread: The Spread control introduces a randomized detuning to each

oscillator. This simulates the natural drift of Voltage-Controlled Oscillators
(VCOs) and contrasts with the precise tuning stability of Digitally-Controlled
Oscillators (DCOs). The result is a thicker, more organic sound reminiscent of
vintage analog synths.

Tune (Master Section): When a sound created is out of step with concert
pitch, the Tune control allows for fine adjustments to align with the nearest
concert note. For full step transposition to match concert pitch, external MIDI
transposition is necessary as there is no built-in function for step transposition
within the OB-Xd itself. A mixer was introduced to blend the two oscillators
and noise source which is much more flexible than the fixed levels of the
original design.
Filter
The OB-Xd synthesizer
elevates the filter design from
the original OB-X's single
12dB/octave low-pass filter to a
multifaceted Multimode filter,
inspired by the renowned
Oberheim SEM module.

With the rotary MIX control,

users can fluidly transition
between filter behaviors: from a
low-pass filter at the extreme
left, to a notch (default setting)
or a bandpass filter (when the
BP switch is activated) at the 12
o'clock position, and finally to a
high-pass filter at the extreme
right.

A distinctive 24dB/octave low-pass mode is also available, which is engaged

using the LP24 switch. In this mode, the MULTI control adjusts the filter's
slope from a steep 24dB/octave to a milder 6dB/octave. The BP switch is
disabled in 24dB mode, becoming a playful, non-sonic feature in the user
interface.

Enhancements to the filter section in 3.x include:

Filter Envelope Invert (FEnv Invert Button): This feature inverts the output of
the Filter Envelope across all its modulation targets, allowing for creative and
reversed envelope shaping effects.

Filter Keytrack (Knob): The keytracking feature has been upgraded from a
binary switch to a continuously variable knob, offering meticulous control over
the extent to which the filter's cutoff tracks the keyboard's pitch.

Self-Oscillation Boost (Self-Osc Push Button): When the filter is set to 12dB
mode, this button can be engaged to amplify the resonance. This makes the
resonance more pronounced to the point of self-oscillation, effectively turning
the filter into a sine wave generator at the cutoff frequency.

The previous HQ mode is now located in the Global Section as an

Oversampling option. This mode improves the interpolation and processing of
high-frequency components, rendering a smoother filter experience. This
high-resolution processing is designed to be more CPU-intensive, offering a
trade-off between sound quality and system performance.
Global Section
Volume: This master volume
knob controls the overall
output level of the
synthesizer.

Fine Tuning: Adjusts the

pitch of the entire instrument
in small increments, allowing
precise tuning.

Coarse Tuning: Adjusts the

pitch in larger increments,
typically by semitones, for
quick shifts in pitch range.

Spread: This control detunes

the oscillators relative to each
other to thicken the sound
and add stereo width.

Unison (UNI): This mode

layers all available voices
onto a single note, creating a
richer, more complex sound.
The Spread and Voice
Panning features enhance the stereo image in this mode.

Unison (UNI) Voices: This feature allows you to add multiple voice layers to
each note played, creating a fuller and richer sound. You can choose from 1
to 16 voices, where each additional voice adds complexity and depth to the
sound. For the best effect, use this with the spread control set at half or
higher to clearly distinguish the layered voices. This parameter is ideal for
enhancing pads, leads, and basslines with a thicker, more immersive sonic
character.

Glide: Adjusts the portamento effect, creating a smooth pitch transition from
one note to another.

Legato Mode (Keep All Button): In 'Keep All' mode, when playing legato over
the maximum number of available voices, the held notes continue sustaining.
If additional notes are played above the voice limit, the synth will re-allocate
held notes, but the envelopes will not re-trigger until they reach their sustain
phase.

Voices: Here, you can select the number of active voices. This feature can
be used to conserve CPU resources or as a creative tool. More active voices
increase CPU usage proportionally.
Oversampling: Increases the sample rate of processing, which can enhance
sound quality, particularly at high frequencies, at the expense of higher CPU
usage.

Voice Allocation Mode (VAM): Switches the priority of voice allocation from
the default low-note priority to last-note priority.

Learn and Clear: These functions are used to map OB-Xd controls to MIDI
CC messages for external automation. 'Learn' is used to assign a control to a
MIDI CC message, while 'Clear' is used to remove this assignment.

Additional Legato Behaviors

Keep Filter Envelope: This mode maintains the filter envelope's sustain level
for held notes. Newly played notes above the voice limit will cause held notes
to be re-allocated, with the amp envelope being re-triggered.

Keep Amplifier Envelope: In this mode, held notes maintain the amplifier
envelope's sustain level. When the voice limit is exceeded, additional notes
will cause held notes to be re-allocated, and only the amplifier envelope will
be re-triggered.

It is recommended to experiment with these modes with a reduced polyphony

setting (2 or 3 voices) to fully grasp their behavior.

Saving and Loading Mappings

To learn a new control, click 'Learn,' adjust the desired control, and send the
corresponding MIDI CC message; the 'Learn' indicator will turn off, confirming
the assignment. To clear an assignment, enable 'Clear,' adjust the control,
and resend its assigned MIDI CC message; the indicator will turn off,
indicating the assignment has been removed.

Reassignment is possible by performing the 'Learn' procedure with a new

MIDI CC message, even if a control is already assigned.
Voice Variation & Panning
The Voice Variation section of the OB-Xd synthesizer adds a layer of analog
unpredictability to the sound. By increasing the variation settings, parameters
will deviate randomly from their initial values upon repeated note triggers,
emulating the characteristic instability of vintage analog synthesizers.

Filter Compensation (FLT COMP):

This knob adjusts the resistance in the
exponential converter for the filter. It
modulates the cutoff scaling behavior,
affecting how the filter responds across
different pitches.

Filter and Envelope Velocity

Modulation (FLT SLOP and ENV
SLOP): Unlike the original OB-X, which
lacked velocity sensitivity, the OB-Xd
introduces velocity responsiveness to
the depths of both the Filter and
Amplifier envelopes. Altering the filter envelope depth with velocity can also
cause pitch variations when the Filter envelope is assigned to modulate
Oscillator 2's pitch (P ENV).

Voice Panning (V1 PAN to V8 PAN): Each voice can be independently

panned across the stereo field directly from the front panel, allowing for
intricate spatial positioning of each voice in the mix. Double clicking the knob
resets the value.

Glide Slope (GLD SLOP): This control adjusts the variation in the glide or
portamento effect, introducing more or less predictability to the slide between
notes.

Vibrato Rate (not shown, but discussed): On the OB-X, the vibrato depth was
linked to the modulation paddle by default. The OB-Xd maintains this design,
binding the vibrato depth to the modulation wheel (CC#1). The vibrato rate
can be adjusted, and if the vibrato control is set fully to the left, it disengages
the effect. While the rate can be remapped to another controller, CC#1 will
always control the vibrato depth, ensuring consistent performance behavior
across different setups.

To fully experience the organic nature of these controls, it is recommended to

use them actively during performance and observe the variances they
introduce. This approach captures the essence of playing an analog
instrument where each note played can have a subtle uniqueness, much like
the acoustic variations found in traditional instruments.
Preset Bar
A significant enhancement is the addition of Disk mode to the Preset
Browser, augmenting the preset management capabilities of this synthesizer.
This mode introduces a file-based system for loading and organizing presets,
diverging from the traditional bank-based approach.

Enhanced Individual Preset Management

Unlike the bank-based system, where presets are grouped in sets of 128, the
Disk mode facilitates saving and automatically sorting individual FXP presets
in the designated `Documents > discoDSP > OB-Xd > Presets` directory.

Elimination of Preset Limits per Folder In Disk mode

The constraint of storing only 128 presets per folder is removed. This allows
for unlimited presets in each folder, offering extensive flexibility in preset
management.

Customizable Folder Structure

Users have the liberty to create multiple folders within the `Documents >
discoDSP > OB-Xd > Presets` directory, enabling them to categorize and
organize presets based on personal preferences. This feature enhances the
ease of accessing and managing a large array of presets.

Upon activating the Disk mode, the bank selection interface is repurposed
into a "sound type" selector. This adjustment modifies the display in the
adjacent preset window, where every preset stored in the selected folder is
now listed. The organization within the `Presets` folder dictates the
categorization and display of these presets.
This innovative feature in OB-Xd 3.x offers users a more intuitive and efficient
way of handling a vast number of presets, thereby enhancing the overall user
experience in sound management within the synthesizer.
MIDI CC Map
Since 2.4 OB-Xd can select custom, default and pre-configured MIDI CC
boards from: Arturia MicroFreak, Dave Smith Instruments OB-6, Elektron
Analog Four MKII, Elektron Digitakt, Elektron Digitone, freds-lab buzzzy, IK
Multimedia Uno Synth, KORG micro KORG, KORG minilogue xd, KORG
minilogue, KORG monologue, KORG MS2000, Modal Craft, Modal Skulpt,
Moog Minitaur, Moog Sirin, Moog Sub 37, Moog Sub Phatty, Mutable
Instruments Shruthi, Novation Circuit, Roland JD-XA, Roland JD-Xi, Roland
JP-08, Roland JU-06, Roland JX-03, Roland SE-02, Roland SH-01A,
Studiologic Sledge, Tasty Chips GR-1, Waldorf Blofeld.

OB-Xd 3 has this default MIDI CC mapping detailed below:

21 ASPLAYEDALLOCATION 17 OCTAVE
105 BANDPASS 77 OSC1MIX
75 BENDLFORATE 54 OSC1P
31 BENDOSC2 58 OSC1Pul
62 BRIGHTNESS 57 OSC1Saw
74 CUTOFF 52 OSC2HS
111 ECONOMY_MODE 78 OSC2MIX
108 ENVDER 55 OSC2P
107 ENVELOPE_AMT 60 OSC2Pul
63 ENVPITCH 59 OSC2Saw
115 ENV_PITCH_BOTH 43 OSC2_DET
38 FATK 56 OSCQuantize
39 FDEC 18 OVERSAMPLING
116 FENV_INVERT 81 PAN1
109 FILTERDER 82 PAN2
103 FLT_KF 83 PAN3
106 FOURPOLE 84 PAN4
41 FREL 85 PAN5
40 FSUS 86 PAN6
73 LATK 87 PAN7
36 LDEC 88 PAN8
35 LEGATOMODE 110 PORTADER
118 LEVEL_DIF 23 PORTAMENTO
22 LFO1AMT 61 PW
25 LFO2AMT 113 PW_ENV
49 LFOFILTER 114 PW_ENV_BOTH
19 LFOFREQ 117 PW_OSC2_OFS
47 LFOOSC1 42 RESONANCE
48 LFOOSC2 119 SELF_OSC_PUSH
50 LFOPW1 33 TUNE
51 LFOPW2 24 UDET
46 LFOSHWAVE 16 UNISON
44 LFOSINWAVE 20 VAMPENV
45 LFOSQUAREWAVE 76 VFLTENV
72 LREL 15 VOICE_COUNT
37 LSUS 71 VOLUME
104 MULTIMODE 53 XMOD
102 NOISEMIX
MIDI Out
Since version 3.5, OB-Xd has enhanced MIDI configuration capabilities and
now supports MIDI Out, utilizing the same parameters from the active MIDI
board. If MIDI Out is set to Any (1-16), it will only send data to channel 1.

By default, MIDI Out is disabled, as this feature was not available in previous
versions. For quick editing, you can modify MIDI boards using a text editor by
navigating to the following directory: Documents > discoDSP > OB-Xd 3 >
MIDI.
Troubleshooting
Assets or License Not Found

If you are having trouble with OB-Xd Pro and seeing the message “Assets not
found” or getting a license invalid error, one possible solution to this issue
could be to disable iCloud Documents. This is because it might be interfering
with the software's ability to access the necessary files.

Additionally, we recommend checking if there are any files existing at the

user's "Documents > discoDSP > OB-Xd " folder. If the folder is empty or
doesn't exist, it could be the reason why the software is not able to locate the
assets or license file.

It's also worth checking that Logic Pro or the DAW app has access to the
"Documents" folder under Security settings on your Mac. This can be done by
going to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy, then select
the "Files and Folders" tab, and look for the "Logic Pro" or DAW application in
the list of apps. Make sure it has permission to access the "Documents"
folder.

Assets Not Appearing in Linux

In some cases, the document folder path may not be set properly on your
Linux distribution, which could cause the GUI to not show. Please check if the
document folder path is available on your system.

You need to display the $(xdg-user-dir DOCUMENTS) folder path in Linux but
are unsure how to do it.

To display the $(xdg-user-dir DOCUMENTS) folder path in Linux, you can

use the following terminal command:
echo $XDG_DOCUMENTS_DIR

This command will print the full path to your Documents folder. If the folder
path is not set correctly, you can try setting it manually by creating a
.config/user-dirs.dirs file in your home directory and adding the following line:
XDG_DOCUMENTS_DIR="$HOME/Documents"

Replace "Documents" with the desired name of your Documents folder. After
saving the changes, log out and log back in to apply the changes.

By using the terminal command and creating a .config/user-dirs.dirs file, you

can easily display and set the $(xdg-user-dir DOCUMENTS) folder path in
Linux.
Plugins Not Appearing in Logic Pro

1. Try rebooting your computer. This can often resolve any software conflicts
or issues that may be preventing your plugins from appearing in Logic Pro.

2. Open Terminal and use the command

sudo killall -9 AudioComponentRegistrar

This command will force quit the AudioComponentRegistrar process, which is

responsible for managing audio units in macOS. Killing the
AudioComponentRegistrar process is a temporary solution used to avoid the
need for a reboot. It should not have any significant impact on the system.
However, it's always recommended to reboot and avoid force quitting system
processes.

3. Remove AU cache

• In Finder, go to Go > Go to Folder in the menu bar at the top.

• Copy-paste the following path and click Go: ~/Library/Caches
• Delete any folder named AudioUnitCache.
• Delete any file named com.apple.audiounits.cache.
• Reboot the system.

4. Remove Logic preferences

• In Finder, go to Go > Go to Folder in the menu bar at the top.

• Copy-paste the following path and click Go: ~/Library/
• After opening the library, navigate to the locations listed below and
move the specified files to the Trash:
• ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.logic10/ (Files: Cache.db, Cache.db-shm,
Cache.db-wal)
• ~/Library/Preferences/ (File: com.apple.logic.pro.cs)
• ~/Library/Preferences/ (File: com.apple.logic10.plist)
• Once the files are moved, empty the Trash.
• Finally, restart your Mac for the changes to take effect.

Ensure you're logged in as an Admin account to perform these steps, or you

might not have the necessary permissions.
Licence Terms

No commercial use for the free license: This License Agreement grants
you the right to use the Software for personal use only. Commercial use of
the Software is not permitted under this License Agreement.

Restrictions

• You are expressly prohibited from copying, modifying, merging, selling,

leasing, redistributing, assigning, or transferring in any matter any por-
tion.

• You may take a single copy of materials within the package or other-
wise related only as required for backup purposes.

• You are also expressly prohibited from reverse engineering, decompil-

ing, translating, disassembling, deciphering, decrypting, or otherwise
attempting to discover the source code of this material. You may not
otherwise modify, alter, adapt, port, or merge.

• You may not remove, alter, deface, overprint or otherwise obscure Li-
censor patent, trademark, service mark or copyright notices.

• You may not publish or distribute in any form of electronic or printed

communication the materials.

This Agreement is effective until terminated.

Copyright

OB-Xd has been licensed from Vadim Filatov.

discoDSP OB-Xd © discoDSP