No they don't, and you can say that but that doesn't mean it is a fact. I can hear a big difference and that is what I hear. Obx8 has incredible "radio ready" candy like qualities to the resonance, the filter, and other aspects while the ubxa has that mid range harsh sound you have to work to get rid of and I keep hearing it in almost every demo, I never hear it in the oberheim demos. Maybe you can't hear it but don't tell me what I hear.

You can call it many things but expensive is not one of them.

A synthesiser can certainly be viewed as an expensive item but when comparing a Polybrute to other, similar, synthesisers that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Twelve VCOs, with sub osc on VCO2, smoothly mixable waveforms, metalizer on VCO1, oscillator FM and sync.

Actual analogue noise generator with variable colour.

Dual filters each with their own flavour of distortion, serial, parallel, or morphed between the two states.
Filter FM from osc 2 on filter 1 and filter two gets noise FM.
12dB Steiner Parker filter can smoothly morph from LP to notch to HP to BP.
24 dB LP ladder.

Three envelopes, two of which can act as mod source.

Three conventional LFOs all with slightly different features, two of which can have their waveforms mixed in interesting ways.
A preset based vibrato LFO and a Motion recorder which is basically a hand drawn LFO, via knob movement, with variable rate control.

64 connections in a mega mod matrix.

Three high quality effects processors.

Advanced arp and sequencer.

Morph all sound parameters, including modulation amounts, from one sound to a completely different sound

I know I’ve left stuff out but there you go, that’s an insane amount of proper analogue synthesis for your money, you absolutely cannot get that anywhere else.

expensive is a relative term not an absolute. for many, PB is definitely expensive.... and for those all synths at that price point or higher are expensive. It doesnt matter what it is (VCO, DCO, digital) or what it gives you, if that kind of money is a struggle or out of reach then its expensive full stop. for others its on the cheapers iode of things actually.

And yes - it offers a lot oni one package - but I often find the more there is the worse it sounds. there were some things I really liked and many things I really didnt. My PB lasted about 4-6 months and I havent missed it in the slightest (and it wasnt the cost) . I can do far more with what I have than it could do on its own.

To some of your points - I really didnt like the FX option too much - they were far too limiting for me in their editability and I didnt think there were "great" FX either. Functional Id call them. Again though an opinion not an absolute. I didnt get much from the morphing either in actual use - sounds great on paper but I just didnt use it after the "testing" period - though thats because of how I use synths really.

When selling it - I came to the conclusion if you can afford it, you want VCO analogue, and only have one poly its a fantastic choice. If your happy with more than one poly and to mix up technology (VDO, Hybrid/Digital) there are better boards than PB to have in that mix.

Its all personal viewpoints though.

Have you produced radio ready tracks with a Oberheim? If not your opinion does not mean much in that matter.

How much actual time have you spent with any of these synths to make the assumption that one is "radio "ready" and the other isn't? Teach me

Also what if you don't want to do "radio ready" music? Should you avoid the OBX8?

I completely agree that synthesisers are expensive for some hence my acknowledgment of that fact early on in my post.

The effects could definitely benefit from more editability, no control over modulation effects’ rate is particularly stingy but these are just the basic, finishing-touch, effects for patches, a bit of salt and pepper for the dish.
They do the job and are high quality algorithms but if you want something more to your liking it’s very likely that you’ll have options to replace them with exactly what you want in your DAW or what have you.

The morph function certainly takes some thoughtfulness and planning when constructing patches, it can take a lot of time to build a patch which truly capitalises on the feature but when you do it’s an amazing thing.
But, yes, it depends on the kind of music you’re making as to how useful something like that is, work on an ambient piece and it’s an absolute game changer.

Then it comes down to your perception of the results you get from it, it doesn’t matter how simple or complex the architecture is, it either does it for you or it doesn’t but I don’t believe the quality of anything got compromised to provide so much synth in one package.

The two biggest niggle by far for me were:

1. The keybed. I just hated it. Took AGES to work out why - but its the same as hydrasynth. Shallow front edges leading to gaps under an adjacent key when you press one fully down - I kept nipping fingers under that gap - and the edges arnt rounded on the underside. Its also a little "light" action for me but I could live with that.

2. The rubber matrix buttons - I hated how they feel, and no positive clicks when pressing. Im a sucker for a positive activation - feel feedback. Just not pleasant for my tastes.

Were all different though.

I ditched mine after I brought in a 3rd wave and an Osmose.... I already had a Prophet 6 and OB6 in desktop form so had VCO covered. I also feel that the more modulation and "shaping you have, the less important pure VCO analogue is. If I want something really deep i also have an Iridium (and a peak and a virus too actually lol, but there live tools at this point and will go when my current live project ends).

I don’t think they deliberately compromised those two things to lower costs but they do annoy me, too.

The edges on the underside of the keys could only be worse if they’d serrated them and those rubber buttons…
I’ve had several products with those on, replete with the coloured LEDs backlighting them and making your device look like a child’s toy, I can’t wait for that design trend to be over.

My biggest gripe was with the blinding white LEDs but they, fortunately, fixed that issue recently with the dimmer setting.

Yeah, tons of mod and shaping capability make VCOs less important but when you do want basic, raw, patches, some of the time, something like the Polybrute is invaluable.
I’m working in a small space where one mono, one poly and a hammer action 88 key have the room maxed out for good ergonomics.

Lucky for me, I like the sound of the PB on simple patches as well as the complex so it’s a perfect fit for my studio.

How do Obxa keys compare with say Blofeld, Polybrute or Notd LeadA1 or DeepMind?
Thanks!
Also, I am wondering if to wait for the Obxa desktop..but probably not much price diference (looking at Deepmind desktop vs keys..almost same price)

I don't get why Arturia don't make some kind of voice expander box, for all the people who say that 6 voices isn't enough.

I'm talking just a box with voice cards and almost no controls, just a MIDI-in and audio out, and then make sure the firmware does proper poly-allocation (no Roland-boutique shenanigans lol).

It would at least give people who want more voices an option for more voices, for a minimal cost.

it might be difficult to justify the costs of R&D and production, since it will be a limited-use product.
If it could be used standalone, then maybe.

Yeah I get what you mean.

I guess it could work with the editor as well. That might also fit some peoples' bill and expand the potential user base.

I'm allowed to have an opinion, I don't need to teach you or want to. It makes me wonder why people like you feel you can tell people not to voice their opinion? If we are not free to voice our opinions then aren't we just in an anarchist animalistic society where we are all free to make them quit talking if they were to try to tell you what to say? The fact we are all equal to have opinions is what keeps us all from the bigger not just swallowing the weak.. btw also, this is not even a controversial opinion.. many have said that pretty much all these behr synth's sound close to the same with a weird mid range bump and a nasal shriek with slight changes in the character. I'm sorry you don't feel the same way but whatever, I'm sure you can find a way to get over it.

"many have said that pretty much all these behr synth's sound close to the same with a weird mid range bump and a nasal shriek with slight changes in the character"

I've never read that in these forums. I have a few of the Behringer synths and they don't sound close to the same at all.

The voice cards are quite large. 6 just fits in the PolyBrute (one is missing in this pic). 6 more in a box would be nearly as big.

Interesting, I've never opened mine up. That is very densely packed indeed! I guess there's the reason for it being so damn heavy

Most of them I have heard have those two characteristics, I have heard it in every demo of the ubxa that I have clicked on. Others have said they same thing here on this very forum. There are many things I have never read that people have said here too.

See your opinion lacks basic logic so it just doesn't count to me..I'm sorry.

Mid range hump on every synth? They can't even keep the midi cc parameters between synths the same and you think the engineers who spent years doing this across the globe got together and decided...ya know what
.we should make them ALL sound like shit. That is essentially what you are describing what would have to happen to get anything close to actually making them all sound the same.

Your opinion is not based in fact. Therefore it is invalid.

Maybe its your speakers then because none of my Behringer synths have a weird midrange hump and nasal shriek. You're entitled to an opinion but unfortunately its also just BS.

I don't think they decided it, I think it is a result of having a more unrefined sound and is a build up of harmonics in certain frequency clumps, probably as a result of using cheaper parts since I'm sure these engineers are qualified to get the most from the circuits they can. Look I can hear a difference, I'm not just saying it as I really don't care.. I don't want either synth I'm just telling you what I hear. I have nothing against behr and think it is a good option. I think they are slimy but hell so am I..
I think it is funny how some people seem like they can't take any kind of negativity about behr synth's when they are by definition extremely budget minded offerings.. I'm sure it is because scale and not advertising and all circuits are the same and it is just the outside that looks cheap though. I think it does sound pretty good actually.. In those a/b comparisons.. when it is a video of Simone just playing it then I can hear a difference and it sounds good but the real one sounds mesmerizing to me and gives me chills and this doesn't really do that and I was trying to explain why I think it is like that.
I'm sorry my opinion is not valid though thanks for that.

"I think it is a result of having a more unrefined sound and is a build up of harmonics in certain frequency clumps, probably as a result of using cheaper parts "

What a bunch of horse pucky. You basically have no idea what you're talking about. I have Moog, Sequential and Behringer synths. The pro 800 is the lushest of all of them. What evidence do you have that Behringer uses inferior parts or that they would somehow cause a "build up of harmonics"? An opinion should at least be based on something. You're just inventing and spreading FUD.

The OB-X8 has more expensive harmonics, which are the kind you need for radio-ready music.

It's very clear. Don't try these cheap UBXa harmonics, they will lead you nowhere, or even worse, to radio-unready music. God forbid!

Your saying an opinion should be based on something yet I have no idea what I'm talking about? The sad part is I'm sure you have no idea the hypocrisy coming from that brain of yours.. I will just let it at that, it was just an opinion.. if I'm totally wrong then I would have never gotten such an emotional response from you. The truth is you guys are very defensive and it is telling. If you are happy with your synth's then that is all that should matter and many are not crazy about the sound of this synth so why act like you have never heard such a thing. It is good there are so many synth's to choose from. I feel like I'm talking to children from your responses how it feels more lush or whatever, that has absolutely nothing to do with anything I have said and I'm sure you don't even get what I'm saying and are defensive over any critique of this synth so I'm out.

Anyone?

I would prefer the Polybrute because it's so expansive and I like synths where you can just tweak away forever finding new stuff. If you just want something to switch on and play the UB-Xa is probably your better bet. But yeah, get both.

I’m just teasing. I’m much the same, though I find a simple synthesizer to be just what’s needed for many tasks. Sometimes I want to explore strange new worlds, but sometimes I need a bit of shore leave. Sorry, wrong sci-fi series.

Radio-unready is my favorite genre.

its opinion not BS. BS is a different concept. BS is something that isnt based on observation, but just made up.

Ive only had One Behringer Synth - though lots of other behringer gear. I dont think it had a nasal shriek - but it did seem to have a mid bump to it. I just thought it was the character of that synth (with no other Behrtringers to compare it to)

The topic of this thread is not about behringer synths, but if someone says all behringer synths sound the same, he s out of his mind.. or better said out of his ears. )

I think it’s a mistake to assume that what you and I value is the same for everyone. Most people just want to make the sounds from their favorite old music.