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Dave Smith Instruments OB-6

DesktopHybridPolyphonic

Born from a dream collaboration between Dave Smith and Tom Oberheim, this hybrid powerhouse revives the iconic SEM filter vibe with a fresh, modern twist that captures the wiry, textured aggression of vintage Oberheims while staying rock-solid in tune.

At its core, six discrete analog voices each pack two discrete SEM-based VCOs—Osc 1 morphs continuously from saw to pulse with modulation, while Osc 2 shifts from triangle through saw to pulse—plus PWM on both, white noise, and that signature 2-pole state-variable multimode filter (lowpass, highpass, bandpass, notch) which thickens harmonics without self-oscillating for a fibrous, present tone. Dual envelopes shape amp and filter duties, a versatile LFO hits audio rates and syncs for deep modulation including X-Mod polyphonic tricks, and a mod matrix unlocks wild routing; top it with onboard arpeggiator, 64-step sequencer, and dual effects like reverb, delay, chorus, or distortion. The 49-key velocity-sensitive keyboard with channel aftertouch feels premium, controls are intuitively laid out with dedicated knobs for hands-on tweaking (mod section left like classic Oberheims), and it's built sturdy at 20 lbs in a desktop or 31.8 x 12.7 x 4.6-inch keyboard chassis with stereo outs, MIDI/USB, and pedal ports.

Players love its bright, versatile bread-and-butter poly sound that shines across genres—from lush pads to snarling leads—praising the immediate workflow, stable tuning, and intuitive front-panel fun, though some note its focused SEM character means a narrower palette than broader polysynths, and the four-octave keybed isn't for everyone.

Released

2015

Status

Discontinued

Synthesizer
Format
Desktop, Keyboard
Type
Subtractive
Internal Battery
No
Voice
A/D
Hybrid
Polyphony
Polyphonic
Oscillators
2
Oscillator Type
VCO (Voltage Controlled)
Voices
6
Filter
Resonant, Multimode, Lowpass, State Variable, Bandpass, Notch, 12dB/oct (2-pole), Highpass
Envelopes
2
LFO
1
Effects
Reverb, Delay, Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Ring Mod, Distortion
Expression
Aftertouch
Monophonic
Velocity
Yes
MPE
No
Additional
-
Software
-
I/O
Audio In
-
Audio Out
1 stereo
Headphone
1x 1/4" TRS
MIDI
In, Thru, Out
MIDI Type
USB, DIN (5-pin)
Ports
USB, Sustain Pedal, Expression Pedal, Footswitch
Wi-Fi
No
Workflow
Arpeggiator
Yes
Sequencer
Yes
Mod Matrix
Yes
Memory
500 Patches RAM / 500 patches ROM
Measurements
Dimensions
31.8" x 12.7" x 4.6" (80.7 x 32.3 x 11.7 cm)
Weight
20 lbs (9.5 kg)
Last updated Feb 25, 2026