Main Characteristic; The Front Panel - Oberheim OB 12 Operating Manual

OB 12
REAL-TIME CONTROL EFFECTIVENESS
The OB-12 is a synthesizer designed to be fully controllable in real time, the main feature of the
famous analog synthesizers. And the huge advantage this provides is a user-friendliness which
was perhaps being lost with the latest digital synthesizers, with programming procedures too
complex for many people to attempt. However, this does not mean the OB-12 offers limited
potential. You will realise this as you read this manual and use the instrument.
As well as giving an "analog feeling", the OB-12, also uses the most sophisticated digital technology
for signal generation and processing.
We said "analog feeling", because the OB-12 is the natural evolution of the analog synthesizers
which have shaped the history of music. Although not perfect (limited storage capacity, unstable
tuning and limited polyphony) due to their analog nature itself, these synthesizers were controlled
by means of a vast number of knobs which made them extremely easy to use.
With the advent of digital synthesizers, this ease of use has been lost somewhat, as all the generation
controls have been shifted into software programming pages.
The OB-12 has been developed to combine this user-friendliness with the best sound generation
and processing technologies. The front panel is subdivided into various sections, containing the
controls dedicated to the various blocks of the generation chain.
TOTAL MEMORISATION
The OB-12 offers the user 256 Programs, all modifiable and memorisable. Each Program can
contain up to 4 parts (so that you can divide the keyboard into 4 zones), each with a different
timbre. In addition to this, the instrument also offers 256 Timbres, also totally modifiable and
memorisable.
AUTOMATION
The OB-12 offers automated systems for the most widely varying functions. For example, you
can make use of a completely configurable arpeggio and a Phrase Recorder in which you can
memorise musical phrases ready for recall by pressing a keyboard key.
You can also use a Motion Recorder in which you can memorise specific motions of the panel
controls, which can all be repeated at the touch of a button, and a Morphing function, enabling
you to trasform a sound to another and to listen to all the continuous variations as you do so.
CONTROLS
As well as the usual trimmers and buttons for control of sound generation, the OB-12 allows you
to use [PITCH] and [MODULATION] wheels for real-time control of the tuning of the timbres (the
first) and the depth of modulation by the LFO 2, the Morph or the parameters assigned to Aftertouch
(the second).
What's more, there is also a Ribbon Controller; after assigning the various generation parameters
surface.
to this controller, you can then control them by just running a finger over its
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