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When I recently reblogged the Oberheim tutorial from Starsky Carr here (Creating Sounds on Oberheim Style Synth OB-X8), I drew the conclusion that I would like to work out an overview of already created patches for the Oberheim OB-X8. Before starting to share the results I found on the internet, I'd like to share an impressive comparison from Marcus Ryle, the co-designer and a former Oberheim engineer of the OB-X8 and the OB-X. This includes the comparison of the OB-X8 and the OB-Xa. Marcus reveals just how stunningly the new OB‑X8 captures the character, nuance, and soul of the classic synthesizers. It’s a rare, behind‑the‑scenes look at authenticity done right. In both comparisons, Marcus recorded direct in mono, without EQs or effects on the channels.

Watch the first of the two here from 29/07/2022:

How does the sound of the OB-X8 compare to an original OB-X?

The second of the two here is from 11/08/2022:

How does the sound of the OB-X8 compare to an original OB-Xa?

Here are some of the versatile patches that I found. I just start with the first that I recently purchased and shared in this post: (Creating Sounds on Oberheim Style Synth—OB-X8). It is the:

Obsession Volume 1

Obsession Volume 1 covers 128 patches from Jamie Morden, who created those patches that include many iconic tones, but the main focus is on new material: evolving pads and strings, cutting basses and leads, massive polysynths, bells, arps, FX, and more. All six banks of the Oberheim are fully supported. It even included 128 FX presets for the free plug ins of Blue Cat Audio's Chorus and the Valhalla Supermassive (my blog post on the Valhalla Supermassive). The blue cat chorus as a free pliug in is to find here:

The second pack is the:

Oberheim OB-X8 Patches from Starsky Carr

Oberheim OB-X8 Patches is already for purchase in my basket and covers 64 single patches plus 8 Double+ patches. It covers unison, basses, pads, sync, and arps. The patch pack covers all the sounds that have been presented in the creating sounds video on YouTube as shared. It is available at 15 £, which is less than 20 euros for versatile patches crafted.

The third pack is a free-of-charge pack:

Free Oberheim OBX8 Custom Patches

In March 2023, Inside Synthesis released a YouTube video with a couple of custom patches for the Oberheim OB-X8.

The patches.syx patches can be found at a Google Drive repository that Inside Synthesis shared at the YouTube description:

Oberheim OBX8 Custom Patches - NO FX - Just Pure Unadulterated Analog Bliss

The fourth pack is from Barb and Co.

Backlash OB-X8 + Refill Pack

It covers today 128 patches, of which 80 are standard programs and 48 double programs for the OB-X8.

Initially it just had 56 patches and 24 doubles with exploring touch of mixes from the OB-X, OB-Xa and OB-8 which are today available at this beauty of the OB-X8.

The price seems reasonable for 25 euros. The patches were designed in 2023 and can be found here:

Backlash OB-X8 + Refill Pack

The fifth pack is from Scott McAuley.

Scott Mcouley Sounds and Synthesis

Oh, I just have to say. It is hard just to speak about one pack. Scott offers many Oberheim packs at his shop, which can be found here:

It looks like a solid collection full of emotive pads, plucks, leads, basses, strings, SFX, Rhodes, organs, arps, and more.

A very comprehensive pack you get for your money is the Exploration Volume 2 pack, which is filled with 100 custom patches for less than 40 euros.

Finally, the last pack that is to mention is the:

OB-X8 Stereo Bank from Inhalt

OB-X8 Stereo Bank - The sound pack designed by sound designer Matia Simovich covers 64 sound bank patches, which consist of 32 single and 32 double patches.

Matia contributed to the official factory sound set for the Oberheim OB‑X8 among them the very first patch, along with many others that helped define the instrument’s identity. This new library is wide, musical, and meticulously crafted.

The Double versions are the heart of the collection. True stereo patches where each key triggers four voices on the left and four on the right. The result is a naturally wide, organic stereo image with that classic Oberheim depth and movement. For a more focused approach, each sound is also provided as a full 8-voice single patch.

Summary: Exploring the Oberheim OB‑X8 Synthesizer along with its patches that I explored and shared in this article

Even though I haven’t collected every sound pack yet, one thing is already clear: the Oberheim OB‑X8 is an exceptionally flexible and versatile analog synthesizer. It delivers a remarkably wide spectrum of sounds, ranging from classic Oberheim pads and brassy leads to modern textures suitable for electronic, ambient, cinematic, pop, and experimental music.