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Important: For hygiene and software licensing reasons, some items are only eligible for our Money Back Guarantee if they are returned to us unused and sealed in the original packaging with all software still "unregistered." Details of exclusions are shown within the product descriptions. Products include:
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This table provides an overview of your statutory consumer rights, compared with our standard returns policy and optional extended money back guarantee and warranty.
| UK & Europe | EU Standard | Gear4music Standard | Gear4music Optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return Period | 14 days | 30 days | up to 180 days |
| Standard delivery charges refunded? | Yes | Yes | Yes, up to 30 days |
| Upgraded delivery charges refunded? | Standard costs only | Standard costs only | Standard costs only |
| Free collection on cancellation | No | No | Yes, up to 30 days |
| Free collection if defective, delivered damaged or incorrect item | Yes, within 14 days | Yes, within 14 days | Yes, within 30 days |
We are unable to accept returns of any custom made items designed to work together as a unique package and some items are only eligible for money back guarantee if they are returned to us unused and sealed in the original packaging. For full information on our returns policy, please refer to our returns and refunds information guide.
Key Features
Synapse Audio Obsession is an advanced emulation of the iconic Oberheim OB-style synthesizer from the 1980s. This polyphonic analog synth, equipped with two VCOs per voice, a switchable 12dB/octave and 24dB/octave resonant low-pass filter, dual ADSR envelopes, and two LFOs, delivers a comprehensive and genuine vintage sound experience.
The software uniquely allows users to modify each parameter of each voice board, replicating specific hardware instances and producing a rich, dynamic sound. It also incorporates additional parameters like oscillator and filter scaling found on the original hardware. An innovative "Organic" knob lets you simulate temperature-dependent fluctuations, enhancing the expressiveness and sound quality in a new way.
Obsession goes beyond the original OB-Xa by adding features such as 16-voice polyphony, freehand drawing in Stepped LFO modes, and a high-quality effects block with Delay, Reverb, and Chorus. Although it maintains the core structure of the original OB-Xa and offers highly detailed modelling for VCO, VCF, and VCA, Obsession introduces modern enhancements. The result is a powerful tool that marries the richness of vintage synth sound with the flexibility of contemporary music production tools.
Product Ref: 271967
Obsession is a robust emulation of a vintage synthesizer, boasting a classic design that includes two oscillators, a switchable two/four-pole low-pass filter, a pair of ADSR envelope generators, and two LFOs. All these elements have been meticulously replicated from the original hardware, offering an authentic vintage sound experience.
Its versatility is further amplified by a comprehensive modulation matrix, two Step controls for creating compelling rhythmic sequences, and a high-quality effect chain. The provision of single/dual/split modes in two parts provides ample space for seasoned sound designers to experiment and innovate. Modern features such as support for multidimensional polyphonic expression (MPE) and Native Kontrol Standard (NKS) make this plug-in a potent tool for today's music producers.
The scalable interface of Obsession (Retina-ready) is user-friendly, providing direct access to all vital parameters. What sets Obsession apart is its remarkable warmth and depth of sound, achieved through several independent parameters in the Voice Edit Section. These parameters allow you to create a "slop" effect by offsetting the front panel controls on a per-voice basis, adding character to your sound.
An interesting feature is the "Randomize Voice Adjustments" option, available in the hidden drop-down menu when you right-click on the interface. This feature randomly adjusts the controls or "trimmers," helping you save time and avoid hours of manual tweaking.
On the front panel, you have pretty much everything you’d expect from the hardware counterpart of this legendary synth: Two VCOs, each with saw, triangle, and pulse waveform shapes with independent PWM. Basic ADSR amp and filter envelopes. A 12 dB per-octave filter with optional bandpass and 4-pole models and a series of buttons for oscillator mixing, white noise, and 100% keytracking of the filter frequency, which you can fine-tune with a “Constant” within the generous 6-slot modulation matrix.
One of the standout features of the Obsession synthesizer from Synapse Audio is its individual voice control. This feature allows each voice board to have distinct characteristics, creating the dynamic, organic sound that vintage-analog poly synths are renowned for.
Take the cutoff frequency trimpot as an example: turning it to the left will result in a lower cutoff frequency for that specific voice, making it sound darker or more mellow. Conversely, turning it to the right will yield a higher-than-average cutoff frequency, producing a brighter tone.
The same principle applies to the Amp Release trimpot. Turning it to the left will shorten the release time of the specific voice, creating a tighter sound. On the other hand, turning the trimpot to the right will extend the release time, giving the voice a more sustained sound.
What's more, Obsession even includes additional parameters, such as oscillator and filter scaling, which are found on the voice boards of the original hardware. These extra features allow for even more nuanced control, enabling you to fine-tune your sound to perfection.
The "Dual Mode" is another remarkable feature that offers you the ability to layer two different patch settings in Parts A and B, enabling you to perform two voices simultaneously. This opens up a world of sonic possibilities where you can create richly layered sounds, adding depth and complexity to your music.
In contrast, the "Split Mode" allows you to assign "Part A" and "Part B" to the lower and higher regions of the keyboard, rather than layering them. This provides an exciting opportunity to play distinct voices on each half of the keyboard, expanding your creative options and making your performances much more dynamic.
Moreover, Obsession's user-friendly interface allows you to copy and paste settings from one part to another, saving you precious time. This means you can efficiently program sounds with similar settings in both parts without the need to repetitively switch between them. This streamlined process not only enhances productivity but also lets you focus on what truly matters - creating beautiful music.
The Obsession synthesizer's back panel is your gateway to an expansive universe of high-quality sound effects, a robust modulation matrix, and the versatile LFO Steps control. With a unique reverb effect, crafted by audio expert Mirko Ruta, you can elevate your pads, leads, and atmospheres to unprecedented heights. This reverb comes with a distinctive "Shimmer" function that blends the reverberated signal with an octave-up copy of itself while the "Regen" function feeds this transposed signal back into the mix, creating multiple octaves. The result is a lush shimmer that adds depth and richness to your tones.
Enhance your output even further with a stereo delay and a Chorus/Ensemble effect. The innovative "Organic" knob simulates temperature-dependent fluctuations, raising the bar for expressiveness and sound quality.
Obsession's powerful LFO Steps control significantly boosts its modulation potential. You can create rhythmic, tempo-synced modulations for almost every sound parameter. Moreover, free-hand drawing enables you to create bespoke LFO shapes.
On the back panel, you'll find two separate Step Editors, each boasting up to 128 step modes for both LFOs. This allows you to create tempo-synced rhythms or even design your custom one-shot envelopes. While this certainly enhances the flexibility of the LFOs, it would be great to see some additional editing features such as smoothing or the ability to draw a straight line.
