Oberheim Xpander

ver 1.3 - presets are nice, and show a bit of what this unit can do, but by no means are the presets the end of this box.
Editing patches is ultra-easy, as it is laid out as an analog synth.
Some of the components are kinda strange to the firsttime user, but with some experimentation, all of the programming becomes easy to work with, almost second nature.
This was my first comprehensive, polyphonic, multitimbral synth as well as my first real MIDI piece (and yes, i have used the gate/CV inputs for a variety of things, including the moog taurus pedals. It was a huge step from my minimoog, taurus pedals, and arp 2600, back in the mid '80's

Being an old box (1985-1989?), there is no expansion options, but wait, this unit IS the expansion for the Matrix-12, thus it's name.
As for midi capabilities, nothing produced until recently can touch it. Modulations can be assigned to almost every parameter, including many parameters on other modulators (ie, using a slow ramp generator to modulate an LFO frequency to simulate a Leslie speaker speeding up and slowing down).
This thing does stuff that even today's software synths can't touch.

Realistic, not exactly... But then again, it is an analog. It isn't really designed to simulate other sounds, or it would be a waveform-type synth.
This is great for FAT, FUZZY, distorted sounding (yet not actually overdriven) basses, pads, and effect-like sounds.
The filter offers great control over the timbres, and with various filter mods, sounds can evolve, real-time in a natural sounding way.
The reaction to vel. aftertouch and other real-time commands are not only accurate, but easily manipulated with tracking generators. You can set it up to play a chord with 1 sound on a light touch, and another sound on a heavy touch. Modulate almost any parameter with afrertouch or a pedal, and so on.

Probably the most expressive box I have laid hands on.

However, this box doesn't make "digital" sounds, nothing really "shimmering" nor "shiny" - that isn;t what this box is for.

Over time, the oscillator chips tend to crap out - I have replaced them once already, and most likely will need to swap them out again soon. I don;t play out, so I am not too worried about it. I write music for my own enjoyment, so there really is no critical reliability issues for me. I have used thislive many moons ago, with no problems other than lugging it around.

I never dealt with Oberhiem, as when i needed to rechip, they were long gone... The original oscillator chips are hard to find - I bought 10 sets, figuring that would cover me for the rest of my life... I heard that someone was making knockoffs of the original chips, and that they didn;t sound as warm and fuzzy as the originals, but the oscillators still get processed the same way, so you may lose some warmth (if any brand/line of synth on earth could afford to lose some warmth, it is OB synths)but you still get the same flexibility.
I had the rechip done by DAVIDSON ELECTRONICS in Plainview NY - and those guys just ROCK! I wouldn't trust my gear in anyone else's hands for any reason. They are an 11 out of 10!

Lost? Stolen? I;d probably commit suicide. i have loads of other stuff, and this is one that i lean on constantly. It helps me create music by suppliying nice starting points, interesting effects to fill an empty part, and great basses and pads with great ease. Considering I have owned this jsut about 20 years now, working with this box is beyond intuitive...

with a basic understanding of audio and modulation routings, it's
very simple and fast.
I prefer the Xpander to some of the more recent analog emulations
with knobs, since some have dual-function knobs while pretending to
be single-function. The Xpander doesn't "pretend" like this, so
I find it more logical and consistent.

Plenty of info on the web, I won't repeat them here.
I'm a fan of the cycle mode.
Matrix modulation in this implementation though is not 100% complete:
If I remember correcty, I can't route modulations to release time (or some other EG stage I forget which).

Ooh, the sounds.

With great-sounding VSTi's one may think that basic oscillators are
covered... wrong. I really won't be able to tell the difference dry and isolated, but during mixing when I slap on some outboards, the Xpander really makes a difference. A nice analog chorus or some reverbs reveal the difference (for me at least)

My Xpander sounds a tad weak in the <180Hz range for some reason,
I have no idea if it's my particular unit or something inherent with
the Xpander. Nonetheless I find it expressive yeah.

Working for me!

Nonexistent?

Programming this thing is an experience in itself.
It's irreplaceable, despite its odd dimensions.
Form factor is the only thing that I wish were different.

There's version 1.0 - 1.3. The best versions in the latest, says many. I have version 1.0 and it works 100 %.

Theres 6 stable analog VCOs, and the Xpander sound very fat and analog.

The Xpander have MIDI in-out-thru AND 6 CV in

It react on the most common MIDI-messures like aftertoch, programchange and so on.

Threres no onboard effects and a good reverb will help the sound.

Its a litle bit trixy with the MIDI-pages, but when you understand it theres no problems

I have not found any version upgrades. If you know, please let me know

I never will sell my Xpander - its to rare for me, a real friend.

Please visit my Xapnader-page at http://www.soundofmusic.se with info, pictures, manuals, factoryprestes and other presets (for free downloading)and much more

I'm using the latest software, but I'm not sure if Oberheim ever did any software updates after release. In any event, it does what it does without any noticeable glitches. The presets are typical 80's, best to ignore them and create your own sounds--that's what this synth is designed for. Editing is a brease. While not one-knob-per-function, the menu-system with buttons bringing up each page which then has the six endless rotaries assigned to that page. While things can get very complex, everything is only a few button presses away and you can get around quite easily. The manual is well written and helps you get started--there are so many possible modulation routings and such that it would take a while to figure everything out without a little help at first. Once you get to know the synth, the manual is essentially unneccassary.

Six voice polyphony, multitimbrality and no keyboard. No effects, no expansion, no sequencer. Good MIDI capabilities, with velocity, aftertouch, release velocity and most other MIDI parameters able to be assigned to nearly any part of the synths architecture. In the end, though, the features of this synth are the incredibly flexible voice architecture and modulation possibilities. Oh, the six CV/Gate inputs can be usefull, and the six individual outputs are excellent. A very well featured analog synthisizer, especially considering that it came out in 1984.

Realistic instruments? Not really (excepting harpsichords:). This is an analog synthesizer with a great sounding filter and strong oscilators. The fact that nearly any parameter can be modulated by any other parameter makes the variety of sounds availiable immense. The strength are complex pads, analog pianos, brasses, and all the 80's sounds it was made for. The envelopes are not the fastest, so bass can lack a bit of punch. That said, it can do good, smooth bass sounds well--just not really aggressive stuff. Overall, a very smooth sounding analog synth with the flexibility of a modular, but in a polyphonic package. The best feature is the multimode filter. With 15 different settings you can get any sound you want. The phase+low-pass setting is particularly fun sounding. One of the best filters ever implemented.

As for how it reacts to playing and velocity/aftertouch--wonderfully. The ability to assign these parameters and to any part of the synths voice structure and modulation routings make this amongst the most expressive of analog synths.

Overall a very reliable synth--I mean, if it's lasted this long, it's done pretty well. Mine had a problem with a chip that needed to be replaced, but again, for a synth this age that is not unreasonable at all.

Oberheim doesn't really support any of their old synths. This is not really an issue as the company no longer really exists--the name is just a marketing term. That having been said, there are a decent number of qualified analog technicians. When mine needed repair, I sent it to Tom Moravansky at Synth Services and he did an excellent job.

I would buy this synth again in a second, as it is so easy to use and sounds so good. I have been playing for about four years or so, and have owned Nords, Arps, Rolands, and Ensoniqs. I love the sound of it and the ease of sound creation. I don't hate anything about it, but it would be nice to have a filter input (there is an aftermarket mod for this, but I haven't decided whether to get it yet). The only really comparable products are the Rhodes Chroma, Sequential Circuits T8 and modern synths like the Alesis Andromeda and Jomox Sunsyn. While I would consider all of these as good synths (especially the Andromeda), the Xpander is my favorite of the vintage synths due to it's wonderfull filter and complex modulation matrix. This synth really helps me to make the music I want.

In the end, the Xpander is one of the best analog synths ever made, and I hope to have mine for a long, long time.

Laid out like an modular analog synth, with pages.
Modulation is a breeze, and complex modulations can be built quickly and easy. However, this potential does call you and your sounds grow ever more comlplex...

I am a HUGE fan of the tracking generator. What it does is re-scale and modulation signal. Create velocity switches, complex arpeggio harmony patterns... The most incredible thing. The Fat osc's and filters... worth all the effort...

NOTHING SOUNDS LIKE THIS!

I have had since 84. I was original owner, with a twin and Matrix-12. Sold others, kept one. Needed to re-chip the one i kept once already and is due for another re-chip soon. Other than that, it has always performed for me.

yeah right.

I can not rave enough about the Oberheim Xpander. It has helped to define my musical and sonic styles throught my development as a musician. Except for the piano that started me off, this is by far my most favorite piece of equipment. If lost or stolen, i would be suicidal. Take the wife instead...
It has been core tool for me since it's purchase 16 years ago. I am looking to buy another one if anyone knows where lemme know.

The interface is great once you get used to it. Buttons bring up "pages" (think "modules"). One display then shows the parameters associated with the six endless rotary knobs, and another display shows their current values. Great for live tweaking, since you never get glitches from jumping values. The manual is basic, but fine if you have a basic understanding of synths.

Six voices. Each voice can have a different patch if you wish, which is very cool. No keyboard or effects.
The MIDI capabilities are very extensive, especially for a synth built in 1984!
The most important feature is the voice: each voice has 2 VCO that can output multiple waveforms, a multimode filter with 15 types (LP 1-4 poles, HP 1-3 poles, BP 2-3 poles, Notch 2 or 4 pole, Phase, and several combination modes), and then a ton of modulation sources. You have 5 DADSR's, 5 LFO's, 4 Ramp Generators and 3 Tracking Generators. You can have up to 20 mod routings per voice, and almost anything can mod anything else. For example, the release of the VCF envelope can be modded by an LFO, that LFO's frequency modded by another LFO, and that LFO's amplitude modded by aftertouch. The possibilities are only surpassed by very large modular systems.
Two other great features are the keyboard zones (with a huge variety of modes & voices assignments) and the individual voice outputs. I tend to use my Xpander as 6 monosynths, with each voice going into it's own outboard effects.

You can make some realistic sounding patches (strings especially), but that's not what the Xpander is about. It's full of synth sounds of all kinds.
With all the mod routings, the Xpander has the ability to be extremely responsive to your playing. You can route your MIDI controllers to whatever parameters you wish.

Any old analogue synth is risky for gigging, but the Xpander is above average for reliability. A few of the parts are a little hard to come by.

Wes Taggert (Analogics) has provided excellent service for mine :)

I could not live without an Xpander. I've been playing synths since 1979. Besides the Xpander I use a Wavestation, Microwave XT, Roland S-550, Octapad, and a whole bunch of effects. I also have a Moog Prodigy and an ARP 2600.
The Xpander is without equal. The envelope generators are a little mushy and a lot of mod routings can tax the CPU, but I don't find these to be serious problems.
The Xpander is a computer-controlled modular. If you like programming synths, you will love the Xpander.
And last but not least, the Xpander looks REAL COOL. Especially in the dark 8)