OB-Xa: The 80s Sound Machine

The Oberheim OB-Xa's analog power defined the 80s, from Van Halen's "Jump" to Rush's "Subdivisions," where synths began to overshadow guitar.

Tracklist

  1. Jump — Van Halen
  2. 1999 — Prince
  3. Radio Ga Ga — Queen
  4. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) — Journey
  5. Holiday — Madonna
  6. Subdivisions — Rush
  7. I'll Wait — Van Halen
  8. Relax — Frankie Goes to Hollywood

Transcript

Welcome to OffStereo. Good morning — let's get into it.

We've got a story to unfold — let me set the frame before we drop into the music.

Jump — Van Halen

The Oberheim OB-Xa, introduced in 1980, fundamentally changed 80s music, bringing a distinct analog power and advanced features to pop and rock. Eddie Van Halen personally programmed the instantly recognizable synth riff that launched Van Halen into new territory with this 1984 hit.

1999 — Prince

Prince layered the OB-Xa with an Arp Omni-2 for the iconic introduction to '1999,' leveraging the synth's in-board memory to store and quickly recall the rich, versatile sounds that defined his futuristic funk-pop.

Radio Ga Ga — Queen

Queen utilized an Oberheim OB-Xa for the driving synth bassline and lush pads on their 1984 single 'Radio Ga Ga,' recorded at the Record Plant in Los Angeles, proving its versatility in anthemic pop-rock.

Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) — Journey

Jonathan Cain’s prominent, punchy synth melodies and bass lines on Journey’s 'Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)' showcase the OB-Xa’s ability to drive a massive 80s rock-pop hit, becoming a cornerstone of its sound.

Holiday — Madonna

Madonna's early dance-pop sound on 'Holiday' was defined by Stephen Bray's use of the OB-Xa, providing the bright, infectious synth bass and pads crucial to her breakout success.

Subdivisions — Rush

Rush's Geddy Lee extensively used the OB-Xa on 'Signals,' configuring a unison patch on the bottom split, layered with Moog Taurus pedals, and chords on the upper split for 'Subdivisions.' Guitarist Alex Lifeson noted this marked a turning point where synthesizers began to overshadow guitar.

I'll Wait — Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen also used the OB-Xa for 'I'll Wait' on the '1984' album, demonstrating its range for lush, atmospheric pads. He ran it through Music Man amps to achieve a 'nastier' sound, pushing the synth's textural boundaries.

Relax — Frankie Goes to Hollywood

Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s groundbreaking 1983 synth-pop anthem 'Relax' relied on the OB-Xa for its powerful, driving synth bass and pads, cementing the instrument’s place at the heart of the emerging genre.

Thank you for joining us on OffStereo; it's incredible how one synth sculpted the sound of an entire era. Those iconic tones still ripple through music today, a testament to enduring creativity.

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