Sound & Samples

In the world of synthesizers, Oberheim need no introductions, and for readers of FM and fans of sample based instruments, UVI should also be pretty familiar.

UVI have now turned their attention to capturing some of the magic for which Tom Oberheim’s design have become famous. This collection – which, like most of UVI’s takes on classic synths, utilises samples distilled through a subtractive, effects-equipped, front-end – focuses on six items of Oberheim hardware.

The journey starts with UV-1 (based on the monophonic OB-1), and takes in VCO and DCO polysynths of the 80s, oddities like the OB-12 (made by Viscount and nothing to do with Tom Oberheim) and finally the recent DSI OB-6.

UVI’s GUI designs are always alluring, and certainly help provide each instrument with its own identity, even if having a single front end for all of them might be more straightforward in functional terms. Sampling will always have some limitations when it comes to recreating all the nuances of an analogue synth – especially something like the Matrix 12, with its stupendous modulation and control options – but UVI do a great job of capturing some of the magic. I tested the UV-XXX against my OB-8, and there is clearly a family resemblance when stepping through the raw material (with all additional processing switched-off). The fact that you can layer and tweak should be seen as a nice extra on top of what remains a solid collection of vintage-inspired presets that would work all across many genres.

www.uvi.net

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