UVI, the makers of many popular software instruments such as Synth Anthology 2 and plug-ins such as Rotary, recently released Vintage Vault 2, an epic synth instrument bundle filled with many popular UVI synth libraries and keyboard virtual instruments. Included in the latest version of Vintage Vault 2 is a new synth library called OB Legacy. 

What Is OB Legacy?

In the early 1980's Tom Oberheim was instrumental in gaining support from all major synth and keyboard manufacturers for the adoption of MIDI as the standard protocol. Tom achievements didn't end there, he was also an extremely talented designer of synths, effects processors, analog synthesizers, sequencers, and drum machines - UVI describes Tom Oberheim as a maverick and pioneer, it's no wonder then that UVI produced the OB Legacy instrument library to honor him, his products and his contributions to the synth world.

What Is Included In OB Legacy?

OB Legacy features 6 synths sample from vintage Oberheim synths:

• XP-12 (Oberheim Matrix 12)
• M-6K (Oberheim Matrix 6)
• UV-XXX (Oberheim OBXa)
• Six-12 (Oberheim OB12)
• UV-1 (Oberheim FVS-1)
• UVSR-2

In this review, I share my opinions on the library as a whole instead of talking about each instrument separately. Each of the six synths though do perform flawlessly in both UVI's free instrument workstation and Falcon platform. The entire download is quite sizable at just over 16GB. OB Legacy includes over 1,400 presets from nearly 50,000 samples so there's plenty to get going with right out of the box.

The User Interfaces

Every time I sit down with a new UVI synth it feels very similar to putting on an old jacket... I know where all the pockets are. UVI are very good at UI ergonomics, all of their synth products feel as though they have been designed to ensure end users have synths that are not difficult to use whilst also being feature rich. Whilst UI familiarity is welcome, OB Legacy does feel a bit samey if not similar to other UVI synths. This library is really for the Oberheim enthusiast suppose to being a really great "stand out" unique synth product all of its own.

The Sounds

UVI describe OB Legacy as Lush and while this is true be prepared, there are some pretty mad presets in this that will make your head spin. This is true of many other synth instruments but OB Legacy appears to feature a huge amount of textural presets suppose to polished production ready patches for modern pop synth songs. With over 1,400 bundled presets it can, at times, be difficult to find specific synth sounds which again leads me to believe that OB Legacy is a full blown Oberheim experience rather than something more unique.

The way I work with synths is basic, especially in songwriting. Synth presets are what inspire me to write synth parts, it's easier than fiddling with controls for hours on end when I just want to get sounds going fast. If I don't find a selection of presets that grab me quickly I switch to other synth libraries that do inspire which sadly happened here. Whilst I like many of the lush and crazy sounds in OB Legacy I didn't get that moment of inspiration that grabs me when I play around with UVI synths. On reflection, this could very well be down to my synth playing style not matching the style of the synth instrument.

Value For Money

A single UVI synth such as the UVX80 or UVS-3200 typically costs $79 each. OB Legacy costs $199 and for that price, you get six synths included which, for a library, is good value for money, especially if you are an Oberheim synth fan. Oberheim based soft synths from other developers cost significantly more and if you put those offerings together you don't even come close to covering the six synths that UVI have sampled for OB Legacy.

If you want to go all out on your synth libraries and spend three times the cost of OB Legacy then remember it has been included in UVI's Vintage Vault 2 which includes 50 UVI instruments for $599. I personally feel as though OB Legacy is better value for money in Vintage Vault 2 as the tribute concept of the bundle fits better within UVI's entire synth catalog rather than a synth library on its own. I'm not saying for one minute that if you purchased OB Legacy you would be getting a bad deal but UVI has many other synths that cover broader synth and production eras and styles.

Final Thoughts

Is OB Legacy for the synth enthusiast? Yes, and definitely for the Oberheim fan boy as UVI have delivered a library in OB Legacy that truly honors the legend that is Tom Oberheim. For guys who haven't experienced the original Oberheim synths, this may not be the smartest purchase, however, OB Legacy within Vintage Vault 2... That's a synth collection no brainer!

If I had to compare OB Legacy to a different type of synth product then it would be similar, not in sound, but in broad appeal with Dopher style soft synths as I also feel as though users have to also be enthusiasts... enthusiasts of Dopher in order to "get it" and "appreciate it".

More Information

Visit the UVI website for more information on OB Legacy and Vintage Vault 2.