Overview

The bx_oberhausen draws deeply from Brainworx Audio’s extensive experience of working with analog audio equipment to creatively craft world class mixing and mastering plugins.

As the cutting-edge company’s highly-anticipated first Virtual Instrument, it effectively revisits an acclaimed analog synthesizer expander module much loved by generations of musicians for its sought-after sound. The sound itself is reliant on fully-analog, discrete circuits and a classic state-variable 2-pole filter. Some of the key features which have never been done before on this synth is a powerful unison mode, M/S Technology and the signature Brainworx Audio Tolerance Modeling Technology (TMT, US Patent No. 10,725,727).

Full analog modelling

Original or otherwise, the acclaimed analog synthesizer’s sound now benefits from the ultimate upgrade. Thanks to Brainworx Audio ably boosting bx_oberhausen with full polyphony of up to 32 voices, twice the voice count of today’s priciest poly synths remaining resolutely in the analog domain, users can create sounds that are not possible using the original hardware!

Introducing TMT

Using Brainworx’s proprietary, patented Tolerance Modeling Technology (TMT, US Patent No. 10,725,727) to accurately replicate individual component variations specified by the manufacturer. This creates, in separate voices slight variations which you would expect to hear in an original analog instrument. With TMT each voice produces a slightly different sound including variations in frequencies and phases as well as frequency responses - exactly like an analog hardware would.These slight variations add the complexity, nuance, depth and width for which analog instruments are loved.

Unison

The voices can be combined to a powerful unison mode. When used with the unique TMT feature, Unison generates a rich, complex and analog sound unparalleled by any other virtual instruments.

M/S Technology

Introducing an unheard feature to the world of synthesizers, this allows you to select which part of your sound passes through the filter section and which doesn't. Allowing for subtle effects like solid bass foundation as well as crazy stereo processing.

Effect Section

These are not just effects. We took some of our best products and shrunk them into an effects rack that is proudly carrying the Brainworx brand. We also asked our partners at Mäag to add their infamous AIR BAND®. The signal chain in the effects section can easily be altered by a drag & drop function.

Extensive Modulation Matrix

The modulation matrix gives you a whole dimension of sound design possibilities.

FM included

Adding Frequency Modulation to an analog synth classic allows you to push the boundaries of creativity much further than the original synthesizers.

Arpeggiator

The arpeggiator comes with all the functions you would expect from it - including an adjustable "swing" parameter.

In-Plugin Preset Management with NKS support

The preset management system allows you to categorize your presets for easy retrieval. You can mark favorites and add your own comments.The bx_oberhausen comes fully loaded with over 300 presets created by the most renowned professionals.The preset management system is fully NKS compliant and nicely integrated with NKS-enabled products.

Features

  • Full analog modelling with full polyphony up to 32 voices.
  • TMT — Brainworx patent-registered “Tolerance Modeling Technology” (US Patent No. 10,725,727)
  • Unison: Combine your voices to a powerful unison mode. Together with the unique TMT feature, Unison generates a rich, complex and analog sound unparalleled by any other virtual instrument.
  • M/S Technology: Create subtle effects like solid bass foundation as well as crazy stereo processing with M/S Technology.
  • Modulation Matrix: The extensive Modulation Matrix gives you a whole dimension of sound design possibilities.
  • Effect section: small versions of effects products proudly carrying the Brainworx brand – including the infamous Mäag AIR BAND®.
  • FM: We push the boundaries of achievable sounds by adding Frequency Modulation to an analog synth classic.
  • The arpeggiator comes with all functions you would expect from it - including an adjustable "swing" parameter.
  • In-Plugin Preset Management with NKS support.

Audio Examples

Industry Reviews

  • Junkie XL

    Junkie XL

    Multi Platinum Producer, Musician, Composer

    The Brainworx bx_oberhausen is a fantastic synth. Being a owner myself of a few of the originals I can clearly tell how good this one sounds! Besides the original concept it also comes with really… Read More

  • Deniz Koyu

    Deniz Koyu

    DJ & Producer (Spinnin' Records, Nicky Romero, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike)

    I’m a big fan of the analog classic and this plugin nails its sound, plus it adds great features like the spread knob per oscillator, unison and FM which all sound really good! Loving the M/S… Read More

  • Jody Wisternoff

    Jody Wisternoff

    DJ, Producer (Way Out West)

    Fat and warm sounding when needed, and at the same crystalline and sparkly. More than capable of all your bread and butter analog style synth sounds and much more, this synthesizer expander module… Read More

  • Tom Holkenborg

    Tom Holkenborg

    aka Junkie XL

    Besides the original concept, the bx_oberhausen also comes with really great effects to make the most subtle or brutal patches you can imagine. A must-have for synth enthusiasts!

Customer Reviews

  • plugin

    ★★★★★
    by Amir
    Ich freue mich
  • Yes

    ★★★★★
    by Spaceanimals
    Yes. Find a brass patch. Tweak it a tiny bit. Radio ready. Very good job.
  • fafa

    ★★★★☆
    by af
    faa
  • Plugin

    ★★★★★
    by Rik
    Love it
  • don't be fooled by appearances

    ★★★★★
    by Synthitize
    it may seem simple in appearance compared to other "clones" of oberheim, but you have to rely on the appearance and the sounds are extremely effective

Specifications

Supported Plugin Formats
AAX Native, AU, VST2, VST3

Additional Supported Format
NKS

Supported Operating Systems
macOS 14 down to macOS 11
Windows 11 down to Windows 10

Mac
Intel, or Apple Silicon

PC
x64-compatible CPU

System Requirements
Display resolution: 1440 × 900px or 1280 × 960px or higher
Memory: 2 GB RAM



Downloads

With the Installation Manager you can select, download & install all the Plugin Alliance products. Select any and all formats you need for your system! Mac & PC.

ChangeLog

bx_oberhausen

Brainworx bx_oberhausen - Changelog

Version 1.6.1 (Oct 9, 2023)
- General: fixed CPU spikes on Mac OS

Version 1.6.0 (Aug 15, 2023)
- General: added native Apple Silicon compatibility for AAX
- General: added macOS Ventura support
- General: improved plugin loading time in the DAW
- General: fixed issue causing Logic to crash when closing the plugin UI
- General: improved font drawing behavior
- Fixed accumulated MIDI notes being played back on reactivating the plugin from bypass
- Fixed reverb module stereo processing
- Fixed audio tails being cut off early when stopping playback with AU

Version 1.5 (Mar 15, 2022)
- General: added native Apple Silicon compatibility for VST3, VST2 and AU
- General: added macOS Monterey support
- General: added Windows 11 and Windows 10 21H1 support
- General: discontinued Windows 7 support
- General: discontinued macOS 10.9 and 10.11 support
- General: fixed metering behavior in block sizes of 2048 samples and higher
- Fixed time signature and synchronized LFO speed issues
- Fixed MIDI CC file storage issues on Windows 10
- Fixed incorrect AAX Audio Suite listing
- Fixed delayline behavior when switching presets
- Fixed an issue where legato notes may get triggered by mistake

Version 1.4 (Mar 22, 2021)
- General: Compatibility with Logic on Apple Silicon devices via the Rosetta-2 layer
- General: Fixed possible artefacts when freezing or bouncing tracks in Pro Tools
- General: Fixed automation highlighting disappearing in Studio One
- General: Improved license dialog visibility in dark mode
- Fixed crash with engaged Arp and duplicating a track in Reaper in VST2 format
- Fixed last Arp "Note Off" does not trigger release
- Fixed memory leaking

Version 1.3 (May 27, 2020)
- General: Qualified for use with the Windows 10 May 2020 Update
- General: VST3: Fixed potential hangs in a DAW upon loading
- General: Fixed logical issues in undo / redo behavior
- General: Fixed UI resizing issues in Ableton Live on Windows
- General: Fixed audio processing initialization issues on amp and delay products
- Fixed mod wheel when used via mod matrix

Version 1.2 (Nov 06, 2019)
- General: Qualified for use with macOS 10.15 Catalina
- General: Qualified for use with Windows 10 November 2019 Update
- General: Fixed plugin validation in Logic under macOS Catalina
- General: Fixed preset name restore in Logic when reopening a session
- General: Fixed opening authorization dialog triggering automation
- General: Improved instantiation times for plugins
- General: Improved license functionality and branding for subscription
- General: Removed 32-bit support on macOS and Windows
- Fixed no sound in Studio One AU
- Fixed crash in Digital Performer 9
- Fixed crash when closing editor while "Save Preset As" Dialog is open
- Fixed preset management categories not being sorted
- Fixed possible issues with preset management and plugin states
- Fixed possible unresponsiveness when creating a new preset
- Fixed issue where the favorite status was not always correctly reflected
- Fixed reverb damping not being saved
- Fixed undo/redo inconsistencies
- Fixed some minor UI issues
- Improved NKS for controller support

Version 1.1 (Jul 10, 2019)
- General: macOS 10.14.5 Update compatibility
- General: Windows 10 1903 Update compatibility
- General: Fixed activation issue in Windows hosts set to non-English language (e.g. Cakewalk)
- General: AU: Fixed issue with increased CPU and memory on reopening UI
- General: VST3: Fixed issue with adapting to host knob mode, and now prioritizing linear
- General: VST3: Fixed issue with VST3 preset permissions
- General: VST3: Improved synchronization between parameter states and some UI functions, e.g. toolbar reset
- Fixed error preventing to change presets
- Fixed reset to default modifier not working
- Fixed continuous tabbing through text fields increasing parameter values
- VST3: Improved synchronization between parameter states and preset management

Version 1.0 (Apr 09, 2019)
- Release version