StarskyCarr’s Showdown: OB-6 vs TEO-5

Starsky Carr kicks things off by slapping the OB-6 and TEO-5 side by side, pointing out their strikingly similar build yet wildly different price tags. Both packed to the gills with SEM style state variable filters and dual oscillators, they boast impressive specs. Yet, the OB-6 will set you back nearly double the dosh compared to the TEO-5. So, what’s behind this disparity? Besides the obvious, the OB-6 screams vintage legacy while the TEO-5 is a cost-effective modern marvel. Already, it’s shaping up to be a classic David vs. Goliath battle—but in synth world, both are giants in their own right.

Starsky splendidly highlights the OB-6’s classic, straightforward interface, delivering a level of immediacy that’s like having a pint down your local. The OB-6’s knob-per-function approach makes sound sculpting as easy as a Sunday morning hangover. In contrast, the TEO-5 sports a mod matrix that looks like it was ripped straight from the Starship Enterprise’s control panel. With 19 modulation slots, you can tweak the TEO-5 into entrails-only territory, but it comes at a complexity cost. Like any proper geek’s toy, the TEO-5 demands your brain as much as your ears. And while mastering it might feel like cracking the Enigma, the rewards are rich.

Both synths fire off similar sonic fireworks, but they each have their own flair. Starsky observes that the OB-6 shines a bit brighter, which might appeal to those who love a bit of upper frequency sizzle in their sonic soufflé. However, the TEO-5 gives you more resonance and a handful of cheeky built-in effects that the stodgier OB-6 can only dream of. It’s like comparing your dad’s old amp to your mate’s fresh pedalboard—but there’s charm and clout on each side. The beefier resonance on the TEO-5 is especially notable, allowing for some wild sound shaping that the OB-6 blinks ponderously at.

Diving deep, Starsky navigates the difference between discrete OB-6 oscillators and the TEO-5’s SSI 2130 chips. Like those dodgy kebab choices at 2 AM, both have their allure. Discrete equals bespoke, whereas the SSI chops are ready for mass consumption. Yet, it’s the filter section that rings the bell in this pugilistic extravaganza. Both synths feature a splendid spread of low, high, and band-pass options that would put any rave system to shame. The OB-6 hangs on to its brighter tonal bits, but the TEO-5, with its resonance prowess, throws its weight around in the sonic ring with formidable gusto.