# OB-Xd AUv3 Synth — Oberheim OB-X based synth

> Oberheim OB-X inspired virtual analog synthesizer with enhanced features. (iPhone/iPad app by DiscoDSP LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ob-xd-auv3-synth/id1465262829 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [DiscoDSP LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1465262828)
- Category: Music
- Price: $14.99 (on sale, was $19.99)
- Rating: 4.40/5 from 65 App Store ratings · 75 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 20 MB
- Released: 2019-05-28
- Data updated: 2026-08-15
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ob-xd-auv3-synth/id1465262829/reviews.md

## What is OB?

OB-Xd is based on the Oberheim OB-X. It attempts to recreate its sound and behavior, but as the original was very limited in some important ways, a number of things were added or altered to the original design.

OB-Xd was designed to sound as good and as rich as the original. It implements micro random detuning. Also, like many synths of the OB-X's generation, the OB-Xd has no internal effects so its sounds and textures can be greatly enhanced by the use of additional processing like chorus, reverb, delay, etc.

## Key features

- Oberheim OB-X emulation
- Recreates original sound and behavior
- Added enhancements to original design
- Micro random detuning
- Rich and good sound quality

## What do users think of OB?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🎶 Incredible sound quality
- ✨ Inspiring creative tool
- 🎹 Faithful emulation of classic synth
- 🎛️ Great for programming
- 🎚️ Useful presets
- 💡 Lightweight AUv3
- 🚀 Fast performance
- 💰 Good value

**Cons**

- 🐛 Unusable UI on older devices
- 💻 Poor GUI scaling on iPad Pro
- 🎛️ Controls unresponsive or misaligned
- 📉 Limited functionality without updates
- 🤷‍♂️ No clear upgrade path
- 💸 Denied refunds
- 🚫 Developer unhelpful with upgrades

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Crashes in Audiobus
- Cannot use in MIDI section of Audiobus
- Preset browser issues (scrolling, cut off banks)
- Automation bug with cutoff freq
- UI issues on iPad Pro (buttons misaligned, text cut off)
- App suspends on iOS 14
- No virtual keyboard in standalone app
- AUv3 crashes when adding second instance
- UI messed up in AU
- Knobs don't line up with display
- Wonky controls
- Programmer page without menu, cannot save/open patches
- LFOing filter cutoff jerky

**Most requested features**

- Add last/high priority for mono patches
- Increase polyphony to 8 voices
- MIDI Learn functionality
- Preset browser improvements (categories, scrolling)
- Adjustable keyboard size
- GUI scaling/layout redesign for iPhone
- Skins for GUI
- MIDI keyboard in standalone mode
- Effects
- Preset manager
- Zoom functionality for AUv3 on iPhone
- Fix knob turning bugs
- Add patch select in DAW apps
- GUI color scheme options
- Manual in settings
- Import presets
- Layering sounds (like original OBXa)
- White pinstripes on blue background (cosmetic)
- Mod wheel customization

## Recent user reviews (10 of 75)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ob-xd-auv3-synth/id1465262829/reviews.md

### 1/5 — No sound

*2026-06-22, version 1.16*

Seriously, and you want $20. Ha ha ha Ha. No way!

### 1/5 — Do not buy!

*2026-03-22, version 1.16*

There is a newer version of this synth available. As of 22 MAR 2026 the product description of this synth does not state that fact. I was denied a refund twice by Apple in spite of this. Additionally, the developer would not help with a promo code to get the later version, which THEY ARE able to do at no cost to themselves. Due to this I will not buy nor recommend any of this developers products on any platform in the future.

### 4/5 — Amazing Synth … Missing A Few Things!!

*2025-02-09*

I absolutely LOVE this virtual synth!! It sounds incredible, and programming on it is a joy … If it had a few updates like adding last/high priority for mono patches, or increased polyphony to 8 voices, I’d rate it 5 stars because I use it that much 🙏🏾

### 2/5 — Shows up as italizer in Audiobus

*2024-11-03*

Crashes in Audiobus. Can’t use in midi section

### 5/5 — Inspiring!

*2024-10-22*

A great synth! I can always rely on this me to get my creative juices flowing!

### 3/5 — No upgrade bundle?

*2024-08-23*

I bought this just a month before version 3 came out, there is no upgrade path provided, this often takes the form of an upgrade bundle with both versions included where the price is discounted if you already own one of the versions. Would appreciate that very much and leaving this as a warning this is the old version.

 I actually bought their complete bundle with four titles originally. This was the only really interesting thing in it imo unless you’re into chiptune retro. I think this version does sound quite Oberheimish and the competitor is Korg Gadget Phoenix which also does the job. Would like to hear the new version please.

### 1/5 — I can’t use it

*2024-05-03*

In Cubasis on my iPad 12.9 pro, when added to a track, there is no way of browsing the preset banks without turning off the keyboard, maximising the synth and then opening the banks/patches at the bottom of the screen. 

I have to repeat this for EVERY SINGLE TIME I want to change patch. It’s crazy!! Why isn’t the bank / patch browser listed per spec in the Cubasis list/browse menu on the left, and why is the patch/bank control centre fixed at the bottom of the screen behind the keyboard and doesn’t allow you to scroll to it - requiring you to maximise the synth instance EVERY time??

When I do manage to get to a patch, I guess it sounds ok - but I’m so frustrated that I’ve only loaded perhaps 2 patches.

PLEASE fix asap

### 4/5 — Great Sound - Unplayable

*2024-02-25*

Dev did a good job with a faithful rendering of the original sounds but I’ve never seen a less playable iPhone keyboard. I have thin fingers and am pretty dexterous with these things but this one is just impossible.

### 4/5 — The sound is amazing

*2023-08-01*

Sounds fantastic. It’s missing midi learn. The preset browser still needs work. It’s missing categories. Once those are added, 5 stars.

### 4/5 — Mostly perfect

*2023-01-30*

Ever since I was a kid, I was obsessed with the sound of the Oberheim Ob X series , so I had to get this as soon as I noticed it in the App Store. It is exactly as awesome as I hoped for…mostly. I know the GUI has been optimized for the iPhone now and is much improved from earlier versions. There is one issue though… when using it as an AU in GarageBand, I can not access the last two banks as if I try to scroll down , the bottom two banks are cut off, and one of those banks is the empty one for user presets. Now the work around for the other is to enter standalone mode, choose the preset and hit “copy” load up a “default” preset in one of the few accessible banks that have one, and then hit paste in the menu. The tricky part is, if you forget to load up a default preset first, you’ll accidentally overwrite the loaded preset. That is the legit only issue I have but it’s kind of a big one

## Frequently asked questions about OB

### What is OB-Xd AUv3 Synth?

OB-Xd AUv3 Synth is a mobile application that emulates the sound and behavior of the classic Oberheim OB-X analog synthesizer. It aims to replicate the original's sonic character while incorporating some modern enhancements for improved sound quality and versatility.

### What are the key features of OB-Xd AUv3 Synth?

Key features include an emulation of the Oberheim OB-X, recreating its original sound and behavior with added improvements. It also implements micro random detuning for authentic analog warmth and is designed to produce rich, high-quality sounds.

### Is OB-Xd AUv3 Synth free to use?

Yes, OB-Xd AUv3 Synth is available for free. The application does not have any in-app purchases or advertisements, allowing users to access its full functionality without cost.

### What kind of music can I create with OB-Xd AUv3 Synth?

This synth is ideal for creating a wide range of electronic music, from vintage-inspired pads and leads to modern textures. Its analog sound emulation makes it suitable for genres like electronic, ambient, synthwave, and experimental music. Users can further enhance its sounds with external processing.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.16 — 2023-03-31

Resolved an issue where the Bend Octave button MIDI CC was being overlapped by another parameter. This has been rectified by reassigning the MIDI CC to number 32.

### 1.15 — 2022-10-27

Touch support for navigation popup menus.
Program copy paste including universal clipboard.
OB-Xd 2.10 or higher macOS clipboard import.
Program location checkmark.
GUI improvements.

### 1.12 — 2022-08-20

Improved FXP presets and FXB banks import.

### 1.11 — 2022-07-01

Fixed AUv3 GUI issues.

### 1.10 — 2022-06-30

Fixed FXP import issues.
Fixed banks voice number issues after saving a preset or reopening the app.
Popup menu fonts left aligned for better readability.
Knob shadows properly aligned.
Popup text scaling based on screen size.
Voice pan knobs reposition.

## Apps similar to OB

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Lagrange - AUv3 Plug-in Synth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lagrange-auv3-plug-in-synth/id1479000758) | 4.8 (57) | $8.00 | Music |
| [Mersenne - AUv3 Plug-in Synth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mersenne-auv3-plug-in-synth/id1084197093) | 4.7 (28) | $8.00 | Music |
| [Sunrizer synth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sunrizer-synth/id443663267) | 4.7 (183) | $12.99 | Music |
| [AudioKit Synth One Synthesizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audiokit-synth-one-synthesizer/id1371050497) | 4.9 (26,818) | Free | Music |
| [NERD Synth A2x + AUv3](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nerd-synth-a2x-plus-auv3/id6478898564) | 4.9 (1,332) | $5.99 | Music |
| [Nambu - AUv3 Plug-in Synth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nambu-auv3-plug-in-synth/id1624422460) | 4.8 (48) | $16.00 | Music |

## More apps by DiscoDSP LLC

- [Scope AUv3 Visualizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scope-auv3-visualizer/id1512571419)
- [OPL AUv3 FM Synth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opl-auv3-fm-synth/id1516617949)
- [Schroeder AUv3 Reverb](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/schroeder-auv3-reverb/id1527402838)
- [ThrillMe AUv3 Compressor](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thrillme-auv3-compressor/id6633713618)
- [OB-Xd 3 AUv3 Synth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ob-xd-3-auv3-synth/id6654915211)

All apps by DiscoDSP LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/1465262828

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-15.*