NEWS
May 17, 2026
OB-Xd 3.21 released
We're pleased to announce OB-Xd 3.21, a major MPE expansion bringing multi-destination Y-axis routing, automatic controller configuration, a hardware-named preset library, live LED modulation previews, and full-range timbral sweeps.
OB-Xd is a classic virtual analog synthesizer that recreates the Oberheim OB-X with enhancements like micro random detuning, polyphonic unison, and bi-directional MIDI control.
Version 3.21 turns OB-Xd into a fully expressive MPE instrument. Plug in a LinnStrument, ROLI Seaboard, Sensel Morph or Haken Continuum and the plugin auto-configures from the controller - no menu work required. The default aftertouch behavior now aligns with Roger Linn's How to add MPE developer notes.
What's New
- Multi-Destination Y-Axis (CC74): The Y axis can drive any combination of Pulse Width, PW Offset (Osc2), Cross Modulation, Osc2 Detune, Cutoff, Pitch, and Pan simultaneously. At 100% Y Depth a full Y excursion sweeps each destination across its full musical range. Factory default is Pulse Width + Cross Modulation - the timbral combination recommended for MPE because it changes how the wave sounds without affecting pitch or apparent volume. Old presets and global MIDI.xml entries auto-migrate to the equivalent single-destination bit.
- Automatic Controller Configuration (RPN): Plugin auto-enables (or disables) MPE when the controller sends RPN 6, with NULL RPN guard. RPN 0 updates the per-note bend range to match the controller (commonly 48 semitones). Both Lower Zone (Ch 1 master) and Upper Zone (Ch 16 master, used by LinnStrument) are auto-detected. Switching a LinnStrument, ROLI Seaboard, Sensel Morph, etc. to MPE mode is enough - OB-Xd matches the controller without any menu work.
- MPE Preset Library: Ships with hardware-named factory presets for LinnStrument, ROLI Seaboard RISE 2, ROLI Lightpad Block, Sensel Morph, Madrona Soundplane, KMI K-Board Pro 4, Embodme Erae II, Joue Pro, Artiphon Instrument 1, Haken Continuum, Expressive E Osmose, and discoDSP KeyPad - each with the correct bend range and Y-Rest convention. Native Save / Rename / Delete dialogs with a self-documenting filename suffix (e.g.
My Patch (Range 48 - X to Pitch - Y to PW+XMod - Z to Amp - Y-Rest Bottom).xml). Tweaks auto-save as a Custom snapshot so the latest setup survives reopening the plugin.
- Live LED Modulation Previews: Every Y/Z destination knob shows a green LED dot that tracks the live MPE modulation in real time. The Volume knob's green MPE dot takes precedence over the blue VU peak meter when Z is routed to Amp; the Cutoff knob turns green when MPE is modulating the filter; pan slots pick up MPE pan offset; OscPitch and Detune show MPE presence as a green dot.
- MPE Z-Axis (Aftertouch) Default: Channel pressure now defaults to Amp (silence to full level, like wind pressure on a wind instrument), matching Roger Linn's MPE design recommendation. Cutoff, Pitch, and Off remain selectable.
- MPE Setup Menu & Workflow: All MPE configuration lives under MIDI > MPE Setup, grouped by axis with depth and range options for each. MPE Mode and MPE Preset sit just above as a contiguous group. Conditional visibility hides options that aren't relevant to the current routing. Auto-Enable turns MPE on automatically when you change any setting. New 3-semitone bend range matches the LinnStrument 128 hardware pad (range now offers 2 / 3 / 12 / 24 / 48 semitones). Per-axis depth 5% / 25% / 50% / 75% / 100%.
- LCD Status Feedback: The bank-name area briefly shows MPE ENABLED / MPE DISABLED for two seconds when MPE mode toggles. Bend range notifications show MPE Bend Range 48 (or similar) when the range changes; enable/disable messages take priority so you actually see the "ENABLED" notification when both arrive together.
This update is free for all OB-Xd 3.x customers. OB-Xd is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux in VST, VST3, AU, AAX, LV2, and Standalone formats, and Standalone and AUv3 for iOS.
