Prophet 6 smooth, OB-6 more raw/vintage sound…
I own the OB-6 and must say the filter is out of this world. Get the OB
6 Likes
I would like to know too!
You can’t go wrong with either, but yes, that Oberheim filter is like nothing else in this world. Deeply musical and catches on striking harmonics at seemingly every tweak.
1 Like
Prophet 6. Part of the band. A lot of bands use this for smooth leads and just as a bass. I saw the band “Her” live and it was a good backing instrument over the lead singers vocals.
With some effects pedals, live racks, daw effects this can also be a monster.
OB6 drunk guitarist that shows up late with an attitude.
My vote goes to Prophet 6
4 Likes
Im probs going to sell my prophet 6 if you fancy buying. Not 100% yet as I love it but needing cash to fund other sorts… I know… i’d regret it.
2 Likes
Oh by the way… i’d go for prophet any day, thats just a personal preference though, Im sure the OB is amazing. 
1 Like
I’ve had both and have used them both in tracks extensively. They both sound incredible but have their own sound. The 12db filter in the OB is more buzzy. Definitely warm and slightly overdriven compared to the P6. The state variable filter on the OB gets you into territory that you simply just can’t get with the P6 but it has a certain sound. OBs gain structure is definitely overdriven a bit across the circuit design and that’s why it sounds so fat compared to P6 but I actually had to turn the oscillators down a lot to back off of that sound in actual usage.
The P6 filter is similar to an SSM. So syrupy and amazing. Slightly brassy, but can get those muted pad sounds and plucks much easier than the OB6. Also the high pass filter is really useful on the P6 when mixing tracks to pull some of the weight out of things to clear up mud. Also the filter on the P6 self oscillates so you can make drum sounds and what not.
I ended up selling the OB and going for the P6 because of its flexibility. I think someone else said it above but the P6 is one big sweet spot. Part of your arsenal but blends in with the rest. The OB wants to be the center of attention. Both amazing synths. Think about what you need it for and that should help you decide.
8 Likes
whichever you can find used cheaper. both are world class polys.
4 Likes
Tough choice for sure between OB6 and P6🙇🏻♂️.
Q: Which one do y’all think would better complement a Nord lead A1?
I’ve been thinking about selling my sub37 tribute and Nord rack 2x to fund/trade for a P6 module.
Cheers
There is just nothing quite like the sound of that oberheim filter… I pick ob6
1 Like
For me, what it came down to was the filters.
To my ears, the OB6 is more raw and thick, and the P6 is more clinical. HOWEVER, you can acheive very similar results with both synths. It was overkill having both for me.
The major selling point of the P6 for me is the separate high and low pass filters. I love using them separately. The OB6 only has the state variable one. And, the P6 sits better in mixes for me and generally gave me more pleasing results.
I think a lot of people think they want the raw tone of the OB, because it can get a little thicker and nastier, but when it comes time to mix, they might prefer the P6.
That said, I would like to have the UB-xa sitting next to my P6 if I had room 
Both synths are incredible and can be as massive and thick as you need them to be. There is more overlap than there are differences. I think there are a few decent comparisons on YouTube.
Good luck with your decision. Good problem to have.
2 Likes
And, like someone wrote above, the P6 is one giant sweet spot. I could send a basic chord progression to it for days and just tweak the knobs and be in heaven.
6 Likes
P6 all the way
Iit just sings I love it and can honestly say I very much doubt I’ll ever sell it
2 Likes
The difference is indeed in the filters. Curtis (P6) vs SEM (OB6). The P6 sounds smoother with smoother highs off the bat, but there’s something about that SEM Filter that makes for more complexity and interest to my ear…it does sound harsher in general but when you hit the sweet spot it’s oh so sweeeet! 
Mind you I don’t own either but have played both. I am contemplating buying one, would be happy with either (I usually buy used). If I’d buy in store, I’d probably snatch the OB6.
I really want a OB-6 but i was wondering if would be overkill since i already have a Oberheim SEM?
I don’t think it would be overkill. There’s room for everything! I used to have an SEM Pro, and now I have an OB-6 Desktop module. I personally enjoy the OB-6 more than the SEM. But, the SEM is also a beast, and sometimes I still wish I had one here. Oh, to have loved and lost. So yeah…both.
3 Likes
raw oscillator tone of the OG smokes the OB6 imo, so i wouldn’t sell it if you still want that SEM sound.
1 Like
After listening to comparisons over the last 7 months, I’ve made my decision. Today I ordered an OB-6 Module and I’ll have it tomorrow. I prefer modules because I like to use my main midi keyboard to control everything, save space, price, etc. I was always leaning toward the P6 but after having a Rev 2 for 9 months, I think for the moment I’m totally turned off to anything Prophet related. I can’t stop hearing the Rev 2 in P6 demos. That may sound ridiculous seeing as there are major differences between the P6 and the Rev 2, but I just hated the Rev 2 that much haha. I think it’s because I bought the Rev 2 when what I really wanted was a Prophet 6, but more specifically, raw, vintage warmth and tone. I know the P6 can get extremely warm, but after comparing the two for all this time, I feel like the OB-6 covers more of the sound territory I want. I tried so hard to love the Rev 2… It just never was what I wanted and so it would’ve never worked. Most likely going to list the Rev 2 for sale shortly. I think the next poly I’ll be after is an MFB Synth 8! Thanks for all of your inputs.
8 Likes
For an interesting comparison, which isn’t meant to be, listen to Luke Neptune’s soundtrack demos on YouTube for the P6 and OB-6. I guess he tried to replicate the same P6 patches on the OB-6, if so, it definitely shows the difference in character.
My advice, get both synths. I have. 
2 Likes