OB-Xtreme 3.0.0

COMPATIBILITY
Machine Format(s) Architecture(s) Native Processor(s) OS Supported Note
PC VST3 X64 INTEL Windows 10 or higher
Mac VST3, AU X64 INTEL/ARM Mac OS-10.14 or higher

This is release week for v3.0, this page will be updated and completed, user manual will be online soon.

  • Install Info for Windows OS

  • On PC you need the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Version.
    go there: vc_redist.x64 and download/install the X64 version.
    Direct link seems to be this


    VST3 presets are needed and are selected by default on install, if in the future you wish to install them back or revert to default you can also install just presets from the installer


    If a crash occurs during launch check that you have complete read/write permission on your main 64bit VST3 folder and/or the OB-Xtreme application folder
    • C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3
    • C:\Users\"yourusername or admin"\AppData\Local\OBXT


  • Install Info for Mac OS

  • Don't miss the part in the Presets Installer where it says to "change install location" and choose "install for me only", presets need to be installed for the current user so the plug-in can access them.


    If at the end of the presets installer setup the message “The installation failed.” is dislayed, this is a user library permission issue. Look for permission settings at your user* preset folder location here:
    Users/YourUserName/Library/Audio/Presets
    Check if read/write permissions are given for users AND ADMIN too.
    The addition of admin usually resolves the case and allows the installer to function correctly.

    FYI: The presets Installer is installing the presets at this location:
    Users/YourUserName/Library/Audio/Presets/AlyJamesLab/OB-Xtrm3/(presets in there)

    *In case you didn't know the USER library is hidden by default on Mac OS, but you just do one of a couple commands, personally I go with holding the Option key down while selecting the Go menu in the Finder, it reveals the User Library.

    You could also simply try to repair permissions via Disk Utility, some are using "Clean My Mac" for constant maintenance, which has a similar function.


  • Mac Plug-In Formats

  • Mac version is available as AU (Audio Unit) and Mac VST3

    They are Universal 2 that means they both are Native Silicon and Native Intel at the same time, the processor will choose its prefered native code. Complete compatibility info is right here


  • Usage Info

  • OB-Xtreme, like all my newer plug-ins, does not use "drag resize" capability yet. Nevertheless, it uses "DPI awareness," which makes the plug-in GUI follow DAW (or the whole system) DPI settings.

    I use high-resolution monitors like 4K or 2K and regularly scale the system to 125% or 150% for comfortable viewing. Even without system scaling, most DAWs now include independent scaling, which can follow system settings or be customized. Any scaling applied will automatically resize my plug-ins.

    .aupreset files can also be loaded by the PC version.
    Presets can be loaded/saved in .vstpreset, .aupreset, and .xmlpreset/.xmlbank formats.

    To create new presets, start with the Init preset and have fun experimenting. Save them as .xmlpreset for easy editing and sharing.

    Most parameters can be right-clicked and "MIDI learned." This allows you to assign other controls (e.g., aftertouch, channel pressure, or any MIDI CC) to modwheel functions. This gives far more modulation possibilities than LFO & LFO2 alone. If you make a mistake, simply select "unlearn" for that control.

    These mappings save at the preset level, enabling custom Macro controls that only affect specific presets without global changes.

    All knobs can be reset to their default values using Alt Gr + Click.

    Speaking of LFO2, it has 3 modes:

    • Standard LFO (like LFO1).
    • BPM Synced LFO, where the rate acts as a BPM divider (e.g., 1/4, 1/16, with dotted or triplet options).
    • One-shot Envelope ("RAMP EG") with adjustable response (log-linear-exp). Direction can be inverted via the CONTROL panel's PHASE button.

    Factory Presets

    • FACTORY V3: Includes presets utilizing new V3 features (additional presets coming soon).
    • FACTORY V2: Contains presets showcasing V2 features.
    • FACTORY V1: The 2014 OB-Xtreme bank. These presets now properly activate LEGACY MODES for FILTER CONTROL MODE and ENVELOPE & VCA TYPE.

    Note: Legacy modes approximate V1 behavior and can add tonal variety.

    Filter Control Mode Options:

    • Hardware: Standard OB implementation, where the Cutoff knob directly controls filter frequency, and modulation adds envelope amount.
    • Legacy: Custom V1 implementation, detailed in the plug-in's Info section.

    Envelope and VCA Type Options:

    • CEM 3310 EG - LIN VCA: OB-X implementation with exponential envelopes (CEM 3310) feeding a linear VCA.
    • LEGACY EG - EXP VCA: Custom V1 setup with unique attack-shaped envelopes into exponential VCAs (before and after the filter).

    Distortion circuits and voice panning differ slightly from V1. For "hardware-like" sounds, use the Xtreme Factor sparingly. Use oversampling if your DAW sampling rate can't be increased or when using intensive modulations like OTA Drive or XMOD.

    If CPU power allows, oversampling can be set to x2 or x4 in real-time.

    Additional preset banks will be available in the community/download section at alyjameslab.com. Check periodically for updates!


  • Upgrading from version 2.0

  • OB-XTRM 3.0 shouldn't mess with your previous works as it is a 64bit plugin with a new ID. It is a complete rework but you can still import your custom presets from v2.0 into v3.0.


    Mac version now have VST3 format in addition to AU, On PC VST2 is not supported anymore only VST3.


  • Importing presets from v2.0 into v3.0

  • Quick Method for Individual Presets

    1. Locate your preset (in VST, AU, or XML format).
    2. Use the Load function in MK3 to open the preset.
    3. Once loaded, use the Save function in MK3 to permanently import it.

    Batch Method for Multiple Presets via XML Bank
    1. Prepare Presets:
      • Ensure OB-Xtreme 2.0 is not running.
      • Temporarily remove all factory presets from OB-Xtreme 2.0, leaving only your custom presets in the preset folder (move factory presets elsewhere temporarily).

      Preset Locations:

      • Mac: Users/YourUserName/Library/Audio/Presets/AlyJamesLab/OB-XTRM/
      • PC: C:\Users\Admin\Documents\VST3 Presets\AlyJamesLab\OB-XTRM\

      If your custom presets are stored elsewhere, just make sure only custom ones remain in the default preset folder.

    2. Export XML Bank:
      • Load OB-Xtreme 2.0. Only your custom presets should appear in the browser.
      • Use the Export XML Bank function (via the LOAD/SAVE disk icon).
      • Save the XML bank file to your desired location.
    3. Optional Customization:

      XML is a readable format, so you can edit preset categories if needed (but do not modify other parameters).

      <Preset.............. name="Bass PHAT BASS" category="FACTORY V1">

      can be changed to:

      <Preset.............. name="Bass PHAT BASS" category="TrueArchBank">
    4. Import into MK3:
      • Use the Import XML Bank function in MK3 to bring the bank into the new system.
      • This process will create individual preset files in MK3, permanently saving them.

    If you need further clarification, feel free to reach out! 😊