Prince 1999 Synth Patch

The Oberheim OB-Xa that was used in Prince’s hit song 1999 has a very distinctive character, and the iconic 1999 lead patch highlights several of its most memorable qualities. Oberheims are known for their rich, “fatter-than-most” analog sound. The oscillators are slightly detuned by default, creating a natural, lush chorus effect even without external processing. On 1999, this gives the synth lead a bold, almost orchestral presence that cuts through the mix without feeling harsh. The 1999 lead is memorable because it’s fat, slightly detuned, harmonically rich, and expressive, with a vocal-like quality that dominates the mix without being harsh.