Synth pioneer Tom Oberheim introduced a new version of his Oberheim SEM synthesizer at the Red Bull Music Academy presentation in Boston on June 3, 2009.
The original Oberheim SEM (Synthesizer Expander Module) is a classic bit of gear that’s best known for its unique 12dB/Octave filter.
Matthew Davidson (stretta) has some great images from the event of the new synth up on flickr.
Here’s an edited version of Oberheim’s introduction, again via Matthew Davidson. Tom discusses the changes made to the new SEM and the reasons behind them, pricing, and demos a few sounds:
http://www.vimeo.com/4999164Full details and pricing it to come.
It looks like Oberheim is joining fellow synth pioneers Bob Moog and Don Buchla in revisiting his classic creations. Think it will be hit, too?
Leave a comment with your thoughts on the new Oberheim SEM!
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12 Responses to “Tom Oberheim Introduces New Oberheim SEM Synthesizer”
Please Wait
This looks so much like the old SEM!
I can't see this being big like the new Minimoogs, though. Too esoteric!
Specs? Sound demos?
I agree, there's not really enough in terms of new features for this to impact like the MiniMoog Voyager, or even the Prophet 08. But it will still be fairly big. I'm not sure how it will compete with Analogue Solutions' Telemark… given that the Telemark has MIDI and full access to the CV patching already (wouldn't need to be modded to access the CV). The main draw will be the Oberheim name and the as-close-to-original-circuit claim.
for the small gadget crowd this looks cool…in todays world space is an issue, but he nailed it when he was talking about computers…we are in the golden age of computer music…im not buying any hardware anytime soon (or ever again really), this included….
Would like to have CV for it too. maybe a Telemark is in my future. I just think the Telemark's knobs and panel layout is very unaesthetic.
As more info emerges… seems he'll only be making these himself, no other employees, no company. Which makes them extremely boutique grade works of personal art as much as synthesizers… I wonder if he'll sign the cases…
You guys are nuts. The SEM is one of the greatest sounding synths of all tiime, EVER ! Anyone who cares about the sound of analog synths should have one of these.
All of you except for the last guy (dean) can go f**k yourselves. Oberheim is just doing what Rob Moog is doing with the MiniMoog Voyager, trying to take the brand name and technology and make it ready for the 21st century. I like the idea of having a module that can be used with MIDI, and will allow you to implement those cool sounds from the synths in the past, naturally without the aid of software or plugins. Just for once I would not mind having the sounds of an OB-Xa or Xpander running on my Roland workstation. That is only if this thing is under $999 dollars. Oberheim does not need a company, just partner up with some other existing company (ie: Clavia, Korg, etc.). Digital is cool but analogue is better!!
It's already been debated enough; there's still a difference in sound quality, tone, richness, fatness, etc. to a real hardware synth to soft-synths, so stop with the craptalk about how hardware is dead already in favor of softsynths, you don't know what your listening to.
^ There's been more than a few occasions this was due to the playback and amplification hardware, or format limitations. I'd like to see more rigorous tests to substantiate this, because like high-bitrate MP3s vs. lossless WAVs or even sampled pianos vs. acoustic pianos, I suspect less people can tell the difference than they actually claim to. All-too-often, what's missing is "Who does this benefit? Make a difference for?"
And over time, given the proliferation of new technology, the newer stuff becomes what's broadly preferred. That's not due to its sonic quality being inherently better, but what listeners are familiar and comfortable with. (Not unlike how Western ears find microtonal scales strangely dissonant, and polyrhythms are considered "exotic".)
That being said, most arguments about analogue vs. virtual analogue are useless, because they fail to mutually consider the intentions and desires of the conflicting musicians involved. I prefer an AND approach: I'll use soft synths for their convenience, but if I find I'm not getting the sound I want "within the computer", I'll seek out an antique, sample it, then perhaps hybridize it further. That's what I want to do, and each of us has our own goals of self-expression.
those who say they cannot tell the difference can be happy with hardware, as an doctor of audiology and a synthesizer enthusiast I can both explain… but why bother, and personally tell the difference.
If you are happy with software then be happy. If you're more satisfied with hardware, then be happy. This is Tom's hardware synth… and it's a beautiful synth.
So leave it at that.
I'll get one… you can buy a new VST and we can both be happy.
Steve
LOL… my first sentence makes no sense.
I meant to say… those who cannot tell the difference between hardware and software can be happy with software. Those of us who can tell the difference will prefer the hardware.
Peace… and just make music
have fun