Oberheim SEM

Image: brotherloco

Saturday Synth Porn: This is the first in a series of unboxing shots of the new Oberheim SEM.

via the Synthtopia Flickr Group

This interview with synth pioneer Tom Oberheim is one of a series created by Red Bull Music Academy. Read more…

Tom Oberheim has put up pricing on his site for his new Synthesizer Expander Module (SEM).

Here are the details:

The SEM has the same single-voice analog circuit design as the original – 100% analog! – and is paired with a versatile MIDI to CV converter that allows the routing of MIDI messages to the various control voltage inputs. I’ve been showing the prototype around a little and musicians love the sound.

The pricing is as follows:

• SEM with MIDI input and MIDI to CV routing panel (as shown in above photo): $899
• SEM with patch panel connections to internal inputs and outputs (no MIDI input, same as above photo but left panel controls are replaced by CV/gate/audio I/O patch panel): $749
• Basic SEM module with front panel (no case or power supply, good for drop-in replacement of original SEM): $599

You can sign up to get on Oberheim’s mailing list by sending a message to tom (at) tomoberheim (dot) com.

This is a demo of Peff using Reason 4.0 to control an Oberheim S.E.M. with CV and gate signals:

I had Reason sending Note CV and Gate CV signals out through the MOTU 896 into an old Oberheim CPS-1 / S.E.M. module. A bit of tweaking was required to get the note cv scaling set, but after finding the right settings, I had Thor acting as a MIDI to CV converter.

With this Thor patch, it’s possible to control analog synthesizer systems (in this case the Oberheim S.E.M.) from the Reason MIDI Sequencer, Thor Pattern Sequencer, Matrix Pattern Sequencer, any LFO source in Reason, and the RPG-8 Monophonic Arpeggiator. It should also be noted that because the Reason 4.0 sequencer is sample accurate, theoretically, the synchronization should be very solid when sending CV signals through the MOTU audio interface.

Read more…

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:

Full 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!