SEM
Articles about SEM:
This is part 2 of Mitchell Sigman’s interview with analog synthesis legend Tom Oberheim about the new Oberheim SEM (Synthesizer Expander Module) analog synth module.
See this previous post for part 1 of the Tom Oberheim interview.
The new SEM is available via audioMIDI.com.
In this AudioMIDI.com interview, electronic music pioneer Tom Oberheim discusses his new Oberheim SEM synthesizer.
Oberheim SEM Unboxing
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
Tom Oberheim has reissued the classic SEM monophonic analog synthesizer expander module, and it’s now available via AudioMIDI.
Description:
Originally released in 1974, the SEM is one of the classic discrete analog synths, with a huge, three-dimensional “fat” tone. Oberheim’s reissue cuts no corners – the circuitry is almost identical to original units. The only component changes were made due to unavailable parts, but the great tone has not been affected. No digital voice circuits, or thin-sounding analog “voice chips” here- only genuine hi-fi fat analog goodness.
This version includes a panel with 33 direct-access patch points on 1/8″ jacks, transforming the SEM into a powerful “mini-modular” synthesizer. Not only does this allow tremendous voicing flexibility when used standalone, it allows easy interfacing with modular synthesizers or additonal SEM modules for limitless potential.
Pricing:
- Tom Oberheim Synthesizer Expander Module with Patch Panel – $789.00
- Tom Oberheim Synthesizer Expander Module with MIDI to CV Panel – $899.00
- Tom Oberheim Synthesizer Expander Module (SEM) Panel Only Version – $599.00
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.
