Virtual Oberheim VSTi Synth

Arturia Oberheim SEM V brings back Oberheim's legendary SEM (Synthesizer Expander Module) synthesizer for the first time as a high-end software emulation. Arturia Oberheim SEM V is powered by exclusive TAE technology, which allows this giant of a synth to be returned to life. Faithfully reproducing the warm Oberheim SEM tone, the Oberheim SEM V is also polyphonic, with a full array of innovative sonic features. Favored by top artists and producers such as Goldfrapp, Herbie Hancock and even John Carpenter for its fatness and unique harmonic spectrum, the Oberheim sound is an absolute must have for your studio.

Throughout the early 70’s, Tom Oberheim quickly gained a reputation as a talented effects manufacturer. His company Oberheim Electronics notably engineered the Maestro Ring Modulator and Phase Shifter which had a huge success on the US market. After gaining experience as an official dealer for ARP Synthesizers in Los Angeles, he showed the Synthesizer Expander Module (SEM), that he designed with the help of Dave Rossum of E-mu Systems, in May 1974 at the Audio Engineering Society Convention in L.A.

The SEM was one of the world’s first self-contained synthesizer modules. It was primarily developed as a convenient solution for musicians who wanted to set up sequences without tying up more valuable synths. The SEM also worked very well as an expander to fatten up the tone of other synthesizers like the Minimoog or the ARP Odyssey. Soon the SEM gained a popularity of its own, thanks to the unique sounds generated by its innovative multimode Filter.

Upon this success, Tom expanded its concept by creating polyphonic synthesizers that were in effect combinations of the SEM with a digital keyboard in one carry-case. Besides the OB series, Oberheim extended its line with popular digital synthesizers such as the Matrix 6, 12 and 1000.

In 1985, Oberheim Electronics closed, however. Its brand and some of the products are continued by Gibson Guitar Corporation. But to the joy of synth enthusiasts, Tom recently restarted producing hand-made updated SEMs and has announced the release of a successor to his original 4-voice.

Arturia Oberheim SEM V Specifications:

• All the original parameters of the Oberheim SEM: two oscillators, each offering sawtooth wave and variable-width pulse wave with PWM, sine wave LFO, 12dB/oct multi-mode Filter with low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and notch, two ADS envelope generators.
• Added functionalities: New LFO, Noise, Sub oscillator, on board effects (overdrive, chorus and delay), Arpeggiator, Portamento.
• Polyphony and 8 Voice Multitimbrality
• New 8 Voice Programmer module
• Advanced Keyboard Follow module
• Modulation Matrix module
• Works in Standalone, VST 2.4 & 3, 64 bit & 32 bit, RTAS and AU 32 & 64 bit formats
• Compatible with Windows (XP/Vista/Seven 32 bit and 64 bit), Mac OS X (Mac OS X 10.5 or higher, Intel only)