Oberheim Polyphonic Synthesizer

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Polyphonic Synthesizer
Oberheim 4 voice.jpg
Four Voice (FVS-1)
Manufacturer Oberheim Electronics
Dates1975–79
PriceFour Voice: US$4,295 ($5,690 with programmer)
Eight Voice: US$7,790 ($10,185 with programmer)
Technical specifications
Polyphony 4 voice (FVS), 8 voice (EVS)
Timbrality Multitimbral
Oscillator 2 VCOs per voice with sawtooth or variable-pulse waveforms
LFO 1 with triangle wave
Synthesis type Analog Subtractive
Filter Low, band, high, notch filter w/ resonance
Attenuator 2 x ADR envelopes
Aftertouch expression No
Velocity expressionNo
Storage memory16 patches with PSP-1 programmer
Effects None
Input/output
Keyboard 49-key
External control CV/Gate

The Oberheim Polyphonic Synthesizer is a series of analog music synthesizers that was produced from 1975 to 1979 by Oberheim Electronics. Developed by Tom Oberheim, they were the first production synthesizers capable of playing chords.

Contents

Background

After Oberheim introduced the DS-2 digital music sequencer, Tom Oberheim recognized that customers wanted to play one synthesizer while the DS-2 played a sequence on another, or layer the sound of one synthesizer with another. To address this need, he introduced the Synthesizer Expander Module (SEM), a semi-modular analog synthesizer module, in 1974. The SEM featured two VCOs and a two-pole voltage-controlled filter that could operate as a low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, or band-reject filter, giving it a different sound than the Moog and ARP four-pole low-pass ladder filters popular at the time. [1]

Specification

In late 1975, after Norlin canceled several large Maestro orders, Oberheim developed a series of polyphonic synthesizers by combining multiple SEMs with a digitally-scanned keyboard developed by Dave Rossum and a two-channel sequencer. By packaging two or four SEMs, each capable of generating one voice (or note), together under keyboard control, he was able to create synthesizers that could play two or four notes simultaneously. [1] These synthesizer models were logically named the Oberheim Oberheim Two Voice (TVS) and Four Voice (FVS).

In 1976, Oberheim introduced the Polyphonic Synthesizer Programmer (PSP-1), an optional module which made possible the storage and recall of most of the SEM's parameters, as well as the ability to glide from one note or chord to another using portamento. [2] [3]

In 1977, the Oberheim Eight Voice (EVS), available with either a single or dual manual keyboard, was added to the series. [3]

Oberheim Dual Manual 8voice, MIM PHX.jpg
Oberheim Dual Manual 8Voice keyboard.jpg
Oberheim Dual Manual 8Voice SEM units.jpg
Oberheim Dual Manual Eight Voice (factory custom) [4]
exhibited at Musical Instrument Museum (Phoenix)

The SEM, Two Voice, Four Voice, and Eight Voice were eventually replaced by a series of microprocessor-controlled synthesizers, beginning with the OB-1 and culminating in the OB-X and OB-Xa, which were fully programmable and significantly more compact than their predecessors, which Oberheim discontinued production of in 1979. [1]

Despite their maintenance cost and rarity, Oberheim Polyphonic Synthesizers are still adored by many musicians today for their characteristic sonic 'thickness' and 'depth' caused in part by the random variance between each SEM module. [2] [5]

Notable users

The first prototype of the Oberheim Four Voice, as used by Stevie Wonder. The front panel still shows the braille labeling. Oberheim 4-voice prototype.jpg
The first prototype of the Oberheim Four Voice, as used by Stevie Wonder. The front panel still shows the braille labeling.

Software emulations

GForce Software collaborated with Tom Oberheim and former Oberheim engineer Marcus Ryle to develop the GForce Oberheim OB-E, a software synthesizer emulation of the Eight Voice, [5] and the GForce Oberheim SEM emulation of the SEM. The GForce Oberheim OB-E is the first software instrument ever to receive Tom Oberheim's personal endorsement.

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Moog, Bob (1993). Vail, Mark (ed.). Vintage Synthesizers: Oberheim SEM Module. San Francisco, California, USA: Miller Freeman Books. pp. 151–156. ISBN   0-87930-275-5.
  2. 1 2 Colbeck, Julian (1996). Keyfax Omnibus Edition. MixBooks. pp. 84–86. ISBN   0-918371-08-2.
  3. 1 2 Vail, Mark (2014). The Synthesizer. Oxford University Press. pp. 38–40. ISBN   978-0195394894.
  4. ↑ "Custom Oberheim 8 voice". SynthFool.com.— One of six made. Patrick Moraz once owned other one.
  5. 1 2 Reid, Gordon (June 2021). "GForce Software OB-E". Sound On Sound. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Oberheim SEM-based Instruments". GForce. 4 August 2010. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Forrest, Peter (1996). The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizers Part Two: N-Z. Devon, England: Susurreal. pp. 7–9. ISBN   0952437716.
  8. ↑ Kovarsky, Jerry (27 June 2023). "In celebration of Bill Payne: the unsung keyboard master". Keyboard. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Jenkins, Mark (2007). Analog Synthesizers. Focal Press. p. 69. ISBN   978-0-240-52072-8.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Oberheim Four Voice". Vintage Synth Explorer. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  11. ↑ Équinoxe (booklet). Disques Dreyfus/BMG/Sony/Warner. 2014. 88843089322.
  12. ↑ Tingen, Paul (July 2016). "John Carpenter: Film Director & Composer". Sound On Sound. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  13. ↑ Grow, Kory (15 September 2020). "Excerpt: Trent Reznor Geeks Out On His Love oO Synths In New Book". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  14. ↑ Clewes, Richard (November 1997). "VANGELIS: Recording At Nemo Studios". Sound On Sound. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
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