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September new gear thread

Tomkeen

By Tomkeen
in Keys, Synths & Samplers

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burster Newbie

burster

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personally id love to see SEM or actually a dual SEM rack
with memory
. single set of controls that are multiplexed into CPU. with both midi and cv inputs. and perhaps addition of one or two extra mod routings like filter and vco fm (xmod), and anohter lfo for pwm and stuff.

 

Where do I sign up?

 

:love:

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afmunderback Newbie

afmunderback

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hi, yes it can be played by any CV/GATE signal, either coming from CV keyboard, sequnecer, or MIDI-to-CV converter like Kenton.



this is one of Oberheims first products, it predates OBX. they however have similar genes. the filter in SEM is legendary. probably together with moogs transistor ladder, the most famous filter in synth history. its very flexible multimode with 12dB/Oct. often just referred to as "Oberheim Filter" or "SEM filter". it has LP BP HP modes, and you can morph between the LP and HP modes, going thru NOTCH as well.


early Obehreim polyphonics were just made by stacking SEMs and using keyboard controller capable of rotating scheme polyphonic CV transmit.


however, when they went for OBX, they wanted to cram 8 SEMs inside, and have dependable machine with memory. they kept the oscillators and vca the same. they moved to CEM3310 analog chip for envelopes as its much smaller to do for 8 voices (16 envs).


however the filter was, for simplicity sake , limited to LP version only. but the LP part of the circuit is practically the same.




modern SEM sounds fabulous.. and slightly different from the old one. cleaner and with little less gritt in the lows, lacking some of the characteristic saturation coming with 70s designs. never the less, imho its best damn deal in analog market today.


im thinking if life is good, id love to have a new one as well, as another flavor of SEM-ish sound. SEM is so good that i totally understand geeks who have 3 , 4 or more of these babies.


just listen to this incredible demo:





anyhow, both versions of SEM, in context of monophonic sound (without memory), far surpass OBX in their capabilities. not a small point is their ability to take all the patch points out to a panel, so SEM can become entirely modular, or easily incorporated into a larger modular system.


price new one with patch panel or midi version 899, barebones version (for puttin inside a modular, who midi and psu) 599. the old, original one 900 - 1200

 

 

awesome.. that demo sounds pretty neat.... sounds almost like a minimoog and an obx had a baby!! lol yah, but at that much money idk if its worth it... Still pretty cool though

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brandonm Newbie

brandonm

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well they are perhaps two fairly different products to be easily compared.


SEM is a two VCO mono with multimode filter

VYGR is a three VCO mono with LP/HP but with memory


2VOiCE if its ressurected is 2 x SEM, plus a simple 8 step analog sequencer. and a keyboard. no memory. that means comapred ot Vygr, you get two completely independent synths inside, and if you choose one can be driven by the onboard sequencer.


im not sure if Tom Oberheim will venture into this considering the economy and all, but if he does, considering the normal, unhyped price of his SEM, a new two voice could easily come out cheaper than new Vygr. im just speculating in 2 - 2.5k region.


imho its better for him and his business to relase the barebones SEM version as well, and keep doing this for a while longer, until everyone knows how good SEM sounds. then drop in with variations on the theme.



personally id love to see SEM or actually a dual SEM rack
with memory
. single set of controls that are multiplexed into CPU. with both midi and cv inputs. and perhaps addition of one or two extra mod routings like filter and vco fm (xmod), and anohter lfo for pwm and stuff.


that would float my boat to no end. but realistically venturing into memory capable synth with some limited GUI/LCD, requires much more R & D and quite bigger operation than what TO is doing now. but who knows..




@ acid hazard: beautiful just beautiful.. love those chrome knobs. CONGRATS

 

 

If I recall correctly, didn't Tom mentioned something in the past about making a new programmer? A dual SEM rack with memory, filter and osc Xmod and a second LFO would be sweet indeed. No need for a fancy display or a sequencer, to keep the price down.

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Spleencage Newbie

Spleencage

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Not really synths, but I need studio upgrades for recording:

Coles 4038 ribbon mics

Kolby KAT 4 system: Neuman U67 and 47, Telefunken 251, AKG- C12

500 series outboard:(2) Brent Avril 11 slot racks
top rack: (4) Brent Avril Avedis Neve Clone mic pre's
(4) API 550b 4 band parametric EQs
Bottom rack
(2) API 512C mic pre's
(2) Burl 1D mic pres's
(2) API 560 10 band graphic EQ's
(2) Great River Harrison reissue 4 band parametric EQ's
(2) API 525 comp/limiters

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