Today marks Tom Oberheim’s birthday and to celebrate, in partnership with GForce Software, the two companies unveiled the GForce Oberheim SEM.
Tom Oberheim and GForce Software have unveiled the ‘GForce Oberheim SEM’. When Tom Oberheim created the first Oberheim® Synthesizer Expander Module (model SEM-1) in 1974, he had one aim – to make a synth that sounded great, whilst being extremely simple to use.
The synth has been used by countless legendary musicians and quickly established itself as one of the most revered synthesizers of all time.
With this latest release, the team has gone to great lengths to recreate the original SEM and its unmistakable sound. It also recreates the ethos of the original a simple monophonic synth that allows you to shape sounds instantaneously.
Tom Oberheim: It’s so good to hear something that’s dear to my heart done properly in software.
BUILDING ON A PREVIOUS LEGACY
GForce Software and Oberheim have history together. Alongside Marcus Ryle (an Oberheim engineer during the 80s)they produced the GForce Oberheim OB-E® v2 and in the process noticed the gap in the market for an SEM emulation.
As you might expect from both companies synonymous with quality, every section of the synth has been painstakingly emulated to ensure sonic authenticity. There’s even modelling of the authentic analogue inaccuracies of the original SEM, blurring the lines between analogue character and digital precision.
ENHANCEMENTS
While staying true to the original SEM, there are noticeable enhancements. Chiefly, alongside a new VCO3, which doubles as an audio-rate LFO for additional modulation and FM possibilities, the SEM now has tempo-syncable LFOs and a host of performance controls via velocity and aftertouch. There’s also a fast arpeggiator & sequencer, a stereo delay and a reverb
The product comes with over 400 factory presets designed by Dave Spiers, Graeme Rawson and Tom Wolfe, focused on showcasing the true character of the synth. The SEM even integrates with the GForce Oberheim OB-E, allowing you to load your SEM presets on either device. This enables you to quickly sketch out your sounds in the SEM, and make them polyphonic in an instant.
Key Features of The Oberheim SEM
- Most authentic monophonic SEM experience and sound – small package, big sound!
- The most playable SEM, full of character, and augmented with a 3rd VCO
- 400+ factory Patches designed to fit in a mix, all tagged and categorised
- Librarian for easy access to the presets (Arrow Keys Navigation)
- Arpeggiator, Sequencer, Analog style Delay, Reverb
- Undo/Redo, Extend and Flip mode
- SEM presets can be exported to and imported from OB-E
- Extensive Velocity & Aftertouch modulation
The GForce Oberheim SEM is out now. It’s available on the GForce website at £49.99 +VAT with an intro price of £29.99 + VAT.
It’s available on Mac as a standalone application, AudioUnit, AAX, VST and VST3. On PC it comes as a standalone application, AAX, VST and VST3.