Year/Date of Issue: 10/16/23
Developer: Gforce Software.
Developer website: Gforce Software
Format: STANDALONE, VSTi, VSTi3, AAX, AU.
Bit depth: 64bit
Tablet: Present [R2R]
System requirements: WIN 10+ INTEL or M1 macOS 10.11+
Description :
OBERHEIM SEM – A SIMPLE MONOPHONIC SYNTHESIS WITH A HUGE SOUND:
When Tom Oberheim created the first Oberheim® synthesizer expansion module (model SEM-1) in 1974,
He had one goal – to make a synthesizer that sounded great and was also very easy to use.
In the decades since the release of this iconic synthesizer, it has been used by countless legendary musicians,
making the SEM one of the most revered synthesizers of all time.
In addition to carefully recreating the huge, unmistakable sound of the SEM, the GForce Oberheim SEM also recreates the ethics of the original
A simple monophonic synthesizer that lets you create incredible sounds in an instant.
And with Tom Oberheim’s seal of approval, you can be sure of its authenticity. Add to this over 400+ categorized patches,
and inspiration will be just moments away.
MADE IN COOPERATION WITH OBERHEIM:
We first worked with Tom Oberheim and Markus Reil (an inspiring Oberheim engineer in the 80s) to create the GForce Oberheim OB-E® v2. At this time, Tom and Marcus said that in their opinion there were no SEM software emulators that accurately recreated the sound and essence of the original mono SEM. We decided to change that, and under the careful guidance of Tom and Markus, we developed the GForce Oberheim SEM to deliver the authentic sound of the original instrument.
AUTHENTIC SEM SOUND:
Centered around two VCOs with Pulse and Sawtooth waveforms, two ADS Envelope Generators, one LFO and the magical, legendary Multi-Mode Filter, the SEM sound is more than the sum of its parts. In the GForce Oberheim SEM, each synthesizer section has been carefully modeled to ensure sonic authenticity. We’ve even simulated the true analog inaccuracies of the original SEM, blurring the lines between analog nature and digital precision. All this makes GForce Oberheim SEM the most authentic SEM sound emulation available.
SIMPLE SOUND NEVER SOUNDS SO GOOD:
The beauty of SEM truly lies in its simplicity. With its sophisticated design and feature set, you can easily create warm bass, soaring leads and sweeping harps in an instant. This allows you to spend less time shaping sound and more time creating music.
IMPROVED WHERE IT MATTERS:
While staying true to the original SEM, we’ve also added a number of enhancements to make the GForce Oberheim SEM even more useful for modern music production. Along with the new VCO3, which doubles as an audio frequency LFO for additional modulation and FM capabilities, the SEM now features tempo-synced LFOs with multiple waveforms, as well as a variety of performance controls via speed and aftertouch. We’ve also integrated a fun, fast arpeggiator and sequencer, added stereo delay and a great reverb to sonically complement your sounds.
Finally, we’ve included 400+ factory patches designed by top sound engineers, each created to showcase the SEM’s incredible sonic character. Each patch has been categorized and is quickly accessible from the patch browser (easy navigation using arrows). SEM even integrates with the GForce Oberheim OB-E, allowing users to load their SEM presets into any device. This allows you to quickly sketch out your sounds in SEM and then instantly make them polyphonic.
Key Feature :
Truly authentic feel and sound of a mono SEM – small body, big sound!
The most playable SEM, full of character and complemented by a 3rd VCO.
400+ factory patches designed to fit into the mix.
Librarian for easy access to presets.
Sequencer, arpeggiator, stereo delay, reverb.
Undo/Redo, Extended and Flip mode.
SEM presets can be exported to and imported from OB-E.
Wide range of Velocity and Aftertouch modulation options.
This Oberheim invention was literally revolutionary when it was released in a rack of four, earning the “4-voice” name. That’s what it took to get polyphony in those days. In 1977 I left Baltimore to take California GED just to get myself eligible to take one of the extremely few Electronic Music Production courses in America, taught at Long Beach City College. The gear in the lab featured not only the 4-voice SEM monster, but also an ARP Odyssey, a Moog like the Arturia MMV, an Eventide Clockworks sequencer, TEAC 3340s 4-track reel deck with “Simul-Sync”, and a mid-size mixing console. Tom Oberheim was as much the pioneer as Alan Robert Pearlman (ARP), Robert Moog, Don Buchla, and the so few others you wouldn’t know of were it not for credits on the albums of Pink Floyd, Pete Townsend, Weather Report, Rick Wakeman, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Mahavishnu Orchestra, etc. 🙂
Last but not least, the means by which the Oberheim 4-voice achieved “polyphony” was that it was actually simultaneous monophonic notes, played by the SEM’s in the “chain”……. one SEM was capable of monophonic output only. As for the technology of keyboard velocity and ability to channel velocity to modulation, volume control, etc., I’ll never forget it was explained to me, before it actually came to exist, at the dinner table by ARP’s head of Research & Development, the sadly late Philip Dodds…….. he’s the cool cat playing the notes to the aliens in the film “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”. In the same conversation he’d showed how they were developing “hex” pickups for guitars. Any time I see this Oberheim SEM it’s like a time machine set for 46 years ago 🙂
And as always, Admin, thanks for the excellence 🙂 If I was in need of low-quality grammar and lots of typos, I sure wouldn’t come HERE 🙂