# Oberheim Polyphonic Synthesizer > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Oberheim_Polyphonic_Synthesizer > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Oberheim_Polyphonic_Synthesizer.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberheim_Polyphonic_Synthesizer > Source revision: 1325134049 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Polyphonic analogue synthesizer Polyphonic Synthesizer Four Voice (FVS-1) Manufacturer Oberheim Electronics Dates 1975–79 Price Four 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 expression No Storage memory 16 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](/source/Analog_circuit) [music](/source/Music) [synthesizers](/source/Synthesizer) that was produced from 1975 to 1979 by [Oberheim Electronics](/source/Oberheim_Electronics). Developed by [Tom Oberheim](/source/Tom_Oberheim), they were the first production synthesizers capable of playing [chords](/source/Chord_(music)). ## Background After Oberheim introduced the DS-2 digital [music sequencer](/source/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](/source/Semi-modular_synthesizer) analog synthesizer [module](/source/Sound_module), in 1974. The SEM featured two [VCOs](/source/Voltage-controlled_oscillator) and a two-pole [voltage-controlled filter](/source/Voltage-controlled_filter) that could operate as a [low-pass](/source/Low-pass_filter), [high-pass](/source/High-pass_filter), [band-pass](/source/Band-pass_filter), or band-reject filter, giving it a different sound from the Moog and ARP four-pole low-pass [ladder filters](/source/Ladder_filter) popular at the time.[1] ## Specification In late 1975, after [Norlin](/source/Norlin_Corporation) canceled several large Maestro orders, Oberheim developed a series of [polyphonic synthesizers](/source/Polyphonic_synthesizer) by combining multiple SEMs with a digitally-scanned keyboard developed by [Dave Rossum](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Portamento).[2][3] In 1977, the Oberheim Eight Voice (EVS), available with either a single or dual [manual](/source/Manual_(music)) keyboard, was added to the series.[3] Oberheim Dual [Manual](/source/Manual_(music)) Eight Voice (factory custom)[4] exhibited at [Musical Instrument Museum (Phoenix)](/source/Musical_Instrument_Museum_(Phoenix)) The SEM, Two Voice, Four Voice, and Eight Voice were eventually replaced by a series of [microprocessor](/source/Microprocessor)-controlled synthesizers, beginning with the [OB-1](/source/Oberheim_OB-1) and culminating in the [OB-X](/source/Oberheim_OB-X) and [OB-Xa](/source/Oberheim_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](/source/Braille) labeling. - [808 State](/source/808_State)[6] - [Akiko Yano](/source/Akiko_Yano)[7] - [Bill Payne](/source/Bill_Payne) ([Little Feat](/source/Little_Feat))[8] - [Blue Weaver](/source/Blue_Weaver) ([Bee Gees](/source/Bee_Gees)) - [Bob James](/source/Bob_James_(musician)) - [The Brothers Johnson](/source/The_Brothers_Johnson) - [Chick Corea](/source/Chick_Corea)[9] - [Christine McVie](/source/Christine_McVie) ([Fleetwood Mac](/source/Fleetwood_Mac)) - [Christopher Franke](/source/Christopher_Franke)[9][7] - [Dave Greenfield](/source/Dave_Greenfield) ([The Stranglers](/source/The_Stranglers)) - [Dave Grusin](/source/Dave_Grusin) - [Dee Palmer](/source/Dee_Palmer) ([Jethro Tull](/source/Jethro_Tull_(band)))[7] - [Dennis DeYoung](/source/Dennis_DeYoung) ([Styx](/source/Styx_(band)))[10] - [Depeche Mode](/source/Depeche_Mode)[10] - [Edgar Froese](/source/Edgar_Froese) ([Tangerine Dream](/source/Tangerine_Dream)) - [Eagles](/source/Eagles_(band)) - [Gary Wright](/source/Gary_Wright)[10] - [Geddy Lee](/source/Geddy_Lee) ([Rush](/source/Rush_(band)))[9] - [George Duke](/source/George_Duke) - [Herbie Hancock](/source/Herbie_Hancock)[9] - [Hideki Matsutake](/source/Hideki_Matsutake) ([Yellow Magic Orchestra](/source/Yellow_Magic_Orchestra))[9] - [Jan Hammer](/source/Jan_Hammer)[9] - [Jean-Michel Jarre](/source/Jean-Michel_Jarre)[11] - [Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis](/source/Jimmy_Jam_and_Terry_Lewis)[6] - [Joe Zawinul](/source/Joe_Zawinul) ([Weather Report](/source/Weather_Report))[6][7] - [John Carpenter](/source/John_Carpenter)[12] - [Larry Dunn](/source/Larry_Dunn) ([Earth, Wind & Fire](/source/Earth%2C_Wind_%26_Fire)) - [Laza Ristovski](/source/Laza_Ristovski) - [Lyle Mays](/source/Lyle_Mays) ([Pat Metheny Group](/source/Pat_Metheny_Group))[6] - [Michael McDonald](/source/Michael_McDonald_(musician)) ([The Doobie Brothers](/source/The_Doobie_Brothers)) - [Patrick Moraz](/source/Patrick_Moraz)[9][7] - [Paul Kantner](/source/Paul_Kantner) ([Jefferson Starship](/source/Jefferson_Starship)) - [Pete Namlook](/source/Pete_Namlook) - [Philip Oakey](/source/Philip_Oakey) ([The Human League](/source/The_Human_League)) - [Pink Floyd](/source/Pink_Floyd)[9] - [Prince](/source/Prince_(musician)) - [Rick Davies](/source/Rick_Davies) ([Supertramp](/source/Supertramp))[6] - [Rose Royce](/source/Rose_Royce) - [Rufus](/source/Rufus_(band)) - [Ryuichi Sakamoto](/source/Ryuichi_Sakamoto) - [Steve Porcaro](/source/Steve_Porcaro) ([Toto](/source/Toto_(band)))[7] - [Stevie Wonder](/source/Stevie_Wonder)[9] - [The Shamen](/source/The_Shamen)[10] - Tim Simenon ([Bomb the Bass](/source/Bomb_the_Bass))[7] - [Trent Reznor](/source/Trent_Reznor) ([Nine Inch Nails](/source/Nine_Inch_Nails))[13] - [Vangelis](/source/Vangelis)[14] - [Vince Clarke](/source/Vince_Clarke) ## Software emulations GForce Software collaborated with Tom Oberheim and former Oberheim engineer Marcus Ryle to develop the GForce Oberheim OB-E, a [software synthesizer](/source/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. ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Vail1_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Vail1_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Vail1_1-2) Moog, Bob (1993). Vail, Mark (ed.). *Vintage Synthesizers: Oberheim SEM Module*. San Francisco, California, USA: Miller Freeman Books. pp. 151–156. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-87930-275-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-87930-275-5). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Colbeck_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Colbeck_2-1) Colbeck, Julian (1996). *Keyfax Omnibus Edition*. MixBooks. pp. 84–86. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-918371-08-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-918371-08-2). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-TheSynth38_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-TheSynth38_3-1) Vail, Mark (2014). *The Synthesizer*. [Oxford University Press](/source/Oxford_University_Press). pp. 38–40. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0195394894](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0195394894). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-moraz_4-0)** ["Custom Oberheim 8 voice"](http://www.synthfool.com/moraz/). SynthFool.com. — One of six made. [Patrick Moraz](/source/Patrick_Moraz) once owned other one. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GForceOBE_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GForceOBE_5-1) Reid, Gordon (June 2021). ["GForce Software OB-E"](https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/gforce-software-ob-e). *Sound On Sound*. Retrieved 14 January 2025. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GForce_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GForce_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-GForce_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-GForce_6-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-GForce_6-4) ["Oberheim SEM-based Instruments"](https://www.gforcesoftware.com/blog/oberheim-sem-based-instruments/). *GForce*. 4 August 2010. Retrieved 13 January 2025. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ForrestP_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ForrestP_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ForrestP_7-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ForrestP_7-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-ForrestP_7-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-ForrestP_7-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-ForrestP_7-6) Forrest, Peter (1996). *The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizers Part Two: N-Z*. Devon, England: Susurreal. pp. 7–9. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0952437716](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0952437716). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Kovarsky, Jerry (27 June 2023). ["In celebration of Bill Payne: the unsung keyboard master"](https://www.musicradar.com/news/bill-payne-the-unsung-keyboard-master). *Keyboard*. Retrieved 13 January 2025. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Jenkins_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Jenkins_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Jenkins_9-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Jenkins_9-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Jenkins_9-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Jenkins_9-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Jenkins_9-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Jenkins_9-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-Jenkins_9-8) Jenkins, Mark (2007). *Analog Synthesizers*. Focal Press. p. 69. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-240-52072-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-240-52072-8). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-VSEFV_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-VSEFV_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-VSEFV_10-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-VSEFV_10-3) ["Oberheim Four Voice"](https://www.vintagesynth.com/oberheim/four-voice). *Vintage Synth Explorer*. Retrieved 14 January 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2014_liner_notes_11-0)** *Equinoxe* (booklet). Disques Dreyfus/BMG/Sony/Warner. 2014. 88843089322. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Tingen, Paul (July 2016). ["John Carpenter: Film Director & Composer"](https://www.soundonsound.com/people/john-carpenter). *Sound On Sound*. Retrieved 13 January 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Grow, Kory (15 September 2020). ["Excerpt: Trent Reznor Geeks Out On His Love oO Synths In New Book"](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/trent-reznor-nine-inch-nails-synths-book-excerpt-1058668/). *Rolling Stone*. Retrieved 14 January 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Clewes, Richard (November 1997). ["VANGELIS: Recording At Nemo Studios"](https://www.soundonsound.com/people/vangelis-recording-nemo-studios). *Sound On Sound*. Retrieved 14 January 2025. ## External links - [Two Voice at Vintage Synth Explorer](http://www.vintagesynth.com/oberheim/2voice.php) - [Four Voice at Vintage Synth Explorer](http://www.vintagesynth.com/oberheim/4voice.php) - [Eight Voice at Vintage Synth Explorer](http://www.vintagesynth.com/oberheim/8voice.php) v t e Oberheim Electronics Synthesizers Eight Voice Four Voice Matrix-6 Matrix-12 OB-1 OB-8 OB12 OB-X OB-SX OB-Xa Oberheim Two Voice Two-Voice Pro Modules Xpander Matrix-6R Matrix-1000 Sequencers DS-2 DSX Drum machines DMX DX Prommer People Tom Oberheim --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Oberheim Polyphonic Synthesizer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberheim_Polyphonic_Synthesizer) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberheim_Polyphonic_Synthesizer?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.