{{Short description|Polyphonic analogue synthesizer}} {{Infobox synthesizer | image = Oberheim 4 voice.jpg| image_caption = Four Voice (FVS-1)| synth_name = Polyphonic Synthesizer| synth_manufacturer = [[Oberheim Electronics]]| dates = 1975–79| synthesis_type = [[Analog synthesizer|Analog]] [[Subtractive synthesis|Subtractive]]| polyphony = 4 voice (FVS), 8 voice (EVS)| timbrality = Multitimbral| oscillator = 2 VCOs per voice with sawtooth or variable-pulse waveforms| filter = Low, band, high, notch filter w/ resonance| attenuator = 2 x ADR envelopes| lfo = 1 with triangle wave| keyboard = 49-key| velocity = No| aftertouch = No| memory = 16 patches with PSP-1 programmer| ext_control = [[CV/Gate]]| fx = None| price = Four Voice: [[US$]]4,295 ($5,690 with programmer)<br />Eight Voice: US$7,790 ($10,185 with programmer)| }}
The '''Oberheim Polyphonic Synthesizer''' is a series of [[analog circuit|analog]] [[music]] [[synthesizer|synthesizers]] that was produced from 1975 to 1979 by [[Oberheim Electronics]]. Developed by [[Tom Oberheim]], they were the first production synthesizers capable of playing [[Chord (music)|chord]]s.
==Background<span class="anchor" id="SEM"></span>== 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 synthesizer|semi-modular]] analog synthesizer [[Sound module|module]], in 1974. The SEM featured two [[Voltage-controlled oscillator|VCOs]] and a two-pole [[voltage-controlled filter]] that could operate as a [[Low-pass filter|low-pass]], [[High-pass filter|high-pass]], [[Band-pass filter|band-pass]], or band-reject filter, giving it a different sound from the Moog and ARP four-pole low-pass [[Ladder filter|ladder filters]] popular at the time.<ref name="Vail1">{{cite book |last=Moog |first=Bob |editor-last1=Vail |editor-first1=Mark |title=Vintage Synthesizers: Oberheim SEM Module |date=1993 |publisher=Miller Freeman Books |location=San Francisco, California, USA |isbn=0-87930-275-5|pages=151–156}}</ref>
==Specification== In late 1975, after [[Norlin Corporation|Norlin]] canceled several large Maestro orders, Oberheim developed a series of [[polyphonic synthesizer]]s 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.<ref name=Vail1/> 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]].<ref name="Colbeck">{{Cite book|title=Keyfax Omnibus Edition|last=Colbeck|first=Julian|publisher=MixBooks|year=1996|isbn=0-918371-08-2|pages=84–86}}</ref><ref name="TheSynth38">{{Cite book|title=The Synthesizer|last=Vail|first=Mark|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|year=2014|isbn=978-0195394894|pages=38–40}}</ref>
In 1977, the Oberheim Eight Voice (EVS), available with either a single or dual [[Manual (music)|manual]] keyboard, was added to the series.<ref name=TheSynth38/>
<div style="margin-left:4em;"> {{multiple image |direction=horizontal |align=left |image1=Oberheim Dual Manual 8voice, MIM PHX.jpg |width1=180 |image2=Oberheim Dual Manual 8Voice keyboard.jpg |width2=200 |image3=Oberheim Dual Manual 8Voice SEM units.jpg |width3=200 |footer=Oberheim Dual [[Manual (music)|Manual]] Eight Voice (factory custom)<ref name="moraz">{{cite web |title=Custom Oberheim 8 voice |url=http://www.synthfool.com/moraz/ |publisher=SynthFool.com }} — One of six made. [[Patrick Moraz]] once owned other one.</ref> <br/>exhibited at [[Musical Instrument Museum (Phoenix)]] }}</div>{{clear}}
The SEM, Two Voice, Four Voice, and Eight Voice were eventually replaced by a series of [[microprocessor]]-controlled synthesizers, beginning with the [[Oberheim OB-1|OB-1]] and culminating in the [[Oberheim_OB-X|OB-X]] and [[Oberheim OB-Xa|OB-Xa]], which were fully programmable and significantly more compact than their predecessors, which Oberheim discontinued production of in 1979.<ref name=Vail1/> 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.<ref name=Colbeck/><ref name="GForceOBE">{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Gordon|title=GForce Software OB-E|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/gforce-software-ob-e|website=Sound On Sound|date=June 2021|access-date=14 January 2025}}</ref>
==Notable users==
[[File:Oberheim 4-voice prototype.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The first prototype of the Oberheim Four Voice, as used by Stevie Wonder. The front panel still shows the [[braille]] labeling.]]
{{colbegin|colwidth=20em}} * [[808 State]]<ref name="GForce">{{cite web|title=Oberheim SEM-based Instruments|url=https://www.gforcesoftware.com/blog/oberheim-sem-based-instruments/|website=GForce|date=4 August 2010|access-date=13 January 2025}}</ref> * [[Akiko Yano]]<ref name=ForrestP/> * [[Bill Payne]] ([[Little Feat]])<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Kovarsky|first=Jerry|title=In celebration of Bill Payne: the unsung keyboard master|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/bill-payne-the-unsung-keyboard-master|magazine=Keyboard|date=27 June 2023|access-date=13 January 2025}}</ref> * [[Blue Weaver]] ([[Bee Gees]]) * [[Bob James (musician)|Bob James]] * [[The Brothers Johnson]] * [[Chick Corea]]<ref name="Jenkins">{{cite book|last=Jenkins|first=Mark|title=Analog Synthesizers|publisher=Focal Press|date=2007|page=69|isbn=978-0-240-52072-8}}</ref> * [[Christine McVie]] ([[Fleetwood Mac]]) * [[Christopher Franke]]<ref name=Jenkins/><ref name="ForrestP">{{cite book|last=Forrest|first=Peter|title=The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizers Part Two: N-Z|publisher=Susurreal|location=Devon, England|date=1996|isbn=0952437716|pages=7–9}}</ref> * [[Dave Greenfield]] ([[The Stranglers]]) * [[Dave Grusin]] * [[Dee Palmer]] ([[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]])<ref name=ForrestP/> * [[Dennis DeYoung]] ([[Styx (band)|Styx]])<ref name="VSEFV">{{cite web|title=Oberheim Four Voice|url=https://www.vintagesynth.com/oberheim/four-voice|website=Vintage Synth Explorer|access-date=14 January 2025}}</ref> * [[Depeche Mode]]<ref name=VSEFV/> * [[Edgar Froese]] ([[Tangerine Dream]]) * [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]] * [[Gary Wright]]<ref name=VSEFV/> * [[Geddy Lee]] ([[Rush (band)|Rush]])<ref name=Jenkins/> * [[George Duke]] * [[Herbie Hancock]]<ref name=Jenkins/> * [[Hideki Matsutake]] ([[Yellow Magic Orchestra]])<ref name=Jenkins/> * [[Jan Hammer]]<ref name=Jenkins/> * [[Jean-Michel Jarre]]<ref name="2014 liner notes">{{Cite AV media |title=Equinoxe |publisher=Disques Dreyfus/BMG/Sony/Warner |year=2014 |type=booklet |id=88843089322}}</ref> * [[Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis]]<ref name=GForce/> * [[Joe Zawinul]] ([[Weather Report]])<ref name=GForce/><ref name=ForrestP/> * [[John Carpenter]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Tingen|first=Paul|title=John Carpenter: Film Director & Composer|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/john-carpenter|website=Sound On Sound|date=July 2016|access-date=13 January 2025}}</ref> * [[Larry Dunn]] ([[Earth, Wind & Fire]]) * [[Laza Ristovski]] * [[Lyle Mays]] ([[Pat Metheny Group]])<ref name=GForce/> * [[Michael McDonald (musician)|Michael McDonald]] ([[The Doobie Brothers]]) * [[Patrick Moraz]]<ref name=Jenkins/><ref name=ForrestP/> * [[Paul Kantner]] ([[Jefferson Starship]]) * [[Pete Namlook]] * [[Philip Oakey]] ([[The Human League]]) * [[Pink Floyd]]<ref name=Jenkins/> * [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] * [[Rick Davies]] ([[Supertramp]])<ref name=GForce/> * [[Rose Royce]] * [[Rufus (band)|Rufus]] * [[Ryuichi Sakamoto]] * [[Steve Porcaro]] ([[Toto (band)|Toto]])<ref name=ForrestP/> * [[Stevie Wonder]]<ref name=Jenkins/> * [[The Shamen]]<ref name=VSEFV/> * Tim Simenon ([[Bomb the Bass]])<ref name="ForrestP" /> * [[Trent Reznor]] ([[Nine Inch Nails]])<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Grow|first=Kory|title=Excerpt: Trent Reznor Geeks Out On His Love oO Synths In New Book|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/trent-reznor-nine-inch-nails-synths-book-excerpt-1058668/|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=15 September 2020|access-date=14 January 2025}}</ref> * [[Vangelis]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Clewes|first=Richard|title=VANGELIS: Recording At Nemo Studios|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/vangelis-recording-nemo-studios|website=Sound On Sound|date=November 1997|access-date=14 January 2025}}</ref> * [[Vince Clarke]]
{{colend}}
==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,<ref name=GForceOBE/> 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== <references/>
==External links== * [http://www.vintagesynth.com/oberheim/2voice.php Two Voice at Vintage Synth Explorer] * [http://www.vintagesynth.com/oberheim/4voice.php Four Voice at Vintage Synth Explorer] * [http://www.vintagesynth.com/oberheim/8voice.php Eight Voice at Vintage Synth Explorer]
{{Oberheim}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oberheim Polyphonic}} [[Category:Oberheim synthesizers|polyphonic]] [[Category:Analog synthesizers]] [[Category:Polyphonic synthesizers]]