The Oberheim SEM (Synthesizer Expander Module) was the first synth put out by Tom Oberheim in the 70′s.  It was meant to be a second, backup synth to be connected to a sequencer for layering with other synthesizers.  The SEM was simply a module with no keyboard - two analog oscillators, a 2-pole multimode filter, ADR envelopes, and an LFO.

Other synths at the time such as the Minimoog and Arps had steep, thick-sounding roll-offs on their filters (24dB/oct), and the SEM  had  a much thinner sounding 12dB/oct filter.  Although it was thinner sounding, it was much more versatile because it offered many modes in addition to low-pass, including high-pass, band-pass and band-reject.  It eventually grew to be a classic piece of gear, which is still much sought after today for its unique sound.

You can still Find Oberheim SEM’s on eBay - here is a list of ones currently available there.

Fast forward to 2009, enter the NEW Tom Oberheim SEM:

Tom Oberheim has finally decided to re-release the SEM with some updated features (I can hear the rejoicing now by the army of SEM-lovers).  It was shown by Tom at the Red Bull Music Academy presentation in Boston yesterday.

Matthew Davidson (stretta) has some fantastic pictures of the synth from the show up on flickr.

Here’s an edited version of Oberheim’s introduction.  Tom talks about the new SEM, pricing, and gives a demo of how it sounds:

Now that there is an updated Prophet 5, Minimoog and SEM, all we need now is an updated Arp 2600.

Watch this space – Sign up for updates to be notified when we review the new SEM.

What do you think of the new synth?  Let us know!