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Oberheim Electronics

Oberheim Electronics is an American manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, renowned for pioneering polyphonic analog synthesizers in the 1970s and 1980s.^[1] Founded by engineer and inventor Tom Oberheim in 1969, the company revolutionized music technology with innovations like the SEM module and the world's first commercial polyphonic synthesizers, such as the Four Voice and Eight Voice models, which enabled multiple notes to be played simultaneously on analog instruments.^[2] Its products, including the OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 series, became staples in studios and on stage, used by artists like Stevie Wonder, Prince, Van Halen, and Queen to define the sound of electronic music during that era.^[1] The company's early success stemmed from Tom Oberheim's initial forays into audio effects, beginning with the 1970 Music Modulator and phase shifters like the PS-1, before expanding into full synthesizers with the 1974 SEM (Synthesizer Expander Module).^[2] By the late 1970s, Oberheim introduced programmable polyphonics with the OB-1 and OB-X, followed by the DMX drum machine in 1981 and the versatile Xpander in 1984, which offered advanced modulation capabilities.^[2] However, financial challenges led to bankruptcy in 1985, after which the assets were acquired by Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1988, resulting in products like the Matrix series under new management.^[2] In the 21st century, Oberheim experienced a revival when Tom Oberheim regained control of the trademarks and intellectual property in 2019.^[3] The company officially re-launched on May 10, 2022, in partnership with Focusrite PLC and Sequential LLC, focusing on high-quality analog synthesizers manufactured and distributed globally.^[3] Based in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood, the revived Oberheim debuted the OB-X8 in 2022, an eight-voice polyphonic synthesizer that integrates circuits from the classic OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 models while adding modern features like expanded presets and MIDI control.^[1]^[3] In 2025, it introduced the TEO-5, a five-voice analog synthesizer with advanced features including Poly Chain capability for expanded polyphony.^[4] This resurgence underscores Oberheim's enduring legacy in fueling the electronic music revolution and its commitment to analog sound innovation.^[1]

Founding and Early Innovations

Origins in the Late 1960s

Tom Oberheim, born in 1936 in Kansas, developed an early interest in music through jazz while pursuing studies in physics and computer engineering at UCLA after moving to Los Angeles in 1956. Following a decade in the computer industry, including roles at Lockheed and National Cash Register, Oberheim transitioned to electronic music design, leveraging his engineering expertise and passion for experimental sounds. In 1969, he founded Oberheim Electronics in Los Angeles, initially operating from a small garage space with minimal staff and funding sourced from friends and family.^[5]^[6]^[7] The company's early focus centered on innovative analog effects pedals tailored for musicians, beginning with the RM-1 ring modulator in 1970. This device integrated Oberheim's prior experiments in ring modulation circuitry—initially built for artists like Dorothy Moskowitz of The United States of America and used in film scores such as Beneath the Planet of the Apes—into a compact unit licensed to Maestro, a subsidiary of Norlin Music Inc. (which owned Gibson). The RM-1 enabled musicians to generate dissonant, metallic tones by mixing input signals with an internal carrier oscillator, finding favor among keyboardists like Herbie Hancock and Joe Zawinul for its experimental applications in jazz fusion.^[8]^[9] By the early 1970s, Oberheim expanded its lineup with devices emphasizing voltage-controlled analog circuitry. The Voltage-Controlled Filter (VCF), released around 1970, featured a low-pass filter paired with an envelope follower and sample-and-hold circuit, allowing dynamic sound shaping responsive to input signals; it became a staple for artists like Frank Zappa seeking wah-like effects and randomized filtering. In 1971–1972, the company introduced the PS-1 Phase Shifter, one of the first phaser pedals commercially available, designed to emulate Leslie speaker rotation through all-pass filters and modulators. This pedal, later refined as the PS-1A and PS-1B with variable speed controls, sold over 100,000 units and provided essential revenue for growth.^[8]^[9]^[10] Complementing these products, Oberheim's initial business model relied on small-scale, custom modifications for existing modular synthesizers, particularly enhancing Moog Modular systems with additional voices and circuitry to address monophonic limitations. These bespoke upgrades, performed in the garage workshop, catered to experimental musicians and laid the groundwork for Oberheim's shift toward dedicated synthesizers, such as the Synthesizer Expander Module (SEM).^[9]^[6]

SEM and Breakthrough Polyphony

In 1974, Oberheim Electronics introduced the Synthesizer Expander Module (SEM), a standalone monophonic voice module designed to expand the capabilities of existing synthesizers or sequencers.^[11]^[12] The SEM featured a signature 2-pole state-variable multimode filter, capable of low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and notch configurations, which contributed to its warm, versatile tonal character distinct from the more aggressive 4-pole filters in contemporaries like the Minimoog.^[11]^[13] The SEM's core circuitry included two voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs), each producing sawtooth and variable-width pulse waveforms with pulse-width modulation (PWM) and hard sync capabilities; a voltage-controlled filter (VCF) as described; a voltage-controlled amplifier (VCA); two ADSR envelope generators for amplitude and filter contouring; and a low-frequency oscillator (LFO) generating triangle waves for modulation.^[13]^[14] Modulation options allowed the LFO and envelopes to target pitch, filter cutoff, and waveform parameters, enabling rich subtractive synthesis sounds from a compact, keyboardless design.^[13] Building on the SEM, Oberheim launched its first polyphonic synthesizers in 1975 with the 2-Voice and 4-Voice models, which stacked multiple SEM modules under a single keyboard controller using a digital voice allocation system to assign notes across voices.^[11]^[15] The 8-Voice followed in 1976, expanding to eight SEMs for greater harmonic complexity.^[11] These instruments represented a breakthrough in analog synthesis by enabling true polyphony—simultaneous multiple-note playing—which overcame the monophonic limitations of earlier synthesizers like the Minimoog, allowing chordal performances and layered textures essential for professional studio work.^[11]^[16] Produced in small quantities and hand-built by Oberheim's team, the polyphonic systems were premium instruments targeted at professional musicians, with the 8-Voice model retailing for over $5,000, reflecting their craftsmanship and innovative engineering.^[11]^[16]

Iconic Product Lines

OB-Series Synthesizers

The OB-Series synthesizers marked Oberheim Electronics' entry into fully polyphonic, preset-based analog instruments, evolving from the company's earlier SEM module to deliver eight-voice polyphony in a more integrated keyboard format. Launched amid competition from synthesizers like the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, the series emphasized a signature "fat" analog tone characterized by warm, organic waveforms and versatile filtering, achieved through discrete components in early models and later Curtis Electromusic Specialties (CEM) integrated circuits for improved stability and cost efficiency.^[11]^[17] Shared across the lineup were 32 factory presets (expandable via user banks in later models), real-time control via front-panel knobs and paddles, and an initial lack of user-writable patch memory, prioritizing performative immediacy over deep programming.^[2] These instruments, priced between $3,000 and $6,000 depending on configuration and era, achieved notable market success despite limited production runs, with the OB-X totaling around 800 units, the OB-Xa exceeding 700, and the OB-8 reaching approximately 3,000.^[18]^[17]^[19] The OB-X, introduced in 1979 as Oberheim's first fully polyphonic preset synthesizer, featured eight voices (with four- or six-voice options available) built around discrete voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) and a SEM-derived two-pole state-variable filter for its distinctive bright, aggressive timbre.^[11] It incorporated a Z-80 microprocessor for preset storage and automated tuning, along with features like polyphonic portamento, sample-and-hold, and cross-modulation between oscillators, all housed in a heavy wooden cabinet with a 61-note keyboard.^[2] Production was limited to about 800 units before discontinuation in 1981, reflecting its studio-oriented design and high cost, starting at $4,595 for the four-voice model and reaching $5,995 for eight voices.^[17]^[18] The OB-X's reliance on individual voice cards—each a self-contained SEM variant—allowed for modular servicing but contributed to tuning inconsistencies addressed in later revisions.^[11] In 1980, the OB-Xa succeeded the OB-X with key upgrades for usability and reliability, including switchable two- or four-pole filters (using CEM3320 chips), a cursor-style LED display for preset navigation, and bi-timbral keyboard splitting for layering two sounds simultaneously.^[11]^[2] Expanded to 120-program memory and three LFOs, it retained the eight-voice polyphony while introducing always-active controls that added to stored values rather than overwriting them, enhancing live performance flexibility.^[11] Over 700 units were produced, making it the most commercially successful in the series and a staple in professional studios due to its balanced sound and reduced manufacturing costs from CEM integration.^[11] Pricing remained in the $5,000–$6,000 range, positioning it as a premium yet more accessible alternative to its predecessor.^[18] The OB-8, released in 1983 as the final OB-Series model, refined the lineup with eight voices using fully CEM chip-based circuitry (including CEM3340 oscillators and CEM3320 filters) for enhanced stability and consistency over discrete designs.^[11]^[2] It added velocity and aftertouch sensitivity, seven LFO waveforms, voice panning, a polyphonic arpeggiator, and "Page 2" dual-function controls for advanced modulation routing, alongside 120-patch memory and optional MIDI implementation.^[11] Approximately 3,000 units were built, underscoring its role as a high-end culmination of analog polyphony before digital interfaces dominated.^[19] Priced around $6,000, the OB-8's technical advancements, rooted in the SEM's polyphonic heritage, solidified the series' reputation for lush, versatile synthesis.^[18]^[2]

Xpander, Matrix, and Modular Systems

The Oberheim Xpander, released in 1984, represented a significant advancement in programmable analog synthesis as a keyboardless, 6-voice polyphonic synthesizer that built upon the rich analog sound foundation of the earlier OB-series. It featured 12 voltage-controlled oscillators (two per voice) based on Curtis Electromusic Specialties (CEM) chips, a versatile 15-mode multimode filter, five low-frequency oscillators, and five envelope generators per voice. The instrument's hallmark was its Matrix Modulation system, which connected 27 modulation sources to 47 destinations with up to 20 routings per voice, enabling complex, dynamic sound design through front-panel knobs and a digital interface. It supported 100 single and 100 multi-timbral patches, with full MIDI implementation for velocity, aftertouch, and CV/Gate compatibility, allowing integration into modular setups. In 1985, Oberheim introduced the Matrix-12, a 61-note keyboard version of the Xpander expanded to 12-voice polyphony while retaining the same CEM-based voice architecture and Matrix Modulation for extensive patching. This model provided full editing capabilities via its onboard controls and later supported dedicated software editors for precise parameter automation and patch management. Priced as a premium instrument, it emphasized bi-timbral operation and enhanced MIDI features, including release velocity sensitivity, making it suitable for live performance and studio production. To broaden accessibility, Oberheim launched the Matrix-6 in 1985 and its rackmount counterpart, the Matrix-6R, in 1986; both were 6-voice, bi-timbral synthesizers using digitally controlled analog oscillators (DCOs) for stability, with three envelope generators, two LFOs, and 100 user presets plus 50 split patches. These more affordable models simplified programming compared to the Xpander while maintaining MIDI functionality for sequencing and external control. By 1988, the Matrix-1000 emerged as a preset-only rackmount successor to the Matrix-6R, offering 1000 factory and user presets focused on MIDI-driven operation, though lacking deep front-panel editing to prioritize ease of use in multitimbral setups. Throughout the 1980s, Oberheim's "The System" provided custom modular configurations for professional studios, integrating components like OB-8 synthesizers (up to 8 voices), Xpandrs, DMX drum machines, and DSX sequencers via proprietary parallel bus or MIDI, often achieving 16 or more voices in expansive polyphonic arrays. In 1994, under Gibson ownership, the rare OB-Mx module revived modular concepts as a 2-voice expandable unit with two oscillators, dual filters, and four multistage envelopes per voice, scalable to 12 voices via additional cards and CV patching. These developments underscored Oberheim's shift toward MIDI integration and hybrid digital-analog control, adapting to the analog decline as digital synthesizers gained prominence in the late 1980s.

Corporate Evolution

Growth, Bankruptcy, and Gibson Ownership

During the 1970s, Oberheim Electronics experienced significant expansion driven by rising demand for its synthesizers among prominent rock and funk artists, including Van Halen, Prince, Supertramp, and Queen, whose use of the instruments in hits like "Jump" and "1999" amplified their popularity.^[20] The company's polyphonic synthesizers, such as the Four Voice and Eight Voice models, became key revenue drivers, propelling annual sales into eight figures by the late 1970s and early 1980s.^[20] To accommodate this growth, Oberheim relocated its factory to Hollywood, California, scaling operations to nearly 100 employees.^[20] In the 1980s, however, Oberheim faced mounting challenges from the shift toward digital synthesizers, particularly the Yamaha DX7 released in 1983, which offered more affordable and versatile sounds that overshadowed analog models.^[21] Rising component costs and overexpansion—exemplified by ambitious, high-priced projects like the Xpander and Matrix 12—further strained finances, as production expenses for analog gear escalated without matching sales volume.^[21] These pressures, combined with the broader market transition to digital technology, eroded Oberheim's competitive edge and led to unsustainable debt levels.^[22] By May 1985, Oberheim Electronics filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy due to overwhelming debts, resulting in the liquidation of its assets, including designs and inventory, which were sold by the bank to a group of investors led by the company's former lawyer.^[22] The investors restructured the entity as Oberheim ECC, but founder Tom Oberheim departed in 1987 to avoid ongoing conflicts and pursue independent ventures.^[2] A second bankruptcy in early 1988 prompted Gibson Guitar Corporation to acquire the Oberheim brand that year, aiming to expand into professional audio equipment beyond its core guitar market.^[23] Under Gibson's ownership, production continued on the Matrix series, including the Matrix 1000 rackmount synthesizer, through the early 1990s, with limited new releases such as the 1994 OB-Mx, a modular voice system.^[2] However, Gibson's focus shifted back to guitars, leading to a decline in Oberheim innovation and output by the mid-1990s, with emphasis placed on reissues of earlier designs rather than substantial development.^[24]

Tom Oberheim's Ventures and Brand Returns

After departing from the original Oberheim company in the mid-1980s following its acquisition, Tom Oberheim founded Marion Systems in 1987, focusing on digital keyboards and innovative modular synthesizer systems like the MSR-2, which utilized a rack-mountable mainframe for high-level module integration.^[25]^[2] In 2000, he established SeaSound, a company specializing in custom synthesizers and audio interfaces, continuing his hands-on involvement in electronic instrument design until around 2009.^[26]^[24] In 2009, under his personal Tom Oberheim brand, he revived production of the classic Synthesizer Expander Module (SEM) as a standalone analog synthesizer module, closely replicating the original 1970s design with modern MIDI implementation for enhanced usability.^[13]^[27] This was followed in 2010 by the announcement of the "Son of Four Voice," an updated polyphonic version of his early 1970s Four Voice synthesizer intended to combine four SEM modules with MIDI control, though it ultimately did not enter full production and was superseded by subsequent releases.^[28]^[29] Building on this momentum, Oberheim released the Two-Voice Pro in 2015, a dual-oscillator analog synthesizer that expanded on his original 1970s Two Voice design with added features like an enhanced mini-sequencer capable of storing up to 50 sequences across nine memory slots.^[29]^[30] In 2016, he collaborated with Dave Smith of Sequential (formerly Dave Smith Instruments) to develop the OB-6, a six-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer featuring discrete SEM-inspired filters and Smith's Prophet-style oscillators, marking a significant partnership in analog synthesis revival.^[31]^[32] A pivotal shift occurred in 2019 when Gibson, which had owned the Oberheim brand since 1988, returned the U.S. trademarks and key international rights to Tom Oberheim, allowing him to reclaim control over his foundational intellectual property after a chance encounter at the NAMM show.^[33]^[34] This process culminated in 2021, when Uli Behringer's Music Tribe transferred the remaining global Oberheim trademark rights to Oberheim following partial licensing agreements and disputes, restoring full worldwide ownership for the first time since 1985.^[23]^[35] At age 85, Tom Oberheim relaunched Oberheim Electronics as an independent company in May 2022, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with boutique production emphasizing hand-built analog instruments.^[20]^[3] The relaunch debuted the OB-X8, an eight-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer that integrates the core architectures of the classic OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 models, allowing users to blend their distinct filter characteristics for authentic 1980s Oberheim tones.^[36]^[37] As of 2025, Oberheim Electronics remains active under Tom Oberheim's oversight, continuing limited-production releases; this includes the TEO-5, a compact five-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer introduced in 2024, named after his full name (Thomas Elroy Oberheim) and incorporating SEM-derived oscillators and filters in a modern, affordable format with polyphonic aftertouch and sequencer capabilities.^[38]^[39]^[40]

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Technological Influence on Synthesis

Oberheim Electronics pioneered commercial polyphonic synthesis in 1975 with the release of the Four Voice synthesizer, which utilized Dave Rossum's polyphonic keyboard scanning technology to enable multiple simultaneous notes from discrete Synthesizer Expander Modules (SEMs).^[26] This breakthrough shifted the industry toward multi-voice standards, allowing musicians to play complex chords and harmonies on analog instruments previously limited to monophonic operation, and influenced subsequent designs by manufacturers like Sequential Circuits.^[24] Central to Oberheim's sonic identity was the SEM's 12 dB/octave multi-mode filter, featuring low-pass, high-pass, notch, and band-pass configurations with resonance that avoids self-oscillation, producing the characteristic "warm" and "punchy" analog timbre.^[13] This filter's slope and response became a benchmark for analog synthesis, widely emulated in software such as GForce Software's OB-E, which replicates its resonance behavior for authentic Oberheim tones in digital environments. Oberheim's transition from modular SEM systems to integrated polyphonic keyboards, as seen in the OB-X series, streamlined user accessibility while preserving analog depth, paving the way for more practical, performance-oriented synthesizers.^[24] The adoption of Curtis Electromusic Specialties (CEM) chips, beginning with the OB-Xa in 1980, enhanced circuit reliability and reduced manufacturing costs through integrated voltage-controlled oscillators, filters, and amplifiers, impacting later analog designs by Sequential Circuits and others seeking scalable production.^[41] In the Xpander, introduced in 1984, Oberheim implemented a pioneering modulation matrix connecting up to 27 sources to 47 destinations per voice, enabling unprecedented sound-shaping flexibility that foreshadowed matrix-based modulation in modern synthesizers from brands like Alesis and Kurzweil.^[42] The Matrix series further advanced this with early MIDI integration, allowing seamless digital control of analog voices starting in 1984, which facilitated interoperability in evolving studio setups.^[43] Contemporary Oberheim instruments echo these innovations through faithful recreations and refinements. The OB-X8 (2022) revives the OB-X's discrete circuitry with updated components for improved stability and eight-voice polyphony, maintaining the original's analog warmth while adding modern features like enhanced MIDI implementation.^[1] Similarly, the TEO-5 (2024) introduces five-voice polyphony with the classic SEM filter and through-zero frequency modulation, making Oberheim's polyphonic legacy more compact and accessible for current production workflows; in July 2025, a keyboardless Desktop Module version was released, and a November 2025 OS update added Poly Chain for expanded polyphony.^[44]^[4]^[45]

Notable Users and Musical Applications

Oberheim synthesizers gained prominence among pioneering artists in the 1970s and 1980s, particularly in rock, pop, and fusion genres. Prince prominently featured the OB-X on his 1982 album 1999, where its rich, analog tones defined the title track's iconic synth riff and layered textures.^[46]^[47] Similarly, Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen utilized the OB-Xa for the groundbreaking synthesizer intro and solos on "Jump" from the 1984 album 1984, marking a shift toward synth integration in hard rock.^[48]^[49] In jazz fusion, the Oberheim Four Voice found favor with keyboardists like Chick Corea, who employed it on records during the 1970s to blend acoustic improvisation with electronic timbres, as heard in his work with Return to Forever.^[50] George Duke also incorporated Oberheim polyphonics into his fusion output, enhancing the genre's experimental edge with warm, evolving pads and leads on albums from the era.^[51] Oberheim instruments shaped key genres, including synth-funk through Prince's rhythmic, bass-heavy applications; new wave and electro-pop via their bold, ensemble polyphony in band settings; and later EDM, where emulated Oberheim sounds added vintage warmth to electronic dance tracks.^[52] Their polyphonic capabilities bridged studio layering—ideal for intricate overdubs—and live performances, enabling real-time chordal complexity on stage without monophonic limitations. In modern contexts, artists like Tame Impala and Daft Punk have drawn on Oberheim synthesizers for psychedelic and house productions, evoking the originals' fat, organic resonance in tracks from the 2010s onward.^[53]^[54] The 2022 reissue OB-X8 has seen adoption in 2020s indie electronic works, powering contemporary synthwave and alternative scenes with authentic analog voicing. Vintage Oberheim units, such as the OB-8, command high collectibility, often reselling for over $10,000 due to their scarcity and cultural significance, with pristine examples appearing in auctions and private collections.^[55]

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[51]
Oberheim OB-X8 Desktop 8-Voice Synthesizer - Reverb
Oberheim OB-X8 Desktop 8-Voice Synthesizer ; Originally $2,700, now $2,550 ($150 price drop) · $2,550. + Shipping ; Originally $3,499.99, now $2,974.99 ($525 off).