My completed Oberheim SEM project
My completed Oberheim SEM project
I finally finished my Oberheim SEM project. It took some time due to a few delays and some small issues that needed resolving. But all in all it went quite well, and its now working well and sounds fantastic. Anyway, thought some of you might like to see the end result.
Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
The SEM panel when I first bought it, and after getting it silk screened
Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
Wiring it up
Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
nice one - and congrats for the job 

Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
Incredible sound too I bet.
Is it 2 voice or monophonic?
Thanks T.
Is it 2 voice or monophonic?
Thanks T.
Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
thanks astroman and dawman.
No it has 2 VCO's but it's only monophonic, the black panel is just for Ins & Outs. I read that Tom Oberneim said a 2 voice was his preferred number of SEMs, and it would be nice to add 1 more to this...although I woudn't mind a 4 voice.
I remember seeing an 8 voice once and they sound incredible, but they are massive.
No it has 2 VCO's but it's only monophonic, the black panel is just for Ins & Outs. I read that Tom Oberneim said a 2 voice was his preferred number of SEMs, and it would be nice to add 1 more to this...although I woudn't mind a 4 voice.

Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
very nice, i like it.
the phone jacks could be upgraded would be my only criticism. rhat said, i'm impressed. the audio business was once made of products like this. ask Bob.
the phone jacks could be upgraded would be my only criticism. rhat said, i'm impressed. the audio business was once made of products like this. ask Bob.
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Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
cool, great work !
Especially your patch panel looks amazing !
But ehhhmmmm,- now you need 7 more !
Bud
Especially your patch panel looks amazing !
But ehhhmmmm,- now you need 7 more !

Bud
Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
I'm all in for 7 more as well. Nice work, it feels great to make things by hand.
Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
looks very clean. congrats !
i would have done the back as a door that can be opened easily (like...a door, lol) rather than screws, but i suppose you don't go in there often to change jumpers or add modules...
That's what I have done on my modular and it is really cool not to have to unscrew everything (but it is not complete as is yours, so i still need easy access).
congrats again
i would have done the back as a door that can be opened easily (like...a door, lol) rather than screws, but i suppose you don't go in there often to change jumpers or add modules...
That's what I have done on my modular and it is really cool not to have to unscrew everything (but it is not complete as is yours, so i still need easy access).
congrats again
Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
Thanks for the kind words everyone, and I appreciate the advice for improvements as well.
Gary, you are right I should have used better quality phone jacks such as the Switchcraft 112APCX sockets. At the time I was getting parts together I didnt know how it would all turn out and the wiring looked quite daunting at first so I was trying to keep costs down. I recall the price difference between these sockets and the Switchcraft was around £50. I probably will put Switchcraft sockets in at some point especially if these start playing up although they seem to be ok so far....we'll see.
Spacef, yes I did think about making the back panel open on a hinge like a door, but I think in the end I was in too much of a hurry to finish it.
I remember you posted up some photos of your modular a short while ago so I'll have another look at how you did that. I don't really need access to the inside of this unit except for calibration or repairs but if that changes I may try to work out how to add a hinge.
Anyways, thanks again all, and yes, now to look out for 7 more, LOL.
Gary, you are right I should have used better quality phone jacks such as the Switchcraft 112APCX sockets. At the time I was getting parts together I didnt know how it would all turn out and the wiring looked quite daunting at first so I was trying to keep costs down. I recall the price difference between these sockets and the Switchcraft was around £50. I probably will put Switchcraft sockets in at some point especially if these start playing up although they seem to be ok so far....we'll see.

Spacef, yes I did think about making the back panel open on a hinge like a door, but I think in the end I was in too much of a hurry to finish it.


Anyways, thanks again all, and yes, now to look out for 7 more, LOL.
Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
Thanks
No, the first time I tuned it on it didn’t work at all, but luckily I found out quite quickly that it was only a transistor that had blown and had taken down the negative rail, probably due to one of the caps failing. But it was an easy fix, just replaced those parts and for good measure the other cap since they were over 40 years old.
second time on it worked fine
No, the first time I tuned it on it didn’t work at all, but luckily I found out quite quickly that it was only a transistor that had blown and had taken down the negative rail, probably due to one of the caps failing. But it was an easy fix, just replaced those parts and for good measure the other cap since they were over 40 years old.
second time on it worked fine

Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
A 4 voice set up with a 1-3 (1 mono/3 poly) configuration would be life altering.
I remember 15 years ago when I first joined the Z I was desperate for the OBX and SEM sounds.
While getting close in modular for a few bread and butter sounds, it could never get that true discrete audio quality of the beasts.
You have to share some sounds when you get time.
I remember 15 years ago when I first joined the Z I was desperate for the OBX and SEM sounds.
While getting close in modular for a few bread and butter sounds, it could never get that true discrete audio quality of the beasts.
You have to share some sounds when you get time.
Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
Well done. This has inspired me to get the Arturia SEM V version to complement my Obsession 

Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
Jimmy, yes a 4 voice would be wonderful. In fact I remember it was largely you who was resoponsible for me getting my first synth, Sharc had posted here that his TB-303 wa for sale and you indirectly convinced me to go for it. Then soon after that I got an Oberheim Matrix 6R and you kindly sent me an Oberheim Sticker. 
And yes, I am trying to get some sound examples sorted out.
Dante, sounds like a plan. I am sure there was a discussion here on the Z before about the Oberheim sound being one of the few emulations that Scope doesnt really have a device for, although I will have to do a comparison now with Orbitone Syn-Chrome which I always liked. But sure, go for it, the Arturia SEM should do the job nicely. Alternatively there is the Brainworx bx_oberhausen, or G-Force OB-E which is based on the 8-Voice although sadly is Mac only at the moment.

And yes, I am trying to get some sound examples sorted out.

Dante, sounds like a plan. I am sure there was a discussion here on the Z before about the Oberheim sound being one of the few emulations that Scope doesnt really have a device for, although I will have to do a comparison now with Orbitone Syn-Chrome which I always liked. But sure, go for it, the Arturia SEM should do the job nicely. Alternatively there is the Brainworx bx_oberhausen, or G-Force OB-E which is based on the 8-Voice although sadly is Mac only at the moment.
Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
bx_oberhausen, SEM V & DSP56300 Emulation?
Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
That DSP emulator looks interesting. Will have to give that a look, cheers for the heads up Valis.
Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
Eventually I presume it will have software frontends. In the meantime you have to address it just like the hardware. Worth noting that Magnus Lidström also previously made a TX16W VST/AU software emulator which in many ways is conceptually similar.
Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
I like this one: https://cherryaudio.com/instruments/eight-voice
t_tangent: Really nice job on that unit. You put a lot of pride and care into that one. Definitely an heirloom piece.
I've always preferred the hardware over the software. Even though they appear to sound the same in some instances, the difference is subtle.
I relate it to standing on the edge overlooking a grand scenery and then taking a picture of it with a high quality camera. When you get home and look at it does it give you the same feeling?
I think that some people get so wrapped up in the technical details of making music that they forget why they were drawn to it in first place.
IMHO, It's what inspires you and how an instrument makes you feel that's most important.
t_tangent: Really nice job on that unit. You put a lot of pride and care into that one. Definitely an heirloom piece.
I've always preferred the hardware over the software. Even though they appear to sound the same in some instances, the difference is subtle.
I relate it to standing on the edge overlooking a grand scenery and then taking a picture of it with a high quality camera. When you get home and look at it does it give you the same feeling?
I think that some people get so wrapped up in the technical details of making music that they forget why they were drawn to it in first place.
IMHO, It's what inspires you and how an instrument makes you feel that's most important.
Re: My completed Oberheim SEM project
Hi John, thanks for the kind words, and yes it's very satisfying when it turns out nicely.
I like your analogy of seeing a photo compared to visiting the actual place, yes I guess it's quite similar.
And having the real thing as opposed to an emulation is nice although it's not always possible. For example the Cherry Audio eight-voice is a lot easier to fit in the studio
, and once in a mix it's subtle difference in sound may not even be that noticeable. Will definitely look at that so thanks for the info.
Cheers mate.
I like your analogy of seeing a photo compared to visiting the actual place, yes I guess it's quite similar.
And having the real thing as opposed to an emulation is nice although it's not always possible. For example the Cherry Audio eight-voice is a lot easier to fit in the studio

Cheers mate.
