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Oberheim Conventional Comparisons

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Model Released MSRP Synopsis Ebay Description
SEM 1974 $695US Basic analog synth expander used to complement other period synths. The Oberheim SEM is a desktop, monophonic analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (with sync), resonant multimode (low, band, notch, or high pass with FM) filter, dual ADS envelopes, an LFO, and CV inputs.
TVS-1a 1975 $2000US A SEM module with a digitally scanned keyboard. Sequencer and S/H was optional. Sequencer is more of an arpeggiator than traditional sequencer. The Oberheim TVS-1a is a 37 key, monophonic analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (with sync), resonant multimode (low, band, notch, or high pass with FM) filter, dual ADS envelopes, an LFO, and CV IO.
TVS-1 1975 $2000US Two SEM modules with a digitally scanned keyboard. Sequencer and S/H was optional. Sequencer is more of an arpeggiator than traditional sequencer. The Oberheim TVS-1 (Two Voice) is a 37 key, duophonic analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (with sync), resonant multimode (low, band, notch, or high pass with FM) filter, dual ADS envelopes, an LFO, and CV IO.
FVS-1 1975 $4000US Four SEM modules with a digitally scanned keyboard. Later versions added program memory. The Oberheim FVS-1 (Four Voice) is a 49 key, polyphonic analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (with sync), resonant multimode (low, band, notch, or high pass with FM) filter, dual ADS envelopes, an LFO, 16 presets, proprietary tape interface, and CV IO.
EVS-1 1977 $8000US Eight SEM modules with a digitally scanned keyboard and program memory. Some had an additional 61 key manual. The Oberheim EVS-1 (Eight Voice) is a 49 key, polyphonic analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (with sync), resonant multimode (low, band, notch, or high pass with FM) filter, dual ADS envelopes, an LFO, 16 presets, proprietary tape interface, and CV IO.
OB-1 1976 $1895US A more typical monosynth, significantly different from SEM. The Oberheim OB-1 is a 37 key, monophonic analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (with sync), resonant 12dB or 24dB low pass filter, dual ADSR envelopes, an LFO, 8 presets, proprietary tape interface, and CV IO.
OB-X 1978 $5995US Similar to a polyphonic OB-1 without dual slope filter, variable saw/triangle, or some modulations. The Oberheim OB-X is a 61 key, polyphonic analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (with sync and FM), noise generator, resonant 12dB low pass filter, dual ADSR envelopes, an LFO, 32 presets, tape interface, and CV IO.
OB-SX 1980 $? Preset only (no programming) OB-X or OB-Xa (more OB-Xa than OB-X). The Oberheim OB-SX is a 49 key, polyphonic analog preset synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators, resonant 12dB low pass filter, dual preset envelopes, a preset LFO, chord memory, and CV IO.
OB-Xa 1981 $5995US Duo-timbral with several updates (12|24dB filter, swap cross-mod for env mode) The Oberheim OB-Xa is a 61 key, polyphonic duo-timbral analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (with sync), noise generator, resonant 12dB or 24dB low pass filter (CEM3320), dual ADSR envelopes, an LFO, 120 presets, chord memory, tape and proprietary interfaces.
OB-8 1983 $4545US Updated OB-Xa with three LFOs The Oberheim OB-8 is a 61 key, 8 voice polyphonic duo-timbral analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (with sync), noise generator, resonant 12dB or 24dB low pass filter (CEM3320), dual ADSR envelopes, three LFOs, 120 presets, chord memory, arpeggiator, tape and proprietary interfaces.
Matrix-12 1984 $4995 One of the most powerful polyphonic subtractive synthesizers, thanks to its modulation matrix (20 sources max), which includes a Lag processor and 3 (5 point) tracking generators. The Oberheim Matrix-12 is a 61 key (velocity and aftertouch sensitive), 12 voice polyphonic, multitimbral analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (with sync and FM), resonant 6-24dB multimode (low pass, high pass, band pass, notch, phase shift) filter, five DADSR envelopes, three LFOs, four ramp generators, 3 tracking generators, lag processor, 100 presets, tape and MIDI interfaces, along with extensive (matrix style) modulation capabilities.
Xpander 1984 $3995US Tabletop version with half the polyphony The Oberheim Xpander is a desktop (velocity and aftertouch sensitive), 6 voice polyphonic, multitimbral analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (with sync and FM), resonant 6-24dB multimode (low pass, high pass, band pass, notch, phase shift) filter, five DADSR envelopes, three LFOs, four ramp generators, 3 tracking generators, lag processor, 100 presets, tape, CV and MIDI interfaces, along with extensive (matrix style) modulation capabilities.
Matrix-6 1986 $1595US While the Matrix-12 concept remains (10 modulation sources), significant versatility is removed and interface becomes menu based. The Oberheim Matrix-6 is a 61 key (velocity and aftertouch sensitive), 6 voice polyphonic, duo-timbral (digital/analog hybrid) synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (with sync), resonant 24dB low pass filter (CEM3396), three DADSR envelopes, three LFOs, dual ramp generators, a tracking generator, 100 presets, MIDI interface, along with extensive (matrix style) modulation capabilities.
Matrix-6R 1986 $995US Rack version The Oberheim Matrix-6R is a 3U rack (velocity and aftertouch sensitive), 6 voice polyphonic, duo-timbral (digital/analog hybrid) synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (with sync), resonant 24dB low pass filter (CEM3396), three DADSR envelopes, three LFOs, dual ramp generators, a tracking generator, 100 presets, MIDI interface, along with extensive (matrix style) modulation capabilities.
Matrix-1000 1987 $695US Rack version with 10x patch memory and simplified I/O, but no front panel editing (MIDI only) or duotimbral functionality. The initial version had a black face, while reissued versions had a white face The Oberheim Matrix-1000 is a 1U rack (velocity and aftertouch sensitive), 6 voice polyphonic, (digital/analog hybrid) synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (with sync), resonant 24dB low pass filter (CEM3396), three DADSR envelopes, three LFOs, dual ramp generators, a tracking generator, 1000 presets, MIDI interface, along with extensive (matrix style) modulation capabilities. However, editing is via MIDI SysEx only (no front panel editing).
Note: MSRP is the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price when in production (not a current price). For street prices, see Prepal.
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