Oberheim
Encyclopedia
Oberheim Electronics is an American company, founded in 1969 by Tom Oberheim (a former designer and contract manufacturer for Maestro), which manufactured audio synthesizers and a variety of other electronic musical instruments.
dealer, Oberheim went on to create several ground-breaking products in the early days of synthesizer
s and electronic music
including the DS-2 (one of the first digital music sequencer
s) and the Synthesizer Expansion Module (SEM).
The Two-voice synthesizer included a two channel voltage controlled sequencer, and the Four-voice and Eight-voice machines included a rudimentary Programmer
, capable of recalling sound settings.
Oberheim's later synths like the OB-X
and OB-Xa
abandoned the relatively bulky SEMs in favor of individual or compact voice cards, and common cabinetry and power supplies. Oberheim continued to make synthesizers until the late 1980s. Other notable Oberheim synthesizers include the OB-1 (monophonic), the OB-8
, the Xpander
, the Matrix-6
, the Matrix-12
, and the Matrix-1000
marketed after the acquisition by Gibson.
, a staple of early hip-hop music, lent its name to the Producer Davy DMX
, electro musician DMX Krew
, and is still used in dancehall reggae music.
Both Marcus Ryle and Michel Doidic worked for Oberheim as instrument designers before later helping develop the groundbreaking ADAT
multitrack digital tape recorder for Alesis
, and then moving on to found Line 6
together.
, a larger musical instrument manufacturer (who, incidentally, also owned the Maestro brand) acquired Oberheim, in collaboration with Don Buchla
, they produced the OB-Mx.
Ironically in 1986, Gibson split away from parent company Norlin, who also handled distribution of Oberheim's major competitor, Moog Music
.
, an Italian digital-organ producer. Viscount developed in a few years various instruments that were very innovative for the time and are still requested: the digital synth Oberheim OB*12
, the guitar DSP GM-1000 with lot of effects, the MC series of master keyboards, and the OB32, a portable and inexpensive imitation of the popular Hammond series of organs.
Tom Oberheim reissued SEM in 2009.
In 2011, Tom Oberheim announced a four-voice SEM called "Son Of 4 Voice" (SO4V).Tom Oberheim announces Oberheim 4 Voice in 2011.
Oberheim Electronics
Originally a manufacturer of electronic effects devices (most notably the Maestro phase shifter), and briefly an ARP InstrumentsARP Instruments, Inc.
ARP Instruments, Inc. was an American manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, founded by Alan Robert Pearlman in 1969. Best known for its line of synthesizers that emerged in the early 1970s, ARP closed its doors in 1981 due to financial difficulties...
dealer, Oberheim went on to create several ground-breaking products in the early days of synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s and electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
including the DS-2 (one of the first digital music sequencer
Music sequencer
The music sequencer is a device or computer software to record, edit, play back the music, by handling note and performance information in several forms, typically :...
s) and the Synthesizer Expansion Module (SEM).
Oberheim polyphonic synthesizers
One of the first commercially available polyphonic synthesizers, Oberheim's Two-voice TVS-1, Four-voice FVS-1 in 1975, and Eight-voice in 1977, which was the four voice frame with an external 4 SEM module, configurations were based on the SEM.The Two-voice synthesizer included a two channel voltage controlled sequencer, and the Four-voice and Eight-voice machines included a rudimentary Programmer
Programmer
A programmer, computer programmer or coder is someone who writes computer software. The term computer programmer can refer to a specialist in one area of computer programming or to a generalist who writes code for many kinds of software. One who practices or professes a formal approach to...
, capable of recalling sound settings.
Oberheim's later synths like the OB-X
Oberheim OB-X
The Oberheim OB-X is an analog polyphonic synthesizer. It was the first Oberheim synthesizer that was created with internal prewired modules and not with the bulky SEM modules. Because of this, it was more functional for live performance, and therefore more portable. It was introduced in 1979 and...
and OB-Xa
Oberheim OB-Xa
The Oberheim OB-Xa was Oberheim's overhaul of their first compact synthesizer, the OB-X. The OB-Xa was released in 1980, a year after the OB-X was released. Instead of discrete circuits for oscillators and filters, the OB-Xa switched to Curtis integrated circuits...
abandoned the relatively bulky SEMs in favor of individual or compact voice cards, and common cabinetry and power supplies. Oberheim continued to make synthesizers until the late 1980s. Other notable Oberheim synthesizers include the OB-1 (monophonic), the OB-8
Oberheim OB-8
The Oberheim OB-8 is a subtractive analog synthesizer launched by Oberheim in 1983 and discontinued in 1985. It belongs to the OB-X product line of polyphonic compacts synthesizers and is successor to the OB-Xa...
, the Xpander
Oberheim Xpander
The Oberheim Xpander was an analog synthesizer launched by Oberheim in 1984 and discontinued in 1988. It is essentially a keyboardless, six-voice version of the Matrix-12...
, the Matrix-6
Oberheim Matrix synthesizers
Oberheim Matrix synthesizers are a historic product line of analog synthesizers from Oberheim featuring a method of synthesis which Oberheim called "Matrix Modulation" as a method of defining preset and user patches...
, the Matrix-12
Oberheim Matrix synthesizers
Oberheim Matrix synthesizers are a historic product line of analog synthesizers from Oberheim featuring a method of synthesis which Oberheim called "Matrix Modulation" as a method of defining preset and user patches...
, and the Matrix-1000
Oberheim Matrix synthesizers
Oberheim Matrix synthesizers are a historic product line of analog synthesizers from Oberheim featuring a method of synthesis which Oberheim called "Matrix Modulation" as a method of defining preset and user patches...
marketed after the acquisition by Gibson.
Oberheim drum machines
Oberheim's DMX drum machineOberheim DMX
The DMX is a programmable digital drum machine introduced in 1981 by Oberheim Electronics.The Oberheim DMX was the second digital drum computer ever to be sold to the public as a product, following the Linn LM-1 in 1980...
, a staple of early hip-hop music, lent its name to the Producer Davy DMX
Davy DMX
Davy DMX is the stage name of David Reeves, a figure in hip-hop music. His career began in his hometown of Queens, New York as a DJ in the late 1970s. He is mostly known for his popular single "One for the Treble" released in 1984...
, electro musician DMX Krew
DMX Krew
DMX Krew is the recording name of Ed Upton. He has released 6 full albums on Aphex Twin's label Rephlex Records and numerous singles/EPs for both Rephlex and his own Breakin' Records. DMX Krew's sound spans several electronic music genres but had mostly been rooted in early electro-pop/breakdance...
, and is still used in dancehall reggae music.
Both Marcus Ryle and Michel Doidic worked for Oberheim as instrument designers before later helping develop the groundbreaking ADAT
ADAT
Alesis Digital Audio Tape or ADAT is a magnetic tape format used for the simultaneous digital recording of eight analog audio or digital audio tracks at once, onto a Super VHS tape that is used by consumer VCRs.- History :...
multitrack digital tape recorder for Alesis
Alesis
Alesis is a company based in Cumberland, Rhode Island, that designs and markets electronic musical instruments, digital audio processors, audio mixers, digital audio interfaces, recording equipment, drum machines, professional audio and electronic percussion products...
, and then moving on to found Line 6
Line 6
Line 6 is a manufacturer of digital modeling guitars, amplifiers and related electronic equipment. Their product lines include electric and acoustic guitars, basses, guitar and bass amplifiers, effects processors, USB audio interfaces and guitar/bass wireless systems...
together.
Oberheim/Gibson
Oberheim closed its doors in 1985, they were acquired by a group of lawyers who changed the name to Oberheim ECC with Tom creatively still at the helm, although he would leave the company within a couple of years to start a new venture called Marion Systems. After a second bankruptcy in the early 1990s Gibson Guitar CorporationGibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
, a larger musical instrument manufacturer (who, incidentally, also owned the Maestro brand) acquired Oberheim, in collaboration with Don Buchla
Don Buchla
Don Buchla is a pioneer in the field of sound synthesizers, releasing his first units months after Robert Moog's first synthesizers...
, they produced the OB-Mx.
Ironically in 1986, Gibson split away from parent company Norlin, who also handled distribution of Oberheim's major competitor, Moog Music
Moog Music
Moog Music is an American company based in Asheville, North Carolina which manufactures electronic musical instruments. The current Moog Music is the second company to trade under that name.-R.A. Moog Co. and the original Moog Music:...
.
Oberheim/Viscount
The trademark was later licensed to Viscount InternationalViscount (musical instrument manufacturer)
Viscount International SpA is a musical instrument manufacturer based in Mondaino, Italy. The brand Viscount was registered in 1969 by Marcello Galanti, but the company was established in the late 19th century by his forefather Antonio Galanti. After 1969 Viscount’s primary focus has been on...
, an Italian digital-organ producer. Viscount developed in a few years various instruments that were very innovative for the time and are still requested: the digital synth Oberheim OB*12
Oberheim OB12
The Oberheim OB•12 is a Virtual Analog synthesizer, designed and realised by the italian musical instrument manufacturer Viscount, in production between 2000 and 2005....
, the guitar DSP GM-1000 with lot of effects, the MC series of master keyboards, and the OB32, a portable and inexpensive imitation of the popular Hammond series of organs.
TomOberheim.com
In 2009, Tom Oberheim announced that he was manufacturing a new version of his classic analog SEM.Tom Oberheim reissued SEM in 2009.
In 2011, Tom Oberheim announced a four-voice SEM called "Son Of 4 Voice" (SO4V).Tom Oberheim announces Oberheim 4 Voice in 2011.
See also
- Tom Oberheim
- E-mu SystemsE-mu SystemsE-mu Systems, Inc. is a synthesizer maker and pioneer in samplers and low-cost digital sampling music workstations.-History:Founded in 1971 by Scott Wedge and Dave Rossum, E-mu began making modular synthesizers...
- Gibson Guitar CorporationGibson Guitar CorporationThe Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
- ViscountViscount (musical instrument manufacturer)Viscount International SpA is a musical instrument manufacturer based in Mondaino, Italy. The brand Viscount was registered in 1969 by Marcello Galanti, but the company was established in the late 19th century by his forefather Antonio Galanti. After 1969 Viscount’s primary focus has been on...
- Jay Metarri
External links
- Oberheim Abbey Synthesizer Discussion Forum
- Oberheim Zone at SynthZone.com
- Viscount Italy main site
- Tom Oberheim.com The new Oberheim site