Tom Oberheim Press Release - Pricing & SEM-PROs Signed by Tom Oberheim

"Legendary Synthesizer Expander Module Returns to Production at the Hands of its Inventor

Moraga, California (Nov. 22, 2010) – More than thirty five years after it first appeared on the musical landscape, the unique voice of the Tom Oberheim Synthesizer Expander Module (SEM) will sing again. Tom Oberheim, regarded as one of the world’s most influential electronic musical instrument designers, is reintroducing the SEM in three configurations, each of which is true to the analog design characteristics that were at the heart of the original device.

Musicians familiar with the layout of the original SEM will feel right at home operating the new units; with only minor hardware alterations, due to non-availability of certain components, the instruments are virtually the same as the first units that shipped out the factory door. The three SEMs include a model with a thirty-three point “CV-Gate” patch panel, one with MIDI-to-CV conversion circuitry, and the newest addition to the line, an SEM-PRO model incorporating twenty-one patch points along the top rail in addition to MIDI-to-CV capabilities.

Tom Oberheim points to a decline in the uniqueness in the sonic characteristics of commercially available synthesizers over the years as one of the reasons he decided to undertake the resurrection of the SEM. 'What happened in the eighties and nineties is that synthesizers became so perfected that they just lost their ‘edge,' Tom says. 'The old stuff has some real individualistic qualities.'

Tom will build these units by hand at his shop in California. He plans to personally sign each of the SEM - PRO units.

Prices are $899 for the SEM Patch Panel and MIDI-to-CV models and $1,199 for the SEM-PRO. Tom has teamed up with GSF Agency (www.gsfagency.com) to handle sales in the United States. For more information on the SEM line go to www.tomoberheim.com; the units may be purchased by contacting Geoff Farr of GSF Agency at 310-995-0100, or by email at geoff@gsfagency.com."