MATRIXSYNTH: Custom Oberheim "One Voice" Analog Modular Desktop


Tuesday, January 01, 2013

Custom Oberheim "One Voice" Analog Modular Desktop

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This auction is for an Oberheim "One Voice" custom modular synthesizer, which consists of a patched out vintage SEM, Mini-sequencer, 4 Voice output mixer and 4 Voice power supply in a wooden box with laser etched front panel. The power supply is running on 120V North American power and will include the original Oberheim power cable...

If you've been thinking of starting a modular system you could do a lot worse than this as it contains:
2xVCO
2xEG
VCF
VCA
LFO w/reset
2x8 step analog sequencer with both quantized and unquantized outputs
noise source
Sample/Hold with lag
VC Clock
4 channel stereo mixer
headphone amp
4 way multiple
case/power
Add that up in the modular planner and you're talking classic vintage analog for Doepfer prices."

This one was put together by Larry Church. You can find additional details and pics of the inside here.

Some additional details via the auction: "The only thing worth noting functionally is that the individual step trigger outputs for the sequencer, while wired properly, are very low voltage (~1V) and are S-trig (short to ground, normally open instead of closed) so they really need additional amplification and/or logic inversion to work with most things… not so useful in the context of this closed system, but very handy to have if you are using with a larger modular setup that has basic utility modules to handle these functions.

The SEM has had the LED replaced with a cool, non-blinding blue one... and is very clean cosmetically, as is the Output Module. The mini-sequencer has inexplicably had the front panel paint stripped by a former owner (legending is taped on there for reference) and the knobs are missing their inserts. The wood box won't win any furniture craftsmanship awards but it's made well and overall looks nice. The power supply had a recap and has enough juice to drive more SEMS should you choose to expand it in the future. The fuse holder is a bit loose but not in danger of falling out.

I've tweaked the semi-normalizations a bit and have it in what I think is the optimum routing configuration in regards to external CV/sequencing/transposition to the SEM.

The CV1 and Gate1 jacks in the lower right hand corner are where you plug in your external CV (like a keyboard, my Mini-Brute works perfectly) and the toggle switches route it for you. When in the upper SEQ position, the unquantized CV output of sequencer row #1 is routed directly to the SEM oscillators and gates to Envelope inputs so you can play the SEM from the sequencer without any patch cables. If you switch it to the lower EXT position, it transposes the sequencer from your external keyboard. If you want to bypass the sequencer and drive the SEM directly from your external source, you'd use EXT and then set the left routing switch on the Mini-sequencer to "Keyb". I've also run the main audio output of the SEM to input 4 on the Output Module.

Of course any of these semi-normalizations can be overridden by front panel patch points, but these help it become a self-contained, play-and-play from the sequencer, no patch cables necessary for immediate gratification instrument."




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