Arturia Sem V2 Software Synthesizer

A giant has come back to life. Oberheim's legendary SEM - Synthesizer Expander Module - is back for the first time as a high-end software emulation powered by Arturia's exclusive TAE technology.

The SEM module was originally made to compliment other synthesizers but later came into its own as a great sounding synth. The unique filter that allowed continuously variable operation from low pass to high pass gave it a sound that no other had. When multiple SEM's were connected into a 4 or 8 voice polyphonic system, it became a thing of beauty.

Analog Masterpiece Revisited

Accurately recreating the tone, waveshapes, multimode 12dB/octave filter and other detailed characteristics, SEM V2 delivers all the deep analog sounds that made its grand ancestor so unique and praised. Our voice programmer mode allows you to recreate the sound of the huge and rare 8 Voice.

Uber Mine Of Sound

The SEM is known as a bass and lead machine but our recreation extends it well beyond the original. it's sound pallet extends to moving 8 voice pads , acid arpeggios and even electronic percussion.

Expanded Creativity

While the SEM was a great synth, we wanted to make it even better.

We added new innovations like the sub-oscillator for deep basses. A second LFO with more waveforms, and the modulation matrix greatly expands the sonic capabilities of the SEM. Add to this the arpeggiator and Key Follow modulator and you get one super powered synth.

A Little Bit Of History...

Throughout the early 70’s, Tom Oberheim quickly gained a reputation as a talented effects manufacturer. His company Oberheim Electronics notably engineered the Maestro Ring Modulator and Phase Shifter which had a huge success on the US market.

After gaining experience as an official dealer for ARP Synthesizers in Los Angeles, he designed the Synthesizer Expander Module (SEM) with the help of Dave Rossum of E-mu Systems. It made its debut in May 1974 at the Audio Engineering Society Convention in L.A.

The SEM was one of the world’s first self-contained synthesizer modules. It was primarily developed as a convenient solution for musicians who wanted to set up sequences without tying up more valuable synths. The SEM also worked very well as an expander to fatten up the tone of other synthesizers like the Minimoog or the ARP Odyssey.

Soon the SEM gained a popularity of its own, thanks to the unique sounds generated by its innovative multimode filter.

Tom expanded upon this success by creating polyphonic synthesizers that were basically combinations of the SEM with a digital keyboard in one carry-case. Besides the OB series, Oberheim extended its line with popular synthesizers such as the Matrix 6, -12 and -1000.

Sadly, in 1985 Oberheim Electronics folded. However, the brand name and some of its products were carried forward one company after another. And then to the joy of synth enthusiasts, as of 2009 Tom started producing updated versions of his early synthesizers again.

A Faithful Reproduction

The original SEM has particular characteristics for which it is loved by many musicians to this day. SEM V brings back the sound and special characteristics in an accurate virtual emulation.

The SEM V modules have been faithfully modeled using TAE® (True Analog Emulation), Arturia’s proprietary technology that precisely models the behavior of analog circuits.

And the results speak for themselves: SEM V is a stunningly accurate virtual instrument that delivers the same acoustic properties as the original.

Oscillators :

Like all components of SEM V, we modeled the two oscillators with the utmost respect for the properties of the original circuit. They replicate the exact sawtooth and variable-width pulse waveforms present in the original.

On a control level, the SEM V interface also duplicates the behavior of the dual-concentric knobs for coarse and fine tuning, with a right-click/drag activating the fine adjust mode (as it does for most parameters).

Filter :

The 12dB/octave multimode filter is one of the most remarkable modules in the SEM. In many ways it helped define the sonic identity of Oberheim, because it shaped a diverse range of sounds that were almost impossible to get on other synthesizers.

SEM V carefully models the four modes of the filter (low-pass, high-pass, notch and band-pass). Our commitment to recreating each detail means that you can either switch to band-pass mode or sweep through the other three modes simply by turning the knob clockwise.

ADS Envelopes and Modulations :

The particular response of the ADS envelopes is accurately reproduced, as are the VCF mixer and all modulation knobs and switches, so you’ll be able to nail any of the classic SEM tones.

Preset Browser

Our redesigned preset browser lets you quickly find just the sound you’re looking for.

A giant has come back to life. Oberheim's legendary SEM - Synthesizer Expander Module - is back for the first time as a high-end software emulation powered by Arturia's exclusive TAE technology.

The SEM module was originally made to compliment other synthesizers but later came into its own as a great sounding synth. The unique filter that allowed continuously variable operation from low pass to high pass gave it a sound that no other had. When multiple SEM's were connected into a 4 or 8 voice polyphonic system, it became a thing of beauty.

Analog Masterpiece Revisited

Accurately recreating the tone, waveshapes, multimode 12dB/octave filter and other detailed characteristics, SEM V2 delivers all the deep analog sounds that made its grand ancestor so unique and praised. Our voice programmer mode allows you to recreate the sound of the huge and rare 8 Voice.

Uber Mine Of Sound

The SEM is known as a bass and lead machine but our recreation extends it well beyond the original. it's sound pallet extends to moving 8 voice pads , acid arpeggios and even electronic percussion.

Expanded Creativity

While the SEM was a great synth, we wanted to make it even better.

We added new innovations like the sub-oscillator for deep basses. A second LFO with more waveforms, and the modulation matrix greatly expands the sonic capabilities of the SEM. Add to this the arpeggiator and Key Follow modulator and you get one super powered synth.

Search by name or simply select the appropriate tags to dial in on the exact sonic character you’re looking for. You can mark and recall your own favorites, enter comments, and set up playlists. There’s never been a more intuitive way to manage your library of designer and personal presets.

Resizable GUI

The user interfaces for all your Arturia instruments are now resizable, making it easy to work with any High Resolution screen, UHD or Retina.

You can decide whether you want to fill the screen with awesome graphic reproductions of classic instrument goodness, scale the window down when you’re working in a DAW and screen real estate is at a premium, or even zoom for detailed work.