OBERHEIM'S FIRST SYNTH!

[@Lackan110f]

Great video, but according to an interview with Tom he said that the SEM originally was a way to sell the DS2 sequencer: Since most people didn't want to tie up their Minimoog or 2600 to a sequencer, the sequencer had to have some cheap soundsource to control for basslines etc. (sorry for nerding) :)

[@AlexBallMusic]

You're absolutely right and I even knew that, I just neglected to explain that part of it. I shall pin.

[@IanBoccio]

I think Alex’s title is right though. The original SEM is not a complete synth, just an expander module for other synths. The Two-Voice was Oberheim’s first complete, self-contained synthesizer instrument, with a keyboard, performance controllers etc. Mostly a matter of semantics I guess…

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@IanBoccio Thanks. Yes, that's what I was trying to get across. It was originally a product to support other products, but then grew into a bunch of products that were very much their own thing. Lackan is right, originally the idea was to have something basic to play the sequences, so that you could free up your main synth to play over the top (as well as it being a general expander with a contrasting filter etc).

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Whenever I think of this part of the history, it looks to me like a distant precursor to when DJs and producers would eventually do nothing in realtime and the synthesizer would be triggered exclusively from the sequencer.

[@everpuremusic]

@@Shred_The_Weapon I really dislike this dismissive "do nothing" judgement. It is wrong, has always been wrong and will forever be wrong. Because someone actually has to compose and program those sequences. And guess, who does that? Yup, you guessed right. Those "DJs and producers" do. And then, it is just a matter of what you focus on during your performance: Do you play a lot of melodies and harmonies with your ten fingers on some keys? Or do you play the filters, envelopes, effects and other details of those synthesisers' sounds? So there.

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Forget synths and musicianship, we all know we're here for his flamboyant adjectives, and his brilliant humour 😋

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks sweet cheeks.

[@nerfytheclown]

I could give a damn about the humor, but the flamboyant adjectives do win me over.

[@DarkSideofSynth]

@@nerfytheclown They go hand in hand.

[@nerfytheclown]

@@DarkSideofSynth ... It took him almost fifteen seconds to make me chuckle. Slipping... 😏

[@hankybostik7634]

@@AlexBallMusic simping for you Alex my boy!❤️🙏

[@decimal1815]

Nice to see the original engineers getting credit here :)

[@Andor.]

god i love oberheims logo, its so fun, just a cool ass musical note beeing chill as hell.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, big cartoon pair of quavers with its thumbs up.

[@mistervalentin8396]

Alex, your channel is the ONLY one that I regularly check if there is something new. I frequently re-watch your videos to enjoy your fabulous playing and funky music ideas plus your ability to tell stories with humour and wit ... sorry for barrage of compliments, but it's my roundabout way to tell you how gifted you are and how thankful I am that you make these videos.

[@AlexBallMusic]

We should get a room.

[@johnvcougar]

Completely! Those Roland, Korg and ARP history vids are some of the best on YT.

[@snag41]

@@AlexBallMusic London humour people

[@williamtell1477]

@@johnvcougar if you haven’t watched Alex’s series on “light music” it is super epic as well. And the terminator soundtrack one. And the escape from New York one. ;)

[@johnvcougar]

@@williamtell1477 LOVE the John Carpenter stuff, too!

[@Medniex]

that successful arpeggio expression is gold 😁

[@AlexBallMusic]

Mission accomplished.

[@Noise-Conductor]

@@AlexBallMusic Yeah but how many takes did you do to get it right? LOL

[@modyssey22]

Easily one of the most beautiful sounding synths I own, as evidenced by your playing at the 3:30 mark.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers. Yeah, all about raw sound. Not a deep or complex instrument by any stretch.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

The Synapse Audio VST which is emulsion of the OBXA and I think it sounds fantastic so heaven knows what it would be like to hear a real Obrahim in person, that bass they make is so deep.

[@LarsBjerregaard]

Yeah, THAT sound, immediately melted my heart as well at that point.

[@soepil]

Some absolute banger tunes in this episode. And the Two-Voice sounds absolutely fantastic. Thank you.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers. Yeah, I agree on the Two-Voice sound, it's a tad pleasing.

[@soniklink-WKD4496]

Once again, a masterclass of sound, history and captivation.👍Demo 3 blew my mind! Love it ❤

[@AlexBallMusic]

Glad to hear that! Cheers.

[@graemedavidson499]

I believe Rod Hull had a hand in Emu too but presumably that part was left out for having too aggressive an attack and delayed release. Joking aside, I thoroughly enjoy your synth history works!

[@AlexBallMusic]

You are quite the pun-dit.

[@henryhill92]

That DROKK album is so good, definitely recommend it. If nothing else as a monument to the artistic cowardice of studio execs

[@AlexBallMusic]

Hell yeah! There's a clip on KZbin where someone put the Drokk score up against the film and it's raw as rusty nails! Imagine how it could have been. Ah well.

[@TheUnfinishedSynth]

It’s absolutely incredible isn’t it? Much as I love most of their music, I wish they’d done a bit more in that direction.

[@DaveG207]

You had me at “dum dum dum dum, dum dum dum dum, dum dum dum dum….”

[@AlexBallMusic]

My finest lyrics.

[@ivanlozano2019]

Even better when you hit "translate to English"

[@ivanlozano2019]

Awh the button is gone lol

[@shkeni]

SEMs have such a unique, gorgeous sound which I've always found very inspiring. The 2 voice is a contender for my favorite synth of all time, I'd kill to have one lol. Loved the demos.

[@CrownLandsMusic]

Excellent as always man!! Demo 5 is more Carpenter than Carpenter

[@AlexBallMusic]

Dun....dun.....dun.....dun.....dun

[@cfibb]

Thanks for uploading. Many synths do many crazy, wonderful things but none quite have the sheer smile factor of Tom Oberheim's creations tonally. That filter..!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ear to ear, indeed.

[@HANGINGOUTWITHAUDIOPHILES]

Ahhh. Love getting a new Alex vid in the feed. This is great as ever ! Nothing beats an oberheim sync.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Jamie. Yeah, the sync is really alive.

[@ruudruijer]

Thank you for this interesting piece of history, always loved the sound of Oberheim!

[@justinb9387]

love your vids - still the best

[@MichelSchallenberg]

Loving the August Nineteen Seventy-Five demo.

[@horizontalblanking]

As a musician and (at least in the early 90s) a video “professional” …I want to hate you… but I can’t. You make me laugh, smile, and your content is top notch. Stellar job sir!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Christopher. 🙂

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

Honestly you never disappoint Me with your music in these videos, love every second. Wow thats an incredible bit of hysterical synthesis in good hands with you.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you very much!

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

@@AlexBallMusic 🙂👍

[@rtermini]

Love it... I still have mine... all these years and it plays great.

[@snackscoughman]

Last jamn was elite, heavenly, please release it

[@irife2771]

If Oberheim has a million fans, then I'm one of them. If Oberheim has one fan, That one is me. If Oberheim has no fans, that means I'm dead.

[@JoshSemans]

I need to binge the heck out of the TV show that the opening jam is the theme tune for. Blimey 🥲 August Nineteen Seventy Five is also incredible. Wowee.

[@AlexBallMusic]

It's called Delta 930: The Space Race. It aired on BBC9 between 1976 and 1977. Has a cult following.

[@Moruial]

Wow, I didn't expted this thing to sound that good, it's brillant! all the tunes you're played are so well done, good job sir!

[@AlexBallMusic]

It's a superb sound, yeah. I'd say it's up there with the best.

[@infn8loopmusic]

Excellent jams, and the history here was very interesting to hear. I really enjoyed the format and the content. I am very glad that I clicked this video! 😁

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Late to the party but this is so good! I just love the sound of Oberheim.

[@graxjpg]

As always, the synthesizer in question is only as enamoring and as interesting on its own as you are presenting it to us.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

The closest thing I have to this sound with very similar sounding presets as what was played here is a VST. I'd love to play a real one.

[@CBG]

This was outstanding. As with your other videos on conclusion I'm educated, entertained and impressed by your musical ability and catchy demo's!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Nice of you to say! Cheers.

[@martinlubitz3171]

On point👏👍

[@duncanparsons]

Yes, thank you. I did find it interesting.

[@dougtravins9624]

Enjoyable video Alex. I was in a band wayback in the early 80's that had a keyboard player using the 2-voice for bass lines and a 4-voice for the rest of it. He had to acclimate it to the room we were playing in for a while before he would break out a scope and calibrate each oscillator to A440. Then he would slightly stretch-tune them for a super FAT but also lush sound. When that machine was right, so was the set list. Trouble is, if the stage was near an open window/door, it would have to be recalibrated between sets again. Occasionally one of the little contact 'tines' on the keys would break off and he would 'lose' that note until we took a break , where he would open her up backstage and put a new tine in. Sheesh. One night in Vermont he burned through the break and half of the next set fixing an SEM. Soldering, snipping, and swearing, but finally got'r done. Then it was another 10 minute calibration routine before the rest of us could go on stage. That's when the club owner would stop ripping his hair out. Lol IMHO it was the sweetest, punchiest, killer synth out there when tuned correctly. I think it's still in his basement somewhere. Yeah we're old!

[@garaughty]

What a beautiful beast !

[@sudbenzer6603]

i see it as my mission now to give you a thumbs up everytime you're using the multivox. great synth-demo!

[@marklholloway]

Wonderful historical overview, synth programming, and songwriting, as always! Really shows how beautiful this synth is.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Mark!

[@MelloCello7]

Show casing my favorite synths of all time are already a treat, but I was double surprised to see that your production skills are TOP notch! Seriously musical choices boldly triumphs that this piece of history is in the right hands🎛

[@MelloCello7]

You are seriously... freakishly good at what you do! My goodness did you have to go that hard!?

[@pablowentscobar]

The litle jams in the interludes are just fantastic.

[@LFOVCF]

Best SEM patches I've heard on KZbin. Like the feeling of payday, an Alex Ball video is a welcome relief after too long in between. The usual informative and funny mix, with a side salad of natty tunes. I'm just going to sit on the side of my bed, in my underwear, smoking a cigarette and dreaming of a SEM

[@AlexBallMusic]

I feel you. From wanting a Two Voice to finally getting one was about 7 years. That's a lot of cigarettes and I don't even smoke.

[@LarsBjerregaard]

God that thing sounds so good. It's like the best syrup for the ears, that thick, lush sweetness. Another great video Alex, thanks!

[@jeffjfindley4802]

This history lesson blew my doors off. Amazing. Subscribed.

[@biggrime]

Sounds amazing! I want it bad

[@AlexBallMusic]

I've been waiting YEARS for one of these. Missed out on all the reissues and a few units that went for too much. Then the synth fairy waved her wand.

[@XavierRadix]

Yep, best demonstration of the SEM I've seen. Ever. You done did it again, Mr. Ball. THE. MR. BALL.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you sir. Not many videos about it on KZbin. Hard to find I guess!

[@MrQmason]

OBX, OBXa, Matrix 6, Matrix 12, OB8...... and others......thanks Tom Oberheim and great video Alex

[@PlugInGuruVideo]

Lovely video dude - the care you put into these always shines thru.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers John!

[@dalejason]

Brilliant work again Alex 👏👏👏

[@SRDhain]

I'd forgotten how good these can sound. The built in 8 step sequencer gives it that extra desirability/ usability sheen. Again, i missed out on buying one of these beauties as pragmatism meant that i needed a multi timbral synth to fill the gap in my studio, and this happened to be about 100 pounds over my total shopping budget at the time. No regrets, as my choice at the time helped me get work AND forced me to learn how to program it until i could afford more gear & expansion cards for it. The JV1080 wasn't & isn't an Oberheim Two voice, but then again, what is. Thank you, Alex, for bringing some welcome aural sizzle to a sodden sunday afternoon.

[@mikegeary8056]

Love that sound. Pure Electro.

[@VintageSynthesizerSolutions]

Best Mono Synth EVER Made!!!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah! Especially because it's two monosynths and they both sound incredible. What a thing.

[@Waldemar_la_Tendresse]

I don't think I've seen a single video on your channel that wasn't great for its music and all the information content it contains. I think I'm going to have to watch all the videos I haven't seen yet.

[@AndyVonal]

Love ya, Alex! such great informative content! More gear lust! Thank you for your hard work! it is very much appreciated!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Andy!

[@turquoisecapricorn]

A wonderful synthesizer that 2Voice! Really nice that mini-sequencer and the sync possibilities. Absolutely on my wishlist!

[@Noise-Conductor]

Love the historic details you put into these videos plus the great jams!

[@DEADLINETV]

Always a sheer delight to watch and listen to your videos! Thanks Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks for the ongoing support.

[@VEsound]

You rock as always Alex. :)

[@williamolsen20]

A friend loaned me an Oberheim 2 voice to record with,it is an awesome synth.

[@lesynthlofi]

7/8 on that 3rd jam? Superb! A really lovely sweet synth. Another one for me that got away, 20 years ago. Excellent video, as usual. The 4th and 5th jams were absolutely killer. I’d love to hear a longer version of either!!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers. Roughly 7/8 but with undefinable rhythmic values as they're CV controlled.

[@user-ql1pc7pi9x]

Dude, that tune at 3:30 was BANGIN!!!!

[@_OopsieDaisies]

incredible video on a beautiful and important machine! your jams are top notch and i look forward to all of your videos :)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks very much!

[@johnk6312]

Such a fantastic sound, a bit of caberet voltaire influence around the 10 minute mark, lovely

[@thaJeztah]

Fantastic video, a great history lesson!! Wasn't aware of half of the people that worked on these synths; impressive list of engineers involved!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, I didn't know that either. I'd always just assumed it was all Tom, but of course these stories are always way more complicated. Makes sense as to why it sounds so damn good.

[@thaJeztah]

@@AlexBallMusic I knew he collaborated with other engineers, and he's always been very straight up about that (giving credits due where credits due), but wow, that list was way longer than I knew! Great research (as always!). Perhaps Tom is willing to make a guest appearance on your channel?

[@iannieman]

Great as always ... I need to use mine more I think :)

[@unclemick-synths]

7:24 Still got my JLCooper PPS-100 sync box. I used it to slave Cubase on my Atari to tape.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Seems like they got around!

[@carlosserrano3985]

Wow, Oberheim 2 voice, excellent video like always. I see the Roland R-8 in the background!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Actually an R5 that I need to get working. I was given it.

[@mk1st]

This was super interesting and your jams are outstanding.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you kindly!

[@tonewreck1]

gorgeous synth, and great demos!!thanks Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers!

[@Death_By_Media]

The very Best sounding Analog synthesizer ever made in my book . Banger demos as always ! Cheers to our fave synth Oi Bruv .

[@AlexBallMusic]

It's up there for sure.

[@timkoelln3826]

First of all, awesome video as always. The two voice is one of my bucket list synths for sure! I wanted to add Joe Zawinul (Weather Report) as an important Oberheim SEM based instrument user (four voice) The Heavy Weather album is chock full of awesome synth parts and solos from the literal first notes of the album through to the end! I always loved the solo at the end of A Remark You Made. Not a super impressive patch, but proof that, just like with Alex, the real power of any synth is in the player. Keep up the good work sir!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers, glad you enjoyed it. Weather Report - I know it well, have that album on vinyl. I didn't go into Four Voice and Eight Voice users as they're a different story really. Herbie Hancock was rocking an Eight Voice, as was Chick Corea, Lyle Mayes, Geddy Lee, Patrick Moraz. Jazz and prog largely.

[@dnashofficial]

you create the most amazing music.

[@peterkadarmusic9728]

Another excellent history lesson and musical journey. Thank you, sir.

[@JMLRecording]

Great vid man thx for posting!! Just got a Matrix-12 this week and have always been an Oberheim fanboy ever since my first matrix 1000

[@kikkirow]

Really amazing. Really loved demo 4. It’s really cool to see how powerful this instrument is and is still used today.

[@AlexBallMusic]

So much punch.

[@davidleary5639]

Great video again.The opening of demo two with the minimal percussion was superb .I could have listened to that on its own.

[@AlexBallMusic]

The timeless sound of 70s gear.

[@davidleary5639]

@@AlexBallMusic And a well written catchy and atmospheric keyboard part.

[@TDRKB]

Lots of fun facts and great demos as per usual with your trademark sense of humour. Great video. Its amazing where you manage to track these synths down for review and that they all work! Happy New Year Alex and thanks for the great entertainment in 2022 and looking forward to 2023!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Kevin. Well, funnily enough, I tracked this one down 8 months ago and it didn't work. It's recently returned after being resuscitated. There's a pile in the corner waiting for the same service. The joys/pains of vintage! Happy new year to you too!

[@moritz_schoenermann]

Beautiful Doc!

[@Gmartin4049]

great stuff. loads of love

[@gilberth_]

Thanks once more for the stories and the music

[@OrangeMedal2]

the oberheim stuff is pretty consistently great sounding.

[@ProckGnosis]

I kick myself for not picking one of these up a few years ago when they did the re-release. Have been a long time fan of the SEM filter and Oberheim sound. Also thanks for a deeper dive on this topic than I expected...there was a lot more to the story than I knew. Danke!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, basically all SEMs are hard to find!

[@sawsquaresinetube]

Sick! I have the SEM module actually signed by Tom and an early OB-8, I even have the JLCooper midified LinnDrum with the logo. I had no idea the connection, thanks for sharing!

[@routinehead2481]

The music that you made in this video is every bit of amazing! Greetings from Florida US

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@thebreathalyzer]

Wonderful video!!! Many thanks for all your efforts!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Shawn!

[@MusicalWizardryMarcoIannello]

❤❤

[@iamkeiju6756]

These demos were fire again

[@MarquisDeSang]

That is some serious sick beat.

[@kerzwhile]

This was wonderful!! More next album material too!! 😁

[@retro-dademusic6403]

Came for the video. Came back for the outro jam. 😎

[@Harrysound]

Definitely the best synth IMO. The Brainworx plugin is glorious too

[@Ulvens]

Happy new year, and thank you so much. This was awesome.

[@BrunoWiebelt]

THE ALEX BALL ... nice to learn about vintage synts Oberheim still rocks

[@dannycasseau1557]

Great video as usual! I love the SEM!

[@24framemedia]

I always love your videos but this might be my favorite!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers. Could listen to that Oberheim all day long, makes for an easy video.

[@24framemedia]

@@AlexBallMusic me too, I have the reissue and it is probably my all-time favorite synth, certainly in the top 5 for sure!

[@lab-by-the-sea]

Again, great work!

[@lefunghi6151]

Thank god GeForce have made an incredible software version of the 8 voice (with Tom Oberheim support even!). It just sounds so good and has a lovely character. Also, as usual, great jams, great presentation, great video! Cheers Little edit: The fact that they used it for DREDD but it was scrapped is criminal to me as I absolutely love that movie.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, I was trying out the GForce Oberheim SEM against my Two Voice and it's impressively modelled.

[@i_never_asked_for_an_alias]

I was born 1975. I feel strangly related to this thing. Also thanks for the continuing of great videos and music, sir.

[@fuzz7boy]

Alex, your videos are always amazing. They are funny, entertaining and informative. I'm always sad that they don't continue on for hours.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Roger!

[@matthewseymour8972]

Transistor Bass Workout is an absolute banger!

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Terrific! I always liked that Oberheim sound……….

[@joakimbertil]

It sounds just as gritty as my Polivoks!

[@LondraCalibro9]

These history videos are great, so well executed and inspirational. The SEM based synths are some of my favourites - Tom Oberheim had such a beautiful approach to design.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Absolutely.

[@macronencer]

12:35 This was a wonderful moment :D Thanks for another entertaining and informative video, Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Had to be done.