Oberheim TEO-5 Synthesizer SonicLAB Review

[@sonicstate]

We hope you enjoyed this review! Support Sonicstate by joining our Patreon and get yourself some EXCLUSIVE freebies: patreon.com/sonicstate

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

Almost 2 decades of reviews, from your first review of the Axiom mini controller to today with this abbreviated Oberheim, been following you and can't wait till your next review. Excited over sound, features, keybeds, and innovation, we live the excitement with you. Though most of us can't ever afford some of the top gear, I watch your reviews and formulate in my head, what combination of gear I own that can simulate this new synth release. And it is just exhilarating to see what synth designers are up to from year to year. Thank you, Nick, for 18 years of fun. ( I am just a pro solo pianist, but have a nice little studio at home for experimenting on synth orchestration composition and recording ).

[@motherbrain2000]

My main take away (and it’s a big one) is that modulating verb’s pre delay is very cool. I’ve never utilize that as a sound design tool.

[@imagist7225]

Preordered it a month ago from Perfect Circuit, can't wait for it to get here!

[@loweroctaves]

Haha same!🔊✨✨✨

[@fjfrancois]

Lol same, the store is like 132 miles from my home 😂

[@tendingtropic7778]

@@fjfrancois what is the exp delivery date?

[@fjfrancois]

@@tendingtropic7778 they didn’t tell me.

[@fjfrancois]

@@tendingtropic7778 don’t know, I think mid August maybe?

[@scottishpig]

"There is an elephant in the room"... and it's that handsome shirt. Thanks, Nick!

[@fortheloveofnoise]

I am subscribed with notifications on....YT did not put this video in my feed...come on, this is what I was waiting for!

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

As I know I have already mentioned in comments below other upload a demonstration of this synthesizer, possibly others by this channel, I’ve got this today. Knowing that TEO-5 is on the market in2024, it has supplanted take five as a synthesizer that I would pick as my first VCO polyphonic. Dating back to 2004, I have owned four analog polyphonic synthesizers, all of them DCO models. Because my inclination is much closer to Oberheim than the Sequential Prophet line (even if this was made by the same hands), even assuming I do buy another synthesizer this calendar year, I would much more likely get this one.

[@loweroctaves]

Great review as always! Preordered mine a month ago and can’t wait to receive it as it will be on of my forever synths next to my take 5. Got to play one at La synth expo and just loved everything about it. Just dreaming and praying they make a 61 key at least 8 voice version, bi timbral, 1000 patch, poly aftertouch keybed in the future.

[@TheUsualPage]

Something like a polyphonic version of the Pro 3 would be an amazing flagship for them. 8-16 voices, 2 analog oscillators, 1 digital oscillator, 3 different filter types (Prophet, Ladder, SEM), 61 keys with poly AT, the (ridiculous!) Pro 3 sequencer, mod-matrix, bi-timbral, TZFM and 3 LFO/3 Env. One synth to rule them all!

[@thedarkestrainbow]

@@TheUsualPagethey’ll never do it. Sequential will always almost get there but hold back before hitting the mark that would push them over the edge into something exceptional. Arturia is really showing up and delivering interesting synths with comprehensive feature sets at proportional prices.

[@TheUsualPage]

@@thedarkestrainbow yeah probably not, but it's a nice idea

[@thedarkestrainbow]

@@TheUsualPage This synth engine in a Rev2 format with Poly AT is what I’ve been wanting for years. A Oberheim, with modern features, specifically a mod matrix, with 61 keys. I don’t want 3 vintage Oberheims in 1 box, complete with all their limitations. I don’t want a 6 voice poly synth for $3500. I don’t want a poly synth with less than 8 voices period no matter the price. People get all hung up on the price of discrete components vs chips. It’s all SMD printed boards. It’s no longer through hole hand made. The cost of these micro components are so cheap. It all feels like a scam to me. 8 DCOs of Rev 2 are $600 according to their own expander module. Roughly $75 per voice. That means for a module the remaining price for case, switchgear, I/O and control boards is $1400. 5 VCOs for a Prophet 5 are $900. So roughly $180 per voice. A P5 module is $2600 so about $1700 for a very similar case. Already getting a $300 premium for less knobs and switches? So making them even, 5 voices of Rev 2 would be $375. The price delta for VCO is $525? I just can’t believe that those little components command that much of a premium. So bringing it back to this Oberheim, I don’t see why we can’t expand it for a reasonable price given the cost of parts is so small and it’s all being assembled on a factory line where labor is cheap.

[@TheUsualPage]

@@thedarkestrainbow step 3: profit

[@blankspace0000]

Sounds absolutely BEAUTIFUL

[@medardfischer]

Terrific review, Nick! Love that sequence you built at 15:14! Really lovely!

[@adamjacksonmedia]

Wow!! This guy knows how to get the best out of this synth!! I was underwhelmed by the TEO-5... until I saw this video.

[@sonicstate]

Cheers, it's got some lovely sweet spots

[@itsthevitz]

Nice little synth. Would love to see sequential introduce a TEO-10 and Take 10 with 61 keys.

[@UniQueWerkx]

Wow! That sounds amazing! Thank you, Nick!

[@ocelot972]

I'm blown away by both Take 5 and Teo 5, finally some polysynths in that price range that meet my needs, I just need to decide which one to buy. I'm not technically versatile so the compact size and lack of voices don't bother me, as a matter of fact, the low split option is EXCELLENT for a keyboard of this size, very innovative and that suits me more than having a large 61 key keyboard. I must mention the digital overdrive, I was blown away by it when I tried both synths at Superbooth. The wide mod matrix justifies all for me, and the sound of both synths is just gorgeous! The only thing I've missed trying was how the unison mode works with one voice, could this replace my current monosynth also?

[@KomorebiSynth]

Patch at 2:40 sounds great, like Steve Roach on Structures from Silence

[@UniQueWerkx]

Good catch! Very nice!

[@RishPanjeetJr]

Man I love that dude You’ve got good taste!

[@Goettel]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[@smartti1970]

our favourite reviewer musician... ... knows how to creat intricate music as well as being a techy guy ! thanks Nick

[@kw7865]

"Let's start with a couple of patches, Baby! " 😅 1:50

[@JESUSISCALLINGYOU7]

Hahaha made me laugh! 😂

[@gergokovacsjazzpiano8165]

15:57 That sequence cheered me up, because this is 15 step. Unpaired rhythm is always fun! And you can play on top as 5/4, or 3/5 or both for some lovely polyrhythm! :-)

[@hvegel]

3/5? What's the subdivision of that meter?

[@gergokovacsjazzpiano8165]

@@hvegel I mean you take the 15 step. You accent every 3rd, then you are in 5. You accent every 5th, then you are in 3. You do both, then wellcome to polyrhythms...

[@hvegel]

@@gergokovacsjazzpiano8165 so in metered music, the second number refers to the type of note representing one beat or pulse. There's no 1/5th notes, but we have quarter, 8ths, 16ths, etc. But what you're describing is a 3 measure sequence of 5/8. 15 steps. Accent every third, you're still in 5/8, now subdivided into 3 and 2. 1-2-3-1-2 // 1-2-3-1-2 // 1-2-3-1-2 - that is a fun polyrhythm to play for sure!

[@skrapadelix]

Some of those patches are approaching Xpander-like levels of complexity and expression. I love my OB-6 but all those additional mod matrix options are almost too tempting

[@kierenmoore3236]

What do you want to do that the OB-6 can’t … ?

[@kierenmoore3236]

6 voices is about the bare minimum, for me … 5 would be a bit frustrating, I think

[@kierenmoore3236]

Does the TEO-5 do anything the OB-X8 can’t … ?!

[@jorgentraun]

The TEO-5 is a matrix synth with morphable SEM filter, thrue Zero FM and build in modulateable fx. The OB-X8 have none of that. So for sound creation the TEO-5 is more flexible

[@poldidak]

@@kierenmoore3236 , yes, when did 5 become the target number again? Even the new Prophets (other than the P5 reissue) strive for 6 or more voices.

[@synthsamuraiproductions]

Da best in da biz awesome demo brother u pushed me over the edge to buy this. 🤫

[@kierenmoore3236]

Don’t listen to him, Nick !! … SS always has more GAS than Texaco !!!! … 😅

[@dankeplace]

Yeah you've bought a PB12 and everything else that Behringer has released too right BROTHER?

[@klstay]

Would love to have seen this as a desktop module with response to MPE/polyAT and polychain. None of that will ever happen. Also, as a desktop they maybe even could have squeezed in a 4 quadrant multiplier/voice into the VCF mixer at this price. To me those things would have taken it from quite good to masterpiece given the cost.

[@xfghffhfg]

a good synth is not a list of features vs price

[@klstay]

@@xfghffhfg you are correct, but all synth designs have a target price and must be built not to exceed it. At this design price point this could have been a masterpiece…

[@xfghffhfg]

@@klstay isnt it

[@FM-kl7oc]

I wish it was 8 or 10 voices

[@jazzjeffjazzjeff]

LOL

[@audiouy331]

22:50 Nick, the only way to have individually pannable oscillators is to have a full stereo signal pathway from oscillators to the output, which would require double the filters and the amps

[@Goettel]

According to SoS it has no VCA's but digital amplification. But whatever, love the sound.

[@ChrisP3000x]

Good stuff, Nick!

[@odmusicman]

Thank you for your efforts sir. 5 voice limitation is the limit for me spending $1,500. I remember voice stealing 40+ years ago and I have no romance in me to do it all over again.

[@dougie6897]

Indeed two Pro 800 s …. One hard left the other panned hard right is tough to beat for the money.

[@odmusicman]

@@dougie6897 Absolutely. I think in this economy when you can get top shelf performing synths from low cost alternatives and great VST's, spending thousands on synths makes very little sense anymore unless you are gigging.

[@ToyKeeper]

I love my Pro 3. Sometimes I want a polysynth though... and not just samples or the free VSTs built into my Force. So one of these years I hope to get an Osmose or a Hydrasynth or something else which is just really expressive and versatile and different.

[@jutjup4731]

I wasn’t interested in the TEO5 after watching some other reviews before.. until now!!

[@Donetur]

Very nice synth. I liked it.

[@axs203]

What a lovely looking synth.The Take 5 and this and also Modal's synths (and Korg) are really nice and compact and a really nice design. It will be interesting to see if punters pay the extra £500 over the UBXA.

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

Oh, Tommy patch....very kool demo sound, kind of sums up this synth in a moment. I love these low voice count synths, 4 or 5 voice I consider to be a versatile mono synth for soloing or simple chords. I don't like spending money on monosynths because any poly synth can be a mono, and would rather spend a little more for that versatility. For big poly chords that overlap I always use digital, easier to fit in a mix, and don't have to worry about tuning issues of 8+ voice analogs.

[@kierenmoore3236]

Monos and Polys are usually voiced very differently, tho’ …

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

@@kierenmoore3236 Yea, I have the option of full polyphony, or monophonic, or stacked unison. A much more affordable synth a four voice, and don't need so many different synths in one studio. I have no problem with the sound of a mono or unison mono with my choice of the stack numbers. Versatility saves me money.

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene I’m very familiar with stacked unison etc … the voice of a mono VCO will generally have significantly more heft than that of a poly synth (for fairly obvious reasons), and will have its own sound … and eg stacked unison is a different sound … but I understand what you’re saying … Get/keep whatever sounds good to and inspires you, whatever the architecture … raw sound/heft is important to me

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

@@kierenmoore3236 It mainly versatility, I can't afford most synths and to spend $2000 on a monosynth is just not an option, if I could, I would have a Matriarch in the studio today! :) instead the only mono analog I own is the MicroBrute.

[@Taketaketak]

Hey Nick, awesome as always. Are you gonna review the cascadia? 😊

[@suga4all]

Sounds super Oberheim! Love the modulation capabilities in this one. If I hadn't got the OBX8 already I'd go for this one. Does it have 5 voice cards, or is it a more compact architecture?

[@kierenmoore3236]

More compact, like the Take 5 … same SSI 2139 chips

[@suga4all]

@kierenmoore3236 I see. Thanks for the information. So, that's a significant difference right there. A lot of the sonic richness in the OBX8 comes from the separated voices, with their subtle variations on the same set of parameters.

[@bigjayrillah3508]

@@suga4all I think the voices function the same way as the OBX8, just the implementation is a bit different and it uses digital VCA instead of analog VCA's

[@Bata9999]

Some nice stuff here!

[@quantumeseboy]

Love it.

[@Music-tg5is]

How does loading patches and modifying them work on physical hardware synths like this? I mean in terms of the knobs to change the parameter values. Since, when each patch is loaded, the knobs are all in non-matching positions to those saved within the patch. Does it just make fine adjustments more tricky, since as soon as you slightly tweak a knob, the parameter completely changes its initial value, rather than being able to slightly tweak each on a virtual software synth?

[@Essjay88]

There's normally 2 or 3 modes in settings... one is a pass through/pick mode... so the value doesn't change until the knob passes through its current saved value and picks itb up from there. I assume the TEO 5 will be the same.

[@xfghffhfg]

Pot Mode: Relative, Passthru, Jump-The rotary controls on the TEO-5’s front panel are a mixture of “endless” rotary encoders and potentiometers or “pots.” The pots are identifiable by their lined knobs and limited amount of travel. There are three pot modes to determine how the synth reacts when the programmable parameters are edited. (Master volume is not programmable, so these modes don’t apply.) When set to relative, changes are relative to the stored setting. In Rela-tive mode, the full value range is not available until either the minimum or maximum value and the respective lower or upper limit of the pot’s travel is reached. For example, the Resonance parameter has a value range of 0 to 254. Let’s say the physical position of the Resonance pot is 12 o’clock. If you switch to a program that has a different Resonance setting and turn the pot all the way up, it may not go to its maximum value. To get to the maximum value, you first have to turn down until the value is at the other extreme and the pot is at the limit of its travel (in this case, 0 and fully counter-clockwise, respectively). In passthru mode, turning the pot has no effect until after the edited value equals the preset value (that is, until the edited value “passes through” the stored value). jump mode uses an absolute value based upon the position of the pot when edited: turn a pot and the value jumps immediately from the stored value to the edited value.

[@DavidGilden]

Can we have a 10 voice version, please!

[@valuemastery]

Take 2 🤗

[@valuemastery]

That means the Take 5 would have 25 voices, right?

[@jmawa8616]

Still a bit scratching my head that the vca is digital, but in this review he said it’s analog vca 😮

[@NamelessSmile]

It's confusing all round though like, there still has to be an analog amplifier somewhere even if it's digitally controlled.....so what does it mean....surely they don't digitise the signal just to change its level lol so is it a vca structure but with digitally output voltage controlling it....idk

[@NamelessSmile]

Oh hold on, there's a digital FX processor on the output, so does that mean all of the voices are summed to digital and the 'vca' is all done in digital right there

[@NamelessSmile]

(does that mean signal is always digitised then...strange)

[@carsonday8190]

I am a Sequential/Oberheim employee. "VCA" is digital in both the TEO-5 and TAKE 5. Each voice is digitized post filter and the "VCA" is performed in the digital domain.

[@NamelessSmile]

@@carsonday8190 Ty for clarification

[@theinterruptor]

Panning the individual oscillators would require a stereo filter on each voice. Or do I miss something?

[@tylergates4075]

Damnn... i like the smaller form factor .

[@UniQueWerkx]

So are they the Sequantial Profit/Take 5 Ocs's or are they the same ones used in the OB-X8?

[@tendingtropic7778]

did you find out?

[@UniQueWerkx]

@@tendingtropic7778 unfortunately, no.

[@kierenmoore3236]

6:11 - 6:46 … uses the same SSI 2130 oscillator chips as the Take 5 … tho’ configured/used a little differently

[@UniQueWerkx]

@@kierenmoore3236 Thank you!

[@markus6409]

Vca? Does it have?

[@kierenmoore3236]

And what are the VCOs and VCFs in the OB-X8 … ? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@johnbeer2854]

I miss the 90s when you bought synths because had sounds the others didnt - these days analogue synths are all pretty much of a muchness. I end up buying them on how cool they look.

[@wasnaught]

@@johnbeer2854 Arturia Polybrute

[@kujumz]

svf sem + deep mod matrix + loopable envelopes + poly lfo what on earth are you talking about

[@johnbeer2854]

@@kujumz Doesn't matter, its still just analog waveforms. Think back to the Korg M1, or Trinity, D50 etc all of them had unique identifiable sound pallets that even today you can pick out on a record - CS80 another example..People used to buy an instrument because it sounded unique from the others, rather than a variation of them.

[@kujumz]

@@johnbeer2854 there’s plenty of synths out there on the market with different types of synthesis and endless waveforms. it’s been done, for decades. get one of those. the cs80 only had 2 waveforms. its uniqueness comes from poly aftertouch response. TEO is an analog synth. And the stuff I listed above ARE innovations for that topology. And you can make wacko sounds with it.

[@72ndHUMAN]

Blue Lines

[@sandkipper1]

It sounds and looks beautiful, but it’s quite pricey compared to an 8 voice Rev 2. Maybe the TEO has better analogue tech under the hood? I don’t know.

[@MorbidManoeuvres]

seems like a slightly weaker OB6, Not sure its worth the budget if say one was to go for a second hand desktop OB6

[@nagchumpalot]

OB6 also has voices on separate discrete voice cards.. So way better and easier to fix if there's a problem.. but the TEO 5 is an awesome way to get the Oberhiem sound if you don't have an OB6 or X8.

[@MorbidManoeuvres]

@@nagchumpalot Absolutely agree, either way the SEM filter and over all this TEO 5 is a great sounding synth, it has enough facilities to do the job ! one could get very creative with

[@72ndHUMAN]

Shout out to Charles Band

[@jorgentraun]

Elephants are always a matter of taste and preferences. I prefer the form factor, the sound, the discrete multimode SEM filter, and the modulation options of the TEO-5, than a more traditional analog polysynth like the UBXa with the OB-Xa like curtis LPF. I even prefers the TEO-5 over the more expensive Oberheim OB-X8 and OB-6. five voice polyphony is in my opinion plenty. I'm a long time Eurorack user, most of my analog synths is monophonic and I make great tracks with that, so what the problem is....😉

[@kierenmoore3236]

5 isn’t enough (imho) for actual keys players

[@kierenmoore3236]

I’d take just these 5 voices over the ubxa (Behri), tho, yes

[@xfghffhfg]

@@kierenmoore3236 enouth for one hand

[@bojangprodoktschns5428]

Sounds absolutely fantastic! I even like ut better than the OB-X8.

[@JBrm]

You might need new headphones instead of a new synth 😅

[@bojangprodoktschns5428]

Unfortunately my headphones cost more than an OB-XA, so maybe I need new ears. I'm kidding of course, I'm listening to this like we are supposed to listen to everything these days, a cheap cellphone speaker.

[@johnleclerc5711]

Been programming and using synths since the 80's. Had a prophet 5, prophet 600. Roland Juno 60, and recently Roland Gaia and Roland System 8. Just received the teo5 and very disappointed in the sound of the oscilators. Very thin overall. Out of 256 patches I was unimpressed with the majority. Reverb limited to plate. Other effects very nice. The modulation capabilities are also next level. This is a great unit for wild highly modulated sounds but really lacks in usable gig ready patches. Brass/strings/pads /leads. All better on the Roland System 8. Build quality is outstanding. Great price. Nice for the studio for sure but not a good gig synth , at least for me. Would be great for EDM and bass sounds.

[@falangistavaleroso9689]

Love the Fm and X mod on this, the rest as modern analogues sounds as a plug in.

[@maxine2798]

Couldn’t they have given us obie paddles for pitch and mod? Why have so many knobs for effects? Why not more synth stuff on the front panel instead? Mixer?

[@taosophymusic]

They dropped the ball on the naming. I know it's an homage, but in another life this would have been called "The Obie"

[@fjfrancois]

Kenoby?

[@taosophymusic]

@@fjfrancois 😂 I meant as in "a little Oberheim, but that works too!

[@Jnoir.]

I agree ! I ordered mine already as the name isn’t a deal breaker but damn that huge TEO-5 in the back is just not it 🤢 putting a huge sticker over it haha

[@fjfrancois]

😂😂😂😂

[@tylergates4075]

Size 72 default Microsoft paint font lol. I kind of like it though

[@Gerald_Daniel]

Will the UB-Xa ever be on your table?

[@josephwright5921]

I doubt it, considering Behringer is no longer sending out free demo units, unless they loan him one.

[@jazzjeffjazzjeff]

UBXa killer!

[@nn99nn99]

@jazzjeffjazzjeff UB-XA 16 voices makes TEO-5 pointless

[@uncccut23]

Very funny but also a bit disturbing with the bandpass filter/sync thing when it sounded like these super evil human voices. This guy should try to make it sound like his own voice (that always sounds like he has a bit of apple or something stuck in it) lol.

[@JBrm]

Missing the wow-effect on the sounds for this one. I'm afraid that's not enough to justify buying the hardware over a good software emulation. Might wanna look at the OB-6 or OB-X8 instead if going for hardware...

[@maydaygoingdown5602]

Sounds really really nice, definitely Oberhiem 100%. However, 5 voices and a lot of voice stealing and again not enough keys by a long shot at this price range makes it a no go for me, as a keyboard player i do not want to be constantly looking for the octave button, if it where 61 keys then i'd buy one, why dont they just make it a cheaper Desktop if they cant be arsed doing a 61 keybed ffs.

[@johnathantyrer6077]

Looks cool,has a ‘sound’ yet really doesn’t do anything that DIVA can’t do already and then some 💁‍♂️

[@colinodea2407]

Why is my quality so bad.

[@sam.kosmische]

0:14 nope! trigon 6 ;-)

[@kierenmoore3236]

Sounds good, mostly. Too few voices, tho’. 😶

[@EBMZEQUENZER]

Just another synth , seems like there's a new one announced every day such an expensive hobby Cheers 🍻🍻

[@moogy77]

WHY LOW F? Needs to be a low EEEEEE!!

[@RayyMusik]

Ever seen a Minimoog? ;)

[@moogy77]

@@RayyMusik Yes, I owned one in 1973......it's 2024!!

[@alancalvitti]

tequila bloated corpse tbc-5

[@MrArpSolina]

Do we need another synth of this kind? Yet another "classic" substractive synthesis synth. No real innovative features, same kind of basic analog synths as we know them since 50 years. Same comment for Moog, Sequential or Arturia... although, at least Arturia is bringing us new features like the FullTouch aftertouch or the morphing function. Oh well!

[@frankschneider7190]

Too chaotic fideling around. No concept at all. Poor demonstration.

[@zdave6083]

Wash yer mouth out with soap. How dare you disparage the maestro of synth demo's ?

[@frankschneider7190]

Are You a fanboy?

[@mr.irrelevant3588]

At least he's not a shill like most synth KZbinrs

[@frankschneider7190]

thats true, most YTers became better and better, while Nick is getting even worse

[@MS-Patriot2]

I sense a Teutonic need for organisation there. This is Nick, he’s a big kid who loves synthesisers. I think you get a good view of what this board can do even if he’s behaving like a tech head in a music store on a Saturday afternoon.

[@fjfrancois]

Nick your the man 👍 I just order the Teo 5 since my matrix 6 is broken 😢😢😢😢

[@kendoshusmiller9137]

I wonder how it compares to the Matrix 6.

[@dankeplace]

I hope you recover from your loss with a win.

[@fjfrancois]

@@dankeplace thanks