Oberheim

Active

Country: United States (US)
Founded: 1973
HQ: San Francisco, California, United States
Parent: Focusrite PLC (partnership with Sequential LLC)

Indexes

Drum Machines & Samplers

Overview

Oberheim is a synthesizer company known for analog polyphonic synthesizers from the 1970s and 1980s, including the OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 series. It ceased operations in 1985 but relaunched in 2022 under Tom Oberheim's direction, producing new instruments that recreate classic Oberheim sounds using SEM-based designs. The brand targets electronic music producers seeking vintage analog tones in modern formats.

History

Founded by Tom Oberheim in 1969, the company pioneered commercial polyphonic synthesizers like the 4-Voice and 8-Voice in the 1970s, followed by the OB series in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It faced financial issues, ceasing operations in 1985 after acquisition by Gibson. Tom Oberheim regained the trademarks in 2009 and relaunched the company in 2022 in partnership with Focusrite PLC and Sequential LLC.

Product Lines

Product Line	Positioning	Price Range
OB-X8 (8-voice analog poly synth)	Recreates classic OB-X, OB-Xa, OB-8 sounds	$5,000 - $6,000
OB-X6 (6-voice analog poly synth)	Compact version of OB-X8 with reduced voices	$4,000 - $5,000
TVS-1 (Two Voice SEM)	Desktop duophonic SEM module	$1,500 - $2,000
SEM VST (Software plugin)	Emulation of original Synthesizer Expander Module	$150 - $200

Manufacturing

Products are manufactured through an exclusive partnership with Sequential LLC, a Focusrite group company, enabling global design, production, and support. Assembly occurs in facilities associated with Sequential, combining modern manufacturing with classic analog circuitry.

Notable Products

OB-X8 - 8-voice analog synthesizer combining features and presets from OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8.
OB-8 - 1983 polyphonic synthesizer known for its fat analog sound used by artists like Prince and Van Halen.
OB-X - 1979 debut of Oberheim's programmable poly synth line with VCOs and SEM-derived filters.
SEM (Synthesizer Expander Module) - 1974 keyboardless module that formed the basis for Oberheim's polyphonic voices.
4-Voice/8-Voice - World's first commercially available polyphonic synthesizers with independent SEM voices per key.

Reputation

Oberheim is revered by synthesizer enthusiasts for its distinctive, aggressive analog sound that defined 1980s music across genres. Professionals value the relaunch products for faithfully recreating vintage tones with modern reliability. Some note higher prices compared to competitors, though the brand's heritage commands premium status in the market.

Sources (8)