The New Tom Oberheim SEM Thread

[Dogboy73]

it's on schneiders page now too

http://www.schneidersbuero.de/index.php ... URO_BRUTTO

£642 excluding VAT. I don't think that works out any cheaper than buying from the states really.

[kuroichi]

it's on schneiders page now too

http://www.schneidersbuero.de/index.php ... URO_BRUTTO

£642 excluding VAT. I don't think that works out any cheaper than buying from the states really.

Import Tax could push that price to around £1000 if you ordered from america...

[Dogboy73]

it's on schneiders page now too

http://www.schneidersbuero.de/index.php ... URO_BRUTTO

£642 excluding VAT. I don't think that works out any cheaper than buying from the states really.

Import Tax could push that price to around £1000 if you ordered from america...

Not according to my calculations here ;

http://www.dutycalculator.com/calculati ... ils/41559/

If this is correct then import duty+VAT added to the cost of the SEM & shipping come in at around £700.

[themilford]

Pardon my ignorance and total noob quesiton but if I were to get one of these which one would make the most sense?

Would I be able to control the CV version at all with what I have now (poly800, AlphaJuno1, and Casio CZ-101, Trilogy)? Whould i need a Midi/CV/Gate thingy?

Would the Midi version make the most sense or would the flexibility of the CV one be best long-term? There are some really good points made about the midi version being limiting but I'm ignorant as to how I would control the thing otherwise with what I have.

Cheers,
David

[Z]

You will need a MIDI to CV/Gate converter to use the patch panel SEM with your MIDI gear. I think the patch panel version is really the way to go unless you don't want to mess with a converter. The patch panel version gives you some additional flexibility like a modular synth, plus you could patch it into another synth with patch points or use that Moog CP-251 Control Processor to expand on its modular capabilities (I better get on the 'bay and start looking for one of those for myself).

Also, from someone else's earlier post, it sounds like Tom is still working out the bugs on the MID version. There is already many pre-orders for the patch panel and now with an EU distributor, I would call AudioMIDI as soon as possible and get one on order. It may be several months before your order gets filled (took 2/5 months for mine) which will give you plenty of time to familiarize yourself with those new (to you) synths and decide if you want to add the SEM to your rig since you can always cancel your order if you so desire.

[themilford]

... good advice...

How did folks control the original SEM back in the day? did older mono-synths have CV outs?

Can I mod my Trilogy to control the SEM?

I know I'm getting ahead of myself...

So if I order an SEM now I pay when it ships or I pay now?

(...checking Audiomidi site right now...)

[Z]

SEM stands for Synthesizer Expander Module. Tom designed it be used along with early synths like MiniMoog, ARP 2600, Odyssey and such as well as the digital sequencer he designed.

Not sure if your Trilogy can be modded, I'm not too familiar with that keyboard. You could probably pick up a used MIDI/CV converter or buy one of those inexpensive converters that are sold by some guys in Canada (I bought a MIDI to trigger box that works nicely).

AudioMIDI will do a pre-authorization on your card when you place the order to make sure the funds are there which locks up your funds for a couple of days and then they're released. When your order is ready to ship, they'll actually charge your card. They didn't call me when my order shipped.

[themilford]

SEM stands for Synthesizer Expander Module. Tom designed it be used along with early synths like MiniMoog, ARP 2600, Odyssey and such as well as the digital sequencer he designed.

So did these synths have CV out?

Not sure if your Trilogy can be modded, I'm not too familiar with that keyboard. You could probably pick up a used MIDI/CV converter or buy one of those inexpensive converters that are sold by some guys in Canada (I bought a MIDI to trigger box that works nicely).

I know the Trilogy has a saw wave out... hmmm.

You mean this thing?: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... ink:top:en

AudioMIDI will do a pre-authorization on your card when you place the order to make sure the funds are there which locks up your funds for a couple of days and then they're released. When your order is ready to ship, they'll actually charge your card. They didn't call me when my order shipped.

Hmmm... need to save a little more before I do something like this...

Thanks for the info dude!

Cheers,
David

[Stab Frenzy]

Strangely enough the patchable SEM is starting to seem more attractive to me than the XS. Don't know what's happening...

[RobotHeroes]

Strangely enough the patchable SEM is starting to seem more attractive to me than the XS. Don't know what's happening...

Doooo iiiiiiiiiiiiit!

The XS looks cool too but I am with you on digging the patchable SEM way more. It sounds good from the clips people have posted too.

[Sir Ruff]

Strangely enough the patchable SEM is starting to seem more attractive to me than the XS. Don't know what's happening...

I am/was having that same thought (and that is with both of them sitting right here), but it would depend on what you wanted out of your synth-vintage tone or modern tone/wackiness
For outright tone, the SEM wins, but there is far more going on within the XS's own mod routings, or patching it to itself, than could ever be achieved within the SEM.
But as Z was pointing out, a CP-251 is a really handy tool for either of these units whichever your taste. (if anyone could point me in the direction of some decent/cheap 1/4" > 1/8" cables to make this whole modular love groove thing happen, that would be awesome!).

[Stab Frenzy]

I think it might be cause I've been digging into the CS-15 a lot in the last week, guess I'm getting into ye olde tone. Also the patchable SEM is $600 cheaper here. Would have to use the x0xb0x for CV though.

[RobotHeroes]

Also the patchable SEM is $600 cheaper here.

It's 899 and yer saying it's 299 out there? *hat flies off* Wat!?!

[Stab Frenzy]

I wish, I meant it's $600 cheaper than the XS. SEM = $1150, XS = $1750. Should have actually typed that rather than just thinking it.

These are Aussie Dollars though, worth about 90c US.

[RobotHeroes]

I wish, I meant it's $600 cheaper than the XS. SEM = $1150, XS = $1750. Should have actually typed that rather than just thinking it.

These are Aussie Dollars though, worth about 90c US.

*drinks something and spits it out* Great Caesars ghost!