Arturia SEM V – Analog Synthesizer Virtual Instrument (VST/AU/AAX) Arturia

The Oberheim® Synthesizer Expander Module was a complete and gigantic sounding analog synth voice in a box. Now, SEM V resurrects this beautifully minimalist machine in stunning vintage detail, adding capabilities that meet the needs of today’s music makers.

Features:

• All the original parameters of the Oberheim® SEM:
  • two oscillators, each offering sawtooth wave and variable-width pulse wave with PWM
  • sine wave LFO
  • 12dB/oct multi-mode Filter with low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and notch, two ADS envelope generators.
• Added functionalities : New LFO, Noise, Sub oscillator, on board effects (overdrive, chorus and delay), Arpeggiator, Portamento.
• Polyphony up to 32 and 8 Voice Multitimbrality
• New 8 Voice Programmer module
• Advanced Keyboard Follow module
• Modulation Matrix module
• Works in Standalone
• Now compatible with iSEM Preset export/import
• Polyphony parameter to limit the polyphony of the plugin
• 20 new factory presets from Ian Boddy
• 21 new factory presets from Erik Norlander
• 35 new factory presets from Richard Courtel
• 11 new factory presets from Kevin Lamb
• 14 new factory presets from Drew Newmann
• “Forward Retrigg” mode for the 8-Voice Programmer (for easy use of sequences using the Arpeggiator)
• “Reassign” mode for the 8-Voice Programmer (like in the original one, the SEM V will first use the boards that are not gated in its voice assignment)
• Sustain pedal is now active on all systems

A thing of analog beauty
Originally meant as a companion module to sequencers and other synths, the SEM sported a multi-mode filter and two tremendous oscillators that made it unlike anything else. Combining multiple SEMs into 2, 4, and 8-voice systems took things to another level – just ask Rush or Herbie Hancock. SEM V puts all this power, and more, right in your DAW.

Sounds Analog
True Analog Emulation® technology brings all the fat and warmth in a way no sampled version can. You’ll hear the difference and so will your audience.

Team Player
From synthpop to hip-hop, almost every musical style can use some of the burbling bombast of the SEM.

Vault of Voices
Set polyphony up to 32 voices for massive brass, swelling strings, and ponderous pads.

That Filter
The 12dB/octave multimode filter that sounded unlike anything else, eventually shaping the identity of Oberheim®, exquisitely recreated.

The monophonic synth that launched a polyphonic revolution
Tom Oberheim had already enjoyed success building effects and a sequencer – and as the Los Angeles dealer for ARP synthesizers. He first conceived the SEM as an add-on, but it became a centerpiece. Tom’s purpose was twofold: A sonic expander for synths like the 2600 and the Mini, and a stand-alone synth module for pairing with his DS-2A sequencer. Of course, you could also add SEMs to each other. Tom Oberheim himself said, “The SEMs were the beginning of synths being able to do polyphonic orchestration.”

An SEM for Today and Tomorrow
ARTURIA faithfully modeled the core controls of the SEM, then added a few tricks of their own to make it more SEM than ever. Its sound ranges from creamy to downright bossy, serving up leads, basses, pads, brass, strings, and special FX with gusto. These additions give it a big boost while staying entirely within the spirit of the original.

Multi-Mode Filter
The SEM’s calling card was its 12dB-per-octave filter, which was continuously variable between lowpass, bandpass, and highpass.

Bring the Boom
A sub-oscillator one or two octaves below the two VCOs allows for sounds with floor-shaking low end.

Extra LFO
The SEM had a single LFO. SEM V adds another and lets you modulate VCO frequency or pulse width from either. Of course, both LFOs sync to tempo.

Classic Arpeggiator
Generate retro riffs with the tempo-syncable Arpeggiator, which features a Random mode, Hold, and up to a four-octave range.

Here’s the Mixer
Mix the volume of sawtooth or pulse waves, as well as the sub-oscillator or white noise, heading into the Filter section.

Built-in Effects
Quickly dial in the perfect amounts of Overdrive, Chorus, and Delay to put the final sheen on your SEM V sound.

Expander Expanded
Open up SEM V’s Advanced Panel to access a treasure trove of creative sound design features. The magic of software is that once you’ve gotten the original sound exactly right, you can add functionality that would be a lot more costly in hardware. The SEM is already a powerhouse, but these extras make it a powerhouse with a Ph.D.

Eight SEMs in One
The Programmer controls six parameters for up to eight virtual SEMs as you play notes. It’s like having a more sophisticated Oberheim Eight-Voice.

Mod Matrix
ARTURIA greatly enhanced the SEM’s modulation capability with eight independent routings. Go nuts with eight sources and 26 destinations!

Follow This
Six settings of your choosing can change based on the note played according to a user-definable curve. It’s the most surgical keyboard tracking on any synth.

Effects Control
Tweak and tempo-sync the built-in FX here, then dial in each. The Delay even features a stereo ping-pong mode.