Tom Oberheim SEMs Shipping - First Impression

via Matt on the AH list:
"The first 20 were delivered monday and have been shipped out. If you think you were one of those first 20 orders and haven't heard anything, would be worth calling."

Avaialable at AudioMidi

via WD:
"I received mine (a CV version) yesterday.

First impressions...

Soundwise, it is a SEM. Not just SEM-like. It's a SEM. And I say that after having set-up identical patches on my original SEM and the new one.

Appearancewise, the panel is identical enough to the original that it could be a drop-in replacement for an old SEM (in an 2/4/8-Voice), although the logo, obviously, is different, and the font is different and slightly larger. And, except for the OSC and NOTCH controls, the knobs are identical to the original in appearance--but, even the OSC and NOTCH knobs have the same "SEM look" to them. As for the comparison between the new and old SEM with regard to dimensions, the case is about an inch shorter in height, and the sides/bottom are black rather than red-brown. So, sitting side-by-side, old and new SEMs are not identical.

Buildwise, the new SEM is clearly of quality construction. Smooth, responsive controls.

In the new SEM, power is pumped via an external power supply, rather than having the internal PSU of the original SEM.

Okay, no more writing here. I'm going to play with the new SEM a bit more...

Cheers.
WD"


Update via brotherloco in the comments: "I just received mine and took some pictures of the unboxing. Now with that out of the way, onto making sounds!."

flickr set by brotherloco
(click for more)