SEM V
Synthese-Horizont-Erweiterung.
Das Oberheim® Synthesizer Expander Module war eine vollständige und gigantisch klingende analoge Synth-Voice in einer Box. Jetzt lässt das SEM V dieses tolle minimalistische Instrument mit atemberaubenden Vintage-Details wieder auferstehen und fügt Funktionen hinzu, die den Anforderungen heutiger Musikschaffender mehr als gerecht werden.
Summon hypnotic bass
and soaring leads
Recreated in exceptional detail, SEM V embodies the untamed 70’s attitude that made the original a classic. Complete with its iconic state-variable filter and enhanced with modern capabilities - wield the power of bold, evolving analog sounds.
The most authentic SEM sound
SEM V’s engine has been completely rewritten with state-of-the-art TAE® modeling - recreating its warm oscillators and unmistakable character.
Iconic state variable filter
At the heart of the SEM is its legendary 12dB/oct state variable filter, delivering smooth, harmonic-rich shaping - from biting bass to lush, evolving pads.
Elevated for today's sound explorers
SEM V stays true to the original’s spirit while pushing beyond its limits. Explore intricate multi-arpeggiation, deep modulation, and studio-grade effects.
Impactful
sound
Dive into the sonic landscape of SEM V — where vintage warmth meets bold, modern expression
Broken Cities
Gabriel Sauvage
Atmospheric and melancholic cinematic electronica, featuring haunting synth textures and evolving ambient layers.
Midnight Gleams
Rémi Pelet
Moody synthwave track, blending haunting arpeggios with nostalgic analog textures.
The Algorithm
Si Begg
Cinematic-electronic track, featuring intricate rhythmic textures and metallic tones from the SEM.
Walk on the SEM way
Jean-Michel Blanchet
Smooth and nostalgic analog synth jam, blending warm arpeggios and dreamy pads.
Leipzig
Narumik
An intense blend of industrial and German techno influences, using gritty, distorted arpeggios and immersive textures, all shaped with the SEM V3.
SEMtechs
Undertaker
Dark and driving EBM track with a raw industrial edge, built around the SEM V3.
The OG's
true potential
Experience the raw, analog charm of the original SEM, elevated for today’s sound explorers.
Expanded sound engine
Completely rebuilt with advanced modeling, discover a sub-oscillator, mixable VCO waveforms, Unison, per-voice drive, pan, level, and audio-rate LFO for FM - SEM’s true potential unlocked.
State variable filter
The SEM’s legendary 12dB/oct state variable filter is smooth, musical, and endlessly expressive—perfect for sculpting tones that sing, shimmer, and scream in equal measure.
Snappy envelopes
Two classic ADS envelopes with fast, punchy response - ideal for cutting percussion, driving sequences, and basslines that hit with analog authority.
Dual oscillators
Two powerful oscillators with variable pulse and saw waves, plus a sub-oscillator for added weight. Shape everything from biting bass to rich analog leads.
Polyphonic power
Now with up to 8 voices, SEM V3 expands beyond monophony - unleashing lush chords, evolving textures, and rich stereo movement without sacrificing its analog soul.
Advanced panel
The all-new Advanced Panel unlocks a deep modulation engine, flexible FX rack, multi-arp, and expressive tools - making SEM V a true sound design playground.
The advanced
panel
Push the SEM’s iconic analog voicing into bold new dimensions with features built for deep, expressive sound design
Turn on the Multi‑Arp to stack up to four independent arpeggiator layers. Sculpt your sound further with advanced effects and drag‑and‑drop modulators - all ready to add life to any parameter.
Stack up to four independent arpeggiator layers and craft intricate, evolving sequences with ease. Create counterpoints, polymetric movement, and transposed melodies for hypnotic, trance‑inspired textures. A seamless blend of rhythm and harmony, the Multi‑Arp turns simple ideas into intricate, dynamic performances at the touch of a button.
A closer
look
Tweak oscillator mixes, shift filter modes, layer LFOs, or open the Advanced Panel to experiment with sophisticated modulation.
Preset
Library
Discover a curated library of presets that bring the SEM’s signature sound to life - from smooth, drifting pads to expressive leads and punchy basses.
BASSES
Whaley Sub
Warm and fat analog-style wobble bass. Can even play simple chords with higher notes.
Dark Square
Dark and fat bassline sequence.
SEQUENCES
Out of Cash
A sequenced sound that creates complex harmonies with tuned oscillators and the multi Arp, constrained to custom scale.
I Remember the Sun
A light and agile arpeggiated sequence that showcases the Multi-Arp's versatility.
LEADS
Rebound
A big lead synth that rebounds.
Poly Ace-ID
Clean acid lead which can be played as a classic mono sequence or polyphonically, 'cause this ain't a 303 fan club at all.
KEYS
Broken Tape
Keys straight out of the 80s. Com Truise inspired.
Singularikeys
Versatile and expressive keys. Work really well with multi-arp.
PADS & STRINGS
Ethereal Monk
A spacious and sustained pad with a rhythmically evolving texture, evoking a sense of atmospheric presence and movement over time.
Soul in a String
Organ-like patch.
SFX
City Bomb
A sharp, loud impact sound, shaped by SEM V's snappy envelopes and enhanced with the FX rack.
Bath Peppers
Bi-timbral psychedelic effect.
The beginning of
polyphonic orchestration
When Tom Oberheim introduced the Synthesizer Expander Module (SEM) in 1974, it was meant to be a simple add-on for other synths. But it quickly became a centerpiece of its own.
Tom had already found success building effects and a sequencer - and even serving as an ARP dealer - but the SEM was something new: a compact, affordable synth-in-a-box that was a thing of analog beauty.
A move towards polyphony
A Two-Voice version plus a keyboard—arrived in 1975, followed by Four-Voice and eventually the massive Eight-Voice. By combining standalone modules, Oberheim offered genuine polyphonic orchestration years before other “fully programmable polys” would stake their claims.
The SEM legacy
Renowned artists like Jon Carpenter, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul (Weather Report), and Rush’s Geddy Lee helped cement the Eight-Voice as a classic, often pairing it with other iconic synths. The same SEM circuitry shaped later Oberheim milestones like the OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8—only now on microchips.
Artist
Corner
Erik Norlander
Producer - Composer
"Arturia has once again delivered a faithful recreation of another analog classic with SEM V. SEM V is a highly musical instrument that evokes the original in so many surprising ways."
Ian Boddy
Producer - Composer
"Analogue warmth & movement abound in the unique multimode filter found on the SEM and I'm happy to say that this has been faithfully recreated."
Roger Lyons
Producer - Composer (Alt-J / Oscillator Hell)
"An absolute classic that I am extremely glad has been virtualised and a true asset to anyones sonic arsenal."
David Hofman
Mixing Engineer / Producer
"The Oberheim SEM is my favourite synthesizer in my studio - with the Arturia version I always have it with me. "
Eric Harvey
Spoon / Hamilton Leithauser
"I’m digging the arpeggiating possibilities of the SEM V. "
Brendan Perry
Dead Can Dance
"The SEM V has a simplicity and elegance that was a feature of many 70’s synths."
Steve Lindsey
Producer - Composer
"Arturia has done it again! The original SEM was one of my first and favorite synths. Arturia has nailed it ...plus polyphony without the tuning nightmare. What more can you ask for?"
Press
Clippings
Sound On Sound
On SEM V
"[The SEM V] will be an excellent complement to other synths and soft synths - beautifully simple to use in the first instance, while offering greater depth when you're ready to take advantage of it. Oh yes, and then there's that sound !"
Future Music
On SEM V
"As a straight emulation of the classic SEM sound, the SEM V ticks all the boxes, but the software has so much more to offer when you explore it in greater depth : small but effective additions to the SEM design, advanced voice editing features and, of course, an excellent polyphonic mode. The range of sounds available is much greater than the SEM name might suggest, covering classic Oberheim® ground and much more, and this makes the SEM V a great synth in its own right."
Keyboard US
On SEM V
"I'm impressed by how well SEM V captures the sound of Oberheim® hardware, and its extended features make it more flexible than its namesake [...] SEM V is one of the most genuinely analog-sounding soft synths yet. If you love the sound of vintage synths, SEM V should be a part of your virtual rig."
MusicTech
On SEM V
"The SEM V is a gorgeous-sounding synth and, crucially, like the original it’s fairly easy to get to grips with. You don’t have to be a synth wizard to tweak and design sounds, and it’s a lot of fun when you play around […] The new features – arpegiattor, sub-oscillator and three modules - extend the functionality of the instrument even further, and will surely help you get more out of what is already an excellent synth."
Included in
V Collection 11 Pro
This instrument is part of V Collection Pro - a premium suite of software instruments designed for unparalleled sonic exploration.
From authentically modeled keyboards to hybrid synth engines and beautifully captured acoustic sounds, every instrument is enhanced for today’s production workflow - V Collection delivers the greatest keys of all time.
The features
you need
In-App Tutorials
Integrated in-app tutorials guide you through every aspect of the instrument, from individual parameters to tips from our sound designers, so you can focus on the creative stuff. It shouldn't be this easy, but it is!
TAE® Powered
The exclusive analog modeling technology that makes our emulations indistinguishable from the originals.
By accurately mimicking the characteristics of analog oscillators, filters, and soft clipping, we can provide astonishing component-accurate detail and authentic analog charm in equal measure.
Gallery
Main Features
Sound Engine
Up to 8-Voice polyphony, with Mono Retrig and Legato modes
2 analog-modeled oscillators featuring:
- Sawtooth & variable-width pulse waves
- Continuous waveform blending
- Hard sync (VCO 2 to VCO 1)
- Sub oscillator with Sine, Saw, and Pulse shapes
- Independent level and waveform controls
Unison mode with up to 8 stacked voices
Vintage control for subtle analog drift & instability
State Variable Filter
Classic 12dB/oct state-variable filter
- Continuously blendable Low-pass, Notch, and High-pass
- Band-pass mode with toggle
Modulation options for cutoff via ENV1, ENV2, LFO
Key tracking (0–200%) for expressive playability
Smooth resonance with rich harmonic behavior
Envelopes & LFO
2 ADS-style envelopes with per-voice variation
- Envelope 1 hardwired to VCA
- Envelope 2 assignable for modulation
LFO with multiple waveforms and sync modes
- Free-running or tempo-synced
- Modwheel-controlled modulation depth
- Hertz + audio-rate modulation (up to 3kHz)
Advanced Panel
Drag-and-drop modulation system with 3 modulator slots
- ADSR, Function, Random, Sequencer, and Voice Modulator
Multi-Arpeggiator with up to 4 simultaneous layers
- 30 arp modes with polymetric, generative & rhythmic variations
Macro controls for performance-ready patch shaping
Voice Modulator for polyphonic modulation per voice
Effects Rack with 4 customizable slots with 18 effect types, including:
Trance Gate for rhythmic, chopped textures
Super Unison, Multi-Band Compressor, JUN-6 Chorus, Delay, Phaser, and more
Performance & Integration
Glide/portamento with fixed-time polyphonic transition
MPE-compatible with support for:
- Slide, Pressure, Velocity, Note Release, and Key Tracking
Full MIDI CC, macro assignment, and automation-ready
NKS-ready for seamless control via Native Instruments hardware
MTS-ESP microtuning support
Extensive factory library with 170 presets
Intuitive GUI with visual modulation feedback and voice-level controls
Platform Specifications
Windows
Win 10+ (64bit)
4 GB RAM
4 cores CPU, 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo-boost)
3GB free hard disk space
OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
ARM processors not supported on Windows
Required configuration
Works in Standalone, VST, AAX, Audio Unit.
Apple
Mac OS 11+
4 GB RAM
4 cores CPU, 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo-boost) or M1 CPU
3GB free hard disk space
OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
Work with ASC
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What’s in the box