“Even after more than four decades after its introduction, the Oberheim 4 voice is still a beast! That’s why I’ve always wanted to own one – ever since I heard 4 independent voices (2 oscillators per voice) almost blow my head off, back in the day… I had never heard anything like that before!
This was going to be one of my great project synths in retirement. This was going to be one of my signature analog synths in my project studio. I said “was”…
I’ve had it now for over a decade since I acquired it and its been kept in the studio storage closet, waiting for its time to be brought roaring back to life. When I bought it, the previous owner said to me “it had some problems”. He wasn’t specific at all. I remember that it did power up though. I did not hear it generate any sounds though…
I’ll admit, new computer software emulation programs has made me lazy… Now I just click on a emulation program if I want to experiment with a certain sound. It’s sad… but true. The journey of discovery by creating with a real physical synth using knobs and controls has been paved over by a freeway of mouse clicks and drag and drops. Progress, I guess…
Needless to say I’m not going through with this project. It’s time to move on and turn it over to someone that has the desire, energy, financial resources, time and patience.
These instruments have withstood the test of time, as cumbersome as they may be to program. But it’s really no different than a Moog Modular, Arp 2600 or other synths of that generation. That’s the joy of working with these classic synths! It takes solid effort and determination to discover the sounds that are unique to your music. In other words it takes work! These instruments will continue to be serious tools for music composition by their intrinsic design and by the very nature and essence of their sound. Whatever genre of music that came out of the 70’s and 80’s – from rock, jazz, pop or electronic, you’ll hear an Oberheim. Nothing else sounds like an Oberheim! This instrument deserves a home where it will be preserved, used and appreciated for decades to come…
It is being sold as-is, “for parts or not working”. ”
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