Tom Oberheim: Genius Behind Greatest Sounding Synthesizers

Today, we’re at home of Tom Oberheim - one of original pioneers who shaped synthesizers and music history. Tom&legacy includes some of most groundbreaking innovations: stand alone ring modulator, first commercially available phase shifter pedal, early digital sequencer, Oberheim DS-2 and SEM first commercially available polyphonic synthesizer made in 2, 4 and 8 voice models, followed by favorites such as OB-X, OB-Xa, OB-8, Xpander, Matrix 12, DMX drum machine and more... of course, most importantly he gave us unmistakable "Oberheim Sound" on his entire collection of iconic synthesizers that have inspired compositions and performances on countless records by multiple generations of artists. Timecodes: 00:00 - Introduction 00:22 - Legacy of Tom Oberheim 02:18 - Beginning of Career 04:04 - Creating Ring Modulator 05:47 - Developing Interest in Electronics 08:32 - Creating Phase Shifter 12:15 - Switches & Controls 14:28 - Phase Shifters & Octave Dividers 15:04 - Production of Phase Shifters 16:06 - First Products & Digital Technologies 17:43 - Inspiration from Paul Bieber 18:38 - Creating DS-2 20:07 - SEM Extension Module 22:50 - Arp Dealership 23:43 - Monophonic Synthesizers & Idea of Polyphony 24:39 - Experiments with Arp 2600 28:09 - First Polyphonic Synthesizer 30:29 - Technical Features of DS-2 34:04 - Creating Oberheim Sound 35:45 - Features of 2-pole Filter 38:08 - Entrepreneur&Experience 40:50 - Bankruptcy of Oberheim 42:52 - Return of Brand 44:17 - Influence of Prophet...