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Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Arturia Oberheim SEM V". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Dive into the world of vintage synth magic with the Arturia Oberheim SEM V Software Synthesizer. This meticulously crafted plugin combines the soul of the original Oberheim SEM with modern enhancements, delivering an unparalleled sonic experience to your DAW. Powered by Arturia's exclusive TAE® technology, the SEM V offers an authentic recreation of the classic SEM's analog warmth and character.

Unleash a spectrum of sounds, from fat basses to soaring leads, with intuitive controls that mimic the simplicity of the original hardware. Yet, the SEM V doesn't stop there. Arturia has enriched the experience with features like polyphony, 8-voice multitimbrality, and an array of onboard effects, including overdrive, chorus, and delay. Whether you're a synth purist or an experimental sound designer, the SEM V is your playground.

Explore new dimensions of creativity with the inclusion of a second LFO, sub-octave, and white noise generators. The advanced modulation matrix and voice programmer modules offer unparalleled control over your sound, allowing for complex layering and dynamic performance. With its resizable GUI, the SEM V ensures seamless integration into any workflow, whether you're in the studio or performing live.

Key Features:

  • Authentic emulation of the Oberheim SEM with Arturia's TAE® technology
  • Polyphonic, 8-voice multitimbral capabilities
  • Dual oscillators, multimode 12dB/oct filter, and two ADS envelopes
  • Added sub-octave and white noise generators
  • Onboard effects: overdrive, delay, chorus
  • Modulation matrix and voice programmer for advanced sound design
  • Works in standalone, VST, AAX, AU formats (64-bit DAWs)
  • Compatible with Mac OS 10.13+ and Windows 10+

Product specs

Software Type Synth
Platform Mac, PC
Upgrade/Full Full
Download/Boxed Download
Bit Depth 32-bit, 64-bit
Format Standalone, AAX, VST, AU
Hardware Requirements - Mac 2GHz Intel CPU or higher, 2GB RAM minimum
Hardware Requirements - PC 2GHz CPU or higher, 2GB RAM minimum
OS Requirements - Mac OS X 10.8 or later
OS Requirements - PC Windows 8.1 or later

FAQs

What are the standout features of the Arturia Oberheim SEM V sound engine?

The Arturia Oberheim SEM V emulates the classic Oberheim SEM, offering two oscillators, a multimode filter, and extensive modulation capabilities. It captures the vintage analog warmth and iconic sound of the original hardware, making it ideal for lush pads, powerful basses, and soaring leads.

Is the Arturia SEM V compatible with my DAW software?

The Arturia SEM V is compatible with most major DAWs, as it supports AAX, VST, and AU plugin formats. This ensures seamless integration with popular software like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools.

Can the Arturia Oberheim SEM V be used as a standalone application?

Yes, the Arturia Oberheim SEM V can be used as a standalone application, allowing you to play and design sounds without needing to open a DAW.

What are the system requirements for running the Arturia SEM V on a Mac?

To run the Arturia SEM V on a Mac, you need a 2GHz Intel CPU or higher, at least 2GB of RAM, and OS X 10.8 or later.

Does the Arturia Oberheim SEM V offer polyphonic capabilities?

Yes, the Arturia Oberheim SEM V features polyphonic capabilities, allowing you to play complex chords and layered sounds, unlike the monophonic original SEM hardware.

Kevin Schroeder

Kevin Schroeder

Synthesizer OBERHEIM SEM V - Factory patches created for Arturia

Video thumbnail for Synthesizer OBERHEIM SEM V - Factory patches created for Arturia by Kevin Schroeder

Synthesizer OBERHEIM SEM V - Factory patches created for Arturia

Kevin Schroeder

Kevin Schroeder

Video thumbnail for Arturia Oberheim SEM V by tomesoTV

Arturia Oberheim SEM V

tomesoTV

tomesoTV

Video thumbnail for Arturia: Oberheim SEM V Synth Plugin | WinkSound by WinkSound

Arturia: Oberheim SEM V Synth Plugin | WinkSound

WinkSound

WinkSound

Video thumbnail for Arturia Oberheim SEM V Software Synthesizer - Arturia Oberheim SEM V by American Musical Supply

Arturia Oberheim SEM V Software Synthesizer - Arturia Oberheim SEM V

American Musical Supply

American Musical Supply

Reviews

PROS

  • Captures classic Oberheim SEM sound, ideal for fans of vintage tones

  • Offers voice stacking up to 32 voices for lush, expansive sounds

  • Excellent for creating diverse sounds like pads, strings, brass, leads, and bass

  • Filters are tight and biting, perfect for extreme sound design

  • Great for electronic genres like EBM and industrial with its dark, aggressive tones

  • Cost-effective alternative to expensive hardware synths

  • Highly inspiring and creatively stimulating for music production

CONS

  • Lacks hands-on tactile experience of hardware knobs and CV inputs/outputs

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Arturia Oberheim SEM V.

Features and functionality

  • Arturia SEM V allows for up to 8 polyphonic voices, but spreading notes across monophonic instances can enhance sound variation and richness.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Using separate monophonic instances of the SEM V enables fine-tuning of oscillators, which can lead to unique and vintage-sounding patches.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Emulating the EVS system by assigning each SEM to a different MIDI channel can mimic the original's polyphonic capabilities, providing a richer sonic experience.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Running SEM V in polyphonic mode mimics the Prophet 5's style, where the microprocessor sets each voice similarly, offering less variation compared to vintage EVS setups.

    Source

User experience

  • Users can benefit from manual parameter copying across SEM instances, allowing for creative patch variations, similar to how original EVS users operated.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Logic Pro X's trackstack feature can be leveraged to emulate the EVS system using multiple SEM V instances, with potential for creative modulation via velocity and MIDI channel assignments.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Arturia Oberheim SEM V

soundonsound.com

Arturia's Oberheim SEM V impressively captures the essence of the classic Oberheim sound without the hefty price tag and maintenance demands of vintage hardware. Its dual-oscillator architecture faithfully emulates the original SEM, while enhancements like a second LFO, sub-oscillator, and modulation matrix expand creative possibilities. The SEM V excels in producing expressive, OB-like sounds, especially when emulating classic polysynths like the 4-Voice and 8-Voice. However, its limited voicing compared to modern synths and a few software bugs may deter those seeking an all-encompassing solution. Despite these quirks, it's a must-try for those yearning for that iconic Oberheim tone.

positive

Arturia Oberheim SEM V review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Arturia's Oberheim SEM V is a stellar virtual synthesizer, celebrated for its faithful emulation of the classic SEM sound combined with modern enhancements. The up-to-eight-voice polyphonic option and extensive additions to the original SEM architecture make it a powerful tool for musicians. The software shines in its versatility, offering a vast range of sounds from classic Oberheim tones to innovative new textures. While purists might frown at the inclusion of effects, Arturia smartly allows users to bypass these, maintaining authenticity. Overall, it's a top-tier synth that appeals to both vintage enthusiasts and modern producers.

positive

macProVideo.com

macprovideo.com

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 30 Ratings

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stormy_weather

Sounds like a SEM and saves me money.

Its one of the few "Spot on" sounding synths from Arturia. There is nothing more than I can add. It sounds like the real deal. if you like Tom Oberheim's SEM sound, nab this. It's worth it. I can make it into a dark and angry. sound perfect for EBM and industrial. Filters are tight and biting so you can do some pretty extreme stuff with it.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Andrew Huang uses Arturia Oberheim SEM V

Andrew Huang

Singer, Guitarist

First Of October

...
Verified via YouTube

can be seen at 24:00 in the video

See how Junkie XL uses Arturia Oberheim SEM V

Junkie XL

Composer, Music Producer

Tiësto vs. Junkie XL

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video at 3:41 can see Arturia Oberheim SEM V Software Synthesizer

See how Paul Humphreys uses Arturia Oberheim SEM V

Paul Humphreys

Keyboardist

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

...
Verified via The Electricity Club

English Electric’ uses the following instrumentation… Paul Humphreys: Synth-Werk, ARP 2600, M Tron Pro, Trillion, Omnisphere, Oberheim SEM V, Morphoder, Jupiter 8V2, Minimoog V, Prophet Pro 53, Massive, Vacuum, Boom Andy McCluskey: Vacuum, Indigo Virus, M Tron Pro, Jupiter 8, Vox Machina

See how Jerome Isma-Ae uses Arturia Oberheim SEM V

Jerome Isma-Ae

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

Jerome Isma-Ae can be seen using Oberheim SEM V in this video uploaded on YouTube.

See how Billboard uses Arturia Oberheim SEM V

Billboard

Music Producer, DJ

...
Verified via Photo

On this instagram-post, billboard is seen working with Arturias Oberheim SEM V

See how Kostas Maskalides uses Arturia Oberheim SEM V

Kostas Maskalides

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via SoundCloud

Kostas Maskalides, has expressed a preference for the Arturia Oberheim SEM V Software Synthesizer, highlighting its exceptional analog behavior and suitability for bass sounds and arpeggios. This information is derived from a SoundCloud post by Kostas Maskalides titled "Kostas Maskalides - Arrival."

See how Shimron Elit uses Arturia Oberheim SEM V

Shimron Elit

Singer, Keyboardist

...
Verified via Photo

Screenshot on Shimron Elit's official website.

See how Mardial uses Arturia Oberheim SEM V

Mardial

Music Producer, DJ

...
Verified via YouTube

he used this plugin in 1:20:56, for live streaming tutorial making music used ableton live 10

Album Usage

The Arturia Oberheim SEM V has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Arturia Oberheim SEM V, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

1 alternative for Arturia Oberheim SEM V, curated by the Equipboard community.

Brainworx bx_oberhausen

$49.00 - $49.99

similar sound

The bx_oberhausen is another take on the legendary Oberheim® SEM with famous Brainworx TMT algorithm implementation.

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