REVIEW GFORCE SOFTWARE OBERHEIM OB-E: Virtual Synth Tom Oberheim Endorses

While working on my review of the new Behringer 2-XM synthesizer (a hardware clone of Oberheim’s SEM) I found a video of Tom Oberheim discussing this GForce software synthesizer. After hearing Tom speak so highly about this software version I had to have it and as it turned out, the software was ON SALE so that made the purchase even easier. Is it one of the most fun and best software synths ever?

FROM SEM TO CEM: The Rise and Fall and Rise Again of Oberheim

Curtis CEM3340 Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) chip, 

designed by Curtis Electromusic Specialties, a 16-pin (DIP) integrated circuit (IC)

VCO: Discrete or chip-based, which is better? Does it matter? When I bought my Sequential Prophet-6 it was touted as great because it had VCO’s constructed from discrete components (like the original Prophet-5 synthesizer keyboards). Oberheim’s first synthesizer, the Synthesizer Expander Module (SEM) also was famously made from discrete components. Oberheim managed to take the original discrete SEM and make it into a polyphonic synthesizer, albeit a very expensive instrument (original four and eight voice synthesizers used multiple SEM modules). 

In a parallel universe Dave Smith was innovating with the original Sequential Prophet-5 (five voice). Both of these great synth designers started by using discrete component designs and both migrated to using chips by Doug Curtis, creator of the famed 3340 VCO, on a chip, known simply as CEM. These chip based synths were the ones that were most popular by sales volume, playability and tuning-stability. The debate continues on today about which of these build schemes produces better sound. I think the most important thing is the music you make with any of these instruments but I still find their stories to be almost as fascinating as the instruments themselves. 

REVIEW: THE OBERHEIM MATRIX-6 (& 6R): The Unsung Hero of 1980’s Synth Pop

In the neon-lit, big-haired world of 1980s music, synthesizers were the heartbeat of pop, rock, and new wave. While icons like the Yamaha DX7 and Roland Juno-60 often steal the spotlight, the Oberheim Matrix-6 (released in 1985) quietly carved out a niche as a versatile, innovative, and affordable polyphonic synth that powered countless hits and remains a cult favorite today. For synth nerds, producers, and collectors, the Matrix-6 is a treasure trove of lush pads, punchy basses, and evolving textures, blending Oberheim’s legendary analog warmth with digital precision. Let’s dive into what makes this 1980s gem so special and why it deserves a place in your studio.

REVIEW: THE OBERHEIM MATRIX-1000: 1980’s Synthesizer Power House

In the synth-soaked 1980s, when new wave and pop ruled the airwaves, the Oberheim Matrix-1000 (released in 1987) emerged as a compact, affordable, and insanely versatile rackmount synthesizer that became a secret weapon for producers and artists. While its big brother, the Matrix-6, offered hands-on control, the Matrix-1000 stripped down to essentials, packing 1,000 lush patches into a 1U rack unit that defined the era’s sound. For today’s producers, guitarists, and synth collectors, the Matrix-1000 remains a go-to for warm analog tones, from dreamy pads to punchy basses, all at a price that won’t break the bank. Let’s unpack why this 80s gem is still a must-have in 2025.