COMPATIBILITY Apple’s AudioUnit v3, Inter-App Audio connectivity, AudioBus 3, Korg’s WIST and Apple’s CoreMIDI are all supported. Furthermore, iSEM is fully compatible with the Audio Unit Extension format. It can be directly launched in any Audio Unit host applications. DESCRIPTION iSEM is a recreation of the classic 1974 Oberheim SEM (Synthesizer Expander Module), one of the world's first self-contained synthesizer modules and the first to bear the "Oberheim Electronics" name. The Oberheim SEM was made famous by artists and bands such as Lyle Mays, Jan Hammer, Joseph Zawinul, Supertramp, 808 State, Vince Clarke and Depeche Mode. Based on the TAE® technology found in our Oberheim SEM V software, iSEM brings back the sound and special characteristics of this iconic synth in an sonically accurate and expanded touch-based emulation. What you can do with the iSEM? The iSEM is a powerful instrument capable of producing a wide range of warm analog sounds. Reproducing the unique SEM architecture, with its oscillator sync, characteristic filter shape and specific envelope response, the iSEM is able to generate the fat basses that have made the Oberheim brand so popular. Thanks to its simple and clever PW and pitch modulations, it is also very easy to produce moving and lively leads. Its remarkable 12 dB/oct multimode filter is a real blast from the past, becoming an awesome weapon in the context of current electronic music. This unique module can instantly tailor your sound to fat, crisp, or spectral textures with access to all the nuances in between… iSEM comes with over 500 sounds that you can browse through and play. You can also easily create your own sounds with the easy to use interface. Play iSEM's numerous sounds from the iPad keyboard or control iSEM from a MIDI keyboard or other app via CoreMIDI and integrate it into your studio or live performance. If you are an owner of of the Arturia SEM V software on your Mac or PC, you can even import and export sounds between your laptop or desktop SEM V and iSEM. FEATURES All the original parameters of the Oberheim SEM: two oscillators, each offering sawtooth wave and variable-width pulse wave with PWM, sine wave LFO, 12dB/oct multi-mode Filter with low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and notch, two ADS envelope generators. Added functionalities: New LFO, Noise, Sub oscillator, Arpeggiator, Portamento. Polyphonic playability 8 Voice Programmer module allows each voice to have different settings HOLD and CHORD modes. Virtual Analog Chorus. Virtual Analog Delay. Full user MIDI mapping of panel controls. Supports WIST sync to other iOS devices. Support of AudioUnit Extension, AudioBus 3 and Apple’s Inter-App Audio connectivity. The Oberheim™ name used here is a trademark of the Gibson Guitar Corp. The trademark is used by license to Arturia.
auV3? Yes! Good Synth? No!
I usually go to the pad presets first when I get a music app. These were really not good. They all sounded the same and were completely uninspiring. When I started to create my own, I quickly realized why they all sound the same. The only variation I could find was the speed and length of the detuning - to the point where the thing was barely musical. The leads were much better and as an Oberheim port, they should be. Congrats that this is the only Arturia product which seems to be AU compatible. They should stop embarrassing themselves on iOS and stick to Hardware and VST. I love my MicroFreak! Especially with firmware 5!
United StatesFantastic app, but...
This is one of the first synthesizer apps I got for my iPad. I have been an Oberheim fan for decades, and owned several of their hardware instruments. This is an amazing recreation of the Oberheim Synthesizer Expander Module. The sound is fantastic, the effects and arpeggiator are very useful additions, and the programming of individual voice variations is fantastic. I LOVE THIS APP. Why only 3 stars? Because Arturia support for this app is practically nonexistent. There is no way to contact or request tech support other than to go to the tech support web page and fill out a form, which includes a “serial number” and an “unlock code”, neither of which exist for iOS apps, which means the form can NOT be filled out. I have had a problem with the iSEM AUv3 in AUM, for years. Once it was fixed by offloading the app and reinstalling it. That no longer works. If I were to be able to make contact with Arturia support and get this problem fixed, I would change this review to 5 stars immediately.
United StatesTake it for what it is...awesome
Lots of competition and plenty of haters. This one has the “sound” for me. Thick and creamy.
United StatesGreat synth
It took me a while to really appreciate this synth. It really cuts through the mix so well. The sounds have such character. Filter is great, and performance controls are very useable. Also very stable in Zenbeats.
United StatesFinally purchased
Held off due to reviews (you guys are a very tough crowd!) This thing is awesome. Very different from any other synth app I own and I own a lot of them. The sounds are great and I have to say I really appreciate the history lesson and photos within the manual as well (so cool!) Going with 5 stars right out of the gate. May come back to revise. Keep going Arturia! We need someone to compete in this market. Pretty soon, the iPad will come with a big K on the back instead of an Apple. We need more names in this game, what the hell have you guys been doing for the past 5 years? 3 apps? Very strange to me. Let’s boogie!
United StatesNo MIDI program change
Great sound. Filter zipper noise and weirdness, not being able to play legato when modulating the filter with aftertouch. When using breath control (cc #02), to modulate the filter, there is no zipper noise and legato works correctly. Without MIDI program change I can’t use it in my live setup.. Please add MIDI program change.
United StatesArturia has failed yet again
Since the last update, yes...it loads faster....but now it doesn’t recall presets used inside of Daws. Every time I open it , the preset I used doesn’t load... sooooo basically...Arturia makes great hardware and great desktop software.....but fails at IPad app with all their apps. I thought they got this one right but they missed with this one too.
United States
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