Gforce Software Oberheim SEM

[zerocrossing]

back to the topic, I've played a few days with this new GForce SEM emulation, and it sounds nice, well rounded, with a creamy filter and interesting and simple to dial modulation options. I've compared it with bx_oberhausen that I'm using for a year or so, and they definitely differ in sound, but not that much, both are on point regarding features and sound. You can get the similar if not the same patch created in GForce SEM in bx_oberhausen, but not the other way around, since the later have a lot of additional features that GForce SEM lacks. Personally, I like sound of the GForce SEM a bit more in general, but it's not night and day difference. And what I like with bx version is that you can get beyond that to some new places. The biggest difference I've encountered is in the filter itself. The bx_oberhausen have a lot more resonance to play with and does sound different. Although waveforms also differ a bit, it's not that stark like the filter. Ranges of the modulations are also different, but that's kinda expected, although you can get to the spots you like in both and match them one to one, no problem there. So for me, bx is still a keeper. It could be that GForce SEM is a more realistic representation of the original instrument, but 50 years later, to me that doesn't matter that much to pull the plug. Both are great simple instruments that can get a lot of usage in any musical context, and are fun to play and listen to.

I feel similarly about Obsession vs. OB-Xa V. I bought Obsession and OB-Xa V came out later and I got it as part of a V Collection upgrade. Would I have purchased both? Maybe, but having both is nice. I feel like Obsession is more accurate of an emulation, but OB-Xa V has larger parameter ranges and some nice stuff that makes me glad to have it.

[zvenx]

Actually OB-XA V came out a few weeks before Obsession I am pretty sure, but for sure that is probably the order you acquired them.
I do remember downloading and trying OB-XA V and trying to like it whilst I waited on OBsession..


rsp

[vitocorleone123]

back to the topic, I've played a few days with this new GForce SEM emulation, and it sounds nice, well rounded, with a creamy filter and interesting and simple to dial modulation options. I've compared it with bx_oberhausen that I'm using for a year or so, and they definitely differ in sound, but not that much, both are on point regarding features and sound. You can get the similar if not the same patch created in GForce SEM in bx_oberhausen, but not the other way around, since the later have a lot of additional features that GForce SEM lacks. Personally, I like sound of the GForce SEM a bit more in general, but it's not night and day difference. And what I like with bx version is that you can get beyond that to some new places. The biggest difference I've encountered is in the filter itself. The bx_oberhausen have a lot more resonance to play with and does sound different. Although waveforms also differ a bit, it's not that stark like the filter. Ranges of the modulations are also different, but that's kinda expected, although you can get to the spots you like in both and match them one to one, no problem there. So for me, bx is still a keeper. It could be that GForce SEM is a more realistic representation of the original instrument, but 50 years later, to me that doesn't matter that much to pull the plug. Both are great simple instruments that can get a lot of usage in any musical context, and are fun to play and listen to.

I feel similarly about Obsession vs. OB-Xa V. I bought Obsession and OB-Xa V came out later and I got it as part of a V Collection upgrade. Would I have purchased both? Maybe, but having both is nice. I feel like Obsession is more accurate of an emulation, but OB-Xa V has larger parameter ranges and some nice stuff that makes me glad to have it.

I find the Geforce SEM... 50% better sounding than oberhausen for monophonic sounds. bx is maybe not a keeper - maybe only if you utilize the polyphonic aspect (but it also has width, FM. etc. that may be usful). oberhausen feels and sounds more flat and stereotypically "software" or digital in comparison - not a bad thing as I have several digital sounding synths, but not always a good thing in something purportedly emulating analog hardware. There is definitely some overlap in some ranges of frequencies and resonance between the two software synths.

For now, I'm keeping both. I may later delete oberhausen.

[Uncle E]

Agreed. I don't see much overlap in actual sound. If someone has neither and weighing between them, get the SEM if you want vintage analog sounds and get the bx_oberhausen if you want modern aggressive sounds. Simple as.

I completely understand people liking the extra features in bx_oberhausen and even preferring its sound. It's its own thing.

[BONES]

As blunt as ever but a very good point. Not sure taking photos is a waste of time. Its practice for taking good photos. But culling them mercilessly is also important because most of them are truly trash.

Even the good ones get trashed. Nothing survives, especially if it has people in it.

The photo app uses some AI to make little memory montages. They are almost always cheezy, but also pretty great.

Really? I f**king hate that shit. If something is worth remembering, I'll remember it. When my best friend died a couple of years ago, I collected a pile of photos for his wake but I deleted them all from my laptop a few weeks later. All of them. I don't need photos to remember him and all the great times we had together. In fact, it would feel kind of maudlin to hang on to stuff like that.

I have no photos of my parents, who are long dead, and I never did. My sister sent me a photo of her living it up on her birthday last week. I looked at it and deleted it, I might need that space for something else. People share photos from parties and dinners and stuff and it's all the same - look at it, then delete it. I used to get in trouble for throwing birthday and Xmas cards out but I learned to be a bit discreet and throw them in a public bin so people didn't get upset about it. People are f**king weird, man.

[BONES]

back to the topic, I've played a few days with this new GForce SEM emulation, and it sounds nice, well rounded, with a creamy filter and interesting and simple to dial modulation options. I've compared it with bx_oberhausen that I'm using for a year or so, and they definitely differ in sound, but not that much, both are on point regarding features and sound. You can get the similar if not the same patch created in GForce SEM in bx_oberhausen, but not the other way around, since the later have a lot of additional features that GForce SEM lacks. Personally, I like sound of the GForce SEM a bit more in general, but it's not night and day difference. And what I like with bx version is that you can get beyond that to some new places. The biggest difference I've encountered is in the filter itself. The bx_oberhausen have a lot more resonance to play with and does sound different. Although waveforms also differ a bit, it's not that stark like the filter. Ranges of the modulations are also different, but that's kinda expected, although you can get to the spots you like in both and match them one to one, no problem there. So for me, bx is still a keeper. It could be that GForce SEM is a more realistic representation of the original instrument, but 50 years later, to me that doesn't matter that much to pull the plug. Both are great simple instruments that can get a lot of usage in any musical context, and are fun to play and listen to.

That's pretty much how I see them, too. In fact, I was trying to find a few uses for GForce's SEM last night and I found it a bit thin for things I thought it might do well at. When everything around it has a few voices of unison SEM, like everything else without unison, doesn't cut it. I also find I almsot always have to use it with a saturation plugin because it sounds too clean. But I'm happy to do that because I do like the sound and it's a lot less draining of my CPU than bx_oberhausen.

I find the Geforce SEM... 50% better sounding than oberhausen for monophonic sounds.

I imagine that's because it has 50% more oscillators. But the fact you have to qualify it suggest that overall, SEM isn't as good or versatile.

oberhausen feels and sounds more flat and stereotypically "software" in comparison.

I find it the other way around. SEM feels too clean and nice, it lacks the last little bit of charm that you get in oberhausen's sound.

For now, I'm keeping both. I may later delete oberhausen.

I can't imagine SEM being able to replace oberhausen in any of the dozens of songs I am using it in but, conversely, I can easily imagine oberhausen doing a great job of any part I can use SEM in. Maybe that will change over time, as I get as comfortable with SEM as I am with oberhausen, but SEM's lack of unison really holds it back for me.

In fact, I am just listening back to something I put SEM into last night (Are 'Friends' Electric?) and I realise it's not really working so I am going to have to find something else. I had been using ANA 2 but I wanted something a bit more retro sounding but SEM ain't working. I might wait until tomorrow, when I can get my hands on OB-Xtreme. I think it is going to be much more to my liking.

[melomood]

As blunt as ever but a very good point. Not sure taking photos is a waste of time. Its practice for taking good photos. But culling them mercilessly is also important because most of them are truly trash.

Even the good ones get trashed. Nothing survives, especially if it has people in it.

The photo app uses some AI to make little memory montages. They are almost always cheezy, but also pretty great.

Really? I f**king hate that shit. If something is worth remembering, I'll remember it. When my best friend died a couple of years ago, I collected a pile of photos for his wake but I deleted them all from my laptop a few weeks later. All of them. I don't need photos to remember him and all the great times we had together. In fact, it would feel kind of maudlin to hang on to stuff like that.

I have no photos of my parents, who are long dead, and I never did. My sister sent me a photo of her living it up on her birthday last week. I looked at it and deleted it, I might need that space for something else. People share photos from parties and dinners and stuff and it's all the same - look at it, then delete it. I used to get in trouble for throwing birthday and Xmas cards out but I learned to be a bit discreet and throw them in a public bin so people didn't get upset about it. People are f**king weird, man.

Those were some lovely old,old, pointless photos of yourself that you took the time to post in the 'c'mon post a pic' thread as if someone should be interested in that sort of thing,btw

[BONES]

I didn't take any of them and I only posted them last night because I found them on an external drive. I didn't realise I still had them, I'd deleted them from my OneDrive as soon as I'd put the Deathly Quiet! Bandcamp page up. They are now also gone from that drive.

[Stefken]

Well, the moment you say: what do have to do with all this stuff, whether it is songs, photo's, artwork, whatever, is the moment you have lost your passion for it....

Doesn t mean we have to start a race to delete as many pictures as possible now.
Some photoshoots i did, took days of preparing. No way i am deleting theses.
As for family snapshots, i hardly have any. I guess i can't be bothered with it (my family is somewhat critical that i find family snapshots beneath me but hey we have plenty of millenials that can make up for that ; ) ).

[Stefken]

As for the Gforce SEM, i find it very nice sounding and inspiring. Authentic but that third osc is a nice addition.
At around 40 euro's (VAT included), very nicely priced also imo. Well done Gforce.

[vurt]

Those were some lovely old,old, pointless photos of yourself that you took the time to post in the 'c'mon post a pic' thread as if someone should be interested in that sort of thing,btw

the prisoner, who now stands before you, was caught red handed showing feelings!
showing feelings of an almost human nature, this will not do!

[El°HYM]

When the Prisoner tells the Guard that he is also just a prisoner... game has been changed.

[vurt]

who is number 1?

[El°HYM]

[melomood]

Those were some lovely old,old, pointless photos of yourself that you took the time to post in the 'c'mon post a pic' thread as if someone should be interested in that sort of thing,btw

the prisoner, who now stands before you, was caught red handed showing feelings!
showing feelings of an almost human nature, this will not do!

baaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAABE
Come to momma baby,let me hold you in my arms
M'lard I never wanted him to get in trouble,why'd he ever have to leave me,worm your honor let me take him home!