Tom Oberheim: The Genius Behind the Greatest Sounding Synthesizers

Comments · 332

• 8-

  @8-bitwallofdoom · 1 year ago

  A quick 'Tom' story; I reached out to him via email years ago and asked if he could point me to a source for SEM knobs (used on vintage 2VS/4VS/8VS) because I had a project in mind; I purchased a shell of an old OBX and wanted to install some cloned boards to accompany my vintage 8 voice).  He explained that they are not generally available but asked "how many do you need". I told him; then he said "send me a $20 bill in an envelope and we'll call it even".  Before I even sent the $$ away, a package showed up with dozens of small and large flange knobs.  Only Tom !!

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• RE

  @revolution909 · 1 year ago

  Anthony, this is gold. Having this kind of footage with the pioneers telling the story yourselves is invaluable for the world, very high quality content. Thank you so much for producing this!

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• JI

  @jimbotron70 · 1 year ago

  There was a breed of brilliant synth designers in the US back in the day.

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• SP

  @spencerscott2044 · 1 year ago (edited)

  I’m working on my masters in Electrical Engineering because of inspiration from Tom and Dave Smith. I received some advice from Dave at NAMM 2016 with the launch of the OB-6 and graduated from my bachelors right before he passed. I had plans to go to NAMM that year to follow up with them but was crushed when I heard the news.  I finally got myself an OB-6 then as a graduation gift to myself and as a tribute to both of them. It’s always a pleasure getting to learn from Tom and Marcus!

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• DA

  @davebellamy4867 · 2 months ago (edited)

  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeVL_IPG7K8&amp;t=5084">1:24:44</a> Marcus: &quot;When the tool is a musical instrument, it actually becomes part of the art.&quot;<br>I love that.

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• CE

  @CelticWorrier · 1 year ago

  This is absolutely incredible. What a mix of good people. Are you listening YouTube? This better be available 20 years from now.

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• JE

  @jeremyhelm2833 · 4 hours ago

  What an awesome &quot;interview&quot;. Actually, it was a well deserved love-fest for an awesome pioneer. Well done.

• CE

  @CelticWorrier · 1 year ago

  Rob sitting quietly waiting, then pulling out that little circuit board at just the right moment.

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• BR

  @brucebukovics5827 · 1 year ago

  Tom, you said that &quot;none of us know what happens when we&apos;re not here&quot;. &nbsp;We certainly hope that you will continue to be with us for some time. &nbsp;But I can tell you that your legacy will live on in the instruments that you created and in the music that was created with them. &nbsp;Thanks for all that you&apos;ve done.

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• SM

  @smartti1970 · 1 year ago

  Oberheim is all over 80&apos;s Funk, New Wave, Movie Soundscores, Soul, R&amp;B, Rock, Hard Rock FM etc and &nbsp;Trance, PsyTrance 90&apos;s-2020&apos;s music, and still going on in countless styles ...🌈🌞🎈

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• RG

  @rgeraldc80s · 1 year ago

  this is one of the best interviews ever

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• JA

  @jakehendriksen2841 · 1 year ago

  Hearing Rob wax eloquent about the significance and beauty of Oberheim synths literal gave me chills. Such a beautiful tribute from a man who knows.

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