Hi, Mark! Thanks for the recommendation. I'd forgotten about the AH list.

I realize I'll need essentially one mono synth worth of modules for
each voice (vco, envelope, filter, vca, panner). Right now I have
enough of those as well as a MCV24 to manage the polyphony. Although
I only have one SEM module at the moment, I'll get more if this
experiment works. I just want to find out if I can really get the
sound of an Oberheim 4-voice, and if so, I can finally stop
entertaining thoughts of spending $5000+ for a second-hand one on
eBay. I'm just too worried that spending that kind of cash on
something that old is just too big of a risk.

Kindest regards,
John

On Sun, Apr 13, 2008 at 4:00 PM, Mark Pulver < mark@... > wrote:
>
>
> As a thought, you might also wanna pop in on the Analogue Heaven list and
> ask this question. That can increase your chances of finding someone with a
> 2 -4 -8 voice, or even the single SEM you're looking for. Subscription info
> is here:
>
> http://machines.hyperreal.org/Analogue-Heaven/
>
> One thing to keep in mind as you build up a Doepfer based SEM multi- is
> that one thing behind the power that comes from a real 8 voice is that each
> voice is NOT exactly the same as the others. Even the slightest extra tweak
> of resonance, cutoff, attack time, etc., coupled with panning the multiple
> voices across the stereo spread (but never HARD left or right!) adds to
> that lush power... Much like Phil Spector's "Wall Of Sound" technique.
>
> Good Luck!
>
> Mark
> ------
>
>
> J. Talbert (09:45 AM 4/13/2008) wrote:
> >Hi, folks!
> >
> >I haven't posted here much since I came here for advice on purchasing
> >my first A100 modules. But I can happily say that my A100 has grown
> >quite a since those first 12 modules you guys helped me pick! So
> >here's what I'm hoping someone here can help me with now...
> >
> >Ever since Joe Zawinul appeared on the cover of Keyboard magazine
> >decades ago with his Oberheim 8-voice, I've had an intense desire to
> >own at least a 2 or 4-voice. However, I'd rather not spend the kind
> >of money these things are going for these days (especially given
> >their age). So my crazy quest is to try and patch something that can
> >sound reasonably similar on an A100 and *maybe* even a Nord Modular
> >G2 or G1 (yeah I know they're not analog, but it's really just for
> >fun in that case). Unfortunately, I can't find the sound of a raw
> >SEM. I believe I've already got the necessary A100 modules and of
> >course the Nord Modulars have an endless number of modules to build
> >from. What I'm hoping someone can provide are short WAV recordings
> >of:
> >
> >- Note (single voice) with saw, square and pulse waveforms
> >- Note with a slowly opening and then closing filter (no resonance)
> >- Note with a slowly opening and then closing filter (mid resonance)
> >- Note with a slowly opening and then closing filter (full resonance)
> >- Filter only (self resonating)
> >
> >I would also like a brief description of how voice allocation works
> >on a 2, 4 or 8 voice in terms of how SEM banks are assigned. And of
> >course, if there are other quirks that this instrument has which
> >contribute to it's sound that I might need to know about, please
> >include that information as well (like envelope behavior, sequencer
> >strangeness, etc.)
> >
> >I hope this all isn't too much to ask, but I'd really like to have a
> >proper reference point before I embark down this path. Of course,
> >even if what I'm attempting is absolutely not possible to come close
> >to, I can appreciate that feedback as well - just know then that you
> >may be sending me into great debt as I try to get hold of a real
> >Oberheim 4-voice! :-)
> >
> >Also, if someone here can make the recordings but need a place to
> >host them, I can set up an FTP location. If the files can be
> >compressed with WinRAR, that should greatly reduce the file size.
> >
> >Thanks!
> >
> >Kindest regards,
> >John
>