The latest Sonic Lab video features a review of the Oberheim TEO-5, the new compact performance synth from Tom Oberheim.
Host Nick Batt takes an in-depth look at the Oberheim TEO-5, with an overview of the synth’s architecture, a deep-dive into it’s synthesis capabilities, audio demos and his thoughts on the synth’s pros and cons.
Topics covered:
00:00:00 Start
00:00:07 overview
00:01:50 Sounds Demo 1
00:03:59 Oscillators and Xmod
00:11:31 Unison
00:12:24 Filter
00:15:00 Sequencer + FX
00:18:33 Mod Matrix
00:20:08 Envelopes and LFOs
00:22:24 Stereo
00:23:15 Sounds Demo 2
00:32:37 Final thoughts
Is this a Oberheim synth or a Sequential branded Oberheim?
Because It looks a Sequential Take 5 per design….
Take 5 form factor. With different guts. Build in the same factory that build all kinds of gear. Oberheim design in an affordable package.
Doesn’t have me sell my OB-6
Does it matter whether it’s a BMW or AUDI? Either you like the sound and design or you don’t. Who makes it is secondary.
Yes, BMW’s are rear wheel drive. Audi’s are front wheel drive (or 4 for the Quattro). Massive difference there.
Now, if you had said Audi and VW then fair enough. They often share the same engine, chassis and components.
Amusing. Two decades of BMW’s xDrive marketing obviously failed to grab your attention.
Same company. The brand is more a descriptor of the sound than something separate nowadays.
This is quite a great review https://themetalvortex.com/in-depth-review-of-oberheim-teo-5-polyphonic-synthesizer/
I know the limit of 5 voices annoys some people, but you either have to play it as such, like a Prophet-5 or assign it to the duties of one hand or another. It depends on how large and prog-y your rig is. Its about as budget as you can get and not sacrifice the core voice. Sounds nice & Oberheim-y to me.
Great mod matrix. Wish my OB-6 has a this kind of built in modulation. Still love it.
I doubled down on the LFE expander, and never looked further. Both the OBX8 and TEO-5 don’t have that sound I love from my OB-6. It’s also the only synth I have been concidering to buy a second of, to polychain / dual layer… But in the end I just prefer to record or loop the low-end stuff and play on top of it. 5, 6 or 8 voices. Doesn’t really matter in the end. Unless you play in a band, but who does that these days?
For me the mod matrix + the modulateble effects put the two “small” Sequential synths (take 5 & teo 5) above all the more expensive sequential synths.
Bigger versions of these with more voices, some more knobs and a sequencer ala pro 3 could be the new flagships!
Ps.: My personal flavour is more the Take 5 then the TEO 5