Oberheim Two Voice

The Oberheim Two Voice (TVS) is an analogue synthesizer produced by Oberheim Electronics from 1975 to 1979.^[1] It can be operated in either polyphonic or monophonic mode, and includes an onboard 8-step sequencer. The Two Voice was the first of Oberheim's Polyphonic Synthesizer series, and one of the first commercially available polyphonic synthesizers.^[2]

Two Voice
TVS-1 owned by Peter Freeman
Manufacturer	Oberheim
Dates	1975–1979[1]
Price	$2000 US
Technical specifications
Polyphony	2 voices
Timbrality	Multitimbral
Oscillator	4 VCOs (2 per voice)
LFO	1 (triangle)
Synthesis type	Analog subtractive
Filter	2 (1 per voice) (multi-mode with cutoff and resonance)
Attenuator	2 (Attack, Decay and Sustain)
Aftertouch expression	No
Velocity expression	No
Storage memory	Optional external Polyphonic Synthesizer Programmer module
Effects	No
Input/output
Keyboard	37 keys
External control	CV/Gate

Development

At the start of 1975, Oberheim did not consider itself a synthesizer manufacturer. At the time, the company's business consisted of contract manufacturing Maestro-branded effects units, as well its own products, the DS-2 digital music sequencer and Synthesizer Expansion Module, which were intended as add-ons for Minimoog and ARP 2600 owners. When Norlin canceled several large Maestro orders, the company was forced to develop new products to replace those lost sales. By combining multiple SEM synthesizer modules with a digitally scanned keyboard developed by Dave Rossum and a two-channel sequencer, Oberheim created the Two Voice and Four Voice, the first two Oberheim Polyphonic Synthesizer models, and some of the first commercially available polyphonic synthesizers.^[2]

Features and specification

The Two Voice combines two SEMs, each with two VCOs and a two-pole voltage-controlled filter that can operate as a low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, or band-reject filter.^[3][4]

Famous Users

• Jean Michel Jarre
• Vince Clarke
• Vangelis^[5]

See also

• Oberheim Two-Voice Pro – re-released version