To do justice to this incredible machine in print, it is first necessary to mention names like Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Larry Fast, James Newton-Howard (with Elton John), Tyrin Porter and Mike McDonald of the Doobie Brothers, Mike Utley (with Kris Kristofferson), Joe Zawinul (with Weather Report), Gary Wright, John Entwhistle Skip Konte (with Three Dog Night), and Tomita.

The fact of the matter is that each one of these musicians owns and performs with an Oberheim. Listen to Three Dog Night’s version of John Kay’s “Easy Evil” on their new American Pastime LP, and you’ll immediately know why.

Oberheim’s 4-Voice unit clearly ushers in a new era in performance/ studio synthesizers. It’s the first commercially available synthesizer on which four notes can be played simultaneously. In other words, a polyphonic synthesizer. (An 8-Voice model is also available.)

Using versatile synthesizer Expander Modules as its major elements (yes, they’re available separately), the Oberheim is actually four complete synthesizers controlled by a single keyboard. Each Expander Module is a complete synthesizer voice including all the basic components of a standard, monophonic unit. Additionally, a variety of keyboard controls are provided to enhance polyphonic “playability,”