The Oberheim TEO-5 synthesizer is a feature-rich instrument that combines classic analog sound with modern functionality.
Oscillators and Modulation:
Two LFOs (one mono, one poly) with five wave shapes each: triangle, sawtooth, reverse sawtooth, square, and random (sample and hold). Both can sync to tempo and are freely assignable via the modulation matrix.
OSC MOD section with controls for oscillator hard sync and X-Mod, featuring through-zero FM for enhanced sonic variety through interoscillator modulation.
Filter:
A classic SEM-lineage, two-pole, discrete resonant filter design forms the soul of the TEO-5 sound.
Morphing capability from low-pass to high-pass through notch, with a switchable band-pass mode, greatly expanding sonic possibilities.
Envelopes:
5-stage (Delay, Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) filter and volume envelopes, modeled after the OB-8, shape the harmonics and loudness of sounds.
Versatile enough for silky pads or punchy bass tones.
Arpeggiator and Sequencer:
Arpeggiator creates chord-based rhythmic patterns with adjustable rate and pattern (up, down, up & down, or played order), plus transpose range of ±2 octaves.
Polyphonic, velocity-sensitive step sequencer with up to 64 steps, including rests and ties, syncable to external MIDI clock.
Clock and Effects:
Dedicated clock panel with BPM knob, tap tempo button, and clock division setting.
24-bit, 48 kHz digital effects including stereo distortion, reverb, and selectable effect (syncable delay, chorus, flanger, Lo-Fi, vintage Oberheim phase shifter and ring modulator emulations).
Preset Management:
256 Factory programs and 256 User program slots.
Bank button for 16 banks and individual Program Selector buttons for direct selection.
Keyboard and Controls:
3.5-octave, 44-key premium-quality Fatar keyboard with calibrated velocity and aftertouch sensitivity.
Modulation wheel and spring-loaded pitch wheel with selectable bend range (1 to 12 semitones up/down) per program.
Connectivity:
Standard 5-pin DIN connectors and USB MIDI for instrument/DAW communication.
Pedal inputs for sustain, volume swells, filter sweeps, and sequencer triggering.
This comprehensive feature set makes the TEO-5 a versatile and powerful synthesizer suitable for a wide range of musical applications, from classic analog tones to complex, evolving soundscapes.