Oberheim TEO-5 & TEO-5 Desktop: Poly Chain Update – 2 × 5 = 10!
Updates for Oberheim Synths
4,4 / 5,0 | 
Oberheim has just released a significant OS update for the TEO-5 and TEO-5 Desktop. Both analog synthesizers now support Poly Chain with up to ten voices.
All About the Oberheim TEO-5 Desktop & Updates
Oberheim TEO-5 Poly Chain Update
Apart from the voice boards, the Oberheim TEO-5 and TEO-5 Desktop have an almost identical construction to the corresponding Sequential Take 5 versions. Therefore, it stands to reason that the Oberheim version of the five-voice synthesizer will also receive today’s Poly Chain update.
Poly Chain allows you to connect two TEO-5 or TEO-5 Desktop units to form a 10-voice synthesizer. Any combination of keyboard and desktop versions is possible. The two synthesizers automatically synchronize with each other, behaving like a single instrument. This allows you to achieve complex chords and dense textures that were previously impossible with five voices.
Additionally, the TEO-5 gets ten new arpeggio patterns that Sequential added to the Take 5. These patterns are unusual and perfect for inspiring a new track. The arpeggiator now has a new chord mode and a whiplash function. The latter ensures that arpeggio patterns always have the same length, regardless of how many notes they contain.
A new type of noise has been added to sound generation, creating new sound design possibilities. Violet noise emphasizes high frequencies and reduces bass content.
The update for the Oberheim TEO-5 and TEO-5 Desktop is now available for free download on the manufacturer’s website.
The Oberheim TEO-5 and TEO-5 Desktop are available from Thomann*.
The SEM Comes Full Circle
[01 July 2025] Want an affordable Oberheim but don’t need the keys? The TEO-5 Desktop Module is here to make your year.
Oberheim TEO-5 Desktop Module
Oberheim started its synthesizer adventures in 1974 with the SEM, or Synthesizer Expander Module. A two-VCO synth voice in a box, it introduced the world to the Oberheim 2-pole multimode filter. Now that combination is back in the box, this time with five voices, a sequencer and arpeggiator, and effects. It’s the Oberheim TEO-5 Desktop Module, a keyless tabletop take on last year’s TEO-5.
“The meaning of the word ‘module’ has changed quite a bit since I first designed my Synthesizer Expansion Module or SEM back in 1974,” said Tom Oberheim. “But even back then, musicians appreciated getting tons of great sounds in a compact package. The TEO-5 keyboard has already gone farther and wider than SEM, and I’m excited to see this desktop module version introduce even more people to the magic.”
Save on Real Estate
The TEO-5 Desktop Module is essentially the same synthesizer as the original TEO-5, just with no keys. That alone should be enough for you to make a purchase decision. Need that Obie sound but don’t have space in the studio for 44 keys? Then this new version, which is about half the size, should fit the bill nicely. And if you’re not convinced, the TEO-5 was probably our favorite-sounding synthesizer of last year. It really is glorious.
Of course, when you cut down on size, you invariably lose some hands-on control. Thankfully, the TEO-5 Desktop Module manages to keep most everything intact – with the exception of the LFO section, which it combines into a single two-knob arrangement with a button to choose between mono and poly LFOs. It also loses the Low Split performance function, but that was tied to the keyboard anyway.
All the Functionality
Elsewhere, TEO-5 the desktop version has everything that the original does. It’s a five-voice analog poly with two VCOs and a sub per voice, simultaneously selectable wave shapes for each oscillator (triangle, saw, variable pulse), sync and through-zero FM, white noise generator, that wonderful SEM filter, two five-stage envelopes (for amplitude and filter), a vintage knob, arpeggiator and sequencer, effects including reverb, multi-effects and overdrive, and much more.
Price and Availability
You can now order the Oberheim TEO-5 Desktop Module from Thomann* for $1275 / £1125 / €1299.
More Information
*Note: This article contains advertising links that help us pay for this site. Don’t worry: the price for you will always be the same! If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
This might also interest you
2 responses to “Oberheim TEO-5 & TEO-5 Desktop: Poly Chain Update – 2 × 5 = 10!”
The Behringer 2-XM Duophonic Analog SEM is $399 with 2-voices, no effects or sequencer. It sounds beautiful with separate controls per modules, but less polyphony and missing the Oberheim name. So we have to ask ourselves is the Oberheim name/quality, sequencer, effects and added polyphony worth another $1,000? If they priced this $999, I would grab it right away. At $1,400? MMM…
1000 USD for a re-hash? Behringer can do this for 200. Synth companies need to offer a lot more creativity and push the edge of tomorrow’s music if they want to stay relevant. Or if you’re going to do stale re-hashes, you’ll have to compete on price with your top competitor.