# iSEM Synthesizer > Classic Oberheim SEM synthesizer emulation for iOS with expanded features. (iPhone/iPad app by Arturia.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/isem-synthesizer/id673921187 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Arturia](https://appshunter.io/developer/549089551) - Category: Music - Price: $9.99 - Rating: 4.15/5 from 61 App Store ratings · 243 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 12.1 · 80 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2013-10-09 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/isem-synthesizer/id673921187/reviews.md ## What is iSEM Synthesizer? COMPATIBILITY Apple’s AudioUnit v3, Inter-App Audio connectivity, AudioBus 3, Korg’s WIST and Apple’s CoreMIDI are all supported. Furthermore, iSEM is fully compatible with the Audio Unit Extension format. It can be directly launched in any Audio Unit host applications. DESCRIPTION iSEM is a recreation of the classic 1974 Oberheim SEM (Synthesizer Expander Module), one of the world's first self-contained synthesizer modules and the first to bear the "Oberheim Electronics" name. The Oberheim SEM was made famous by artists and bands such as Lyle Mays, Jan Hammer, Joseph Zawinul, Supertramp, 808 State, Vince Clarke and Depeche Mode. Based on the TAE® technology found in our Oberheim SEM V software, iSEM brings back the sound and special characteristics of this iconic synth in an sonically accurate and expanded touch-based emulation. What you can do with the iSEM? The iSEM is a powerful instrument capable of producing a wide range of warm analog sounds.  Reproducing the unique SEM architecture, with its oscillator sync, characteristic filter shape and specific envelope response, the iSEM is able to generate the fat basses that have made the Oberheim brand so popular. Thanks to its simple and clever PW and pitch modulations, it is also very easy to produce moving and lively leads. Its remarkable 12 dB/oct multimode filter is a real blast from the past, becoming an awesome weapon in the context of current electronic music. This unique module can instantly tailor your sound to fat, crisp, or spectral textures with access to all the nuances in between… iSEM comes with over 500 sounds that you can browse through and play. You can also easily create your own sounds with the easy to use interface. Play iSEM's numerous sounds from the iPad keyboard or control iSEM from a MIDI keyboard or other app via CoreMIDI and integrate it into your studio or live performance. If you are an owner of of the Arturia SEM V software on your Mac or PC, you can even import and export sounds between your laptop or desktop SEM V and iSEM. FEATURES All the original parameters of the Oberheim SEM: two oscillators, each offering sawtooth wave and variable-width pulse wave with PWM, sine wave LFO, 12dB/oct multi-mode Filter with low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and notch, two ADS envelope generators. Added functionalities: New LFO, Noise, Sub oscillator, Arpeggiator, Portamento. Polyphonic playability 8 Voice Programmer module allows each voice to have different settings HOLD and CHORD modes. Virtual Analog Chorus. Virtual Analog Delay. Full user MIDI mapping of panel controls. Supports WIST sync to other iOS devices. Support of AudioUnit Extension, AudioBus 3 and Apple’s Inter-App Audio connectivity. The Oberheim™ name used here is a trademark of the Gibson Guitar Corp. The trademark is used by license to Arturia. ## Key features - Classic Oberheim SEM emulation - Two oscillators with PWM - 12dB/oct multi-mode filter - Added LFO, Noise, Sub oscillator, Arpeggiator, Portamento - Polyphonic playability - 500+ preset sounds - MIDI and AudioUnit v3 support ## What do users think of iSEM Synthesizer? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🎹 Fantastic sound quality - 💯 Faithful to the original Oberheim SEM - 🎨 Versatile sound design capabilities - 🎚️ Intuitive and responsive interface - 🔊 Rich, warm, and analog-like tones **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues - 🔌 Poor integration with DAWs and MIDI controllers - 🕰️ Slow preset loading times - 🔇 Limited modulation options compared to hardware - 🤔 Uninspiring factory presets **Commonly reported bugs** - Preset loading issues - MIDI connectivity problems - Unexpected crashes when switching between presets - Envelopes causing clicks and pops in some patches - Unresponsive controls when used as an AUv3 **Most requested features** - Add MIDI program change support - Improve preset management and organization - Implement a global tuning option - Enhance MIDI mapping and automation capabilities - Provide more comprehensive AUv3 support ## Recent user reviews (10 of 243) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/isem-synthesizer/id673921187/reviews.md ### 5/5 — iSem Audio Unit loads again in Cub3 - thanks! *2026-03-15, version 1.5* Works! Brief try March 2026 all seems good, back to 5 stars, lovely little synth. Issues previously…Well, it’s been a year since I notified Arturia of this exact issue using Cubasis 3.4.1, and sadly we are at that point where iSem seems to be forgotten. 4 years since a revision. PullingUseless as an AU in Cubasis essentially - every other Audio Unit instrument, and I tried a dozen, all invoked fine, saved their state on shutdown of Cub3, etc. Other weirdness includes the fascia of the previous instrument you had up, remaining in place, it all seems connected to iSem not loading up? Over to you Arturia, sorry, iSem’s dead in the water for me as it stands. ### 1/5 — Leider derzeit völlig veraltet, und damit unbrauchbar *2025-04-25, version 1.5* Habe die App schon seit vielen Jahren in Gebrauch, und immer gerne verwendet. Leider als AUV3 Plugin unter Logic nicht mehr verwendbar… Sehr schade! ### 2/5 — auV3? Yes! Good Synth? No! *2024-02-28* I usually go to the pad presets first when I get a music app. These were really not good. They all sounded the same and were completely uninspiring. When I started to create my own, I quickly realized why they all sound the same. The only variation I could find was the speed and length of the detuning - to the point where the thing was barely musical. The leads were much better and as an Oberheim port, they should be. Congrats that this is the only Arturia product which seems to be AU compatible. They should stop embarrassing themselves on iOS and stick to Hardware and VST. I love my MicroFreak! Especially with firmware 5! ### 5/5 — Это Шедевр ! *2024-02-11, version 1.5* Очень жду магазин звуков и наборов новых Импорт новых звуков синхронизация тоже нужны … Спасибо 😊!!! ### 1/5 — iSem Audio Unit won’t load in Cubasis 3.6.1 *2024-01-06, version 1.5* Well, it’s been a year since I notified Arturia of this exact issue using Cubasis 3.4.1, and sadly we are at that point where iSem seems to be forgotten. 4 years since a revision. Pulling up Cubasis 3.6.1 (latest Jan 2024) on an iPad Pro M1 12.9 inch, with 2Tb SSD and lots of room on there, and so on, trying to add an instance of the iSem Audio Unit, results in it possibly seeming to work, but close down Cub3 and restart, and there’s no way to get iSem to show its face/fascia. Also, add a second instance/track of the iSem AUv3, and it never shows its face not even once. Any midi track info obvs does not play, and the fact the fascia won;t load once you duck out of Cubasis 3 even temporarily, and return, is indicative of no state being preserved etc. Useless as an AU in Cubasis essentially - every other Audio Unit instrument, and I tried a dozen, all invoked fine, saved their state on shutdown of Cub3, etc. Other weirdness includes the fascia of the previous instrument you had up, remaining in place, it all seems connected to iSem not loading up? Over to you Arturia, sorry, iSem’s dead in the water for me as it stands. ### 5/5 — Love this synth but… *2023-11-13, version 1.5* This is by far my favourite iOS synth, however it’s starting to crash now as AUV3. Any updates on the horizon? ### 2/5 — Crashes constantly. *2023-08-25, version 1.5* Constant crashes in Cubasis 3.Real pity,it used to be great. ### 5/5 — Fantastic sounding analogue synth, one of a kind *2023-07-27, version 1.5* Superb, if occasionally unstable, unique analog synth. Perhaps my favourite iOS synth, the filters are perfect, it has this classic bronze sem sound. Please keep this updated, it’s one of the best on iOS. ### 5/5 — Hourargh! *2023-07-25, version 1.5* Ouff! Anything else just isn’t the Sem.. .. please do not the cat .. ### 4/5 — Big Sound *2023-05-07, version 1.5* Love this softsynth. Gut please let me know how to Switch Mono/Poly if used as AU Extension in AUM or GarageBand ## Frequently asked questions about iSEM Synthesizer ### What is iSEM Synthesizer? iSEM Synthesizer is a mobile application that emulates the iconic 1974 Oberheim SEM (Synthesizer Expander Module). It aims to recreate the warm analog sound and unique characteristics of the original hardware synthesizer, offering expanded functionalities for modern music production. ### What are the key features of iSEM Synthesizer? Key features include a faithful emulation of the original SEM architecture with two oscillators, a 12dB/oct multi-mode filter, and two envelope generators. It also adds functionalities like a new LFO, noise, sub oscillator, arpeggiator, portamento, polyphonic playability, and over 500 preset sounds. ### How much does iSEM Synthesizer cost? The application is a paid app. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned, indicating a one-time purchase for full access to all features and sounds. ### What devices is iSEM Synthesizer compatible with? iSEM Synthesizer is compatible with Apple's AudioUnit v3, Inter-App Audio, AudioBus 3, Korg's WIST, and Apple's CoreMIDI. It also supports the Audio Unit Extension format, allowing it to be launched within any Audio Unit host applications on compatible iOS devices. ### What kind of sounds can I create with iSEM Synthesizer? You can create a wide range of warm analog sounds, including fat basses that made the Oberheim brand popular, as well as moving and lively leads. The unique multimode filter allows for tailoring sounds to be fat, crisp, or spectral, making it versatile for various electronic music genres. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.5 — 2019-11-16 - Updates and bugfixes for iOS 13 - Upgrade AudioBus to Version 3 - Improved Startup Time ### 1.3 — 2016-07-19 - Arpeggio sync when used in Inter-App Audio & as AudioUnit - Support sample rate changes with Inter-App Audio or AudioUnit hosts ### 1.2 — 2015-11-19 - AudioUnit Extension added ### 1.1 — 2015-09-17 - iOS 9 compatibility - AudioBus update - Bug fixes ### 1.0.4 — 2014-10-18 - Bug Fixes ## Apps similar to iSEM Synthesizer | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Radio 105 Indie](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/radio-105-indie/id1559928660) | — | Free | Music | | [Been Getting Fetty Radio](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/been-getting-fetty-radio/id6450182020) | 5.0 (4) | Free | Music | | [MusicPutty - Vocal Tune](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/musicputty-vocal-tune/id6444390100) | 4.4 (120) | Free | Music | | [OUT & PROUD LIVE](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/out-and-proud-live/id1562328760) | 5.0 (8) | Free | Music | | [Real Piano - Electric Keyboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-piano-electric-keyboard/id6446647820) | 1.0 (1) | Free | Music | ## More apps by Arturia - [iMini Synthesizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imini-synthesizer/id603340125) - [iProphet Synthesizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iprophet-synthesizer/id898449685) - [Arturia iSpark](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arturia-ispark/id1045383182) - [AstroLab Connect](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astrolab-connect/id6471487067) All apps by Arturia: https://appshunter.io/developer/549089551 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*