Oberheim TEO-5

This is a great synth for people who want that beautiful analog sound with minimal effort. The one knob per function makes it easy to experiment. However, some fundamental features like key tracking and band-bass are hidden behind the menu. It's really easy to make beautiful sounds with it but it might start to feel limited unless you actually spend the time learning some sound design techniques and modulation options.

Almost all of the presets sound quite bad and don't get even close to what this synth can actually do. If you're planning to just use the presets and turn random knobs, this is probably not the device for you.

The screen on the device is really under utilized. When you turn the knobs you don't get any feedback on the screen. That's probably a design philosophy (listen, not watch), but it's very annoying especially when adjusting tempo synced settings.

Hardware wise, it looks retro Oberheim but at the cost of being quite confusing to look at, especially in the dark. From a normal angle you cannot see the LFO wave toggles because the knobs obscure them. Pan spread is not a knob but must be manually created in the mod matrix. The deck is steel but the side panels are plastic. However it makes up for that with the best feeling keys I've ever used.

I think this would be a steal if it was a bit cheaper. For this price you can get a hybrid analog synth capable of sounding just as analog but also offer a much wider sonic palette (e.g. Novation Peak).

Overall it's a solid and beautiful sounding synth that's intuitive to use and quick to learn. It's limited in many ways but sometimes that can be a good thing. It's good for beginners who actually want to learn sound design or pros who already know what they're getting. For intermediate users looking to buy their first main hardware synth it might quickly feel too limited.

Very good quality build. Good sound, features etc if you want a cut price Oberheim and therefore great value. I cant complain about any of the shortcomings - small keyboard, only 5 voices, lack of a proper mixer section on the panel, no VCA as I had done my research and accepted them. However, this is probably the first polysynth I have purchased that I really would have liked more voices to get the best out of it. Again, I knew this could be an issue but Im nothing like a good enoigh keyboard player to have needed more voices on similarly limted synths. Maybe I try more complex things because it soinds so good. If you are a decent player who can use more than 5 fingers at a time, you may need to think again to avoid disappointment of lost/stolen notes. In my case its gppd enough for most things I play.

The TEO-5 is one of the most inspiring synths I’ve ever played. The keybed feels premium and super comfortable, the highs are absolutely stunning, and the filter feels like a dream to use. The built-in effects are on a whole other level, adding real depth and character. Sound-wise, it delivers that classic Oberheim warmth and richness, with a modern and compact design that makes creating and performing pure fun.