Synths using CEM 3320 VCF Filter

Examining usage of the classic Curtis Electronics CEM 3320 VCF Filter Chips and Reissues in classic and modern synths

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The CEM 3320 VCF filter is a 4-Pole (24db/octave) OTA filter chip with flexible configuration options to operate in low pass, high pass or band pass modes.  The CEM-3320 has been used in a variety of vintage and modern synthesizers.   It was originally developed by Curtis Electronics (CEM) in the late 1970s / early 1980s.  Below are some of the well known synths that have used the CEM 3320 or modern recreations of the circuit.   

 

Popular Vintage Synths that use CEM 3320

Sequential
Sequential Pro One
Sequential Drumtraks
Sequential Prophet 5 Rev 3
Sequential Prophet 10
(Note: Prophet 5 Rev 1 and Rev 2 used SSM 2040)

Oberheim
Oberheim OB-Xa
Oberheim OB-8
Oberheim OB-SX
Oberheim DX
Oberheim DMX
(Note: Oberheim OB-X used a discrete SEM filter)

Roger Linn
LinnDrum
Linn 9000

Elka
Elka Synthex

PPG
PPG Wave 2
(Note:  PPG Wave 2.2 and 2.3 used SSM 2044)

Fairlight
Fairlight CMI II/IIx
(Note:  Early Gen I Fairlights used discrete filters, Gen II/IIx had either CEM 3320 or SSM 2045)
 

Modern Synths that use CEM 3320
These synths use either the modern CEM-3320 or discreet circuits inspired by the 3320.

Sequential
Sequential Prophet 5 Rev 4
(Note: Prophet 5 Rev 4 also has SSI 2140 filter option)

Oberheim
Oberheim OB-X8
(Note: Oberheim OB-X8 also includes a discrete SEM filter option)

Behringer
Behringer Pro 1 (uses Cool Audio V3320)


More CEM-3320 Synths
In addition to the above synths, it has also been used in:

Buchla Trilogy
Buchla Stratus
Digisound 80-6 Filter Module
Digisound 80-7a Filter Module
Doepfer A-121 
Fender Forat F9000
Octave Plateau Proteus
Octave Plateau Vave 2.2 / 2.3

Modern Manufacturing of CEM-3320
 

Curtis Electronics
Curtis Electronics (CEM), the original manufacturer of these chips has modern reissues of the CEM 3320.   These are the real deal, manufactured with the blessing of Doug Curtis' family.

Erica Synths
Erica Synths issued a clone of the CEM 3320, called the AS3320.  

Cool Audio
Cool Audio (a division of MusicTribe/Behringer) produces a modern clone of the CEM 3320, called the V3320.  
 

 

More information about CEM-3320 configurations:
https://electricdruid.net/cem3320-filter-designs/

 

More Info on Some Legendary VCF Filter Chip Models
SSM 2040 - Sequential, E-mu, Groove Synthesis, Buchla, etc
SSM 2044 - Korg, PPG, E-mu, Fairlight, Waldorf, Sequential, Behringer, etc