ARP Odyssey Analog Synthesizer Keyboard

No longer available at zZounds
Back for the first time since 1981, the iconic ARP Odyssey is reborn with its original analog sounds intact, plus a new DRIVE switch and USB and MIDI ports.

Forty years later, a complete revival. The legendary analog synthesizer that transformed its age. The ARP Odyssey was an analog synthesizer originally produced in 1972 by the American manufacturer ARP Instruments, Inc. that quickly garnered a faithful following among musicians. Well respected for its high value, ease to play and portability, the ARP Odyssey had undergone several improvements during its history and continued to be a long-seller until manufacturing stopped in 1981 due to economic hardships and the digital surge. Loved by a wide range of musicians as a historical classic, its sound can be heard on numerous classic songs.

Now in 2015, Korg has brought back the ARP Odyssey for today. With the advisory assistance of David Friend, the co-founder of ARP Instruments, Korg has completely reproduced the original circuitry for artists looking to recreate classic sounds and explore new ones. Together the engineers at Korg and Arp were able to nail the sound and feel of the original. Every detail has been carefully considered to stay true to the quality of the original, down to the sophisticated semi-hard case.

The legendary ARP sound is loved to this day. Long stopped, the wheels of history have again begun to move.

The ARP Odyssey is back:


Profile of David Friend:

Co-founder of ARP Instruments, Inc. together with the founder Alan Robert Pearlman. In addition to designing the ARP Odyssey, he was involved with the development of numerous products, and subsequently read more entered management, eventually becoming president of the company. His achievements as an entrepreneur have also been acclaimed, and in 2010 he received the "Entrepreneur of the Year" (Emerging Technology category) award from Ernst & Young. Currently he serves as the chairman and CEO of Carbonite, Inc., as well as being a lecturer at MIT's Sloan School of Management. He is also an emeritus professor of the New England Conservatory and Berklee College of Music.

The ARP Odyssey was an analog synthesizer originally produced in 1972 by ARP Instruments, Inc. that garnered a faithful following among musicians. Well respected for its high value, ease to play and portability, the ARP Odyssey is loved by a wide range of musicians as a historical classic.

The original ARP Odyssey was a 2VCO duo-phonic instrument. Its most distinctive feature was its sharp, penetrating sound and its rich range of tonal variation. With a variety of functions and modulation possibilities provided by oscillator sync, sample & hold, pulse width modulation, high-pass filter, two types of envelope generator, and pitch bend using the PPC, it was able to create a versatile range of sounds.

The ARP Odyssey reproduces the sounds of these components at the circuit level. Under the supervision of David Friend, parts were carefully selected and every detail was adjusted to replicate the original unit's distinctive synthesis.

Filters of All Three Generations Are Provided

Broadly speaking, there were three versions of the original ARP Odyssey, divided by the date of production, with the major difference being the filter circuit. The ARP Odyssey provides all three of these different filter circuits, and allows you to select one of them with a single switch.

TYPE I (Rev1) is a 12 dB/Oct circuit that produces a sharp, punchy sound. TYPE II (Rev2) is a 24 dB/Oct filter with great-sounding lows. TYPE III (Rev3) maintains excellent stability even when resonance is raised. These distinctive filters have been reproduced just as they originally were.

Portamento Behaviors of Both Rev1 and Rev2/3 Are Provided

On the original ARP Odyssey, the behavior of portamento when using the transpose function differed between Rev1 and Rev2/3. The ARP Odyssey reproduces both of these behaviors and lets you select the desired one with a switch.

An Evolved ARP Odyssey That Preserves the Basic Design of the Original

Compact body, highly operable sliders, and a slim keyboard that's easy to play The ARP Odyssey has been downsized to 86% of the original ARP Odyssey. Carefully selected parts are used in the familiar slider section, providing an operating feel that's even smoother than the original. The keyboard uses a 37-note slim keyboard that features lighter weight and excellent playability. While making the instrument more compact and easier to use, we have also paid attention to ensuring that the mini-keyboard is uncompromisingly "playable." Although the keyboard has 37 keys, the transpose function lets it cover a broad range of seven octaves.

The New DRIVE Switch

In order to deliver a more powerful analog sound, a DRIVE switch is provided as a new function. Turning this switch on makes the VCA distort, generating a rough and raw sound.

Added Connectors Such as MIDI and Headphone Output

The connectors provided on the original ARP Odyssey differed by production date, but based on Rev3 of the original, the ARP Odyssey brings the specifications up to a modern standard. In addition to a MIDI IN connector and USB-MIDI port, we've added a headphone jack with adjustable volume (*). The XLR output jacks which had been unbalanced have been changed to noise-resistant balanced outputs.

Patch Cables Included

Quarter-inch and mini-size patch cables are included. If you connect a patch cable from the newly added headphone jack to the external audio input jack, you can produce a powerful sound by applying self-feedback. If you connect the GATE OUT jack to the TRIG IN jack, the EG won't be retriggered, allowing you to play legato.

Dedicated Semi-Hard Case Included

A dedicated semi-hard case that's ideal for storage and transportation is included. It sports the classical ARP logo, and has a sophisticated finish in a black tone. The corrugated shell structure ensures excellent impact resistance, and internal cushioning and pocket for small items is also provided.

Features:

- Complete reconstruction of three generations of circuitry, with the founder as advisor
- The distinctive synthesis of the ARP Odyssey has been reproduced from the circuit level up
- Filters of all three generations are provided
- Portamento behaviors of both Rev1 and Rev2/3 are provided
- An evolved ARP Odyssey that preserves the basic design of the original
- Compact body, highly operable sliders, and a slim keyboard that's easy to play
- DRIVE switch (new function) is provided
- Connectors include MIDI and headphone output
- Patch cables included
- Dedicated semi-hard case included
- Rev1 and Rev2 designs also revived as limited-edition models
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- Keyboard: 37-note (Slimkey, No velocity sensitivity, No aftertouch)
- Maximum Polyphony: 2 voices for duophonic; normally monophonic

Controllers:
- Transpose Positions: 2 octaves down, normal, 2 octave up
- Proportional Pitch Control: b (Pitch down) Pad: about -2 / 3 octave, - (Modulation) Pad, # (Pitch-up) Pad: about +2 / 3 octave

- Noise Generator: Noise Spectrum Types (white and pink)

Portamento:
- Maximum Speed: about 0.01 msec./oct
- Minimum Speed: about 1.5 sec./oct

VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator):
- Waveforms: Sawtooth, Square, Pulse (Dynamic Pulse)
- Frequency Range: VCO-1 in low freq. mode, 0.2 Hz - 20 Hz: VCO-1 and VCO-2 (audio range) about 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Warm Up Drift: 1/30 semitone from turn on max
- Pulse Width: 50 % - 5 %
- Pulse Width Modulation: ADSR +45 %, LFO +15 %
- Voltage Controlled Response: 1 V/oct
- Maximum Frequency Shifts: LFO sin wave, +1/2 oct., LFO square wave, +1.5 oct., ADSR, +9 oct., S/H, +2 oct.
Note: VCO-1 is low note priority, VCO-2 is high note priority.

VCF (Voltage Controlled Filter)
- Types: Low pass (I: 12 dB/oct., II III: 24 dB/oct.)
- Frequency Range: 16 Hz - 16 kHz
- Maximum Usable Q: 30
- Resonance: 1/2 - self oscillate
- Voltage Controlled Response: C3 key (left edge): 0 V, C6 key (right edge) 3 V

- VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier): Dynamic Range: 80 dB

Ring Modulator
- Type: Digital
- Input Signal: VCO-1, VCO-2 (square wave)

Sample & Hold
- Command Sources: Keyboard or LFO trigger
- Sampled Signals: VCO-1 sawtooth wave and square wave, VCO-2 square wave and pink noise

ADSR Envelope Generator
- Attack Time: 5 msec. - 5 sec.
- Decay Time: 10 msec. - 8 sec.
- Sustain Level: 0 - 100 % or Peak
- Release Time: 15 msec. - 10 sec.

AR Envelope Generator
- Attack Time: 5 msec. - 5 sec.
- Release Time: 10 msec. - 8 sec.

Control Input Jacks
- Pedal: 6.3 mm monaural phone jack
- Portamento Foot Switch: 1/4" monaural phone jack

Audio Output Jacks
- Connector: 1/4" monaural phone jack
- Maximum Output Level: -20 dBu@ 10 kohm load
- Output Impedance: 10 kohm
- Connector: XLR connector
- Maximum Output Level: +4 dBu@ 1 kohm load
- Output Impedance: 330 ohms

Headphones Jack
- Connector: 1/4" stereo phone jack
- Maximum Output Level: 50 mW + 50 mW@ 33 ohm load
- Output Impedance: 10 ohm
- Controllable by volume knob

External Audio Input (Ext Audio Input) Jack
- Connector: 1/4" monaural phone jack
- Maximum Input Level: -10 dBu
- Input Impedance: 22 kohm

- MIDI Connector: MIDI IN
- USB Connector: USB Type B
- Keyboard CV (IN/OUT): 1 V/oct.
- Connector: 1/4" monaural phone jack

GATE IN/OUT Jacks
- GATE IN: +3 V (minimum)
- GATE OUT: +10 V, key down; 0 V all keys up
- Connector: 1/4" monaural phone jack

TRIG IN/OUT Jacks
- TRIG IN: +3 V pulse min., 10 μsec. Duration minimum
- TRIG OUT: +10 V pulse on key depression, 10 μsec. Duration
- Connector: 1/4" monaural phone jack

- Power Supply: AC adapter jack (DC 9 V)
- Power Consumption: 6.5 W
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 19.76" x 14.96" x 4.72"
- Weight: 5 kg (11.02 lbs)

Accessories Included:
- AC adapter
- phone cable
- mini-phone cable
- owner's manual
- dedicated semi-hard case

Optional Accessories:
- VP-10 Volume Pedal
- PS-1/PS-3 Pedal Switch

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Web: https://www.korg.com/us/support/

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (3 ratings)
Submitted June 28, 2015 by Ryan Wilson in Las vegas, NV

"Love my Arp Odyssey! Excellent payment plans and best deal around. Got a killer deal!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This was probably the 3rd or 4th time ordering from zzounds. My beloved synth arrived in a timely fashion- (warehouse is not far from my house). Enjoyed the free shipping and especially the awesome payment plans. I don't know of anywhere else who would do a 12 month zero interest plan on a new synth on the market. The arp synth arrived in its factory box that was damaged pretty bad. But luckily this synth comes in a hard shell case. All is good. And they offered a return if there were any issues. Overall great experience and now I have my favorite synth in my arsenal. Thing sounds amazing. All about duo phonic! This thing sounds like a beast. Perfect for any genre of EDM. Put a delay on it and patch the output into the input with the supplied patch cables and you are in heaven. Very sturdy and well built instrument. This thing screams on filter 1 with the overdrive switch on. Don't hesitate to buy! Make sure to price match! This synth is not a beginners synth. Has a bit of a learning curve if you are not a synthesist. But read the manual and you'll be there in no time.

Musical Background:

Analog synth fanatic, beat maker, hobbyist, pro audio engineer.

Musical Style:

EDM, trap, dub, dub step, drum step, rag faster, chill wave, retro, synth wave, house, etc...
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