Description
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 nailthe 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.
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
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.
The distinctive synthesis of the ARP Odyssey has been reproduced from the circuit level up
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.
Features
- 2VCO. The duophonic design allows two different pitches to sound when you play two notes.
- The high degree of pitch stability for which the ARP Odyssey was remarkable in its time has been perfectly reproduced.
- Pitch is variable over a wide range of 20 Hz–2 kHz.
- Pitch modulation and pulse width modulation can be controlled.
- Oscillator sync provides sharp, great-sounding overtones extending into a high range.
- Noise generator provides two noise types: white and pink.
- Powerful LFO can be used as a modulation source for the oscillator or filter, or as a trigger source for sample & hold.
- Ring modulator generates metallic sounds with rich overtones.
- The distinctive S/H MIXER lets you easily create sample & hold sounds by using the oscillator or noise generator as a source that’s triggered by the LFO or keyboard.
- The three types of low-pass filter found on different production runs of the original ARP Odyssey are all provided. With a single switch you can select any one of these filters with their differing characteristics: TYPE I (Rev1) is a 12 dB/octave filter with a sharp and punchy sound, TYPE II (Rev2) is a 24 dB/octave filter that’s great for thick low sounds, and TYPE III (Rev3) features excellent stability even when the resonance is increased.
- A wide variety of modulation sources such as S/H, LFO, ADSR, and AR can be used to modulate the filter.
- A high-pass filter is provided following the low-pass filter, giving you even broader sound design possibilities.
- A new function, the DRIVE switch generates extreme and aggressive sounds.
VCA GAIN slider leaves the note sustaining. Ideal for sound design. - Envelope generator with two types: ADSR and AR. This can be used not only for the VCA but also to modulate the filter or oscillator.
Specs
| Maximum polyphony | 2 voices in Duophonic mode; normally monophonic
* VCO-1 lowest note priority, VCO-2 highest note priority. |
| Checks | Transpose positions : 2 Octave Down (2 Octaves below), normal, 2 octave up (2 Octaves above) |
| Proportional Pitch Control (PPC) : b (Pitch down) Pad: approx. -2 / 3 octaves – (Modulation) Pad # (Pitch-up) Pad: approx. 2 / 3 octaves |
|
| Noise generator | White and Pink Noise |
| Poise | Maximum speed : about 0.01 msec./oct |
| Minimum speed : about 1.5 sec./oct | |
| VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) | Waveforms : Sawtooth, Square, Pulse (Dynamic Pluse) |
| Frequency Range : VCO-1 in Low Freq mode. (low frequency) 0.2Hz to 20Hz: VCO-1 and VCO-2 (audio band) approximately 20Hz to 20kHz | |
| Frequency variation in warm-up phase : 1/30 of a semitone max. at power up | |
| Pulse Width : 50% – 5% | |
| Pulse Width Modulation : ADSR, 45%; LFO, 15% | |
| Voltage Controlled Response : 1 V / oct | |
| Maximum frequency shift : LFO sin wave, 1/2 oct .; LFO square wave, 1.5 oct .; ADSR, 9 oct .; S / H, 2 oct. | |
| VCF (Voltage Controlled Filter) | Types : Low pass (I: 12 dB / oct., II III: 24 dB / oct.) |
| Frequency extension : 16Hz – 16kHz | |
| Maximum usable Q factor : 30 | |
| Resonance : 1/2 – self oscillation | |
| Voltage Controlled Response : C3 key (left side): 0V C6 key (right side): 3V |
|
| VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier) | Dynamics – Dynamic Range : 80 dB |
| Ring Modulator | Type : Digital |
| Input signal : VCO-1, VCO-2 (square wave – square wave) | |
| Sample & Hold | Control sources : Keyboard or LFO trigger |
| Usable signals : VCO-1: sawtooth wave and square wave, VCO-2: square wave and pink noise | |
| ADSR Envelope Generator (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 (envelope generator) |
Attack Time : 5 msec. – 5 sec. |
| Release Time : 10 msec. – 8 sec. | |
| Control inputs | Pedal : 6.3 mm mono jack |
| Portamento Pedal : 6.3 mm mono jack | |
| Audio outputs | LOW : Connector : 6.3 mm mono jack Maximum output level : -20 dBu @ 10 kΩ load Output impedance : 10 kΩ |
| HIGH : Connector : XLR Maximum output level : 4 dBu @ 1 kΩ load Output impedance : 330 Ω |
|
| Headphone : Connector : 6.3 mm stereo jack Maximum output level : 50 mW 50 mW @ 33 Ω load Output impedance : 10 Ω * Adjustable via the Volume knob |
|
| External Audio Input (Ext. Audio Input Jack) |
Connector : 6.3 mm mono jack |
| Maximum input level : -10 dBu | |
| Input impedance : 22 kΩ | |
| MIDI port | MIDI IN |
| USB port | Type B |
| CV IN / OUT connections | Keyboard CV (IN / OUT) : 1 V / oct. |
| Connector : 3.5mm mono jack | |
| GATE IN / OUT connections | GATE IN : 3 V (minimum) |
| GATE OUT : 10 V, key down; 0 V all keys up | |
| Connector : 3.5mm mono jack | |
| TRIG IN / OUT connections | TRIG IN : 3 V pulse min., 10 μsec. Minimum duration |
| TRIG OUT : 10 V impulse on pressing the key, 10 μsec. Duration | |
| Connector : 3.5mm mono jack | |
| Supply | AC adapter connector (DC 9 V) |
| Consumption | 6.5 W |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 496 x 265 x 89 mm / 19.53 “x 10.43” x 3.50 “ |
| Weight | 3.7 Kg / 8.16 lbs |
| Finishes available | White ( ARP ODYSSEY Module Rev1 ), black / orange ( ARP ODYSSEY Module Rev3 ) |
| Accessories supplied | AC adapter, “phone” type cable, “mini-phone” type cable |
| Optional accessories | Expression / volume pedal: XVP-20 Volume pedal: VP-10 Pedal switch: PS-1 / PS-3 Pacth cables: SQ-CABLE-6 |
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