• Clone of the ARP 2600 (1970 - 1980)
• playable monophonic or duophonic
• semi-modular
• 3 analog oscillators
• Filter switchable between ARP and Moog character
• 2 envelopes (ADSR & AR)
• Preamplifier with envelope follower
• Ring modulator
• Noise generator
• voltage processor
• open s ample & hold with own clock
• Multiple
• analog spring reverb effect
• Stereo speaker
• MIDI In & USB MIDI
• USB host for MIDI keyboards
• Made in Japan
• incl. patch cable & power supply

A million sounds

The three analogue oscillators provide a powerful sonic foundation and can be continuously tuned across a very wide frequency range. While the first and third oscillators offer sawtooth and square waves, the second oscillator also provides sine and triangle waveforms. Complex modulation between the oscillators can therefore be created in no time. There is also a ring modulator and a noise generator with continuously variable character. If desired, two oscillators with square waves can be routed into the open Sample & Hold circuit to create an analogue bit-crushing effect. Once all sound sources are balanced in the mixer, they are routed to the low-pass filter. ARP Instruments originally produced two different filter revisions, both of which are included here: the 4012 filter corresponds to the classic Moog-style design with smooth resonance, while the 4072 represents the typical ARP filter with a slightly grainier resonance character. At the end of the signal chain sits the stereo VCA with panorama control, followed by the wonderfully rattling spring reverb effect that contributes significantly to the vintage sound of the Korg ARP 2600 M.

Flexibility is everything

As a whole, the Korg ARP 2600 M is a guarantee for a wide variety of sounds that will appeal equally to experimental musicians and producers. This is not only due to the extensive sound-generation and shaping modules, but also to the flexible options for combining, mixing and manipulating sounds and modulation sources. Anything that cannot be achieved directly for example by simply moving a fader can be modified using the voltage processor for additional signal shaping. It is also possible to route one oscillator in low-frequency mode through the ring modulator together with the Sample & Hold circuit and use the resulting ring-modulated control voltage to modulate the filter cutoff.

Semi-modular

The Korg ARP 2600 M features a semi-modular architecture. This means that certain signal paths such as from the oscillator to the mixer are internally pre-wired. However, if a different signal routing is desired, it can easily be replaced using patch cables. The same applies to modulation: if another control voltage source or a variation of it is required, additional patch cables can simply be used. The clear labeling of each socket is also helpful, indicating which signal is present there by default.

Use as an effects unit

Thanks to the preamplifier and envelope follower, the instrument is also well suited for processing external audio sources such as a drum machine. The synthesizer section can be fully integrated into the signal path: the CV output of the envelope follower can open the VCA while simultaneously controlling the oscillator pitch, which in turn modulates the filter. All of this can then be placed in the stereo panorama and sent through the analogue spring reverb for further character.