ARP 2600

The ARP 2600 is a semi-modular analog subtractive audio synthesizer, designed by Dennis Colin for Alan R Pearlman, and manufactured by his company, ARP Instruments, Inc. as the follow-on version of the ARP 2500.

ARP 2600
Steve Fisk's ARP 2600 (without keyboard)
ManufacturerARP Instruments, Inc.
Dates1971-81, 2020
Technical specifications
PolyphonyMonophonic
TimbralityMonotimbral
Oscillator3
LFO1
Synthesis typeAnalog subtractive
Filter24 dB/octave low-pass (1)
AttenuatorADSR and AR
Aftertouch expressionNone
Velocity expressionNone
Storage memoryNone
EffectsSpring reverberator
Input/output
Keyboard49
External controlCV/Gate

Features

Unlike other modular systems of the time, which required modules to be purchased individually and wired by the user, the 2600 was semi-modular with a fixed selection of basic synthesizer components internally pre-wired. The 2600 was thus ideal for musicians new to synthesis, due to its ability to be operated either with or without patch cords. On its initial release it was heavily marketed to high schools and universities.

There are three basic versions of the ARP 2600. The first, dubbed the "Blue Marvin", was housed in a light blue/grey metal case with a keyboard that mated to the synthesizer, and was assembled in a small facility on Kenneth Street in Newton Highlands, Massachusetts, during ARP's infancy as a company. Later ARP 2600s used vinyl covered wood construction with metal corners for both the synthesizer and keyboard making it a more durable and portable instrument. Early versions contained an imitation of Robert Moog's 4-pole "ladder" VCF, later the subject of a threatened (though ultimately nonexistent) lawsuit. Finally, in order to fit in with the black/orange theme of ARP's other synthesizers, the ARP 2600s were manufactured with orange labels over a black aluminium panel. The mid-production grey 2600 models featured many changes amongst themselves. Changes in circuitry and panel lettering provided at least three different grey panel models.

Alan R. Pearlman provided synthesizers to well-known musicians, such as Edgar Winter, Pete Townshend, Stevie Wonder, Joe Zawinul, and Herbie Hancock, each in exchange for his endorsement as a professional user.

Software companies, such as Arturia and Way Out Ware, have released software emulations for use with modern music equipment, such as MIDI devices and computer sequencers.

Sound designer Ben Burtt used an ARP 2600, combined with his own voice, to create the voice of R2-D2 in the Star Wars films. Burtt also used the 2600 to create the sound effects of the Ark of the Covenant in Raiders of the Lost Ark[1]

On January 10, 2020, Korg Inc. of Japan reissued the ARP 2600 as the ARP 2600 FS, a faithful reproduction of the original 1972 gray version. Sources[2] have indicated that this will be a one-time-only limited production run of the instrument, but exact numbers to be produced worldwide remain uncertain. The re-release includes a few additions or upgrades, such as: both filter types found on the 1970s versions, balanced XLR outputs, MIDI, a basic sequencer / arpeggiator, and a flight case for travel. The keyboard included is based on the original 3620 keyboard which now provides aftertouch.

  • ARP 2600P v1.0 (1971) or v2.0 (1971–72) with 3604P keyboard, after the 2600 Blue-Marvin (1971) and the 2600C Gray Machine (1971).
  • ARP 2600P v3.0 (1972–74) or v4.0 (1974) with
    3620 duophonic keyboard (1974–?), new G-clef logo.
  • ARP 2600P v3.0 (1972–74) or v4.0 (1974) panel details
  • ARP 2601 v2.0 (1977–80) or v3.0 (1980, last 100 or so) black-on-orange model

Notable players

The following is a partial list of artists and musical groups who have used the ARP 2600:

gollark: It is literally geomagnetic.
gollark: It does. It is entirely apiobees.
gollark: Also I actually think before typing sometimes.
gollark: I use my phone more than you, apio.
gollark: t!speed <@319753218592866315>

References
  1. "ARP 2600 - Vintage Synth Explorer". www.vintagesynth.com.
  2. "Korg Inc. ARP 2600 FS re-issue". www.korg.com. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  3. "Unsound Recordings". Sound On Sound. January 1998. Archived from the original on 7 June 2015.
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