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.
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.
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.
Rev1 and Rev2 designs also revived as limited-edition models
Of the various designs that differed by production date, the ARP Odyssey uses the Rev3 design with a black panel silk-screened in orange. The white-paneled Rev1 and the black panel with gold-printed Rev2 designs have also been revived as limited-edition models. If you're an original user, you can choose the design that brings back those fond memories; if you're a new user, choose the model that you like best.
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, Pluse (Dynamic Pluse)
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.
* VCO-1 is low note priority, VCO-2 is high note priority.
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: φ6.3 mm monaural phone jack
Portamento Foot Switch: φ6.3 mm monaural phone jack
Audio Output Jacks:
LOW: Connector: φ6.3 mm monaural phone jack / Maximum Output Level: -20 dBu@ 10 kΩ load / Output Impedance: 10 kΩ
HIGH: Connector: XLR connector / Maximum Output Level: +4 dBu@ 1 kΩ load / Output Impedance: 330 Ω
Headphones Jack:
Connector: φ6.3 mm stereo phone jack
Maximum Output Level: 50 mW + 50 mW@ 33 Ω load
Output Impedance: 10 Ω
* Controllable by volume knob.
External Audio Input (Ext Audio Input) Jack:
Connector: φ6.3 mm monaural phone jack
Maximum Input Level: -10 dBu
Input Impedance: 22 kΩ
MIDI Connector: IN
USB Connector: Type B
CV IN/OUT Jacks:
Keyboard CV (IN/OUT): 1 V/oct.
Connector: φ3.5 mm monaural phone jack
GATE IN/OUT Jacks:
GATE IN: +3 V (minimum)
GATE OUT: +10 V, key down; 0 V all keys up
Connector: φ3.5 mm 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: φ3.5 mm monaural phone jack
Power Supply: AC adapter jack (DC 9 V)
Power Consumption: 6.5 W
Dimensions (W x D x H): 502 x 380 x 120 mm / 19.76" x 14.96" x 4.72"
Weight: 5 kg / 11.02 lbs
Accessories: AC adapter, phone cable, mini-phone cable, owner’s manual, dedicated semi-hard case
Options: VP-10 Volume Pedal, PS-1/PS-3 Pedal Switch
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| SKU | KRG-ARP-ODYSSEY |
| UPC | 4959112125001 |
