The iconic ARP 2600. This is the only synthesizer you can see in any major studio. They cost an astronomical amount of money on the secondary market. When KORG released a limited edition of the ARP 2600 FS in 2020, they immediately sold out worldwide. Now KORG is pleased to introduce the first truly accurate software recreation of this essential synthesizer.
KORG’s proprietary CMT technology accurately reproduces the signature waveforms and filters, user-defined LFO and envelope shapes, many subtle non-linearities, and even patch panel behavior – unlike any other 2600 software instrument. Thanks to this obsessive attention to detail, you can open the original ARP 2600 Patch Book (available as a free PDF on the KORG website), plug in each of the 100 patches on-screen, and they’ll sound just like the real ARP 2600.
Preserving the fantastic sound quality, incredible flexibility, and uniqueness of the original was just the beginning. To truly honor the legacy of this legendary instrument, we asked ourselves: If ARP redesigned the 2600 today, what would it be like? In response, we’ve made a host of improvements, including a second filter, a drive section, new modulation sources, extensive MIDI control, a sophisticated sequencer, up to 16-voice polyphony, and more – all while maintaining the spirit of the original ARP 2600. design.
The ARP 2600 is the perfect way to explore analog synthesis. The primary signal path runs clearly from left to right. Unlike a modular synth, cables are optional; you can create incredible sounds simply by moving sliders. Everything is right in front of you – no scrolling required. We wanted to extend this tradition of learning and ease of use. The new silkscreen uses color to differentiate between signal sources, signal processors, modulation sources, and control modules. (If you prefer, the original white-on-black silkscreen is also available.) When you choose to use cables, they show the direction of signal flow, and unusable patch points are relegated to the background. On-screen help provides information and helpful tips for every slider, knob, switch, and connector.
The pulsating bass lines of “Thriller” and “Borderline.” The signature sounds of “Autobahn,” “Don’t Go,” “Just Can’t Get Enough,” and “Oxygene” — and let’s not forget “Birdland.” The searing guitar work of “Who Are You” and “Discotheque.” The robotic voice of “R2.” Funk, rock, jazz, pop, electronic, cinema — none of it would be the same without the ARP 2600. You’ll feel the same about your own music as you play through KORG’s many amazing-sounding, expertly designed presets.
The vintage ARP 2600 was arguably the first all-in-one synth with built-in effects in the form of a built-in spring reverb. We’ve kept the original spring reverb on the patch panel, but also brought the effects up to modern specs with three insert effects and a dedicated reverb slot. There are 31 effect types to choose from, including vintage pedals, guitar amps, and tapes. echoes modern reverse delays and shimmering reverbs, taking the classic ARP 2600 synth tones to a new level.
Our engineers spent a lot of time understanding every detail of the original and modern circuits, studying the original ARP 2600 manuals, testing with oscilloscopes, and most importantly, listening.
For example, the original AR and ADSR envelopes may have seemed simple, but it took a lot of time and tweaking to get them perfect. The oscillator waveforms are correct, including small imperfections that add a unique brightness (especially for triangle and sine).
We have modeled both the original VCF modules, 4012 and 4072, with a switch to select between them. We have included all the many saturation points of the original hardware, with subtle distortions that bring the sound to life. Extensive anti-aliasing methods distributed across the various modules allow us to provide truly superior sound quality. KORG’s Component Modeling Technology (CMT) includes variations between analog components, as with several 2600 hardware, to provide natural richness in polyphonic playback.