DISC Arp 2600 FS Analog Synthesizer

Full Description

Hard-wired construction

Almost every slider available on the front panel of the ARP 2600 is hard wired to specific controls. These sliders provide precise control over the various components of the ARP 2600. This also ensures you can start creating immediately without the need for patching. Thanks to the semi-modular build, inserting a patch cord into any of the hardwired controls jack output will override the internal connection, allowing you to create a brand-new signal path. This results in an infinite amount of signal processing and sound creation.

Efficient patching

The Arp 2600 utilises 3.5mm jacks as patch points in order to save space, creating an easy to navigate interactive control panel. This also allows for extra jacks and more patching potential. The majority of the patch points are located at the bottom of the Arp 2600 control panel in order to keep the main panel unobstructed for tweaking controls.

3620 keyboard

Whilst in-keeping with the original design, the 3620 keyboard has been greatly improved for the Arp 2600 re-release. The keyboard contains 49 full-size keys with features including aftertouch and portamento. The keys are also duophonic, meaning two keys can be played simultaneously - single or multiple triggering is available. The duophonic keyboard can also utilise an optional foot switch to lock the interval between any two notes, without retuning the oscillators during performance.

Vibrato can be added via a dedicated circuit controlled by aftertouch, or by one of the Arp 2600’s three available LFO’s. Another addition is the arpeggiator that allows a user-defined pattern to be sequenced and played back. From the original 3620 keyboard, the pitch bend knob and two octave up/down transpose switch remain.

Processing power

The Arp 2600 is packed with a wide range of individually patchable modules. These can be used for processing an external signal through the dedicated envelope follower and preamp. A set of parallel-wired multiple jacks greatly enhance the patching possibilities of the Arp 2600. These can be used to send the same control signal to many different locations. Three independent voltage processors provide scalable control voltages or can act to attenuate any control signal.

The 2600’s lag generator can be used to delay the start of any control signal. A noise generator is capable of producing white, pink and low-frequency noise and every combination inbetween. A series of three inverters can reverse the polarity of any signal. The electronic switch can be sync’d to either the internal clock or any external clock signal, as can the sample & hold rate.

The oscillators

Each of the three oscillators feature initial and fine-tuning sliders, resulting in extremely stable tuning throughout the synthesizer. Each oscillator can then be designated as an LFO or audio oscillator. Each oscillator generates multiple wave shapes at once including Sawtooth, Square, Triangle, Sine, and Pulse. These have a range of uses within the Arp 2600 including to modulate the frequency of another audio oscillator to create analog FM effects.

The filter

The ARP 2600 is equipped with a 4-pole Voltage Controlled Filter (VCF), offering a roll-off curve of -24dB per Octave. This can be precisely controlled via the fine-tuning slider. The input mixer stage of the VCF includes sliders for each oscillator, the noise generator and the output of the ring modulator. The Arp 2600 design varied slightly over the years and the most recent incarnation features a filter type switch to alternative between different filter responses related to the Arp 2600’s history.

Envelopes

The Arp 2600 features two envelope transient generators. One of which offers variable attack and release whilst the second offers full ADSR control. These envelopes can be retriggered at any time using the manual start button. The envelop section also provides both gate and trigger outputs, ideal for patching into external modular systems.

Output effects and connectivity

To produce the output sound, the ARP 2600 relies on a voltage controlled amplifier (VCA) to bring the output up to a suitable level. This amplifier can be controlled using both linear and exponential control inputs with the initial gain setting providing output at its highest setting.

The output section of the Arp 2600 features a stereo mixer section, an internal spring reverb then the main outputs and built-in monitor speakers. To access the output audio, two low impedance XLR outputs can be used to directly connect to a recording device or sound system. A headphone output can also be used for monitoring.

MIDI is transmitted and received via din-style IN, OUT, and THRU jacks, and also via USB. Three foot switch jacks on the 3620 Keyboard provide control over portamento (on/off or momentary) and the interval latch. The front panel offers a preamp input for processing another audio source.

Features

• 3.5mm jack patching points
• Duophonic 49 key keyboard
• Stable ARP voltage controlled oscillators
• 4-pole voltage controlled filter

Specifications

ARP 2600 FS

• Operating temperature range: 0 – +40 °C (non?condensing)
• Maximum Polyphony: 2 voices for duo phonic; normally monophonic

VCO-1 (Voltage controlled oscilator 1)

• Waveforms: sawtooth, square
• Frequency range:
  • Approx. 0.03 Hz – 30 Hz (low freq. mode)
  • Approx. 10 Hz - 10 kHz (audio mode)
• Voltage controlled response: 1 V/oct.

VCO-2 (Voltage controlled oscilator 2)

• Waveforms: sawtooth, pulse (dynamic pulse), triangle, sine
• Frequency range:
  • Approx. 0.03 Hz – 30 Hz (low freq. mode)
  • Approx. 10 Hz – 10 kHz (audio mode)
• Pulse width: 10 – 90
• Voltage controlled response: 1 V/oct.

VCO-3 (Voltage controlled oscilator 3)

• Waveforms: sawtooth, pulse (dynamic pulse)
• Frequency range:
  • Approx. 0.03 Hz - 30 Hz (low freq. mode)
  • Approx. 10 Hz - 10 kHz (audio mode)
• Pulse width: 10 – 90
• Voltage controlled response: 1 V/oct.

VCF (Voltage controlled filter)

• Type: low-pass (TYPE I : early 24 dB/oct.,
• Type II: late 24 dB/oct.)
• Frequency range: approx. 10 Hz – 10 kHz
• Resonance: 1/2 - self oscillate

VCA (Voltage controlled amplifier)

• Control voltage:
  • AR type (internally connected)
  • ADSR type (internally connected)
• Noise generator: noise spectrum types (white and pink)

Ring modulator

• Type: analog multiplier
• Input signal (Internally connected): VCO-1 sawtooth wave, VCO-2 sine wave

Audio output jacks

• Connector: φ3.5 mm monaural phone jack
• Maximum output level: +9 dBu @ 10 kΩ load
• Output impedance: 1.2 kΩ

Side panel R

• Connector: XLR connector
• Maximum output level: +4 dBu @ 600Ω load
• Output impedance: 1.2 kΩ

CV output voltage:

• UPPER VOICE −3 V – +10 V, 1 V/oct.
• LOWER VOICE −3 V – +7 V, 1 V/oct.

LFO output voltage:

• TRIANGLE ±5 V, 10 Vp-p
• SQUARE WAVE +10 V, 10 Vp-p
• DELAYED SINE WAVE ±3 V, 6 Vp-p

• EXTERNAL VIBRATO input voltage: Max. ±10 V
• VIBRATO DEPTH slider: max. 1 octave
• VIBRATO DELAY slider: 0 – 2.5 sec
• LFO SPEED slider: approx. 0.25 – 25 Hz
• PITCH BEND control: ±1 octave
• TRANSPOSE switch: ±2 octave

General

• Power supply: AC power supply terminal
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 836 x 232 x 509 mm
• Weight: 19.3 kg
• Product code: ARP2600