Synth: Arp Odyssey
Review by: Matt Haines

Summary: 2-oscillator synth with resonant LPF, non-res HPF, ADSR and
	AR...stripped-down, normalled version of the 2600.

Years Made:
Polyphony: mono or duophonic (duophonic mode: one oscillator per note)
Multitimbrality: no
MIDI: no
Other inputs/external control:
    CV/Gate: v/oct cv, trigger, gate (in/out for each)
    Clock:
    Other CV:
    Audio: audio input
    Proprietary (DCB, etc): no
    Programmer: no
Outputs: low, high (monophonic)
Patch storage: no
    Patch dumping (tape, MIDI, etc):

Voice architecture:
        2 oscillators w/ coarse and fine adjust (osc 1 can be extra LFO)
        waveforms: saw, square/pulse/pwm, noise
        resonant LPF
        hipass filter (static)
        ring modulator
        sample-n-hold circuit
        ADSR
        AR (attack/release envelope generator)
        1 VCA with initial level slider
        LFO (starts cycle on key-down) sine and square waveforms
        oscillator sync
        oscillators can be modulated by:
                ADSR, square LFO, saw LFO, sample-and-hold
        pulse width can be modulated by:
                sine LFO, ADSR
        filter can be modulated by:
                keyboard tracking, sample-and-hold, sine LFO, ADSR, AR
        VCA can be modulated by:
                ADSR, AR

Interface: sliders
Sequencer/Arpeggiator: no
Keyboard/rack: 3-oct keyboard
Known problems:
Accessories: sustain pedal
Related synths/gear: 
	odyssey is a slimmed-down, 'normalled' version of the ARP 2600
Price range: medium low (cheaper than a Minimoog or TB-303), good buy
Availability: medium
Comments:
    Strengths: nice sound, smoother filter than a Minimoog, more stable tuning
        as well. Ring mod and S/H is very handy for unique sounds, control
        routing is very flexible compared to other synths of similar archi-
        tecture. Once it's in tune, it stays that way.
    Weaknesses: oscillators' coars pitch adjust sliders are linear and are hard
                to tune. Sliders in general are a bit stiff and cumbersome.
                Lack of volume control. Several different pitch bend imple-
                mentations, all of which are retarded.
    Overall:   often overlooked, so it remains a unique as well as cheap synth.
    Other:     Three different versions: mark I, mark II and mark III. Mk I's
                are white and supposedly sound better (but no cv/gate inputs).
                Mk II's are grey and Mk III's are black with orange writing.




Matt Haines  haines@cloverleaf.com

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