Korg Arp Odyssey Duophonic Synthesizer

Get Legendary Sound With The Korg Arp Odyssey Duophonic Synthesizer

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, 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 nail the sound and feel of the original. Every detail of the KORG Arp Odyssey Duophonic Synthesizer 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 and 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.

Compact Body, Highly Operable Sliders, and a Slim Keyboard That's Easy to Play

The ARP Odyssey has been downsized to 86% of the original ARP Odyssey. Carefully selected parts are used in the familiar slider section, providing an operating feel that's even smoother than the original. The keyboard uses a 37-note slim keyboard that features lighter weight and excellent playability. While making the instrument more compact and easier to use, we have also paid attention to ensuring that the mini-keyboard is uncompromisingly "playable". Although the keyboard has 37 keys, the transpose function lets it cover a broad range of seven octaves.

• Complete reconstruction of three generations of circuitry
• An evolved ARP Odyssey that preserves the basic design of the original
• Dedicated semi-hard case included
• Rev1 and Rev2 designs also revived as limited-edition models
• Connectors include MIDI and headphone output

SPECIFICATIONS

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.
• Note: VCO-1 is low note priority, VCO-2 is high note priority.

VCF (Voltage Controlled Filter)

• 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 and 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- 6.3 mm monaural phone jack
• Portamento Foot Switch- 6.3 mm monaural phone jack

Audio Output Jacks Low

• Connector- 6.3 mm monaural phone jack
• Maximum Output Level: -20 dBu @ 10 kΩ load
• Output Impedance 10 kΩ

Audio Output Jacks High

• Connector- XLR connector
• Maximum Output Level: +4 dBu @ 1 kΩ load
• Output Impedance 330 Ω

Headphones Jack

• Connector- 6.3 mm stereo phone jack
• Maximum Output Level: 50 mW + 50 mW @ 33 Ω load (Controllable by volume knob)
• Output Impedance- 10 Ω

External Audio Input (EXT AUDIO INPUT) Jack

• Connector- 6.3 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- 3.5 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- 3.5 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- 3.5 mm monaural phone jack

Power Supply

• AC adapter jack (DC 9V)

Power Consumption

• 6.5 W

Dimensions (W X D X H)

• 502 x 380 x 120 mm

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