TTSH: Two Thousand Six Hundred (DIY Arp 2600 Clone)

[Reginator]

..Hearing from someone else that it doesn't sound "quite" right is hearsay IMHO. I also heard Elvis wasn't dead.

[Synthacon]

I've had a few 2600's over the years, my favourite is the late model to be fair. I do have to agree, the TTSH is not there. There are some good Euro modules that give the vibe, the Oakley VCA and Ring Mod and the AMSynth stuff is pretty close. I think there is always more to clone something than simply copying the schematics etc.

[Bitexion]

What else then, magic dust?

[Stab Frenzy]

PCB layout makes a difference, don't know if they cloned that in the TTSH. Regardless of if it sounds exactly the same as a 2600 I still think it sounds cool and I still want to make one.

[Reginator]

Hi Stab, I'll do this; I'll spend today programing synth sounds and some more esoteric sounds on my TTSH. I'll record direct to the board and add no external processing and post the sound file or video.

I've never had a real 2600 in front of me so I can't say for certain the TTSH sounds just like it. Being a clone it has newer components (rare parts were used where available), a different power supply and a different PCB layout but the 2600 circuit architecture is the same when comparing schematics. You also use the original 2600 owners manual and service manual for calibration. I'm not a design guy but I learned a heck of a lot how the ARP 2600 works internally thru the TTSH.

Maybe we'll hear the character of the 2600 in the video, maybe not. But for certain we'll hear something analog. Then we can all have at it - positive or negative.

Cheers!

[Reginator]

Here's some TTSH noodling (also my first YouTube video). The first and last patch are my transcriptions of two Arturia 2600v patches.

[Synthacon]

What else then, magic dust?

Of course, did you not realise???

[Mesmerised]

Hey pals - I have just finished building a TTSH of the second run. A big project but I'm very happy with the result!

Here's a fresh little wiggle with it, straight to tape, no edits - a little room added. Sequencer: midiALF. Enjoy!

[seamonkey]

sweet, thanks for sharing and congrats on completing such a great project.
What tape deck did you use?

[Mesmerised]

What tape deck did you use?

Not really "tape" - a Sony PCM-D50

[ppg_wavecomputer]

Hey pals - I have just finished building a TTSH of the second run. A big project but I'm very happy with the result!

Here's a fresh little wiggle with it, straight to tape, no edits - a little room added. Sequencer: midiALF. Enjoy!

Nice.

Sounds like Klaus Schulze with a belly-ache.

Has the VCA DC offset issue been resolved with the TTSH, BTW? No more thumping?

If so, there is the next big thing for Korg to be re-issued... the KARP 2600.

Stephen

[Mesmerised]

Hi Stephen!
The way it is now in v2 there's the DC decoupling still missing. (So, "thumping" - which can be heard in my other short sound cloud clip) But there are pads to solder in additional caps and I will do that when I get the right parts.

I will also mod the ADSR and AR envelopes as they have too slow an attack time. I plan to add a gate booster to be able to use gates below 10V and to make the trig pulse it needs, too.

It's a nice and inspiring machine - the only problem I have left is my VCF catching some dirt from the DC/DC converters… (Other builders don't seem to have this, so I'll have to check)

"KARP 2600" is great!
Chris

[Reginator]

I understanding the VCA thump is inherent in the ARP 2600's design. C.M.S. offers an upgrade to the 2600 to remove the thump as part of their audio path upgrade. The TTSH is a clone of the 2600 and inherited many of the parents traits by design. I used four 1uF polyester non-polar capacitors to decouple the VCO's and Ring Modulator from the VCF.

The TTSH resembles the ARP 2600P V2.0 and uses the 4027-1 VCO sub board, 4012 VCF and LM301 op amps. The VCO's are stable and non-hissy even after hours of use. Of course the skill of the builder will play a part in the quality of the finished product.

Korg/ARP can surely make a 2600 today. I'm building my second TTSH (Version 2) and will start the 1601 sequencer maybe in March, so it can be done. If Korg doesn't do it Behringer certainly will.

[Bitexion]

How much does it cost to build one? From parts to panels etc.

[Reginator]

Total cost is around $1,079 USD to build a TTSH = $540 for the PCB's and front panel, $436 for the components and $103 for the rare parts and jacks. The case costs extra but I built my own.