Korg Arp odyssey continue drone

[the synthman]

Hi. I just set up my Korg Arp odyssey module. I haven't connected it via midi yet, but it makes a continuous drone sound when I raise vco level 2 in the mixer. I have tried all other sliders and switches in the lower position but it still makes the drone sound when I raise the vco sliders. I don't have any midi connection to it. It's been a good few years since I owned and odyssey so I'm not sure if it should make a sound like this without any keyboard (midi) input !

[commodorejohn]

Do you have the VCA GAIN slider set to anything above zero? That will leave the VCA partially open and allow sound out even with no key pressed.

[the synthman]

Oh, so the vca gain slider let's sound through even though there's no midi trigger? So it's supposed to do this then.so it will make a sound even while I'm not playing all the time as long as the vca gain slider is above zero. ?

[commodorejohn]

Correct. Any time it's set above zero, it adds a constant value to the VCA CV, so if the mixer has any input and the filter isn't completely closed, you're going to get sound out of it.

[meatballfulton]

The VCA gain control is common in modulars but not often seen in hardwired synths.

As mentioned above, it's additive so you can have a low level drone where the volume goes up when you play a key and trigger the EG assigned to the VCA. Very flexible for creating sound effects.

Lots of users have been confused by that slider on both the Odyssey and 2600. Joe Zawinul reportedly called the factory and asked how to make the notes stop on his 2600

[the synthman]

Thanks guys, very much appreciated. I get it now. It's been a long time since I fiddled with an ARP that I forgot the weird way in which they work.