ARP Odyssey vs ARP 2600

memory cords · Post by **memory cords** » Sun May 02, 2010 6:17 am

I'm a big Jarre fan and I really love the sounds he gets out of the ARP 2600, he seems to use it on most of his tracks.

An ARP 2600 is out of my price range (they seem to go for over US$5000 these days).

I've read that the ARP Odyssey has similar or the same internal components and therefore can recreate many of the ARP 2600's sounds. The Odyssey is expensive but just within my budget.

Does anyone have experience with both? How close did the Odyssey and the 2600 sound? And what were the differences?

Thanks.

schmidtc · Post by **schmidtc** » Mon May 03, 2010 4:34 am

I think of them as pretty different instruments. The odyssey is the perfect mix of all the features I could reasonably want in one machine with an awesome interface. But I never walk up to it with a sound in mind, and create it in the same way the 2600 drives you to do. The 4075 and 4072 filters in mine sound essentially the same and the design of the oscillators is quite similar. I think the EGs are different though, and the 2600 is better at percussive sounds. The odyssey could keep me entertained for years, but the 2600 just seems infinite.

Post by **shaft9000** » Mon May 03, 2010 8:13 am

odyssey is a classic portable duophonic analog synth. it has osc sync that the 2600 doesn't have.
it has a better range than most vintage monos and undeniable classic tone. they can be modded even further.

2600 is much more than a synth - it's got a preamplifier, envelope follower, reverb tank and a few other things that make it extremely flexible in many kinds of studios. Patch other synths and instruments in - modulars, run sequencers, osc from a voyager, guitars, voice, drum tracks...whatever you want. Since it's modular you can patch several things going in out & on simultaneously that would otherwise be/seem impossible w/ other synths.

Scories · Post by **Scories** » Tue May 04, 2010 6:08 am

Odysseys are great for FM or pitch-modulated madness.

Like you, I like a lot the 2600 (and Oxygene) and bought a Odyssey (mkII) for similar reasons, but I found the Odyssey a little to harsh-sounding for my taste. It was not as mellow as I thought it would be.

This is a good link to hear various sounds of an Odyssey at its best:
http://www.youtube.com/user/AnalogAudio ... 4SbDBGc2BY
(somes parts include a delay)

teevee · Post by **teevee** » Thu Feb 07, 2019 12:37 pm

I would take Odyssey over 2600, due to that Odyssey is more an portable instrument than 2600 due to its form. [my opinion]…

I don’t care about Jarre …overrated..[my opinion]…

clubbedtodeath · Post by **clubbedtodeath** » Thu Feb 14, 2019 10:38 am

The Oddy can sound harsh, but the modern KARP Odysseys have three different types of low-pass filter -- this can help soften the sound (if you want to).

I would get the Odyssey because it's great synth. For portability, the KARP mini-keyboard edition comes with a sturdy carrying case too, which makes it easy to carry around.

ppg_wavecomputer · Post by **ppg_wavecomputer** » Sun Feb 17, 2019 8:10 pm

The Korg Odyssey sounds nice but, timbrally, it has nothing to do with the original Mk. 1, with its unstable tracking, funky VCOs, and the way the 4023 responds.

Stephen

Post by **wiss** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 2:32 am

memory cords wrote: ↑
Sun May 02, 2010 6:17 am

An ARP 2600 is out of my price range (they seem to go for over US$5000 these days).

Behringer is cloning the 2600, it will be affordable.

OntarioHydro · Post by **OntarioHydro** » Fri Apr 03, 2020 2:30 am

how is this even a thread

NicoleJup · Post by **NicoleJup** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 10:17 am

Just received ARP Odyssey. We notice that after push the button down to engage portamento, if we try bending a note it seems like we almost have to stand on the rubber finger buttons to hear the note go sharp or flat. Is this normal. Seem like ALLOT of pressure has to be applied.

Anyway else run across this?

Thanks in advance for all the F E E D B A C K