Korg ARP Odyssey vs others synths for beginner

[Roboscott]

Hello
I need some advice from you guys. I am a guitar player that has just taken up playing electronic music. I've been very inspired by playing synth. My problem is that I do not have any music stores near me that carry any hardware synths. So I'm limited to ordering online.
I purchased a korg arp Odyssey on a whim and I like it but it's a bit complicated to make sounds and remember how I got there. Also no sequencer or arpeggiator. It sounds really aggressive and meaty though!!!
But being a beginner, would it be better if I sent it back and got something else? I've been looking at the roland boutique series and the aira system 1, also the korg minilogue looks cool.
Since I can't compare the arp odyssey to the others I've listed , I'm afraid of sending the ARP back and trading it only to realize that the sound quality was way better than the others I've listed.
So is the ARP worth the learning curve or should I get something a little easier to use?
Thanks!!!

[commodorejohn]

The Odyssey is a great learning synth since it's got pretty much all the major analogue-subtractive extra fancy features (oscillator sync, oscillator and filter FM, PWM, ring mod, filter tracking, true sample-and-hold, etc. etc. etc.) in one package, in a simple, easy-to-understand layout. If you've got one, I'd definitely hang onto it.

[stf-ran]

Watch Automatic Gainsay's videos on youtube and follow along. The flow on this synth is different than most and he does an excellent job of explaining what it all means.

[V301H]

The Korg ARP has a MIDI interface which the original didn't have. You can control the Odyssey over MIDI from external units that do have a sequencer or arpeggiator. The Odyssey has about the best Sample & Hold implementation of any MonoSynth. Using this you can generate random arpeggiator-like patterns. Read page 34 of the original manual for an example of how to do this. The manual walks you through all the sections of the Synth with tutorials on how everything works. Programming becomes more intuitive once you get the hang of it.

http://www.arpodyssey.com/Arp_Odyssey_Manual.pdf

[Bitexion]

Classic analogues (or new synths with the same feature sets) are the best learning synths you can get, really.

No fancy menus with lots of submenus to get lost in, all parameters are just right there on the panel, and the manuals were often really good with sections explaining what synthesis is, what a filter does and such.

Also there are lots of books and articles and youtube videos about subtractive synthesis that you can follow along with if your synth has the same features, and most do.

[Stab Frenzy]

...I like it but it's a bit complicated to make sounds and remember how I got there...

Watch Automatic Gainsay's videos on youtube and follow along. The flow on this synth is different than most and he does an excellent job of explaining what it all means.

The KARP is great for you to learn on, once you do understand how to make sounds on it and get back to other sounds you'll be in a really great spot to be able to play the control surface, not just the keys of the synth. Like anything worth doing it's not just going to happen straight away without any effort, but stick with it and you'll be glad you did.

Re: no sequencer or arpeggiator, have a look at the Korg SQ-10 or Arturia Beatstep for cheap options to fill that gap.

[Weirdofromouterspace]

Re: no sequencer or arpeggiator, have a look at the Korg SQ-10 or Arturia Beatstep for cheap options to fill that gap.

Just a little smartass comment: You mean the SQ-1 . Apart from the typo, +1 for the SQ-1. It's a really nice and easy to use sequencer.

[Roboscott]

Exactly what I needed to hear!
I'm keeping the karp
Thanks guys

[Factory all stars]

keep it,i too am a guitarist who grew up with acid house as well as experimental stuff and took the plunge 5 years ago on a vermona lancet,well worth it,all in front of me,no hidden menus-just experimentation,also added an ms20 mini

[meatballfulton]

An original ARP Odyssey was the synth I started learning on almost 30 years ago. The panel markings actually help you understand the routings.

Including a real sample and hold (rather than a S&H LFO settting), a HPF, the ability to modulate one VCO with the other, the two EG types being assignable as you see fit...all great stuff for learning.

[cornutt]

If you hadn't bought anything yet, I'd recommend starting with a VA, just from the financial standpoint. But since you already have the Odyssey, that's a great choice. Everything is clearly laid out on the panel and immediately accessible, which you'll appreciate when you start doing more complex patches. You can get patch sheets online to record your knob settings with, or you can do what a lot of the modular users do and take a photograph of the panel whenever you have a patch you want to remember.

[V301H]

When taking photos of the front panel be sure to use a film camera to keep everything fully analog.

[Roboscott]

Lol

[cornutt]

When taking photos of the front panel be sure to use a film camera to keep everything fully analog.

It isn't fully analog unless you are using an old Brownie with a flash bulb.

[Stab Frenzy]

Re: no sequencer or arpeggiator, have a look at the Korg SQ-10 or Arturia Beatstep for cheap options to fill that gap.

Just a little smartass comment: You mean the SQ-1 . Apart from the typo, +1 for the SQ-1. It's a really nice and easy to use sequencer.

Oh yeah, that's the one.