Arp Odyssey MK2 worth it if I have moogs?

[bloodsample]

Someone's selling a mk2 odyssey in good condition near me.

I don't know much about arp's other than I love their sound (at least judging from youtube). I love 70s sounding synths too.

As far as I understand the mk2 has a moog filter clone. I have a voyager OS, little phatty and mf-101 (read: plenty of moog filters).

So my question is, do you think the mk2 would be worth getting or should I wait for a mk1 or mk3 to appear?

Will the mk2 sound a lot like a moog or are the oscillators and other components different enough to have their own character?

I'm thinking the mk2 might be a cool synth to have as it will complement some of my modern analogs, but it's hard to tell just from youtube ...

I love the sounds in this video, but this is a mk3, how different is the core sound of the 3 versions anyways?

[NWSooner]

An ARP sounds like an ARP even if it has a 4-pole Moog filter, so I think it would definitely be worth having in addition to a Moog.

The Mk. I has the 2-pole 4023 filter.

Some Mk. IIs have the 2-pole 4023 filter, and others have the 4035 (4-pole Moog-style), while others have the 4075 (4-pole ARP filter) so just because it's a Mk. II doesn't tell you which filter it has.

As far as I know all Mk. IIIs have the 4075 filter.

Note that the 4075 filter has a known issue with high frequency content that can be very simply fixed.

I'll let some of the folks here that have all 3 comment on which one they prefer, etc. I have a Mk. I with the 4023 filter and an ARP 2600 with the 4012 (Moog-style 4-pole) filter.

I will add that the Mk. I doesn't have CV/gate so if you're planning to sequence this thing you'll want to get a Mk. II or a Mk. III or have your Mk. I modded. (Mine is modded for CV/gate.)

[synthguy]

The Moog filter really doesn't make all that much difference. The ARP design gives all of their synths not just their own sound, but a few tricks peculiar to it. You can get the thing to drone rhythmically, generating hard sync bass sounds with just a few quick settings. It's not quite like having a sequencer, but you can sequence-like burbling melodies if you match your notes to the LFO.

I think any Odyssey would make a great contrast and complement to a Moog synth.

[Reptil]

NOOOOO don't buy it, send me the guy's phone number.

+3 it makes a good contrast with the Moog sound.

[The Real MC]

Many keyboardists in the 70s had both ARP and Moog in their arsenal. They're not really redundant, even if both have the 24dB ladder filter. Their sounds were different yet complimentary. Odyssey has some nice features and sound that the Moogs didn't have for years. My only beefs with ARP is the sealed submodules which make difficult service, sticky slidepots with age, and their paranoia about any resemblance to Moog was such that they flat out refused to put pitch/mod wheels on them and ARP never had any decent pitch/mod controllers.

[clusterchord]

4035/4034 is a ladder but its built with CA3086 transistor arrays, not discrete transistors like minimoog.

that wouldnt have meant much to me until i heard both in action. and you can cleary hear the difference. ballpark is the same but whereas mini filter is BRUTE and has unlreal low end, the ARP version has extra liquid resonance, like droplets of water... just beautiful high end. ill never forget the axxe mkI i had arround, and let go.. stupido.

other versions are much different, from both the 4035 and minimoog. the screaming 2pole OTA in mk1 i.e. 4023, or the thick but smooth as butter 4075. dont think too much about its "design flaw" , as its what makes it what it is. i LOVE that filter, and i find it most desirable as in complementing other analogs/filters i have.

the early 2600's ARP4012 is basically built like minimoogs and 904, with 8 pairs of matched transistors, its the one ARP got sued for, so again, that variant is much closer to moogs than 4035. but not identical. depends what your references and expectations are.

im eager to hear how the announced 4012 and 4075 clones will sound in euro. im not blown away by current 4072 (same thing) clones by Yu Synth and STG Labs. the real thing just blows them away in smoothness in bigness and low end etc. check YT there is a rather dissapointing comparison. otherwise i would have bought the Yu synth version already.

[JEBEQ]

That MK2 that you are looking at DOES NOT have the Moog 4035 filter I can guarantee you that.

Model 2800 MK1 = 4023 filter
Model 2810 MK1 = some units had a 4035 Moog filter other wise a 4023
Model 2813 MK2 = 4075 filter only
Model 2823 MK3 = 4075 filter only

I have listened to an Odyssey with the 4035 Moog ladder filter and it honestly didn't sound that much different from the 4075. To much hype on this Moog 4035 filter.
The best thing you can do for an Odyssey if you get one is have the Audio path Upgrade, this makes a huge difference and provides some very nice bass. I had this done on my MK3 and it is my favorite of all odysseys.

Also I wouldn't compare Any Odyssey to any new Moog synth. New moogs sound nothing like an Odyssey.

[clusterchord]

Originally Posted by JEBEQ

I have listened to an Odyssey with the 4035 Moog ladder filter and it honestly didn't sound that much different from the 4075. To much hype on this Moog 4035 filter.

hype? i would have to respecfully disagree with that.

however, to go beyond just stating my opinion, here's a demo i made with both; axxe mkI (4035) on the left, and axxe mkII (4075) right. the difference is far from subtle me thinks. but decide for yourself. (excuse some sliders dirty at the time):

http://www.babic.com/SYN/AXXE/AXXE%20JAM_1-01.mp3
http://www.babic.com/SYN/AXXE/AXXE_JAM_2.mp3
http://www.babic.com/SYN/AXXE/AXXE_JAM_3.mp3
http://www.babic.com/SYN/AXXE/AXXE_JAM_4-01.mp3
http://www.babic.com/SYN/AXXE/AXXE_JAM_5.mp3

[gordonmerrick]

I have a 2813 that I just sent off to get repaired and I tell you, I miss it. I have a pile of moogs and the Arp is very much its own, wonderful, scary thing.

[Zombie H]

Originally Posted by clusterchord

hype? i would have to respecfully disagree with that.

however, to go beyond just stating my opinion, here's a demo i made with both; axxe mkI (4035) on the left, and axxe mkII (4075) right. the difference is far from subtle me thinks. but decide for yourself. (excuse some sliders dirty at the time):

http://www.babic.com/SYN/AXXE/AXXE%20JAM_1-01.mp3
http://www.babic.com/SYN/AXXE/AXXE_JAM_2.mp3
http://www.babic.com/SYN/AXXE/AXXE_JAM_3.mp3
http://www.babic.com/SYN/AXXE/AXXE_JAM_4-01.mp3
http://www.babic.com/SYN/AXXE/AXXE_JAM_5.mp3

holy sheep shit - is it ok to like both sides wow

[clusterchord]

yes indeed

[fooloof]

There are far more experienced ears on here than mine. With that said, based on the sounds in this video, I would probably not get both a Mini and an Ody. They sound redundant to me personally.

However, the Mini is quite a different beast to either the Voyager and especially the Phatty.

[JEBEQ]

Originally Posted by clusterchord

hype? i would have to respecfully disagree with that.

however, to go beyond just stating my opinion, here's a demo i made with both; axxe mkI (4035) on the left, and axxe mkII (4075) right. the difference is far from subtle me thinks. but decide for yourself. (excuse some sliders dirty at the time):

With all due respect I am having a hard time telling any difference between the two, because you have completely different sounds on the left and right on all your demos. I will say that I like both sides but am finding it hard to do a comparison.
Not trying to compare a P5 here, but here is an example of right left comparison of a P5 rev2 and a P5 rev3 were you can easily tell the deference between the Curtis & SSM chips.
http://prophet5.org/rev1vsrev3/
When I originally listened to a 4035 Odyssey I took it into my studio to try it out. I specifically tried to mess with the filter at all kind of settings and I did not find it to be that far from any of my other Odysseys.
I have a Minimoog D and when comparing my Mini to my Odys there is a night and day difference. I can here the smooth creamy filter in the Minimoog in comparison to the more edgy filter sound of the Odysseys.
At any rate I love all Odysseys with all filters.

[fooloof]

Originally Posted by JEBEQ

I have a Minimoog D and when comparing my Mini to my Odys there is a night and day difference. I can here the smooth creamy filter in the Minimoog in comparison to the more edgy filter sound of the Odysseys.
At any rate I love all Odysseys with all filters.

Ouch! That demo sounded pretty Moogy to me, at least enough that I wouldn't need both synths. But I defer to the experts (no sarcasm).

[Necron 99]

Honestly, I can get Arp Odyssey sounds on my Voyager just by switching the filter from 4 pole to 2 then using just sawtooth and square waves. I'd say save your money and get something more reliable.

[Futureman84]

Originally Posted by Necron 99

Honestly, I can get Arp Odyssey sounds on my Voyager just by switching the filter from 4 pole to 2 then using just sawtooth and square waves. I'd say save your money and get something more reliable.

You can't play duophonically tho.

That's one of the oddy's cool tricks.

[bloodsample]

Originally Posted by Necron 99

get something more reliable.

The seller says he got it recently fully serviced, recapped, cleaned, etc.

How long can I expect it to work properly after its been serviced? Do oddys fail more often than other synths?

Still on the fence about this one.

[Captain Proton]

The keyboard on my Mk3 is buggered so I am going to turn it into a mini Arp 2600 modular.

The problem I have is that when you take the actual keyboard off it stops the synth from working properly at all over cv/gate. Think I will just hide the actual keybaord electronics inside the case and do away with the goofy keyboard...I don't care if it ruins its resale value...I don't collect synth I use them

[moneyforsluts]

^I've seen several Oddy's turned into racks by removing the keys and adding midi.

[JEBEQ]

Originally Posted by bloodsample

The seller says he got it recently fully serviced, recapped, cleaned, etc.

How long can I expect it to work properly after its been serviced? Do oddys fail more often than other synths?

Still on the fence about this one.

Don't listen to people that have no experience with Odysseys and are just blabbing out nonsense. I have had 4 Odyssey and currently have 3, Yes they do need some service initially but this is for Odysseys that have never been serviced in 30+ years. I have had 2 of my Odysseys fully serviced and they have been rock solid for the last 4 years and will remain this way. The others that I had only needed sliders cleaned and I did that myself by washing the boards and relubricating the sliders.
So if this Odyssey that You are looking at has recently been serviced and recapped then you should not worry at all. Maybe recalibrrating down the line if it needs it but Otherwise Odysseys are like Tanks.

[clusterchord]

Originally Posted by JEBEQ

With all due respect I am having a hard time telling any difference between the two, because you have completely different sounds on the left and right on all your demos. I will say that I like both sides but am finding it hard to do a comparison..

well, it was a jam session with a friend many yrs ago. it was not done with intention to clinically imitate settings on both, to satisfy us geeks on GS - i know i should have hooked an oscilloscope too, and draw out freq responses

seriously, it was rather obvious from the first tone i played on both synths. to me, to my collegues there, Roginator and some other friends who came over to studio.. anyone who heard them. well, and of hundreds of ppl who heard these comparisons on the net in last 8 yrs, no one ever said they are the same.

but.. if you can't hear it, i accept that.

[dhollmusik]

Originally Posted by bloodsample

Someone's selling a mk2 odyssey in good condition near me.

I love 70s sounding synths too.

I have a voyager OS, little phatty and mf-101.

There's your answer right there:

- pretty much the entire history-of-synths lie between the Odyssey and the Moogs you have (30 years, is it?). Of course the sound will be very different.

- You love 70's-sounding synths.

- you have the opportunity to not just get one, but take a proper look at it before buying too.


Easiest decision you'll ever make. If you need some funds sell the Phatty.

[Dirty Halo]

What I've learned, I learned from Dave White who has extensive experience rebuilding Arps and direct experience with Alan Pearlman...

I say this to give you context and qualify my comments (as opposed to many on G.S. who just spew opinion as quasi-fact).

Here are bit's I've learned:

- From what I've been told, ARP Odysseys are actually very reliable. A good servicing will last you years and years.

- MKI has no CV/Gate (but I'm having that added as we speak by the wonderful Brian Castro ... we just did this research on mine, he could have also added the Synhouse midijack, but I'd prefer to use a Kenton for more control)

- According to David White, the Moog filter thing is much ado about nothing, yes there is a small difference, but there are other factors in versions that affect sound far more (he's literally side-by-side tested hundreds and hundreds, so I trust his ear on this).

I LOVE my MKI and that's in the context of me also owning a Moog Model D and Memorymoog, nothing alike!

And some may think I'm insane, but I had an Arp 2600 and the Odyssey was much more my instrument (sold it, yep!)

Hope that helps with some decently grounded info.

-andrews


P.S. Over the years, I've really respected Clusterchord's opinion and a few others here, who have good direct experience, so learn from those guys too!

[Necron 99]

Originally Posted by bloodsample

The seller says he got it recently fully serviced, recapped, cleaned, etc.

How long can I expect it to work properly after its been serviced? Do oddys fail more often than other synths?

I had a horrible experience with an Arp Odyssey. In my opinion they are incredibly unreliable and simply not worth it. After spending nearly a grand fixing mine up I eventually just sold it as is because there were still issues with it. If the seller truly did get it reserviced then great. But I wouldn't be surprised if it junked out on you a couple years down the road. If you have a hefty income and can afford the repairs then go for it if you really want it. But if you're like me and on a budget, then run as far as you can from this.

[Dirty Halo]

Originally Posted by Necron 99

I had a horrible experience with an Arp Odyssey. In my opinion they are incredibly unreliable and simply not worth it. After spending nearly a grand fixing mine up I eventually just sold it as is because there were still issues with it. If the seller truly did get it reserviced then great. But I wouldn't be surprised if it junked out on you a couple years down the road. If you have a hefty income and can afford the repairs then go for it if you really want it. But if you're like me and on a budget, then run as far as you can from this.

Would you care to substantiante your claim with actual facts because that runs contrary to their reputation and the opinion of extremely experienced techs, some of which who actually worked with Alan.

The more we can ca give real meaning to posts, the more we can cut down on rants and B.S. opinions.

-a

[Necron 99]

Originally Posted by Dirty Halo

Would you care to substantiante your claim with actual facts because that runs contrary to their reputation and the opinion of extremely experienced techs, some of which who actually worked with Alan.

The more we can ca give real meaning to posts, the more we can cut down on rants and B.S. opinions.

-a

I'm talking from personal experience in dealing with an Arp Odyssey. Just because some questionable tech who claims to have worked with Alan R. Pearlman says that the Arp Odyssey is incredibly reliable does not make it fact. If I had no experience with the Arp Odyssey, I would not have said anything. Apparantly you must be the ultimate guru on the entire Arp line since you claim that a lot of other people's opinions are B.S. and your words a pure gold. The OP wanted to know what people's opinions were on the topic and I have been completely honest in what I have said.

[dlmorley]

Originally Posted by Necron 99

I had a horrible experience with an Arp Odyssey. In my opinion they are incredibly unreliable and simply not worth it. After spending nearly a grand fixing mine up I eventually just sold it as is because there were still issues with it. If the seller truly did get it reserviced then great. But I wouldn't be surprised if it junked out on you a couple years down the road. If you have a hefty income and can afford the repairs then go for it if you really want it. But if you're like me and on a budget, then run as far as you can from this.

Not my experience.
My Odyssey has been with me for 20 years without issue.
It wasn't mint when I bought it.
I have hardly had any issues with any ARP I have owned (2500/2600/pro/dgx/odyssey)
Anyway, sorry you bought a bad example is all I can think. Buy a decent one and they are reliable.
They also sound great are mega flexible and affordable (kind of)

[Necron 99]

Originally Posted by dlmorley

Anyway, sorry you bought a bad example is all I can think.

Must have been the case. It has still tainted my faith in that brand regardless.

[dlmorley]

Originally Posted by Necron 99

Must have been the case. It has still tainted my faith in that brand regardless.

Understandably! Honestly though, they are reliable usually. Perhaps yours was one that had been fixed badly previously...or just a bad one. I guess it happens.
A new power supply is something that can be considered after 30 years as a dodgy PS will give all sorts of issues BUT still, this is the same for any synth.

In any case, I love ARP's. Great sounding synths

[schmuck]

Originally Posted by dlmorley

In any car, I love ARP's. Great sounding synths

Are you fiddling those synths while driving?