First things first, if you are in any way interested in the history of synthesizers you really should watch this video:
Yes, they left out a couple of people instrumental in the development of the 2600, but then they only had 30 minutes, and lets face it, much of the history has been buried in the sands of time (that sand being silicon maybe?) For example, Jim Michmerhuizen wrote the original "owners manual" and it remains an excellent text on synthesis. But I digress!
Here's my dilemma - I have an ARP 2600, a fairly early example, it was the service center crash test dummy for years, so it too has some history. And it is not as reliable as I'd like, since it did take part in more than a few experiments. But when it works, well, it sounds fantastic.
I has been, for the most part, replaced by the TimewARP 2600 plugin, which sounds fantastic, and is certainly more flexible, and capable, but without the physical controls it is no where as fun. I recently purchased a KIWITechnics Patch Editor, and I've been working on adapting that. Previously I used a Kore2, but that was not quite up to the task.
I've also had problems with the external input, it does not behave quite the same. The rest is pretty darned close to the hardware, but the ability to plug in a microphone or my guitar was more than half the fun (the same was true of the Korg MS-20).
So why consider a $4000 synthesizer, especially a remake? Reliability would be one thing, built in MIDI would be another (I've tried numerous MIDI-to-CV/Gate converters, none are perfect). And the external input is a big lure. Access to both filter models is really attractive too.
On the other hand I do have one, and with a little effort (maybe a lot of effort?) I could restore it. And I could make a few changes I've always wanted to boot. And mine has some history behind it.
On the other hand, well, you get the idea. I am seriously tempted, and at the same time well aware of at least a dozen reasons ($4000 is a big one).
Just figured I should at least share the video, and possibly the news.
(I've been told that there is a good chance that the entire run is already spoken for - that would help me<G>!)
Yes, they left out a couple of people instrumental in the development of the 2600, but then they only had 30 minutes, and lets face it, much of the history has been buried in the sands of time (that sand being silicon maybe?) For example, Jim Michmerhuizen wrote the original "owners manual" and it remains an excellent text on synthesis. But I digress!
Here's my dilemma - I have an ARP 2600, a fairly early example, it was the service center crash test dummy for years, so it too has some history. And it is not as reliable as I'd like, since it did take part in more than a few experiments. But when it works, well, it sounds fantastic.
I has been, for the most part, replaced by the TimewARP 2600 plugin, which sounds fantastic, and is certainly more flexible, and capable, but without the physical controls it is no where as fun. I recently purchased a KIWITechnics Patch Editor, and I've been working on adapting that. Previously I used a Kore2, but that was not quite up to the task.
I've also had problems with the external input, it does not behave quite the same. The rest is pretty darned close to the hardware, but the ability to plug in a microphone or my guitar was more than half the fun (the same was true of the Korg MS-20).
So why consider a $4000 synthesizer, especially a remake? Reliability would be one thing, built in MIDI would be another (I've tried numerous MIDI-to-CV/Gate converters, none are perfect). And the external input is a big lure. Access to both filter models is really attractive too.
On the other hand I do have one, and with a little effort (maybe a lot of effort?) I could restore it. And I could make a few changes I've always wanted to boot. And mine has some history behind it.
On the other hand, well, you get the idea. I am seriously tempted, and at the same time well aware of at least a dozen reasons ($4000 is a big one).
Just figured I should at least share the video, and possibly the news.
(I've been told that there is a good chance that the entire run is already spoken for - that would help me<G>!)